Delivery Boy 2.2
[--]
The three of them ordered drinks, and Sanji barely took a sip of his beer when he heard Nami and Zoro ordering their second round of hard drinks. After a while he noticed there was no way he could possibly keep up with them so he settled for watching them, being the one to keep count since that fucking moss ball couldn't resist competing with anyone it seemed. After a bit, Zoro looked over at Sanji, noticing he wasn't drinking anymore and poured some of his beer into his glass. "Have some."
It also appeared that he wanted everyone around him drunk.
The night went on, most of Robin's co-workers left early to get some shut eye. Hancock was nearly in tears when she bid Luffy goodnight. It was a bad move on his part to walk her to the door, she cried and said she couldn't wait for their wedding. When she left, Robin and the rest of them joined the trio at the bar, joining Sanji while they stared at Nami and Zoro.
Sanji stared in horror as Franky and Usopp kept ordering drinks for Nami and Zoro, trying to see who would get tipsy first. They had ordered twelve shots of Patron, five jack and cokes, nine jell-o shots, a bottle of Sky for Zoro and a bottle of Captain Morgan's for Nami, and they were still sober. And that wasn't counting the thirteen bottles of beer they had before Franky had come along.
Usopp slung an arm around Sanji. "I taught Zoro everything he knows, he learned how to drink from me."
Sanji had enough sense to know he was lying to him.
They were monsters. He had never seen Nami drink so much. She usually stopped after Sanji got tipsy, so he never really got to see her full potential because she never had a challenge, until now that is. Now Sanji was seriously wondering how a sweet angel like her could drink like that, surely women didn't drink that much. But while he was surprised to see Nami drink that much, he shouldn't have been so surprised about Zoro. Zoro did have that alcoholic look to him. Why he thought Zoro was a lightweight was beyond him at this point.
Finally, Usopp broke down and said. "Please stop drinking! I'm running out of money here!"
Franky looked at the two. "Please tell me one of you is drunk."
Nami and Zoro only exchanged a look, then grinned widely and said nope. So the drinking came to a close, both declaring a tie and saying they would need to drink some other time. Luffy cheered for the both of them, clapping Zoro on the back for the billionth time that night.
Robin and Franky sat close to each other while Nami talked to Robin, Usopp and Brook sitting next to her. It left Sanji sitting next to Zoro, looking over at him and Luffy. They seem to have known each other a long time based on the way they acted.
"How long you guys know each other?" he asked, sipping on some water, trying to sober down some more.
"Few years," Luffy said, looking at Zoro to give him the exact answer. Zoro only shrugged, saying, "I dunno."
Sanji had noticed that Luffy had a scar under his eye while Zoro had been busy attempting to get intoxicated. He found it amusing that they both had scars on the left side of their face. The only difference was that Luffy's was under his eye, not across it like Zoro's was. He tapped the skin underneath his left eye, "I've been meaning to ask, how did you get that scar?"
Luffy looked at where he was pointing on his own face before breaking out into a smile,. "I did it myself!"
"Fight against my boss," Zoro grumbled, taking down another shot. Setting it down he added, "Err, tenant."
Sanji's jaw dropped. "Are you guys serious?"
They both nodded. Sanji opened and closed his mouth multiple times, not believing the stupidity he was hearing, making weird faces before he blurted out, "Who stabs themselves?"
Luffy continued to smile like it was no big deal to suddenly impale one's self. "Shanks, my dad, was making fun of me by calling me a kid. So I cut my eye to prove I was a man," he smiled, puffing his chest from swelling pride.
Sanji, completely flummoxed by the absurdity of it all, looked at Zoro hoping he would get a normal answer. "Why did you fight with your boss? And with what, he cut you with a knife?"
"Swords actually," Zoro said, signalling to the bartender to give him another shot. He rested his elbows on the bar, titling his head to look at him. "And we always fight. It's no big deal."
"Swords?" With every word those dimwits said he was growing more and more bewildered. But it was his fault, why did he expect the marimo to have a normal answer? There was nothing normal about him. "The fuck. What, are you guys samurais?"
Zoro smirked. "Something like that."
Sanji looked down at his glass, he must be hearing things. While he was trying to decide if he was sober or not, Luffy leaned over Zoro, practically knocking foreheads with him as he moved around in front of him to be able to talk to Sanji. "How do you guys know each other? Did you go to high school with Zoro?"
"Hell no. And thank God too." If he had ever met him in high school he imagined they would have visited the principle's office more than the secretary. "I met this fucker at his job."
Luffy smiled. "Oh! Did you see my dad? He owns the place."
"What? The tall guy with a moustache?"
Luffy shook his head, "No." Zoro stuck his hand in Luffy's face, but it did nothing to stop him from having a conversation with Sanji. "That's his friend, and co-owner. My dad's the one with red hair."
Sanji nodded. "Oh. Well, no I didn't see no red haired guy."
They were interrupted when Nami started cheering. "Hey Robin! You should open your presents now!"
Everyone else started cheering, so she had to give in. They went back to sitting on the couches. Robin took her seat on Franky's lap again. Usopp and Nami sat next to each other on one couch, and Luffy sat on Zoro's lap much to his dislike, while Sanji sat next to his other side, Brook having taken the seat next to Robin and Franky. He had no luck sitting next to the ladies it seemed.
Robin opened Brook's first, giggling at the skull wrapping paper. Inside the box was a pair of purple silk panties. Franky had to pull Sanji back from kicking him. Next was Nami, and she gave her a dress from some expensive shop apparently, because Robin and her started to talk about it, leaving the men to sit in confusion. Franky had given her a ship in a bottle, leaving a sticky note on it saying one day she would a life sized version of the one inside the bottle. He had winked at her, lifting his sunglasses to do so.
Robin smiled and kissed his cheek. Afterwards she opened the present from Zoro, Luffy and Usopp. She was grinning when she opened it, holding the book and reading the title, 'Rainbow Mist.' She smiled softly. "Thank you, the three of you. I've had my eye on this book for a long time."
After that, all the attention went to Sanji, all more than a little surprised that he wasn't the first one flinging himself at Robin, begging her to open his gift. Sanji only smiled, standing up and straightening his suit. "Robin, I'm afraid I didn't bring your present because it was too big to fit in my car. I was hoping you could find it in your heart to forgive me and allow me to bring it over to your humble abode later tonight."
Robin smiled. "Well, we were going to eat cake at my place."
Sanji had wanted to cook the entire meal for her birthday, but they had made a deal that they would go to her place to eat a cake especially made by him and that was good enough for Sanji. Robin informed everyone of this news, Zoro hated it, considering he would have to drive there.
Sanji nodded and clasped his hands together. "Well then, I'll need someone with a van or a truck to drive me to my place so I can bring the wonderful Robin-Chan her much deserved present."
"Oh!" Luffy called out, Zoro tired to cover Luffy's mouth but it was too late. "Zoro has a truck."
Sanji still has his back turned to them. "Would anyone like to help me on my quest?"
Usopp furrowed his eyebrow. "Sanji, Zoro has a truck."
"Franky!" Sanji practically threw himself at the man's feet as he wailed. "You have a truck, don't you?"
"Sorry bro, I drove my Lexus here."
Robin looked to Zoro. "You haven't objected, care to help Sanji?"
Sanji cringed a little, but didn't dare turn his back.
Zoro sighed; it was her birthday after all. "Sure."
[-]
Sanji decided he didn't need his car so he reluctantly handed his keys to Usopp and Luffy. "Don't crash."
They nodded enthusiastically, probably not even hearing any of his threats and ran off towards the direction of his car, shoving at each other trying to fight over who could drive the car. Sanji had a bad feeling in the pit of his stomach, but he tried to convince himself it was because he was going to have to drive around with Zoro.
He stuck his hands in his pockets, feeling the gum wrapper that he had forgotten to throw away earlier. "Where's your truck?"
Zoro just started walking, titling his head towards the end of the parking lot. "Over there."
Sanji followed suit, then extended his hand. "Here, let me drive."
Zoro raised an eyebrow. "I can drive my own car, thanks."
"You can't drive!" Sanji began to argue. "You've been drinking!"
"So what? I'm sober."
"There's no way you can be! You drank enough for ten people!"
Zoro snorted. "I didn't even get tipsy."
"I'm not getting in the car with a drunk person!"
"Calm your tits princess, just get in the passenger side."
"Tits!"
Zoro rubbed at the back of his head where Sanji had kicked him, settling into the passenger seat of his own car. "Can't believe you kicked me. Behind my back."
Sanji lit up a cigarette, not bothering to ask for Zoro's permission and rolled down the window. "Whatever, put on your seat belt."
Sanji pulled out of the parking lot, Zoro's whole body slamming back as he reversed, then slamming back forward again when Sanji drove out of the place. Zoro usually didn't scare easy, but he feared for his life. That crazy blond had passed three red lights in less than ten minutes, and the few times he actually stopped he slammed on the brakes so hard Zoro nearly got a concussion from hitting the dashboard.
Sanji, though, kept a calm face the entire time, smoking his cigarette without a care in the world, exhaling the smoke smoothly like he was posing for a magazine, the prick.
When the light turned green Sanji sped off, the tires making a screeching sound, no doubt leaving his mark on the pavement. If there were cops chasing him, they could easily find him just by his tracks. Or just follow the trail of angry drivers, all cussing Sanji out, flicking him off, honking after him. Zoro gripped the door handle, his pupils growing wide. Sanji made a turn and went over the curb, the truck making a loud thump, Zoro's head nearly hitting the roof of the car as his truck landed on pavement again. He couldn't take it anymore, finally losing it and yelling at the top of his voice while gripping the 'oh shit bar.'
"Watch out! It's my fucking car you know!"
Sanji looked at him after passing yet another red, taking his time to turn his head slowly, the wind making his hair fly across his face, covering his eyes. But Zoro could still make out that grinning mouth. "Calm your tits."
Zoro really hated that condescending bastard.
They got to the front of Sanji's apartment and Zoro never felt so relived and thankful in his entire life. Even when he got sliced by Mihawk he wasn't as scared for his life as he was when he was in the car with Sanji. He honestly thought he was going to die when Sanji narrowly escaped from crashing straight on into a light pole.
Sanji had an apartment on the fourteen floor; which was in reality the thirteen floor. Zoro grumbled to himself, that fucking evil bastard would reside on the thirteen floor. They got in the elevator, the both of them standing there quietly on the elevator ride. Sanji unlocked the door. "It might be messy, so," he stopped talking, seeming to think something over in his head, before saying, "What am I thinking?" he snorted. "Like I care what you think."
"I feel welcomed already."
Sanji opened the door to reveal a small space, good enough for a single person. The living room had a nice couch in front of a T.V.; he could see a hallway to the side, leading to his bedroom and a bathroom. There was a kitchen there, and it was probably the best-kept area in his entire apartment.
He looked around, then spotted a rocking chair in the middle of the living room. It was a nice chair, and had a handmade quality to it, finding etched details going along the headrest. He titled his head up, gesturing to the chair. "That for her?"
Sanji, having walked over to the couch to pick up some of his dirty clothes, clearly not comfortable with the idea of someone finding his place messy -even if it was the asshole marimo - turned around, looking genuinely surprised. "How'd you know?"
"It doesn't match with the rest of the furniture, and a guy like you has everything matching."
"Oi! Don't make me sound like a girl."
"I just meant you're a clean cut guy, you sensitive pansy."
He didn't answer him, just huffed and walked into his kitchen after throwing his clothes in the hallway, throwing it out of sight from the marimo. He looked around the sink and fridge awkwardly. Sanji sighed, "Hey, listen, I'm thankful that you're letting me use your truck. Err, do you want anything to eat?"
"Ehh?"
"To eat. Do you want something to eat?" Sanji said with deliberate slowness, only serving to irritate the other man.
"Not really."
"Really? I can cook you anything you want."
"I rather not upset my stomach, thanks."
"Asshole. You haven't even tired it yet."
"Don't need to try it to know it'll taste like shit."
"Oh that's it, I'm cooking," Sanji said, clearly offended, he began to puff up a little, then turned around, muttering under his breath. "I'll show you."
"Hey, Chef Ramsey," Zoro called from where he had been standing in the living room the entire time. "It's two in the morning. I'm not hungry."
Sanji grumbled. "Not now. I mean, I can cook you something, as a sort of thank you, thing."
Zoro looked him over, then the kitchen. "You're a chef."
"Yeah, I work at the Baratie," he said, then asked. "Ever heard of it?"
"Not really."
"Asshole."
"Why am I an asshole?" Zoro inquired, looking at him. "Just because I haven't heard of your crap restaurant."
"Whatever. You can either stop by the Baratie whenever you want, get a free meal, or call me and I'll cook you something."
Zoro eyed him, looking uneasy about the whole thing. "You don't have to, you know?" After their little dispute, Sanji went over to the living room, standing before the chair. "So why the rocking chair?" Zoro asked.
Sanji had a fresh new cigarette in his mouth, fire alarm be damned Zoro supposed, seeing as how he didn't seem worried about setting it off. Sanji crouched down, getting the bottom of the chair. "When Robin-Chan was little-"
He paused in his story momentarily when Zoro squatted down and held the other end of the chair, both of them lifting it and walking backwards. "Her mother used to read to her in a rocking chair similar to this one. I know because she showed me a picture once. Watch out for the door," they moved to the left a little to avoid hitting it, then set it on the ground after they successfully walked out, Sanji getting out his keys and locking his door.
He turned and picked it up again, resuming their conversation once more. "She used to be really close to her mother before she died. Well anyways, it took me months to find a rocking chair exactly like this one, but I did." A huge grin suddenly made itself visible on his face. "It'll be worth it to see her face."
Zoro considered his comment. "That's thoughtful of you."
"Well, you know, anything for a loved one."
Zoro snorted. "Seems to me you love every woman in the state."
Sanji grinned toothily at him. "I have enough love to go around."
They placed it in the back of Zoro's pickup, securing it with some rope so it wouldn't fall off on their ride on the freeway, and got into his car again. This time, Zoro got into the driver's seat, throwing Sanji a hard glare when he began to protest. "I'm plenty sober now thanks to you. The car drive here would have scared any hung-over person into soberness anyways."
"Very funny marimo."
"Wasn't kidding." After turning on the ignition, Zoro looked at Sanji. "Well, I don't exactly know where she lives, you're gonna have to give me directions."
Sanji rolled his eyes. "Should have just let me drive then."
"Che, I'm never letting you drive my car again," Zoro turned his body around, placing his right hand on the back of Sanji's seat as he backed out of the packing lot, looking over his shoulder.
"Do you know how to get on the 10 east from here?" Sanji asked him.
"No."
"Ok, stay on this street, I'll tell you when to make a right."
Zoro nodded, reaching into his cup holder to get his mp3 player, turning it on so the ride wouldn't be as uncomfortable. The last song that had been playing was M-Flo's Cosmic Night Run so he started the song over again and played it. Sanji sat there listening to the music, not really minding that it was in a language that he didn't understand. He played French music enough in his car to the point it annoyed other people, so he really wasn't one to say. And he would have stayed quiet, but he couldn't take it anymore. "What the hell marimo?" he snapped.
"What?"
"The song, it's so, so," he paused, "Happy sounding."
"What's wrong with happy music?" Zoro asked, glaring at him, showing him just how much the song had an effect on him. The joy in the air evident.
"Nothing. But you? I can't believe you listen to this."
Zoro ignored him and kept driving. After a while Zoro snorted.
"What?"
"Nothing. Just a line form the song reminded me of you."
"What line?"
"Something about bikinis in the winter."
Sanji smiled. "Sexy."
When the song ended, a metal song came on next and Sanji found himself head bobbing to the beat. He nodded, taking his eyes away form the window and looking at Zoro's profile. "So, who is this?"
"Ningen-Isu," Zoro said, not even looking at his mp3 player.
Sanji nodded, then asked. "Um, can I change the music?"
Zoro took his eyes off the road for a moment so he could eye Sanji. "You won't sing will you?"
Sanji furrowed his eyebrows, looking a little offended that he would even ask such a thing. "No."
"Then yeah, go ahead." Zoro waved his hand dismissingly.
Sanji grabbed his music player and pressed the center button, the album cover of the band showing, making Sanji burst into laughter. "Geez, no wonder you listen to these guys."
"Shut up."
Sanji continued to laugh. "I mean, just look at the way that they're dressed!"
"Just pick something else."
Sanji skimmed through the list, furrowing his curly brow when he noticed a problem. "Your settings are all in Japanese."
Zoro chuckled, a grin spreading across his face. "Oh yeah. I did that so Perona wouldn't be able to change the music." He said, reaching out his hand and taking his mp3 player from Sanji.
"Nice job."
Zoro shrugged and clicked until the artist list showed up and handed it back to Sanji. "Here, the American bands are in English. Knock yourself out."
Sanji shook his head and he went through the list, more than half of the artist where in Japanese, he did see some Korean artists as well, but he could help but say, "You're such a fob."
"Shove it Frenchy."
"Make me fob. Turn right here."
"Just wait till we get to Robin's house. I'll beat you in front of her."
"Not in front of the ladies!" Sanji said in mock worry. "Left at the light."
"I'm sure they'll even cheer me on."
"Asshole marimo. Make another left."
[-]
After they ate the cake that was especially made by Sanji, Brook sang a song for Robin that he had composed himself. Franky was the one acting like the song was for him, with the way he was crying. He wiped his eyes, saying how beautiful it was. When Brook finished his song, he asked Robin if he could see her panties.
Sanji was on him not a second afterwards, kicking him across the face for even asking such a thing. When Brook was on the floor, threatening to bleed to death, Sanji fixed his tie and smiled brightly at Robin, declaring that he had her present ready for her, kicking Zoro's foot to get his attention so he could bring it in. Apparently the pansy couldn't carry it on his own.
Zoro grumbled, but did as he was told, but only for Robin's sake. He came back into her living room, carrying it and spotted Robin standing in the middle of her living room, Sanji standing behind her, a smile on his features while his pale hands covered her eyes, wanting to surprise her. Zoro quietly set the chair down, stepping back and standing next to Luffy, who was grinning ear to ear, Usopp having to nudge him to keep quiet.
Sanji then finally removed his hands from her eyes, the smile on his face competing with Luffy's own. Robin's normally calm expression went in to a state of shock for a brief moment before softening. She took a small step forward, stepping towards the chair and touching the headrest gingerly. She ran her hands over the headrest, then down until she reached the armrest, a nostalgic look on her face.
She turned to look at Sanji. "It's exactly like the one my mother had."
"I did my best to find one exactly like it Robin-Chan."
Robin couldn't contain her happiness anymore, she stepped over to where Sanji was and hugged him tightly. "Thank you."
Zoro looked on the sight, never having seen Robin so emotional. The moment was nice, and he looked at Sanji, smiling at Robin with a beaming face, happy that she was happy. Maybe the perverted bastard wasn't so bad. He was thinking that until he saw the cook's hand, the very one that had been resting on her hip slip down to gently cup her ass. Robin slipped her hand off his shoulder and reached back, grabbing his wrist and bringing his hand up to rest on her hip again.
Franky didn't seem to mind, just laughed it off. Zoro shook his head, Luffy and Usopp having burst into laughter at the sight. After a while Zoro joined, shaking his head.
[-]
"Now get in the car," Zoro said calmly, trying not to grab him by his neck and chuck him inside.
"No!" Luffy protested; acting like a spoiled brat.
"Get in the car." Zoro said between gritting his teeth.
"You sound like a kidnapper," Usopp commented, nudging Zoro's ribs and grinning like an idiot.
"Shut the hell up and get in the car!"
"Zoro, that isn't helping your case."
After chucking Luffy in the backseat and restraining him with all the seat belts in the back, Zoro sighed, looking at his best friend, his arms to his side as the belts went around his body, keeping him from running away. "Geez you're such a pain in the ass."
Luffy wiggled in their hold. "But I don't wanna go home! I wanna stay at the party!"
"The party is over Luffy, plus, Robin has to sleep at some point."
Luffy didn't seem to understand what Zoro had just told him, for he kept thrashing in his seat, yelling in agony when he couldn't escape. Zoro sighed; this was exactly the reason why he wasn't having kids. Luffy was a form of birth control as it were.
"Hey marimo!" He heard Sanji call out to him. 'Speaking of pain in the ass,' Zoro thought to himself, turning around to face the blond. Sanji stood a few feet back. "Thanks for helping me with the chair earlier."
"Don't mention." Zoro said, looking him dead in the eye. "No really, don't mention it again."
Sanji grinned. "That won't be a problem, trust me." His face turned serious then. "But my offer still stands for the free food."
Luffy piped up from the back, his feet kicking up a bit in excitement. "Does it apply to me too?"
"Not a chance in hell kid. I saw the way you ate tonight," Sanji said between his cigarette. "You'll put me out of business."
Luffy frowned, slumping in his seat. "You suck."
"Don't be so blunt!" Usopp yelped, afraid Sanji would kick them. He didn't.
Sanji just turned and headed towards his car, having wrestled the keys away from Luffy's hands and unlocked his car. He ducked his head, getting in his car, rolling down the windows to call out to Zoro. "I mean it, ok?"
Zoro rolled his eyes. "I'll think about it."
Sanji frowned, setting on the gas and driving off, making sure to flick off Zoro as he drove past him.
Usopp stood there next to Zoro, watching as Sanji sped out of the neighborhood, getting honked at and flicked off, Luffy still struggling with his seatbelt in the background.
"You guys sure make weird friends."
"Don't start long nose."
"Sorry."
[-]
He yawned and walked in through the door after dropping off the kiddies at Usopp's house. During the ride Luffy had somehow managed to wiggle his arms free, using that time to give Zoro a wet willy while he was driving.
Zoro half expected the house to be quiet, hoping that his roommates were fast asleep, but he should have known better, they always stayed up no matter what time he came home to ask him where he was. Freaking people always in his business. Mihawk was sitting on the couch along with Shanks who was completely drunk already. As he was most days . . .
Perona was sitting by herself in the love seat, looking at Zoro with beady eyes and looking more tired than he had ever seen her. She didn't even have the energy to greet him with her high-pitched voice. Shanks waved widely again, holding a bottle of Rum close to his chest. "Zoro! Come join us!"
Mihawk was holding a plastic red cup; looking distastefully down at it like it had someone offended him. While he was looking down at that, not even bothering to greet Zoro either, Shanks slung an arm over his shoulder. "Chug Hawk eyes! Chug! CHUG! CHUG!"
He pumped his fist in the air, smiling widely, looking at Zoro from the corner of his eyes to try to get him to join in his mission on getting Mihawk plowed. Mihawk frowned at them both and chugged, doing as he was told for once. It was amazing. Mihawk never drank with Zoro. Zoro smiled like a little boy and sat down on the love seat next to Perona, already in a much better mood.
He reached over to the coffee table, taking a red cup and extended his hand so Shanks could serve him some of that rum. "You can drink, right boy?" Shanks asked even though he knew the answer, grinning at him as he poured him a full cup of rum.
Zoro nodded. "Yup."
When his cup was full he chugged while Shanks cheered for him. Perona titled her head to the side, looking at him like she didn't know who he was, making Zoro wonder if she had been drinking with them.
Shanks continued to down bottle after bottle of rum, cheering for Mihawk and Zoro as they drank. Mihawk got drunk real fast. It was fun for Zoro seeing Mihawk so drunk for the first time, who would have known he was the happy drunk kind?
As the night went on Perona fell asleep on Zoro's lap, but that didn't stop Zoro from reaching over her to get refills from Shanks.
Shanks' laugh seemed to get louder as the morning progressed. "Let's get wasted!"
[-]
A.N. About the music that Zoro listens to, you guys should really look up what Ningen-Isu looks like, then you'll see exactly why Zoro listens to them.
And 'Cosmic Night Run' has got to be the happiest song I have ever heard. It's so . . . ii ne.
[--]
Chapter Three
The three of them ordered drinks, and Sanji barely took a sip of his beer when he heard Nami and Zoro ordering their second round of hard drinks. After a while he noticed there was no way he could possibly keep up with them so he settled for watching them, being the one to keep count since that fucking moss ball couldn't resist competing with anyone it seemed. After a bit, Zoro looked over at Sanji, noticing he wasn't drinking anymore and poured some of his beer into his glass. "Have some."
It also appeared that he wanted everyone around him drunk.
The night went on, most of Robin's co-workers left early to get some shut eye. Hancock was nearly in tears when she bid Luffy goodnight. It was a bad move on his part to walk her to the door, she cried and said she couldn't wait for their wedding. When she left, Robin and the rest of them joined the trio at the bar, joining Sanji while they stared at Nami and Zoro.
Sanji stared in horror as Franky and Usopp kept ordering drinks for Nami and Zoro, trying to see who would get tipsy first. They had ordered twelve shots of Patron, five jack and cokes, nine jell-o shots, a bottle of Sky for Zoro and a bottle of Captain Morgan's for Nami, and they were still sober. And that wasn't counting the thirteen bottles of beer they had before Franky had come along.
Usopp slung an arm around Sanji. "I taught Zoro everything he knows, he learned how to drink from me."
Sanji had enough sense to know he was lying to him.
They were monsters. He had never seen Nami drink so much. She usually stopped after Sanji got tipsy, so he never really got to see her full potential because she never had a challenge, until now that is. Now Sanji was seriously wondering how a sweet angel like her could drink like that, surely women didn't drink that much. But while he was surprised to see Nami drink that much, he shouldn't have been so surprised about Zoro. Zoro did have that alcoholic look to him. Why he thought Zoro was a lightweight was beyond him at this point.
Finally, Usopp broke down and said. "Please stop drinking! I'm running out of money here!"
Franky looked at the two. "Please tell me one of you is drunk."
Nami and Zoro only exchanged a look, then grinned widely and said nope. So the drinking came to a close, both declaring a tie and saying they would need to drink some other time. Luffy cheered for the both of them, clapping Zoro on the back for the billionth time that night.
Robin and Franky sat close to each other while Nami talked to Robin, Usopp and Brook sitting next to her. It left Sanji sitting next to Zoro, looking over at him and Luffy. They seem to have known each other a long time based on the way they acted.
"How long you guys know each other?" he asked, sipping on some water, trying to sober down some more.
"Few years," Luffy said, looking at Zoro to give him the exact answer. Zoro only shrugged, saying, "I dunno."
Sanji had noticed that Luffy had a scar under his eye while Zoro had been busy attempting to get intoxicated. He found it amusing that they both had scars on the left side of their face. The only difference was that Luffy's was under his eye, not across it like Zoro's was. He tapped the skin underneath his left eye, "I've been meaning to ask, how did you get that scar?"
Luffy looked at where he was pointing on his own face before breaking out into a smile,. "I did it myself!"
"Fight against my boss," Zoro grumbled, taking down another shot. Setting it down he added, "Err, tenant."
Sanji's jaw dropped. "Are you guys serious?"
They both nodded. Sanji opened and closed his mouth multiple times, not believing the stupidity he was hearing, making weird faces before he blurted out, "Who stabs themselves?"
Luffy continued to smile like it was no big deal to suddenly impale one's self. "Shanks, my dad, was making fun of me by calling me a kid. So I cut my eye to prove I was a man," he smiled, puffing his chest from swelling pride.
Sanji, completely flummoxed by the absurdity of it all, looked at Zoro hoping he would get a normal answer. "Why did you fight with your boss? And with what, he cut you with a knife?"
"Swords actually," Zoro said, signalling to the bartender to give him another shot. He rested his elbows on the bar, titling his head to look at him. "And we always fight. It's no big deal."
"Swords?" With every word those dimwits said he was growing more and more bewildered. But it was his fault, why did he expect the marimo to have a normal answer? There was nothing normal about him. "The fuck. What, are you guys samurais?"
Zoro smirked. "Something like that."
Sanji looked down at his glass, he must be hearing things. While he was trying to decide if he was sober or not, Luffy leaned over Zoro, practically knocking foreheads with him as he moved around in front of him to be able to talk to Sanji. "How do you guys know each other? Did you go to high school with Zoro?"
"Hell no. And thank God too." If he had ever met him in high school he imagined they would have visited the principle's office more than the secretary. "I met this fucker at his job."
Luffy smiled. "Oh! Did you see my dad? He owns the place."
"What? The tall guy with a moustache?"
Luffy shook his head, "No." Zoro stuck his hand in Luffy's face, but it did nothing to stop him from having a conversation with Sanji. "That's his friend, and co-owner. My dad's the one with red hair."
Sanji nodded. "Oh. Well, no I didn't see no red haired guy."
They were interrupted when Nami started cheering. "Hey Robin! You should open your presents now!"
Everyone else started cheering, so she had to give in. They went back to sitting on the couches. Robin took her seat on Franky's lap again. Usopp and Nami sat next to each other on one couch, and Luffy sat on Zoro's lap much to his dislike, while Sanji sat next to his other side, Brook having taken the seat next to Robin and Franky. He had no luck sitting next to the ladies it seemed.
Robin opened Brook's first, giggling at the skull wrapping paper. Inside the box was a pair of purple silk panties. Franky had to pull Sanji back from kicking him. Next was Nami, and she gave her a dress from some expensive shop apparently, because Robin and her started to talk about it, leaving the men to sit in confusion. Franky had given her a ship in a bottle, leaving a sticky note on it saying one day she would a life sized version of the one inside the bottle. He had winked at her, lifting his sunglasses to do so.
Robin smiled and kissed his cheek. Afterwards she opened the present from Zoro, Luffy and Usopp. She was grinning when she opened it, holding the book and reading the title, 'Rainbow Mist.' She smiled softly. "Thank you, the three of you. I've had my eye on this book for a long time."
After that, all the attention went to Sanji, all more than a little surprised that he wasn't the first one flinging himself at Robin, begging her to open his gift. Sanji only smiled, standing up and straightening his suit. "Robin, I'm afraid I didn't bring your present because it was too big to fit in my car. I was hoping you could find it in your heart to forgive me and allow me to bring it over to your humble abode later tonight."
Robin smiled. "Well, we were going to eat cake at my place."
Sanji had wanted to cook the entire meal for her birthday, but they had made a deal that they would go to her place to eat a cake especially made by him and that was good enough for Sanji. Robin informed everyone of this news, Zoro hated it, considering he would have to drive there.
Sanji nodded and clasped his hands together. "Well then, I'll need someone with a van or a truck to drive me to my place so I can bring the wonderful Robin-Chan her much deserved present."
"Oh!" Luffy called out, Zoro tired to cover Luffy's mouth but it was too late. "Zoro has a truck."
Sanji still has his back turned to them. "Would anyone like to help me on my quest?"
Usopp furrowed his eyebrow. "Sanji, Zoro has a truck."
"Franky!" Sanji practically threw himself at the man's feet as he wailed. "You have a truck, don't you?"
"Sorry bro, I drove my Lexus here."
Robin looked to Zoro. "You haven't objected, care to help Sanji?"
Sanji cringed a little, but didn't dare turn his back.
Zoro sighed; it was her birthday after all. "Sure."
[-]
Sanji decided he didn't need his car so he reluctantly handed his keys to Usopp and Luffy. "Don't crash."
They nodded enthusiastically, probably not even hearing any of his threats and ran off towards the direction of his car, shoving at each other trying to fight over who could drive the car. Sanji had a bad feeling in the pit of his stomach, but he tried to convince himself it was because he was going to have to drive around with Zoro.
He stuck his hands in his pockets, feeling the gum wrapper that he had forgotten to throw away earlier. "Where's your truck?"
Zoro just started walking, titling his head towards the end of the parking lot. "Over there."
Sanji followed suit, then extended his hand. "Here, let me drive."
Zoro raised an eyebrow. "I can drive my own car, thanks."
"You can't drive!" Sanji began to argue. "You've been drinking!"
"So what? I'm sober."
"There's no way you can be! You drank enough for ten people!"
Zoro snorted. "I didn't even get tipsy."
"I'm not getting in the car with a drunk person!"
"Calm your tits princess, just get in the passenger side."
"Tits!"
Zoro rubbed at the back of his head where Sanji had kicked him, settling into the passenger seat of his own car. "Can't believe you kicked me. Behind my back."
Sanji lit up a cigarette, not bothering to ask for Zoro's permission and rolled down the window. "Whatever, put on your seat belt."
Sanji pulled out of the parking lot, Zoro's whole body slamming back as he reversed, then slamming back forward again when Sanji drove out of the place. Zoro usually didn't scare easy, but he feared for his life. That crazy blond had passed three red lights in less than ten minutes, and the few times he actually stopped he slammed on the brakes so hard Zoro nearly got a concussion from hitting the dashboard.
Sanji, though, kept a calm face the entire time, smoking his cigarette without a care in the world, exhaling the smoke smoothly like he was posing for a magazine, the prick.
When the light turned green Sanji sped off, the tires making a screeching sound, no doubt leaving his mark on the pavement. If there were cops chasing him, they could easily find him just by his tracks. Or just follow the trail of angry drivers, all cussing Sanji out, flicking him off, honking after him. Zoro gripped the door handle, his pupils growing wide. Sanji made a turn and went over the curb, the truck making a loud thump, Zoro's head nearly hitting the roof of the car as his truck landed on pavement again. He couldn't take it anymore, finally losing it and yelling at the top of his voice while gripping the 'oh shit bar.'
"Watch out! It's my fucking car you know!"
Sanji looked at him after passing yet another red, taking his time to turn his head slowly, the wind making his hair fly across his face, covering his eyes. But Zoro could still make out that grinning mouth. "Calm your tits."
Zoro really hated that condescending bastard.
They got to the front of Sanji's apartment and Zoro never felt so relived and thankful in his entire life. Even when he got sliced by Mihawk he wasn't as scared for his life as he was when he was in the car with Sanji. He honestly thought he was going to die when Sanji narrowly escaped from crashing straight on into a light pole.
Sanji had an apartment on the fourteen floor; which was in reality the thirteen floor. Zoro grumbled to himself, that fucking evil bastard would reside on the thirteen floor. They got in the elevator, the both of them standing there quietly on the elevator ride. Sanji unlocked the door. "It might be messy, so," he stopped talking, seeming to think something over in his head, before saying, "What am I thinking?" he snorted. "Like I care what you think."
"I feel welcomed already."
Sanji opened the door to reveal a small space, good enough for a single person. The living room had a nice couch in front of a T.V.; he could see a hallway to the side, leading to his bedroom and a bathroom. There was a kitchen there, and it was probably the best-kept area in his entire apartment.
He looked around, then spotted a rocking chair in the middle of the living room. It was a nice chair, and had a handmade quality to it, finding etched details going along the headrest. He titled his head up, gesturing to the chair. "That for her?"
Sanji, having walked over to the couch to pick up some of his dirty clothes, clearly not comfortable with the idea of someone finding his place messy -even if it was the asshole marimo - turned around, looking genuinely surprised. "How'd you know?"
"It doesn't match with the rest of the furniture, and a guy like you has everything matching."
"Oi! Don't make me sound like a girl."
"I just meant you're a clean cut guy, you sensitive pansy."
He didn't answer him, just huffed and walked into his kitchen after throwing his clothes in the hallway, throwing it out of sight from the marimo. He looked around the sink and fridge awkwardly. Sanji sighed, "Hey, listen, I'm thankful that you're letting me use your truck. Err, do you want anything to eat?"
"Ehh?"
"To eat. Do you want something to eat?" Sanji said with deliberate slowness, only serving to irritate the other man.
"Not really."
"Really? I can cook you anything you want."
"I rather not upset my stomach, thanks."
"Asshole. You haven't even tired it yet."
"Don't need to try it to know it'll taste like shit."
"Oh that's it, I'm cooking," Sanji said, clearly offended, he began to puff up a little, then turned around, muttering under his breath. "I'll show you."
"Hey, Chef Ramsey," Zoro called from where he had been standing in the living room the entire time. "It's two in the morning. I'm not hungry."
Sanji grumbled. "Not now. I mean, I can cook you something, as a sort of thank you, thing."
Zoro looked him over, then the kitchen. "You're a chef."
"Yeah, I work at the Baratie," he said, then asked. "Ever heard of it?"
"Not really."
"Asshole."
"Why am I an asshole?" Zoro inquired, looking at him. "Just because I haven't heard of your crap restaurant."
"Whatever. You can either stop by the Baratie whenever you want, get a free meal, or call me and I'll cook you something."
Zoro eyed him, looking uneasy about the whole thing. "You don't have to, you know?" After their little dispute, Sanji went over to the living room, standing before the chair. "So why the rocking chair?" Zoro asked.
Sanji had a fresh new cigarette in his mouth, fire alarm be damned Zoro supposed, seeing as how he didn't seem worried about setting it off. Sanji crouched down, getting the bottom of the chair. "When Robin-Chan was little-"
He paused in his story momentarily when Zoro squatted down and held the other end of the chair, both of them lifting it and walking backwards. "Her mother used to read to her in a rocking chair similar to this one. I know because she showed me a picture once. Watch out for the door," they moved to the left a little to avoid hitting it, then set it on the ground after they successfully walked out, Sanji getting out his keys and locking his door.
He turned and picked it up again, resuming their conversation once more. "She used to be really close to her mother before she died. Well anyways, it took me months to find a rocking chair exactly like this one, but I did." A huge grin suddenly made itself visible on his face. "It'll be worth it to see her face."
Zoro considered his comment. "That's thoughtful of you."
"Well, you know, anything for a loved one."
Zoro snorted. "Seems to me you love every woman in the state."
Sanji grinned toothily at him. "I have enough love to go around."
They placed it in the back of Zoro's pickup, securing it with some rope so it wouldn't fall off on their ride on the freeway, and got into his car again. This time, Zoro got into the driver's seat, throwing Sanji a hard glare when he began to protest. "I'm plenty sober now thanks to you. The car drive here would have scared any hung-over person into soberness anyways."
"Very funny marimo."
"Wasn't kidding." After turning on the ignition, Zoro looked at Sanji. "Well, I don't exactly know where she lives, you're gonna have to give me directions."
Sanji rolled his eyes. "Should have just let me drive then."
"Che, I'm never letting you drive my car again," Zoro turned his body around, placing his right hand on the back of Sanji's seat as he backed out of the packing lot, looking over his shoulder.
"Do you know how to get on the 10 east from here?" Sanji asked him.
"No."
"Ok, stay on this street, I'll tell you when to make a right."
Zoro nodded, reaching into his cup holder to get his mp3 player, turning it on so the ride wouldn't be as uncomfortable. The last song that had been playing was M-Flo's Cosmic Night Run so he started the song over again and played it. Sanji sat there listening to the music, not really minding that it was in a language that he didn't understand. He played French music enough in his car to the point it annoyed other people, so he really wasn't one to say. And he would have stayed quiet, but he couldn't take it anymore. "What the hell marimo?" he snapped.
"What?"
"The song, it's so, so," he paused, "Happy sounding."
"What's wrong with happy music?" Zoro asked, glaring at him, showing him just how much the song had an effect on him. The joy in the air evident.
"Nothing. But you? I can't believe you listen to this."
Zoro ignored him and kept driving. After a while Zoro snorted.
"What?"
"Nothing. Just a line form the song reminded me of you."
"What line?"
"Something about bikinis in the winter."
Sanji smiled. "Sexy."
When the song ended, a metal song came on next and Sanji found himself head bobbing to the beat. He nodded, taking his eyes away form the window and looking at Zoro's profile. "So, who is this?"
"Ningen-Isu," Zoro said, not even looking at his mp3 player.
Sanji nodded, then asked. "Um, can I change the music?"
Zoro took his eyes off the road for a moment so he could eye Sanji. "You won't sing will you?"
Sanji furrowed his eyebrows, looking a little offended that he would even ask such a thing. "No."
"Then yeah, go ahead." Zoro waved his hand dismissingly.
Sanji grabbed his music player and pressed the center button, the album cover of the band showing, making Sanji burst into laughter. "Geez, no wonder you listen to these guys."
"Shut up."
Sanji continued to laugh. "I mean, just look at the way that they're dressed!"
"Just pick something else."
Sanji skimmed through the list, furrowing his curly brow when he noticed a problem. "Your settings are all in Japanese."
Zoro chuckled, a grin spreading across his face. "Oh yeah. I did that so Perona wouldn't be able to change the music." He said, reaching out his hand and taking his mp3 player from Sanji.
"Nice job."
Zoro shrugged and clicked until the artist list showed up and handed it back to Sanji. "Here, the American bands are in English. Knock yourself out."
Sanji shook his head and he went through the list, more than half of the artist where in Japanese, he did see some Korean artists as well, but he could help but say, "You're such a fob."
"Shove it Frenchy."
"Make me fob. Turn right here."
"Just wait till we get to Robin's house. I'll beat you in front of her."
"Not in front of the ladies!" Sanji said in mock worry. "Left at the light."
"I'm sure they'll even cheer me on."
"Asshole marimo. Make another left."
[-]
After they ate the cake that was especially made by Sanji, Brook sang a song for Robin that he had composed himself. Franky was the one acting like the song was for him, with the way he was crying. He wiped his eyes, saying how beautiful it was. When Brook finished his song, he asked Robin if he could see her panties.
Sanji was on him not a second afterwards, kicking him across the face for even asking such a thing. When Brook was on the floor, threatening to bleed to death, Sanji fixed his tie and smiled brightly at Robin, declaring that he had her present ready for her, kicking Zoro's foot to get his attention so he could bring it in. Apparently the pansy couldn't carry it on his own.
Zoro grumbled, but did as he was told, but only for Robin's sake. He came back into her living room, carrying it and spotted Robin standing in the middle of her living room, Sanji standing behind her, a smile on his features while his pale hands covered her eyes, wanting to surprise her. Zoro quietly set the chair down, stepping back and standing next to Luffy, who was grinning ear to ear, Usopp having to nudge him to keep quiet.
Sanji then finally removed his hands from her eyes, the smile on his face competing with Luffy's own. Robin's normally calm expression went in to a state of shock for a brief moment before softening. She took a small step forward, stepping towards the chair and touching the headrest gingerly. She ran her hands over the headrest, then down until she reached the armrest, a nostalgic look on her face.
She turned to look at Sanji. "It's exactly like the one my mother had."
"I did my best to find one exactly like it Robin-Chan."
Robin couldn't contain her happiness anymore, she stepped over to where Sanji was and hugged him tightly. "Thank you."
Zoro looked on the sight, never having seen Robin so emotional. The moment was nice, and he looked at Sanji, smiling at Robin with a beaming face, happy that she was happy. Maybe the perverted bastard wasn't so bad. He was thinking that until he saw the cook's hand, the very one that had been resting on her hip slip down to gently cup her ass. Robin slipped her hand off his shoulder and reached back, grabbing his wrist and bringing his hand up to rest on her hip again.
Franky didn't seem to mind, just laughed it off. Zoro shook his head, Luffy and Usopp having burst into laughter at the sight. After a while Zoro joined, shaking his head.
[-]
"Now get in the car," Zoro said calmly, trying not to grab him by his neck and chuck him inside.
"No!" Luffy protested; acting like a spoiled brat.
"Get in the car." Zoro said between gritting his teeth.
"You sound like a kidnapper," Usopp commented, nudging Zoro's ribs and grinning like an idiot.
"Shut the hell up and get in the car!"
"Zoro, that isn't helping your case."
After chucking Luffy in the backseat and restraining him with all the seat belts in the back, Zoro sighed, looking at his best friend, his arms to his side as the belts went around his body, keeping him from running away. "Geez you're such a pain in the ass."
Luffy wiggled in their hold. "But I don't wanna go home! I wanna stay at the party!"
"The party is over Luffy, plus, Robin has to sleep at some point."
Luffy didn't seem to understand what Zoro had just told him, for he kept thrashing in his seat, yelling in agony when he couldn't escape. Zoro sighed; this was exactly the reason why he wasn't having kids. Luffy was a form of birth control as it were.
"Hey marimo!" He heard Sanji call out to him. 'Speaking of pain in the ass,' Zoro thought to himself, turning around to face the blond. Sanji stood a few feet back. "Thanks for helping me with the chair earlier."
"Don't mention." Zoro said, looking him dead in the eye. "No really, don't mention it again."
Sanji grinned. "That won't be a problem, trust me." His face turned serious then. "But my offer still stands for the free food."
Luffy piped up from the back, his feet kicking up a bit in excitement. "Does it apply to me too?"
"Not a chance in hell kid. I saw the way you ate tonight," Sanji said between his cigarette. "You'll put me out of business."
Luffy frowned, slumping in his seat. "You suck."
"Don't be so blunt!" Usopp yelped, afraid Sanji would kick them. He didn't.
Sanji just turned and headed towards his car, having wrestled the keys away from Luffy's hands and unlocked his car. He ducked his head, getting in his car, rolling down the windows to call out to Zoro. "I mean it, ok?"
Zoro rolled his eyes. "I'll think about it."
Sanji frowned, setting on the gas and driving off, making sure to flick off Zoro as he drove past him.
Usopp stood there next to Zoro, watching as Sanji sped out of the neighborhood, getting honked at and flicked off, Luffy still struggling with his seatbelt in the background.
"You guys sure make weird friends."
"Don't start long nose."
"Sorry."
[-]
He yawned and walked in through the door after dropping off the kiddies at Usopp's house. During the ride Luffy had somehow managed to wiggle his arms free, using that time to give Zoro a wet willy while he was driving.
Zoro half expected the house to be quiet, hoping that his roommates were fast asleep, but he should have known better, they always stayed up no matter what time he came home to ask him where he was. Freaking people always in his business. Mihawk was sitting on the couch along with Shanks who was completely drunk already. As he was most days . . .
Perona was sitting by herself in the love seat, looking at Zoro with beady eyes and looking more tired than he had ever seen her. She didn't even have the energy to greet him with her high-pitched voice. Shanks waved widely again, holding a bottle of Rum close to his chest. "Zoro! Come join us!"
Mihawk was holding a plastic red cup; looking distastefully down at it like it had someone offended him. While he was looking down at that, not even bothering to greet Zoro either, Shanks slung an arm over his shoulder. "Chug Hawk eyes! Chug! CHUG! CHUG!"
He pumped his fist in the air, smiling widely, looking at Zoro from the corner of his eyes to try to get him to join in his mission on getting Mihawk plowed. Mihawk frowned at them both and chugged, doing as he was told for once. It was amazing. Mihawk never drank with Zoro. Zoro smiled like a little boy and sat down on the love seat next to Perona, already in a much better mood.
He reached over to the coffee table, taking a red cup and extended his hand so Shanks could serve him some of that rum. "You can drink, right boy?" Shanks asked even though he knew the answer, grinning at him as he poured him a full cup of rum.
Zoro nodded. "Yup."
When his cup was full he chugged while Shanks cheered for him. Perona titled her head to the side, looking at him like she didn't know who he was, making Zoro wonder if she had been drinking with them.
Shanks continued to down bottle after bottle of rum, cheering for Mihawk and Zoro as they drank. Mihawk got drunk real fast. It was fun for Zoro seeing Mihawk so drunk for the first time, who would have known he was the happy drunk kind?
As the night went on Perona fell asleep on Zoro's lap, but that didn't stop Zoro from reaching over her to get refills from Shanks.
Shanks' laugh seemed to get louder as the morning progressed. "Let's get wasted!"
[-]
A.N. About the music that Zoro listens to, you guys should really look up what Ningen-Isu looks like, then you'll see exactly why Zoro listens to them.
And 'Cosmic Night Run' has got to be the happiest song I have ever heard. It's so . . . ii ne.
[--]
Chapter Three