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Sanji has a letter in his locker. It’s not unheard of for students to shove them into the slits. But never into Sanji’s .
The people he talked to most were his friends, they had his phone number if they needed anything. Most people he talked to at school would just, well, talk to him.
The only occasion he could imagine this happening to himself was… It was silly honestly and he had thought about this on lonely nights, which was even more silly.
A secret admirer…
Sanji feels heat rising in his face as he stares at the slightly crumpled, folded graph paper in his hand. He looks left and right, just to make sure nobody is watching before carefully folding open the letter the tiniest bit.
Blue calligraphy fountain pen font glares back his way, swirly letters starting the letter with ‘Dear Sanji’. He quickly pushes the paper back down.
OK, this had to be what he thinks it is. It just has to be. He takes another quick peek, his eyes flying over the first lines.
Yup. It sure fucking is! He feels giddy. This is his wildest dream come true. And if the letter was signed, that would be even better. Because he has someone he would love to have write him a letter. “Oooh, I have to show the others,” he squeaks to himself.
He quickly packs his backpack and shoots off to class, he’ll save reading it for lunch. Less eyes on him when everyone is busy eating and doing homework.
***
“Look, what I have!” Sanji slaps the letter enthusiastically on the table.
“Whatcha got there, math homework? Can I copy it? ” Luffy asks around his sandwich the second the paper hits the table.
Usopp nods along, “I mean I obviously finished math already but I’ll take a look too…”
“It’s not homework, idiot!” Sanji hisses back. Moment ruined immediately. “I think it’s a love letter,” he tells the others with a self satisfied grin.
Nami looks at the letter doubtfully, “It has to be a joke, right. Did you read it? Does it seem legit?”
Sanji takes the letter and holds it in front of his chest, “I haven’t! I wanted to share this pivotal moment with you all, but you want to ruin it, apparently…”
“It can’t be real,” Zoro pipes up and Sanji looks over to glare at him. The green haired idiot looks like he’s about to pass out. He’s pale and his eyes seem a bit crazed, even though he tries to sound nonchalant. “Who the hell would be in love with a weirdo like yourself.”
Sanji smirks, “Mmh. I think you're just jealous,” he tells him with a flick of his wrist, “Maybe you should give poor Hiyori a chance instead of sticking your nose in my love life.”
Zoro growls, but doesn’t say anything. He just crosses his arms and leans back on his chair, closing his eyes. He clearly has no interest in continuing this chat and dips out without a word, typical.
Nami scoffs, “Come on, read it already!”
So Sanji does.
The writing is slightly shaky cursive. Whoever wrote this clearly had to concentrate to get the letters to look right. There are a few parts scratched out, barely readable what they used to say.
┍ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ┑
𝓓𝓮𝓪𝓻 𝓢𝓪𝓷𝓳𝓲
I don’t even know how to start this letter. I feel really stupid writing… Well, anything right now.
I’ve been watching you for a while. Not like a creep or anything! But my eyes just wander to you all the time, when we’re in class or at the dining hall.
It’s really hard to take my eyes off you in general, if I’m honest. I’ve been thinking about you all day today and I just had to get it out on paper.
Sanji… I think I might be I want I wish you would I had to tell you how much I actually like you. Even though you don’t see me that way.
I know you really like Pudding at the moment and I’m not sure you’d ever like someone like me at all. I can’t even imagine what you’d do if you found out it’s me. I’d probably have to switch schools. You’d beat the shit out of me.
But I just… I don’t have a diary, that feels stupid to do and this feels even more stupid to write… I don’t really have anyone I can talk to about this…
Anyway… I… I don’t even know if you’ll ever read this letter anyway. Probably not, might just burn it so nobody ever sees it.
And if you do… I might already be fleeing the country.
See you around, ܢ
┕ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ┙
Nami stares at him while he reads. When he doesn’t say anything after a while, she presses, “Well?”
Sanji looks up at her, mouth slightly agape, “This has to be legit,” he breathes. He looks at the letter again and breaks into a near manic grin. “Oh my god!”
Nami reaches over to grab the letter, reading it over too, barely able to contain her giggles. “This thing is so awkwardly written, it has to be real,” she agrees.
Shame it’s not actually signed. And it mentioning Pudding means it’s not her. Another shame. But! But! He got an actual, real love letter! How amazing is that?!
Nami had passed the letter over to Usopp, who studied it. “You know, I’ve gotten like a hundred love letters over the years. I’m super popular.”
“Whoa! Really?” Luffy looks at him in surprise, “So the whole school likes you?”
“Basically,” the master of lies confirms with a nod.
Nami snatches the letter away with a glare at Usopp and gives it back to Sanji, who almost lovingly stashes it away between his books.
Sanji quietly decides to call the secret admirer ‘Dash’, since they – she! – signed with just that.
He never claimed to be poetic… He just received the love letter, he doesn’t write them.
Zoro had mysteriously disappeared during their conversation.
/// /// ///
Today will be a good day, Sanji can feel it.
Not only had he had a pleasant conversation with Pudding yet again, even walking her to class, but he also found another letter in his locker when he checked it. Beautiful, glorious Dash had graced him again with loving words, he had taken a peek already, confirming it was her. The last letter had arrived just a few weeks ago. Sanji wasn’t sure when to expect another, or even if he’d get one at all.
But the quest to accompany sweet Pudding made him late to his own class. So he decides to read the letter later at lunch again.
***
“You’re practically prancing,” Sanji heard Zoro jibe before even sitting down across from him at the table. “Another one?”
Only the green haired idiot seems to be at their unofficially claimed strawhat-table today, the others nowhere to be seen. Maybe they’ll join in a bit. Zoro’s eating his lunch while reading through his barely legible class notes. How he actually studies with those will forever be a mystery to Sanji.
He grits his teeth, taking a steadying breath. “I do no such thing.” He hears Zoro snort, “In fact, yes. Another. Because I am charming as hell.”
At that Zoro scoffs, shifting his attention back to his notes, “Whoever keeps sending you those has to be blind,” he mumbles through a mouth full of rice.
Does he have to ruin everything, always? Sanji tries his hardest not to knock Zoro over the head. He has done that before and he’d like to not get detention over it again. “The only legally blind person here is you,” he jabs back instead.
Zoro swallows his mouthful of rice heavily before croaking back flustered, “It’s only one eye!”
“Ah, right. That’s why you get lost, reading half of the street sign. Got it,” Sanji sniffs back, getting set to read his letter. He chooses to ignore whatever the moss ball grumbles back.
The handwriting in the second letter is way neater, not shaky anymore. It makes Sanji even more giddy to read. Dash had apparently practiced calligraphy, just for him, how sweet!
┍ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ┑
𝓓𝓮𝓪𝓻 𝓢𝓪𝓷𝓳𝓲
the last letter was a mess, I’m sorry. It was written and given to you on a whim. I have to do better.
I’m not quite sure how though. Because I feel like nothing I can offer will do you justice.
I think you’re amazing, even though other people may not see it that way. You can be rather… aggressive with your temper and flirting, but deep down you actually care about everyone around you. The way you show it is just… very you, I guess.
People think you’re weird for it. Hell, I thought you were weird for it at first. But I know now that you mean well. You just think women especially deserve to be treated like they’re special. I may not understand why, but I can appreciate the thought.
You treat the people you care about with love.
You bring self made things to class all the time and I have to tell you, they are amazing . Honestly! I wish I could tell you to your face sometime.
Watching you talk about things you are passionate about is a joy in itself.
Did you know how blue your eyes are? Well they always have been, we all know they are blue. But I’ve started to notice how they start to shine when you talk about things you love. They just look so blue when the light hits them right. How have I never noticed?
I don’t think you’re aware. But you should be.
You should know how kind you actually are, you’re not just a people pleaser. It’s in your nature.
I am drifting off, aren’t I?
Well, not really. This is what these letters are for.
See you around
┕ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ┙
He stares down at the letter dazed. Who is this? Someone who goes to class with him, someone who gets close apparently. But he’s too numbed to really form a cohesive thought. His eyes fly over the lines again, he feels heat rise into his face. “How they start to shine, when you…,” he mutters softly to himself. Ridiculous. This is fucking cute ? Why is the world cruel and made his admirer be a secret one?!
There’s a soft touch on his shoulder, making him aware of where he is. He blinks a few times, first looking up to see Zoro nose deep in a history textbook. Then he catches Nami walking around his chair, sitting down next to him, Luffy and Usopp in tow.
He can’t even appreciate her gracing him with a loving touch, that’s how far away he was. He barely registers her words as she takes out her lunch.
“Sorry, I had to bail these two idiots out of detention… Again.” She gives them a hard glare, as the two boys sit down at their table as well.
Usopp promptly protests, “I would have handled it just fine, okay? I would have –”
“Buckled immediately ,” Nami cuts him off. “You probably would have made it worse in the end. Just say ‘thank you’ for bailing you out.”
Luffy laughs, “We just wanted to put our flag up instead of the school one. It’s way nicer!”
They continue bickering over whether or not a new flag would be worth the detention they would have gotten, but Sanji isn’t really paying attention. He’s back to reading the letter for the dozens time.
Nami looks at Sanji concerned when she notices that he isn’t chiming into their conversation. Usually he’s on team Nami, no matter what. “You okay?” She asks, leaning over.
“Letter fried his brain, I think,” Zoro tells her without looking up from his book.
This finally rattles Sanji out of his own head. He looks up at the stupid moss man, who’s just barely smirking. “You’re such an asshole! Stop being jealous!” He snaps at him.
Zoro’s smile falters, changing into a snarl, “Jealous?! As if. I don’t need– no, I don’t even want stupid letters.”
Sanji feels a pang in his chest at this. “They’re not stupid! Look –” He flips the letter around, jabbing his finger at the ink. “ This is nothing but lovely. This person actually cares . Unlike you!”
Zoro’s face goes red and he starts gathering his things, “Okay, fuck. Nevermind.” He jumps up and flees to class.
They all look after him, especially Nami looking puzzled. When she turns back to Sanji she schools her expression. “Can I have a look?” The redhead reaches out a hand for the letter, which Sanji presents gladly. At least Nami is respectful and doesn’t think the letter is stupid or silly, unlike someone .
She reads the letter, scrunching her face up in amusement, saying “Cute,” before handing it back. “Don’t be so hard on Zoro. I don’t think he even knows how to have feelings, let alone consider other people’s feelings.”
Sanji tsks , as he packs away the letter safely. That mossy log can fuck right off, he’s been an asshole lately for no reason at all.
If only he could talk to Dash instead, who is nice and considerate and down right adorable , apparently.
/// /// ///
The next letter takes some time to show up in his locker. Several weeks go by without a message from Dash.
A voice in the back of his mind worries that she maybe witnessed the not so subtle yelling match him and Zoro had over the letter. Or maybe she got too embarrassed over the last one and decided to stop sending them.
But at last, he finds a message in his locker, now in an envelope even. And when he opens it, it’s not the graph paper like the last times, it was nice, thick art grade paper.
He takes a quick peek again and stops dead in his tracks. This wasn’t written with a fountain pen, no. Was that brushstrokes? Was this written with an actual brush ? If so, Sanji was highly impressed.
No wonder it took a bit! And when he glances over the letter some more, he realizes there’s more to it than just the brush strokes.
He couldn’t help himself and reads the first few lines of it right here, even though he has to get to class.
┍ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ┑
𝓓𝓮𝓪𝓻 𝓢𝓪𝓷𝓳𝓲
I hope you can excuse the wait! I had a few things to sort out first. You know how it is, things happen, you get busy. Friends demand your attention.
I really need to do a lot better. I want to do so for you. Also, I’m sorry. You don’t know for what, but this is just to ease my mind. I want to put more care into these letters, it’s really all I have.
I wish I could tell you all these things to your face one day. How I can’t stop thinking about you and how I can’t help and feel fucking embarrassed about it.
I actually –
┕ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ┙
“ Sanji ,” a voice hisses next to his ear. He jolts, almost dropping the letter before looking into Usopp’s face. “We’re gonna be late.”
“‘We’? You just arrived here. I’m at least in the building on time.” He quickly packs up his things, again taking care to tuck the letter away carefully.
***
When he sits at the strawhat’s official unofficial table to read the rest of the letter he glances at Zoro suspiciously, but the moss ball seems to stay placid today. He looks up from his lunch, glances at the letter and then quickly meets Nami’s eyes who gives him a daring look. He then goes back to eating and he better keeps minding his own business.
Sanji sends Nami a thankful smile. Where would he be without lovely, thoughtful Nami? She knows how to keep the green ogre in his lane. Otherwise Sanji would’ve just kicked his ass if he had dared to say anything this time. Detention be damned.
So he goes back to reading in peace.
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I actually tried to do something that might impress you. Maybe… I felt terribly silly and I am glad this is just a letter, because pronouncing this is impossible , I don’t know how to do it. I tried sounding it out, and I swear, I almost bit my tongue off.
(A/N: english below this section)
J’ai parlé de toi aux étoiles
Elles m’ont dit de ne pas être aveuglés
Je t’ai peinte sur une toile
Pour ne plus jamais t’oublier
J’ai chuchoté ton nom à la lune
Je lui ai murmuré chaque secret
Toutes nos infortunes
Lui seront sûrement confiés
Maintenant que le ciel sais tout
Que je lui ai vidé mon cœur
Je sais qu’il gardera jusqu’au bout
Nos souvenirs et nos frayeurs
Well… Excuse my French, I guess. Just imagine it with the worst pronunciation ever. (This doesn’t really work in a letter, does it?) I’ll be honest, this feels so fucking cheesy. I’m glad I don’t have to make you listen to me saying this out loud. You’d laugh at me, for sure.
I won’t even dare to try my hands on French cooking, that is your thing. I’d just ruin everything
I had a friend force encourage me to … Try a little harder to be genuine. I haven’t really felt things like this before. It’s weird. But I want to need to get it out.
And since you don’t know who I am, I can at least share my thoughts without dying from embarrassment.
Okay, I think that’s enough for this one…
See you around
┕ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ┙
Sanji can easily imagine a beginner trying to recite that poem. It is sure as hell not easy. He can feel his heart pound in his chest, as he reads it to himself a few times, mouthing the words out silently. Again, Dash manages to utterly charm him with her words. Or at least the thought behind them.
Trying to engage with something close to his heart. Does she even know how deep this goes, past just ‘he’s French’? Sanji and his dad rarely spoke French, most of it came from his late mother. He still used it in abandon though. Mostly to curse out the moss in class without getting in trouble due to the language barrier between him and the teachers.
And the poem is one he actually knows. If he was alone in his room, he might have cried, if he thought about this tragedy long enough. How this unknown person sends him these words, beautiful and intimate. Putting effort into learning calligraphy with fucking brush , learning French and … Sanji doesn’t fucking know who it is! He wants to kiss her silly at this point. Neigh, marry her on the spot. Shotgun and be done. It can’t get any better than this in his mind.
Usopp leans over, putting his chin on Sanji’s shoulder to look at the letter. The blonde just holds it out a little to the side for him to see, while smiling.
“She learned French for me! How cute is that ?” He tells the others proudly.
Usopp hums, sitting back up straight. “She’s got it bad for you, huh? What does the French say?”
While Sanji explains, Nami reaches over and plucks the letter from his hand to read it. “Sanji,” she starts slowly, as she glances over the page, “Have you considered that… Maybe these are from a guy?”
Luffy chimes in, stealing the letter for himself too, “Nah! It can only be a girl, the handwriting is all squiggly!” He grins, as he holds the letter out to Zoro to take a look too. But the moss declines with a wave of his hand without looking up from his lunch.
Nami sighs, handing the letter back over to its rightful owner, “That’s not how it works, Luffy.”
Sanji processes her words for a moment. He hasn’t considered that at all. In his mind, it was always a girl. Because he wants it to be a girl. He had always imagined himself with a girlfriend, nothing else had ever crossed his mind. “A boy? Why would a boy send me letters…”
“People are gay, Sanji.” Nami tells him with a tired look, gesturing at herself with a lazy hand movement. Zoro lets out a quiet scoff, but stays occupied with his food.
Sanji grimaces, “… I know that. But why like me? ” The thought almost made him feel weird.
Usopp claps him on the back, “Same reason a girl would like you. ‘Cause you’re so, uhm, cute? I guess…” He looks at the blonde calculatingly, as if to check if the word ‘cute’ actually applies to him.
“You could just leave out the ‘I guess’,” Sanji tells his curly haired friend with a frown.
“He probably likes you ‘cause of your cooking!” Luffy obviously suggests. The only quality that matters in his food motivated mind.
Sanji mulls this over the next few days. He didn’t want a boy to like him – but on the other hand, if he was this charming… Maybe he could live with that? It still feels a little weird to think about, but not as bad as he imagined it to be.
Well for now Dash shall be a ‘they’ instead of a ‘she’, just to be sure. That feels comfortable enough. Sanji would be okay with they.
(
Poem in english:
I told the stars about you
They told me not to be blinded
I painted you on a canvas
To never forget you again
I whispered your name to the moon
I whispered every secret to her
All our misfortunes
Will surely be entrusted to him
Now that heaven knows everything
That I emptied my heart from him
I know he will keep until the end
Our memories and our fears
)
/// /// ///
Sanji had been thinking about who the letters might be from. He is now aware that it might be a guy sending them, but still he tried to list all the girls he would like a letter from. For now he just tries to not think about them being from boys. Because he can’t imagine what guys even looked for in guys … meaning him …
Back to the ladies!
Pudding was in his grade and in a few of his classes. She was lovely and he had a few wonderful chats with her about baking before, but the first letter mentioned her in third person. So it’s probably not her writing them… Unless it was a ruse all along to confuse him and distract from her– !
Okay, let’s leave Pudding on the ‘Maybe’ list.
There was Boa Hancock, a senior he had calculus with, because she had failed the class last year so she had to retake it. Which was for sure not just her fault, but mainly the teacher’s, since he was difficult as hell anyway.
Hiyori was a lovely girl his senior too, but Sanji’s all too aware that she’s obsessed with the empathy-resistant moss ball. What a shame, really. Maybe she could talk some manners into him, if he let her. So she was out.
He manages to come up with Carrot too, who is a bit younger than him but she was also friends with Pudding. His mind came up with some imaginary scenarios of them getting into a screaming match over his heart, so he cut them off as fast as he could. He didn’t want to strain their friendship by getting between them, he could never forgive himself!
***
When he steps up to his locker, he already starts grinning. There’s evidence of a letter. A little bit of paper has ripped off on the vent slit while it was shoved in. Sanji excitedly unlocks it and takes the treasured message in his hands. The envelope is a little rumpled and obviously the one corner ripped off, but maybe Dash was in a hurry today. Can’t blame them, he knows how they probably feel.
He can’t wait to read it as soon as possible.
***
Sanji’s class manages to convince their teacher to end their lesson a little early, so he’s first at the starwhat’s table. He gets in a few bites of his lunch sandwich before starting Dash’s letter. Finally he can read it in peace for once.
As usual the letter is meticulously written. The brush strokes clean and sure as always.
┍ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ┑
𝓓𝓮𝓪𝓻 𝓢𝓪𝓷𝓳𝓲
I listened to the ‘Waitress’ musical and had to think of you. I know you like that stuff, I’ve heard you listen to musicals on breaks and in the study hall… I feel really dumb actually saying this, but I couldn’t help myself. It’s just really … you. I kept thinking about how you’d love this or relate to it. Maybe you can think of me as well. (Man, I am glad this is a letter…)
I’m slowly running out of things to tell you in these letters. I wish I could just talk to you in person. I want to ask you about your day, we could just hang out… or something. I wouldn’t have to be so mysterious. I could actually ask how you’re doing. If I asked you here, you couldn’t even answer. And it’s annoying me. I know, I did this to myself. I could just come out and tell you who I am but…
I don’t think I’m ready to do so.
Speaking of how you’re doing! I hope you passed the calculus test. I’ve seen you freak out over it in the study hall. Luckily, I didn’t have too much trouble with it. I wish I could help you study for the next one. Maybe, if I get my act together.
Please don’t count on it though. I don’t want to get your hopes up… Or break your heart.
┕ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ┙
Sanji stops reading briefly after the first page. Aha , Calculus. There were a few girls in his calculus class that could be the one. But the roster included beautiful Boa. If it was her he was the luckiest man on planet earth. … Again, but , he also knows calculus isn’t her strong suit. Otherwise she wouldn’t be retaking the class.
Also: Listening to musicals and thinking of him? Adorable. At least they feel the same about this being a very one sided way of communicating.
He takes out the second page to continue reading and is more than surprised. He looks down at the letter amused but puzzled. There’s stickers and glitter. A creative take this time, it looks like.
But Sanji won’t judge a book by its cover, so neither will he judge a love letter by its glitter.
┍ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ┑
★ Sanji, I think I want to actually marry you ❣
I don’t just listen to music and think about you, I even dance with myself in my room. I just had to tell you, so you know. ❤ I annoy my whole family with it. I won’t shut up about you ~
It is soooo obvious how I am in love with you someone BLIND could see that
BTW with ‘hang out’ earlier I mean you come over and we MAKE OUT. I want to hold your hand and be super duper disgustingly cute ~ ❣ I NEED to kiss you ALL OVER
You hypnotize me with you swirly brows ᘓ ᘓ !!! I can’t look away! ★
I yearn to ride into the sunset with you. I am pining for your love ~ ❣
I wish I could tell you my true identity, but my head is too far up my own ass, so I shan't!
Yours truly,
your secret admirer
P.S. ILY!!!!!❤
┕ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ┙
Well that was very out of character… After the last one being so lovingly crafted and thought through. The handwriting is completely different, the tone was obviously off.
Either the letter was taken by someone else … or this has all been a big joke? Sanji really doesn’t want to continue that second thought, that would hurt too much. This feels very much like a sibling, likely a sister, to butt in and mess with Dash.
But the included information was also a little revealing, if it was true. Dancing by yourself while thinking about your crush? Downright precious. And Sanji has definitely done the same, even if he would never admit to it out loud.
As he reads through the letter again Zoro takes a seat at the table looking especially tired, grunting in greeting. While he takes out his lunchbox his eyes land on the letter and he goes stiff for a split second. “Can I see that?” He reaches out a hand for the paper.
Sanji warily holds it closer to himself protectively. Zoro hadn’t really cared about the last letters so why now?
“You’re just gonna make fun of me, aren’t you? Hell no.” The moss-brain is just gonna mock him for the second page, tell him it is probably all a stupid joke and then Sanji is gonna make him eat those words.
But Zoro looks at him with an almost pleading expression, his face slightly flushed. “I won’t.” They stare at each other for a moment while Zoro is still reaching out his open hand. “Promise,” he adds after a moment.
Slowly Sanji hands over the letter, “I don’t think it’s all just from them,” he tells the mosshead carefully. “Don’t say anything stupid about it.”
Zoro rolls his eyes as he grabs the letter and starts looking it over. He glances at the first page for a few seconds at most, before quickly going to the second page. His eyebrows raise minutely and his face flushes even more. He slaps the letter on the table between him and Sanji and then gets out his phone to start frantically typing.
“So he does use his phone,” Sanji hears Nami say as she and the other two come up from behind. “Didn’t know he could do that.”
Zoro gathers his things, shoving them into his bag while the others sit down.
“Where are you going? We have Chem after this,” Luffy calls after him confused.
“I have to take care of something. I’ll meet you later!” Zoro barks back with a wave of his hand. He storms off at an ungodly speed.
Whatever the hell that was… The moss head probably thought the letter was ridiculous and fled so he wouldn’t say anything about it and get in trouble with Sanji and/or Nami. Smart move on his part, for once his brain seems to work in his favor.
Sanji decides to keep the letter to himself this time, he doesn’t need the others to make fun of it too. If Nami asked to see it, he would of course show it to her, but he’ll just stash it away for now.
/// /// ///
The next letter flutters into Sanji’s locker the next day. It’s more hastily written, just a few sentences on an otherwise empty page.
┍ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ┑
𝓓𝓮𝓪𝓻 𝓢𝓪𝓷𝓳𝓲
I’m really sorry about the last letter. My sibling grabbed it from my room and decided to ruin it. I saw you read it yesterday, hope it wasn’t too horrible…
I’ll have to rethink how to do this, I don’t want another letter to be stolen and messed with…
I hope you can forgive me if I don’t send letters for a bit.
See you around
┕ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ┙
Well there he has it. It was stolen by a sibling. Sanji gives a silent sigh of relief. Not just a stupid joke over weeks to make him hope someone cares about him. It was all an honest mistake – well, prank? At least he knew Dash also hated the fact that the letter had been taken.
It almost feels weird to not read a love letter during his lunch break. Instead he does his homework, like he doesn’t have a secret admirer pining over him.
“You guys wanna go to the mall later? I heard the new waffle store finally opened!” Luffy suggests, cheeks stuffed so full, it should be impossible for him to speak. The others agree to the plan immediately, they’ve talked about going since Luffy spotted the signs going up, announcing the opening in the near future.
All agree but one. “Sorry, can’t.” Zoro mumbles around his lunch without added explanation.
The group turns to stare at him in confusion, he never passes up going out with them. Even if waffles aren’t really his thing, he’d still follow Luffy to any establishment and just sit with them all in company.
Zoro looks up when he notices the silence. He meets their glances and then finally explains, “I’m grounded.”
They all sigh. Of course, what else? Nami is the one to ask, “What did you do this time?”
Zoro stays woefully quiet for a moment. His eyes flick over to meet Sanji’s for a second as he opens his mouth to say something. But then he decides against explaining. Instead he rests his head in his arms on the table. “I can come next week,” he says, his voice coming out muffled.
Nami pats him on the head with a little too much force, “There, there, big guy. We’ll wait and go with you next week then.”
Sanji silently decides to make waffles to bring to school the next day instead. Not for the mosshead, of course! They’re mainly for Luffy.
***
A few days later Sanji finds a square piece of paper in his locker. He flips it over and sure enough, it’s from Dash. It relieves him to no end to hear from them again after they said there might not be any letters for a while.
┍ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ┑
𝓓𝓮𝓪𝓻 𝓢𝓪𝓷𝓳𝓲
Since the last letter got letter-napped
I decided to write little notes instead.
Maybe they’re safer this way. Also takes
way less time to do now…
I hope that’s okay.
┕ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ┙
Of course it’s okay! As long as Sanji hears from Dash, anything is fine. They can send a messenger pigeon for all he cares. He’d even adopt the bird if he had to!
And since the end of the school year was inching closer, Sanji actually didn’t mind ‘just’ notes. It made it´more doable for him to read quickly and for Dash to write between classes. With all the tests and assignments they had to cram to get done before the school year ends, it made things a little easier.
***
But even though they agreed on notes – well, Dash doesn’t know he agreed, but they can probably guess he doesn’t mind – he doesn’t receive many. This year the teachers seemingly decided that students don’t deserve free time. The few notes he does get are encouraging though.
┍ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ┑
𝓓𝓮𝓪𝓻 𝓢𝓪𝓷𝓳𝓲
Good luck for your history exam
Hope you made it through calculus
┕ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ┙
┍ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ┑
𝓓𝓮𝓪𝓻 𝓢𝓪𝓷𝓳𝓲
I thought about you today,
wanted to let you know.
I’ve got a shit ton of assignments
to get through, I’m guessing you do too.
Good luck!
┕ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ┙
┍ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ┑
𝓓𝓮𝓪𝓻 𝓢𝓪𝓷𝓳𝓲
A sticker I stole for you.
You know where it came from.
❤
┕ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ┙
┍ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ┑
𝓓𝓮𝓪𝓻 𝓢𝓪𝓷𝓳𝓲
Chemistry was a bitch, wasn’t it?
Glad that’s over
┕ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ┙
Even though most of these notes were just short agreements on their hatred of the education system, Sanji couldn’t help but smile every time he found one in his locker. Dash thought about him, apparently frequently, and they wanted him to know. And he thought about Dash as well throughout the day.
He tried to parse together who was in his classes with him. Maybe they just had the same class but a different teacher?
***
Worst of all he apparently misses Dash by a hair on the last day of the year.
Sanji had already claimed their table for the crew, but sprinted to the bathroom quickly before the others showed up.
When he comes back he runs into Zoro, who seemingly just arrived and started to get out his notes to review for their last test of the year. And to Sanji’s horror there was a note atop his notebook.
“Please tell me, you saw who put this here?” Sanji almost whines at the mosshead, pointing at the note.
Zoro looks back at him silently for a moment. “I literally just got here, Curls.”
“But did you see anybody?” Sanji presses again.
The other huffs before answering calmly, “I didn’t see anybody at our table.”
Sanji can’t help but slump in disappointment. Stupid bodily needs! He takes his seat and picks up the note.
┍ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ┑
𝓓𝓮𝓪𝓻 𝓢𝓪𝓷𝓳𝓲
We almost made it
through the school year.
It was easier to get through
knowing that you’re in this with me
┕ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ┙
Sanji can’t help but smile at the note, if only he knew who Dash was. The past few weeks were really exciting, hoping to see a message from them in his locker each morning. He’s gonna miss them over the summer.
When he looks up he notices that Zoro is looking pleased.
Sanji is suspicious, “What are you smiling over?” He asks while tucking away his note and getting out his lunch.
The moss ball looks up startled, “Just– You missing your true love ‘cause you had to take a piss is funny to me…” He tries to cover his nervousness with a laugh but just manages to sound more unsure.
Sanji narrows his eyes, “Sure…”
Lucky for Zoro the others finally show up. He’ll let the idiot off the hook for today. He can roast him enough over the break.
***
Sanji’s heart stutters, as he opens his locker one last time before going home for summer break.
There’s one last, beautiful note. The ink points up, so he sees the words right as he opens the door. But his brain fails to comprehend them in a reasonable time.
He picks the note up, flips it over, to see if the back has any writing on it, then flips it back to the front. He reads it again. And again. He starts grinning but feels horribly sad at the same time. He guessed as much, but it’s too real to read black on white.
┍ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ┑
𝓓𝓮𝓪𝓻 𝓢𝓪𝓷𝓳𝓲
I think I’m in love with you
Have a good summer
┕ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ┙
You too, Dash.
/// /// ///
Sanji finally has some time to clear his head. Well, when he wasn’t too busy helping out at the restaurant, that is. When it got too busy, the work was nicely distracting and his mind wistfully blank. But when he was standing over a stove preparing foods he could finish up in his sleep, he had plenty of time to think about things.
And those things happened to be the love letters and Dash. Because now that he knew there weren’t any coming, he could just contemplate more about the ones he had laying at home, rereading them over and over again… Over the last few days the thought of Dash being a guy kept creeping into his mind more often. Would he hate that? He wasn’t sure.
He was currently taking a smoke break behind the restaurant. Sitting on the half step in front of the back door, yet again thinking at all the sweet words Dash had put down just for him. He has imagined a ton of scenarios how he could find out who it is. Wait close to his locker and jump out. Have someone else spy on it. Just ask every single person around school? Maybe they would just decide to reveal themselves after the summer break.
And in the end, what would he even do once he found out, immediately kiss them? Probably not, though it was tempting. Let’s be real, it’d be awkward as hell, he’d demand actually getting to know the person outside of just letters. Depending on who it was, that is.
And there was still the one question… What if it was a guy? When his mind got to the point of ‘ now kiss ’ he usually had to cut himself off, too flustered to continue the thought. He wasn’t there yet. No way. He doesn’t hate the idea of a boy seeing him that way, but returning those feelings he hadn’t in him yet –
Someone calling for him shakes him out of his thoughts, “Hey Curls, your old man said you’re back here?” Zoro’s voice sounds through the storage room.
Sanji calls back through the door, “I am! What are you doing here?” A visit from the moss was uncommon, if not rare. Usually Zoro only showed up in tow with Luffy.
“I just wanted to see the world’s most annoying blondie –” he pauses, as he steps through the door. “You smoke now?”
Sanji looks down at his cigarette and back up at Zoro. He just shrugs. Zoro looks back at him for a second and shrugs back before sitting down next to him.
“You shouldn’t though. It’s bad for you.” He tells Sanji with a frown.
The blonde lifts the cigarette to his lips to pull on it, “Well, too late.”
Zoro holds out a hand, “Give it here.”
Sanji looks at him skeptical but hands it over anyway.
Zoro takes a pull and immediately starts coughing his lungs out. “ Fuck ,” manages between coughs, “Fuck that’s bad. How do you do that?”
Sanji plucks the cigarette out of Zoro’s hand, taking an inhale while the other looks at him with teary eyes. “You’re just too weak,” he grins, as he lets out the smoke between his teeth.
Zoro laughs at that, which just triggers more coughing. “I feel sick. Remind me to never ask you for one again.”
Sanji pats his back, “It’ll get better. So, why are you here?”
Zoro finally recovers, leaning back against the doorframe. “I just felt bored, thought I’d see what you’re up to. I’m gonna meet Nami after this.”
Sanji looks at him amused. Of all the people, Zoro could have chosen… “Well, I’m working.”
“Just wanted to waste a bit of your time,” the moss says, closing his eyes contently.
The blonde keeps smoking his cigarette, studying Zoro’s face. Usually they didn’t hang out one on one, even though they were technically friends. They were just friends on the basis of being friends of Luffy… and getting into fights most of the time. But not all the time, they were able to get along if they wanted to.
It was honestly sweet of him to check in. Sanji’s friends did show up at work sometimes, but usually to weasel some food out of Zeff. In that case Sanji didn’t really see them, unless he was helping on the restaurant floor or Zeff allowed him to take a quick break at their table.
Sanji finishes his cigarette and stubs it out in the ashtray by the door. His eyes wandered back to the presumably dozing Marimo next to him, looking him up and down. He had one elbow propped up on his knee, the other hand lying stretched out in his lap. If Sanji wanted to, he could just reach out and take his hand –
Zoro choses this exact moment to open his eyes and glance over. When he notices the other looking at him, his lips curl into a tired smile.
Sanji jerks back and shoots to his feet, his face feeling hot. “Alright, smoke break over. I gotta get inside.”
“Shame,” the moss laments but lets Sanji herd him back through the storage room to leave through the front door of the restaurant.
Where the hell was that thought even going?! ‘Reach out and take his hand’ for what? Holding it? Sanji hopes the Marimo didn’t notice him staring.
~~~ ~~~ ~~~
The crew agreed to go to a lake for a lazy afternoon of swimming. Lovely Nami offered to drive them in her sisters’ van and Sanji obviously offered to pack lunches for them in return. Kaya sadly couldn’t make it due to health reasons this time. But they’re gonna visit her later that summer instead.
But to everyone’s excitement Nami brings Vivi along this time. She was a beloved member of the crew, even though she lived a few hours away and usually only came for visits over the breaks. Also, apparently Nami and Vivi are officially girlfriends now. Not that Sanji didn’t know deep down before, the way the two hung off each other when they were together was obvious. Seeing them hold hands was wonderful though, it filled his heart to see them happy.
The others didn’t really comment on it at all. Not that you could really protest against Nami’s stern announcement. They just went about their business, like nothing happened.
The crew secured a spot in a more secluded area of the lake, close to a small overhanging cliff. Once they made sure Luffy was drowning-proofed, meaning making sure he put his floaties on, he was let loose and the others could stop worrying about him for a bit. Because apparently he was genetically unable to learn how to swim, or something.
Sanji of course helped to prepare their umbrella and blankets with the girls before even considering taking a dip. Taking care of Nami and Vivi was naturally top priority.
When he finally decides to step into the lake for a swim, he witnesses Luffy jumping off an overhanging tree – onto Zoro. The drop wasn’t dramatic by any means, but it also wasn’t nothing . By some miracle the moss didn’t get knocked out and drown. He comes back up sputtering before taking long strokes over to Luffy, dunking him into the water with a manic laugh.
Then he whips around, spotting Sanji in the water with a grin. He has his target locked and approaches at inhuman speed. The blonde tries to scream and fend off Zoro, “Don’t you dare !” But he has no chance against the moss-monster. He is grabbed, pulled under and dunked for good measure as well.
When Sanji comes back up, he frantically tries to get his hair out of his eyes to see where the moss went, but he lets out a sigh of relief when he hears Usopp’s terrified screeching followed by more water thrashing. He’s off the radar for now.
He watches the other guys attacking and throwing each other from a safe distance, quickly darting away once they try to lock onto him too. Usually he can get away quick enough, but Zoro manages to get him one more time after sneaking up from behind and wrapping his arms around Sanji tightly. No chance of getting away.
“Fuck no, let go!” Sanji tries to protest, but Zoro carries him out of the water without problem despite the thrashing and kicking.
“You’re gonna learn how to fly, Curls,” he tells the blonde, sounding out right insane . Zoro tries to get a good grip on Sanji to pry him off. But he switched tactics from trying to get away to holding on for dear life . When Zoro can’t get him to loosen the grip, he just wraps his arms around Sanji tightly.
“Alright, we die together,” he mutters before jumping off the overhang into the lake.
Once in the water, Zoro lets go to swim back up to the surface, which Sanji uses as an opportunity to escape. The flips quickly and kicks off the moss to get some momentum toward the water edge.
He hears the moss groan at the impact, so he flees the water as quickly as he can. There are too many dangerous creatures in there for his taste. Maybe once they are tired out he can have another go. But for now he’s gonna visit Nami and Vivi, who are also waiting for the boys to calm down before taking a dip.
So now he sits in the shade and watches the others splash around. After a while he realizes how his eyes seem to follow the moss. Has he always been this… built? He hadn’t really noticed it before. Hell, he hadn’t really noticed men in any form before. Yes, some were objectively attractive, but he never gave it a second thought.
He tries not to get into his head too much about it. He just noticed! It’s fine to notice! He chats with Nami and Vivi for a bit to distract himself. They have a quick bite together, which attracts the lake creatures as well.
After a short digestive nap for everyone, Luffy and Zoro go back in the water, apparently not having had enough yet. This time they’re joined by the girls.
And even though Nami and Vivi, two beautiful beings, are also having a swim, Sanji again catches himself staring at the mosshead more than a few times. He watches Zoro throw Luffy into the lake for what feels like the hundredth time today, the moss laughing maniacally at their captain’s sputtering.
And to Sanji’s embarrassment Zoro looks over and notices him looking. He sends back a big, open grin that makes Sanji feel tingly all over. He quickly looks away.
Shit… This was definitely new .
On the ride back home, Sanji gets squeezed into the van next to Zoro, what else. And Luffy falling asleep and leaning onto him, pushing him closer to the moss ball does not help.
Zoro radiates heat, as he tends to do. The general sleepiness in the van and the added warmth catches up to Sanji and he can barely keep his eyes open. His half asleep brain makes him glance at the mosshead’s hands again but instead of grabbing one, Sanji gives in to the exhaustion and lets his head fall onto Zoro’s shoulder. That’ll do for now.
~~~ ~~~ ~~~
Okay, apparently guys are attractive now. That’s fine. This is fine…!
It just makes a lot of things make sense. For example: Luffy’s brother wasn’t just cool because he was Luffy’s older brother. He was hot. And not just a little. Sanji just didn't know big brothers could be hot. But now he does!
Apparently he also has chosen Zoro to be his first focal point of it all. Why the dense log? Yeah he can be nice, but he doesn’t know how to have feelings , he had proven that previously. But was Sanji crushing on the moss? It couldn’t be. It was just a weird coincidence, he probably was just latching onto the first guy that was single or not only attracted to food. That must be it.
He decides to tell his friends about his self discovery in a crew gathering.They were invited under the guise of watching a movie but Sanji had ulterior motives of outing himself. Everyone quickly sends their agreement, except for Zoro. He probably muted the chat again, when Luffy wouldn’t stop sending cat videos every two minutes.
Directly texting him and hoping he actually checks his phone it is.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Marimo
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Mosshead? _|
|_ yeah?
Who are you? You never reply immediately _|
|_ i was just looking at my phone
Bullshit, you never look at your phone! |
You would have seen the group chat too! _|
|_ what do you want curls
Want to come over friday? _|
| … ok?
|_ why
The others are gonna come too_|
| oh
|_ sure
What do you mean “why”? |
Asshole |
Because we’re kinda friends _|
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
But the moss didn’t answer the question or replied further. He was back to his usual hermit life. Why even have a phone then?
***
Sanji prepared for gathering his friends in his living room that Friday evening. Zeff was out to play poker with a few of his friends, so Sanji and the crew had the house to themselves until late in the night.
He stress-prepped the whole day already, making snacks and breaking his head over what to do for dinner. These slobs (except for Nami!) wouldn’t even care or notice the difference between frozen pizza or store bought dips versus freshly, lovingly made ones.
And yet he prepared perfect pizza dough and meticulously cut ingredients to put on them. He prepared snacks and dips, made sure to have extra for just Luffy, he even stashed away a bottle of Zeff’s wine for the moss.
Zoro probably brought his own stuff, so maybe he didn’t need to provoke a reason for getting grounded over a missing bottle of wine. Zeff may turn a blind eye at Sanji’s smoking (he has tried to get him to stop unsuccessfully and gave up) but he doesn’t offer up his wine for underaged drinking that easily. He sure as fuck doesn’t share Mihawk’s ‘European views’ on the matter.
Once they show up Sanji sits them down on the couch, making sure to give Luffy first dibs on snacks to pacify him for a minute or two. Zoro already got a beer out, meaning Sanji doesn’t have to risk it with Zeff. He’s gonna put the wine back later.
The others look at him expectantly, when Sanji stands awkwardly to the side. “Uhm.” He starts, fidgeting with the glasses he’s holding. “So… before we start watching the movie–” He sets the glasses down, shoving his hands into his pockets instead, “Uh, funny story… I guess I like guys?” Sanji manages to squeeze out.
“ Too , I mean! I’m bisexual!” He quickly clarifies, when he realizes that half of what he wanted to say was missing. Not that this was remotely close to the version he rehearsed, but the others didn’t know that.
“I knew it. My gaydar is never wrong,” Nami tells him with a grin. Sanji realizes that he had stopped breathing, so he lets out a sigh. Obviously she wouldn’t care. The others won’t either! It’s still stressful to confess, either way.
Usopp crosses his arms behind his head, leaning back, “Ah. I knew too, of course! Always have.” He tells them confidently, which obviously nobody believes. The man had not a clue.
“Okay! We’re here to watch a movie, though?” Luffy smiles his way. Technically he’s right with that.
Zoro looks at him blankly, taking a measured sip of his beer. “Alright.”
Sanji awkwardly makes an exit to the kitchen. Good! That went well, right ? He brings out the prepared food and they watch the movie, all squeezed together on the sofa, as they always do. As if nothing happened. At some point Luffy can’t sit still anymore, so he starts hanging off the others and draping himself across them in every way possible.
That’s how he ends up squeezed next to Zoro yet again . Like he isn’t being punished by the universe enough at the moment. The moss had his arm draped over the back of the sofa, which made Sanji’s hackles stand on end. He’s glad to be sitting on Zoro’s blind side, because like this the moss can’t just glance over and see how flustered he is. Great. Fine. Please don’t notice the racing heartbeat.
Sanji can barely pay attention to the movie like this. Thankfully Luffy and Usopp babble over it the whole time anyway, Zoro chiming in with a quib from time to time. Like this, nobody notices that Sanji is absolutely distracted throughout the evening.
Okay, maybe he had a tiny little crush on Zoro. That’s fine.
~~~ ~~~ ~~~
Now that the summer was slowly ending, Sanji started to mentally prepare for the next school year. He looked through his folders, making sure he had everything he needed for the new classes.
And while cleaning up and sorting through his supplies he stumbled upon the Letters from Dash. They had been in the back of his mind, of course. He has looked at the letters every now and then, smiling to himself while reading.
But now that he was going back in little over a week, he realized that this meant he might receive new messages. If Dash was still attending their school, that is.
He flipped through the letters again, stopping at the last note of the year. He smiled at the ink while wondering… If Dash wasn’t a girl, who could it, realistically speaking, be? Who would Sanji even want to be in love with him?
He manages to come up with Pedro, who’s funny and kind. But he was a senior last year, so he’s gone now. That would make little sense, he would have told Sanji who he was on the last day of school in that case, right?
His second guess would be Gin. Now that he thinks about it – now that it was a possibility in his mind – Gin definitely had a crush on him for a while, which was flattering, sure. But he didn’t seem like the sentimental type to write letters like this. He also didn’t have any siblings to mess with his things.
When Sanji can’t come up with any sensible option for a while, a small voice in the back of his mind suggests an outlandish candidate. Could it be Zoro? No. That was just wishful thinking. No, his handwriting is horrendous, it can’t be him! First of all he is an idiot, second he can’t be able to have cohesive thoughts like this. And, most importantly, he doesn’t show interest in anybody!
… Right?
/// /// ///
After the summer break Sanji was a changed man. He was walking into school as a bisexual .
Not that he would tell anybody outside his closest friends… But it felt great to know! And he was a senior now. One more year and then he’d be off to college.
***
Sanji stared into his locker for a long while. It was the second week of school and there was a letter. Sanji was, of course, hoping for one but it still startled him to finally get one.
The letter first of all killed his dreams of his admirer being Boa, or Pedro for that matter. Unless they had walked back into school just to drop it off – No. No, unlikely. As lovely as Boa was, she had never graced him with her attention whatsoever. He should have known it wasn’t her. And Pedro has only been on Sanji’s radar after the school year already ended. It’s fine.
But second, Sanji wasn’t sure how to even feel about Dash anymore. Obviously he was excited to hear from them, they were still a lovely person. But he looked at it in a different light. Before he would have just been happy to learn who was behind the sweet words. Now he kind of hoped for a certain someone to be the culprit. Which was sadly highly unlikely.
He still grabs the letter to stuff in his bag. It is pretty thick compared to the others, so he’s gonna read this at home, where he had the privacy and time to do so. Dash is probably gonna tell him a bunch of stories about their summer, which he was looking forward to reading, despite everything.
***
When he arrives at lunch Zoro looks at him with a keen smile, “Any letters yet this year?” Sounding genuinely interested for once. Crushes were really weird. The moss asking about a letter from someone who’s in love with Sanji and Sanji feels giddy at the question more than the letter.
“None of your business,” Sanji says with a grin. But by the way Zoro smirks back, he clearly knows that’s a yes.
***
First thing he does when he gets into his bedroom that afternoon is throwing his backpack on the floor and getting the letter out. He sits on his bed and eagerly starts reading what dear Dash had to say.
┍ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ┑
𝓓𝓮𝓪𝓻 𝓢𝓪𝓷𝓳𝓲
I hope you had a good summer. I for sure did.
I have to say, I kept thinking about you all break. I kept wanting to share with you, when anything good happened. Though it would be creepy if I sent a letter to your house, I guess. I’m not trying to look like a stalker.
Over the summer I spent a good amount of time with my friends, just like you probably have.
We went on a day trip to a lake, which was fun. I couldn't help but mess with my friends when all they wanted to do was have a lazy afternoon.
I thought I went a little too far with pulling someone off a cliff with me, but they clearly forgave me after, it was fine.
Later in the summer we visited a friend who was supposed to come with us to the lake, but they’re chronically ill. So instead we hung out in their garden.
We also had a bunch of movie nights together, usually ending up with 4 to 6 people squeezed onto a single sofa. (Yes, we all love each other enough for that.) Well, one of them usually acts as a human blanket and lays on top of everyone… so there’s a maximum of 5 squeezed onto the sofa.
So… I’ve heard you came out as bi over the summer. (And I bet you’re wondering how I know. I won’t snitch who told me yet).
And I will say, it made me hyperventilate a little when I heard. I don’t think you know – Well, I know you don’t know for sure that these letters weren’t written by a girl – surprise, I’m not a girl.
I never wanted to break it to you.
You were always excited to read the letters and for once you actually listened to what I had to say. The way your eyes sparkled, how beautiful you are when you get excited about something, was endearing to see. My words made you be excited and jittery.
I wanted to tell you so, so bad.
Words don’t come to me easily in conversation, hell even if I try to say something you shoot me down before I can even get a word out. (And maybe this is already telling you enough, maybe it isn’t.) But seeing you be this attentive to my words was wonderful.
When you came out over the summer I realized that maybe – just maybe – I have a chance now for you to see me. To actually see me. I’ve known I was gay for a while now. And now that you know too.
And now you know these letters weren’t from one of your crushes you hoped for. Well, you might be wondering who it is. Who’s the weirdo staring at me at lunch and in calculus? Who learns French just for this?
Well the guy also goes to your home ec class. He’s shared a room with you and Luffy on every class trip ever. He sits with you at lunch almost every day. He sat on your sofa when you came out as bi, trying not to pass out.
And he also specifically asked you about receiving a letter today.
I tried my best to be on best behavior, to be genuine like Nami suggested. We… I had a great summer. And I feel like you did too. I hope I actually got the right signals from you over the break. I don't want to be pretentious and say ‘I know you like me’, but… well I hope you do.
If you’re not interested, that’s fine. If you think I’m the biggest weirdo ever, I get that. Let’s just pretend all this never happened.
Well, now you know.
If you’re that blind, I’ll give you a hint:
It’s green
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Zoro didn't tend to be nervous. He hasn’t been nervous about the letters for ages, because Sanji was so oblivious that he didn't even have to worry about being found out. Not even in fleeting thought it would cross the blonde’s mind, probably.
But now he put it out there. He finally said it. The first letter he wrote on a whim, because he just couldn’t live with his crush anymore. He had to get it out somehow. He hadn’t intended to actually shove it into Sanji’s locker but then he saw him noodling around fucking Pudding and he just did it in a fit of rage.
At the first one he was nervous he had given away too much. But he quickly realized that he was more than safe from being found out. And he just kept writing, because he started enjoying it… And he kept actually giving the letters to Sanji. Seeing him smiling over them at lunch was a delight. If he managed to keep his temper down and not ruin the blonde’s mood, that is.
Sanji coming out had just fueled his need to reveal his identity. So now it has finally come to this. He was sitting in his room, bouncing his leg at an impossible speed. Just waiting. He could run, but he’d just get lost and with his luck he’d run straight into Sanji’s arms.
After the blonde had called him the first time, he had put his phone on silent. When he glanced over and saw a handful of missed calls, he turned it off.
He wondered if Sanji would even show up… well either way yes, he wouldn’t let something like this hang in the air. But there was also clearly something, right? He kept staring over the summer… Either he’d show up to kick his ass or maybe… No, let’s not hope for anything, he’s coming over to kick his ass.
Let’s just hope they can go back to normal after.
Zoro squeezes his eyes shut when the doorbell rings and Mihawk calls out that he has a visitor. He doesn’t move, Sanji has been here plenty, he knows exactly where his room is.
The blonde doesn’t even bother knocking when he walks in. He just shuts the door behind himself and stares at Zoro, who avoids looking at the other with all his might but still addresses him with a hoarse “Hello.”
“Fuck you,” Sanji hisses back lowly. “ What the fuck !”
Zoro lets his head hang, staring at the floor. Yeah, there it is. Regret churns in his gut. He should have just taken it to the grave.
He sees Sanji step closer out of the corner of his eye. He grips Zoro’s head and twists it upward, “Look at me when I’m talking to you,” he growls. Zoro sure as fuck will not, his eyes darting away. The regret is joined by embarrassment now. A pathetic little coward, is what he is.
Sanji sighs, one hand releasing the grip on the side of Zoro’s head and runs through his hair instead. “Mosshead.” His voice is softer than before but he’s clearly still agitated.
Zoro dares a glance up at Sanji, who looks at him with a frown. “You’re the biggest fucking creep, you know that?” He gripes with a grimace.
The moss looks away again, trying to twist his head out of Sanji’s hold, but the blonde clamps down harder. “Nuh-uh. Stay right here, I’m not done with you.”
He runs his hand back down to cup Zoro’s ear, pulling on the piercings lightly. “You’re right. You are the biggest weirdo for sending me love letters for weeks, when I’m right there.”
Zoro hisses at the tension on his ear but he doesn’t try to pull away again.
Sanji sighs, letting go of the piercings, “But I have to say I am terribly flattered.” He lets go of Zoro entirely to sit down next to him on the bed.
Okay, feeling flattered was at least something, he hasn’t fucked up that bad. But he still doesn’t dare to look at Sanji right now, so he stares at his own feet.
Sanji stays quiet for a second and then chuckles, “Do you really mean every gay little word you wrote?”
“Yes,” Zoro replies curtly. He feels his face heat up.
The blonde looks at him with a small smile, “Really?”
Zoro just nods.
“Okay, how long then?” Sanji asks.
Zoro thinks the question over for a moment. Should he be honest? Well, no use hiding it now. “Long. You made me realize I’m gay.”
Sanji leans back a bit, looking at the moss in disbelief first and then starts smirking. “So I made you gay.”
The swordsman scoffs, “Bullshit, you’re not that hot.” He can help but grin and finally dares a glance over at the blonde, who starts laughing. “If anything I made you gay.”
“Touché! You have to admit, those letters are pretty fucking gay,” he manages between chuckles. Then he looks down for a moment.
“You still–” Zoro starts, interrupted by Sanji reaching over to grab one of his hands, intertwining their fingers. Zoro stares down, as it happens and slowly finishes, “… liked them.” He looks up at Sanji searchingly.
The blonde chuckles, meeting his gaze, “True, yeah.” He squeezes their hands a little, “I think I need some more time to process what the fuck this all was. But I’ll be honest with you, I had a thought pop into my head when I walked over here that I didn’t hate…”
He leans over and kisses Zoro square on the lips. After a moment he pulls back minutely, leaning their foreheads together.
“Will you recite ‘J’ai parlé de toi aux étoiles’ for me, if I ask nicely?”
“Fuck no.”