Chapter Text
Zoro glanced at the clock hanging against the wall across from him. The larger hand pointed just past nine.
Fifteen more minutes, he anxiously thought, his leg bouncing up and down.
He couldn’t remember the last time he saw them — all the days blurred — but from what Sanji told him, it had been eleven days since that day at school, where he ran faster than he ran in his entire life.
It didn’t seem right, only eleven days. To Zoro, it felt like it had been a lifetime. A lifetime of hell.
“Still deciding?” a female voice asked.
In his thoughts, Zoro didn’t even notice the waitress coming back to his table. She looked at him with her tired eyes, the deep lines etching into her face adding to their exhaustion, probably bothered by Zoro taking an entire booth to himself, ordering nothing other than a cup of water.
“No, I’m, um, just waiting for some people.”
She looked at him as if she didn’t believe him, giving him a strained customer service smile.
“Okay, well if you need anything, just holler.”
Her heels clicked against the tiled floor as she walked away, leaving Zoro’s agitation to grow even more. Once again, he was feeling like a burden, but then he quickly pushed that feeling away — he no longer wanted to dwell on the negatives.
For what felt like the fiftieth time today, he anxiously looked around the small cafe. Several baby blue booths clung to the walls, contrasting against their white paint. Some of them were filled, but most were left empty. The floor matched the pastel aesthetic with its light pink color. It wasn’t a cafe that Zoro would ever go to, but it was a middle ground between school, Usopp’s, Nami’s, and Luffy’s homes.
He still couldn’t believe what he was doing, telling his friends everything about his father. Never did he think he would tell his story to someone willingly, but he knew it would be better if they heard about it straight from his mouth rather than twisted rumors. It’s the least of what he owed them.
He glanced at the clock again; Ten more minutes before the meeting time.
They would probably all enter together. After all, they would come straight from school. But that just made him more nervous. It would’ve been better if they came one by one, so he could slowly adjust to them. Having them come all at once felt like a large attack from an opposing army, with only Zoro to defend his side. Part of him wished he invited Sanji to come with him, but he felt like that would have just complicated things. It would lead to him explaining things he didn’t want to explain just yet; especially why he was okay with talking to Sanji and not the rest of them.
The door rang, and his head shot up, his heart pounding.
Were they early?
Two people walked in, and his heart calmed. For a moment, he forgot this cafe was open to the public.
Aimlessly, he stared at the two as they sat in the booth across from him, hand in hand. They were on a date; it was obvious from the way they looked at each other. His wish for Sanji grew stronger.
Then the bell rang one more time, followed by loud voices — voices that Zoro knew well. Luffy, Nami, and Usopp, dressed in multiple coats, looked as if they were having an intense conversation. From the frustrated way Nami looked, he could tell it was over something stupid. Zoro knew Luffy said something outrageous that started an argument; after all, he was part of plenty of these discussions in the past.
His hands clenched into fists, and it took all he got to keep from hiding. He knew he should call out and let them know where he was, but he couldn’t. His throat refused to open up, and his lips stayed sealed. But he didn’t have to say anything. Luffy quickly spotted him.
“Zoro!” he shouted, running across the cafe, and attracting glares from disturbed customers.
He wrapped his arms around Zoro’s neck, practically dragging him out of the booth to hug him.
In the sudden rush, Zoro barely had time to process what was happening. All he knew was that Luffy was burying his head into his shoulder, with brawny arms strangling him like a noose.
“Are you trying to kill him?” Nami asked, tugging on the collar of Luffy’s jacket, “Let go of him.”
“Ah, sorry.”
Luffy’s arms dropped, and he stared at Zoro with a giant smile. It had only been eleven days, and yet Luffy looked much older. The skin on his face seemed to drag down more and his black pupils swirled with exhaustion. In fact, as Zoro looked at the others, he realized they all seemed that way.
“Do you want to sit?” Zoro awkwardly said, his stomach hurting as if he ate some rotten food.
They stripped out of their coats, revealing they were still dressed in their uniforms — something that Zoro felt like he hadn’t seen in years — and sat. Luffy found his spot next to Zoro, while Nami and Usopp sat across from them.
“Here’s a menu,” Zoro continued, still feeling terrible, even after sitting, “You guys can get food if you want. I hear it's pretty good. I don’t know, I’ve never been here before.”
I’m an idiot, Zoro thought, I didn’t invite them here to eat. They probably want to get out of here as soon as they can. Who would want to eat with a murderer?
He erased the last part of his thought.
No. I have to stay positive, just like Sanji said. If they hated me, then they wouldn’t even have shown up.
“Good, I’m starving. Ever since Sanji’s been suspended, I haven’t been able to have a snack between classes,” Luffy said, grabbing the menu.
“You can just make your own food, y’know?” Usopp said.
“But everything I make tastes terrible.”
“Cause you can’t even follow a simple recipe,” Nami chipped in.
“It’s harder than it looks. Zoro knows what I mean, it’s why he never cooks.”
“I just never have time,” Zoro said.
“You’re supposed to agree.”
“ Sorry. Luffy’s right, recipes are hard,” he said with a hint of sarcasm.
“Don’t encourage him,” Nami laughed.
It surprised Zoro at how normal their conversation was. None of them asked about him or his father, or why he invited them to talk. It was as if none of the past eleven days happened. They all gladly accepted Zoro again, just like it was before. The pain in his stomach lessened, and his words became less hesitant.
The waitress came back again, this time, her face much brighter, gladly taking their order.
“Does this mean you're coming back to school?” Luffy suddenly asked. Nami and Usopp both glared at him as if he said something he shouldn’t have, “I really hope it does. It’s no fun without you.”
Zoro didn’t respond at first. He didn’t know what to say or how to say it. He didn’t even think about school; dealing with his friends stole all of his attention, leaving little room for school. But if he could do this, if he could tell them the truth, then maybe, just maybe, he could show his face in a classroom again.
And if, though it was unlikely, if they still wanted to be his friend, then, for the first time in his life, he wouldn’t have to face the scolding crowd alone. If that was the case, then he would happily go to school again.
Think positive.
“Yeah, maybe.”
“Really? Finally, I'll have my chemistry buddy back. Class’s been so boring without you,” Usopp said with a giant grin.
“Agreed. Health’s just not the same without you,” Nami added.
“And who else could I annoy Ms. Nico with?” Luffy joked, “You’re the only fun one in history.”
They all spoke with a strong sincerity that couldn’t be mistaken for anything else. They wanted him back.
They truely did.
But Zoro knew he wouldn’t be able to go back without telling them everything, without telling them about his father and his past.
“My father’s a serial killer,” Zoro suddenly said, “He killed twelve women.”
Luffy scowled at him.
“So?”
“We already told you we don’t care about that,” Nami said.
“You’re you, and not your dad,” Usopp agreed.
“I-I know. I just… I just need to tell you guys.”
He didn’t know why, but Zoro had a feeling he wouldn’t be able to proudly look at them ever again if he didn’t tell them everything right now. It would have felt like he was deceiving them, not going into detail about the parts he played and the parts he didn’t. He wanted them to know everything before they made their decision — something he might regret, but something he needed to do.
Nami gave Usopp and Luffy an uneasy glance, then smiled.
“Okay. You can tell us then.”
“But nothing you say will change my mind,” Luffy pouted, “You’re Zoro and you’re my friend, and there’s nothing that will change that.”
“Agreed,” Usopp said.
“Same,” Nami added.
Zoro couldn’t help but smile.
“Thank you. Really.”
Then, Zoro told them everything — except about knowing Sanji — spilling out secrets that he told no one before, things he never thought he could tell anyone. But as he started speaking, it was as if water broke through a dam. There was no way to stop his words unless someone forced him to shut up.
But no one did.
The three mostly sat silently, only speaking to ask questions or to clarify.
The only interruption was when the waitress brought their food, and that was only brief, as he continued to talk while they ate, Luffy completely devouring his food.
He finished his story with the police breaking down his door, and saving his life from his own father’s hands. As he spoke his last words, he looked at the faces of his friends — faces he adored — and could have sworn he saw tears in the corner of Usopp’s and Nami’s eyes, though that could have just been a reflection of the light. Luffy was just poking away at the food in front of him, an almost carefree expression painted across his face.
“Is that it?” he said between bites, causing Zoro to look at him in shock.
“Luffy!” Usopp and Nami shouted.
“What? From the rumors and the way he was talking earlier, I thought maybe he might’ve killed someone, but he didn’t even do anything bad.”
“Yeah, but still . He probably feels guilty—”
The heavy sound of Zoro laughing interrupted Nami. It was such a robust laugh that he didn’t even know he could laugh like that himself.
“You’re right. I guess I made it sound like it was serious.”
He should have known. They were good people. They wouldn’t care. They wouldn’t abandon him so easily, like everyone else. They were his friends — real friends.
As his laughter died down, Nami looked at him with a soft smile.
“Thank you for telling us. I—,” she shook her head, “No, we appreciate it.”
“Yeah,” Usopp rubbed his eyes with the back of his hand, “I didn’t know you went through such terrible things.”
“Thank you.”
Zoro couldn’t help but smile. For the first time, he truly knew he wasn’t alone. He knew wouldn’t ever be abandoned again.
“So, you’re for sure coming back to school?” Luffy asked, once again changing the topic.
“Yeah, I think I will.”
“Then you should come tomorrow,” Usopp said, “Finals are in two weeks. You shouldn’t miss anymore.”
“Crap,” Zoro mumbled, “I forgot about that. I’m probably failing all my classes.”
“Don’t worry, we’ll help you out,” then Nami looked at Luffy, who was stacking his utensils, “Well, me and Usopp will help you.”
“Then, I’ll go tomorrow.”
“Really? Then both you and Sanji’ll come back on the same day!” Luffy shouted, unable to contain his excitement.
“Oh yeah, today’s the last day of Sanji’s suspension,” Usopp said.
“That’s right,” Zoro said, already knowing that fact well.
Nami turned and looked at the clock. Panic overtook her face.
“Crap! It's already seven. I’m so sorry, but I have to go.”
She quickly gathered her things together.
“Zoro, thanks for inviting me. I’m really happy to see you again. Really. I’ll see you tomorrow. All of you.”
She said the last words with a glance at Zoro, before running off, leaving the three alone.
“Wow, she’s in a rush,” Usopp said, “Probably something to do with student council. She’s always busy with it.”
“Lame, I was going to talk about our revenge plot for Rocky. I guess it’ll have to wait till school,” Luffy groaned.
“You’re still on that?” Zoro asked with a chuckle.
“Of course! Especially after what Mr. Akainu did to you,” Usopp glared at him once he said this, but Luffy didn’t seem to be bothered, “I want revenge even more.”
“We’ll just have to talk about it tomorrow,” Usopp said quickly, as if trying to change the subject.
From the hasty way he spoke, it was obvious that Usopp wanted to avoid talking about what happened in the locker room. Though Zoro had a feeling it wasn’t because of discomfort, but out of respect for his privacy — something that made him glad.
He might’ve been able to tell them about his father, but he knew he would never be ready to tell them about his relationship with Sanji — or, at least, the darker parts of it.
“Yeah, I guess. Want to go to the arcade instead? It’s been a while since we’ve gone.”
“Sure.”
“Sorry,” Zoro said, “but I have to skip out. I already have plans.”
“What? But it’s been so long since we’ve hung out,” Luffy groaned.
“Sorry, but we can go after school tomorrow.”
Luffy grinned.
“Fine, but if you skip out again, I’m going to beat you.”
“It’s a promise.”
Zoro gathered his things, and Luffy let him out of the booth.
“See you guys tomorrow.”
“You better,” Usopp said, “I’ll be looking for you.”
“If he doesn’t, I'll go to his house and drag him out,” Luffy grumbled.
Zoro laughed.
“There’s no need. I will be there.”
He left the cafe, feeling much better than when he first entered it. He felt so good that not even the wind blowing into his hair bothered him or the icy cold brushing against his skin.
For the first time in his entire life, he wasn’t bothered by the fact that his father was a serial killer. It was as if the chain that tied him to his father shattered, completely freeing him from his past and allowing him to finally enter the future.
“Aren’t you cold?”
Zoro looked up. Sanji stood in front of him, wrapped in multiple coats, a beanie crowning his head, and a blue scarf wrapped around his neck, making him look like a small child wearing clothes too big for him. He looked absolutely adorable.
“No,” he responded with a giant grin.
Sanji moved to his side, tangling his gloved hand with Zoro’s bare palm.
“It went well, didn't it? I told you you had nothing to worry about. They were only concerned about you when the news first broke.”
They walked, their feet crushing against the snow. Cars drove by them and people walked past, but neither Zoro or Sanji took any notice — they only saw the person next to them.
“Of course I was worried, seeing how others reacted in the past.”
“Whatever. Did it at least answer your question?”
“Yeah. I’ll go to school tomorrow.”
Sanji grinned.
“I’m happy. I don’t know what I would have done without you there.”
“You would have been fine. You’re quite popular.”
“You sound jealous. Are you mad I know so many people?”
“Not one bit.”
“Good,” Sanji stopped walking, “We only need one jealous person in this relationship.”
He leaned in and kissed Zoro. His warm lips felt amazing in the cold, like a burning fire in the middle of winter. Instinctively, Zoro wrapped his arm around Sanji’s back, pulling him closer. Sanji gasped — a wonderful noise.
“Do… Do you want to go back to my place?” he asked once they separated, his pale face a bright red.
“I thought that’s where we're going,” Zoro responded.
His face grew even redder, like a light bulb. Zoro held back a chuckle. He was just like he was when they were children — hard-headed, but quick to embarrass.
In fact, ever since their conversation, where they drank until they couldn’t drink anymore, it was as if Sanji reverted into the Sanji Zoro once knew, not the one that was tainted over years of abuse.
“Yeah,” he smiled a sweet smile, “let’s hurry.”
The front desk clerk gave them a knowing look as they walked in together, hand in hand.
But neither man cared.
The moment the elevator’s door shut, they became inseparable, as if they were magnets. Sanji couldn’t keep his hands off Zoro, and Zoro couldn’t keep his hands off Sanji.
The feeling of his tongue, the softness of his hair, the burning of his skin — it felt better than anything Zoro’s experienced before. It was a feeling Zoro craved since he first met the boy, and now, finally, after ten years, that craving would be satisfied.
The elevator dinged, and they stumbled out, still connected. Sanji refused to let Zoro go, or maybe it was Zoro who refused to let Sanji go — either way, they slowly made their way down the hall, gasping and moaning.
Just as they reached Sanji’s door, their feet got tangled up, and they fell. Sanji stuck out his arm, catching them with the wall, and holding Zoro up with his other arm.
“Sorry,” Sanji said, “You okay?”
Zoro laughed, staring up at the man who held him in his arms. His blond hair stuck to his cheeks, glued by a glaze of sweat. Harsh pants broke through his chapped lips, wet with spit.
“Yeah, I’m fine.”
Sanji lifted Zoro for another kiss, then stopped just before their lips touched.
“Actually, give me a second.”
He let go of Zoro, leaving him to impatiently watch as he rummaged through his pockets and pulled out his keys. Another excruciating second went by, Zoro’s body blazing hotter than it ever has before, as Sanji unlocked his door.
The moment they heard the click, they became one again, Sanji’s arm snaking up and down Zoro’s back. They stumbled into the apartment, and Sanji closed the door with his foot.
They kissed harder this time, and Zoro slid his hands down to Sanji’s ass, pulling him closer.
Sanji moaned softly, pressing himself against Zoro.
Their tongues fought, the two of them unable to part their faces. They kissed, sucked at each other's faces, tasting like cigarettes, their tongues moving like fire, burning away the pain they’ve felt for the past ten years: the loneliness, the hatred, the anger, everything.
Everything that they wanted to be free from. And that’s exactly what they were doing: freeing themselves from their tired pasts.
It was a passionate make-out session, full of teeth biting, and heavy breathing, as Sanji pushed Zoro towards his bedroom.
When they entered, the lights were already on, casting shadows of the room onto the floor. Sanji pressed him against the door, kissing him furiously.
Zoro tried to get the words to leave his mouth — the ones he’s been wanting to say for ten years. But, no matter how hard he tried, he could not form any coherent sentence; instead, all he could do was pant heavily between kisses, the air thick and heavy with their breath.
Sanji moved to remove his scarf and multiple coats, but even with the slight break, Zoro still couldn’t say what he wanted to. Instead, he focused on the buttons of his jacket.
It was as if they were racing to see who could get naked first, moving as fast as they could. The heat built in both their bodies; the room becoming hot with their passion.
Once they stripped off their layers, Sanji pushed Zoro onto the bed, both still sweaty, still breathing heavily, as if they had been running.
Sanji stared down at Zoro, his eyes filled with lust. There was something that lingered there.
Something unspoken.
A sense of familiarity.
He ran his fingers down Zoro’s chest, exploring the crevices of his faded abs. The ceiling fan spun above, its blades turning endlessly, the noise filling their ears.
“So, what are you doing here today?” he asked with a grin.
He dragged his hand further down Zoro’s chest, leaving behind a soft trail of warmth.
“Staying at a pervert’s house.”
“Wow, must be a lucky pervert.”
His hand reached Zoro’s hard cock, his firm fingers wrapping around it. A gasp forced its way through his lips. A gasp that just encouraged Sanji.
“You’re really desperate.”
“Stop with the teasing and just put it in.”
Sanji looked almost shocked at those words. Red spread across his ears as if he never expected Zoro to say something like that.
“Is… is it okay if I do?”
“Of course, idiot,” Zoro said with a grin.
With soft hands — hands that Sanji’s never used before — he gripped onto Zoro’s hips, thrusting forward.
The warmth and the feeling of Sanji made Zoro moan, a long, winded moan.
It was different from all the other times. Sanji was gentle with his tempo, pressing hard into Zoro, but not painfully. His thrusts lost their terrible urgency, leaving behind calmness and pleasantness as if he was no longer trying to race towards the end, but taking his time enjoying every bit.
Zoro moaned over and over again, following each thrust. It never felt this good before. It never filled his body with a burning numbness like it did now.
He just wanted more.
So much more.
Zoro grabbed Sanji by the hips tightly as their bodies moved together, pulling him even closer, the sound of their groans mixing, becoming a continuous noise. One loud, deafening sound.
He didn’t want Sanji to stop. He wanted him to keep going, to go on forever. But he didn’t want Sanji to take his time either, didn’t want him to hold back.
Sanji followed suit, gripping tighter onto Zoro. He couldn’t think straight anymore. Everything blurred around him. This moment was too good for his mind to comprehend.
Right now, none of it mattered — the past, the future. Only the present was there — something Zoro often forgot about.
But not now.
This was real. It wasn’t a nightmare, a faded memory, or some pessimistic vision of the future.
This was real.
This was happening.
Today really happened, and no words could explain how happy he was that it did.
He could only feel the happiness. He could only hear the fan whirring overhead and the harsh creaking of the bed. Only feel the touch of the sheets beneath his bare back. Only feel the weight of Sanji’s body pressing against his own. Only feel the heat of Sanji’s breath on his face. Only taste his mouth. Only feel the way they were moving together. Only smell his hair.
He could only feel the present.
Only the present.
“Sanji,” he moaned in a ragged voice.
Even through blurry eyes, he could see the look on Sanji’s face — one of shock, but also with a slight smile, a soft smile. The one that Zoro loved more than anything.
“Yeah, Zoro?” he could barely say between pants and thrusts.
“Sanji,” was all Zoro could respond over and over again, his pleas filling the air.
That word alone was enough to send Sanji over the edge. As his body shook with release, Zoro could feel the pressure building up inside him, as everything seemed to come undone at once. It was overwhelming, as if it wasn't just pressure from today about to be released.
For a moment, in the midst of his ecstasy, he thought that this was just a dream, that he would wake up to another bleak, empty day, to the dark reality he lived in for his entire life.
Then, he realized that was no longer true. That reality was now gone. He no longer had to watch from a distance. No longer had to keep his emotions to himself. No longer had to hide.
He no longer had to do any of these things because he was no longer alone.
He couldn’t contain himself, and after a loud moan, he came, his body trembling with warm jolts of pleasure.
Sanji collapsed next to him, his harsh pants rising and falling on his chest. A soft pink painted his face like the petals of a begonia, his hair sticking to it like it’s yellow pollen. But his most striking feature was his eyes, bluer than the sky above, deeper than the ocean below — eyes that Zoro always found beautiful.
Warmth permeated from his body, amazing warmth. The type of warmth Zoro would never want to let go of, like the comforting flame of a phoenix.
He crept his hand over and found Sanji’s, tightly gripping onto it, exploring the crevices of the palm and sternness of the fingers.
“I love you,” he said, finally being able to say those words he’s wanted to for years.
He loved Sanji.
He always loved Sanji, ever since the day they met, and he would always love Sanji, no matter what he did to him.
It was a fact that Zoro knew well — one that he always knew, just could never admit it until now.
“I love you,” he repeated, the words sounding right in his voice.
---
More than ever before, the school building looked like a prison. It loomed over Zoro like a giant looking down at its prey. His legs wouldn’t move. He couldn’t take a step forward or a step back. He was completely frozen on that spot on the sidewalk.
I can’t do this, he thought, I can’t do this.
Students walking by looked at him like he was an exotic animal in the zoo — interesting, but something that should be strayed away from. His own heart pounded against his ears, and the fabric of his school uniform felt suffocating and itchy.
He should have just stayed at home, away from all of these people. Anyway, school’s not that important. Plenty of people made it through life without graduating.
“It’ll be okay,” Sanji placed a warm hand on his shoulder, and his nerves immediately calmed, “I’ll be with you the whole time.”
“O-okay,” Zoro muttered.
With a deep breath, he took a step into the gates, Sanji standing by his side. Whispers filled the air as the two walked through the school. Zoro tried his best to ignore them, focusing on the breath of Sanji and his smell — two comforting things.
After what felt like a lifetime, they reached Aokiji’s door.
“You ready?” Sanji asked.
Zoro nodded.
“As ready as I’ll ever be.”
Sanji gave him a sincere, kind smile.
“I’m proud of you.”
Those words gave Zoro a sense of confidence. He couldn’t betray Sanji’s feelings; Zoro was going to prove that his pride was put in the right person. He opened the door, and every eye looked up at him, a murmur of whispers making their way through the classroom like a wave.
In the far corner, Luffy, Nami, and Usopp sat. They looked up, and Luffy waved at him with a giant grin.
“Zoro! Sanji! Come sit with us!”
He indicated to two empty seats.
“See,” Sanji said, “Everything’ll be alright”
Zoro looked at his friends, then at Sanji.
He smiled.
“Yeah, you’re right. Everything will be alright.”