ZoSan: The Flower

Chapter 65 - Zoro

Zoro watched as Sanji walked away, balancing the trays easily.

"I understand you know about his past," Zeff began quietly.

Zoro turned to the older man, seeing the steady gaze that he was fixed with, and nodded, not sure what to say beyond that. Sanji had made it clear that he didn't want the few details he'd given Zoro to be shared.

"I only know bits and pieces, myself. Things I've gleaned from his sleep-talking, observations of the way he reacts to certain things, or of habits he has since broken. I know his... first 'father'... was a real piece of shit. That he had one or more brothers, I always guessed at least two, from his name, that weren't great either. Even when I took him in, he fought better than most kids his age. But he has manners, at least when he wants to, that I didn't teach him, so he didn't learn to fight on the streets, like I did."

"That's... true." Zoro said. "But... it's best not to ask or deduce too much about it. There's... reasons that he didn't tell you. Reasons he didn't want to tell me, either. But he decided I needed to know."

Zeff sighed. "I know I shouldn't ask. He's made that clear enough, over the years. Whoever they are, some part of him is scared of them, even now. I just wanted to say, I'm... glad he trusted someone with it."

"It wasn't a lack of trust in you, at least I don't think. He's been... trying to protect you. To be honest, even I only know a basic outline of the events that mess with him. He was scarce on the details even with me. Couldn't even look at me while he told me." Zoro looked down, then took a deep breath. "You saved him, you know. Not just physically. You saved his heart, kept him from becoming... cold or detached. Kept him human. Helped keep him kind while he learned to be strong." He bowed to the other man, as deeply and as formally as he knew how. "Thank you for that. Thank you so damn much for saving him. This world needs someone like him in it. My world needs him in it."

Zeff nodded, and there may have been a tear in his eye that neither man acknowledged. "He was worth it. He may be a troublesome brat, but... he is a good kid. Make sure you treasure him."

"Every damn day of my life, sir," Zoro answered as he straightened.

Zeff examined him, gauging every reaction. "You really do love him, huh?"

Zoro's eye went to Sanji, still flitting around the deck passing out souffles. "More than I ever thought I could love anyone." He turned back to the older chef. "I'd like to make extravagant promises like 'he'll never want for anything', but that's not something I can control. But he'll be loved, no matter what. Loved and as happy and as safe as I can keep him."

"Good. But I want you to promise one other thing."

"Like what?"

Zeff's face darkened. "You ever see the man who left such horrible bruises and emotional scars on that eight-year-old I dragged out of the water, you kick his head in for me."

"Kicking's really more his thing," Zoro thumbed at Sanji, a dark smile growing on his face. "But I can promise to make sure he suffers before I cut his damn heart out, that okay?"

Zeff laughed at that, a big belly laugh that sounded a little like Sanji's, proving beyond a doubt that the man was Sanji's real father, if not his biological one. "That works for me! I like you, kid. My brat chose well."

"Of course I did," Sanji chimed in, appearing at their sides with two plates, one of which he handed to Zeff. "What are you two plotting over here?"

"Not plotting, love. Just agreeing on a less pleasant topic." Zoro wrapped an arm around his fiance's waist, pulling him into his side. "You look more relaxed. Are you feeling better?"