Chapter 13 - Oh How Time Flies

It feels strange being back and walking down the same streets he used to when he was younger. A lot have things have changed, but at the same time it's pretty much the same. It's the same streets, but different shops, the same type of personalities hanging around the same spots but different people, and the same Usopp but with a different appearance.

Sanji was walking through town in the city that he grew up in when he bumped into his old friend Usopp. Six years have passed since he's last seen his friends, or even been home at all. His university degree took two years to achieve, and during that time he slowly lost touch with his friends back home. Once university was over for him, he stuck around in a cheap apartment and went from working one job to two, saving up as much money as possible in order to reach his dream. And now that his dream is slowly becoming reality, he has now returned home to complete it. Sanji was anxious about seeing his friends again, and so he was going to focus on his goals before meeting up with them again. It was not at all planned, or even thought of, that he would bump into Usopp before any of that could happen.

"Sanji? Oh my god it really is you. I didn't know you were coming back."

"Ah uh, yeah… I only got back a few days ago…"

Looking over his old friend, it's almost unbelievable that this is the same scrawny guy he used to hang around with. Usopp is obviously taller than he was when they were in school, and as it is a hot summers day, the guy is shirtless and Sanji can clearly see how much more muscular the other has become. Usopp has grown his hair out and is currently keeping it tied back in a ponytail. He is wearing a white sun cap on his head, a pair of rolled up yellow pants with red suspenders, a pair of sandals because of the hot weather, a blue and white striped wristband on his left arm, and he has a pair of over the ear headphones that have been draped around his neck.

"Seriously? That's great. Are you here to stay?"

"Yeah, I am. I've bought a building just on the edge of town. I just went to check it out."

"That's great. Everyone will be so happy to see you again, especially Zoro. Oh hey, you better make sure you're free every night of this week. Once I tell Luffy he's bound to want to get everyone together again."

"Any excuse for a party, huh?" the blond chuckles, "so what are you up to now?"

"I just had my lunch and I'm heading back to work."

"Oh yeah? Where do you work?"

"Ah uh…"

Usopp chuckles nervously and rubs the back of his neck. For some reason he's anxious about telling Sanji what he does.

"Come on, it can't be that bad. Just tell me."

"I uh….. I work with Nojiko -,"

" - Ah~ the beautiful Nojiko~ what was so bad about telling me that -?"

" - At Kid's tattoo parlour…."

So that's why he didn't want to tell me. "Really? That's great. It's what you've always wanted to right, tattoos?"

"Yeah...but... aren't you mad that I'm working for Kid….? I know it was a long time ago now but…."

"Seriously Usopp, it's fine. I'm happy for you. You're doing what you like. So, uh…. what about Law? Is he still around?" I don't even know why I'm asking this. I'd gotten over all this years ago…..

"Yeah, he's still around, and working in the hospital. He and Kid are actually in a proper relationship now, for once. Though it's not exactly as healthy as it could be… Ah yeah, Chopper is helping out at the hospital. Law took him on in an apprenticeship, and he's helping Chopper with his studies in medical school."

"Holy shit that's great. How old is Chopper now?"

"He's 20. Kind of hard to believe huh?"

"Yeah it is. So if Chopper is 20 now, then that makes you and Luffy 22?"

"Yep, and you're 26, right?"

Sanji nods in reply, and their conversation gets interrupted when Usopp's phone rings, Nojiko on the other end telling him to hurry his ass back to work.

"Shit, sorry Sanji, I have to go. Hey, you still have our numbers right? I don't think everyone's has changed since we last saw you, I know mine hasn't."

"I do, and mine hasn't changed either."

"That's great. I'll be in touch."

Usopp gives him a brief hug before rushing off down the street, heading back to work. Sanji smiles as he gets on with his own day, looking forward to hearing from his friends again.

As Usopp had thought, Luffy wasted no time in getting everyone back together for a party. The young boy now turned 22, still lives with his older brother Ace, and as they used to when they were younger, the party is being thrown at their house. The usual people are there: Luffy, Usopp, Nami, Vivi, Zoro, Chopper, Robin, Brook, and Franky. The only person left to arrive, is Sanji.

While they wait for the blond to turn up, Usopp joins Zoro in drinking a beer on the couch.

"... So you were the one who saw the cook?"

"Yeah I did. I saw him in town the other day. He said he'd bought a building, but he didn't say what for."

"Ah, okay. How was he?"

"Why don't you ask him when he gets here?"

"I'm asking you."

"F-fine…. He seemed okay. We didn't really get to chat for long as I had to get back to work. Oh um, there was one thing… When I mentioned I worked for Kid… he asked about Law… I'm not completely sure, but I think he still hasn't gotten over it. He might still have a thing for Law…"

"He doesn't."

"What? How do you know?"

"He just doesn't, okay?"

"...Right….. Anyway…. you must be excited huh? We haven't seen Sanji since that summer he came back during his first year in uni."

"I saw him once after that."

"Eh?! When?!"

"Around October time, it was after that summer. I went out to visit him."

"Really? You never said."

"It was kind of a spur of the moment thing."

Around 5 years ago at a small cafe:

Sanji hums quietly as he goes around wiping over the round tables, and clearing up the rubbish, glasses, and cutlery that was left behind by previous customers. The blond has been working at this small, bright, and lively cafe for just under six months. He's working here part time as he needs to save up money in order to help cover the cost of his uni expenses. On top of all that, he is juggling his uni assignments, as well as studying for upcoming exams. Although he's busy, it's nothing he can't handle. Sanji is wearing his work uniform of a simple black trousers and polo shirt attire with the cafe's logo printed on them. He is also wearing a pair of comfy black shoes, and he has let his hair grow out (mainly to cut down on costs) and is wearing his blond tied hair up in a ponytail. He likes working part time in this cafe. It may be in the middle of the city, but it often has it's down times during day, where he gets to rest, and he loves the chaoticness of when the place is busy, as he's used to working in the kitchen of the Baratie back home. His only difficulty is trying to keep his foul language in check, especially around difficult customers, though thankfully, even with his occasional slip of the tongue, no one has complained about him to his manager, yet.

It's five in the afternoon on a Sunday, and the place is settling down for the evening. As Sanji goes back out to clean more tables, he's shocked when he sees Zoro sitting by the window and sipping on a cup of coffee. For a minute he thinks his eyes are playing tricks on him, but then Zoro spots him and calls him over.

"Oi cook, what kind of shit is this? And what the hell have you done with your hair?"

"Shut the fuck up marimo," Sanji growls as he stomps over, "the coffee is actually good here."

"Yeah right. How can people even drink this rubbish?"

"...What are you even doing here anyway?"

"I was passing, so…."

Sanji stares dumbfounded at the swordsman, "you live 8 hours away."

"...you never answered, what the hell did you do to your hair?"

"Oi, don't change the subject. What did you come all the way up here for?"

"No reason. Had nothing better to do…"

"Did you come up here to see me?"

"Like hell I did. What would I want to see you for anyway?"

"You did, didn't you?" the blond grins, "how sweet."

Zoro grumbles as he sips on his coffee and glances out the window.

"If you don't like it, you don't have to drink it. You don't even like coffee so what did you buy it for?"

"It was the cheapest thing here."

"Everything is cheap here. You could have got something you actually like."

"... I spent most of the money I had with me on the train ticket…."

"You should have just gotten the bus then. It's cheaper."

"It would have taken longer though and I..."

"And you? What?"

"Nothing…."

"Zoro, what is it?"

"Alright fine, I just wanted to see you, okay? You haven't text or rang anyone in a while and I wanted to see you. If I'd have taken the bus it would have been too late to catch you here and I don't know where it is that you're actually staying. I only know you work here because Zeff told me."

Finally looking back at Sanji he notices that the blond's grin has widened, and Zoro blushes lightly before looking away again, expecting to be teased about admitting what he did, but is slightly surprised when it doesn't happen.

"Thank you. I'm glad you came up. I've been meaning to ring and stuff but it's been a bit hectic with uni and this job at the same time. I'll finish that coffee if you don't want it?"

Zoro passes over the cup of coffee, and watches the blond drink it, "do you like working here?"

"Yeah, it's ok. It's not the Baratie, and I can't actually cook anything as I'm just a waiter, but it's good. I'll be finished in an hour. If you don't mind waiting for me, you could come back to mine afterwards? It won't just us there though; I share a place with a guy called Gin. He's quite a nice guy so he's no problem with you being there."

"... No. It's ok. I'd best be going anyway."

"What? Already? But you haven't been here long."

"The last train back leaves soon, so…."

"Ah, okay. Well I better get back to work before I get told off. It was good seeing you, Zoro."

"Yeah, you too…"

The swordsman bites his lip and tries to stay calm when Sanji kisses his cheek before heading back to work, going behind the counter when an elderly lady comes in to order a small latte. Zoro sighs and steals a glance at the blond before heading out of the door and towards the train station. On his way here his mind was set, but once he saw Sanji today he just couldn't do it, he couldn't tell the cook that he is in love him.

Back to the present:

"So what did you go up there for?" Usopp asks.

"No reason…. Luffy had just been bugging me constantly about Sanji not replying to his messages so I just went up there check on him."

"Ah, I see."

"Does he still have his hair in a ponytail?"

"No, it's the same as before he- wait, what?!"

"When I went to see him in uni his hair was longer and he'd tied it back."

"Eh?! I wish I could have seen that," Usopp pouts, "his hair is pretty much the same as before, but it seems different somehow…I'm just not sure why…"

"Well if you want to see his hair when it was in a ponytail, I snuck a few pictures. I should still have them."

"Oh my god, you creep," Usopp chuckles, teasing him.

Zoro grins as he takes out his phone and find the pictures, showing them to Usopp, "Just don't tell him I have them."

Half an hour later, Sanji finally turns up, and the swordsman's eye widens as he takes in the blond's appearance. Usopp was right, Sanji's hair is pretty much the same as before he left home, except this time it is slightly longer, and his bangs now cover his right eye instead of his left. There is stubble on the cook's upper lip and he also has a goatee. Sanji is wearing a black and yellow three-piece suit, and he seems to look a lot stronger than he used to, he has also gotten slightly taller, but only by a few centimetres, and Zoro reckons he's still taller.

"Sanji~!"

The blond chuckles as he's tackle hugged by Usopp, Luffy, and Chopper. He greets everyone, conversing in small talk, before getting a drink and joining them in the living room. Everyone has gotten taller since he's left, and the ladies have gotten a lot more beautiful with their longer hair, even though they didn't need to as they were beautiful enough, and he swoons over them as he's graced with their presence. It's not long until they all start talking and informing Sanji on what they are up to now, Usopp telling him once more about his job at Kid's tattoo parlour, and Chopper telling him about his apprenticeship with Law at the local hospital.

Luffy is a drifter, going from one small job to the next, while Robin has quit teaching and is now working at a local history museum. Brook has also finished teaching and instead plays live music at local pubs around the city, with his band. Franky is the only one who still works at the secondary school Sanji and the others used to go to, and Zoro, despite what he said to Sanji in the past, is working at Koshiro's dojo. Nami is working as a PA at a local news station and is hoping to eventually be reading the weather forecast on the news, while Vivi works in a popular jewellery store. Sanji is unsurprised, but extremely happy, to find out that since he's been away, Nami and Vivi have gotten together and have now been dating for 4 years.

The last one left to tell his story, is Sanji, and so he tells his friends that after he finished university, he stayed up there and took on a second job in order to save up money to help towards paying off his debt, that he still owes, as well as to open up his own restaurant. He then tells them about his plans to open up a restaurant on the edge of town in this city which he is going to call the All Blue. While he was away he had looked up lots online and had gotten Zeff to check them out for him. Eventually he'd bought an abandoned building and that is the reason he has come home now, so that he can check it out for himself and start working on getting the place refurbished. Once the place is complete, he plans to live above the restaurant, and he also informs his friends that for now, he is renting an apartment not that far away from his future restaurant.

Everyone is happy for Sanji and they congratulate him as they open more bottles of drink. The music is turned up louder and it's not long until most of them are up and dancing while Luffy raids his fridge and cupboards for more food to eat.

Sanji moves to sit next to Zoro on the couch, getting to fully take in the other man's appearance. The swordsman has gotten more muscular since they've last seen each other, and his hair, which is slightly slicked back, has gotten a little longer. Zoro still wears his three earrings, and tonight he is dressed in a white and grey striped, buttoned up shirt, a grey jacket and a similar colour knee-length shorts, as well as white trainer socks with white trainers. He is wearing his black framed glasses for once, which he has been advised that he should wear more often, and what shocks Sanji the most, though he doesn't show it, is the new scar which runs down his now closed left eye.

"Hey marimo, did you miss me?"

"In your dreams, shit-cook," Zoro replies with a smirk and sips his drink, "let's go outside, it's too loud in here. This music is giving me a headache."

"And the booze isn't?" Sanji chuckles as he follows Zoro out into the back garden and joins him on the wooden bench which is just in front of the kitchen window.

They sit there in silence for a while, sipping their drinks, and both subtly stealing glances at one another, looking away in time to not catch each other's eyes, before Zoro finally speaks up, "I can tell that you're looking… and don't want to ask, so I'll tell you. I got this scar on my eye when I was trained by Mihawk."

"What?! Mihawk trained you?! The guy who's title you're trying to take?!"

"Yeah, it's a long story, and I'd rather not go into the details."

"Right, of course. That's fine. Sorry, it was just a bit of a shock."

"I know. The others didn't take it too well," Zoro chuckles, then downs half of his bottle of beer.

"I can imagine."

"Oi, um…. Usopp mentioned that you asked about Law the other day, and you seemed uncomfortable when Chopper mentioned him earlier…. Do you still… have feelings for Law?"

"Fuck no. I got over him years ago. I actually have someone else I like."

"Yeah… Who?"

Zoro's met with silence, and he looks beside him to find that Sanji has passed out next him. He sighs and pries the bottle of beer out of Sanji's hand before he can drop it, then picks the blond up and tells Usopp that he's taking Sanji back to his place, before heading home. He has no idea who this person is that Sanji likes. Maybe it's that guy he shared a room at uni with….? And even though he doesn't know who this person may be, Zoro is not going to go down without a fight. He's not like he was six years ago. He's not going to let himself talk his way out of telling the blond how he really feels, not this time around. He knows what he wants, who he wants, and its Sanji.