Moy Mell, 1: Welcome to Moy Mell

"Moy Mell, 1: Welcome to Moy Mell"

orig. 10/12/2017

Zoro, Sanji, Elly, Shaggy - PG

Original Concept, mixed fandoms

.

.

.

Elly sighed to herself as she sank down onto her favorite couch. The massive cushions were comfortable and smelled good, a sleepy mix of her favorite lavender scent. Her ears twitched as she listened to the bustle of Sanji getting ready for dinner in the kitchen. It was far enough away that everything was muted, but she liked to know he was there. It was almost as comforting as the pillowy softness she was burying her head in. Yawing hugely, she rolled over to lay flat on her stomach. This gave her striped tail free reign to lash behind her as she pondered the events of the day. She wasn't agitated, per se, just not as relaxed as she'd like. The gigantic theme park she lived on the very outskirts on took a lot of effort to run smoothly, and she was almost always in the middle of the fray, as it were. She was just starting to fall asleep when she felt a light, almost diffident tap on her shoulder.

"Hey."

"Ughh..." She slowly opened one eye, then the other, truly reluctant to be awake. "What's up?"

"Dinner." The big man in front of her crouched down to be on her level. He smelled just like he always did - steel and musk, yet another comfort smell for her. She yawned again, two sharp canines glinting in the light before she remembered to cover her mouth.

"Mmnn, Zoro. Lemme sleep a little longer."

Zoro rolled his eyes - the one on the right, anyway. He knew better to argue with the sleepy demon cat, however, and simply jerked a thumb in the direction of the kitchen. "Dumbass made fried pork cutlets."

Elly's ears snapped straight up. "Pork cutlets?!" She bounced up into a sitting position and rolled slightly to one side when she didn't quite do it gracefully.

"Watch it, stupid cat!"

"Whoop. Heh heh." She stretched, working a few kinks out before attempting to move again. Zoro shook his head at her antics and stood up, dusting his black pants off. He wore what he normally wore when off-duty - a simple white shirt, black pants and boots paired with his green haramaki. He was never without his swords, even when relaxing, and he set one hand on them as he watched Elly stand beside him. "Yay! Pork."

He couldn't repress the hint of a smile. "He said you deserved it."

"I didn't work that hard today." She shook herself and walked quickly through the dining room to the kitchen. Sanji spun about when she opened the door, a huge grin on his face.

"Angel! You're awake!"

"And hungry," she said, grinning impudently at her chef. He set the plate of vegetables he was holding hurriedly on the table in front of him and rushed to meet her. Zoro grunted with disgust as he caught her in a huge hug.

"I made one of your favorites."

"I know," she giggled. His enthusiasm was infectious. And anyway, she didn't need extra enthusiasm for pork - it was her favorite meat. She kissed him softly on the cheek, eliciting another sound of discontent from the swordsman and a happy cry from the cook. Zoro said nothing, however, just loaded his plate with food.

"Hey, don't start before everyone sits down!" Sanji glared at him. Zoro ignored him and kept eating.

"This looks great!" Elly was ignoring them both since it was normal for the two to be at odds with each other. They didn't really hate one another, but they always argued. She said thanks, filled her plate and began to eat. Sanji grumbled a little but took off his pink apron and hung it on a hook. His clothing was as impeccable as always and he absently straightened his tie as he sat down and also filled a plate.

"Are you going back out tonight?" He raised a curly eyebrow at Elly.

"Oh, no. Not again," she groaned, her ears laying back.

"I just think you need a night to yourself," he stressed. "You've been out there all the time. You can't do it all yourself, you know."

"But I like doing it. The fireworks display is tonight. I love that."

Sanji swirled the water around in his cup thoughtfully. "All right, but you could watch that from the rooftop, baby. You haven't had a break in a long time."

"You could." Zoro shrugged.

"You're not agreeing with him?"

"Nggh," he replied around a mouthful of food.

"Chew, you damned neanderthal," Sanji snapped.

Zoro swallowed mightily. "Shut up," he said absently. Then, to Elly, "You're too tired. I'm supposed to make sure you don't hurt yourself. Can't do that if you're a walking accident waiting to happen."

"I hate it when you're right," she muttered.

"Then stay home."

"Okay, okay!"

"Don't fill up, then," Sanji smiled. "I'll make something for later ... if you promise to watch the fireworks with me."

"Oh." Her tone changed. "Well... all right." She got up to stack her dishes neatly in the dishwasher. "I'm going to go sit by the pool for awhile until it gets dark enough for the show."

"Good idea." Sanji beamed at her as she opened the sliding glass door to the back of the kitchen. He heard her calling out to the guy that was on duty cleaning the pool and watched until she was out of sight. Then he sighed happily as he began to clean up the rest of the dishes. Zoro had already put his away and was stomping out the doorway that led to the elevator. The blond man shrugged. He'd probably go work out in the gym now that he didn't have to shadow Elly around. Not that he cared - all he could think about was making the perfect dessert for their little rooftop date.

The door slid shut behind her and Elly looked about, keen ears picking up the light swishing sound of water in the pool. "Hey, why aren't you at the dorm? Aren't they having some kind of game night?"

"Yah!" The young man standing waist-deep in the shallows jerked his head up at the sound of her voice, his wet hair flopping back and hose precariously held in one hand. He banged the vacuum the hose was attached to and yelped again.

"Oh, sorry." She chuckled and sat down on the edge, dipping her feet in.

"Like, warn a guy next time," he gasped, sounding extremely out of breath. "I damn near had a heart attack!"

"Sorry, Shaggy."

"Sorry, my foot," he winced, rubbing at a stubbed toe. He checked the machine to make sure the hose hadn't jarred loose, and, finding it okay, began to scrub the floor again.

"Awww. You know I didn't mean to. But why aren't you there having fun? I thought you loved those games."

"Yeah, yeah." He waved his free hand diffidently out to the west side of the house where the sprawling apartment complex was located. "I can't concentrate if this isn't perfect."

"Really?" The lights around the infinity pool slowly started to glow, illuminating the deck as dusk slipped into a deeper darkness. The only sounds besides their conversation were the soft rasp of the bristles and the crash of the waves from the ocean in front of them. It was soothing, and she sat for a few minutes in silence.

Without being coerced, Shaggy suddenly told her the real reason why he was working so late. "Scoob's got this bet with me if he beats me in the first round."

"So you're stalling."

"Uh huh." He sank deeper in past his waist. "I really don't wanna lose."

"How is he so good at gaming? He doesn't have thumbs."

"It's not him, it's me," Shaggy groaned. "I suck." Elly couldn't hold back a soft giggle at this. He was too busy lamenting his already-lost bet to notice that, though, or the fact that the door whooshed open behind them.

"Angel," Sanji called out in a low, sultry voice. "I've come for our date."

"Date?"

"Well, isn't it?" He stepped forth into the light and she smiled. He had changed outfits again and now wore a blue t-shirt and faded jeans, with gently worn leather loafers on his feet. He nodded briefly to Shaggy, who nodded back. "I just had to clean myself up a little after making dessert. The rooftop's all set - shall we go?"

"Yep." She held her hand out and he took it in his. He smiled at her and suddenly reached further up, grasping her forearm to pull her safely and quite firmly into his arms. "Sanji!"

He grinned harder at her exasperated tone. "Sorry, love - sometimes I can't resist."

"Isn't that all the time?"

"Mmm." He paused, thinking as he led her into the house and in the elevator that would carry them to the roof. "I have to admit... yes." Elly was silent after this exchange. He was warm against her and he wouldn't let go of her hand. She didn't mind - it was a comfort she rarely indulged in. His palms were sliced with thin cuts - not many, and they were still quite smooth, but she could feel them. Cooking accidents. One didn't work in a kitchen all your life without cutting yourself a few times.

"Ah, here we are." The elevator's bell chimed and the doors opened at last into the cool night air on the highest floor of the mansion. Sanji stepped to one side and let go of her hand to bow before her, gesturing briefly. "I set a table up on the north side, facing the park. Oh, and the current caretaker is at that game thing the dorm's holding... so we're all alone." The roof was large, with many elaborate gardens. This required someone to care for them, and whoever wanted to do so was allowed to live in a larger apartment right here - bigger than the ones at the dorm, even. But when she glanced at the windows she saw it was dark - Sanji was right. James was probably at the games.

"Hmm." A light wind whipped at her hair and caused her ears to twitch. The table was small with a well-guarded candleholder set in the middle, a plate filled with something small and a bucket with a bottle set beside them. Sanji lifted this out with a flourish and she saw it was champagne. "Silly romantic," she chided gently.

"I can't help it," he murmured with a grin. "And, while I know you're not overly fond of chocolate," here he expertly popped the cork and began to fill the two tall glasses, "I thought that would also be appropriate." He placed the drink near her, along the plate, and she peered closer. White chocolate-covered strawberries! She should have known. Sanji pulled his chair close beside hers as they watched the glow of the lights from the park.

"It's always so pretty."

"And the show's soon, right?" He checked his watch. "Ah. Now." Just as he spoke, the sky in the far distance was speckled with a rainbow of lights. Elly sighed again and leaned close to the cook's side. He lifted his arm and carefully placed it about her shoulders, allowing her to relax completely against him.

"This is nice. Thank you," she said simply.

"You needed to relax, love." He smiled at her. "You know none of us will let you get stressed... even if work is fun, you still need fun other than work."

"Mmm-hmm." She snuggled closer and watched the pretty light show in the night sky.

Eventually she fell asleep. Sanji watched her for some time, not wanting to move but knowing he had to. At last, he stood and picked her up carefully in his arms. If he was quiet enough, he could perhaps tuck her into his bed tonight. He could sleep on the couch in his room, but he figured it wouldn't come to that anyway. And he wasn't wrong or surprised at all when he found Zoro waiting in the kitchen, drink in hand.

"Cook," he greeted him briefly.

"Moron," the other huffed. He knew what came next and was not pleased. Zoro grunted softly as he set his mug aside. The green-haired man didn't reply, simply held his arms out with an even stare. "All fucking right already." Sanji unwillingly transferred his warm, snoring bundle to the swordsman's arms. He had hoped that this one time the man would forget - but he never did. Zoro didn't sleep until he was certain Elly was in bed.

The rooms below were off-limits to everyone except Elly and her bodyguard. Zoro even had rooms next to hers, proof that she trusted him the most of any of her companions. The big man ignored the dagger-like stare Sanji was aiming at his back. He walked into the elevator and pressed the second-to-lowest floor button. When the lift chimed in a few minutes, he opened the side that would give him immediate access to her quarters. He was immediately surrounded by the soft glow of an underwater kingdom. Elly's grand suite was flanked all the way around by an elaborate aquarium setup. It began one floor above - one below the main floor, to be exact -- and continued down two levels below. She had one more room under this that he'd never even been in. He had no idea what was in it, nor was he curious. She was safe when she was here; nothing could get at her behind the bedroom door that had a special lock. He shifted slightly as he reached it, lining his face before a small panel. The door opened and he pushed in, making his way to the giant bed in one corner. Fish flashed by in yet more wall tanks - different ones, many a bit duller in color than the ones outside but still interesting. He pulled back the coverlet and laid her carefully down, waiting until she yawned and cuddled into a pillow before pulling the top sheet up to her hands. She grasped it and settled down with a content sound.

Still silent, Zoro turned and walked out the bedroom, closing the door behind him. He slowly crossed the huge suite until he reached another door near the elevator. This one led to a hallway that on the other side of yet another door was his room. He flopped into his bed at last, asleep almost before his head touched the pillow.