Chapter Text
Sanji groaned as he heard shouting from outside his apartment. Last night he had a long shift at the Baratie filled with shouting, burnt food, and headaches.
"NU-UH!" And there was Sanji's permanent headache.
Sanji let out a frustrated groan as he rose from his bed. He threw his sheets off his semi-nude body and swung his legs off the bed. "Every god damn day!" Sanji muttered to himself as he quickly grabbed a pair of black sweats he hand laying around.
He stormed out of his bedroom and into the living room. Turning left Sanji faced his kitchen. There at the arch way separating the kitchen from the living room sat a clock. The time read 6:25 am.
This only fuelled the blonde's annoyance.
"STOP IT!" Came a voice from the small hallway to Sanji's right.
"EW! DID YOU JUST LICK ME?! SABO HE LICKED ME!" Oh great it's all three of them. Sanji thought as he stomped over to the hallway. He walked passed a mirror mounted on the wall to his left and sighed in defeat when he caught a glimpse of his dark circles.
"COME ON YOU TWO! LEAVE SANJI ALONE! HE NEEDS TO REST!" Sanji scoffed hearing the other blonde from the other side of the dark gray door. Unlocking his door Sanji took in a deep breath before swinging it wide open.
"SHUT UP!" All three brothers came crashing down into Sanji's apartment for they had been leaning against the door. "It is six in the god damn morning! If you knuckleheads haven't figured it out other people live here!" Sanji shouted as his tapped his right foot on the floor.
"Sorry." Came the chorus of murmurs from below.
"I tried stopping them, I really did." Sabo spoke up as he stood first. He dusted himself off, pulling down the hem of his navy blue t-shirt then patting at his gray sweats.
"Hey Sanji! You got any leftovers?" Luffy beamed up at him from the ground. Sanji crossed his arms over his bare chest and glared down at the brunette.
"Moron." His brother Ace barked as he smacked him on the back of the head causing the youngest of the two to smack his head right into the wooden floor with a loud thud.
"Ow! That hurt jerk!" Luffy shouted as he launched himself onto his brother ending with the two wrestling on the floor.
"Knock it off!" Sabo shouted as he punched both of them. The two quickly separated and sat facing the hall with their heads bowed in shame. "I'm really sorry." Sabo apologized with a bow.
Sanji sighed as he glanced over at the two idiots then down the hallway at the other apartments. "Leave your shoes at the door and wash your hands before I change my mind." He said as he turned around for them to follow.
Luffy sprung up to his feet immediately and rushed in. Ace quickly followed suit as he quickly threw his shoes off his feet. He yanked Luffy back and scowled him for forgetting about his sandals. Sabo having more self control and manners calmly walked in, closing the door behind him and taking his shoes off. He arranged his and his brothers shoes at the door then walked into the apartment.
"Food! Food! Food! Food!" Luffy chanted as he washed his hands in the kitchen sink.
"Luffy shut up!" Ace yelled as he shoved his brother aside so he could wash his hands. The two started shoving each other getting soap and water all over the counter.
Sanji groaned as he walked over and grabbed the leftovers from last night's shift from the fridge. He ignored the brothers bickering as he started gathering pots and pans to make a breakfast fit to feed an army of eighty.
As Sanji worked he heard a loud clank followed by two loud thuds. He smirked when he heard Sabo apologize for using the empty metal paper towel holder as a weapon.
Chatter slowly filled the room as the three brothers sat at the table recounting their previous day to him. Sanji hummed in response to show he was actively listening and only spoke when Luffy laughed at how stress he made their new neighbor. Sanji felt for the poor med student.
"Luffy you really should stop bothering Trafalgar. One of these days he's going to get fed up with you." Sabo said as he sipped on his coffee.
"It's fine! Traffy's a friend! Beside I'm like that with all my other friends so what's the harm?" Luffy grinned as he drummed his fingers on the table.
"Luffy, Law isn't Usopp or Nami. Heck even Chopper is a lot more fun than him. He has a lot to juggle right now with exams coming up. Give him some peace and quiet." Ace said as he stirred an unhealthy amount of sugar in his younger brother's mug.
"Asking the impossible from your brother Ace." Sanji sighed as he turned off the stove. Sanji quickly grabbed plates from the cupboards above and got to serving the trio.
"Food!" Luffy shouted as a plate was set in front of him. He immediately ate the sausages and tried to sneak a hand over to Ace's plate.
"Hell no Luffy!" Ace shouted as smacked his brother's hand away.
"Any plans today?" Sabo asked the blonde. Sanji shook his head as he leaned against the kitchen counter. "We'll be out of here once we're done. Luffy and I have work and Ace has classes at noon."
"I still have more leftovers if you three want to take for lunch." Sanji offered. Luffy nodded in a blur of black locks while Ace gave a thumbs up.
"Thank you Sanji. Sorry for this morning." Sabo apologized once more.
"You know, Sanji is kinda like our brother. He takes care of us, nags us, makes sure we're fed, and always checks up on us when we get sick." Luffy commented as he stretched over Ace to grab Sabo's sausages.
"Sounds more like a mom if you ask me." Ace mumbled as he took a sip of his coffee. Luffy paused, sausages in hand, and slowly turned with a growing grin on his face.
"Does that mean we need to get Sanji a gift for mother's day?" Luffy beamed as he bounced in his chair.
"I will gladly accept a remodeled kitchen and new pots and pans." Sanji joked. Laughter erupted in the room as they teased the idea.
More idle chatter followed afterwards. More of what the trio did throughout the week and what plans they had for next week. Sanji hummed along but soon found himself lost in his thoughts.
He hadn't been living here long. Just under three years or so. He could still remember the day he told old man Zeff he was leaving and going off on his own. Walked out with a minor limp, couple of bruises, a stack of cash, and a lecture about taking care of himself but it was worth it in the end.
"Luffy!" Ace laughed. Sanji looked up and shook his head seeing Luffy with two sausages tucked under his upper lip.
"Walrus Luffy!" The brunette shouted as he pretended to jab Ace with the sausages.
"Luffy knock it off! Ace don't encourage him!" Sabo shouted.
The day he moved in was the day he met these brothers. Luffy had apparently seen the moving truck from his window and ran out trying to see who it was. Sanji remembered when he crashed into him in the elevator. A blur of red, yellow, and blue slammed right into him the moment the elevator doors slid open.
"Hi I'm Monkey D. Luffy! I live in the B building." Luffy had smiled so brightly at him.
"Nice to meet you. I'm Sanji and I'm moving into the A building." Sanji greeted as he helped both of them to their feet.
"I like you. Let's be friends."
Not that he had a choice in the matter. Luffy would appear at his door every day. Later his brothers would show up asking if their younger brother was around. Which then turned to having them in his apartment at random times of the day.
"Okay let's go you two." Sabo said as he stood up from his seat.
"Aww~ But I'm still hungry!" Luffy complained. He quickly stuffed his face with food, cleaning out all their plates. "Okay. I'm good now. Let's go!"
Ace helped taking the plates to the sink. "I'll wash them." Sanji said as he walked over.
"No I can do it. Plus you look tired." Ace commented as he gestures at his eyes.
And who's fault is that. Sanji thought as his raised a brow at him. He didn't argue, free help meant more time for himself.
"I'll drop off the food later." Sanji called out to Sabo who was dragging out Luffy by his red hoodie.
"Just drop it off at our door before ten!" Sabo replied.
"Sabo! Let go!" Luffy shouted as he kicked around trying to break free.
"Luffy! Stop it or else we're eating your half and we know Usopp won't let you grab anything from the store." Ace called out. The fighting in the hall immediately stopped. Sabo muttered a 'thanks' and the sound of the door opening and closing followed after.
"I might as well start prepping the lunches." Sanji muttered as he moved about his kitchen.
"Nah just give them as is. We bothered you enough." Ace said as he finished scrubbing and moved to rinse the dishes.
"You sure? It won't take long." Sanji added as he slowly reached for the cupboards once more.
Ace finished rinsing and gently set the dishes on the drying tray. " 'S fine. Gives you time to rest and you won't have to worry about whether or not we ate." Ace flashed him a smile.
With a sigh, Sanji nodded and retrieved the remaining leftovers from the fridge. He quickly separated everything in threes and handed to the brunette with easy instructions.
"Thanks again Sanji. Hopefully you get some rest before starting your errands." Ace said as he slipped his shoes back on.
"I'll try. Remember breakfast is at eight and no earlier than that." Sanji teased as he nudged Ace with his foot just at the fold of his right knee. The motion caused Ace to stumble to a kneel, letting out a chuckle as he regained his footing.
"Right, eight. Later Sanji!" With that the brunette is gone. Sanji sighs as he glances at the clock and realizes he won't have time to rest. Turning on his heels he walks back into his room to get dressed for the day.
"Here let me." Sanji offered as he holds the door to the apartment complex opened. An elderly woman smiles up at him as he hobbles in with her tiny brown dog at her side.
"What a gentleman you are Sanji." The woman praises. The blonde walks in right after carrying bags full of groceries. Behind him Luffy is pushing a small metal chart filled with dog food and a few bags filled with the woman's groceries.
"Want us to help you take this to your floor Nana?" Luffy asked as he made his way to the elevator.
"Oh no dear that's okay. I called my grandson earlier." The woman replied as she goes to take a seat in the lobby. She takes the seat closes to the elevator and her little dog hops right on her lap.
"Okay then." Luffy placed the cart next to her and fixed his red polo shirt. "Well, I'm off to work now. Don't want Usopp to yell at me for being late. Later Sanji!" Sanji gave him a two finger wave and watched as the brunette ran out the building.
"That young brother of yours is very energetic, isn't he?" The woman said with a chuckle.
"Oh. No. He's not my brother ma'am." Sanji replied as he gave her his full attention. "You're probably confusing his older brother Sabo and I."
The woman tilted her head and hummed in thought. Sanji stiffened as she roamed her eyes over his body. He shifted his weight around from one leg to the other waiting for her to say something.
"Well I think I should get going." Sanji said. His smile tensed as he tried getting away from the awkward situation.
"Oh. I'm sorry I was staring wasn't I? I just thought you would make a wonderful date for my granddau-"
Sanji quickened his steps as he approached the elevator. He he turned to replied that he was in a rush that once the doors opened he didn't notice the person stepping out. He came face to face with the person's head causing him to stumble back.
"Ow!" Sanji hissed as he rubbed his forehead.
"Son of-" Looking up Sanji meet amber eyes. His eyes wondered the strangers tan face. His features sharp and rugged. He also caught sight of something gold dangling justout out of view. Then he noticed the small redness forming on his chin. Sanji winced as he rubbed at his head. "Shit man." The low baritone voice rocked through Sanji's body.
He blinked a few times to snap himself from gawking when a mop of green caught his attention. His eyes traveled upwards landing on the green crown of hair.
"Moss." Sanji muttered to himself.
"Excuse me?" The man said as he finally looked over at Sanji. He stepped into his space and on that moment Sanji realized just how tall and thick built this guy was. The sleeveless lime hoodie he had on showed off his defined muscles. The black sweats hung slightly loose but only added to his laid back physique.
Sanji took a step back as his breath caught on his throat at the sight of the man's left eye being closed with a scar running vertically down the center of it.
"Oi! Are you okay?" The man asked as he gave him a quick once over. His right eye stopping at the slight opening of his white button up shirt.
Be still my beating heart. Sanji tried swallowing the tension slowly forming at the back of his throat.
"I-" Before Sanji could get a word out Ace came out barreling from behind the greenette.
"You okay?" Ace asked as he checked Sanji over. The blonde nodded dumbfounded as he watch the tall tan man sidestep his way around them. Ace glared at him the whole time and only stopped once he was out the lobby doors. "Who the hell was that?"
"I don't know. I've never seen him before." Sanji replied as he stared at the direction the ball of green had disappeared to.
"Come on. I have my next class in an hour and I'm sure you have frozen goods in those bags." Ace said as he guided Sanji towards the elevator.
Sanji just nodded as he was guided into the metal doors. Ace bid his goodbyes as he turned to leave the building. Sanji watched him go. Just as he had done with the green haired man.