Fallen Skies
Pairing: Zosan
Disclaimer: All one piece characters belong to Oda
It was raining heavily when a blonde entered the building filled with music and dancing. Next to him was a raven haired boy practically jumping on the heels of his feet, so eager to get into the lively place. The place was crowded with people dancing and drinking all over, with loud music bouncing on every part of the room. The building wasn't brightly lit so it was hard to make out the faces of the people inside. The blonde with a curly eyebrow turned around to look at the raven haired boy behind him.
"Why are we here again Luffy?"
Luffy's attention went from the performing band on stage to the blonde, his brown eyes filled with excitement. "Cause Brooks asked you to come, and you didn't know where the place was and I did, because I'm from here. Sanji you can be so weird sometimes."
"It was a rhetorical question... I don't want to stay here long. I only came to Eastblue because of a cooking conference, and this is not my style." He made a face as the lead singer gave a monstrous scream. How can people understand what they are singing?
"But Sanjiiii," Luffy whined. "Brooks always play's for your catering, he just asked for you to see him perform openly." Luffy made his way through the crowd like an expert. The blonde sighed and followed. Stumbling now and then with people dancing and jumping Sanji tried his best to keep up with Luffy.
"Does he get paid for this?!" he found himself asking the raven hair teen, almost screaming to be heard over the band playing.
"Nope. It's like a way to just be able to sing and have fun. I guess a way to express yourself... Anyone and any song can be sung. But as you can see it's mostly rock. Not sure why."
"Maybe because all the people here are crazy. He muttered to himself. "I can't stand this music." The blonde stopped when he saw Luffy stop when they reached the side of a bar. Luffy sat down on one of the chairs and ordered two drinks. Sanji joined him. "So when is Brooks coming on?"
"Not sure. Sometimes it can be at random."
Sanji hummed as the bartender placed both drinks on the counter. Sanji smelled his drink before taking a sip. Wine... Luffy knows me well... He was surprised though, he didn't expect a place like this to sell such expensive drinks. But he wasn't complaining, at least he had something good to drink.
The place gradually became quiet, as the band finished their song. Sanji sighed in relief; the music was starting to pulse in his head. At least he wasn't outside getting wet in the rain, he thought-trying to see the bright side.
He came to Eastblue because Zeff (his father) asked him to take his place in catering for an expensive wedding. Luffy was with him in Northblue, but when he heard he was going to Eastblue, Luffy tagged along. Sanji didn't mind, he kept him company and Luffy once lived here so he could get to places with Luffy's help. Even though the boy would sometimes get lost. Well, at least he started in the right direction.
A deep baritone voice caught Sanji's ears. Sanji turned around on his stool, drink in hand to locate that deep chilling voice. It was a voice that vibrated in his chest, even though it had this laziness to it. Looking around the blonde's eyes went to the stage, where another band was preparing to play.
It was a small group; there were two in front of the microphone. One had a purplish silver color hair, with dark skin (What he could see from the poor lighting) and had a guitar strapped over himself. The other had a bandana over his head and was taller than the silver hair guy next to him. The deep voice was coming from the tall, tan singer. He wasn't singing yet, but introducing the band and getting the crowd hyped for the song to come.
Sanji could guess the silver darker skin man was the lead guitarist and side vocals, while the taller tan man was the lead singer. At this point the one with silver hair started speaking.
"Who's ready for some music!" the crowd responded with loud cheers and shouts. Sanji had his full attention on the band on stage. The place quieted down, it was a signal for the on stage performers to start.
"Who are does?"
"Ah!" Luffy cheered, "That's Zoro and Saga's group. Well more Saga's. Zoro just helps him write the songs and sometimes when he's free sings to help Saga out."
"Which one is which?" Luffy grinned at Sanji. He twisted his body to the side to be able to see better. "The taller one with the bandana is Zoro. The one with the guitar and silver hair is Saga... you look pretty interested in the small group," he smirked.
Saga started with a slow rhythm with his guitar, the drums following right behind. When Zoro started to sing, Sanji felt goosebumps run up his arms. He had never heard such a deep voice, yet so smooth in his life.
"It's caving in around me
What I thought was solid ground
I tried to look the other way
But I couldn't turn around
It's OK for you to hate me
For all the things I've done
I've made a few mistakes
But I'm not the only one...
Step away from the ledge
I'm coming down!
I could never be (Saga sang with Zoro)
What you want me to
You pulled me under
To save yourself
Save yourself (Saga sang in the background.)
You will never see
What's inside of me
I pulled you under just to save myself
Was there ever any question
On how much I could take?
You kept feeding me your bullshit, Hoping I would break,
Is there anybody out there? Is there anyone who cares? Is there anybody listening?
Will they hear my final prayers?
Sanji felt his heart tighten when those line were sang, with so much pain...it was like he was crying out and no one was listening.
Step away from the ledge
I'm coming down
I could never be
What you want me to
You pulled me under
To save yourself
(Save yourself)-Saga
You will never see
What's inside of me
I pulled you under just to save myself
(Save myself)-Saga
It's caving in around me
(Caving in)-Saga
It's tearing me apart
(Tearing me)-Saga
It's all coming down around me
(Coming down)-Saga
Does anyone
Anyone
Care at all?
Sanji couldn't shake the feeling, that this song held so much behind it
I will never be
What you want me to
You pull me under
I pull you under
I could never be
What you want me to
You pulled me under
To save yourself
(Save yourself)
You will never see
What's inside of me
I pulled you under just to save myself
By the time it finished, the blonde found himself shaking. Sanji couldn't keep his eyes off the band that were retreating off the stage. He couldn't even hear the roaring applause and praise from the crowd and squealing fan girls. That song, to him...it sounded like a silent cry. A desperate cry for help...for someone to notice that there is something wrong. Sanji didn't know why he felt like the song had a deeper meaning, but he knew what he felt and he heard pain in that singer's voice.
"Sanji!"
Said blonde turned to face Luffy. "Sorry Luffy, what did you say?"
"I said, Brooks is next." Luffy frowned, being a little upset because Sanji was ignoring him.
"Right, that's the reason we came here for in the first place." But Sanji wasn't able to focus. His eyes kept looking around for that tall, tan singer. He has to be here.The chef didn't know why he was looking for him. But he needed to see the face of such a deep chilling voice. The voice was the perfect pitch to him. He only got that same effect once, with Nami. His co-worker and financial adviser, but it was understandable since she was an angel.
/
"How did you like it ~Sanji- saaaan?~?
Sanji looked up from his drink and smiled at the bony man. The man was pale as death and had a huge black afro sitting on his head. He wore an orange shirt with purple flowers, with purple pants.
"It was awesome Brooks." Brook's smiled at Sanji before looking at the boy sitting next to him. "I'm surprised you're not in the heat of the party. "
"I don't want to leave Sanji alone. Someone might steal him. He sticks out like a sore thumb. Just look at how he's dressed. " The boy laughed at his own joke.
"OI! There's nothing wrong with my clothes!"
"You don't have to go all fancy everywhere you go Sanji-san. I think a suit is a little too much for a place like this one." Sanji blushed at the comment before Brook turned his gaze to Luffy. "I'm sure Sanji-san would be fine by himself. You want to go dancing?"
Luffy looked at the blonde. Sanji gave him a nod before Luffy jumped off the chair with so much energy-like he was charging it to the max and could not hold it in any longer.
"I'll be right there if you need me!" Luffy screamed over the music.
Sanji waved at Luffy and Brooks as they made their way into the crowd. Sanji sighed. This is really not my place. Who would want to come here in the first place? Loud music, sweaty bodies, rock music, and tugs every which way. Sanji felt someone sit down next to him heavily, but decided to ignore the person concluding it was another punk or someone to that level.
"The same hard drink?" The bartender asked already taking out a bottle.
"Yeah, you know, the usual." If Sanji's neck was made out of cracker it would have crumbled with the speed he spun his head; because that was the voice, the bone chilling, sexy baritone voice.
Sanji's blue eye landed on the teen that was on the stage singing not too long ago. He still had the bandana over his head, and even with the poor lighting Sanji could see he was right, the man was a honey tan and had a deep green eyes. It was actually a green Sanji had never seen before, it was almost a neon green that shined when the light hit them. Physical wise, the blonde couldn't really tell if the he was fat or skinny because of the clothes he was wearing, a large white and green jacket, with baggy pants, and boots. The blonde decided that he would categorize him (since he can't see his body) as pleasantly plump.
"What the hell are you looking at?"
Sanji was shaken from his thoughts when he heard the teen's deep lazy voice. Sanji noticed that the teen was looking at him, a scowl printed on his pace. He felt a blush forming, he was staring?! This must look weird.
"I have eyes to watch, can't you see that or are you too stupid to know?" Sanji answered feeling a little offended. Sanji watched as the corner of the teens mouth turned slightly upwards. The teen with the bandana was clearly amused.
"I like you. The names Roronoa Zoro, and you are?"
He felt dumbfounded, he just insulted the guy and now he says he likes me? "Sanji Blackleg, nice to meet you..."
"I've never seen you before. What are you doing here? You don't seem like the guy to like places like this..."
"A friend of mines wanted me to come and see him play. Actually I'm from Northblue but came here because of a job. I've been in Eastblue before, but for a totally different reason."
Zoro hummed in the back of his throat while taking a swig from his bottle. "Isn't that the French side of the sea, or something like that?"
"Yes! That's where I was born and grew up. I live with my father where we opened a restaurant right next to the sea!" Sanji felt all excited. He always got like that when he spoke about the restaurant both his father and him owned. But the singer next to him wasn't showing off the same vibe.
The room to Sanji grew heavy; it was like an awkward kind of silence. The teen next to him looked relaxed drinking casual, while Sanji felt like it was his turn to say something, or ask something but nothing came to mind. Sanji didn't even know if Zoro wanted to continue talking, since he kinda just went back to drinking his strong drink and hasn't said a word.
Zoro turned again to look at the blonde, bottle still on lips. "So, for how long are you staying?"
"Around a week and a half maybe a little longer. This is my third day here." How can he talk clearly with a bottle to his mouth?
"Ok..."
This guy doesn't know how continue a conversation. His question is like "Hows the weather today?" To then give such short answer. Is this what they call small talk? Racking his brain Sanji thought of his own question to ask the man drinking next to him. "How long of you been singing?"
"Um, around..." he scratched his chin before answer. "A year or so."
"Really? Not bad I have to say..." Sanji noticed with the corner of his eye that Zoro was going for his fourth bottle. Wait fourth?! How did he drink all that? I'm still on my first cup."You shouldn't drink too much if you're planning on driving home tonight."
Zoro shook his head, "Nah, it's good. I'm not driving"
"If you say so. That's not exactly why I said it, drinking like that will have long-term side effect.-Is this what you do for a living?" He asked while lighting a cigarette.
"No..."
"Do you get paid for singing here?"
"Nope."
Sanji was starting to feel the conversation do a 90 degree plummet. He really didn't know what else to ask. And he didn't know if to ask if he was going to get answers like this.
"ZOROOOO!"
Sanji spun around to see Luffy jumping full speed towards them, before Sanji could say anything to help Zoro, the raven hair boy smashed onto Zoro's back- hard. Luffy clung to Zoro's back like a monkey and looked over his shoulder with a big toothy grin on his face.
"Hey Luffy...long time no see." Zoro looked back at Luffy without any trace of pain in his voice. Sanji was shocked, cause a normal person would feel pain after getting Luffy's body crushed into your back. He should know, he's felt it before and it leaves him on the ground or out of air for a few seconds.
"Yes, it's been toooo long!" Luffy looked at Sanji. "Zoro, did you meet Sanji yet?"
"Yeah, we met." Zoro looked at Sanji and gave him a smirk.
Sanji felt his face heat up. He didn't know why he was reacting this way. He would fall in love with the ladies at first site. If a man, then it took time and effect (from the man's side, of course) for him to feel anything. He didn't like how this guy was just taken over his emotions so fast. Everything about him made him feel all tingly inside, his green eyes, tan skin and voice. Gosh! That voice. It had to be that, his voice was just the right pitch for Sanji's ears. And now it's making him feel all weird.
Zoro turned his attention back to Luffy seeing Sanji was spacing out. "Is he ok, he has a stupid expression on his face. And what is that on his face?" Luffy looked at Zoro confused.
"That on his eyebrow, a swirl? Zoro asked Luffy. "Can you play darts with that?" Zoro leaned closer while squinting his eyes to see Sanji's face better.
Luffy burst out laughing, falling off Zoro's back and landing on his back. "It's... now you ...see it? I never...thought of...that!" Luffy said in-between laughter and trying to fill his lungs with much-needed air. "And Zoro said it so seriously too!"
Sanji snapped out of his trance. "Wait, what!?" Sanji eyes glared at both Luffy and Zoro. "Look who's talking... " Sanji mouth fumbled for a word. "Chubby!" It was really an assumption... Sanji didn't have anything to insult with. The man had a jacket, pants, boots and bandana, nothing he could tease him back with.
Zoro raised an eyebrow. "That's the best you can do? And here I thought I liked you..."
Sanji gritted his teeth before raising his leg intending to kick Zoro in the head. But to his surprise, Zoro jumped out his seat and caught his leg with his bare hands. "Strong kick you have here." Sanji's eyes widen for a second.
"There's more where that came from!" Sanji used the foot that was in Zoro hands as leverage and brought his other foot upwards. Zoro saw it coming and blocked it with the side of his arm. Not letting go of Sanji's foot, Zoro grabbed the other foot as well. Sanji not being able to release his feet fell into an awkward position, he had to use his hands as his legs, and be at an angle.
"Come on you guys, stop fighting." Sanji heard Luffy whine from his upside-down position.
"Now what, curly-brow? You give up?"
Sanji gritted his teeth. Who does this guy think he is? He was taught how to fight since he was young and has never lost a fight yet! Sanji pulled with his feet, not being able to lose Zoro's iron grip on his legs, but was able to pull Zoro's weight with his feet and flipped him to the other side. Because of this Zoro loosed Sanji's foot and landed on his back. Sanji spun on his hands ready to hit Zoro since he was on the floor. Sanji kicked down on Zoro unprotected abdomen, harder than he should have. But he didn't care the guy was starting to annoy him.
By now a small crowd had formed. Apparently fighting in this club was ok, as long as there was no weapon. Sanji stood up on both his feet. The blonde felt the foot that had hit Zoro pulse, this guy's stomach is as hard as a wall. Maybe he isn't chubby and that's the reason the comment about him being chubby went over his head.
"You're fast...But if you want to actually make me stay down, you might want to put some more strength behind those legs." Zoro said, a smirk on his face as he stood up and brushed off any dirt that might have gotten onto his white jacket. "Curly-cue"
Sanji gritted his teeth. No one has ever gotten up right after a kick like that. It should have left him down for at least two hours. Is he a tank? And again with the nickname, and I have nothing to insult him with!
The crowd that had formed around Zoro, Luffy and Sanji were all cheering them on. Some placing bets on the singer and the "new" guy.
"No more fighting you guys." Luffy said, walking in between the pair. "My two friends shouldn't be fighting."
"Come on Luffy, it was only getting good. Right Curly-brow?"
"Don't call me that! I'll have you know the ladies love this where I'm from!" Sanji said pointing at his curly eyebrow while wiggling it up and down.
The room fell silent before Zoro burst out laughing. Sanji stared dumbfounded. He would have never thought a laugh can sound so...warm and full to him. He wouldn't mind hearing him laugh again, even if it is at him.
Luffy had a similar expression on his face, but with a smile. "Wow, Sanji you actually made him laugh!"
Sanji blushed. Great so he really did find my eyebrow funny.Something silver caught Sanji's attention. Finally, something he could use against this annoying person!
Sanji threw back his head. "At least I'm not the one with a full set of train tracks on my teeth, braces"
Zoro eyes widen for a fraction of a second, he instantly shut his mouth and placed his hand over it, a deep blush forming over his tan skin.
"Ah! So you finally got them. Jeez, that took forever!" Luffy cheered looking at Zoro.
Zoro glared at Sanji, his hand still covering his mouth. "That was low you know..." Zoro's voice coming out muffled behind his hand.
"Hey, you started it! You can't start something and not expect me to finish it."
Before Zoro could say anything else, two girls entered the little ring, the crowd had formed. Sanji almost nosebleed when he saw them.
Both had pink hair, most likely dyed. One was shorter than the other; the shorter one had round black eyes, her pink hair in two high pony tails, red lipstick and a white shirt that showed her stomach and a mini skirt with tights. The taller one had shorts, with a white shirt; she was also showing her stomach with thin suspenders, with high-heels with high stocking that stopped at her knees.
"Zoro, you're picking a fight again?" the taller one scowled, both hands on hips, giving off a commanding aura.
"Stay out of this Bonney." Zoro addressed the taller girl. "Is it time to go or something? If not leave me alone!"
"It stopped raining; we can take advantage and leave without getting my cute hair wet." The shorter one, Perona said while pulling one of her pigtails.
Bonney eyed Sanji. "And you are?"
"S... S... Sanji." The blonde blushed. Such pretty girls. "And who do I have the honor of speaking to?"
Zoro, Bonney and Perona raised an eyebrow at Sanji's weird behavior towards the two females. "The names Bonney, and this is my sister Perona. Were you fighting with him?" Bonney pointed at Zoro. "Because we don't take lightly when someone fights with our brother..."
"I wasn't fighting, it was more... sparring." Sanji gulped. There're related!Both Perona and Bonney had evil glares.
"Bonney, Perona! You know I hate it when you do stuff like that. I can take care of myself!"
"No you can't. Anyhow, dad called and wants us home so let's go."
Perona laughed at Zoro's pout. Zoro turned to Sanji. "Sorry, our little fight had to end so early, but I have to go. I'll see you around." Zoro walked away, giving a slight wave of his hand.
Sanji just stared dumbfounded. He would have never thought they were related. They look nothing alike. Well, the two girls look related, but not Zoro. It could be because they both had pink hair and were fair skin, while Zoro was a tan with whatever hair color.
The crowd also started to break up and continue what they were doing before the fight started. The music started up again, and the dancing and partying continued.
"How can he be related to two gorgeous girls?" Sanji looked at Luffy for answer. Both Luffy and Sanji made their way to the bar stools again.
"I don't know, all I really know about Bonney and Perona is that they are really protective over their baby brother."
"Wait? He's the youngest?" Sanji thought back on the three siblings. "He looks the oldest, followed by Bonney then by Perona. Or at least Bonney then Zoro. Perona looks the youngest."
"Nope, Zoro is the youngest. Could be because he doesn't smile as often. But enough talking about them, let's go PARTY!"
Sanji glanced at the exit before standing up and following Luffy into the crowd of people. Maybe a little dancing will help him get that annoying teen off his mind.
/
Bonney sat on her motorbike after wiping the rain that stayed there. Zoro sat behind her and Perona behind him. Zoro hated riding in the middle, but an accident made Bonney freak out and go all older sister bossy with him and now he's stuck in-between the two most annoying people in the world. When he asked for his own motorbike he was denied, their excuse being he'll get lost. Which was highly unlikely since it wasn't him who got lost. The damn streets and building moved! And Perona she was a different case, her logic being that actually driving a bike is cool, but not cute, so she won't do it. And that's how I got stuck in this position.
Bonney turned on the bike and swerved out the parking lot. As they drove, Perona kept getting closer and closer to Zoro ear till she was right next to it. "Sooo? Who was the blonde?"
Zoro heard her, but decided to act like he didn't. "What? I can't hear what you're saying! The wind is taking your words." Perona pouted before leaning back onto her part of the motorbike chair. It took about ten minutes for them to get home just in time before the rain started again. Zoro went into their house first, leaving Perona and Bonney to talk "girl talk."
Both had noticed something different today. Much different, and they wanted to get to the bottom of it. So later that night they decided to question their younger brother on that blonde they met today. It was after dinner that the two girls decided to start their investigation.
Zoro was lying on his bed, Perona at the end of the bed painting his toenails. (At this point he didn't care, so many years living with them); And Bonney was sitting by his head eating Doritos who would give him a piece now and then. Zoro didn't think much of it since it was something they did almost every night. But when Perona made a weird noise at the back of her throat and Bonney smiled, he knew his sisters had planned something. And that's something he wouldn't be able to get out of.
"Tell us Zoro-Kuuun" Perona sang from her seated position, still applying nail polish. "Who was the blonde hotty?"
Zoro bolted upright into a sitting position on the bed. "What are you talking about?"
"You know. The one that you were fighting with today, that blonde hottie..." Bonney added from behind.
"Just some guy I met, that's all."
"Sure didn't seem that way." Bonney looked at Perona since she couldn't see Zoro's face from her location behind Zoro. Perona gave her a sly smile. "You're the one that started the conversation... you teased him... and fought with him. Something you don't do."
Zoro blushed, and Perona was able to catch it. "It was cute also how you blushed, just like you're doing now."
Zoro's blush turned a deeper red. "I... I... I'm not blushing!"
"Oh yes you are!" I can totally see it!"
"Zoro you're our younger brother and we are happy you've finally met someone who you might like. He is hot."
"He is, isn't he..." Zoro murmured, thinking back on the blonde's lean but powerful body.
Perona and Bonney locked eyes for a second before Perona started laughing. "Zoro's actually in love, or at least in the like zone. I would have never thought I'll live to see the day. Our little baby is growing up!"
"Awww, Look at little Zoro-kun blush." Bonney leaned over and pulled one of Zoro cheeks.
Zoro was blushing deeper, and Perona and Bonney weren't making it better. But he didn't feel mad, but the complete opposite. He felt happy? Was this how it felt when you have a crush. When you can't stop thinking of a person.A smile tugged at his lips. Before he knew it, he had a smile in his face.
Both Perona and Bonney looked at each other again. It was one of the rare moments to see their younger brother smile like that, especially with what happened to him when he was younger. They only wished they had met Sanji sooner. Maybe the blonde can take away all of Zoro's pain. Maybe Zoro doesn't need to live life scared, hiding and pretending to be "ok" when he clearly wasn't. If meeting this "special blonde" for the first time and for such a short period of time can make Zoro smile like this, then Sanji is the person to take Zoro out of his own hell.
"Lights out in ten." The three heard their father call. They listened as the steps of their father reach the top of the stares and open the bedroom door. "And I mean it. I don't want you to do like last time and talk the whole night." He looked at Perona and Bonney.
"Yes dad"/"Yes daddy"/"Yes Mihawk" the three said in unison.
Mihawk was a tall man with black hair, pale and yellow eyes. When his children were younger, he was able to send them to bed with just a glare. But now they would talk the night away as if they were teenagers. Well to be fair the two girls. Zoro would go to sleep something the boy took a strong liking to. "Do you want Kumashi to sleep with you guys tonight?"
Perona smiled. "You know Kumashi always sleeps with us!" Mihawk leaned back and called Kumashi to bed, within minutes a full-grown bear entered the bedroom. Kumashi ran onto the bed and made himself comfortable.
"Go to sleep. And I mean it" Mihawk didn't bother to send a glare finally getting the point that his death glare didn't faze them. "Also don't forget you guys have a performance coming up. That means the ridiculous pink dye needs to come off." Without waiting for a response Mihawk closed the door.
Perona started to clean her makeup set as Zoro and Perona got ready for bed. Zoro was just glad the two girls forgot about Sanji. But deep down he wanted to see the blonde again. He wanted to learn a little more about him. He also couldn't shake off the feeling that he's met him before.
Zoro was the first one to be ready to sleep. Kumashi and Zoro waited as Perona and Bonney took their sweet time to get ready for bed.
"Do you want us to sleep with you tonight?" Perona asked while combing her hair into a ponytail.
"I'm old enough to sleep by myself." Zoro murmured into Kumashi fur, which he was using as a pillow. Both Perona and Bonney shared skeptical glances. Zoro never was the type to ask for help, or voice his feeling making it difficult to know what Zoro really wanted.
Bonney shrugged before climbing into bed behind Zoro. Finishing her hair, Perona went to the opposite side and lay down as well. Once the lights were off, Zoro pulled Perona's smaller body closer to his while cover his face on her back. Perona could feel the pain rolling off Zoro's shaking body as she squeezed Zoro's hand that was around her waist. She just wished she could do something. To erase what had happened to her little brother...
Bonney snuggled closer to Zoro's back, trying to tell him without words that she was there and was not going anywhere. This had become something daily, and yet the two girls could not get used to it. Seeing their younger brother put on a façade, for him to then crumble when the lights were off...it just hurt so much.
Bonney and Perona were thinking the same thing. It was crazy putting so much hope in someone they didn't know, but they still did. They just hoped that Sanji can take their younger brother away from what he had to live through.
Song by Five Finger Death Punch-Coming Down. 2012 Prospect Park. All rights reserved. All songs belong to them.
AN: This will be a Zoro-centric fanfic. Hope you enjoy.