Work Text:
Zoro would never consider himself to be an anti-social person. He was simply someone who enjoyed an atmosphere of calm. He could enjoy the ecstatic energy of a crowd when he was with the right group. The dinners and game nights he attended with friends were known to get a bit rowdy and more than a little loud. Especially if Luffy got one too many sugary drinks into his system. Though, in situations with more strangers than friends, Zoro could feel himself crowd in on himself more often than not. It was why he tended to despise big charity functions like the First Responders ball he currently found himself trapped at.
He stood off to one corners in the grand hall. The long velvet drapes that hung down from the towering windows allowed a small barrier to keep him separated from the rest of the party. A grimace was settled into his features from the ache in his ears, the voices of the other guests nothing but a cacophony that made his ears feel like they were bleeding. The ceaseless smack from Luffy's opened mouth chewing beside him was not helping his frayed nerves.
“Ugh, why the hell is it so damn hot in here?” Zoro grunted.
Luffy looked up from where he stood beside Zoro, crumbs on his lips from the handful of cake he held. He grinned and took a sip from the glass of whatever the hostesses were passing around. All it did was make the cake in his mouth more paste-like as he replied, “why not just have some food and stop being so grumpy?”
Annoyed with his best friend’s response he begins to walk away. Dodging and weaving through the crowds of people pulling at his tie out of annoyance. He finds himself at the catered table filled with drinks, food and flower arrangements he could care less about. Grabbing a drink off the table and throwing it back like the grumpy old man he is on the inside. Unfortunately for him it is non-alcoholic due to the work event. Stomping amongst the people saying some choice words under his breath. Suddenly making a wall his best friend. Now regretting his life choices but quickly changing his due to the fact he would never his career path. Now sipping away at the sparkling soda; holding up the wall his eye make contact with someone. Blond, gorgeous eyes and swirly eyebrows. The only possible thing he could thing of was just....
“Damn” whispering loudly quickly covering his mouth realizing his mistake.
Making eye contact to the exact blond he just eye fucked was beyond embarrassing for him As the blond could read his mind he is now making his way over and Zoro not mentally prepared for it. As a distraction he pulls out his phone trying to make himself look busy.
“Now you seem more into your phone than me huh, babe?” he hears the blond say as if he is trying to get him out the very tux Zoro is wearing right now.
Taken back Zoro shot up to meet the very blue eyes waiting for his reaction. In that same instance while distracted Sanji grabs his phone. In the most teasing way Sanji says “ so the weather app has your attention; that is my competition?”
Eyes wide thinking how the fuck did he get my phone. As tries to get it back Sanji places it into his hand. Making sure to make skin-to-skin contact. Now looking at his phone trying to figure what he did but realize his contacts have a new addition. Saving his number as Sanji with a red heart emoji and a winking face. Giving the exact wink to our shocked green haired fire fighter.
“Now you can just call me instead of trying to fuck me with your eyes” says Sanji walking away giving the smirk knowing he caught his man.
Now standing there phone in one hand, empty cup in the other and face cycling through emotions in seconds. Finally whispering to himself like a giddy school.
“Sanji”
Zoro now lost on what to do with this new information he has ben gifted with. Contemplating on texting Sanji just so he can have his number too or waiting at least the next day. Everything feeling rush and not all at the same time. So unsure he does what he normally does and just say “fuck it” moving his finger faster than every before just to text Sanji. Phone shaking out of nervousness and trying to not overthink just a simple text . unfortunately for him texting his was more stressful than he thought.
“Hey this is Zoro; you know the guy you just met”....delete
“It’s Zoro. Green hair and uncomfortable in the tux”......delete
Trying to not overthink this he just goes with the most basic text he could come up with. “Zoro”......send.
He stood looking at his phone thinking was it too late to unsend this message. As his luck shows this night it was because the words went from delivered to read quicker than he like them too. Just to only get this message that almost made the regret worsen. The sound finally came. Ding!
“Who that???”
Stressed kicked in thinking did he just want to play with me? Was I just that unimportant to forget that fast? What do i say? Panic set in and stupidly in panic opening the message. Now forcing him to respond against his own thoughts.
“The guy who got his phone stolen by you” typing it to sound playful to ease his mind and for him it did just that. Then he hears it. Ding! Phone giving either good news or bad.
“Oh my marimo!! Hey babe you miss me already??”
Now instead his ears turning red in joy knowing he wasn’t forgotten or just for someone’s own entertainment. He stayed like that for a moment just taking the happiness in. What pulls him out of his own bubble was the second notification coming in.
“That’s so cute”
His brain now short circuiting trying to gather himself just to respond to blond crush he has. Thinking of a million and one things but to keep his composure he focuses on the response.
“Oh shut up but what is a marmio?” Just as quick as he sent it the reply came only with more teasing “Google it.” and Sanji follows another text to distract him “So what are you doing at this event?”
“I am here for work”. As happy as he was Zoro was never a big texter so he kept to his usual short answers. Sanji already trying to break that habit with the question flurries.
“So what career path lead you here in a tux? I can very much see you do not like.”
He thinks do I really want to have this conversation over text when he is here anyway. So he responds and then is followed with the teasing he should have seen coming from Sanji at this point.
“I am a fire fighter and have been for the last 3 years. So where did you go away?” Trying to cut to the chase but Sanji will not make it easy for him. After checking his phone after 2 minutes go by and nothing. The 2 minutes turn into 5 and 5 to 10 minutes. Ding! Zoro’s favorite sound right now but met with a text that had him scanning the room as if a killer was after him.
“Aww you keep checking your phone for my text you are too cute.”
Standing trying to figure out how long he has been watched after Sanji walked away. Was he looking at him the entire time? How could he see him but Zoro couldn’t see him? As Zoro was about to ask the million dollar question Sanji being quick to it.
“ Looking for me? Then come find me”
Zoro still trying to find the blond but no luck for him. He starts to walk around the venue trying to even get a glimpse of golden locks. 10 minutes goes by he text Sanji. “Can I at least get a hint first?” Ding! He is followed with a riddle which stops him dead in his tracks.
“I have meaning to my appearance. Some people can not handle me and other love me. I can small or large. Finally I can just about everywhere regardless of the situation. What am I?”
Zoro looking at his phone and without thinking “tsk” and thinks for a second. Ding! Trying to process this riddle and he is interrupted with a new message being hopefully. Which lasted all of 3 seconds of reading the message. “Did you just click your tongue at my message? That is rude. I will have to punish you later for that.”
Frantic Zoro trying his hardest to find him but the universe hates him apparently right now. Blushing at the thought of this so called punishment, blushing and starring into space and is interrupted again. Ding!
“Focus Marimo” Sanji watching from afar and making sure Zoro knows it.
Zoro now trying to take this serious since he is under surveillance. Placing his phone in his pocket and bring his hands to his face. Smack! Cheeks slightly stinging he beings to walk the venue. He using his head thinking it is an object and not a person so he heads to the first place he could think of the bathroom. Heading to the bathroom and just before he walks through the door he get another text. Ding! “You are cold my dear, try again.” Following the direction u-turns to the main hall back where he started in the middle of the floor. Next stop he thinks is the kitchen. Making his way to the doors only to stop and look at the sign “employees only”. Now stopped in his tracks he then text Sanji.
“Are you working the event? If so this is not fair I can not go in the kitchen.” The reply come quick. “Now love I do love you thought of the kitchen but today I am not there. I am working the event but I wouldn’t send you somewhere you can’t go.” Now Zoro thinking about the information he just received hoping it helps. Phone goes into his pocket and leans on the wall to think of his next step. He starts to think of the riddles meaning. “Something that has meaning.” He says to himself and he starts to narrow down his options in the venue. He comes to 3 items and follows with a text to Sanji to confirm.
“I came to 3 things possibly can you at least tell me if I am close with the item at least?” Zoro wishing Sanji wants to see him too and is nice about it. Ding! Snapping to his phone and smiling at the response. “I will only because I want to see you faster. So what do we have my love?” Zoro replies “Food, Pictures/ painting or flowers.” he text Sanji with red ears from the blush from the last message. Waiting for the reply he keeps thinking of the most likely to at least eliminate so it is at least a 50/50 chance to be right. He thinks to himself while waiting and he first takes away artwork. He remember Sanji is working the event and no vendor is here for art so he crosses that option. He feels confident about his answer and just when he does that confidence drops. Ding! Worried to look at the screen but has no choice. For that moment his faith is restore and his luck simply reading the word “yes”. He now starts to make his way to the table with food. The food and flower arrangements are together killing 2 birds with on stone. He speeds walk to the table full of food and flowers. Making it to the table he looks and sees no blond curls at all. He closes his eyes for a second to think. Maybe he was wrong about the artwork. In his own head he hear someone speak from the other side of the table.
“You are so adorable lost in your own thoughts. You are working so hard to see me.”
Zoro snapping his head up to see Sanji and with a chocolate cake and watching Zoro suffer in his head. Just to fuck with Zoro even more he ask “so which one did you pick to lead you here?”
Zoro explaining his process of elimination and what he trying to decide now. Sanji smiling happy he isn’t just a pretty face. Sanji places the now empty plate on the table and leans forward you are right for both technically but today I am here only for these beauties. As he moves his hand to move them along the flower petals of his favorite flower. The 3 petaled white Trillium flower standing between Sanji and Zoro. Taking in everything in front of Zoro. The beautiful flowers, soft music and blond man. Thinking to himself and not realizing he is saying his thoughts out loud.
“The flower is beautiful but I think you are more eye catching than the flowers here. You made it worth it coming.”
Suck in place Sanji not prepared for the sudden compliment from Zoro in this moment which backfires quickly. Sanji goes beet red trying to hide it from Zoro and failing miserably. Zoro noticed and his ears go red realizing how he just embarrassed himself in front of his crush.
“Um so what do you do for a career since you are working the event?”
Taking the opportunity to go along with the change of subject. “I arranged these flower actually. I am glad you feel that way over my work. These are my favorite flowers.” Sanji still red with embarrassment telling Zoro about his work and the Trillium flowers.
“Trillium” says Sanji in a low voice. “That is the name of these.”
Zoro listening and ask “you said they have meaning if you don’t mid would you share it with me?”
“Purity, beauty, and recovery. It is paired with the 3 petals which is also my favorite number.” Sanji laughs to himself thinking is this the right time to mention why I like 3 or not?
These hold so much meaning to Sanji as he comes from an interesting family. As he the 3rd born in a set of quadruplets. He is close with his brothers and 1 older sister. He is the closet to Reiju his sister. Reiju is the only one that is aware that Sanji is into men and it isn’t that he hides it just hasn’t gotten around to telling his family. Reiju just so happen to find out about it by picking up his phone and accidently reading a message from an ex. That is a topic for another day.
Pulling Sanji out of his own head is a question from Zoro. “Why is 3 so important to you?”
Smiling from ear to ear is Sanji goes over his family dynamic with Zoro and even talking about his step-dad Zeff. Following the conversation Zoro talks about his adopted dad Mihawk and adopted sister Perona. Shocked Sanji asking about his situation and Zoro being playful said “you gotta get me on a date for that information.” Sanji going with the flow makes the move to set up a whole date in his head so, Zoro can’t say no when he ask him out after 10 minutes of mental planning.
“Well my handsome companion since you brought it up would you grace me with the opportunity to go on a date with me?” Sanji asked feeling very confident of himself. Zoro just smiles and ask “so where we going then?”
As Sanji goes over their date and planning but also keeping everything a surprise from Zoro. The event slowly comes to an end and they start saying their goodbyes. Right before leaving the two embrace with a hug and Zoro sneaks a kiss to Sanji cheek. He quickly winks and scurries away laughing to himself. Sanji shocked just holds hand to the face and wonders is this really want warmth feel like. Time passes like molasses for them and they are eagerly waiting to be together again. Days go by and the text message between the two flow like water.
“Hey babe are you missing your blonde prince charming?” Sanji texting Zoro like any normal day. Ding!
As Zoro picked up his phone and smiling laughing like an idiot and replying. “ Who is this? I do not know any prince charming.” Messing with Sanji in his own way and flirting at the same time. He find moments like this very funny to him. He finds joy in his conversations with him and want to be around him just off the conversation.
Being as dramatic as Sanji can be his response “oh please do not tell me you have forgotten your lover already?” Laughing it out and knowing they both enjoy the back and forth texting each other. Zoro laughs and response with so what do I owe the pleasure my dear? He lays out the date plans and after a few weeks of busy schedules, family issues and conflicting dates it was hard for the two love birds to meet. Days pass and the texting is killing them. Weeks go by and the unsettled feeling of waiting to talk in person again is making them antsy.
After a month after the charity event the date is finally here. Sanji plans everything to make it perfect. He picks up the lovely man of the hour and the man of his pent up desire. As he makes his way to the door check is breath, fidgeting with his watch and consistently looking at the time on his phone the nerves starts to kick in. He spots the movement of green scruff and instantly perks up. As Zoro has found his man to be waiting in the parking lot of his apartment; his smile as big as Chester the cat from Alice in Wonderland. He reaches him quickly and without thinking falling into a deeply needed hug that last longer than they think.
“Hey blondie did you miss me?” With the devilish smirk knowing he already knows the answer. Sanji quick with the response “you know I did my love. I was desperate to see you again” In shocking not expecting the honest reply he was thinking there would be more teasing. “Wow I am feeling special.” Trying to hide his blushing face from Sanji. Unfortunately for Zoro; Sanji is very sharp on his toes and the teasing start again.
“Aw are you blushing my little Marimo?” As he places a kiss on his forehead and opens the door for him. “Let us be on our way dear we have plans for the day.” “I will let it slide for now because we are busy, but just wait till we have some free time” sharply said by the embarrassed green haired man. “Yes love I will let you do anything you want with me later. Didn’t realize you were in such a rush to have your way with me.” As Zoro sat and registered what Sanji said and how he worded that statement it was already too late. Didn’t Know someone could get even redder, but sure enough Zoro found a way to make it happen.
As get themselves together and load into the car with Sanji driving because he quickly found out how bad his man sense of direction is. Driving along the are vibing as if they were soulmates reborn together. Sing songs together and Zoro getting out his comfort zone for Sanji. Sanji not being afraid to be judged for being himself with Zoro. They are authentic with each other and it is taking the nerves off being these emotionally recks. Before this date Sanji changed clothes exactly 14 times, combed his hair 13 times and called Reiju 27 times to mentally prepare himself for today. Zoro is no different he was so desperate he asked his older sister Perona to help with his clothes, hair and table manners to be on the safe side. Of course she helped for blackmail material but she still loved seeing Zoro so happy to do something other than sleep, workout and work. As they finish their 5th song duet they arrive at the first destination. Which is an activity they can do together. VR gaming at the arcade which this was Zoro pick for the first date. Thinking it would be a good way for them to be active and make some rally good memories to talk about later during Sanji part of the date.
“All my sweet we have arrived are you ready leave a loser on the first date?” Sanji says to spike the competitive streak in Zoro which lets be honest doesn’t take much. “Hahaha not only are you cute but funny. I feel like I am winning the lottery. Winning a date with you and having the pleasure to crush you today.” As the bickering progresses Zoro suggested a bet to make things fun. Sanji never back down from a challenge accepts and create the wagers for the winner and condition for the loser. Which to make it fair they do have rules as well.
Rule 1: no cheats
Rule 2: they take turns picking a game
Rule 3: Each game is 1 point and losing does not deduct points
Rule 4: It will be an odd number of games so there is no tie
Rule 5: Someone will be picking the last game so it will be fair
Now for the conditions if you win you get a wish. However if you lose not only do you have to grant that wish but when meeting each other families you have to go first. They were both nervous for part but it made it more fun. Sanji reason he is bisexual but has never brought a guy home to meet his family. Which is big having his step dad Zeff, Mother Sora, Older sister Reiju and quadruplets brothers, Ichiji, Niji and Yonji. Zoro on the other hand just didn’t want to his older sister Perona mouth. Zoro dad would just sit there for a good minute then interview him as how he even got someone to date him the first place. Neither wanted to face that noise so all was on the table in a fun way. First game will be decided by a coin toss. Which fall in Zoro favor because it landed on tails for him. Laughing the first game he picks is the punching bag. They each have one shot to hit the bag as hard as they to take the first game. Zoro believe he has this one in the bag but Sanji did grow up with 4 brother and his own gym rat sibling. As he thanks Yonji for it in his head because Zoro just underestimated him and might just cost him. Zoro being let Sanji take a crack at it first. Sanji stretches, rolls his shoulders and cracks his knuckles as he takes his stance Zoro noticed the perfect form and realizes he might have fucked up. Sanji pulls back and next thing you hear is a loud WHAM!! Standing there proud and waiting looking at Zoro so smug. Zoro thinking to himself “note do not piss Sanji off”. After a few more second the score flashes 836. So Mr.Muscles can you beat that? Zoro standing impressed and turned on at the same time. After snapping himself out his own sexual fantasy he will keep to himself.
“Well that is impressive but not impressive enough to beat your truly.” Zoro batting his eyes already know he won this one. “You haven’t even hit it yet so how do you know that you ball of moss?” Zoro not saying another word and just takes his stance. Taking a deep breathe, relaxing his shoulders and pivoting his feet in the right way to get maximum affect like the punching bag owe him money. Pulling back slow and steady and snapping with steady force rang across the whole arcade stopped for a moment trying to figure what that was. As the movement of the number started rolling the venue to seem resume from their pause. Zoro standing smug and arms folded waiting for the machine to finishing giving him the score. They stood in silence waiting hoping the win would fall in their own favor. Finally you see the 3 numbers flash 840. Sanji the first to speak “so those muscles really are useful and not just for show. So we ready to move on to my pick sir?” Even when Sanji lose he still wins in the end. Zoro just accepts it with a smirk and move to the next game. Sanji picks and it is a soccer simulation. You kick a simulated soccer ball into a goal. It is counted down and whoever has the most points wins. Zoro lost the coin toss and will be going first. The walks to the simulation and hears the start buzzer to begin. The first kick was powerful but not so accurate. He many be strong but not athletic bad news for him. He missed the first 3 until he got the hang of it. He got better but still very inaccurate. Try as he might but after 2 minutes he only got 40 points. Feeling good Zoro stepped back and says well prince it is your turn see if you can beat me at this? Sanji chuckles and says nothing as he waits for the starting buzzer. It goes off and not single shot missed. Zoro looks as he checks his score shooting pass 40 points and hitting 60 points. Almost a perfect score. Zoro stood standing at the score impressed and slightly embarrassed from all the shit talking he did. All he said was now “we are evenly match darling.” As they move to the next game which is Zoro pick. Which would be a favorite of the arcade. Fast & Furious which is Zoro favorite game. He has only lost a race against his sister Perona and she doesn’t hold back either. As they get to the racing section they make light conversation talking about their family, career and personal life. Taking their seats and picking a course they begin. As they begin it is all fun till the last lap approaches they go quite and full focus is there. By a millisecond Zoro pulls through at the end and takes the 2nd win and bragging rights. He laughs as they move to Moral Kombat Sanji enjoys fighting games and this just happen to be his favorite one. As they get to there they pick their characters. Zoro goes with Scorpion and Sanji goes with Liu Kang. As the match begin so does the intense showdown. As the kicks of Liu Kang and Swords of Scorpion clash they engage in so much fun. The fight goes on and on. The match comes down to the final match. Sanji takes the win with a very close game.
“Suck Loser” as Sanji gloats about him to prepare for the final game of their date. “Yeah yeah yeah so who do we ask for the last game so we can finally claim me as the victor.” Sanji laughs “right i love the confidence you have but I have to break it to you however sweetie it won’t happen.” They look around to find someone that isn’t busy. They walk to the counter of and ask them to pick their last game. “Excuse me as Sanji ask the guy at the counter but would you be so kind to pick a game please. We have having a competition and just need a game for a tie breaker. Would you mind helping us out?” The guy at the counter took this very serious as he enjoys this part of this job. He takes a minute and ask “are either of you good with music or instruments?” They look at each other and in sync said no. So the game was guitar hero. They silently say “shit” under their breathe. They both take the walk of sham to the game ahead. They sit there trying to figure out how to even work the game to begin with. “So how you start this thing” Zoro looking to Sanji for help. “I can’t even carry a tune” Sanji nervously laughs in the moment. As they get ready to start up the game. They say “no hard feeling on this one?” Sanji said to Zoro “absolutely not because I know I will suck.” As they laugh together and regret sinks in as well. They start the game picking a song. They went simple to make it easier and just did “Closer by Lacuna Coil” it is the easiest song but the struggle for them remained. As the song started miss after miss and fail after fail. As the game plays it went just as well as you think it would. As the song comes to to an end it was hard to tell who won. At the last second it was Sanji came out as the victor. Zoro and Sanji both just laughed at how terrible and cringe it was playing that game. The first to break the was Zoro “so when do you wanna meet my annoying ass family?”