Just Meant To Be

Decisions

Zoro didn't know what to think. He was glad that Sanji was helping him, from his confession to now but he didn't know what else to think.

Sanji like him this whole time, as said from the cook but it's hard to except that. How could he? He liked the idiotic pervert but what really shocked him about it all was how easy it was to get over him. He liked the guy since the beginning of high school, he knew the man wasn't perfect, neither was he and he wasn't looking nor did he want someone perfect he just wanted someone to accept him, all of him from his crazy green hair to his non existent sense of direction. Someone who was okay with the way he thinks, and he knew he didn't think like a normal person but after meeting Luffy he didn't really feel alone in that.

Nami and Robin had egged him to confess and every day since they figured out they asked if he did. Soon enough everyone else knew, and they talked to him about how he just go and do it. Get it out because once he was rejected it'll hurt and that would take time to heal. Usopp said it was days, Nami said it may be weeks, Robin said it could be months. He was hurt at first but it didn't even take that long after to be okay with it. He had gotten it off his chest and he stopped thinking about Sanji, daydreaming about how their dates would be or how the others would react when they found out. Sanji then became someone he didn't think about or want to think about.

To say he was surprised would be an understatement. Arin and Luane wanted to hang out and since it was a Friday neither Sanji or Zoro disagreed to it. But what Zoro didn't expect would be Sanji asking him out on a date Wednesday. He didn't know what to say so he stood there like a deer in the headlights.

What could he say? It was just a date, not like it'll harm him to go. But wouldn't it be rude to go when he knew the cooks feeling about him? He doesn't know if he could, he knew the those horrible crazy brothers aren't around anymore so they are safe but something could still happen. Well, if Sanji has been here for this long the brothers really are stopped.

He also doesn't want to give Sanji false hope. If he accepts that would make it seem like he's got a chance and he knows that this date Sanji wants isn't to hang out as buddies, it a romantic date.

"I'll think about it." He says. Sanji nods. He won't force him.

"Tell me your answer on Tuesday. I already have things planned but I want to know so I don't have to cancel anything." Sanji gives him a grin and leaves with a happy looking Luane. Zoro closes the door and in a daze gets Arin and Lili ready for bed.

Playing with Luane seemed to tire the boy out. As soon as his face met the pillow he fell asleep. He couldn't blame him or his little sister. Lili saw the two older ones and tired to copy their enthusiasm to the game. Zoro couldn't help but smile as he got comfortable on his side of the bed. This is his life now and he wouldn't change it. 

He could still remember that Monday when he picked Arin up from school. He was so happy, shouting with a big smile on his face as he buckled himself in. He was told that Luane is in his class and he made a couple more friends too. They had their own little group and the teachers were also nice. Everyday he came home happy. Lili also seemed happy, for what who knows.

Arin still didn't want to sleep in his own room but Zoro could understand, only he thinks he does. He's not sure but he's sure he went through something similar. When Mihawk first adopted him he couldn't sleep in the room given to him. The bed was so new and nicer than the one he had before it all felt like a dream, and he was kind of afraid he would wake up and be in that horrible place. He didn't get a good night's sleep until a month after, and a year after he still felt nervous but after a couple years of not being sent back he felt safe. Zoro knew Arin would need time to fully accept that he's not going back and that's okay.

***

Zoro frowned. He set breakfast in front of Arin and his announced guest, Nami. She ate with Arin as he got Lili bottle ready and warm for her. "So," Zoro starts sitting at the table with Lili in his arms, her sucking hungrily on the bottle, "what are you doing here."

She gave him her signature devil grin and he couldn't help but groan already. He didn't like that. "I heard from the grape vine that Sanji asked you out on a date." Nami said. Zoro didn't find that amusing so he gave her a glare.

"So?" Zoro looks down at Lili.

"So~ are you going to go?"

"Probably not?" Zoro says.

"Why?" Nami asks shocked, she really thought he was going to go.

"Because I know he wants it to be a romantic date. I don't want to get his hopes up for nothing."

"Then tell him at the end of the date. Are you really not going to give him a chance after knowing the truth?"

"The truth of what?" Zoro asks confused.

"Sanji did tell you the truth about Luane?" Nami asks to make sure.

"That's she's not his daughter, yes but that doesn't change the past. He rejected me already and I got over him." Zoro says. He breaks the contact to look down at Lili who finished the bottle. He rest her on his shoulder with the burping cloth and starts to burp her.

Nami sighs, "I would think you would give him a chance. You never know what could happen. I mean don't you wish Sanji had given you a chance back in highschool."

"Stop trying to guilt or blackmail me. It's not going to to work and blackmail is illegal. I could arrest you." Zoro says. Nami looks shocked at him. Then frowns. There goes her idea. 

"I won't blackmail you or anything but what I said is still true. Just because you accept the date doesn't mean anything. If you feel the need to tell Sanji that then tell him so he doesn't misunderstand. We both know Sanji he won't force you to do anything you don't want to do."

This time Zoro sighs. "I'll give him a chance. But why are you so willing to help us?" Zoro asks, very suspicious, he always was when she helped him back in middle school but now, what her motive.

"To tell you the truth," she says with her head down, "I always thought Sanji liked you back. I swear you both were going to end up with each other which is why I was so adamant on helping you in the past. I was sad that it didn't happen but now that Sanji needs help with you I'm willing to help again, and hopefully it ends the way it's supposed to this time."

"You can't possibly know we'll get together."

"But I can hope and help when I'm needed." She smiles at him.

He can't argue with that. He just doesn't see a future with the cook, not anymore.