I never conquered, rarely came

16 just held such better days

Days when I still felt alive

We couldn't wait to get outside

The world was wide, too late to try

The tour was over we'd survived

I couldn't wait till I got home

To pass the time in my room alone

Adam's song- Blink 182

"What the fuck is this," Sanji snarled, slamming his hand on the desk. He glared up at Zeff. The head chef snorted.

"It's the consequences of your actions, shitty eggplant."

"I've outgrown that nickname, old man." Sanji huffed out a long breath of smoke.

"Well it's not that bad. You're not fired," Zeff pointed out.

"It is that bad! I can't work here for a month!"

"At least you aren't fired! It's only because of the reputation of these managers here that they prevented that!" Sanji groaned. He could never win an argument with Zeff.

"You need to get out of here. There'll be undercover Government rascals everywhere at least in the first few weeks."

"I'm going to kill him," Sanji rolled up his sleeves. Zeff rolled his eyes.

"Stop your temper tantrum, eggplant. If you've grown up, show me. Go find something else to do in the month. Your nasty presence spoils the food." The head chef raised his bushy eyebrows when Sanji made no move. "Well?"

"Fine!" Sanji stormed out, throwing up his hands. "Fine!"

Zoro lounged in bed, staring up at the plastered ceiling. His feet hung off the edge and the frame creaked ominously whenever he shifted. He felt like dropping by his storage space and freeing his swords from the cobwebs and darkness. Maybe they were already rusty. He swallowed. Kuina would never forgive him. He broke his promise and continued to break it to this day. Now, he's not even honouring her sword. Shit. He grit his teeth. What the fuck was he doing? He clambered from his bed and made way for the door.

He can't say he enjoyed the run to the storage but it was a small contribution to the exercise he'd been slacking off from. Zoro arrived at the dark room, sweaty and breathless. He flicked on the light. Nothing really had changed. The boxes were still packaged and left in the same place. Shuffling a few boxes aside, he drew out a particularly long one. The weight told him enough.

When he opened the boxes, Zoro unfurled the heavy cloth that kept the swords still and sighed. They were the same. He always saw his swords in high definition. Every nick and scratch. Even the lame ribbon decoration Luffy tied on one of the hilts was still there. It was a little frayed, but that's how Zoro liked it. He always felt new things blared vulnerability. He unsheathed the unnamed swords and flinched at the broken blades. Metal shards littered the floor, catching the sunlight as they fell, like tears. The swords were crying. The man bit his lip.

Fuck. Maybe it was a mistake taking them out again.

You can't turn back now.

His hands trembled as he laid the ruined swords aside and reached for Wado Ichimonji. Zoro closed his eyes and took a deep breath. In one smooth practiced movement, he unsheathed. He opened his eyes. She was still the same. Flawlessly beautiful and dangerous. Pure, in an ironic sense. The whetstone was under his bed. It was time to bring her back.

"Listen," Sanji said, leaning forward, "I'm the fucking best chef out there. I can do service. Anything you ask. The least you can do is guarantee me this job for a month. One month. That's all I'm asking. Then you can kick me out, quick as you like."

"But sir, I'm afraid you have to follow the rules-"

"I'm sorry but I was kicked out from the place I work today," Sanji didn't back down. "Without notice either," he added. The eccentric man before him hesitated. He had massive burly arms and something of a sideways mohawk with a sun tattoo on his forehead.

"Alright then," the man sighed and held out his hand. "Anyhow it'll be good to work with you Mr…?"

"Sanji." Sanji shook hands with him firmly. "Thanks…"

"Just call me Hatchan," the man waved dismissively. "It's easier that way." He rubbed his hands. "Do you mind starting work today?"

Sanji grinned fiercely.

"That's freaking great."

"Zoro!" Luffy's sunny voice shone through the phone.

"Luffy? What is it?"

"There's a really big party because Franky is booming the house down!"

"Luffy there are always big parties on Tuesday because Franky always booms the house down."

"Nami's giving drinks for free!" Zoro quirked an eyebrow. There was no way that witch was doing that out of free will.

"What's the catch?"

"Catch?"

"Luffy don't act dumb."

"I'm not stupid, Zoro!"

"Why is Nami giving out free drinks?"

"I don't know. Maybe she feels really happy tonight?" Zoro resisted the urge to headbang the wall.

"Luffy…" he growled. He heard laughing on the other end.

"Zoro! You've got to come!" Usopp shouted, "Franky is buying out all the drinks tonight for his massive comeback!"

"The heck? Where did he get all that money from?" Zoro sputtered.

"Who cares man? He can tell us that later!" For the first time in ages, Zoro grabbed his jacket and ran out the door willingly to something he looked forward to.

Hi! :3 I actually planned to update a lot earlier but the huge thing with the errors logging into accounts kind of stopped me from doing that.

Thanks for reading!