Disclaimer: See Chapter One
Chapter Eight
And it's all good if you would
Stop the world from making sense
And if I could just realize
It doesn't really matter.
-Lifehouse, "Cling and Clatter"
xxx
He got home that evening to find Zoro sprawled out on the couch, the TV still on. Shaking his head, he went to turn it off before a slow smile slid across his features and he crossed to the couch, not even bothering to change out of his good suit before he clambered on and sprawled across the still-sleeping swordsman.
"Oh, Zoro-kun, wake up…" he sing-songed, earning a grunt as Zoro's eyes opened.
"Hey," he didn't look at all fazed to have the cook laying on him; in fact, he let his arms slide around Sanji's back so that they were more comfortable. "How was work?"
"Torture."
"Figures," Zoro rubbed his shoulders and Sanji let out a contented sigh. "What happened? It's nearly midnight; did you get to show off some of your recipes?"
"Oi, you should have heard it," Sanji closed his eyes. "Went on and on about how we're running a European restaurant and not an Asian one, and if I wanted to go cook all that sushi and stuff I should take it elsewhere. Honestly, it's like the man forgot he sent me to Japan!"
"He'll come around. Just give him some time," Zoro said, already feeling sleep creeping up on him once more.
"Oi, are we moving or falling asleep here?"
"Here's good. I've done it before."
"Suit yourself. I have to change."
His only response was a snore as Sanji stalked into the bathroom to brush his teeth before slipping on a pair of comfortable pyjamas and heading back to the living room, crawling back on top of Zoro and letting his head rest on the other man's chest. "G'night, love-cook."
"Yeah. You too."
000
"Oi, Sanji! Zoro! I was wondering if…IthinkI'lljustleavenowokaybye!"
"Usopp, get back here," Sanji slurred, lifting his head and glaring blearily at the blushing engineering student. "What are you doing here?"
"Oh. My car broke down and Luffy says that he and Ace are already at the university, so I was wondering if you could give me a ride?" he pleaded.
"You…live around here?"
"Next building over," Usopp pointed. "I can't get a hold of Kaya, either, so…if it wouldn't be too much trouble…"
"It's fine," Sanji pushed himself up and got off of the couch, reaching his arms above his head and dropping to the floor in a backbend that made Usopp wince. If the kid lived so close it was no wonder Zoro gave him a key, but Sanji still would have liked a little privacy in his own apartment.
"How can you do that?" Usopp was staring in horror at Sanji, who appeared to be deep in thought despite being upside down with only one foot on the ground.
"Dunno," Sanji pushed off on his hands and flipped over to land on his feet. "When's your class, kiddo?"
"Ten. It's only eight-thirty now," Usopp glanced at the clock.
"Yeah? I've got a ten o'clock class, too, so that's no problem, and Marimo here's got class at eleven. I'm sure we can arrange something," Sanji assured him, moving into the kitchen.
"So, what's going on with you and Zoro?" Usopp looked interested.
"Nothing at the moment. I had a bad shift and he was comfortable, so I just fell asleep on him. I know you and Luffy've done it countless times," he rolled his eyes.
"Well, yeah, but…we're both straight."
"Who says Zoro isn't?"
"Come on, Sanji, who are you trying to fool?" Usopp snickered. "We both know that…"
"He's never had a relationship, blah-blah-blah, I know," Sanji admitted. "I just…he confuses me, Usopp. I'd be lying if I said that I didn't like him, but I really have no idea how he feels about me. One second he'll let me lay with him like that, and the next he's accusing me of sleeping around and looking like my very existence disgusts him."
"Well, maybe he's just confused," Usopp scratched his nose thoughtfully.
"Confused as in how?" Sanji handed the younger man a cup of coffee and Usopp nodded his thanks as he continued to speak.
"Let's see…when I first decided I liked Kaya, it just sort of happened, you know? It was like I always saw her as a friend and then bam, one day I looked at her and I wasn't happy with us being 'just friends' anymore. Understand?" he leant back in the chair.
"Yeah," Sanji idly scratched the back of his leg with his opposite foot and glanced into his coffee mug.
"And Zoro's pretty stupid when it comes to dealing with emotions, so maybe he figures that it's just easier to try and push you away than it is to get involved with you. Or maybe…" and Usopp grinned conspiratorially, "he's just jealous."
"You don't say?" Sanji perked up, interested that Usopp would jump to the same conclusion that he himself had been teasing Zoro about only the day before. "I'm listening, long-nose."
"Right. Well, from what I've heard from Luffy, the first time he really called you out was after you slept with Ace, and you say that now he did it again?"
"Yeah…"
"So, when he said stuff the next time…what did he say, anyway? Luffy wouldn't tell me," Usopp inquired.
"Called me a slut."
"Ouch. Yeah, Zoro doesn't really know the meaning of the word 'tact.'"
"You can say that again. But back to your question: I met his trainer a couple of days ago and yesterday morning we…kind of hit it off. Really well. I mean, we didn't do anything, but it's obvious that Zoro thinks it's only a matter of time," Sanji sighed.
"His trainer? As in, Kaku his trainer?"
"Yep," Sanji replied with a nod. "You know him?"
"Vaguely," Usopp said, taking another sip of his coffee. "So, Zoro only snaps at you when you've been with or are talking about someone else. I'd call that jealousy."
"I'd call that delusional," Zoro grunted, walking into the kitchen as Usopp squeaked and attempted to unsuccessfully hide behind his coffee mug. "What's the kid doing here?"
"We're giving him a ride," Sanji sniffed and moved to the table. "And you need to change, because you're wearing yesterday's clothes."
"Don't tell me what to do."
"Someone has to, or you'd just wear the same thing every day," Sanji rolled his eyes and sat down with his coffee. "Honestly, you're such a slob."
"Well, not everyone can be unnaturally neat all the time."
"It isn't unnatural, oaf. Really, it's no wonder you've never had a girlfriend."
"Maybe I have more important things to think about…"
"Like those swords of yours?"
"Hey, don't even start. You have no idea what they mean to me," Zoro snarled, and Sanji was taken aback by the vehemence in the other man's tone.
"Sorry," Sanji glanced down. "I didn't…"
"I know. It's fine," Zoro finally sat down after pouring himself some coffee. "Hey, you still want to come training this afternoon? I missed this morning's workout thanks to you."
"You could have moved me. I'm sure I'm not all that heavy," Sanji snorted.
"I was comfortable. But Kaku won't be happy that I stood him up," he groaned.
"Well, we'll go see him tonight, right?"
"Yeah, I guess, but I still need to call him," Zoro sighed and dug out his cell phone, dialling a number and engaging in a conversation for a few moments until he blinked and held the phone out to Sanji. "He wants to talk to you."
"Hmm?" Sanji took the phone and, because Zoro was making him rather nervous by staring, moved out into the living room. "What's up, Kaku?"
"Nothing. I'm just trying to…what's the phrase…'freak Zoro out' by talking to you privately. He asked about us, did he not?"
"Of course."
"Ah," Kaku sounded unsurprised. "Was he jealous?"
"I'm beginning to think so. You know who Usopp is?"
"Rather."
"Alright, well…that's his theory, too," Sanji explained briefly.
"Interesting. We shall have to speak on this more thoroughly this evening. Hang on a second…" Sanji could hear him speaking to somebody in the background. "Sorry. That darn bird of Rob's is fluttering around the kitchen again."
"Do I want to know?" Sanji asked.
"Probably not. I'm sure you'll meet him eventually."
"The man or the bird?"
"Both," was the prompt reply. "Well, I'm sure Zoro doesn't appreciate us using up his minutes, so I shall talk to you tonight, my good fellow."
"Yeah. See you," Sanji snapped the phone shut and walked back into the kitchen.
"What did he want?" Zoro asked, looking suspicious.
"None of your business, is it?" Sanji handed the phone back to him. "We're still supposed to meet him tonight."
"Good. Maybe I'll get to see the two of you dance."
"Shut up. It takes days to choreograph a decent routine. At least, if you don't want us to kill each other," Sanji added thoughtfully. "But I should get started on breakfast. You hungry, Usopp?"
"For your cooking? Of course!" he grinned.
"Good."
000
"So. Jealous."
"Jealous," Sanji agreed with a nod as they watched Zoro practice, the green-haired man stopping every few minutes to turn a pointed glare in their direction. Obviously their excuse about 'working on a routine' was hardly going to fly if they were just sitting there whispering, but neither of them truly cared.
The soft cooing in his ear made Sanji roll his eyes, but he reached up to scratch the breast of the bird perched on his shoulder as Kaku chuckled. Sanji was leaning against the wall, looking fairly unimpressed, and Kaku was seated beside him, pressed up against him in a way that probably only caused more annoyed looks from Zoro. "I see Hattori likes you."
"The pigeon."
"Yes, the pigeon," Kaku laughed again. "I'm terribly sorry about it, but my roommate was called out unexpectedly, and while our employer understands the bird for the most part, sometimes it's beneficial to a conversation to not have a fluttering pigeon around when trying to discuss serious civic matters."
"I could see that," Sanji admitted. "But did you have to bring him with you? Why couldn't he have just stayed at your guys' condo?"
"The board doesn't approve of him. They won't do anything when Rob's around, but he still fears that one day they'll come in and dispose of him while we are not present, so he stays with us."
"And you still room with this guy? I dunno, Kaku…you seem pretty attached…"
"Stop it," Kaku swatted his shoulder lightly. "He and I are old friends; nothing more."
"Sure," Sanji grinned. "But anyway, Zoro."
"Yes. Zoro."
"Does he like me?"
"Yes. At least, that is what he told me," Kaku admitted. "But…"
"But there's no guarantee that his definition of 'like' is the same as ours, right?" Sanji heaved a sigh, bringing his arm up so he could stroke the older man's hair. And now Zoro was really glaring at them. "Of course, if he keeps doing that, it's not hard to tell that he's jealous."
"Keep going! I said a half-hour!" Kaku called, glancing up at the clock. "We've still got ten minutes. I wonder how much more we can torture him?"
"I think we've done enough. He's mad about Ace anyway," Sanji snorted. "Stupid overprotective Marimo."
"Why should he care? He doesn't have any claim on you," Kaku mused softly.
"That's what I keep telling him! You should have seen him yesterday when he came home for lunch!"
"Why? What happened yesterday?" Kaku asked, blinking.
"Kaku," Sanji looked at the man as if he had just lost his mind. "This happened yesterday."
'This' was punctuated by a flourish of his free hand, and Kaku glanced at him, turning his head to the side and gazing up through those impossibly long eyelashes. "And that's strange?"
"Do you normally cuddle with him? Or what about your roommate?"
"Of course not! They'd probably maim me if I tried," Kaku admitted. "But you…you're different."
"Different enough that after knowing me for all of two days you're willing to do this?"
"Different enough," Kaku agreed amicably. "I've never…I've never had anyone I could be with like this. I've always relied on myself and my own abilities to get me through; especially since I've moved to the city. Most people take one look at me and decide that laughing is the best course of action."
"Hey, it's not so bad," Sanji smiled. "I've got a curly eyebrow. So what?"
"Less noticeable than this thing," Kaku flicked his nose irritably. "Sometimes I wish I knew who my parents were so that I could blame one of them for saddling me with it."
"Hey, don't worry about it," Sanji pulled him closer and returned to stroking his hair. "You like Kailfa, right?"
"Perhaps. A little."
"Then go for her. She's good in bed," Sanji grinned as Kaku lightly punched his arm.
"I did not need to know that!"
"Sure you did," Sanji assured him. "I can't tell her the same about you, of course, but…"
"Yes, that would go over really well. We want to get Zoro to admit his feelings, not get Zoro to murder us," Kaku remarked dryly as Hattori cooed once more. "I have no doubt that he would."
"Maybe," Sanji looked unimpressed. "I could take him.
"Speaking of which, should we actually attempt to plan something out?" Kaku stood, stretching in his customary way by bending back to the floor. "After all," he said from his upside-down position, "I would like to see what skills you have."
"Same," Sanji stood, Hattori giving him an angry bass rumble at the sudden change in position, and was about to start stretching when a cell phone rang.
"That's me. Sorry," Kaku dug it out of his pocket. "Yes, Rob?" There was silence for a few moments, but Sanji saw Kaku's eyes narrow slightly before his normal cheerful mask was back in place. "Alright. I'll be right there. No, no, it can wait, I'm just at the gym. Yes, I'll bring you and Iceburg coffee. Yes, Hattori's fine, Rob," he sounded exasperated as he clapped the phone shut. "Sorry, Sanji, but an emergency's come up and I have to run. Can we plan to finish this some other time?" he appeared perfectly calm, but Sanji could practically feel the waves of anxiety and…something like determination pouring off of the older man.
"That's fine," Sanji knew better than to ask what the phone call had been about.
"Good, then. Sorry, Zoro," Kaku turned to the other man apologetically. "But duty calls, I'm afraid."
"I stood you up this morning. Don't worry about it," Zoro shrugged. "Get going."
"Right," Kaku glanced at Sanji again. "Come on, Hattori," he held out his wrist, but the pigeon staunchly refused to move. "I think he likes you."
"Well, I'm not keeping him," Sanji rolled his eyes and strode forward, giving the other man a hug while Hattori finally hopped from his shoulder to Kaku's. "Hey, it's fine, right? I mean, whatever's going on…"
"Yes," Kaku assured him, returning the embrace. "But I just wish…never mind, wishing isn't going to get me anywhere. I'll see the two of you later," he pulled back and gave a weak smile before leaving.
"Zoro?"
"Yeah," Zoro put his hand on Sanji's shoulder.
"Was that weird?"
"Very."
"What does Kaku do, exactly?" Sanji turned to the larger man.
"He just told me he works for the city…that could mean anything. Besides that, he helps out at the Marina sometimes," Zoro rubbed the back of his neck.
"Well, whatever. If it's important to us, we'll find out," Sanji yawned. "Come on, it's getting late. You want to grab a late night snack and head home?"
"Sounds good," Zoro agreed.
"Great. Let's go."
Notes:
1. Yes, I know it's rather short, but next chapter a little something called 'plot' makes an appearance…and then the length explodes, so this is the last short chapter you can all expect:)
2. I'm finally done my year at Uni…but this hardly means more free time, because work is imminent, and that's more work than University…however, since I have nineteen chapters of this baby written, updates should remain consistent for a while!
3. I have proof that giant pigeons do, in fact, exist. A family of them lives in the University parkade, and in about November they set up a nest and two eggs hatched. Well, papa pigeon is about the size of a chicken (when he coos, the sound echoes through the entire 5-story parkade!) and babies 1 and 2 are quickly catching up. Apparently a race of super-pigeons is in the works, so I no longer find Hattori's size implausible :P
Thanks for the continued reviews, and keep them coming!