The Words I Love You

Not Enough

They all froze and stared at Luffy. He just blurted out that he was sorry. "I'm sorry." He says again in the silence. Both Sanji and Zoro have stopped moving but they haven't turned around to face them. They were just frozen in their movements. "We are nakama, but we- I -didn't act like it. We should have been there for you but I wasn't. I'm sorry." Luffy bows his head.

Sanji turned his head, looking over his shoulder to see Luffy bowing his head. So many people, so many fights have been had of people trying to get Luffy to bow down to them but not once has Luffy ever did so. Most likely because Zoro and Sanji were always right next to him.

Sanji loosen his hold on Zoro as he felt the man stand up straight. Zoro didn't turn though, kept his back facing them.

"I'm sorry to Zoro!" Chopper shouts.

"Sorry."

"So sorry."

"I apologize."

"Sorry bro."

"My humble apologies."

"Sorry." They all say. Sanji felt glad that they were finally able to get to say what they wanted to but he was upset that that cornered them together, during couple time. Sanji didn't like that but understood why, this might have been the only chance to say what they wanted. Goodbye to their peace and quiet, if only he sat next to Zoro. Then it would be couple time all the time.

Zoro just stood there in silence. He was a little shocked. So they don't hate the fact that he's gay. Okay but... "sorry doesn't fix it." Zoro tells them. Sanji was too shocked to react as Zoro continued and jumped out the window. The blonde really thought Zoro would accept them with opens arms, they said sorry.

But it's not like Zoro accepted his apology fully either. "Hold up marimo!" Sanji shouted out the window. He went back to the piano to gather their lunch and jumped out the window himself, following Zoro as he stormed away.

Sanji found Zoro hiding in the corner of some unknown and unused area of the school. Sanji sat down next to the huddled and curled form of Zoro. Sanji looked at Zoro then back down at his lap with both of their packed lunches. Sanji rubbed Zoro's back in comfort. Zoro wasn't crying but knew he must still be hurting.

"Wish I had my cigarettes." Sanji voices lowly in the silent area. It seems like just talking normal would be too loud for here.

"How come you don't bring them to school. You'd hardly be the only person smoking?" Zoro asks head still down.

"It'd stink up my uniform, if that happens Zeff would definitely know." Sanji smiles, "then I'd really be dead. You'd be boyfriendless." Zoro laughed at that.

"The old man isn't that sane. He'd torture for month then kill you." Zoro turns his head to look at Sanji, the blonde giving him a heartfelt grin. Sanji leaned forward and gave Zoro a chaste kiss.

"You're right the man is as insane as they come."

"I think being a chef would do that to you."

Sanji gave his boyfriend a look, "think I'll become insane too?" Zoro laughs lifting his head and looked forward.

"Not to that degree but I think you be insane in a way. Grumpy too."

"I don't think that would happen if you're next to me." Sanji wraps his arm around Zoro's shoulder. Zoro blushed at him with a glare.

"I hate it when you do that." Zoro grumbles.

"You only hate it because you're not use to it." Sanji smiles. He hopes Zoro gets somewhat use to the intentional sweet talk. Zoro has said some sweet things himself without even thinking about it, the blonde always smiles but he does wish Zoro did it on purpose sometimes. He also loves praising and sweet talking Zoro. The man needs it, even if he grumbles and complains how he doesn't like it but he knew that it's just Zoro isn't use to it. But he will be. "Let's eat. Lunch will be over if we keep talking." Sanji points out as he takes his arm off Zoro's shoulder and hands the man his bento box. The new one Sanji got him as a late birthday present since the ramen turned out horrible.

***

Sanji leaned on the lockers as he wait for Zoro to change his shoes, he already changed into his own shoes. After school they always wait for each other to change shoes before going home, well Sanji drops off Zoro at work before going to work himself.  He sucked on a lollipop that was given to him by Zoro. "Thanksgiving break is next week," he reminds. "Do you know what your doing?" Sanji asks.

Zoro shakes his head. "I do know I'm off the whole week." Zoro says putting his school shoes in the locker. Sanji stands up straight, shining bright with a hopeful smile.

"Think we could do something? Maybe go out together." Sanji asks. Zoro just shrugs.

"I don't see why not. Oh I'll take you to a manga shop." Zoro says with his own shining and hopeful smile.

Sanji nods as they walk forward not paying attention to the stares directed at their backs from people they once called friend.

"I can't believe saying sorry didn't work." Chopper says disappointed as he walk forward.

"You know I don't think we said sorry wholeheartedly to Sanji either." Usopp points out.

"What more does he want from us?" Nami asks frustrated.  Robin looks over at Luffy.

"Luffy?" She voices, they all look over at him. He's been rather quiet throughout this whole thing. Like he was thinking but he doesn't think, he's not a thinker he's a doer. He acts on his feelings. So what was he doing now?

"We'll try again." He says. They nod. They aren't ones to give up that easily and this is Zoro. He's their friend, they should have been there for him since the beginning but they weren't and now they are paying the price.