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"Hey Eggplant, we have a new part-time waiter starting today. Try not to be too hard on him."
Sanji sighed as he turned to his adoptive father. "Why did we hire a new waiter, and why a guy? Couldn't we have hired a pretty lady?"
"I hired a new waiter because I was planning on moving you to the kitchen more permanently. But, if you don't want to do that, I can call him and tell him we don't need him."
Sanji panicked as Zeff turned to head to the phone. "No! No, wait! I'll be nice to him; whatever you want! Please let me work in the kitchen more!"
"That's what I thought. But first, you have to train him."
Sanji quickly agreed. How bad could it be?
***
It was horrible. And not just because the man was a horrible waiter, but because he was horribly attractive. He was just Sanji's type too. And not just appearance-wise. He was quick-witted and could dish out as much as he could take.
He could easily see himself falling hard for the small-town boy, and it honestly terrified him. Why would you want to fall in love with someone when you knew it wouldn't last and you'd just end up hurt in the end?
So he fought against it tooth and nail, refusing to admit to himself that it was already too late, he was already in deep. At least until the day Zoro put in his two weeks. He hadn't even had the nerve to tell Sanji that he was quitting, he had to hear it from Zeff.
He spent the next two weeks avoiding Zoro, literally turning and running the other way when he realized Zoro was heading towards him. Because that's what he was good at, running, from everything.
He'd almost made it through the two weeks but on the last day, Zoro cornered him.
"What the hell, Curly? Why are you avoiding me?"
"I'm not. I don't know what you're talking about."
"Bullshit. I put in my two weeks and I know you know, I'd planned on telling you but you've been avoiding me."
"Why does it matter? You're leaving, and we won't ever talk again, so why should we talk now?"
Sanji saw the frustration on Zoro's face before he took Sanji's hand and started dragging him out of the restaurant.
"What the hell Mosshead? I have work to do."
"I know, but come on, rebel a little." Zoro shot him a smile and continued pulling him.
Sanji finally gave up and let him drag him out. "Where are we going Marimo?"
"To the lake."
"You're going the wrong way…"
***
Sanji was humming to himself as he walked out of the bathroom and headed to the dresser to grab some clothes. Looking at the small selection in the drawer, he was reminded that he needed to do some laundry. He thought about maybe bringing more stuff over, but his designated drawer was already pretty full when all his stuff was clean.
Were things moving too fast? He really didn't want to rush things.
He was startled out of his thoughts by tapping on the bedroom door. He turns to see Zoro standing in the doorway.
"You're thinking too hard, cook."
Sanji snorted and turned back to the dresser, grabbing the first thing he found. "I'm thinking a normal amount. Just because you don't think at all."
He stiffens when he feels Zoro wrap his arms around his waist and press a kiss to his damp hair. "What's wrong?"
He looks down at the ground, letting it further cover his face as he silently contemplates how to even bring it up. "Are we moving too fast? My parents-"
Zoro immediately cuts him off. "We're not your parents, Sanji. We're not going to make the same mistakes."
Zoro says it with such certainty, and Sanji believes him. He lets himself relax into the strong and wrapped around him.
They've been through so much together, good and bad. Even on days when Sanji felt like everything was falling apart, he had Zoro; he had them. And thinking back on everything they'd been through, he knew they could get through anything.
***
Sanji ran out of the house, tears streaming down his face. He stopped a little down the road, not even sure where he was going.
As he heard footsteps behind him his shoulders tensed. This is it, everything was over, Zoro had followed him out to tell him he was done, and Sanji had to leave.
"Sanji, look at me."
Sanji shook his head. "Why? So you can look me in the eyes and tell me you're leaving? Just like everyone else?"
He was caught by surprise when he was pulled backward into Zoro's arms. "I've said it before and I'll say it again, Sanji. I'll never leave you alone."
They stood for a moment in silence as Zoro continued holding him and Sanji slowly let himself relax as he realized that Zoro really wasn't going anywhere. He leaned back into Zoro's chest as he heard him start talking again.
"You remember the night I confessed? Sitting on the banks of that lake?"
Sanji smiled. "I do. Every time we hit a rough patch, every time I feel down. I think about the first time you put your arms around me, just like now. Promising me over and over again that you'd always be there. Holding me tighter every time I pushed away until I finally believed you."
He turned in Zoro's arms so he could face him, taking in the beautiful smile he fell in love with as Zoro spoke up again. "Every time I look at you I feel the same way I did the first time I laid eyes on you. It was love at first sight, and I fell harder and harder the more time I spent around you. How could I not? Such a gorgeous fiery young blonde. No matter how careful you were about trying not to let me in, I was determined to break through, determined to bring out the rebel I knew was inside you."
Zoro lifted one of his hands up placing it on Sanji's cheek. Sanji leaned into it, closing his eyes as Zoro leaned down and pressed a gentle kiss on his lips before resting their foreheads together.
"I love you, Zoro."
"I love you too, Sanji."
Sanji pulled back looking up into Zoro's eyes. "Of all the things I've ever had. You are the best thing that's ever been mine."