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“I’ll take two cards.”
”Gimme one.”
“Two for me.”
”I’ll hold.”
”What about you, Owner?”
Zeff glanced at the cards in his hand, discarding one of them on the table. “One.” He said, taking the card he was given in exchange from the dealer.
It was something he needed. Good.
He wasn’t sure when this began but it had become something of a tradition now. Maybe once a week or so, when it was quiet and the customers weren’t coming around or the day had been hard, the chefs would gather around a table and play a few rounds of poker. Drinks were had, and one or two of the cooks would take their turn at making the food for the night, something not normally on the menu. It was a time to unwind and talk without having to worry about something burning on a stove or demanding customers.
Zeff wasn’t the best player, but he knew his way around the game, and the idiots he played with weren’t the most subtle of folks as his eyes went to Patty’s sudden smug face.
“Alright, place your bets!”
”Two berri.”
”I’ll go with two, as well.”
”Five berri!”
”Oh ho, big spender today, Carne?”
Carne smirked. “That’s for you to find out.”
Zeff heard the small pattering of feet as the others continued to talk and bicker. Not just because he was the closest to the area, but he had somehow learned to hone in on that particular sound when it was late at night.
They were about to have some company.
“You should be sleeping, little eggplant.” Zeff called out, just as said eggplant turned a corner to be visible. While he was rusty, let it not be said that Zeff would let anything happen on his ship without his knowledge. The noise quieted at the newcomer’s appearance, all eyes turning to have a look.
“So should you, you shitty old fart!” Came the sharp reply from the brat.
That earned a few snickers from around the table, all of them amused by the tiny brat and his big sailor’s mouth.
He finally turned around and eyed Sanji. He had been sent to bed not two hours ago but it looks like that had been a bust.
He noted the small hands pulling on his night clothes, the small shuffling of his feet, the slight redness of his face and his hair askew.
Another bad night, huh?
Sanji always tried to hide them, Zeff had no idea why, but the brat had a lot of sleepless nights and nightmares. He couldn’t blame him, he had nightmares about that rock on more than one occasion himself, he couldn’t imagine how that would affect a child's mind.
But something told him it wasn’t just the rock that made the kid wake up crying on some nights. And the kid never mentioned it, even if he looked tired or was quiet for the rest of the day.
Stubborn kid.
”And where did you think you’re going?” Zeff called out, watching the brat begin to walk towards the kitchen.
Sanji stopped his steps, turning back around. He glared, but he also looked like he was braced for something. ”I was going to the kitchen to make some food. What of it?”
”No can do,” Zeff called out, turning his attention back to their game, putting his berri bet onto the table.
Sanji growled. “And why not?”
”Kitchen’s closed for the night.” It wasn’t a rule if people were hungry. On more than one occasion he’s allowed Sanji to make something at night, or found him making simple desserts or recipes when he woke up for morning prep. But the table was filled with snacks and food, no one was going to be hungry for more. Plus, if he didn’t lay that rule down with the brat, then he would live in that kitchen sleeping on the potatoes in the pantry.
He was glad the kid was eager to learn, but learning also meant resting.
At the order, Sanji paused, looking unsure of what to do now. He was reluctant to simply go back to sleep, but the place that he went to normally was closed. Another outlet was needed.
“C’mere, little eggplant.” Zeff jerked his head in a summoning motion. If the bedroom wasn’t an answer, this would have to do.
When Sanji approached, wondering what Zeff wanted him for, he scooped up the brat smoothly in one hand, and plopped him down onto his lap. While he did so, he noted the weight. He was heavier than last time he did this, which is good. But he’s not as heavy as he should be for his age and height. The rock was still a ghostly reminder in both their bodies.
“What the hell you shitty geezer!?” Sanji squirmed in the grip as he rested on Zeff’s good knee but Zeff kept his grip firm. “I can sit in my own seat!”
“The only ones who get a seat at this table are the ones with cards in their hands, little eggplant. And you’re not ready to play just yet.” He said gruffly. “If you don’t like it, you can go back upstairs and sleep.”
Sanji stiffened at that suggestion, before begrudgingly relenting and sitting on Zeff’s lap more comfortably. Although Zeff could practically see the pout that was forming on his face, and judging from the chuckles that came from the rest of the table, he was right.
”What are you guys doing anyways?” Sanji asked, trying to sound annoyed but he was clearly curious.
”Playing poker.” Zeff replied. “A card game of matching, bluffing and wits.”
“Sounds dumb.” Sanji said. Anything that wasn’t cooking or learning to fight was dumb to him.
“It might sound dumb to you, little eggplant, but some men enjoy the game and bet their lives on it.” Zeff replied
”Betting?” Sanji’s head shifted, looking at the pile of a hundred berries at most. “There’s barely anything there.”
”More about the game itself, than the money, brat.” Zeff grumbled. He didn’t want to have to deal with cutting paychecks or his chefs being in debt with one another over a simple game. Everyone had a fifty berri starting bet, enough for a cup of cheap beer.
“Alright!” Patty called out. “Cards on the table.”
Everyone at the table eagerly laid down their cards. Some groaned as their hands were beaten by others, and those with smug faces turned quickly to disappointment as their hands weren’t as good as others.
Carne had won, if the shout of excitement gave any indication. His hand sweeping over the small pile of berries in the middle of the table.
“Next round I’ll win for sure!” Patty scoffed. “Come on, come on, deal a new round!”
“Hold your horses, Patty. You’ll lose slower that way.”
“Even adults play dumb games like this?” Sanji asked, watching the cards flick around the table as everyone received a new hand, ignoring the protest and insults the large man was shouting out.
”Just watch, brat.” Zeff grumbled out, sliding one of the plates of food nearby in case Sanji wanted a snack as he also took a piece of the apple camembert glazed bread. “Maybe you’ll figure out it’s not just some dumb game.”
And that was how it was for the next two rounds. Sanji on his lap as they played their game. He was quiet, as he watched them play, his head moving from Zeff’s hand to the rest of the table's occupants, and Zeff didn’t doubt he was trying to figure out the rules of the game. Debating if this was something fun to do.
A new round was about to begin, the cards being dealt when Carne chuckled, nodding his head over to Zeff. “Looks like the kid’s knocked out cold.” He said, a soft smile on his face.
Zeff took a glance down as gently as he could. And indeed, Sanji’s eyes were closed and his breathing was soft and deep. No wonder he hadn’t been causing a fuss in the last round.
“Good. Brat’s need their sleep.” Patty nodded his head.
”And since when did you become an expert on kids?” Carne asked, clearly surprised.
“Since always!” He hissed out.
”Pipe down!” Zeff snapped quietly, giving them all a glare. “You want to wake him up again?”
All their mouths shut and they all shook their heads. Once it was quiet, Zeff laid his new hand face down on the table, and shuffled Sanji into his arms, standing up in a fluid motion.
The card game would resume once Sanji was tucked into his bed.
Zeff gave one look back at the table, as they began to chatter quietly amongst themselves. ”If I even think you lot have looked at my cards, you’ll be on peeling duty for a month.”
”Yes chef!”
~
It was later on in their game night when Zeff heard the familiar bare feet slapping against the wooden floors and he already figured out that something was wrong.
They were too fast, stumbling in some cases.
Sanji appeared frantically before them, until he stuttered to a halt, suddenly shy
“T-the kitchen’s closed…again?” He asked.
Zeff tried not to frown at the small voice that came out of Sanji’s mouth. How sad it sounded. How desperate it seemed.
He weighed his options. He could tell Sanji the kitchen was closed, or let the kid work there for a while until a round or two before he checked up on him.
“You can go into the kitchen if you want. Or you can come here and watch.” Zeff finally said. He wanted to give the kid some options, so wherever he went is what he wanted to do to help calm himself down.
There was no objection as Sanji practically bolted over to Zeff, scrambling up onto his lap with some help. His eyebrows raised at the choice, he had thought that Sanji would pick the kitchen over this, but he had no complaints as he positioned Sanji on his lap better.
Zeff gave no comment on how Sanji leaned on him just a little bit more than usual. Or how he shivered on occasion. He didn’t want the kid to bolt somewhere else when he chose him for comfort.
The others caught on as well to what was happening. And although they still were rambunctious, they were more subdued. Not too many loud, abrupt noises that could startle the kid, they were over the top in some other ways to make the kid laugh or make a snarky comment.
But the brat was quiet.
Too quiet.
”Pick one, little eggplant.” Zeff said.
”Huh?” Sanji jumped lightly, knockign him out of whatever thoughts he had been dwindling on.
”Pick a card and I’ll toss it.”
”Why do you want my help?”
Zeff knew that tone well. The one that was filled with doubt and surprise. Like he couldn’t comprehend why anyone would want his help or opinion on anything.
He humphed, not having any of that attitude tonight. ”You’ve been watching and learning this game, figure you can pick a card that would be good.” He moved his hand in front of Sanji, letting him have the full view of the cards. “Think about what’s in my hand, what’s been played, what I would be going for, and pick the one that I don’t need.”
“Hey, hey, no help! That’s cheating.” Patty shouted out, pointing an accusatory finger to the two of them.
Carne snorted. “He’s probably more of a handicap than any help.” He tossed over two cards, picking up his new ones.
Sanji bristled at those words. ”Am not!” And with that, he stared at the cards for a moment intently, trying to see what Zeff was trying to get for his hand, before finally picking one card. “This one.”
And with that, Zeff took the one Sanji chose and tossed it in the discard pile, picking up another. He kept his expression schooled, and Sanji appeared to try and do the same. Though Zeff could feel the small jolt, and his legs rocking back and forth lightly enough to hit his pants.
”Last bets!” The dealer chef called out. Everyone began to throw and call out their berries.
Zeff nodded his head to Sanji as he looked up at him quizzically, asking him to place his bet for him. After a moment, Sanji tossed in three berri.
”All cards on the table!”
All of them began to show off their hands, some with more defeat than others
“Come on, Owner, no need to be embarrassed over that hand. We can even give you a mulligan on your bet if you want.” Carne teased. The table was filled with snickers and jeers at those words.
With a satisfied smirk, Zeff laid out his hand that Sanji had helped him out with and the others around the table all shouted in excitement and disbelief.
A straight flush. The highest hand on the table.
“Hah?! And how did the kid figure that one out?! That’s cheating a hundred percent!”
“You’re just mad that you don’t have help, since you need it so much!” Sanji snapped out, grinning from ear to ear..
”What did you say you little brat?” Patty shouted over the other chefs' laughter. Even Zeff was laughing at that. This kid really knew how to banter with the best of them.
The bright smile that Sanji had on his face was worth it, letting him help and get that car. The shivering in his body all but having disappeared. The two more rounds that Sanji lasted before he fell asleep again, he was more himself.
~
It had been awhile since Sanji came downstairs during one of their poker nights. But the kid was either getting less nightmares or was able to resolve them more on his own.
Still, when he heard the feet coming down, it wasn’t an unwelcome surprise. Zeff invited him over as always, but when Sanji went to climb into his lap, Zeff stopped him.
”Grab a chair.”
”Huh?”
“You're too heavy now, little eggplant, you can sit on your own chair.”
Sanji’s eye grew wide at the statement, before a large grin appeared on his face, all excitement and eagerness, his feet scrambling to another table and grabbing his own chair, sliding it along to fit between Zeff and Carne.
He tucked his knees underneath him to sit up even higher on the table. As he was dealt his hand, he picked them up one by one, shuffling them around as he tried to hold them all, using both of his hands to keep them together. He was given his own pile of one berri coins.
The kid played terribly. He didn’t know which cards to get, which ones to throw away, and betted somehow more than his mouth insulted. There had even been a few times he dropped his cards.
But by the fourth round Sanji had played, his energy had reduced.
”Time to get some shut eye, little eggplant. You're out starting the next round.”
”’m not tired you shitty ol’geezer…” Sanji mumbled, stubbornly refusing to leave. He stared at the cards in his hand that he had placed on the table to help keep them upright. But from the nodding of his head, he wasn’t going to last much longer.
“That so?” Zeff smirked. “Then I guess we should make this more interesting then.”
”Interesting?”
”My hand and yours.” He explained. “I beat yours then you go upstairs and back to sleep. And if you beat my hand…”
“Then you’ll have to be the one that peels all the potatoes and dish duty tomorrow!” Sanji replied, all confidence and alert. “I bet my hand can beat yours easy, old man!”
Zeff smirked. “Oh yeah? Then lay ‘em down, and we’ll see about that.”
Sanji grinned as he did just that. And it was three of a kind, not a bad hand for a brat like Sanji.
But Zeff put his own cards down, revealing a full house. “Better luck next time, little eggplant.”
Sanji’s eyes turned misty, lowering his head. “I suck at this game…”
”Let that be a lesson to you, baby eggplant.” Zeff said. “Just because you can play, doesn’t mean you’ll win first thing. That goes for everything in life, be it playing poker, cooking, fighting or otherwise. Learn from your mistakes and grow from them, there’s always next time.”
Sanji snapped his head back up, looking at Zeff with one of those looks. The one with so much awe and brightness, Zeff couldn’t understand why he did that so often to him. It tugged on his old heart in the softest of ways, he hadn’t even known those places still existed for a brat like Sanji.
“Quit looking like that ya damn brat and head on upstairs. We’ve got a big day tomorrow.”
Reluctantly, Sanji slid off of his chair and began to head back upstairs to sleep. And judging from the light tripping and sway, he wasn’t going to last much longer.
”He’s good kid, huh?” Carne said to no one in particular, his voice soft.
Zeff scoffed. “You thought different? Now deal the next round.”
~
“Devil fruit?” Patty repeated, picking up another card.
”Yeah, if you ever had to eat one, what powers would you want?” Carne asked. “There’s some crazy ones out there. Like you can turn into a cat, or control the wind, or even become a god!”
Zeff internally rolled his eyes. The topics during these games were always different. From the latest news, to recent rumours along the East Blue and beyond. To the random prattle that seemed to have captivated his crew and chefs. This time being devil fruits.
“I’d want one that let me turn into a lobster.” Patty declared after thinking.
”A lobster?!”
He grinned smugly. “Yeah! That way I can crush customers' heads when they think they can’t pay!” He almost crushed the cards in his hand as an example.
“And we can use you for a feast when we run out of food.” Sanji said, picking up his two new cards.
”Hah?!”
Sanji tilted his head. “We would need a lot of butter, though, but you’d turn out nicely.”
“And a bigger pot!” Carne added, cackling, the others joining in.
“What you say you damn brat? Like you got any better ideas for a Devil Fruit.”
Sanji puffed up his chest. ”I’d want the Clear-Clear fruit.” He stated.
”The Clear-Clear fruit?” Carne repeated. “Is that a real one?”
Even Zeff raised his eyebrows at that, glancing over to the brat. While some were commonly known types of devil fruit, not everyone would name the exact names of one. Not many devil fruit were around in the East Blue either.
Sanji nodded. “It makes you completely invisible to the eye. And whatever you hold becomes invisible too!”
”Now why would you want a fruit like that?” Carne asked, something that seemed to be on everyone’s mind.
Zeff also couldn’t help but wonder what could possibly be useful for Sanji to eat such a fruit.
Sanji shrunk back a little, suddenly realising he would have to explain himself and unsure of what he should say. “Ah…well…” He mumbled, his words no longer loud enough to be heard.
”I know why!” Patty grinned, chuckling. “Little brat here probably wants to sneak into a woman’s bath for a peep!”
They all watched as Sanji’s face lit up red, and many around the table began to laugh.
“S-shut up!” Sanji shouted, his voice cracking. Which caused the laughter to get more boisterous.
”It’s what I would do with that kinda power! That, and get out of work!”
Sanji growled, slapping his hand down on the table. ”Laugh all you want you shitty lobster, cause I’ve got a flush an’ that beats your hand! So read 'em and weep!”
”Whaaaat?!”
~
“You going to play your cards shitty geezer or what?”
“Like a proper souffle, little eggplant, this takes time. Not that you would know anything about that.”
“There’s waiting and then there’s taking forever, old man. You’ll have a burnt puddle of a souffle with the nap you're taking.”
Zeff looked over at Sanji. No longer a little thing that could sit in his lap after a nightmare. He held the cards easily, no longer too big for his hands, his posture relaxed yet his eyes sharp as he watched the table for the other players tells. The cigarette lit and hanging limply on his lips, the suit he insisted on wearing nicely pressed like he belonged in a fancy casino.
Now he was all grown up.
Zeff couldn’t tell when Sanji had decided to become a grown up, he still saw the little brat that fed rats when he thought no one was looking and needed a stool to reach the counter.
He would join them on occasion now, normally before he went to bed. Those times he would volunteer to make the night's meal, trying to show off his skills like it wasn’t already known he was the best cook around. Not that Zeff would say as much, the kid has enough of an inflated ego already.
Zeff could always tell when the kid had a rough night. Sanji tried to hide it, but Zeff wasn’t dumb, not when it came to many things, but especially not Sanji.
Sanji would appear from upstairs and wordlessly grab another chair to slide it over to the table, waiting for the next round to be dealt in. Once the cards were in his hand, and the bantering began out of his mouth, Zeff would watch the tension and bad feelings melt away from the brats shoulders. He would play a few rounds, before heading back to go to sleep. As if he just needed a reminder that there were people around him for when he needed them.
He still never talked about them, but Zeff was glad that at least he was helping chase the nightmares away.
”Alright old man, time to play your hand.” Sanji said, looking up from his cards to look up at Zeff.
Zeff scoffed as he laid out his hand on the table. Four of a kind.
Several of the chefs cursed, throwing their cards down haphazardly as they lost. Some sagged their shoulders or slapped their hands to their faces.
Sanji did no such thing as he casually lowered his own hand.
Straight flush.
Zeff felt a twinge on his lips, forming a proud smirk. Little bastard finally won one over him.
“Looks like you're getting sloppy old man. Getting ready to retire from the kitchens too? Sanji smirked.
Zeff laughed. “You can beat me at poker, eggplant, but you can’t beat me in the kitchen. You’ll always be a lousy cook.”
”Screw you shitty geezer, I'm a hundred times better at cooking than you, and you know it!” Sanji said, a scowl on his face.
“If that upsets you so much, then you can leave. Nothing’s keeping you here.” Zeff stated, staring at Sanji with a steel gaze.
And he knew that was where the argument was going. It seemed like anytime something like this was brought up, it inevitably came back to this. Zeff wanted Sanji to see the world and dream his dreams. Sanji wanted to stay here and throw his life away.
He was always so stubborn.
Sanji huffed, before standing from the table. “I’ve decided to retire from poker for tonight. Leave on a high note. Goodnight you shitty cooks.”
Zeff snorted, watching Sanji leave for the rest of the night. If only he could leave this damn restaurant behind like he left this poker table.
~
A few months later, with a cannon crashing into his room, Zeff found out exactly how Sanji would leave.
The kid always did have a crappy poker face.
To be fair, he wasn’t one to talk.