Chapter Text
Freedom
That's the first thing Sanji thought when opening the door of his dorm room for the first time.
Ok, it was quite small, with only a bed, a desk, a shitty bathroom and no kitchen, but it would be his and his only.
He had been a nervous wreck for months at the thought of moving miles away from Zeff, and even though his nervousness hadn't quite faded yet, he was starting to allow himself to be a little excited.
“What are you doing, little eggplant? Move, your fucking boxes are heavy, it's killing my back.”
Snapped out of his reverie, Sanji blinked a few times and crossed the doorstep, grumbling under his breath about old geezers killing his mood.
Putting down on the desk the box he was carrying, Sanji then moved to open the window and the sounds of the city filled the room. People living their lives, in their car, honking in annoyance, caught in the traffic jam, zooming down the street on electric scooters, or simply walking by, and soon, he will be one of them. How scary and exciting at the same time, to blend into a sea of strangers. A chance, one he was determined to take.
They had to make a few more trips between Zeff's car and his room to get all his stuff. When they were done, they sat on the boxes for a moment to catch their breath.
“You going to be alright out there?”
Sanji didn't look at him. Somehow, even though he'd lived with Zeff for so long and knew, in a way, that he probably, maybe, cared about him, it felt weird to hear the concern in the old man's voice.
“Yeah I think...”
Zeff scoffed.
“You know, I didn't think when I took you in that one day I would have to leave you alone in Paris.”
“Don't worry, I know how to fend for myself.”
Zeff lifted an accusatory finger.
“Be careful! Everyone is crazy here... “
“I know.”
“No, no you don’t, but I know very well, don’t trust no one kiddo.”
“Ok I guess.”
“And focus on your studies.”
“Yes, I know, I will.”
“And don't party too much!”
“Yes!”
“...and don't get anyone pregnant!”
Sanji let out an annoyed sound and lifted his head.
“Who do you take me for?!”
“I just want to be sure; I won't be there to monitor you! You'll have to call me, too, sometimes… I want you to report on your progress.”
A beat passed, before Zeff said "You wanna eat?".
They bought a few things from a nearby supermarket and cooked seafood pasta in the communal kitchens of the residence. The smell of seafood must have bothered some of the other students, but no one came to complain.
Even when Zeff had left, the smell remained for days after.
---
He was content laying on the couch, in the middle of the living room of their small apartment. Nami had been unpacking for about an hour and the speed at which she was tearing apart boxes and putting away everything was getting frightening.
"Zoro! Don't lie here doing nothing! Unpack your stuff!!”
“Calm down you witch, I can just take it out of the boxes when I need it. Why are you running? Are you going crazy?”
He sat up a little and raised an eyebrow to punctuate his question. She stopped in front of the couch, paused, and put her head in her hands as if to calm herself before answering.
“Zoro. This is important. We need to organize our stuff right away or this apartment is going to be pure chaos for the rest of the year, I can feel it!”
Listen, he wasn't surprised Nami was freaking out, he was kind of expecting it, but he just spent hours moving mountains of boxes (of course Nami just ordered him around and didn't carry anything) and what he really wanted right now was to sleep (preferably for 12 to 24 hours). Yet he just knew Nami would force him to do a million things until she would be too tired to be nervous.
He let out a long sigh and let himself be forcibly dragged out of the couch.
It's only after having spent hours unpacking, organizing, "discovering the neighborhood" and buying groceries that they finally sat down together in the open kitchen to eat some instant ramen. Zoro looked up at Nami. She seemed a bit calmer, tired too.
"Don't worry so much" He grumbled.
She made a disapproving sound around her mouthful of noodles.
"I'm not worried."
He scoffed. "Yeah right"
If looks could kill... Well Zoro would have been murdered a hundred times over in the eight years they had known each other. One of them being right now.
They finished eating and got on the couch, each with a beer in hand, to watch an episode of their favorite Netflix show. It's only then that Nami started talking again.
"You must be worried too, at least a little bit. I mean this is such a huge city! It's fucking exciting but it's so different from home."
Zoro gave a slight nod. "Yeah, it is different, for sure. "
Nami looked him in the eyes at that. He doesn't know how, but she always seems to be able to read him, even on stuff that he doesn't know himself. Scary. That's why she's a witch.
She suddenly smiled and slapped him on the shoulder. "Don't worry!! We're together in this big dumbass!" He tried to protest but she carried on anyway. "This is a big opportunity, new city, new life, we're going to be more successful than ever! You know what, maybe it's time we had a love life too? Who knows".
Zoro lifted a brow. " You mean like finding your one and only soulmate or cheesy stuff like that?
He knew that soulmates were a thing of course, people tied together by a string of fate pulling them towards each other, destined to be together forever. But he couldn't help but be skeptical about the supposed perfection of this kind of relationship.
"Haha! As if. Assuming you even have a soulmate, you would get lost trying to find them. No, I mean we've been single forever, it's getting worrying. "
He made an indignant scoff "Speak for yourself. "
"One awkward one-night stand doesn't count.”
“What? Why?!” he threw his arms in the air, paused and then pointed an accusatory finger at her “…I kinda dated you though. “
“I thought we agreed that didn't happen. Also, you're annoying. I'm adding this beer to your debt" She swiftly took Zoro's half empty beer and knocked it back before he could react.
They bickered and talked until they both fell asleep on the couch.
---
Sanji's first week at his cooking school was dizzying.
With so many new things to take in, he felt exhausted and energized at the same time. He was more focused than ever during his classes, was spending time getting to know his classmates during breaks, and discovering the city each day on his way back to his dorm.
This day, after class, he went to a library and bought a ton of books that all seemed very interesting, even though he wasn't sure if he would read all of them.
He then stopped at a butcher and multiple grocery stores, gathering ingredients to cook this evening.
When he got back to his dorm, he could feel all the groceries and books and stuff weighing on his back, but he still didn't stop. He prepared an elaborate meal in the communal kitchen, and then finished his cigarette pack next to the open window while waiting for it to cook.
He smoked a lot more now, having unrestrained access to cigs, out of Zeff's watchful eye.
The food was good, and he went to bed sated, expecting a quick sleep. But even after all of that, he was lying in bed awake, unable to close his eyes.
He tossed at turned for a while, and was really getting exasperated when he remembered that his building had a gym on the first floor. At this point, he might as well. A bit of exercise would maybe help.
He got up, got clean gym clothes, and climbed quietly down the stairs to the first floor (the lift was noisy and as a gentleman, he was mindful of his neighbors).
Sanji was surprised to find he wasn't the only one at the gym. From the half-opened door, he could hear people talking... Was it... Portuguese?
He hesitated at the door until it was opened by a tall blonde guy with shaggy hair. The guy seemed like he had just finished his training, he was sweaty and had his water bottle in hand, but most of all Sanji was surprised by the burn scar that almost covered half of his face. Sanji tried not to stare.
After a surprised look (he probably didn’t expect to see someone else here at this hour), the blonde guy offered Sanji a polite smile and wished him goodnight in a thick accent (yes, Sanji was almost sure it was Portuguese) before going promptly down the corridor to his left.
Sanji sighed. Now that he had been noticed, he couldn't turn back.
He entered the gym and took in the sight of all the machines he could use, while also looking for the source of the second voice he had heard earlier. He didn't have to look very hard. A few meters ahead, a gangly kid with unruled black hair was using a machine (though in a way Sanji was pretty sure was incorrect).
He'd noticed him too, and before Sanji could say hi, he interrupted him.
"Hi! I'm Luffy! What's your name??" He almost shouted, in the same accent as the blond from before, a big smile plastered on his face. "Why do you come here at this hour, it's pretty weird"
He was coming closer. Quick, Sanji had to think of an explanation.
"I... I'm Sanji, hum... See I... "
Unable to find something else to say, he deflated, sighing as he told the truth. "I couldn't sleep. I thought maybe I could tire myself out by working out at the gym, I can go if you want"
"No no no let's work out together!! It's fun!!"
Luffy grabbed his arm and began dragging him towards the machines. Sanji almost jumped and jerked his arm quickly out of his grasp.
"Wait! Hum, Luffy, was it? We can work out together but I was thinking of using the treadmill actually" He said, pointing at it.
"Yes, great! I can use the other treadmill too!! "
They ended up working out for a bit. Even though some of the machines didn’t work, they still managed with what they had.
Luffy was a bit of a strange guy, Sanji found. He was overly friendly, and had a tendency to ramble. Sometimes, Sanji had a hard time trying to make sense of what he was saying (Luffy kept mixing French, English, and Portuguese) but in the end he learned he had come from Brazil a month ago with his two brothers to study and reunite with their grandpa in Paris.
Luffy was doing sport studies, and the amount of time they had spent sat in class during the first few days had left him with way too much energy, which is why he came down to the gym with his older brother Sabo (his other brother was apparently at a party).
They were interrupted by loud grumbling.
Sanji looked at Luffy in surprise.
"... Was that your stomach? "
"Haha, yeah!" Said Luffy with a smile.
"How long has it been since you ate something? "
"Ah... Hm... 1 hour? "
That can’t be right, must be the language barrier, Sanji thought. He got up from the horizontal leg press he was in.
"Come on, let's get you something."
"You have food? "
Luffy's eyes were shining and he could swear he saw a bit of drool at the corner of his lips.
---
Zoro had a new friend. He was pretty sure of it. In any case Luffy hadn't left him alone one minute, so he must at least like him a little.
He had met him in class on the first day and Luffy had immediately started talking to him and following him everywhere.
Zoro had never hit it off with someone so fast, he was in disbelief and a little out of his depths, but ultimately happy.
He didn't even have time to wonder what to say or worry about saying the wrong thing, Luffy led every conversation.
They talked mainly about sports, being both in sport studies, but Luffy also talked a lot about Brazil (Zoro was curious, he knew next to nothing about South America), and about his two brothers. Zoro hadn't met them yet, but they seemed to mean the world to Luffy.
Luffy had met Nami though: Zoro had invited him back to their apartment after a long day, they played Mario Kart and ate pizza. Nami had been furious at the spots of tomato sauce on her new cushions and at the amount of food they ordered, screaming that they would be running her into the ground (and ok maybe a dozen pizzas for 3 was a bit much, but in the end Luffy ate so much so fast they barely had enough) but he knew her almost as well as she knew him, enough to know she found Luffy really fun to be around and would not mind at all to have him come back to the apartment in the near future. Also, Zoro would inevitably end up paying for the pizzas anyway.
A few nights after having Luffy at the apartment, Zoro had a dream. He never had dreams. In this dream, he was wandering alone in the dark, and something like a string tied at his little finger was pulling him forward, forward, and so he was following, forward, forward, without ever reaching his destination.
---
At first, he thought that it might have been a mistake to offer food to Luffy.
After their first meeting in the gym, he had eaten through all of Sanji's leftovers, and then he kept showing up at his door asking for food. He would never deny him, of course, but he worried a little that Luffy was maybe using him only for free food.
But then, the little guy kept coming to Sanji. "Sanji, you wanna watch Avengers? " Sanji, did you know whales are the largest mammals on earth? " "Sanji, we talked about nutrition today in class! "
He also noticed they developed somewhat of a symbiotic relationship.
Sanji tried a lot of new recipes, and Luffy ate everything without leaving any crumbs.
They also went to the gym together every day after class. Luffy needed to exercise a lot for his sport studies (plus he had unending energy) and it kept Sanji in shape, since he had to stop his savate classes when he moved out of Zeff’s house.
He didn't really want to admit it, but he was glad to have Luffy keep him company. After all, Luffy's constant presence had kept the nightmares at bay.
---
When he woke up that morning, he felt more motivated than he had been in a long time. He got up immediately to take his breakfast before going to class.
In the metro, he looked at Instagram a little.
A bunch of people from the Baratie had gone to an escape room together the other night. He smiled softly at the goofy poses those idiots were making in the pictures. He missed them a little, but he might be able to see them when he would go back to Zeff's for the holidays.
His mind wandered a little during his economy class, slouching just a little bit on his chair and scratching absently at his hand while thinking about the curry he was thinking of making for Luffy this evening after their hour at the gym.
Maybe someone else would join them, he had noticed some other students walking by slowly to look into the kitchen when he was preparing dinner. Maybe he should invite them to come in this time.
He went home with a pep in his step.
He stopped quickly at the grocery store to get a bit more ingredients for tonight and ended up in front of his room way faster than he thought he’d be.
He opened the door, put down his backpack, took his bag of groceries and put them in the fridge under his desk, went to sit on his bed to take of his shoes and clothes, got up again to pick up his gym clothes from the wardrobe that was crammed against the desk, put on his gym sneakers, got out of his room again and flew down the stairs.
Getting close to the gym door, he heard the voice of Luffy and smiled. Maybe Sabo was here with him tonight.
He still hadn’t met Ace, because he exercised at even more random times than his brothers, like when he came back from a party at 3 A.M. Sabo usually ate dinner with Koala, a girl from his class, so he sometimes worked out with Luffy and him a little but never stayed for dinner.
Pushing the door open, he saw a glimpse of Luffy in the far-left corner of the gym, who noticed him immediately and started waving and walking towards him.
“Sanjiii! You're here! I came with a friend today!! “
That's when Sanji noticed the guy coming behind Luffy, and he was rendered breathless.
It was like being plunged into ice cold water. He couldn’t move, locked into place by the wave of feelings assaulting him all at once.
He recognized him.
No, he knew him.
He was certain of it. But… looking into those gray eyes, following the features of his face, he couldn't remember seeing them ever before.
It felt contradictory. Absurd.
He couldn't stop looking into the depths of his eyes, frozen into place.
There was this pull he felt towards him, an inexplicable want to go to him and take him into his arms, as if he had known him all his life, but also as if he had waited years to meet him.
Finally, it’s you.
He felt himself stumble backwards and caught himself on a machine to his right. He barely registered Luffy's questions or his confusion.
He swallowed audibly.
It wasn't supposed to be this way. It wasn't right.
Panicking, he mumbled “Sorry Luffy, I- I think I'll see you another time… “and went back through the door.
He ran. Throughout the stairs, the corridors, back to his room. Locking himself in before crumbling next to his bed.
“What the fuck… “
Beginning to sob, he tried to control his breathing, on the brink of a panic attack.
Was this even real? This… connection he’d just felt.
He tried all the techniques his therapist had him learn.
The visualizations, the breathing exercises, everything. It didn't work.
He took a box out of a drawer, inside were all his medical supplies, just in case. Digging through the box, he took out some anxiolytics, took one pill and laid down on his bed.
Exhaling forcibly through his nose he wished the pill would take effect soon.
He had overreacted. This was probably nothing, he had imagined stuff, or he was turning crazy maybe.
Oh god, Luffy wasn't going to understand. He was so stupid. Why had he run off like that?
He had probably ruined his only real friendship over nothing…
Yes, because this, was nothing. He had probably mistaken him for someone else, right? That's just what it was.
He fell asleep trying to ignore all the thoughts that were swirling in his head.