The Promise of Storms

Poem for

Marimos and Cigarettes

~Storms come and go

Some people weather them, some don't

It's a sad simple truth

And there is no beauty behind it, after it, or before it

It is there, all of it,

in the steps you take through the rain

And nowhere else~

The room was trashed again. The lamp now illuminating only the corner it had fallen in, its shade bent and torn, Sanji was at the window, ashtray on the sil, smoke wafting out into the Autumn night. The clouds were promising storms on the horizon. Zoro thought about the fight they'd just had. It'd felt like a storm. The blankets and sheets ripped from the bed. The half packed bag. The dozen or more hangers he'd broken pulling his clothes from Sanji's closest… again. He was exhausted. He wanted to sink onto the bed. Take Sanji's hand, pull him from the cloud of smoke. Go back to bed, sleep this fight off, pretend it was all fine in the morning as they had done a hundred times. And if they'd done it a hundred times they'd done it a thousand. Maybe if he did, tomorrow Sanji would bring him home Sake, and they'd talk it out again. Talk was the wrong word. Yelling match was a better fit. Screaming until the windows washed red and blue. It was luck that wasn't the case tonight. Maybe not all luck.

No it'd been much more civil, as they're 'Last nights' tended to be. Zoro had said half a dozen things he regretted, and topped it off with a 'if you don't like it i'll leave'. And Sanji had stared at him with tearless eyes, an even voice, no shake in his hands. And he told Zoro to go. Never come back. He'd said it was over, for good. They didnt work and they never would.

Sanji had said he should've stuck to women.

Said Zoro was just a bad taste in his mouth.

That whatever love they'd shared was long dead, strangled to death like so many of Zoro's shirts, gone loose at Sanji's hands until their seams had bursted. Oh Zoro would kill to be back in those days. When a ripped shirt could bring out tears and apologies, and end the fight young. He knew he was staring. Hesitating which he never did. Sanji knew too. He was lighting another cigarette, not looking away from the stars, what little he could see. Zoro grabbed the bag's strap, lifting it slowly over his shoulder, wondering if Sanji had any hesitation. If the threat of Zoro leaving was still a threat, or a relief.

Would Sanji miss him? Would this time be held in some small miracle place in the mind where time never passed. After all, they had tried for something hadnt they?

Or would They become to each other those distant blurry memories of rage and anger that seemed silly later on?

Zoro turned, wiped a stray tear, felt his pride weaken. He swallowed, and faced the door. The part of him wanting to turn around died out when he saw the hole he'd punched in it. This was for the better. For both of them. He needed to run from Sanji. His hand stung, he had splinters. The first time that had ever happened Sanji had pulled them out. Kissed his knuckles. He could have used his other hand. But he deserved the pain. He used the injured hand, opening the door, the pain of dislocated knuckles apparent, humming a reminder to him.

He always left silently. They both did. It had been romantic once upon a time. He forgot how it started but he knew what it meant. You only said bye if you were leaving. Not if you would be back. He should say something. Maybe it'd hurt. Maybe he wanted it to hurt. Maybe he wanted to hurt Sanji, and didn't that just make him the worst. He wanted to be silent. Because he didn't want to say farewell.

Sanji leaned back, the movement stopping Zoro halfway out the door, but he didnt look back. Didnt dare hope of anything. The cigarette ashed out and the blonde was moving. Zoro pulled his last leg out. His chest was full of idiotic hope, but he still didnt turn. Would Sanji pull him back in? Would he start the sorrys?

"It'd do you well to figure out if you're the monster, or the man."

And then the door slammed. The lock audible. And the fury of a single blue orb broke the damn on Zoro's tears. But he didnt sob. He stomped down the cheap apartment stairs, all three floors, out into the bracing winds. The rain soaking the sorry collection of shit he took. It wasn't half of it, and in rage he tossed it into the nearest trash can. He turned his phone off, checked the cash in his wallet, and made for a bar far away.

…

"Look man, you know we love you, and you have an open invitation to join the clot, but you really can't keep showing up like this." Ace said from the bathroom doorway. He had a glass of water, and was offering it. Zoro took it, the room spun, and he found himself against the tub's side, half the water on his pants. "Shit." Ace was moving in, kneeling in front of Zoro, ripping a towel from nearby. "what happened to you?"

"Sanji said good-bye." Zoro said. At least he tried. The seconds ticked by before Ace seemed to catch up. Zoro knew he had by the disgusting pity that took over his face. He hated pity.

"Maybe this is for the better."

"Fuck you." Zoro let his head dip onto the cooler tub. His head was hot. He dumped the remaining water over his forehead.

"I mean it Zoro. look at you. He ain't good for you, not if this is how it ends up."

"He's the best thing to happen to me, and i keep fucking it up."

"He's a drug to you." Ace said, taking the glass from him. Punching his chest lightly. "Injects right there. Gets you high for a few weeks, months, but then what? You burn out. He burns out. Are you even making it to your work tomorrow?" Ace had stood at some point, the sink running.

"No."

"I want you to move in. I'm off tomorrow. I'll help you." Ace was back, water in hand. Zoro swished, and flushed the toilet again. Drinking half the glass before he fell back again, his head thumping on the tub. He didn't feel the pain.

"What for? i told you i'm not joining your dogpile."

"Because i don't like the idea of you living alone. And you shouldn't either. Not if it was bad enough you got drunk drunk. Let us keep an eye on you. Until you get yourself sorted yeah?"

"No." Zoro hand a hand up, shaking as if it'd ward Ace off. The man only shook his head, and rose again. "I'm fine."

"Right…" Ace gave him a severe once over. "I'll let you sleep on it. I'm gonna go make up the couch."

Zoro had called out in the morning, taking a ear beating that had both Luffy and Sabo with raised eyebrows. He was able to get off as Ace was planting breakfast on the table. Eggs, sausage, bacon, pancakes. Classic hangover breakfast. Zoro's eyes fought with his stomach, deciding his appetite and he hoped his eyes would win. His forehead hit the table in defeat. He grabbed a slice of bacon and nibbled at it. He did his best to ignore the three sets of worry on him. But it was over when Ace set a pitcher of orange juice on the table, with more of a 'thunk' then he could have. The noise ached right at the front of Zoro's head. He rubbed it. Raising himself from the table.

"Sabo, you'll be home early right? Zoro decided to move in, think you could bring the truck by his place?"

"Oh he finally agreed! Good." Luffy said grabbing another stack of pancakes.

"Wait- i haven-" Zoro tried

"Yeah. i'll be over around three. Luffy, clean out the guest room before you leave today."

"Alright."

"I'm telling you i-" Zoro stopped as three sets of brows furrowed at him at the same time. He needed to think of something quick or he'd be stuck here. "I have a lease."

"Break it." Luffy shot out around a mouthful of pancakes.

"With what money?" Zoro argued. This was good. He could carve a way out yet.

"I imagine if you can keep your job, you can keep paying rent. After all we aren't asking for money." Sabo input. Zoro felt his pride fall a bit more. Ace laid a kiss at the blonde's temple, and set about his own breakfast, popping the first sausage into his mouth with a challenging look to Zoro, almost begging him to try something else. He could try. Fall onto his ancestors' pride, and dig in his heels, refuse the generosity. Then his phone pinged and he remembered the scathing, barely veiled threats of termination. He might well need a place. His teeth clenched, forcing him to grind it out, bitter, and feeling pathetic.

"Thank you."

"Does this mean you're-"

"No!" Zoro said, fixing a glare on the youngest of the three, watching the man sink back from where he was half ready to tackle Zoro. Once upon a time in a very different phase of his life Zoro had thought about clotting up. That had been… ruinous for many of his friendships. He would never risk these three to that.

"Man…" Luffy was pouting. Sabo was laughing, Ace was shaking his head. Zoro just ached. Closed his eyes. His phone beeped again. He should check it. More than likely it was work. He didn't want work to exist. He didn't want anything to exist. Just him, no light that hurt his eyes, no pain in his head like pressure he wanted to relieve. The regret in his heart. His phone chimed yet again. He felt guilty now too. That was most likely the author. He pulled it out, and Ace snatched it.

"You called out, sure as hell I'm not letting you answer them." Zoro looked around, finding only Luffy. Sabo emerged from one of the two bedrooms, dressed in a fitted suit, blue. Their hair was different. Sabo's was curly, Sanji's was long, silky. And Sanji wore ties, not the cavats Sabo had, making him look from another century. He planted quick kisses on both the mens heads as he passed, his slightly heeled shoes clacking on the wood floor.

"Feel better Zoro, listen to Ace, he knows what he's talking about, most of the time."

"Punk ass-" Ace was turning but the door closed, Zoro catching a sly smile on the blonde as he left. "-yeah, you better run." Ace grumbled.

"Where does he work anyway?" Zoro asked, once again setting his head on the table. It was nice. Cool.

"He's a sex-worker, i thought we told you?" Ace asked.

"Yeah but it was christmas last year." Luffy chimed in.

"Ah, that's right. Well, yeah, he does fantasy scenarios. The oil baron thing is his niche."

"For good reason." Luffy had glassy eyes, his mind obviously elsewhere.

"Luf." Zoro prompted. "Keep it to yourself." Zoro could tell when Luffy wanted to explain something, the look of awe, the excitement. Topic was unimportant. Luffy smirked, shrugged.

"Your loss." he said, setting about the remnants of breakfast. Zoro decided he should make a real attempt at eating. Before Ace's cooking went to waste. He managed a single pancake from the pile, and eggs. They were good, and he ate them carefully slow. But he couldn't help but compare it to Sanji's. And in the shadow of Sanji's cooking… something was missing.

They got off the bus just across the street from the depot store by Zoro's apartement. And they got lucky with the crosswalk. He was following Ace, because Ace always knew what to do. He'd kept the clot together through more storms than they'd had winters combined. All while doing it, gone fighting fires half the time. Ace pushed the cart towards him, and started leading it from the front.

"How do you keep so calm?" Zoro asked, watching Ace gather boxes, and tape, crossing them off his little list.

"About what?" He was tugging the cart again, not even looking back.

"You're the most jealous person I know. With Luffy and Sabo? And with Sabo's work, how do you-?"

"Lists." Ace flashed him a smile.

"But really."

"Stop Zoro. What you think you're doing is asking for advice, what you're actually doing is digging for chinks in the armour. And you know what, you are always going to find them. We arent perfect… but just look at this." Ace pulled out his wallet, an old worn paper. It was offered to Zoro. he took it carefully unfolding it. It was the three of their names written at the top, next to a number one. At number two were more names, including Zoro and a few of the friends he knew, number three was a mess of things, from people, to goals, to foods, and down it went to number five. At five there were things like, 'good credit' 'new sheets' and so on. "I made that list when Sabo told me and Luffy where he worked. I was… Luffy was fine somehow. But it shook me. I made that list, filled it with everything that was important to me. Tried to make it all make sense. And I realized along the line that I had no time for my worries. I loved Sabo, and nowhere on my list of priorities was my jealousy. Certainly not above us."

Zoro smiled. He handed the list back, watching the man fold it carefully, sliding back behind a picture of the three of them.

"That's… disgustingly sweet." Zoro let his smile turn sly, the frustration on Ace's face too amusing. He took the hand upside his head, wincing as his hangover reminded him of its existence. He really shouldn't drink that much.

"It is." Ace ground out, yanking on the cart.

"Do you all carry a list like that around?" Zoro smirked harder as Ace went red. He shouldn't tease him so much. He was being so helpful. But the curiosity was too strong this time. "Where's meat rank on Luffy's list?"

Ace slouched a bit. "Third. I got it down from second place on his fourth draft."

"Really? Maybe you should have left it."

"Did you really want to be on the same level as a steak?" Ace gave him piercing side eye. Zoro huffed, rubbing his neck.

"Thanks." he mumbled looking away. Ace hummed, moving down another aisle, eyeing his list.

…

"This one already seems worse than the last. And it's already fall. Their books are February releases." Nami had entered, without knocking again. Robin set the manuscript she was reviewing down. She supposed her top team manager could get away with things like that, and helping herself to the tea in the corner, and sitting down.

"Sanji has come in." She said, looking out through the half closed blinds to where the man was, a unlit cigarette in his lips, messed hair, and his reading glasses low. He'd only started needing those this year. Remarkable endurance for this line of work. Nami didn't come without cause though. And Robin wouldn't be the editor in chief if she thought attendance was enough.

"His edits are sloppy. He is already behind, I mean this novel is still in copy editing. And I had to take over the editing for Zoro's author today, at least she is willing to work. I don't think the boys can make the deadline this time."

"Well we can't possibly postpone them. The first quarter always depends on them and their authors debut books both broke records."

"I know." Nami had a hand up, bringing it down to Robin's desk. "But Sanji won't even talk about the fight. We may need to pull them off the books."

"Oh?" Robin leaned back. "Who would edit them? You?"

"Me? no. I struggle enough with romance in this world. Like hell I'm going through the process with both of their books. But we have the skill in house to get the books out on time. And as much as they might suffer from not having Zoro and Sanji, they'll surely suffer more having those two on task during this… whatever it is they do."

"You have good points Nami. I'll give it serious consideration. But for now I'll let this play out a bit more. There is still a chance that this is just another fight."

Nami didn't look at all convinced. And indeed she might have the right to. Robin looked back to Sanji. Not unlike the poor man she needed glasses to read. But her far-sight was fine. Great. Which is why she could see the tears he didn't let fall. His eyes desperately trying to read the same line again and again.

"I'll take him to lunch. While i'm out, take a look at this." She passed the manuscript, the only one they'd had mailed in all year. Another of the old ways slowly dying off. She gathered her purse from the seat Nami propped a foot on as she leaned back.

"Nefertari, V? Never heard of them." She had the first pages flipped, reading with interest.

"I trust you'll guard the office while I'm out?" Robin asked, and Nami had the decency to look a little apologetic. It was no secret where Nami's ambitions lay.

"You can count on me, chief." Robin nodded, glancing once in the mirror. Not missing the way Nami leaned forward, turning another page. Oh yes, one day Nami would take Robin's throne. But by the looks of it she had just bought herself another year, at least. She smirked, walking out with a confidant stride surveying the four teams she managed.

"Sanji, grab your things, we're going to lunch." she was moving for the elevator.

"Ah, Robin, I'm honoured, but perhaps it's better if I take my lunch here. The manu-"

"I have to take my car to the mechanic again. You wouldnt let me go alone would you?" she asked with a sweet smile, watching him hide his exhaust, rising like a gentleman, forced a smile that was just a touch thinner than after most fights. Oh dear, Nami was right.

"I know you don't really need me here." Sanji said half an hour later, pausing, fork half to his mouth with their chinese lunch speared on. "I know you come here for the-"

"Shall we both talk about our relationships and or the lack of such?" she asked, eying the eccentric mechanic, who cast her glances while dealing with the customer before her. Sanji slumbed a bit more, and ate his chicken. "Plenty of us are worried about you Sanji. You know i'm here to talk. Though i understand if i'm not the most… experienced person you know, for such matters." he shrugged.

"There's nothing to talk about really. Like i told Nami, just like every other time. Except…" Sanji shook his head, stuffing more of his lunch away.

"So something is different." she prodded.

"Nothing, just a stupid ritual."

"In our line of work, is it not all about the stupid rituals?" she winced, that'd ripped his heart out. She hadnt meant to do that. He dropped his next bite back into the red box. "I'm sorry, that's was-"

"Don't be." He gave her a smile, turning away fast. "It was a good bye of sorts. A real one. A last one."

"I see." she let her own lunch rest in her lap. "I'm sorry to hear that."

"Really, don't be. Like i said, it was a stupid ritual, a promise of doing it all over again and expecting a different result. Breaking the patterns is the first step out right?"

"That's right." She met his questioning eyes with her best comforting smile. Sanji said nothing more. Content with the answer and leaning back. Eyeing his lunch with disdain. "Thank you for coming Sanji." She had his eyes again. "I know you don't have to come. I trust them here, truth be told I bring you along for my own nerves. It's one of the best parts about you. You make everyone feel safe." she saw a genuine smile on his lips. Small, delicate, yes, but there none the less.

"Thank you, that means a lot."

She answered him with her own smile. And heard a car drive off.

"Well, well, well, another project huh Robin?" The Mechanic had a hand on the rust bucket she'd drove in. Squealing brakes, old tires, bad paint. Who knew what else in the engine and undercarriage. "Looks like it'll take a few weeks."

A few weeks. That would do. She rose, moving to the car with keys.

"Weeks huh? I'll need updates." she passed him the keys. He took them, slowly, smiling at her with a familiar grin.

"Did you get a phone yet?" Franky asked, his hand lingering over hers for a few seconds longer than they needed to.

"I'm afraid not."

"Well you're always free to drop by, to check on the car of course." she felt her spirits lift.

"I might have a lot of questions, I could be around for a while, that wouldn't bother you?"

He unlocked the door, smirking at her as he settled into the car.

"I can work and talk."

Sanji made a noise from behind them. She ignored it, watching Franky drive her newest project into the shop proper. Normally she'd follow him up, bug him about a million things. See if she could make him blush today. But she returned to her seat.

"We'll have to uber back." she said, picking up her own food, watching carefully to see if Franky had any disappointment on his face as he unloaded from the car. She couldn't spot any. He still had the same confidant grin as he looked around and found her.

"Nothing new." Sanji mumbled. "Who got the last car?"

"Hachi's kid. Just started college." she said out, watching the new project car getting raised up. It'd take weeks. That was good. A start. But it wouldn't last. None of the cars ever did.

"That explains his good mood this morning. Have you and the blue man ever had a real conversation?" Robin made to reply, but Sanji held up a clarifying hand. "Not about cars." he had on a playful smile.

"What of it?" She looked away, denying the flush in her cheeks. "I'm satisfied with that." Sanji shrugged. "What?"

He fished a smoke from his pocket, and she noted that the wind had changed, blowing it away from her as he lit up.

"I'm in no place to say anything. Just find it funny, the things you recognize."

"Like what?" he shrugged again

"Little rituals."

…

"No, not by this year, the author is too rough for that. I doubt they brought this to more then two sets of eyes before submitting it. And there won't be any glory in crushing the boys this year anyways."

"Oh, why's that?" Usopp asked from her leg, the tattoo gun in his hand humming. He was focusing hard on his linework for this piece. She felt a thrill of excitement race up her spine. This would be a good one. Then she remembered his question and scowled.

"They broke up again or something."

"Another fight."

"Yeah, but something is definitely off. Even my boss thought so. She took Sanji out to lunch. She claims she didn't get much out of him. But i think that's more to keep me from pulling them. Either way their book quality is gonna drop. It's the worst time too, we cleared them both for trilogies, and this is the second book on both sets. A drop now dooms sales next year. But that works to my favor. If they don't get their shit together this year, then next year i'll be the god damn hero with a real seller. This book man, gold, I cried like a little girl."

"That's why you wanted color." Usopp smirked, switching his needle and ink. "Need some toughening up?"

"What of it." she asked, flaunting her fresh shaved sides, and the new earring Usopp had put in not too long ago.

"Nothing of it but a thank you from my bank account," he said, and the gun stung again on her skin. "Hope you like blue."

"I do. They got that blue stripe through the big bills now. Looks good." she said out, Usopp laughed. "Also I have a question for you, what kind of name is Nefertari?"

"Exotic, and old. What's the guy's first name?"

"Didnt sign with one, just V."

"Victor Nefertari" Usopp said out dramatically, "Rising author reveals himself to be a stumbling fool, thanks his outrageous success to Editor in chief on the rise, Nami Bellemere!" he echoed her last name, his voice rising as if chanted by thousands from a stadium.

"Working hard for that tip today." she teased. He gave her a straight deadpan face.

"Damn right, it's a hustle every day."

She laughed, slapping his shoulder, and he just grinned wide and looked back at her leg.

"Alright, tell me what you think. Be honest, it's kinda a new style. I was thinking about the story while I was doing it, hit a vibe, so I just went with it."

She looked in the mirror he had, perfectly reflecting the scene. Hard lines cutting into her skin, the golden portrait cut clean, revealing a soft dessert, and a wonderful blue sky. It was like a little portal into the world.

"I know its not line work persay but-"

"Clouds."

"Huh?"

"Give it the promise of rain. And it's perfect." she met his eyes, saw his inspired smile, he gave her a nod, moving for his whites. But he hesitated before starting again

"If I do this, it'll be fanart. You'll have an obligation to make sure it doesn't bomb."

"I see… Perfection would require no less." They stared each-other down. He searched her soul and she joined him. They nodded at the same time. "I require no less than perfection."

"The pact is sealed."

It was a war mark now. She was betting her pride on this novel. Shit… she'd need to bribe it off of Robin. She looked back at the tattoo. That was going to be expensive. She grabbed her phone and set a daily reminder to not be so impulsive.

She wore capris the next day, and bribed maintenance to get the key for the thermostat. It was always too cold, and there was no way she was covering this leg in slacks. The chafing was terrible, and the fresh ink had her feeling rather confident. She had just finished bumping the temperature past seventy when she heard the clack of the chief's heels.

"My my Nami, what marvelous work." Robin had her head tilted to look at the clear-bandaged leg. She was fanning herself with the manuscript. "What inspired such a… passionate piece of Usopp's work?"

"Just what are you really." Nami asked, widening her stance, head up.

"An assassin." Nami gulped. Robin came forward, slowly. "Really Nami, don't look so concerned, you can have this one." She offered it over. "A favour..." Nami took it, eyeing Robin with unreserved suspicion.

"A favour huh."

"Nami." Robin looked around, but Nami knew she only did it for show. They were always the first two in. she was just reminding her. "Chin up. You started this little war at the christmas party, i'm just playing along. And really, marvelous work. I hear the author's a bright young woman."

"A what?" Nami turned, Robin had disappeared, she'd just shouted into Zoro's face. He scowled down at her. "Gods you look terrible, have you been sleeping at all?" he groaned, pushing past her. "You're author called, I covered your ass yesterday, a thank you would be nice."

"Ace packed me lunch, it's yours." he said, sinking into his seat. He thrust the paper bag up.

"Oh, you didn't clot up did you?" he glared at her, hard. She threw her hands up.

"Keep the lunch damn, sorry." she tried to walk past him, but he grabbed her. Thrusting a couple of oni giri into her free hand.

"Thank you. And good luck, cause that tattoo is bland as fuck if you bomb this."

"Wrong hill to fight on grass ass." They knocked their arms and she went and sat at her desk, unwrapping one of the rice balls. "But seriously, kept on top of this book, if our teams numbers look bad under my management it'll push my career back."

"Don't you have a meeting to set?" He asked, donning his reading glasses. The only pair he owned that weren't adorned by something of Sanji's design. The only pair that he had to adjust every two pages.

Right. She did. She flipped the manuscript back to the first page. There was a mailing address, an email address, and a phone number. Okay, no points for designating a preferred method. She'd mailed it in. That'd take forever. She should just call. It was still industry standard right? Well… maybe email? But when would she check it? If she was the kind of person to mail something they might be stuck typing this out on a library computer-

She flipped the pages, it wasn't printed… This was hand written. That would be alot of work… but the script, the hand writing, it was beautiful. Nami bit her lip. She cast a glance in the rearview she'd taped to her monitor, seeing Robin with a knowing smile through the blinds. The chief raised her coffee cup.

Nami shook herself out. She was out of sorts today. This was just first contact.

What was she getting so flustered for? She had the power of the internet, she could just stalk the woman real quick and figure this out. Probably find a mess of links to blogs with other work she could research. Her phone buzzed halfway through typing the name. She grabbed it expecting a call, but found a reminder.

'Stop being so damn impulsive'

She looked back at the search bar. She turned off the monitor, grudgingly grabbing some letter paper and an old fountain pen. She uncapped the pen and shook out her hand, giving another look at the elegant script. Time to see what she remembered of calligraphy.

She finally got her own cup of coffee while she waited for the same-day courier. She was glad she had not sealed it. She read back over it, twice, pen at hand analysing every part of it.

"Here to collect an outbound?"

"For me Chopper, over here." Nami waved her hand, folding the letter back into thirds, and licking the envelope seal. She ran her own card on his payment rig, and gave the kid a ten from her splurge jar. Also known as the late-draft tax. The kid ran off, thanking her profusely for the tip. If all went well she would have a meeting set. At least, she would by the time the woman's reply came. She sat back in her chair. She had more work, more books and authors that she had to check progress on. Appointments to keep. She looked back towards the elevators, wishing that snail mail was faster.

A/N: Hey everyone! thanks for reading, Let me know what you think! and if you have any pairing ideas, i do have plenty of teams to play with!