yourotherleft | IC Inbox: Cerealia

Pleasure district...

[Well now he's definitely interested. Although, honestly, he has complicated feelings about that section of the city and actually hasn't ventured over there much. The fuck would he do in a brothel anyway?

...Besides the obvious.

But it'd be kind of embarrassing to pay for something like that when he hasn't even—

AND ANYWAY, he feels like he'd be too tempted to whisk the girls away and try to woo them properly.

But at the same time, if that's the kind of job they want to have then it's none of his business!! More power to them!! He'll support anything a lady wants~

...Also he's not sure he'd make it out of there without suffering some kind of nosebleed explosion.

So yeah. Complicated.

He huffs a bit.]

Like I'd do anything stupid. Anyway, I got a friend who dances at some place over there. Stopping by and saying hello ain't stupid, right? ...If she's even still here.

[Hmm. Now Sanji's curious who else might've disappeared while he was gone.

He starts working on some big, thick steaks, then sets those off to the side while he grabs some other pots and pans.]

Oi, can you turn the grill on for me? What do you even do at this bar of yours anyway?

[Getting a drink while poking his nose around the place sounds like a good idea, though.]

[no nosebleeds, cook. He's not cleaning that up.]

Wow, you know somebody who works down there and haven't hurricane'd your way down there yet? Wonders never cease.

[there's a fine line between just teasing and being an ass...though around Sanji that line tends to disappear. Zoro makes sure the couch is completely excavated and free of crumbs before brushing his hands off and heading toward the patio instead.]

Yeah, gimme a sec. What do you think? I'm security. Someone doesn't want to be cut off, I toss 'em out.

[your grill will be ready when you are, cook!]

[Sniffs, lifting his chin a bit.]

I haven't had time, that's all! [Hmph!!] I told you about her. It's that mermaid girl, the one I met during the floods. She was naked.

[Because that part is important. Clearly.]

Remember?

[He's got all sorts of good smelling things going on in the pan now, garlic and cream and crab meat, and water boiling on the stove. Once it's to a point where he can leave it for a minute, he goes to put the steaks on the grill. And eyes the living room along the way -- it looks better, thank god.]

Security. So what, you're a bouncer? [Heh.] I can see it. Anyone ever try to challenge you?

[Drunks, you know. Thinking they can go up against Zoro. That'd be a sight to see.]

[riiiiiiight] Oh. Her. Hm.

[racking his brain...no, the only mermaid he's seen around is Keimi, so he wouldn't be able to say if any other ones are still around. At least, Oona is, so Sanji can go see her!

He stands by, arms folded, watching somewhat hungrily as the steaks pass by him on their way to the grill. Oh god, cook, he didn't realize until right this second how much they need you. Trying very hard not to drool.]

Couple guys tried to throw punches, but they were so drunk I didn't even need to duck. I got a lot more action out of the bounties I took down, really.

[Uwaaah, Sanji will just have to do that, then! He's already making plans to look her up. Good job reminding him, Zoro, he appreciates that. 8Db

The steaks don't need constant looking after, so Sanji trails back through the patio door to the kitchen again to work on what is going to be a fettuccine dish. He doesn't look to see if Zoro is following him, just talks over his shoulder at him.]

Makes sense. People with bounties got 'em for a reason, after all. So, no idea when that place is gonna open again? What's it even called?

[he lingers a bit, because Sanji's energy is such a distraction from cleaning that Zoro basically picks up a little, then follows Sanji, then picks up some more, back and forth...]

Nope. Angelo said he'd be in touch, but I don't know how long it takes to fix up a bar into something fancy. I know he was tossing around names... [thinking, thinking] Lady Luck? Maybe. All I know is it was something that suited you better than me.

[at last, he's got about four bags of trash piled up by the door to take out, and the living room definitely looks more livable. Whatever you do, cook, do not look in his and Luffy's room.]

Huh.

[Lady Luck. That does sound like something Sanji would come up with.]

If he's dressing the place up and giving it a name like that, I don't know if a bar is really what it's gonna be anymore. What if he tries to put you in some kinda uniform that ain't your usual shitty style?

[Alright, noodles into the water... The alfredo sauce is done. Sanji turns around to direct a questioning look at Zoro.]

No idea when Luffy'll be back?

[He knows the guy runs on his own schedule, but that schedule never misses a meal.]

[holy shit he did not think of that. Zoro recoils with a little hurk]

No way in hell! I'm not wearing a damn uniform! If he's making it a fancy-ass snooty restaurant place, then he doesn't need a bouncer.

[which would leave him out of a job. Hmm. Problem.

Though the more immediate concern is indeed Luffy. Now, where did he throw his device after texting the cook?]

No, no idea. I usually lose track of him during the day but we always meet up to get food. He doesn't know you're back, I didn't alert him yet - maybe I'll go text him.

[Just arches an eyebrow at him.]

Can't even handle a shitty tie, marimo? Come on, you could deal with a damn button-down, at least, wouldn't be the end of the world.

[Wouldn't look half bad either, not that Sanji would admit that or is even thinking it because he's definitely not.

He pushes away from the counter suddenly, clearing his throat as he walks back across the room so he can check on his steaks.]

Ah, yeah, I didn't text him either. Figured you were more likely to actually check your messages. Tell him to hurry his ass up, food's almost done.

On it. [he knows Luffy will be overjoyed to have one of the crew back. Maybe even moreso than having good food again, although that'll probably factor in. Chances are good they'll have him Rocketing his way in through the patio within minutes.]

I don't need your help getting dressed. [yes he does] What kind of bouncer wears a tie, anyway? That's for shitty cooks like you.

[insulting Sanji is so casual, so familiar, so easy to just say. It really is good to have him back, not that he'd ever admit it]

[Calls back over his shoulder.]

Which is why I mentioned a button-down instead, you idiot.

[Loud, noisy sigh as he flips the steaks, like his life is SO HARD because he has to put up with fashion-challenged dumbasses.]

I guess I can get you sorted out. If this Angelo of yours really does change shit around. I'm generous enough that I can shell out for a shirt or two.

[SO generous. Do you see how generous and helpful he is?]

Yeah. Generous.

[text sent, he comes back over and leans on the door frame. All the better to savor the aroma of real, fresh-cooked steaks. And maybe cigarette smoke. What, he can't stand here and indulge in familiar scents that he wouldn't admit to himself that he missed?]

I don't need your charity. Put it toward something useful, like food.

I got plenty of money for food.

[Probably. ...Actually.

He turns to look at Zoro, brow furrowed slightly.]

I'm assuming I still got my show, anyway. [Should probably look into that... Later. For now, Sanji just shrugs in an unconcerned way.] Eh, but even if I didn't, I'd figure something else out. Anyway, it ain't charity, think of it like a shitty welcome back gift or something.

[DETERMINED NOW. For some reason. It has nothing to do with the mental image he's ignoring of Zoro properly wearing something like that.

Taking the steaks off the grill now!]

Alright, think we're ready.

...isn't a welcome back gift supposed to be for the one who came back?

[and that's you, cook. Zoro shakes his head and edges out of the way to let him pass.]

Great. Maybe I'll actually get a few bites in before Luffy gets here and steals it all.

[yet, before Sanji can completely sweep past him to serve everything perfectly, as he do, Zoro sort of catches him with a hand to the crook of his elbow. For a second it's like he's going to say something, maybe 'it's good to have you back' or 'I actually missed your shitty face' or maybe even 'don't leave me,' but he doesn't form any words. A moment later he awkwardly lets go to let Sanji continue on.]

...smells good.

[yeah, sure, that'll do. That's almost like a compliment.]

Probably, but here I am buying you shit and making you dinner instead. Figures, right? Don't worry, ain't like I expect you to get me something.

[Starts to move inside with the plate of steaks, but Zoro snags him before he gets too far. He pauses, glancing curiously down at Zoro's hand before lifting his eyes to give him an expectant look. After a beat or two passes without Zoro saying anything, Sanji shifts his weight somewhat awkwardly, getting ready to pull away because Zoro's hand on him like that, even through the layers of his clothes, feels strangely warm and—

But then Zoro lets go and finally does speak and it throws him almost more than anything else he might've said. Because yeah, that IS almost a compliment, which is just enough to make Sanji's cheeks go lightly pink.]

Ah...thanks.

[Just gonna...go start plating everything. Yeah. They can eat at the breakfast bar, right? The dining table is too big for just the two of them. Even for the three of them when Luffy finally shows up.]

[Yeah, that was a big first step for Zoro, one that has him instantly reverting to not meeting Sanji's eyes and moving around him to clear off the rest of the clutter from the breakfast bar. It'll do. And yes, he's going to dig right in without waiting.]

Maybe if I start now, I'll actually get to eat something before Luffy appears and steals it all.

[he kids, but...it's a real threat!]

[Snorts lightly, though he doesn't notice Zoro not looking at him because he's too busy also avoiding eye contact.]

Better eat fast, never know when he'll come bursting in.

[He slides a plate Zoro's way after he's served everything up, before grabbing a seat for himself.

And random awkwardness aside, it's...really good to be here. To be back. Even if he doesn't remember being gone, something about cooking for his nakama always makes him feel like he's home.]

Yeah, I know. Some things never change.

[and as he slides into his seat to dig in - good god this is a real fucking steak cooked perfectly drooling now - Zoro only shoots him one quick sidelong look as if to verify he's really there and not vanishing like a dream. Part of him is pissed at himself for getting so sentimental over the damn cook of all people, but the fact that he is means he really missed this asshole. No matter what, he's nakama and they belong together.

Dammit, ears, don't turn red now.]

IC Inbox: Cerealia

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