Wow, it's been SO LONG since I updated this! About half a year, I think!
I'm so sorry to everyone who reads and follow the story, but life's kinda got in the way of everything at the moment. It's funny, when I started writing Split it was because I was waiting for my uni to start, not wokring much, stuck living with my parents...now all of that is changed so I have little time anymore!
But I'm trying to get back into it. And I'll try to write a bit more, I promise.
Thanks to all those who still keep reviewing, even you lot who just review getting me to try and update soon! They all help!
So, enjoy!
Chapter 9
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They found it, in some strange way, quite ironic to meet up like this. The last time everyone had gathered at the Nico/Flam household had been under much happier circumstances. Eight friends sat in the kitchen in a haze of despondency, lost in memories of when there were in the same location celebrating two of their nakama's love and everyone was happy.
And now, scarcely months later, two of their dearest were heartbroken, and their friends were bereft at what to do next.
Ace and Luffy had determined; through various nosy neighbours and an eyewitness account themselves, that Sanji had officially moved out of his and Zoro's apartment. The swordsman himself was still pretty shattered by the whole affair; they had all seen him moving listlessly about his daily routine, acting seemingly out of habit. But his mood varied greatly, and recently Zoro hadn't gone past his front door.
But at least they knew where he was. The blonde chef had been alarmingly absent from everyone; ignoring calls and not visiting anyone, the only way they knew he was still okay was his increasing amount of TV presence as he promoted the show, and the group were getting worried about them both. Tired of tiptoeing around his best friend, Luffy called the 'help Zoro and Sanji be happy again so things go back to normal and I get Sanji's cooking' meeting. Banging his fist on Franky's handmade kitchen counter, he called the meeting to order.
"So guys, you know why we're all here. We need to do something about Zoro and Sanji."
Just mentioning their names made everyone's shoulders sag. They had all tried over the past fortnight to get in touch with either of the couple but there had been no success. Ace frowned as he considered his green haired tenant.
"Zoro's become like a ghost. He wanders around, sure, but he doesn't speak to anyone, or interact. All I've seen him do is shuffle around inside the apartment; God knows when he last went out."
Luffy frowned
"I've never seen him this upset." Nodding in agreement, Ace added.
"I don't think I have either. At least not since his cousin..." He trailed off, implications heavy in the air for those who knew Zoro well enough, of what might happen again if they didn't try and help him. Nami chewed her lip in worry.
"I don't know what to do. I've been calling Sanji-kun every day, but he never answers his phone."
"Have you been to the Baratie?" Chopper queried; eyes shining with tears of worry. Nami nodded,
"Zeff said he's been busy with the show so hasn't been able to work there recently."
"That could be true. Cook-san did mention that the network was pressuring him to maintain the high ratings."
Robin gazed out the window thoughtfully as she answered. Luffy was banging his fist again, with Ace reaching for him to make the loud noise stop.
"So how do we get them back together?"
Though she cared deeply for her friends, sometimes Robin wished they had a little more sense. She had to remain level headed about the situation, not only was it in her nature but it was obvious nobody else was going to. It was clear many of her nakama weren't going to be thinking with their heads about the situation, so she bore the responsibility of keeping them straight. Determined to ensure the best decisions are made for the now split couple, she asked a perilous question.
"Is this really the best thing for us to be doing?"
She hid her amusement as she saw young Chopper's jaw drop in confusion and Luffy's finger lodge up his nose as he tried to make sense of the words. It was Brook who summoned enough sense to reply.
"What do you mean, Robin-san?" Sighing, she continued.
"Swordsman-san and Cook-san's relationship is not our business. If it has met it's unfortunate end, then surely we should be thinking more of checking if they are okay, rather than forcing them together simply to make it easier for us?"
She hated to see those looks on her friends' faces. She knew that look, so intimately that it hurt, that expression of loss. That feeling where no matter what you do, no matter how hard you try, the cold, stark knowledge that there would be no winners here, only losers and people in pain.
God, she hated being the only smart one. At least swordsman-san kept his wits about him enough to back her up...But he wasn't there. She was, and Robin wasn't going to let her nakama hurt again.
"So maybe we just need to change the way we think. First of all, it is imperative we talk to the pair of them, to gain more knowledge on the situation."
Fire blazing in their eyes, the two brothers of the group nodded with determination. Ace smiled at Robin, grateful, for pointing their lost flock in the right direction.
"We'll go visit Zoro, seeing as he's only upstairs from us it would be less obvious."
"Yohohoho! May I join you brothers on your quest? For I do miss Zoro-san; training isn't the same without him there."
"Me too! I wanna help Zoro!"
Ace smiled at Brooke as he patted him on the shoulder in thanks, the hand movement expressing gratitude more than his words could right now. Luffy simply watched, smiling as Chopper explained to him how he needed to help the swordsman, all the while that grin radiating to everyone else in the room and filling them with hope they can make their nakama better.
"Well I'll go to the Baratie then. We know Sanji-kun can't resist my womanly charms." Nami smirked, making Usopp shudder in trepidation. Everyone who was smart knew that if Nami had that grin on her face, then you stay away. Or become very poor, very quickly. And he was too right.
"Usopp, you come too. I need someone to pay for dinner."
"Well Franky and I shall join you, if that's alright?"
Usopp's squawks of indignation were shadowed as Franky erupted into a pose with a shout of "Suupaaa", excited that plans seemed to be coming together, and his wife shared a moment with Nami discussing when to meet at the restaurant to try and cheer Sanji up.
But for now, all they could do was hope everything would be okay.
-.-.-
Good God, it was quiet. There only ever had been two people living in the apartment, so it bewildered Zoro as to how there was so little noise with the cook gone.
Time passed in a daze as he sat, gazing listlessly at the view outside, not doing anything, not thinking because that just led back to him and God, how was it so quiet?
The smell of cigarettes lingered; followed him round like a fog. The window was left open for days but it clung to him, and Zoro found himself comforted by the scent as much as repulsed by it.
He missed Sanji.
He knew it from the second the blond had taken the last belongings out of the door. But this loss, this all encompassing emptiness that seemed to radiate within the fighter; that was not quite anticipated. And it knocked him for six. Left him drained, and at a loss at what to do.
He couldn't sleep much, anymore. His bed reminded him of...other things...and the dreams he had wherever he slept were too painful to endure right now.
The kitchen was naturally off limits. Even looking at Sanji's favourite place made the emptiness swell and his heart ache, so food was off the menu. Zoro couldn't remember the last time he ate something, particularly something substantial.
He knew he had to move on, to get up and do something constructive, but...he just wasn't ready. It hurt too much, this loss. To make it worse, it was too much like before, with her.
"Zoro? Zoro? Hello?"
The sound of sharp knocking on the door startled him, but Zoro made no move from his seat on the living room floor. The voice – Luffy's, he was certain – was undeterred.
"Zoroooooooo"
"C'mon Zoro, let us in!"
"We know you're there, Zoro-san."
"Yea Zoro, let us in please! We just want to see that you're okay!"
Chopper, Brooke and Ace's voices joined the first, but their attempts remained ignored. Standing in the hallway, Luffy pouted.
"Why isn't he answering?" Ace's features fell into a sad smile.
"He's just upset right now Luf, just-"
"Mou, that's not good enough! Zoro always listens to me." Luffy's fists joined the cacophony "Zoro, open up right now!"
The increased banging was rewarded inside the apartment, as Zoro turned to watch the door rattle in its hinges. Though he didn't want to answer; didn't want his nakama to see him this way, he could still hear every word they were saying. Chopper's shrill voice was easy to pick up.
"What if he's hurt?"
"Zoro never gets hurt! Even when he's injured and bleeding he still keeps on going, that's why he's so cool!"
"Luffy! That isn't a good thing! If Zoro is injured he should be resting!" Chopper flailed in panic as a million scenarios flashed through his head, each more horrid that the last. Zoro, lying in a pool of blood, or turning blue has he choked, or lying with his head twisted at an unnatural angle. "No! Zoroo!"
Ace soothed frantic doctor as in his most placating voice.
"Chopper, this is Zoro. The man's a professional fighter; I'm sure he can take care of himself."
"Shihihi yea, Zoro's super strong! Open up Zoro!"
He was starting to want to open the door. This hurt, the self imposed isolation he set upon himself was driving the heartbroken man to the brink of madness, but he couldn't. Couldn't go out as he is, so weak, such a shadow of his normal self. It would upset his friends, and that would only make him feel even worse than he already did.
But Monkey D. Luffy had always lived up to namesake, and in a very animalistic manner he was in tune with emotions more than words. Somehow, he was starting to recognise that he best friend just wasn't ready to see people the way he was. His brother and friends looked at him in alarm as Luffy's mood rapidly changed from positive and determinedly serious to quiet and contemplative, and he sank against the closed door to kneel on the floor.
"Zoro? I get it now, I think. It sometimes take me a while, with you, 'cause you're so serious n' all, but we're not best friends for nothing, ne?" He smiled to himself, shuffling closer to the door as if he were telling it a secret, rather than trying to reach the occupant it hid. "You don't want to see us now, that's okay, and we'll wait for you. But, just be okay, okay? It hurts for us right now, so it must be real bad for you and Sanji, but you're not alone. We'll be here for you as soon as you need us. That's why we're nakama!"
Ace wanted to hug his brother sometimes, because as stupid as the idiot was, he was insightful, in some weird way he could never quite understand. Particularly when he's helping people who are in pain. Ruffling the younger brother's hair, he leaned towards the door.
"Yea, Zoro, if you don't want to talk that's okay. But we want to help, so...don't forget it. Things'll get better I promise."
"Zoroooo! If you don't want to see us then just make sure you're getting enough rest! And fluids! And when you're ready I'll give you a full check up!" Choppers words were almost incomprehensible through his blubbering tears, but the message seemed to be clear. Brooke didn't even know what to say, so instead just hummed a forlorn yet inspiring rhapsody to try and soothe his hurt companion.
"See Zoro? We all just want you to be better. So get better, ne? We'll see you around soon."
Dusting off his shorts, Luffy rose and smiled at the group huddled on the third floor. He nodded at them, and they descended downstairs, accepting the knowledge that all they can do for their friend right now is worry and wait.
Within the dark apartment, Zoro sat still as a stone, staring at the door. Stupid idiots, thinking they can try and cheer him up like that...
But he did feel lighter, slightly more reassured. Smiling to himself, he glanced over to the small frame in the corner, warmly gazing at the smiling face it held.
"I'm lucky I have good friends like that, huh Kuina?"
-.-.-
Sanji liked to keep busy. He found days off tedious at the best of times; an entire day spent doing nothing? No, to the cook a day doing nothing was a day wasted. Unless he had something to keep him occupied he quickly found himself bored, and a bored Sanji was an angry or whiny Sanji. Which was why Ace and Luffy had quickly learnt if he was home for the day never to stray too far, as food would make it down to their apartment as soon as the Chef got antsy.
Yet when there were things he wanted to be distracted from, then he went into overdrive. It was his tenth day of work on the trot, and even eleven days ago when he wasn't working at the station, he was down at the Baratie helping out for some extra pay. But he relished in the heavy workload; it was the perfect distraction. Just what he needed right now, to stop thinking about all the things the dark parts of his mind were trying to recall for him.
Exhausted beyond belief, Sanji trudged up the stairs; thinking about recipes to suggest to the producers tomorrow, or what specials the Shitty Old Man could cook, or anything other than what he was so desperate to avoid.
After all, there was a reason he was ignoring his friends. He didn't want to think about Zoro.
Didn't want to think about how much it tore him apart when he left the apartment for the last time; how it hurts knowing every time he cooks at home, he won't be there to taste it and tell him it's horrible. How much he can't look at his friends, because he can see the pity on all their faces, and all he would want to ask them was how was that idiot doing and please don't say he's gone and killed himself or something stupid because he wouldn't be able to live with himself then.
The door to the apartment closed with a soft click as he forced his thoughts back on track, back on cooking, back where it's safe and comfortable and not horrible.
"Sanji? Is that you?"
Ah. Complications again, more distractions. Bad ones though.
"Yea, it's just me Gin."
Sanji turned up at Gin's place straight after leaving the apartment. He don't quite know how it happened, but it was almost two in the morning; he was carrying a box with his favourite cooking utensils like it was a comfort blanket, and his feet somehow took him to his work partner's door.
But Gin was a good friend, and had opened the door and let him in with little question. And when Sanji asked if he could stay for longer, he was even more accepting. Gin recalled well how Sanji was freaking out in the living room, already a box and a half of cigarettes had been smoked through; after Zeff had told him he couldn't stay at the Baratie so Gin offered up his spare room. Sure, it had been awkward, what with Gin's involvement with Sanji and Zoro's breakup, and his lingering feelings for the blond chef, but ever since he's been trying to help his friend however possible, attempt to help him come to terms with his breakup, or just try and keep everything normal for him.
But Gods, he still thought he was beautiful. Recently, Gin's dreams had been full of Golden hair and curly brows.
"Hey Sanji, how was work?"
The chef shrugged off his coat, placing a fresh cigarette in his mouth.
"Busy. But thought of a great dessert recipe we could do for the show."
"Hm? What did you have in mind? It's have to be something light, for the summer months, that's what they wanted."
Sanji nodded in understanding "Champagne Jello, with strawberry compote. Maybe some homemade lady fingers?"
"What, like some weird updated trifle?" Gin snorted, dodging the hand that tried to swat his dubious tone.
"It would be perfect for this time of year; trust me. Bon'll eat it up."
"Bon wants to eat you up." Gin laughed, nudging Sanji as he draped himself on the sofa next to him. The pair dissolved into laughter in the living room, remembering the all too recent memories of their manager chasing them around in his tutu, trying to kiss them in the middle of a meeting with the bosses. That one hadn't gone down so well. Fortunately they'd managed to smooth it all over; the businessmen had met Bon before so were aware of his behaviour so they did little more than sympathise with the men.
The dark haired barman was shaken from his memories when he felt Sanji's leg brush against his during his laughter. It was harder than he realised, sometimes, to push back his feelings. With Sanji being so close, so much of the time, and now knowing he was available, it made Gin just want to grab the waif like figure and make him his. He stiffened, leaning back in the chair and resuming his calm facade. The cook didn't seem to notice the change in attitude; instead wiping his eyes in mirth and pulling his mobile out of his pocket. Glancing at the screen, Sanji frowned, biting his lip and leaning back into the cushions. His newfound roommate looked concerned.
"Something wrong?"
Sparing a quick glance at Gin, Sanji sighed. The mobile lit up with the notification; 13 missed calls.
"Nami-swan again. And Usopp, and even Robin-chwan. I wish they'd stop trying to call."
"They're your friends; they're worried about you. What's wrong with that?"
The TV star exhaled, lighting up a fresh cigarette.
"I'm...It's just too early, you know? They'll ask how I am, and Nami-swan will give me that look she does when she's sad, and Usopp will try and cheer me up and shit, if they mention Zoro I'll just fall apart. I can't talk about it, not yet, not with them."
The cook shook his head as he rambled, panic quickly overtaking his stressed mind. Gin put an arm around him, soothing him.
"It's okay Sanji, calm down. They just want to make sure you're okay."
Still too lost in panic and stress, Sanji nodded his head in agreement. Gin continued the soothing ministrations on his friends back, all thoughts on helping him rather than his previous romantic feelings. But gods, how much he wanted to tell him how he felt...
"You know, I'm worried about you too Sanji. It's been a while since...and you're still taking it badly."
The blond head shot up, and wide eyes regarded Gin with an expression bordering on nervous. He could see Sanji's calm facade rapidly pulling itself across his face, in a attempt to resume all normality.
"What are you talking about? I'm coping fine, just busy with work."
The hand slowed its rubbing on his back, and Gin's dark face regarding him with scepticism.
"C'mon Sanji, I'm not that stupid. It's hardly difficult to see that you're throwing yourself into work so you don't have to think about Zoro." Sanji flinched at the name. Gin didn't care, the chef needed to hear this. "No Sanji, you need to think about it. As much as it hurts, if you don't you'll never get over the breakup."
The chef moaned. "Gin, please, not now."
"Then when, Sanji? When are you going to be ready to talk? When are you going to move on? To get over him? Because you know I don't want to pressure you at all, but you also know how I feel about you, and I really don't mind waiting until you're ready but I can't wait forever." Startled, Gin backed off. He didn't mean to pressure Sanji into anything; he just couldn't bear to see a strong man he cared about so much, acting so different, and so pathetic. And he didn't want to have to wait forever for Sanji to come out of his stupor, though his motives were a bit selfish he knew it would do the TV star good to recover from his emotional trauma quickly. Not wanting to stress the chef anymore than he already was, the barman moved to the kitchen to get a drink, muttering apologies. Sanji shook his head; mind cleared like a gale had blown through it.
"Sorry Gin." Sanji reached for the retreating man's arm and pulled him back round to face him. "This is really hard, you know? We were together for years, and everything's just fallen apart around us, and you're being so helpful and everything...I haven't forgotten your confession, and I don't want to hurt you too, but just wait a little bit longer, please? I don't want to rush into anything."
It was impossible for Gin to do anything but cave, looking at the heartbroken blonde's hangdog expression, and the defeated sag of his shoulders.
"It's okay Sanji. You're here because you're my friend; don't feel obligated to do anything else. I'll wait until you're ready again, however long it takes." Gin leant over, squeezing Sanji's shoulder in a supportive matter "Just, don't let your grief consume you, you're stronger than this. It feels like everything sucks, but book at your career, your life at the moment, there's so much more still going on, and I know you can move on, and feel happy again."
The smile that hovered on Sanij's face made all the heartache for Gin worthwhile. Especially when the chef pulled him closer and placed a chaste kiss in the small of his mouth, before tilting his head away, looking embarrassed.
"Thanks Gin. For everything. I don't know what I'd do without you."
As he watched his overtaxed friend curl up on his sofa, Gin prayed he would recover faster, because his patience was wearing thin. Knowing how to help, he slipped on his shoes and crept out of the house. The time for waiting for recovery was over. It was time to bring in the big guns. Sanji's nakama will know just what to do.
-.-.-
I hope it was worth the wait! Thanks for Reading!
Pample x
