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Tomorrow was the first day of the new year, and Sanji was putting the finishing touches on his classroom and lesson plans. He spent a month in France, had picked up a few new things and even visited his mother's grave. No matter how long he had been teaching Sanji still felt the same way before the start of school, a mix of nervous excitement and a hint of anxiety. What if everyone dropped his classes, what if he forgot every word of his native tongue or hell forgot every word of English? What his Seniors didn't raise enough money to go on their trip to France this year? What if he fucked up in someway and was fired, sure he could go back to work at the Baratie but he didn't wish to return a failure.
“This isn't the gym,” an unfamiliar voice grumbles from the doorway. Sanji was startled out of his spiralling thoughts and he glanced over. A bulky man with short spiky green hair, tan skin and one eye stood in his doorway. It took him a moment to put a name to the face.
“Rornono Zoro is it?” Sanji asked the new gym teacher if he wasn't mistaken.
Zoro grunted and looked him up and down before resting on his face. The man smirked. “What's it to you curlybrow?”
Sanji fumed, what the hell was this man's problem! He could feel the heat rise up his face as he glared at the green haired man. “You damn Mairmo, are in my classroom, the gym is in a completely different building! This is also the second story to boot!” Sanji snapped, he usually kept his temper in check this wasn't the kitchens it was classrooms.
“Marimo? Ha it's not my fault the halls and buildings move on their own.” The man huffed, not looking the least bit ashamed of his hopelessness. Sure Sanji could understand getting a bit turned around since the school was quite large but to end up on the second floor was just too much.
Sanji stared at him, his mouth agape. “What? They don't move!”
“Everything moves, I don't get lost.” Zoro sounded so assured in his statement Sanji could only stare at him for a full minute.
“Mais qu'est-ce qui ne va pas chez cet homme? (what the hell is wrong with this man?)” Sanji muttered to him, shaking his head, he needed a cig. “Come on, I'll take you to the gym. I need some air anyway.” He couldn't smoke until he was off campus and that was very tempting, he gave his classroom a quick backwards glance. He could afford to take a quick smoke break.
The new teacher fell in to step beside him as Sanji led him down the halls and stairs. He gave the man another look, Zoro was the same height as him but due to very large muscular frame he almost appeared taller at first glance. He had three golden earrings in his left ear that chimed softly as they moved.
“Why'd you move here?” Sanji asked, breaking the silence, he was used to the hustle and bustle of the students filling the halls.
“Luffy asked me to.” He said with a shrug. “I didn't have anything better to do so I just moved.”
“Do you know what Luffy teaches?” Sanji asked, it was a big mystery among the teachers. Outside of Robin and their principal none of them knew what Luffy taught. The students thought it was great fun to keep it a secret.
“Nah, you're not getting the answer outa me, I've already been told all about the whole mystery thing. Luffy finds it funny as hell.”
Sanji groaned, “Bon sang,” he swore. “You're in on the joke aren't you?” Sanji asked, already knowing the answer, Zoro just chuckled and held the door open for him when they arrived at the exit. “One of these days we will figure it out!”
“Ha I doubt it, Luffy's having too much fun.” Zoro barked a laugh as he exited the building. “Damn your campus is huge.” Sanji reached for the man's shirt as he started going the wrong way.
“N'ose même pas bouger, espèce de salaud! (don't you dare fucking move you bastard.)” Sanji swore, tugging the green haired man back. “You're going the wrong way, that's where the cafeteria is.” Sanji let his shirt go when Zoro turned in the right direction, not looking the least bit ashamed. “Dieu me vienne en aide, moi qui dois guider un chou aveugle. (God help me, why must I guide a blind cabbage.) ”
“What do you teach?” Zoro asked as they walked.
“Advanced French,” Sanji replied. “We're planning a trip to France over spring break.” The senior class went every year, this school was excellent for the language arts, they offered more than just French and Spanish, they had Mandarin, Russian, and German. “Here we are.” Sanji stopped in front of the gym. “I'll leave you here.” Sanji was in need of a cigarette and had to go off campus to do so.
~~~~
Zoro watched the blond man walk away, he hadn't expected to run into someone so damn hot. With those impossibly long legs, those stunning blue eyes that looked like the ocean in a storm, the soft blond locks that Zoro wanted to run his hands through.
He turned his attention back to the truely enormous gym, fuck his last school had been a middle slash highschool and everything was one floor and one building. The closest thing they had to a second floor was a small weight room in the gym. It was a little overwhelming but Luffy asked him to move here and so he did…Luffy just had that effect on people.
“Zoro!” Speaking of the devil, the gym doors slammed open as a familiar voice echoed in the empty gym. “You made it! Did you get lost?”
Luffy had grown so much since when they first met. Back then Luffy had been a scrawny teenager waiting for his growth spurt…and what a growth spurt it had been. The man before him was tall and large, but held the same wide grin on his face. He has the same starwhat hanging from a string around his neck, the same scar under his eye, and a pair of flip flops on each foot. His Luffy was mostly unchanged from the day Zoro had become one of Luffy's people.
“Luff,” Zoro grinned wide, he knew no one else could make him smile like this, this was his best friend and it felt as if they had never been apart. “I don't get lost, the halls move besides who puts the gym in a separate building?” Zoro grumbled. “At least curly brow could navigate the moving halls.”
“Curly brow?” Luffy tilted his head in confusion.
“Shit, I didn't get his name. Blonde and French, with curly eyebrows, fancy looking.” Way too attractive for his own good, Zoro didn't add that last part.
“Sanji! He makes the best food!” Luffy shouted excitedly, his voice echoing in the gym.
“Huh?” Zoro was confused, what did being a French teacher and food had to do with each other…then again this was Luffy.
“Yeah! Sanji makes the best food ever! You have to try it!” That did nothing to explain a damn thing, but again that was Luffy for ya. Zoro would just have to figure it out himself.
~~~~~
As the students began to file into the room chattering amongst themselves Sanji pushed the thoughts of the green haired man away from his mind. He had half expected to see him again that morning, and was oddly a little disappointed that he hadn't seen the man. What was wrong with him?
“Bonjour à tous, bienvenue en français avancé. Nous parlerons presque exclusivement en français. Je suis Mr. Black. Comme c'est le premier jour d'école et que je sais que vous souhaitez tous retrouver vos amis, vous avez dix minutes pour le faire. Au bout de dix minutes, je demanderai à chacun d'entre vous de parler un peu de votre été à la classe.” (Hello everyone, welcome to advanced French. We will be speaking almost exclusively in French. I'm Mr. Black. Since it's the first day of school and I know you all want to catch up with your friends, you have ten minutes to do so. After ten minutes, I will ask each of you to tell the class a little bit about your summer.)
Sanji took a seat behind his desk and put on his playlist, which was filled with school appropriate French songs. The students' excited chatter filled the room as they discussed their summer, he only heard the odd English word, as they talked.
“Très bien, la classe, commençons. (All right class, let's begin.)” Sanji stood up and picked a random student. “Chimmy, Vous pouvez commencer. (You may go first.)” Sanji smiled as the green haired teen stood up with a large smile on her face.
“Cet été, j'ai aidé Mamie à gérer le petit train ! Mais le meilleur moment, c'était le mariage d'Oncle Franky et de Tante Robin ! J'étais demoiselle d'honneur et je portais une robe violette qui m'arrivait juste au-dessus du cou. (This summer I got to help Granny run the train! But the best thing I did was attend Uncle Franky and Aunt Robin's wedding! I got to be one of the brides maids, I wore a purple dress that went just past my knees, it had a bow in the back. Aunt Robin looked so pretty and so happy to be married to Uncle Franky. I even saw her shed a tear. Uncle Franky wore pants and cried his eyes out. Later he took out his guitar and serenaded her.)” Chimmy continued to talk about her summer, eventually moving on from Robin and Franky's wedding. Sanji had made their cake and even helped with the catering. Both of them worked at this school as teachers.
Sanji called on other students to talk about the summer events.
~~~~~~~~~
Zoro wandered the changing halls looking for a specific room, the room or a hot blond French teacher. They had met a few times since that day before school started, passing in the halls, staff meetings, lunch and the like. He had been dying for one on one time but hadn't found the chance. Zoro heard that sound of music, words sung in a language that he had heard the blond speak or rather curse at him a time or two. Zoro just followed the music to where he needed to go.
Right there in the room was Sanji, his blond hair pulled back into a little low ponytail, a pair of gold framed glasses perched on his nose as he went over papers. Music played in the background all of Zoro's focus was on the man sitting at his desk, the morning light flittered there the window painting him in gold, red and orange from the rising sun. Sanji looked up, his blue eyes piercing there Zoro like cupid's arrow.
Zoro grinned and leaned against the door, and not because his leg felt weak. “Long time no see pretty brows, have a good break?”
Sanji rolled his eyes yet he still smiled back. “Did you get lost again? And yes I did have a good break, a rather busy one. How about you?”
Zoro shrugged. “It was fine, Luffy dragged me around. “So what does a guy have to do around here to get a date with a specific blind man?” Zoro asked, watching Sanji's facial expression, as he morphed from the teasing smile to brief confusion, to a pretty blush that stained his cheeks, and finally settled on a smirk, a twinkle in his blue eye.
“Oh is that so?” Sanji particularly purred, his chin propped on his hand, and eyes givingZoro a once over. “And just what might this date entail? The green haired man's answer depends on what the blond will respond with.”
“Well from what I heard he was planning on taking the pretty blond to a nice restaurant, then for a moonlight walk along the pier, whereas there's going to be a firework display, a winter fair with ice sculptures and live music.” Zoro had done his research, he didn't date often and he needed this to be a good first date if he wanted the chance at a second one, he watched the smirk shift into a genuine smile, the blue eye widened with delight.
“That sounds wonderful! I would love… I mean, the blond man would enjoy something like that.” Sanji's cheeks were red with embarrassment at slipping up in their little game as he looked away, unable to meet Zoro's eyes.
“Would you go on a date with me?” Zoro asked, he had a good feeling about what Sanji would say.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sanji ignored the flutter in his chest and heat in his cheeks, when he had first met the new gym teacher this was not what had been expecting to happen, Sanji glanced over at the man leaning against his door from under his lashes, the way the brushed against the frame of his reading glasses, a soft touch. He had to admit that Zoro was rather pretty, which was shocking to admit about a man. You would expect him to be rugged with all of muscles and scars, yet that is exactly what Zoro was. With his long lashes, fluffy green hair and golden skin tone that reminded Sanji of fresh baked bread fresh and warm out of the oven. Zoro stood in a tight black tee showing off the powerful muscles.
“Yes, I would like to go on a date with you.”
~~~
It was the night of the date and Sanji couldn't decide what to wear, half his clothes were strewn across his room. He never had this much trouble with picking outfits in his life! Sanji groaned and gave in and called Nami. He knew she would charge him for it but he would happily play her. He waited for his darling Nami to pick up.
“Sanji, why are you calling?” Nami's sweet voice spoke through the speaker.
“Oh Nami swan! How lovely it is to hear your voice! I need some help my darling Nami-swan, I have a…date tonight.”
“Did Zoro finally ask you out?” Nami asked, sounding smug. “It's about damn time, anyway what's the problem?”
“I can't figure out what to wear tonight, he said somewhere nice and then walked along the pier to explore the winter fair.” Sanji waited for Nami's response, she was so smart and lovely, with a great sense of fashion.
“Hmm, how about that tan jacket with fur, dark blue jeans and a white turtleneck. Something nice but not fancy, since he said the pire I wouldn't be shocked if he's taking you to Baratie.”
“Shit I didn't even think about that, I hope he's ready to meet Zeff,” the nosy old man wouldn't be able to resist meeting his date.
Nami laughed, her laughter was music to his ears…even if it was at his own expense. “Good luck, I'll send you a cash app request for my help today, have fun on your date.” With that Nami hung up leaving Sanji to dress and panic in peace.
~~~
As he suspected they were at the Baratie. Sanji glanced over at his date, giving him an appreciative glance. Zoro was in black jeans, a light green turtleneck and a dark green coat. He looked good, really good.
Sanji unfortunately recognized the host as Zoro gave his name for the reservation. Hank was a shit stirrer, some of the other hosts would have minded their own business but not Hank, it was only a matter of time before Zeff showed up, Patty and Crane as well.
“Roroano Zoro, party of two.” The host looked over at Sanji with a shit eating grin on his face as Zoro spoke.
“Right this way sirs,” They followed Hank to a table by the window facing out towards the water…one of the best seats if you asked him. “I'm sure the head chef will take personal care of you two,” Hank turned his gaze towards Sanji. “Have a good date,” the bastard had the audacity to wink at him before leaving.
“That was weird, why the fuck is he acting like that?” Zoro asked as he watched Hank walk away.
“That would be because of me,” Sanji sighed, not bothering to open the menu. “The owner Zeff took me in when I was a kid after I somehow snuck about the French navy ship he worked on as head chef…don't ask how I managed that and why I did so please it's really not a.first date conversation.” Sanji hated talking about his past and for good reason. “I still work here on my breaks sometimes.”
“All right I won't ask, instead how about you tell me why you choose French instead of counting working here?” Zoro asked instead, looking at him and not the menu.
“Arent you going to look at the menu?” Sanji asked instead of answering right away.
“Hmm nah, I'm sure you know what's good here I'd rather let you pick. Now answer the question curly.” The waiter dropped off some water and a basket of bread before slipping away.
“Well, I was accidently put in a French class my senior year of highschool, since I am from France I and it's my first language it was a weird choice. Zeff is also from France, he's from Breton in the northwest and I'm from Colmar in the north East, so I always had someone to talk to in my native tongue with. Anyway they didn't have anywhere else to put me, I ended up torturing a few people and found I really enjoyed it. I loved teaching people my language and my culture.” Sanji took a sip of water. “How about you?”
Zoro shoved the rest of the bread he was eating in his mouth, swallowing quickly. “I flipped a coin, I grew up in a dojo and wanted to be the world's greatest swordsman but well that's not a real job any more. I've always been good at math and enjoy being physical so I just flipped a coin. I knew I wanted to be a teacher since I like kids.”
“Eggplant, I see you brought a date rather bold of you.“ Zeff’s gruff voice before Zoro could continue or Sanji could respond.
“It's not like I picked the place, old man,” Sanji snapped, turning to glare at Zeff. “Meeting the parents isn't exactly first date stuff.”
“It's fine, I don't care.” Zoro took his hand in Sanji’s. “Might as well get it over with.. just a shame you can't meet mine.” Sanji glanced back at Zoro who was looking at Zeff. Sanji glanced back at the man who raised him, he was tall and seemed even taller with his ridiculous chef’s hat, he was built sturdy and stalky with a prosthetic leg. His long braided mustache twitched slightly with a quirk of his lips. “Roronoa Zoro, gym teacher at the same school as curly brow here.”
“Hmph, and what are your intentions with my idiot son?” Zeff asked as if Sanji was some fair maddin and not a grown adult man.
“Taking him on a date, after this we're going to the winter fair, one of the other teachers is participating in the ice sculptures.” Zoro began.
“Oh yeah, my dearest Robin mentioned Franky was building something for that.” Sanji cut in.
“I was talking about Usopp, he couldn't stop talking about it in the break room.” Sanji turned his attention back to Zoro who was also looking at him now.
“Ahh, I usually have a French club during lunch break.” Sanji shrugged. “Then I guess we have two people to look for. I'm sure we will find Luffy and at least one of his brothers at a food stall…eating them out of business,” Luffy and Ace could eat like there was no tomorrow…Sabo wasn't as bad.
“You know, speaking of Luffy, he mentioned something about you making good food. I suppose with you working part time at a restaurant that now makes sense.” Sanji nodded, it had been a toss up if he was going to become a chef or teacher but he was happy with his life choices.
“Here you are sirs, Chef Zeff put your orders in when you arrived.” Sanji sighed, not surprised that Zeff knew what he wanted and hadn't given either of them the chance to order for themselves.
“Well mossy, let's dig in.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Zoro let Sanji drag him by the hand, leading him to the stalls he wanted to see most. Their gloved hands warm in bitter cold. While the air was cold it was filled with hundreds of scents, from peoples perfume, to candied nuts, to hot apple cider and more. It was lively, filled with the chapter and laughter of everyone around him. There were pony rides and carnival games, a giant faris wheel, bumper cars and other rides. Zoro had seen a few of his students as they meandered around. On the beach, were rows of ice sculptures sitting along the frozen shore as people milled about but they were too far for Zoro to make out any individuals.
“The sky's so clear, perfect for the fireworks.” Sanji mentioned as he dragged him to a nearby candied nut vendor. Zoro couldn't help but to stare at the bright smile and rose cheeks on Sanji's pretty face as he paid for his nuts.
“Yeah, do you want to see the ice before or after the fireworks?” Zoro asked, shaking his head as Sanji offered the nut bag. “Too sweet.”
“Too sweet? Huh, never took you for a dessert hating guy.” Sanji teased. “Hmm, I think before, so we can watch from the beach.” Zoro let Sanji lead him down to the shore.
They walked past dragons, birds, a giant spider that had Sanji shuddering and hurrying him away, a Griffin and a pair of kissing fish. Zoro spotted Franky's large form standing next to a giant detailed robot that glittered in the moonlight. Franky worked at the school as the shop teacher.
“Robin!” Sanji called out to the history teacher, who smiled at his wave.
“Hello you two, I see your date has been going well.” Robin remarked when they drew near. Zoro watched the blush creep up the blond's face. “We were all wondering when it would happen. I was beginning to think our new gym teacher would perish from pinning.”
It was Zoro's turn to blush. “Where’s Usopp?” He quickly changed the subject. The art teacher in question had bragged non stop about his plans for his sculpture, something about turning his girlfriend into an angel.
“Mosshead be nice to a lady,” Sanji glared and elbowed him in the side.
Robin laughed at them. “He's just over there a bit.” Robin pointed further down. “I say he has a good shot at taking a prize home.”
Zoro nods and starts walking away when Sanji tugs on his hand. “Wrong way Marimo.” Sanji huffed and pulled in the opposite direction.
“It's not my fault that the ice sculptures are moving around… Maybe it's too warm out and they are slipping around.”
When they finally made it to Usopp and his sculpture, the long nose man in question had his arm slug around a blonde woman. The ice sculpture was huge, a woman in a long dress, bare feet, her arms and hands raised high above her holding on to a halo, long icy hair cascaded down her back with giant wings reaching for the sky. Zoro could see the folds in the skirt and the feathers in the wings. No wonder Usopp was bragging about it.
“Oh wow! She looks lovely!” Sanji exclaimed. “It looks just like you Kaya!” He gushed to blushing blonde women.
“Thank you, Usopp did such a good job I'm sure he will win first place.” She gazed up at Usopp with adoration… Would he or had he ever looked at anyone like that?
“That's because I had such a great muse.” Usopp kissed the top of her head. “Are you guys staying to watch the fireworks?”
“Yeah,” Zoro answered. “Curly suggests we watch it on the beach.”
“Which, unfortunately, we must leave you two now so we can get a good spot. Come on mossy, I know the perfect spot.” Sanji guided him away from the other couple as they waved goodbye.
Sanji made them stop at his car first before taking him to a little alcove looking over the water and frozen beach. The path was surprisingly clear.
“Do you come here a lot?” Zoro asked as he helped spread out the blanket.
“Yeah, it’s a spot I found in my teenage years and I try to come often on the weekends.” Sanji sat down and patted the spot next to him. “We have a great view from here.”
Zoro sat down next to Sanji, the blonde scooted closer and Zoro put his arm around his slimier shoulders tucking Sanji against his chest. Then the fireworks began, Zoro turned his attention away from the flashing lights and towards the man sitting against him, he watched the lights dance across his face. His prominent nose that looked as if it had been broken before, the soft blonde hair, the ocean blue eye, the odd curled brow, and the patch of facial hair on his chin. Zoro wanted to kiss him, to feel those lips on his.
“Sanji, can I kiss you?” Zoro whispered into his hair inhaling his scent of cologne and cigarette smoke.
“Please.” Zoro tilled Sanji's face up and pressed his lips against Sanji's own, the mouths fit together like puzzle pieces and Zoro never wanted to part.