Chapter Text
Zoro sighed as he checked his phone, only to find no updates from Sanji. He felt bad about bailing on him last night, but Luffy had a way of making him lose track of time, and before he realized it, it was 1 p.m. and he was fast asleep. He just hoped Sanji was just too hungover and not upset with him.
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His lungs were on fire; he’d lost the ability to breathe, and his heart was racing like he’d just run a marathon.
“Ji—” a voice called out to him, barely heard through his ringing ears, before it repeated more firmly.
“Sanji!”
He gasped as Gin’s hands pulled his own away from his ears. “Hey… you okay, babe?” he asked, crowding Sanji toward the bed, a concerned look on his face.
“Wh—” Sanji croaked before a gasp escaped his mouth. “What did you…?” He couldn’t complete his sentences, still quivering, before his mouth dropped open in shock as he registered Gin’s words. He repeated, “Babe?!” with a barely contained sob.
Gin looked worried before sighing. “Sorry. I just figured… too soon, yeah?”
This had to be a nightmare. A death-induced hallucination. He closed his eyes, shaking his head aggressively. “You…” His voice broke. “Do you even know what you did?” he whispered, tears streaming down his face, as Gin said something in response that didn’t register.
Oh God. Yesterday was the singular greatest day of his life, and today was his punishment for thinking he could ever deserve happiness. He needed his mom. She was gone. His mommy was long gone. Zeff was the only parental figure he had left.
His eyes glazed over as he thought about Zeff. He needed to complete his education and support him. Gin watched him curiously as he stared at the wall in a daze.
He needed to clock in and help at the restaurent. He needed to email his professor and tell him he got the flu and needs to extend his assignment deadline. He needed to do many things, but most importantly, he needed Zoro.
Zoro.
His heart eased up a bit at the thought of Zoro. He stood up on shaky legs, the blanket covering him all the way to his head, before Gin stopped him by grabbing his wrist, making him flinch violently.
Gin rolled his eyes at the reaction and dropped his hand. “What’s with the theatrics? You know I’d never hurt you,” he said seriously, and Sanji’s face twisted in disgust, fury filling his heart.
“H-hurt me?” he repeated between hiccups, his knees collapsing. “You already hurt me!” he shouted, his voice scratching at his throat, stomach churning as snot dripped from his nose.
“Did I?” Gin asked in a concerned tone. “Are you sure?”
Sanji sobbed in response. Gin was a fucking lunatic.
“Where does it hurt?” Gin asked calmly, and Sanji just continued sobbing, pulling at his hair. He felt sick.
“Sanji.” Gin repeated firmly, all traces of concern erased from his voice.
Sanji looked up, cold fear washing over his body.
“Did I hurt you? Or are you just mad at yourself for cheating on your new boyfriend?”