The Color of You ~ zosan (One Piece WA 2017)

Past Intertwine

AN- OMG. There are literally 2 parts left of this book. SLIGHT TRIGGER.
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Zoro pov

"What tea would you like?" I asked Sanji as I sped to hush the flame.

"U-um Black, please." stuttered Sanji as he took one last look at the wall as if to take a mental photo; he toke at seat at the table.

I nodded as I watched him take a shiny grey clip out of his pocket and pin up his heavenly locks. As I made the tea, a bittersweetness filed me. I haven't gone to visit her since Sanji came. It felt as if a part of my heart was cut off, but a diseased part that it would do better without. Yet somehow, longed for still.

"Here." I mumbled, lost in a sea of thought, as I handed Sanji his tea.

"Thank you." he said as he cautiously toke the cup, being extra carefully to not touch my hand. I must have show my offense because he automatically looked at the group like a guilt stricken child.

"So," I began as I cleared my throat and toke a seat across from him, " Why don't yo~"

I was hastily interrupted, "Why you even run a flower shop?" blurted Sanji as he face ripened.

"It was...," I started as I repeatedly open and closed my mouth. I was struggling to get the words out as if they had wrapped themselves around my neck like a collar, ready to lynch me without a moments hesitation. "It was a-a friend's."

"Why don't they run the shop?"

"They are dead."

"Oh. I'm....I'm sorry for your lose." He said, finally meeting my eyes. Finally reaching out to touch my hands wrapped tensely around my cup, but he lurched back robotically as he was struggling to get his actions to work. It was as if a Boa Constrictor had squeezed the life out of him by snapping his spine.

Unlike around others, I never really felt the need or want to hide my emotions around Sanji. He was just so real, so vivid, so anew that it would be a waste and a shame for him not to experience all I have to offer him. I left my disappointment show, but I didn't beckon for his touch even thought every part of my skin felt a tickle of pain every second of it absence.

Sanji broke through the my depressive aura. "Why do you even bother with me if I cause you so much pain?"

"You don't harm me." I said with all the sincerity I could muster.

Sanji pov

"Lies. I harm everyone." I snorted as I sipped down the rest of my tea, only to be met by Zoro's pained expression. That's all ever looks at me with, pain or lust. He's foolish to think I don't recognize it, those fake ass looks. I wanted to leave here as soon as possible. This was all nice of him, but it was inevitable that I was feel this way. I've always been isolated that I've even found comfort in my painful past.

"Sanji.."

"What?" I retorted, meeting his soft gaze with a murderous glare. I was ready for his onslaught this time. I had my defenses up.

"What is your problem?"

"Why do you care?"

"Because your broken, and I want you to be whole." He promised, and I believed it. No matter how strong my will of anger was, it was no match. I couldn't hold my walls up anymore. In that moment I finally felt the unbearable weight of my encumbrance, and I was so ready to be free. No one had ever spoken so benevolently to me, someone as worthless and hideous as me. I didn't desire it, and especially not from him, I would never forgive myself for my rudeness as he always did for me. I would never earn his kind word, but, oh, how I hungered for them.

I began to cry.

Flashback

"Idiot." barked my father as he rammed his hand into my face. "You don't deserve to bear the name Vinsmoke!"

He continued to rampaged blow after blow into my, already frail, body. I  could never remember the last time I didn't have bruises from his episodes. I began to curl up tighter, but that didn't help ease the pain. His episodes were unpredictable, and this was time unbearably violent now that she was gone.

"That's what's faggots get !" I heard my brothers snickering from the hallway. I don't know how such violent people came from such a beautiful women.

Soon, my fathers breathes began to heave, and his punches slugged around until he collapsed right next to me. At that moment, I could smell the haze of alcohol creeping out his open mouth.

"Maybe if you weren't dysfunctional this wouldn't happen." laughed my eldest brother as he pointed his grimy finger at me, the younger one laughed with him.

-------------------time skip------------------------

I was finally done with all my chores as was able to play, but I didn't. I had no friends, not even imaginary or stuffed. That all went away for me when she left.

Instead, I trudged to the cherry tree were she was buried, my mother. The hot waves of pain coursing through the my veins did little to halt my progress.

"Hey Mom." I smiled as I plopped myself down on the ground in front of her. The cherry tree was in fully bloom, and so was the wind. The synchronized sway of the branches reminded me of her strawberry blonde hair that so often swayed just the same. I didn't have many memories of her except for her untouchable beauty and cherished kindness. She was always sick. She died when I was 8, that was 3 years ago.

She knew my secret; she still loved me just the same. My mother made everything for me, that my father wouldn't provide because I was differnt.

While she was alive, he never once struck me.

Thats was different now.

"Why you have to go?" I cried as I began to idly pull out grass while I leaned on her stone.
I hated my family, and in a insist I decided to grow up and run away, so I could finally stand on my own two feet.

End of Flashback

I poured out everything to Zoro, and he respectfully kept his distance hitch I was thankful for. I told him everything, not keeping one detail hidden. There was no need.

I sensed no aura of spiteful was of a wish to deceive.

By the time I finished, the rain hadn't stopped.

"Thank you..." I whined as I started to wipe away the last of the my tears.

"There's no need." repiled Zoro as he placed our cups in the sink.

Not once have I reflected on my past, and beckoned the question 'Why me?'.

I was proud of the road I was forced to take because, despite the trials and tribulations, I had made it this far. Even thought it was fueled by negative emotions, it was still good.

Yet, for once I was looking up instead of down. In my gaze was a bright unclouded future with lush, white light. I quickly turned to look at Zoro who was washing the dishes.

Hopefully, I could find someone to go there with me...