Chapter Six - His World
Holy shit. This thing lives. It's definitely been on the operating table. I haven't had this bad of a writer's block in some time, but now that I'm back at school I'm hoping to get some fics back up and running. Although I'm juggling overloaded semesters as well as my Honours Research Paper so there will be magic - with either the fics or my papers..I dunno which yet. LOL. I just wanted to get some ZoSan out since it's been an awful drought.
Chapter Six
Luffy didn’t bother to watch Sanji leave the room as he was left alone with Zoro. Cocking his head to the side he felt strange seeing his friend lying there helpless and quiet. The scene it painted didn’t feel right. Scratching his head, Luffy moved forward to sit in the chair that had been pushed out of the way by the nurses as they had rushed to help Zoro.
Looking around the room, the young man scanned everything curious to every corner. Turning his attention back to the man in the bed, he let his eyes run over the paler and sunken skin as well as the dark circles that encompassed his eyes. Even when he was sleeping, Zoro still managed to look like he was concentrating on something. It wasn’t natural seeing the lines running to Zoro’s arms or even the bandages that were pressed against the muscular chest. The older man never liked bandages, seeing them as a nuisance and they never stayed on the swordsman for long; except for now.
Luffy thought back to Sanji as well. Zoro wasn’t the only one who looked like he has been thrown under a bus. The usually pristine cook was lacking his usual care in appearance and had become quieter the past few weeks, which was unnatural as Sanji tended to also have something to say whether it was a praise or insult.
Sighing, Luffy brought his legs up and crossed them on the chair he sat and leaned back to wait.
“Hey Zoro,” Luffy said as he smiled at the still form of his friend.
*****
“-ro.”
The voice was familiar, Zoro concluded as his mind started to adjust to the situation. Scrunching his face up as he felt himself awake, he slowly opened his eyes and squinted as they slowly adjusted to everything.
The first thing that he noticed that the room wasn’t the sickening white that he had be accustomed to the past few times he had woken up. The second thing he noticed was the grinning face that looked down at him.
“Hey Zoro!”
“L-Luffy?” Zoro questioned and only watched the grin stretch even more across the rubber face as the captain started to nod his head.
“Oi Chopper! Zoro’s awake now!” Luffy yelled out and Zoro managed to turn his head to the right at the sound of the light footsteps that came from outside. The door opened and in the middle stood the doctor that Zoro knew to be the right one.
Immediately the little reindeer was at Zoro’s side, checking him over and Zoro let him fuss for a minute.
“You’re lucky to be alive Zoro, but you shouldn’t have done something stupid like that,” Chopper reprimanded with tears in his eyes and he leaned over Zoro, his hooves pressing themselves into Zoro’s arm. The injured man turned his head slightly and smirked at the others.
“It was the shitty cook’s fault. He was in the goddamn way,” Zoro replied as Luffy smiled and leaned back in his chair.
“Shihihi. Sanji’s going to hurt you when he hears you said that,” Luffy commented sticking his pinkie finger in his ear. Zoro watched the young captain’s nose twitch momentarily before the smell invaded Zoro’s nose as well. It seems the cook was already starting dinner; he wouldn’t admit it, but he almost craved the food. To know that it was real and that everything was as it should be.
“You’re not leaving this bed for at least another day Zoro. I’ll have Sanji bring you something that you’ll be able to swallow,” Chopper ordered as he hopped off the chair he had been standing on. Zoro opened his mouth to argue, but Chopper made a zipping motion with his hoof across his mouth, nodded and then proceeded to exit the room. Luffy continued to grin which turned into a drooling machine as the smells became stronger. Almost shaking Luffy jumped out of his seat heading for the door as well.
“Sanji!” Watching his captain leave Zoro looked down at his blankets and considered moving, but knew the small doctor would call on the idiot squad to restrain him. Deciding he had nothing else to do he laid his head back on the pillow, closed his eyes and listened to the sounds that traveled throughout the ship.
In his daze Zoro heard the door open and close with a short click followed by the quiet footsteps that approached the bed. Keeping his eyes closed, Zoro could hear the slow breaths sans cigarette while in Chopper’s medical room. As he was taking everything in, he felt a foot push at his hip nudging him.
“Oi, marimo. I know you’re awake and I’m not hand feeding you,” Sanji voice filled the silent room as Zoro opened and stared up at the other man who stared down at him in his usual unimpressed way. A tray was balanced perfectly in Sanji’s left hand while the right was in a pocket. Zoro looked over Sanji and could tell that the cook was tired, if not close to exhausted. The pale green shirt was untucked and his blue tie was loosened hanging around his neck. There was a slight sag to Sanji’s shoulders and Zoro was willing to bet the cook had barely slept more than three hours, probably offering to take Zoro’s watch in addition to his own.
“Aren’t you supposed to take care of me?” Zoro replied as Sanji scoffed and looked down at him.
“And why would you think that? You realize you’re a princess or something?” Sanji countered as he watched Zoro slowly push himself into a sitting position propped up against the wall and a few pillows.
‘Cause that’s what you always do,’ Zoro almost went to say, but caught himself before it left his mouth. He was confused as to why he felt the urge to say that or why that seemed like the way it should be. Glancing up at Sanji he was greeted by a look that was expecting an answer. All Zoro could do was shrug and was rewarded when the cook only rolled his eyes.
“I’ll blame the blood loss for your added stupidity,” Sanji said as he lowered the tray to rest on Zoro’s lap. From the breast pocket of his shirt, Sanji pulled out a spoon and held it out to Zoro who grabbed it, with the alien urge to keep contact with Sanji. He brushed it off on wanting to make sure that this Sanji was real, but there were also the instincts and urges that seemed to poke at Zoro, but was missing. Pushing the thought away, the injured swordsman stared down at the tray.
“What the hell is with the tiny portions? I’m not that injured,” Zoro commented even though he started on his soup.
“Chopper gave me directions and all that is on that tray has enough to keep you full. I believe I’m the cook here too,” Sanji pointed out as he stood next to the bed waiting till Zoro had taken the first spoonful. Watching the swordsman find nothing wrong with the soup Sanji released a breath and turned around.
“This shit is a lot better than the other stuff,” Zoro said without much thought. Sanji narrowed his eyes.
“Other stuff? What’re you talking about? That’s the first meal you’ve had since you were injured marimo,” the cook asked turning back around to face Zoro who glanced up at the other man and stiffened at the mistake he had made. He was insistent that whatever was in his head was only in his head due to the injury, but the problem was that the food and everything else in that fucked up world still seemed real. Zoro looked down at the tray on his lap; he could feel the weight of the food, the feel of the blankets, the spoon in his hand and the taste that lingered in his mouth. Everything was there.
“Look, marimo, you’re probably still affected by what happened. Just finish up your food, take your medicine and get some rest like Chopper ordered,” Sanji announced as he made his way to the door. Zoro glanced his way, noticing that the cook looked back over his shoulder briefly at the swordsman before he exited the room, closing the door quietly.
Looking back down to the bowl Zoro felt the slight unease that settled over him. Putting it as hunger he went back with eating hoping to settle everything. A good meal and a nap always had good outcomes and it was his routine for oh so long.
**********
Opening his eyes, Zoro was met with white once again causing him to sit up straight uncaring for his wounds or restraining tubes. Looking around he cursed loudly at the room he had started to despise; it was too foreign and clean in the way that made his skin crawl. Breathing heavy, Zoro glanced to the side noticing a tray that sat on the table, empty along with other traces of food. Someone had been in the room and he didn’t know who.
Following the tubes that ran from his arm to the contraption behind him, Zoro gave up on how to remove them gently and pulled each out ignoring the trails of blood and fluid that seeped down his arm. Pushing the restraining blankets away, Zoro moved his legs to the side of the bed, letting them touch the ground. Adjusting to the feel of the cold ground, he pushed himself up only to stumble forward and catch himself on the adjacent chair.
“Fucking legs, it’s not the first time,” Zoro muttered through gritted teeth. Opening his eyes, he looked down and noticed that a bag had been sitting on the floor. Bending down, he suppressed a hiss as pain shot through his legs, and placed the bag on the chair. Inside he found clothes and immediately looked down to the gown he was wearing. Quickly making a decision he pulled out the clothes, throwing the black t-shirt over his head a little concerned when it fit him perfectly. Zoro decided to ignore that for now as continued with the pants. Completing the task he looked around the room for his swords which upon awakening from a battle injury were always leaning against the wall in sight.
Zoro’s stomach turned slightly when this time there were no swords in sight. They had to be located somewhere in the area then. Pushing himself up to stand on his feet, Zoro gritted his teeth as his legs complained. There was no way he was letting them win when he was determined to get out of this room and past experiences had proven that people were just in his way from now on.
Stepping forward he stumbled almost drunkenly catching himself on the doorframe. Looking out around the room he watched as the medical staff and patients moved about to their own pace and goals which was better for him as he wasn’t in the mood for questioning stares or the possibility of having to be forceful in his departure. From what Zoro recalled he knew that outside meant he had to go down. Shitty cook always turned right so Zoro figured that was the way to go.
Moving out into the hall he looked around and went left, sticking close to the walls watching as the doctors paid no heed to him as they continued on with their conversations or papers. He looked around quickly before his eyes returned back in front of him only to face to face with the end of the hallway. Glaring at the bricks that stuck, he narrowed his eyes and turned around oblivious to the step back people around him took. One woman who had a child’s hand in her own took a step forward.
“Are you lost, sir?” she asked. Zoro’s gaze fixed in her direction and he clenched his fist.
“Need to get downstairs,” he replied. The woman smiled slightly and pointed down to the other side.
“The stairs are over there if you’re not up for the elevator,” she said nodding to the closed doors. Seeing no one at the other end, Zoro nodded.
“Yeah, the stairs.”
“Well like I said it’s that door at the end of the hall,” she said repeating the gesture in the opposite direction.
“M’thanks,” he replied making sure his eyes were planted on the dull blue door at the end of the hall. Nodding slightly he moved forward.
“Mama, that man had no shoes,” the little girl said as Zoro tensed, but continued on his way. Great, the kid would be the one to get him in shit.
“What have I told you about pointing? It’s not our business to question someone’s lifestyle,” the mother replied as Zoro reached the door he hadn’t taken his eyes off of in case he lost it. Pushing his body’s weight into it, the door opened and he slipped into the stairwell. Releasing a breath he looked up and around the almost prison looking area. Knowing he had to get down quickly he started descending the stairs ignoring the aches that pulled at his muscles. Each new door that he came to on his way, he looked in before moving down again.
A door below him opened and he tensed at the new figure that had entered. Zoro moved more slowly, listening to the sound footsteps echoed up through the stairwell. The person muttered under his breath and Zoro stayed close to the walls. Hearing the slight screech of a show turning he glared as the person looked up at the arrival of another. Both of their eyes narrowed at the sight of each other.
“Z-Zoro? The fuck are you doing?” Sanji gritted out as Zoro glared at him. Sanji moved quickly up the remaining stairs to grab a hold of the other’s shoulder pushing him into the wall not caring about the fact that Zoro has recently been injured. The idiot had his heart pounding a while ago thinking that maybe he was in more trouble than Sanji was giving him credit for. It only made it worse to see that Zoro’s will to do something was just as strong and that the stupid moss-head was trying to push his body to fulfill his desire to get as far away as possible.
“Getting the hell out of here. I ain’t staying,” Zoro said shrugging Sanji’s hand off of his shoulder. He continued on his way down not caring if the blond was following.
“What did you do with Luffy?” Sanji asked following the Zoro down the stairs, watching the tension rise in the other’s shoulder. He saw the blood trails running down his arms and knew that Zoro’s wandering was more of an escape. No need to get Zoro worked up; he was only human, not some monster demon.
“Luffy?”
“Yeah, he showed up just after you freaked,” Sanji said coming down the few stairs to be equal with Zoro.
“Didn’t freak,” Zoro muttered.
“Yeah, but he was there,” Sanji said looking down to the ground. Concern pulled at him. “Oi, where are your shoes?”
“Don’t have any.”
“They were in the bag. Did you even look?” Sanji asked before he realized how easily forgotten it was that Zoro was actually a patient and one that was trying to escape. “Shithead, you can’t leave. They’ll flip and that’ll create a bigger problem,” the cook explained as he got in between the door and Zoro. Staring, Sanji made sure Zoro knew that he wasn’t giving in that fast. “You’re not even fully healed. You think after reopening your wound that you can just fucking walk out of here? You’re gonna bleed to death and ...” ‘I don’t want to experience that again’ was what he wanted to say. “...and you’d be in even more shit.”
“I’m not staying,” Zoro continued to reaffirm. Sanji wanted to roll his eyes and kick the idiot, but he withheld. If he were Zoro he would want to be out, but the problems Zoro created were making it difficult for the man to do so.
“I know...marimo,” Sanji said staring at the wall behind Zoro’s head not noticing the slight reaction Zoro had to the name. “But if you don’t snap out whatever you’re in they’ll make it even worse. You have to get it in your head that you almost...died. And fuck that if we’re all going to go through that again. I haven’t even told the others that you’re awake for fear it was all in my head or that you’d just disappear again,” Sanji said quietly as he moved his gaze back to Zoro’s masked face. “And it almost seems like you did if you’re calling us liars. The hell Zoro?”
Silence filled the stairwell as Sanji stared back at Zoro waiting to see what would happen. His lost lover was at least taking the few moments to either think of a plan to escape or actually trying to finally understand what everyone was trying to tell him. It was more than a minute later that Zoro finally shifted and his eyes met up with Sanji’s.
“Where are my swords?” Zoro asked and Sanji wouldn’t admit it, but to hear that first did something to him.
“They’re.... they’re back home. Where you left them,” Sanji replied softly watching Zoro’s expression stay the same only his head incline slightly. Sanji sighed, his left hand twitching slightly.
“Good,” Zoro replied unaware of how that response started to crack the atmosphere. Sanji nodded in response as well not bothering to comment on the subject any further.
“Look, you can come outside while I have the last of the smokes Gin gave me. I’ll try to make them last, but you have to go back up there eventually. I’ll see what we can do to get you out of there quickly and then we’ll decide about what to do after,” Sanji compromised as much as he could. Looking Zoro in the eye he waited for Zoro to respond and was welcomed with a nod. Sanji mirrored his actions and inclined his head back up the stairs. “You were almost going to head to the basement.”
Zoro watched the lean figure move up the stairs before he turned and followed up the flight of stairs to the previous level. Instead of Sanji going through the identical door of the other floors he moved towards the other one around the side which was an emergency exit to the side of the building.
Stepping outside Zoro felt his senses being able to take everything in more clearly. Trees, buildings, roads, walkways...no water, clear skies, ships. Turning his attention back to Sanji he watched the other man pull a few items out of his pockets. One was the cigarette and lighter that immediately found Sanji’s mouth (where it belonged in Zoro’s opinion) and the other object Sanji held in his hand before bringing up to his ear.
“Luffy where’d you go?” Sanji asked as Zoro followed him to a bench as Sanji continued on with the conversation. “We’ll see,” was all that was said as Sanji hung up and put his phone back in his pocket eyes wandering over to Zoro’s approaching figure knowing the man didn’t care that it was somewhat cool outside and he was wearing a shirt, pants and no shoes. “Come on and sit down before people ask questions.” Zoro complied and sat down his body almost sagging into the wooden bench as it finally was able to rest.
“Luffy apparently stayed for an hour talking nonsense to you, but he was there. Everyone will know that you’re awake. I didn’t bother to tell them as I figured you’d wouldn’t want to worry them for no reason, but that’s inevitable with Luffy and Usopp,” Sanji stopped to release a breathe of smoke glancing over to where Zoro was staring at the sky with his head resting against the top of the bench. “People actually considering their words is a strange thing.”
“Always that way with them,” Zoro muttered as he squinted staring at the sky staring at nothing. Sanji nodded and turned his attention to the surroundings. “Only a fool would understand.”
“You understand now?” Sanji asked around his cigarette, his hand clenched into a fist where it rest on his thigh.
“Yeah,” Zoro said closing his eyes. “I get it shit-cook.”
Chapter Six
Luffy didn’t bother to watch Sanji leave the room as he was left alone with Zoro. Cocking his head to the side he felt strange seeing his friend lying there helpless and quiet. The scene it painted didn’t feel right. Scratching his head, Luffy moved forward to sit in the chair that had been pushed out of the way by the nurses as they had rushed to help Zoro.
Looking around the room, the young man scanned everything curious to every corner. Turning his attention back to the man in the bed, he let his eyes run over the paler and sunken skin as well as the dark circles that encompassed his eyes. Even when he was sleeping, Zoro still managed to look like he was concentrating on something. It wasn’t natural seeing the lines running to Zoro’s arms or even the bandages that were pressed against the muscular chest. The older man never liked bandages, seeing them as a nuisance and they never stayed on the swordsman for long; except for now.
Luffy thought back to Sanji as well. Zoro wasn’t the only one who looked like he has been thrown under a bus. The usually pristine cook was lacking his usual care in appearance and had become quieter the past few weeks, which was unnatural as Sanji tended to also have something to say whether it was a praise or insult.
Sighing, Luffy brought his legs up and crossed them on the chair he sat and leaned back to wait.
“Hey Zoro,” Luffy said as he smiled at the still form of his friend.
*****
“-ro.”
The voice was familiar, Zoro concluded as his mind started to adjust to the situation. Scrunching his face up as he felt himself awake, he slowly opened his eyes and squinted as they slowly adjusted to everything.
The first thing that he noticed that the room wasn’t the sickening white that he had be accustomed to the past few times he had woken up. The second thing he noticed was the grinning face that looked down at him.
“Hey Zoro!”
“L-Luffy?” Zoro questioned and only watched the grin stretch even more across the rubber face as the captain started to nod his head.
“Oi Chopper! Zoro’s awake now!” Luffy yelled out and Zoro managed to turn his head to the right at the sound of the light footsteps that came from outside. The door opened and in the middle stood the doctor that Zoro knew to be the right one.
Immediately the little reindeer was at Zoro’s side, checking him over and Zoro let him fuss for a minute.
“You’re lucky to be alive Zoro, but you shouldn’t have done something stupid like that,” Chopper reprimanded with tears in his eyes and he leaned over Zoro, his hooves pressing themselves into Zoro’s arm. The injured man turned his head slightly and smirked at the others.
“It was the shitty cook’s fault. He was in the goddamn way,” Zoro replied as Luffy smiled and leaned back in his chair.
“Shihihi. Sanji’s going to hurt you when he hears you said that,” Luffy commented sticking his pinkie finger in his ear. Zoro watched the young captain’s nose twitch momentarily before the smell invaded Zoro’s nose as well. It seems the cook was already starting dinner; he wouldn’t admit it, but he almost craved the food. To know that it was real and that everything was as it should be.
“You’re not leaving this bed for at least another day Zoro. I’ll have Sanji bring you something that you’ll be able to swallow,” Chopper ordered as he hopped off the chair he had been standing on. Zoro opened his mouth to argue, but Chopper made a zipping motion with his hoof across his mouth, nodded and then proceeded to exit the room. Luffy continued to grin which turned into a drooling machine as the smells became stronger. Almost shaking Luffy jumped out of his seat heading for the door as well.
“Sanji!” Watching his captain leave Zoro looked down at his blankets and considered moving, but knew the small doctor would call on the idiot squad to restrain him. Deciding he had nothing else to do he laid his head back on the pillow, closed his eyes and listened to the sounds that traveled throughout the ship.
In his daze Zoro heard the door open and close with a short click followed by the quiet footsteps that approached the bed. Keeping his eyes closed, Zoro could hear the slow breaths sans cigarette while in Chopper’s medical room. As he was taking everything in, he felt a foot push at his hip nudging him.
“Oi, marimo. I know you’re awake and I’m not hand feeding you,” Sanji voice filled the silent room as Zoro opened and stared up at the other man who stared down at him in his usual unimpressed way. A tray was balanced perfectly in Sanji’s left hand while the right was in a pocket. Zoro looked over Sanji and could tell that the cook was tired, if not close to exhausted. The pale green shirt was untucked and his blue tie was loosened hanging around his neck. There was a slight sag to Sanji’s shoulders and Zoro was willing to bet the cook had barely slept more than three hours, probably offering to take Zoro’s watch in addition to his own.
“Aren’t you supposed to take care of me?” Zoro replied as Sanji scoffed and looked down at him.
“And why would you think that? You realize you’re a princess or something?” Sanji countered as he watched Zoro slowly push himself into a sitting position propped up against the wall and a few pillows.
‘Cause that’s what you always do,’ Zoro almost went to say, but caught himself before it left his mouth. He was confused as to why he felt the urge to say that or why that seemed like the way it should be. Glancing up at Sanji he was greeted by a look that was expecting an answer. All Zoro could do was shrug and was rewarded when the cook only rolled his eyes.
“I’ll blame the blood loss for your added stupidity,” Sanji said as he lowered the tray to rest on Zoro’s lap. From the breast pocket of his shirt, Sanji pulled out a spoon and held it out to Zoro who grabbed it, with the alien urge to keep contact with Sanji. He brushed it off on wanting to make sure that this Sanji was real, but there were also the instincts and urges that seemed to poke at Zoro, but was missing. Pushing the thought away, the injured swordsman stared down at the tray.
“What the hell is with the tiny portions? I’m not that injured,” Zoro commented even though he started on his soup.
“Chopper gave me directions and all that is on that tray has enough to keep you full. I believe I’m the cook here too,” Sanji pointed out as he stood next to the bed waiting till Zoro had taken the first spoonful. Watching the swordsman find nothing wrong with the soup Sanji released a breath and turned around.
“This shit is a lot better than the other stuff,” Zoro said without much thought. Sanji narrowed his eyes.
“Other stuff? What’re you talking about? That’s the first meal you’ve had since you were injured marimo,” the cook asked turning back around to face Zoro who glanced up at the other man and stiffened at the mistake he had made. He was insistent that whatever was in his head was only in his head due to the injury, but the problem was that the food and everything else in that fucked up world still seemed real. Zoro looked down at the tray on his lap; he could feel the weight of the food, the feel of the blankets, the spoon in his hand and the taste that lingered in his mouth. Everything was there.
“Look, marimo, you’re probably still affected by what happened. Just finish up your food, take your medicine and get some rest like Chopper ordered,” Sanji announced as he made his way to the door. Zoro glanced his way, noticing that the cook looked back over his shoulder briefly at the swordsman before he exited the room, closing the door quietly.
Looking back down to the bowl Zoro felt the slight unease that settled over him. Putting it as hunger he went back with eating hoping to settle everything. A good meal and a nap always had good outcomes and it was his routine for oh so long.
**********
Opening his eyes, Zoro was met with white once again causing him to sit up straight uncaring for his wounds or restraining tubes. Looking around he cursed loudly at the room he had started to despise; it was too foreign and clean in the way that made his skin crawl. Breathing heavy, Zoro glanced to the side noticing a tray that sat on the table, empty along with other traces of food. Someone had been in the room and he didn’t know who.
Following the tubes that ran from his arm to the contraption behind him, Zoro gave up on how to remove them gently and pulled each out ignoring the trails of blood and fluid that seeped down his arm. Pushing the restraining blankets away, Zoro moved his legs to the side of the bed, letting them touch the ground. Adjusting to the feel of the cold ground, he pushed himself up only to stumble forward and catch himself on the adjacent chair.
“Fucking legs, it’s not the first time,” Zoro muttered through gritted teeth. Opening his eyes, he looked down and noticed that a bag had been sitting on the floor. Bending down, he suppressed a hiss as pain shot through his legs, and placed the bag on the chair. Inside he found clothes and immediately looked down to the gown he was wearing. Quickly making a decision he pulled out the clothes, throwing the black t-shirt over his head a little concerned when it fit him perfectly. Zoro decided to ignore that for now as continued with the pants. Completing the task he looked around the room for his swords which upon awakening from a battle injury were always leaning against the wall in sight.
Zoro’s stomach turned slightly when this time there were no swords in sight. They had to be located somewhere in the area then. Pushing himself up to stand on his feet, Zoro gritted his teeth as his legs complained. There was no way he was letting them win when he was determined to get out of this room and past experiences had proven that people were just in his way from now on.
Stepping forward he stumbled almost drunkenly catching himself on the doorframe. Looking out around the room he watched as the medical staff and patients moved about to their own pace and goals which was better for him as he wasn’t in the mood for questioning stares or the possibility of having to be forceful in his departure. From what Zoro recalled he knew that outside meant he had to go down. Shitty cook always turned right so Zoro figured that was the way to go.
Moving out into the hall he looked around and went left, sticking close to the walls watching as the doctors paid no heed to him as they continued on with their conversations or papers. He looked around quickly before his eyes returned back in front of him only to face to face with the end of the hallway. Glaring at the bricks that stuck, he narrowed his eyes and turned around oblivious to the step back people around him took. One woman who had a child’s hand in her own took a step forward.
“Are you lost, sir?” she asked. Zoro’s gaze fixed in her direction and he clenched his fist.
“Need to get downstairs,” he replied. The woman smiled slightly and pointed down to the other side.
“The stairs are over there if you’re not up for the elevator,” she said nodding to the closed doors. Seeing no one at the other end, Zoro nodded.
“Yeah, the stairs.”
“Well like I said it’s that door at the end of the hall,” she said repeating the gesture in the opposite direction.
“M’thanks,” he replied making sure his eyes were planted on the dull blue door at the end of the hall. Nodding slightly he moved forward.
“Mama, that man had no shoes,” the little girl said as Zoro tensed, but continued on his way. Great, the kid would be the one to get him in shit.
“What have I told you about pointing? It’s not our business to question someone’s lifestyle,” the mother replied as Zoro reached the door he hadn’t taken his eyes off of in case he lost it. Pushing his body’s weight into it, the door opened and he slipped into the stairwell. Releasing a breath he looked up and around the almost prison looking area. Knowing he had to get down quickly he started descending the stairs ignoring the aches that pulled at his muscles. Each new door that he came to on his way, he looked in before moving down again.
A door below him opened and he tensed at the new figure that had entered. Zoro moved more slowly, listening to the sound footsteps echoed up through the stairwell. The person muttered under his breath and Zoro stayed close to the walls. Hearing the slight screech of a show turning he glared as the person looked up at the arrival of another. Both of their eyes narrowed at the sight of each other.
“Z-Zoro? The fuck are you doing?” Sanji gritted out as Zoro glared at him. Sanji moved quickly up the remaining stairs to grab a hold of the other’s shoulder pushing him into the wall not caring about the fact that Zoro has recently been injured. The idiot had his heart pounding a while ago thinking that maybe he was in more trouble than Sanji was giving him credit for. It only made it worse to see that Zoro’s will to do something was just as strong and that the stupid moss-head was trying to push his body to fulfill his desire to get as far away as possible.
“Getting the hell out of here. I ain’t staying,” Zoro said shrugging Sanji’s hand off of his shoulder. He continued on his way down not caring if the blond was following.
“What did you do with Luffy?” Sanji asked following the Zoro down the stairs, watching the tension rise in the other’s shoulder. He saw the blood trails running down his arms and knew that Zoro’s wandering was more of an escape. No need to get Zoro worked up; he was only human, not some monster demon.
“Luffy?”
“Yeah, he showed up just after you freaked,” Sanji said coming down the few stairs to be equal with Zoro.
“Didn’t freak,” Zoro muttered.
“Yeah, but he was there,” Sanji said looking down to the ground. Concern pulled at him. “Oi, where are your shoes?”
“Don’t have any.”
“They were in the bag. Did you even look?” Sanji asked before he realized how easily forgotten it was that Zoro was actually a patient and one that was trying to escape. “Shithead, you can’t leave. They’ll flip and that’ll create a bigger problem,” the cook explained as he got in between the door and Zoro. Staring, Sanji made sure Zoro knew that he wasn’t giving in that fast. “You’re not even fully healed. You think after reopening your wound that you can just fucking walk out of here? You’re gonna bleed to death and ...” ‘I don’t want to experience that again’ was what he wanted to say. “...and you’d be in even more shit.”
“I’m not staying,” Zoro continued to reaffirm. Sanji wanted to roll his eyes and kick the idiot, but he withheld. If he were Zoro he would want to be out, but the problems Zoro created were making it difficult for the man to do so.
“I know...marimo,” Sanji said staring at the wall behind Zoro’s head not noticing the slight reaction Zoro had to the name. “But if you don’t snap out whatever you’re in they’ll make it even worse. You have to get it in your head that you almost...died. And fuck that if we’re all going to go through that again. I haven’t even told the others that you’re awake for fear it was all in my head or that you’d just disappear again,” Sanji said quietly as he moved his gaze back to Zoro’s masked face. “And it almost seems like you did if you’re calling us liars. The hell Zoro?”
Silence filled the stairwell as Sanji stared back at Zoro waiting to see what would happen. His lost lover was at least taking the few moments to either think of a plan to escape or actually trying to finally understand what everyone was trying to tell him. It was more than a minute later that Zoro finally shifted and his eyes met up with Sanji’s.
“Where are my swords?” Zoro asked and Sanji wouldn’t admit it, but to hear that first did something to him.
“They’re.... they’re back home. Where you left them,” Sanji replied softly watching Zoro’s expression stay the same only his head incline slightly. Sanji sighed, his left hand twitching slightly.
“Good,” Zoro replied unaware of how that response started to crack the atmosphere. Sanji nodded in response as well not bothering to comment on the subject any further.
“Look, you can come outside while I have the last of the smokes Gin gave me. I’ll try to make them last, but you have to go back up there eventually. I’ll see what we can do to get you out of there quickly and then we’ll decide about what to do after,” Sanji compromised as much as he could. Looking Zoro in the eye he waited for Zoro to respond and was welcomed with a nod. Sanji mirrored his actions and inclined his head back up the stairs. “You were almost going to head to the basement.”
Zoro watched the lean figure move up the stairs before he turned and followed up the flight of stairs to the previous level. Instead of Sanji going through the identical door of the other floors he moved towards the other one around the side which was an emergency exit to the side of the building.
Stepping outside Zoro felt his senses being able to take everything in more clearly. Trees, buildings, roads, walkways...no water, clear skies, ships. Turning his attention back to Sanji he watched the other man pull a few items out of his pockets. One was the cigarette and lighter that immediately found Sanji’s mouth (where it belonged in Zoro’s opinion) and the other object Sanji held in his hand before bringing up to his ear.
“Luffy where’d you go?” Sanji asked as Zoro followed him to a bench as Sanji continued on with the conversation. “We’ll see,” was all that was said as Sanji hung up and put his phone back in his pocket eyes wandering over to Zoro’s approaching figure knowing the man didn’t care that it was somewhat cool outside and he was wearing a shirt, pants and no shoes. “Come on and sit down before people ask questions.” Zoro complied and sat down his body almost sagging into the wooden bench as it finally was able to rest.
“Luffy apparently stayed for an hour talking nonsense to you, but he was there. Everyone will know that you’re awake. I didn’t bother to tell them as I figured you’d wouldn’t want to worry them for no reason, but that’s inevitable with Luffy and Usopp,” Sanji stopped to release a breathe of smoke glancing over to where Zoro was staring at the sky with his head resting against the top of the bench. “People actually considering their words is a strange thing.”
“Always that way with them,” Zoro muttered as he squinted staring at the sky staring at nothing. Sanji nodded and turned his attention to the surroundings. “Only a fool would understand.”
“You understand now?” Sanji asked around his cigarette, his hand clenched into a fist where it rest on his thigh.
“Yeah,” Zoro said closing his eyes. “I get it shit-cook.”