Parenting the Right Way

Bullies

With Zoro and Lufy sitting shoulder to shoulder on the couch, both distracted, they didn't even notice when Luffy was sucking blood from Zoro's finger until Katakuri walked behind them and pat their shoulders, quietly reminding them they had someone else over.

Luffy shoved the finger away, which healed instantly. Sanji didn't notice, thankfully. He and Zoro just didn't notice in moments like this. Zoro didn't hurt from it, and it was a treat for Luffy. They stopped, and finished the movie and then dinner without telling Sanji what he'd missed. Both friends went home after dinner, Katakuri dropping Zoro off, but unable to drive Sanji since he only had two car seats. Zoro was quiet on their way back before Luffy asked him what he thought of Sanji.

"He's annoying."

"Why?" Luffy wondered.

"... I don't know."

"Well, he's gonna be our classmate, so you gotta be nice to him." Luffy didn't scold him for his opinion, as they only just met. Luffy was a very fast judge of character, but Zoro was unsure so far, and didn't like him much yet. But he knew they should get along if they'd see one another every day.

When they dropped him off, Zoro asked, "Promise you won't leave me alone?" Luffy hugged him and promised firmly. "Okay. Good night." On the way back home, Katakuri mentioned that Zoro was still very insecure about their friendship.

"He doesn't gotta be. Don't worry, I'll prove he's my best friend forever, soon! I hope he doesn't think we're only friend cause of the thingie we share."

"It's possible he feels that way. Only time and care can show him that's not the case," Katakuri replied. Luffy agreed, and fell asleep on the short drive home. He was carried inside and awoken to brush his teeth and go to bed. Tonight, he knew he didn't need a pull up, which he was growing out of using unless he drank a lot of water or blood that day.

"I love you, papa. You're such a good person."

"Thank you, that's very nice of you to say. And I love you too. Sweet dreams." Luffy nodded, and quickly fell asleep with the sounds of a forest playing in the room softly. Barely audible for the non-vampire, but easily heard by the other.

-x-

Katakuri felt very proud in himself when they found out Zeff had indeed adopted Sanji. He probably wouldn't have found the formerly abused boy without Katakuri telling him about him, given the foster home Sanji had been in was nowhere near where Zeff lived. It wasn't even close to the office. So he was proud his son's new friend got a safe home.

Zeff and Katakuri got along well, just like he and Zoro's father got along well. Having parents be friends with other parents was a relief, as you trusted the others to watch over the kid if necessary. There was a barbeque between the three families. Kuina, Zoro's older sister, came over.

When the new father and son got there, Sanji stuck to him like glue, wearing the clunky gloves still. Zeff worked the grill, and made hamburgers and shishkabobs. They had meat and healthy vegetables on them. If there was one thing that made Sanji stand out in the group, it was that he apparently never really ate healthy foods. There were some things he didn't recognize at all.

Zeff would tell him what they were, and Sanji trusted him and ate it, finding they tasted good. He did look a bit bothered when Luffy squirted some blood on his food like ketchup. Nobody else said a thing or thought it was gross. He kept it away from the others and was always very neat with eating so he didn't get blood anywhere other than in his mouth.

After food, the boys jumped on the trampoline while Kuina went on her phone. The adults were supervising but all talking about work and such. A bit after jumping on the trampoline, Luffy jumped too high and began to float, the first real time there had been a repeated power. Zoro grabbed onto his hand to pull him down.