yourotherleft | IC Inbox: Cerealia

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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