Chapter 16

Chapter Summary

here comes the zosan

Chapter Notes

well its about fukin time huh

See the end of the chapter for more notes

-oOo-

Zoro woke up with the after images of another dream dripping off his mind. He glanced over
at the cook, still deep in sleep with messy hair and hand extended.

He’d dreamt of something like Sunny and Merry as one, carrying him and Sanji across green
water. They’d been alone, and it was peaceful in a bittersweet sense, but being alone with
Sanji didn't magically push them together. There was the feeling of a hand on his chest, heavy
and light at the same time, but Sanji had been at the stern, far away with his back turned.
He’d only been something far away and impossible to attain in that dream.

He got up and dressed quickly, not caring that it was still dark out. It was rare that he woke
up before the cook, but he had promised Sanji that he would check in on Mihawk anyways.

He made his way down the hallways and steps, moving lightly in the early hours. The boat
was dead quiet, with the chefs still sleeping away and the sun only just about to bring light.
He popped into the kitchen to start coffee himself, glancing around for the older swordsman.
He wandered over to the docking area to check if his boat was even still there, which it was.
It reminded Zoro that he still didn't know where Perona hid her body and slept. He returned
to the kitchen for his coffee, enjoying the near silence.

He didn't really feel like running around the boat so early looking for Mihawk, since the man
wouldn't be found unless he wanted to be and Zoro highly doubted that there was anything
going on between him and Zeff. Even if there was, Zoro sure as fuck didn't want to know,
ever. Mihawk was just a batshit crazy old asshole and Zeff was Sanji’s batshit crazy old dad
and that was just that.

“You’re up early.”

Zoro did not jump at Perona’s voice. He was in complete control over his every movement,
and she didn't surprise him.

“Lookin’ for Mihawk.”

Perona hummed, floating over the coffee pot, mixing with the rising steam.

“Last I saw him he was in the water I think.”

Zoro took a burning sip of coffee, nearly choking. He eyed Perona.

“Whada mean ‘in the water’.”

Perona played with the steam, unable to affect it.

“I think he was diving or something. Devil fruit has its limits so I can't check.”

Zoro looked out the window, staring at the sea. He shook his head, drinking more scalding
coffee. It was possible that Perona had annoyed the old man past his limit, and he had jumped
into the salt water to be rid of her. If Zoro was lucky the bastard would just drown down
there.

“Whatever. You gonna leave soon or what?”

Perona stopped playing with the steam, floating over to swat at his face. Zoro shivered at the
slight feeling of something passing through his skin.

“Don't be so rude! I’m the one that made Mihawk leave your room, you know.”

Zoro spit out the coffee.

“He was in our ROOM!?”

Perona gave him an unimpressed look.

“Are you actually surprised ? For all I know he was there again last night too, so I hope you
kept your pants on.”

Zoro put the coffee cup down, rubbing at the spilled liquid all down his front. His ears felt
like they were on fire.

“Why does he even do this shit? I’m starting to think he wants me to try to kill him.”

Perona floated down so she was at eye level with him. Her nose wrinkled at his stained
jacket.

“He’s got a weird way of showing he cares, I don't know. But look, if I were you I would
really pick up the pace on the whole confession thing. Mihawk’s just gonna keep pushing,
and it won't be long before he just goes up to Sanji and is all like ‘Roronoa’s heart is yours’
or something.”

Zoro rubbed at his face. He knew Perona was right, and it scared the shit out of him. If there
was one thing he wanted in this whole situation, it was at the very least the control over how
the cook found out about his feelings. He wanted to tell Sanji, and no one else had the right to
say shit, no matter what good they thought they were doing.

“Look, I’m working up to it, and it’ll be soon , but I can't have Mihawk fucking around with
the cook either. Can't you use your ghosts on him or something?”

Perona laughed at that, making Zoro scowl.

“My ghosts won't go near him, and that’s probably for the best. I can try distracting him, but
that’s the best I can do. And!”

Zoro cringed. Perona had a big shit eating grin on her face.

“-I’ll only help if you ask me nicely.”

Zoro growled. He was screwed, because even if he didn't need Perona’s help that badly, he
didn't trust her not to fuck him over out of spite if he refused her request. She was just as evil
as Nami sometimes.

“...please.”

Perona did a little somersault.

“I can't hear youuuu.”

Zoro clenched his fists, looking around. At least they were still alone.

“Will you... please help.”

“Come on, you can do better than that, Zoro!”

“Either take it or I see how much I’d get for turning you into the marines.”

Perona narrowed her eyes at him, and he glared back. He could only bend so much to
someone so annoying.

“Uhg, fine! Sanji’s too cute for you, just so you know.”

Zoro knew for a fact that Sanji was too cute for him, but like hell that of all things was
stopping him at this point. He suddenly remembered one of the things he was going to ask
Mihawk about.

“Oh yeah, Zeff and Mihawk aren't a thing, right?”

Perona recoiled, making a gagging sound. Zoro waited expectantly.

“Oh gross ! Why would you think that! Now I’m thinking about it and I want to puke and
god! You are so awful you know that? Just- gross !”

She disappeared into the wall before Zoro could yell at her for an actual answer. It wasn't like
he wanted to think about it either. He muttered a few long curses and downed some more
coffee. He had more pressing things to figure out at the moment though, and he’d tuck the
Mihawk/Zeff bomb away for hopefully ever. He needed to find somewhere he could think,
where he wouldn't be interrupted and he could sort things out.

-oOo-
Sanji woke up alone for the first time in months.

He had gotten so used to waking up to Zoro snoring or Zoro holding him in his sleep or Zoro
giving him heatstroke that the bed seemed enormous and cold without his presence. It was
startling; the emptiness left behind like that.

He sat up in bed and touched the cool sheets, confused. It was unlike Zoro to change his sleep
schedule, but if something had happened Zoro would have woken Sanji, surley. It brought a
cold feeling to the pit of Sanji’s stomach and he raised a hand to his chest, trying to
remember where Zoro had put his own hand. Something like that wouldn't have set Zoro off.
It couldn't have been that.

He got up and dressed like usual, because the moss head not being there didn't mean the
customers wouldn't show up, and he had work to do and who cares if Zoro just- got up. He’d
find the asshole later and figure out if he had gotten lost on his way to the bathroom for
something.

He made his way to the kitchens, aware that Mihawk was staring into his back from his
preferred table on the deck. Sanji was still convinced the man didn't sleep, or if he did he did
so with his eyes open and back straight in his chair. Sanji confidently ignored his gaze, and
rushed through the door to get the day started. He greeted his early chefs, poured himself
coffee, and got to work.

He didn't care where Zoro was or what he was doing. He didn't.

-oOo-

Zoro found out, by accident, that if he sat for long enough behind all the meat in the freezer,
the sound of the ship would disappear. The cold wasn't biting, and so he had sat himself down
and allowed his body to relax into meditation.

He was going to tell Sanji that they had had drunk sex one way or another, and he was going
to do it today. No more excuses or interuptions. Meteors could be falling outside and he’d go
grab the cook and take him somewhere private and come clean about the night of the storm.
Mihawk be fucking damned.

Meditating was his best way of mental preparation, to calm himself and come to peace with
any negative outcomes. He didn't mean to stay so long, but he also knew that if he returned to
their room and saw Sanji’s sleeping face, sweet and relaxed, he’d lose his nerve all over
again. He wanted his mind clean, not clouded by how gentle and young Sanji was when
resting beside Zoro.
He wasn't sure what to expect anymore when it came to Sanji’s reaction. Last night had been
another strange instance of intimacy between them, where suddenly it was like they’d always
been so close. Sanji’s calloused fingers would have felt the way Zoro’s pulse spiked at
contact between them, and Zoro just didn't even feel like giving excuses anymore. If Sanji
had asked, right then, how Zoro felt about him, the swordsman might have just about told
him everything. In the dark, with Sanji being nothing more than a silhouette and a soft touch,
Zoro had loved him so much.

He closed his eyes and breathed, remembering the bumps of Sanji’s spine under his fingers.

-oOo-

Zoro hadn't shown up for breakfast.

Sanji didn't get it. Zoro had been waking up after him, getting breakfast, and then going to the
watch duty or fucking about on a routine schedule. He barely got that lost anymore and he
had to be hungry so where was he?

“If you ask me again if I’ve seen the kelp head I’ll make you clear dishes, eggplant.”

Sanji bit back the words that definitely weren't inquiries on Zoro’s location, instead glaring at
the older man.

“I don't allow anyone to miss a meal on this ship. The marimo is no exception and there
better be a damned good reason for him missing breakfast. Also you can't tell me what to
do!”

Zeff grunted, scraping at his eggs. They were sitting at their usual table near the kitchen
doors, able to observe the diners as they sipped coffee.

“Perhaps Roronoa felt a call to action, so to speak.”

Sanji had been doing a good job of ignoring Mihawk completely, since the head chef sure as
hell hadn’t invited him to the table, and he wasn't even going to touch on the subject of Zeff
inviting him over. The only saving grace was that Perona, sweet and beautiful and angelic,
had also joined them. Now though, Sanji turned to the older swordsman, raising a brow.

“There’s not exactly any ‘action’ here for him to be called by.”

Mihawk took a silent sip of his mystery beverage. Sanji was quite certain it wasn't tea or
coffee and it was disturbingly dark colored.

“Which would explain his absence. His patience as a chef’s dog may have run dry, and he
could be islands away by now for all we know.”

Zeff gave another grunt, earning a look from Mihawk. The two exchanged weird silent looks
and Perona poked at Mihawk, grabbing his attention. She said something but Sanji was
suddenly wrapped in Mihawk’s words.

Zoro wouldn't have just left. He couldn't have just up and left. Sanji was sure that the marimo
would at least say something to him. They’d been spending so much time together that Sanji
wasn't even sure what to do if Zoro just- left. Sanji wouldn't say he depended on the
mosshead but, still. It was Zoro and he was Sanji and didn't that mean something now?
Wasn't that a thing that had become something ?

“I bet he’d just lost again! Want me to go look for the moron?”

Sanji started, looking up at Perona. He smiled at her, hoping it wouldn't come across as
anxious.

“I could never ask a lady such as yourself to be troubled over that idiot, Perona-chan. Can I
get you anything else? More tea? Something sweet?”

Perona eyed Mihawk before glancing around. She looked annoyed, and Sanji hoped he wasn't
the cause. He was trying his damn best to act normal while underneath he was losing his shit
a little. That and the fact that Mihawk was still staring at him.
“Uh, sure. Maybe some yogurt? And, uh, yeah more tea. Thanks.”

Sanji got up immediately, smiling at her. If there was one thing to distract him it could always
be serving a beautiful woman. He spun around and went into the kitchen, hell bent on making
a perfect parfait presentation.

Unfortunately he couldn't shut off the part of his brain that was screaming at him to go find
Zoro. It was ridiculous, but the thought of Zoro just suddenly being gone was as insulting as
it was horrible. A slap on the face saying he, Sanji, wasn't even worth so much as a fucking
note. And then the notion that Sanji hadn’t gotten to tell Zoro about the storm night, and if he
didn't say it god damn soon he might never and what kind of an excuse was that really? At
the end of it all, Zoro would still fuck off somewhere and Sanji would be behind with that bit
of knowledge and self loathing and why would the marimo even leave?

Why would Zoro leave? Didn't he have everything he needed here? What more could a
person want other than amazing food, a beautiful view and- and fighting with Sanji? Wouldn't
Zoro miss that?

Wouldn't Zoro miss Sanji?

He slammed the glass down on the counter, enough that spider-web cracks appeared on the
crystal and he cursed, throwing it into the bin. Fuck the weak glass. Fuck Mihawk for
showing up. Fuck Zoro. Sanji didn't need Zoro. Why would he need a lazy good-for-nothing
swordsman on his amazing dining ship? His stupid ass didn't even help really! So what if
Zoro was fun to fight and make fun of and talk to and cook for and kiss-

Sanji bent the spoon in his hand, cursing and throwing it at the wall. It bounced off and hit a
passing chef in the head, and Sanji winced as the man went down. The head chef quickly
grabbed the near-perfect dish of yogurt parfait and the teapot and ran out the door. He begged
any god out there that Perona would forgive him for the less than exquisite presentation.

Perona was busy talking to Mihawk and Zeff in a low voice, but stopped as soon as she saw
him. All three heads at the table swiveled in his direction and pretended not to be creeped out
by that.

“Perona, dear, may I pour you a fresh cup?”

Perona eagerly extended her empty tea cup, smiling wide. She also accepted the yogurt with
no shortage of enthusiasm. Sanji smiled, placated at someone enjoying his food. It was too
bad Zoro wasn't enjoying it.
Sanji felt his mood sour and smile turn down. He had to stop thinking about the green
caveman and enjoy his current company. For fucks sake, he didn't even know if Zoro was
gone.

“Stop worrying about zucchini head already.”

Sanji bristled, glaring over at Zeff.

“Who’s worried? If the mosshead fell overboard and drowned that means less work for me.
I’d be happy to be rid of him.”

A collective silence followed as the table stared at him. Sanji looked away, cheeks flushed.
Zeff patted his shoulder, and Sanji tried to squirm away from the touch.

“I still think it's plausible he has taken it upon himself to lea-

Mihawk was cut off by Perona, pushing a cup of tea against his closed lips. Her hand shook
with pressure, and his eyes slid over to her, unamused. They exchanged a silent conversation
that lasted an eternity before Perona cautiously removed the cup. Sanji starred. Perona
clapped her hands together like nothing had happened.

“He’ll show up eventually! He’d be crazy not too, with how good this food is!”

She took another overly enthusiastic bite, and Sanji gave her a half hearted smile. He wasn't
worried about that meathead. He wasn't .

But he also hoped she was right.

-oOo-
Zoro wondered out of his hiding spot feeling much more centered than he had in awhile.
Granted, it took him a long as hell time to get from his hiding spot back to the deck, and he
had no idea just how long he had been down there. All he knew was that he was hungry, and
he wanted to find Sanji, and those two things fit together pretty well.

He ran into Perona first, who looked less than happy to see him.

“Well you sure took your sweet time! Do you have any idea what I’ve-

“Where's the cook?”

Perona looked like she wanted to strangle him, but Perona usually wanted to strangle him so
Zoro didn't take it to heart. She deflated, running her fingers through her uncombed pink
hair.

“He’s in the kitchens. It’s after lunch time, moron.”

“Oh, shit.”

Perona gave him a flat look. Zoro cursed again, because shit . He hadn't planned on skipping
breakfast, knowing it would put Sanji is a less than great mood, but skipping lunch too was
asking for death. Here he was, getting ready to approach Sanji about a pretty sensitive topic,
and the cook would probably want to kick his face in first thing.

“Well are you just gonna stand there ?”

Zoro shook himself out of his thoughts, looking at Perona. She gestured to the kitchens. Zoro
nodded. Perona’s eyes jumped to behind Zoro, and the swordsman felt his swords vibrate at
the familiar presence.

“I’m most interested in the reaction to your appearance. Did you, by chance, know that the
head chef gets violently upset when people miss meal times?”
Zoro groaned. He glanced over at Mihawk.

“If I give you my other eye will you leave? Or do you want an arm? Seriously, what will it
take?”

Mihawk opened his mouth and Perona quickly covered it. She glared at both of them.

“Nope, no, shut up, just go already!”

Mihawk didn't look pleased at having his mouth covered, but he also didn't look that
bothered. Zoro figured that if she was still alive now, he’d spare her for it, and anyways he
had shit to take care of. He nodded to her, genuinely grateful she’d taken his side for now. He
weaved around tables, making his way over to the large door.

Behind him, Perona and Mihawk watched. Perona quickly removed her hand, crossing her
arms at the older man. He blinked at her.

“I would have accepted the eye.”

Perona groaned.

-oOo-

Sanji was helping with the usual clean up when the door banged open in a familiarly rude
way.

Heads turned to regard Zoro with a mix of surprise and annoyance, but Zoro was only
looking at Sanji.
“Cook-

Zoro dodged the knives, all embedded in the wooden door and wall now. Sanji reached for a
few more, absolutely fuming. Zoro could tell he was at a level of pissed off that went past
playful, mouth shut in a tight line like he wanted to bite through his own tongue. The kitchen
had fallen to a caution motion, with chefs still quietly working in the background, knowing
they’d get in more trouble for stopping. Zoro raised his hands palm out in surrender.

“Can I eat something?”

Zoro knew where to play to Sanji’s weaknesses, and it was a cheap move but in one moment
Sanji was ready to kill him and the next he was utterly defeated by his own morals. Sanji
wouldn't not feed anyone. It was asking him to stop breathing.

That didn't mean he had to be happy about it though. He glared sharply at the swordsman, a
silent back off warning. Zoro stayed by the door and the cook cooked.

Sanji moved with his usual alley cat quickness right under Zoro’s nose, finishing up and
sliding out the door so quickly it had Zoro tripping. Sanji didn't throw the plate down though,
and Zoro silently worried. The cook took a sharp turn and suddenly they were trotting up
steps, going around corners and then it was Sanji and Zoro with a plate of scampi in their
room.

“So-

“Where the fuck were you!?”

Zoro leaned back, the ferociousness of Sanji right in his face. It hit him then, that maybe this
was more than Sanji’s usual anger at a missed meal.

“Meditating in the freezer. I think.”

Zoro reached for the scampi since he was hungry, and Sanji moved it away from his hand.
The movement seemed to surprise both of them, and Sanji jerkily moved it towards the other
man.

“You can't just- disappear like that!”

Zoro cautiously took the plate, looked at it and then Sanji, and then placed it down on the
little table. A new wave of anger seemed to roll of the cook and Zoro was quick to explain.

“Look, can we talk? I promise I’ll eat-

“Fuck you! Eat it now you shithead!”

“Why can't I eat it later?”

“You’ve already put off eating for hours!”

Zoro balled his hands in frustration, narrowing his eye at the cook. Sanji was standing there,
burning away with that anger of his.

“Why are you so pissy about this? I’ll eat later!”

Sanji grabbed the front of Zoro’s coat, fist winding in the fabric. He looked like he didn't
know what he was doing. He shoved away, pushing Zoro. They stood apart from each other,
and Sanji exhaled.

“I thought you fucking left .”

The coin dropped in Zoro’s head. Sanji was upset that Zoro had gone and missed meals, but
Sanji was angry because he thought that Zoro had up and left. And if Sanji was this pissed off
about that, well. Well that meant something.
“You really think I’d just leave like that? Without a goodbye even?”

“I don't fucking know, ok? Mihawk said some shit and I just-

Sanji cut himself off, eyes on the floor and arms crossed. Zoro rubbed the bridge of his nose,
cursing Mihawk to all hell and further. He eyed Sanji, standing there like he was trying to fit
into a corner. He did stuff like that sometimes, like he was suddenly afraid he was taking up
too much space. The man was so full to the brim with iron hard confidence, but sometimes he
was only a person who had a lot of shit piled up on his soul. Zoro wanted to take that weight
and throw it overboard, but he just couldn't and he hated how true that was.

“I need to tell you something”

Sanji looked up at him with his big blue eyes, like he was on the verge of collapse but still
wanted to fight. It made Zoro want to gather him up in his arms and never let go.

But he couldn't do that. He had to be ready to back away from all this, everything, because he
just didn't know what outcome the things he said would lead to. All he could do right now
was breathe in and let it all out.

"That storm night, when we were drinking a lot- something happened that you don't
remember and I do."

He paused, making sure Sanji was still looking right at him. He was, blue eyes still open and
unmoving. Zoro looked away again, unable to continue while meeting the gaze.

"We- well we got pretty fucking drunk, and, I think you. Kissed me."

Zoro gave a quick glance to the cook before continuing, pushing through his heart stuck in
his throat.
"And I kissed you back. and then we, did stuff. Sex kind of stuff. Which I liked."

He cautiously made eye contact, his shoulders stiff and heart quick. Sanji stared back, those
blue eyes wide and open. Zoro gave him a chance to speak, and when he didnt the
swordsman's panic skyrocketed.

"I should have told you and I'm-

"I know."

Zoro stopped, looking back at Sanji.

"...you know what?"

Sanji looked...not very upset. Much more nervous than upset at least.

"I...kinda knew that we fooled around. But I didn't think that, uh, that you did. I thought you
didn't remember."

Zoro blinked. He waited for those words to make more sense but they just. Didn't.

"You...knew...."

Sanji knowing didn't make sense. It just didn't make sense . He should be having a ridiculous
freak out right now, he should- but he- but he knew-

"Why the fuck didn't you say anything then!?"

He didn't quite mean to yell it in the cook's face but he also did because what the fuck did any
of this mean now? What did this Sanji, looking uncomfortable and nervous and red-faced
mean by all this?

"What the fuck was I supposed to say!? 'Oh hey, marimo, you know how you can't stand my
fucking guts? Well we kissed and gave each other handjobs!' You would have tried to cut my
head off!"

"No you fucking idiot you say it like a normal person like I just did ! I just said it all, cook! It
was that easy!"

Sanji growled low, poking Zoro in the chest hard.

"Oh that was easy for you? Do you have the fucking emotional capacity of a rock? I've been
agonizing over this shit! I thought- for fucks sake! I thought you'd be pissed or something!"

Zoro clenched and unclenched his fists, teeth feeling sharp in his mouth.

"I said I liked it! How could anyone not like something like that with someone like you!?"

He snapped his mouth shut, looking away. He was fucking up, hard. He didn't let his heart
leak like this, but Sanji was there, in his space and head and making it all come out so
tremendously. If the cook kept pushing him then all the cracks would add up and the wall
would break and Zoro would be there, standing with his heart outstretched in his hands, ready
to fall to bits.

"...What's that supposed to mean?"

Zoro huffed a breath, tired to the bone. He was tired of it all getting crumpled up inside
himself, and he was tired of trying to understand everything he felt. But he was more tired of
Sanji, standing there, not knowing that he was something fantastic and perfect.
"Do you know how gorgeous you are, cook? You have to know at least a little, with the way
you flirt. You have to know you're something beautiful."

He wasn't expecting the kiss. He was talking and then Sanji was kissing him, surprising him
like Sanji always seemed to keep doing, breaking him open and devouring the contents. Sanji
was kissing him and they were sober and Zoro kissed back because Sanji and Sanji and Sanji
.

Zoro cupped the mans face, holding him there so he could meet Sanji evenly, tongues messy
and teeth scraping. He didn't want to breathe until he had kissed Sanji every way there was to
kiss someone. He still let the cook pull away, conscious that nothing was final, nothing was
permanent.

"I liked it too. I was just afraid-

"-that if you said anything things would get fucked up-

"-And I like you-

"-I didn't want to lose you, Sanji-

Zoro let Sanji pull him back into the kiss, let him have control, knowing that if it wasn't Sanji
making decisions right now then Zoro might really lose it all and bury his heart in Sanji ribs.
It was too soon for that, and Zoro wanted what they had now to be for now, and for later to be
for later. He wanted to kiss Sanji right then, and so he would.

“Zoro, did you-OH!”

Zoro’s eye popped open just in time to catch Perona’s embarrassed expression before Sanji’s
knee-jerk reaction kicked in and suddenly Zoro wasn't standing anymore. He felt like his ribs
were broken, and he was staring up at the ceiling and kinda pissed, but he had also just kissed
Sanji so he could live with a kick to the chest. He lay on the floor listening to Sanji and
Perona fluster.

“Sorry! Sorry I’ll, uh, just- yeah.”

“No need to apologize Perona dear! Did you need-

“No, no I’m good! I actually think someone’s calling me so I better-

“Right, of course! And if you need anything-

“Yup! Ok gonna go now!”

The chatter stopped and Zoro guessed that Perona actually finally left. A few seconds ticked
by and Zoro’s view of the ceiling became blocked by a yellow head.

“Uh, sorry.”

Zoro shrugged. Or shrugged as best he could while laying down on his back.

“Eh, not your fault.”

Silence again. Zoro kept looking up at Sanji, and he kept looking down at Zoro. He had a
startled look on his face, the normal wide eyes of a man caught off guard and the Sanji
signature lip bite that meant he wanted a cigarette and didn't know what to say. Zoro couldn't
blame him. It wasn't like he knew what to say either.

“So, I still gotta do the dinner shift...”

Zoro nodded. Sanji’s restaurant didn't stop for anything or anyone, of course.

“But after that, uh, we could. Continue?”

Zoro pushed himself up, Sanji backing away to give him room. He was still all wide blue
eyes and red ears. Boyish and handsome in all the ways that pulled just right at Zoro’s heart.

“Yeah. Yeah and I’ll go back on watch.”

This time Sanji’s wide eyes crinkled as a grin stretched his face. He laughed, brushing some
hair to the side.

“You know you don't actually gotta do the watch, right?”

Zoro felt his own face splitting with a grin. He chuckled, joining in on Sanji’s deep wind
chime laugh.

“Yeah, whatever, shit-cook.”

Sanji laughed harder, and Zoro thought it’d be so easy to get addicted to making him laugh
like that. Who knew there were new ways to make Sanji that much more beautiful, just with
words. The cook cut himself off, looking over at the bedside table.

“Oh shit, the shrimp scampi is definitely cold now.”

Zoro just kept laughing. Sanji turned to him, red cheeked. Zoro smiled up at him.
 “Who cares, it’ll still be good.”

Sanji scoffed, picking up the dish and handing it to Zoro, smirking. Zoro took it, letting his
hand fold over Sanji’s fingers meaningfully. He took the plate slowly, letting his smile fade
into something easier and calm, making sure he would never forget the blushing Sanji in
front of him, smiling because of Zoro. He was still hungry as hell though, and yeah, the food
would still be damn good.

“Yeah yeah. Just eat it all, dumbass.”

Sanji’s fingers slid off the plate, away from the other man’s hand. He brought his fingers up,
touching the shell of Zoro’s ear as a kiss was pressed to the swordsman’s brow. It was
lingering, but still so soft that Zoro thought his own blush would be enough to heat up the
meal. Then Sanji was at the door, giving him a look over his shoulder like he was still
startled, but in a happy way.

“And don't skip dinner, marimo.”

And then he was gone, off to go start meal prep or yell at chefs or Zeff or anything really. All
Zoro had to remind himself it wasn't a dream was the plate in his hand and the buzz on his
lips.

Later. He thought, touching them. It was like Sanji had left behind the vibrations of his voice
tingling on his lips.

Later.

Chapter End Notes

first of all, Perona and Nami should def join forces to harass Zoro
but ok damn this took a while huh but boy howdy look at that its actual zosan huh like
wow
Anyways yes! more of the actual real zosan to come! it just continues from here on out
people! once again thank you everyone for the comments I never have time to fucking
reply to ok im out
 Chapter 17
Chapter Summary

lads, the chapter is explicit af

Chapter Notes
See the end of the chapter for notes

Sanji’s hands weren’t shaking. They weren’t.

“Why the hell are your hands shaking, eggplant?”

Sanji put his spoon down and went about tossing a salad, not looking at Zeff.

“Need a smoke, fuck off.”

He did really want to smoke, but he’d been doing so well with cutting back to one a day, and
he wasn't going to just piss off from the middle of dinner shift. Whether it was the reason his
hands were shaking or not didn't matter at all because it wasn't anyone’s damn business.
Beside him, Zeff tutted and went back to his own work, actually being useful and quiet for
once. Sanji was just glad the bastad wasn't spending more quality time with the vampire
wannabe out on deck.

“Oi, is the grass-head back on watch?”

Sanji started badly enough that a good deal of salad went all over the counter. He cursed,
throwing the lettuce and chunks of carrot back in the bowl. Zeff stared at him, hard. Sanji
gave a shrug he hoped came across as nonchalant.
“How should I know? I don't monitor the marimo.”

Zeff tapped his peg leg on the ground, and Sanji’s eyes nervously shifted around. It wasn't
that he wanted to keep everything a secret really, this whole- whatever he and Zoro were at
the moment, but he didn't want to broadcast it either. They hadn't even really done anything
anyways. Well, except the very drunk sex thing. And the recent kiss thing. And the soon to be
sober sex thing.

Sanji spilled the salad bowl again.

“Oi, where’s your head at, eggplant?”

Sanji mumbled at him to shut up, face red. He was all jitters like his goddamn puberty years,
freaking out over the mear mention of sex and running around like a headless chicken. Who
would of thought that Roronoa Zoro of all people would make Sanji feel like a fucking
virgin.

Sanji felt his blush come back with a vengeance. Zoro most certainly was not a virgin if his
memory served him right. And then they hadnt even really have sex and tonight maybe they
would and-

“Oi! You gonna start worshiping that carrot or something? Get back to work!”

Sanji bit back a retort, throwing the carrot that he may have been staring at a little too
intensely into the bowl again. He concentrated on the salad, because if he couldn't make that
then he was sure as hell fucked. Even if the green reminded him of Zoro’s hair and-

“FUCK!”

He had been leaning too far over the bowl, his tie just close enough to the nearby burner to
start smoking, and suddenly light up. Sanji ran to the sink, throwing on the tap to extinguish
the ruined clothing. He pulled it from his neck, tossing it in the bin with flushed ears.
“Ok, that's it, you’re off kitchen duty.”

Sanji twisted his head to glare at Zeff, standing in Sanji’s way and blocking his access to his
station. The man was much shorter than Sanji by now, old age making him stoop low, but
then again Sanji had only ever really felt like a child when Zeff stood with his arms crossed
like that.

“You can't make that call, it's my restaurant you shitty old man.”

Zeff stood his ground. Sanji glared back, eyes flickering around the room to make sure the
staff were still working despite the dramatics.

“You’re too distracted to be of any use, so go deal with whatever’s got your pants twisted!”

Sanji fumed, tempted to lash out. Zeff was right though, and wouldn't ever throw Sanji out of
the kitchen (which he owned ) for no reason. Still, it wasn't Zeff’s call to make, and it pissed
Sanji off to no end.

“I was going to take a night off anyways .”

The head chef didn't give Zeff another opportunity to humiliate him, and passed through the
doors to the main deck quickly. He lit up a cigarette because fuck it and took a long drag. So
maybe he was a little too distracted to work right now. Anyone in his situation would be a
little distracted. He was basically going to have (sober) sex with a crewmate he’d know for
years and had a newfound and enormous crush on. Anyone would be nervous. Maybe Zoro
was even nervous.

Sanji looked up at the crows nest. He doubted that sex was something Zoro got nervous over,
but maybe the swordsman was feeling just a little antsy over the whole situation. Sanji
thought about a nervous Zoro, red faced with averted eye contact, and he’d never combine
the words cute and Zoro but it was damn close. Sanji looked over at the rigging ladder,
feeling his ears burn once again.

Zeff had told him to go deal with his distraction, and Zoro was basically the source, so.
 -oOo-

Zoro wished he had his training equipment.

He was so used to being in the crows nest with something to lift or just anything to do really,
that being on watch with just his thoughts was maddening. How the fuck was he supposed to
be keeping guard of the ship when he had tonight to think about?

Well, technically he didn't have to be on watch, but he wasn't just going to wait around in the
room for hours. He also wasn't going to risk walking around on deck because fuck knows
who Perona shared her new information with. Maybe if she had told Mihawk, the man would
finally leave at least.

The sound of creaking wood caught his attention, and he reached out with his haki just
enough to touch on Sanji’s presence coming up the rigging.

Zoro felt his pulse skyrocket. He’d only been up there for maybe an hour, but maybe Sanji
had changed his mind and decided to come tell him to fuck off. Maybe the cook had realized
the storm night had just been a drunk fuck and there was no reason to continue and maybe he
wanted Zoro to leave now and-

“Oi, I know I said you don't have to be on watch but can you at least pretend you’re on
lookout?”

Sanji’s voice was smooth as ever, cigarette hanging from his mouth and Zoro immediately
wanted to pluck it out and kiss him. It was almost frightening how strong the urge was, just to
take up Sanji’s space and touch the other man now that there was a sliver of a chance at
possibilities. Zoro shook himself, giving Sanji a smirk that he hoped looked relaxed.

“Maybe I want a fight to come to us.”

Lord knows it would welcome. Zoro would kill for a chance to burn off some energy right
now, especially with the way Sanji was smiling down at him, hands deep in his pockets with
his hip angled to the side. It was a pose that could only be pulled off by a man who looked
good, and knew he looked good.
“Well I was going to offer something to alleviate the boredom, but if you’d rather wait for a
fight…”

Sanji began turning away, purposefully slow, and Zoro knew fully well he was playing right
into the cook’s hands when he reached out to drag the other man back. Sanji let out his deep
chiming laugh, allowing his body to be pinned against the side of the wood as Zoro took up
that space he had wanted to. He was thrilled to be where he was, to be invited and accepted
by Sanji like this- it would be addicting, fast. He leaned forward, keeping his voice low as the
distance closed.

“What happened to dinner shift?”

Sanji just shrugged, eyes flicking down to Zoro’s mouth and back up. He was still smiling.

“The chefs can handle it. I didn't feel like waiting.”

Sanji cleared the last bit of distance, pressing his lips to Zoro’s. Zoro hummed, relief flowing
gently through him that Sanji still seemed to want this- want him . He let the cook control the
kiss, busy running his hands over Sanji’s hip bones, his back, his shoulders. Sanji’s fingers
played with the hair at the base of Zoro’s skull, arms winding around the broader back and
securing his hold. They were pressed flush together, and Zoro wondered if Sanji would be
able to hear how loud his heartbeat was.

Feeling brave, Zoro played with the hem of Sanji’s shirt, untucking it a little so he could get
at the skin of Sanji’s lower back. He ducked his head to kiss at Sanji’s neck softly, before
pulling back to look at the cook.

“This ok?”

Sanji’s visible eye fluttered open, and he was panting softly. Zoro wanted to see how much
more he could get the flush on Sanji’s face to spread and burn. The faint memory of Sanji’s
face like this didn't compare to the one now, with an easy smile coming to the blonde’s face.
“Didn't take you for a gentleman, marimo.”

Zoro nipped at his neck again, nose tickled by slight stubble. He moved up, letting his lips
catch the shell of Sanji’s ear, delighting in the shiver he received.

“I wanna make sure it's good for you.”

And he did. He wanted so badly to know all the ways he could make Sanji feel good, to make
him fall apart and cry out. Zoro had had so much time to fantasize and dream up this
moment, and now that it was real he wanted nothing less than something amazing for the
man in his arms. He wanted to be able to give that to Sanji.

“Idiot. It goes both ways, y’know.”

Zoro smiled into the kiss Sanji pressed on him. It was only natural that the cook gave as good
as he got. It was just one of those things Zoro loved all the way through his soul.

“I know it’ll be good for me. I trust you, Sanji.”

He felt the cook still, lips moving away and his face coming back into view as Zoro opened
his eye. He worried he had said something wrong, watching Sanji’s flushed face look at him
with large blue eyes.

“Yeah, ok, we gotta get to the room.”

Zoro laughed, watching as Sanji nearly tripped trying to get back to the rigging. He got a
glare in response, but the effect was lost due to the harsh blush on Sanji’s cheeks. Zoro
climbed after him, in just as much a hurry to get somewhere private suddenly.

He chased Sanji by the railing, passing customers paying them little mind and a few confused
waiters. They sprinted around the back way, avoiding the kitchen area and Sanji had to grab
into Zoro’s shirt to pull him in the right direction. They tripped up stairs and Zoro’s loud
boots thudded againt the wood and echoed along hallwyas until they reached their room. The
door closed and they stood facing each other, a little out of breath, smiling like idiots.

Zoro took the first step forward this time, and the mood shifted. Sanji’s smile eased into
expectancy, the light dancing in his eyes. It wasn't dark yet, the sun was only just dipping
behind the edge of the world, and the shadows were long and dramatic all over the room.

“You gonna stand there all day, marimo?”

Sanji said it softly, careful not to break the spell. Zoro didn't answer. Instead he took one step
forward, pressing against Sanji, bringing his hands up to cup the pale face. Again, he was so
suprised that the cook allowed the gentle touch so easily, looking right at Zoro without any
hesitance hidden there.

Sanij tasted like sea salt on Zoro’s tongue. He tasted like a fight, like a home, like something
bad and good and the only thing in the world. As the kiss deepend his lips formed sounds that
Zoro drank, and his body arched up into every touch Zoro pressed to his skin. The untucked
white shirt Sanji wore came undone, button by button until it fell on the floor in a heap. He
laid his hands on Sanji’s body, gently at first, marveling at every inch displayed for him to
feast on. He felt rabid, like some feral creature that hadn’t eaten or slept in years, now free
and shaking.

“Zoro, come on…”

He’d just been staring, running his fingers like he was trying to play music with Sanji’s ribs.
He broke from his reverie, pressing more kisses to the body beneath him, feeling his whole
core shake as Sanji pressed his hips up, winding a leg around Zoro’s waist and grinding their
lengths together through clothes. They both moaned, long and drawn out at the touch. Zoro
reached down to taste that moan, to pull at Sanji’s pants.

“Sanji, can I-

“Yeah, do it, fuck -

Sanji hissed at the air around his now bare body, pants falling down Sanji’s toned thighs.
Zoro pushed him against the back of the door, desperate to touch again. Zoro lowered himself
quickly, bending his back so his teeth could leave marks on Sanji’s hip. He wanted to paint all
over the skin before him, leave Sanji wearing bruises like jewels. He closed his mouth around
Sanji’s member, letting the cook rock into him, keeping his ears open for Sanji’s filthy mouth
to curse every word he knew.

“Zoro! Fucking-god, fuck! Zoro !”

Zoro didn't think he could stop even if he wanted to. He sucked hard, fingers digging into
Sanji’s thighs, pulling him into him, making the blonde’s hips move in and out, fucking his
mouth. He pulled off to drag his teeth over Sanji’s naval, bite hard onto the other hip bone,
and then he returned his mouth to Sanji, letting Sanji do anything he wanted, anything he
wanted.

“Gonna-Zoro, m’close, fuck so close -!”

Zoro just returned his hands to Sanji’s thighs, forcing him deeper into his mouth, making him
reach the back of his throat with his cock until Sanji shuddered, hard and beautiful while
Zoro swallowed everything. He pulled himself off, licking everything left, feeling the cook
shiver and moan above him. He felt dizzy, thrown off by arousal, by need and satisfaction
and Sanji .

“San-

Zoro was pushed, back hitting the matress as Sanji suddenly sat above him, eyes almost black
and tearing off his skin with how hungry they looked. He was something unearthly,
something like a god. Like a dream.

“Oil, side drawer. Now .”

His command made his aching cock twitch and his throat bob. Sanji’s low voice, coated in
arousal and course from crying out. Zoro wanted Sanji to tell him how to do horrible things
to his body in that voice. He fumbled with the little drawer by the bed, grabbing a few small
bottles and desperately trying to figure out what was what. He shuddered as Sanji’s nails
flicked down his chest, then reached to grab the right oil from Zoro’s hand.
“Now I’m going to suck you, and you’re going to get me ready. And if you cum before I’m
ready, you can just sit back and watch me fuck myself, got it?”

Zoro nodded, unable to speak. The oil was pressed into his hand, and he took it, gripping the
little bottle so tightly he worried he would break it. Sanji began turning around, but Zoro
grabbed him by the back of the neck, forcing his tongue into Sanji’s mouth, letting the cook
dirty the kiss and taste himself. He moaned, deep and long while Sanji sucked on his tongue
and pulled away, giving him a heated stare and a small smirk as he turned.

Sanji moved fast, quick fingers lazily stroking Zoro while he fumbled with the oil. His
fingers shook so badly that he couldn't get the cap off. He felt his pants finally open, and then
the hot and wet warmth of Sanji’s tongue moving along his shaft.

“Ah, shit, Sanji -

The cook didn't stop, he teased Zoro and the swordsman gave up on the oil for the moment,
gripping at Sanji’s hip and pulling him back, pressing his tongue against Sanji’s hole. He
sucked a bit, and a choked noise came from Sanji, followed by a low moan as he popped his
mouth off of Zoro. Zoro took the opportunity to finally uncap the oil, replacing his mouth
with his fingers, pressing into Sanji.

“Ohhh fuuuck, fuck , yeah, like that…”

Zoro knew this part. He knew all the ways he could make Sanji curl his toes and beg at him
from inside. Sanji was incredible , but Zoro would give him everything and make him love it.
He’s pull sounds from Sanji that no one else would be able to. He’d destroy the man before
him and then build him back up.

He pushed another finger in, moving them even as Sanji returned to sucking him off, moving
his tongue so sinfully and perfectly. Zoro took short, controlled breaths through his nose,
desperately focusing on his fingers in the tight warmth of Sanji.

“C’mon, more , Zoro.”

Zoro complied. Sanji could have told him to eat his own arm and he would have fucking
done it right them. He added a third finger, moving them deeper, fucking Sanji with them
until the blonde was only moaning around his length. Each of them sending the other man
into unhinged pleasure.

“Sanji, fuck, please !”

Sanji moved his body, lithe and fast, forcing Zoro back to the flat of his back, caging Zoro in
with his arms and legs. Even in the dim light, Zoro could see the red flush dusting over his
entire body, coloring him soft and light.

“Better hold on, marimo.”

He sounded out of breath, still so damn cocky as he had the right to be. He reached for Zoro’s
cock, touching it so gently as he lined it up, and moved himself down at a snail's pace. His
eyes never left Zoro’s face, and Zoro was gone. He was lost. He’d let Sanji kill him right
then, he let Sanji break all his bones, he’d give Sanji everything . He’d fucking bow his head,
he’d worship the man.

“Fuck , Sanji! ”

He dug his hands into those kiss bitten hips, knowing they’d be purple by the morning,
coloring all the rose pink dust that had settled on the smooth skin. He had to close his eyes,
trying to breathe as best he could while Sanji settled around him in every sense.

“ Ah, ah -fuck, come-ah- come on Zoro, is this really the world’s best?”

Zoro opened his eyes again, taking in how wrecked Sanji look. He was utterly gorgeous,
bared to Zoro like a gift to be opened. Who was Zoro to let down this man, so completely
perfect and deserving of only pleasure?

“You asked for it, remember that, Sanji .”

Sanji shuddered, and before he could prepare himself Zoro rocked into him, lifting his hips
hard and quick, his fingers still digging into the warm colored flesh of Sanji’s hips.

“ FUCK! Fuck, yes, yes! ”

Zoro didn't stop, his hips kissed Sanji’s and the cook rocked down onto him, harsh and deep
and agonizingly good. He focused on the spot a bit to the left, and drowned himself in Sanji’s
cries of pleasure. He fucked into Sanji and Sanji fucked right back down on him, giving him
everything back with the same force, taking all of Zoro’s breath.

“Oohh, god, Zoro , harder!”

He grit his teeth, digging his feet into the mattress and compiled. Anything, anything Sanji
wanted. Beautiful arms shook beside his neck, and Zoro rose up to his knees, keeping Sanji
attached to him as he pulled him flush, groaning at all the skin against his. Sanji bit into his
neck, tugged at his hair and Zoro loved it, he loved him.

“Ah, ah, ah! ”

The blonde was nearly screaming in his ear, breath burning and Zoro moved back just enough
to swallow every kind of noise. He was getting so fucking close, and he wanted to fuck Sanji
forever. He wanted to live in his goddamn skin.

It couldn't last, though. Even as he slowed his pace, making Sanji whine and curse, fucking
into him slow and deep. Sanji shuddered and shook through his release, Zoro’s mouth
catching every long moan. Sanji caught his in return, holding the man against him as he
thrust up and through his release. Their ogansms took them out of body, and Zoro couldn't
fucking breath for a moment. When he returned to himself, trying to catch his breath, he lay
kisses on Sanji’s flushed neck, listening to the other man’s gasping. He licked at the pale
throat, rewarded with a soft groan and his hands tenderly moved across shoulders. With every
breath Sanji took, Zoro felt their chests push together, and he wondered if there was anyone
else in the world who could ever fit as well as Sanji did against him. If there was he never
wanted to know.

He pulled out slowly, laying Sanji down and falling next to him, pressing a last kiss to his
brow, then another to his cheek, and still another to his neck. Sanji pet his hair, fingers slow
 and steady, and Zoro watched the smile on his lips out of the corner of his eye.

“Goddamn. And I thought fighting you made me sore.”

Zoro stifled a laugh, hiding his face in Sanji’s skin, pulling him even closer against his chest.

“Too much?”

Zoro felt the cook’s chuckle in his chest and throat, the sound echoing out.

“Are you kidding? We’re only just getting started, marimo.”

Zoro did laugh at that, a short rush of noise that might have been a little crazed sounding. He
pulled himself up, moving to lean over Sanji with his limbs trapping him where he was. He
drank his fill of the image Sanji gave, flushed and happy in the bed, fingers working their
way up Zoro’s neck. His eyes burned in a familiar, challenging way.

Zoro leaned down, closing his eyes as his lips found Sanji’s. He wondered if they could make
it to three rounds, since that had always been his number.

Chapter End Notes

bout time lmao

(sorry its all so cheesy in this chapter haha)
 Chapter 18
Chapter Summary

sorry Zeff cover your ears next time

Chapter Notes
See the end of the chapter for notes

Sanji woke up first, sunlight just touching the room through the window and adding shadows.
His face was buried in warm skin, scarred over but still soft against his cheek. Large arms
wrapped loosely around him, and the desire to stay there was immense.

He gently removed himself from the embrace, sitting up on the bed to look down at the
sleeping man. In the morning light Zoro was still beautiful, still someone wonderful. He was
a little perfect, and it was all just too much for the morning hours.

He was still a bit gross from last night, and sore in all sorts of places. The sheets would need
to be replaced since there was no saving the tears that had occurred in round two, and the
headboard was a little cracked from one of them doing something at one point. He’d have to
do with a washrag for now and deal with the damages later. His duties as head chef didn’t just
pause because now he was having sex with Zoro.

He buried his flushed face in his hands, feeling a little smile tug at his lips. He was- happy.
Zoro made him so happy . He was living his dream on the All Blue and the world’s greatest
swordsman was in his bed, soft and warm. Sanji had never once imagined this was what
would make him rise from bed with a stupid smile on his face, but here he was, so fucking
alive because Zoro was his and that was amazing .

He busied himself by dressing quickly, flustered and unable to settle down his heart, and
hesitating at the door before darting back to the bed. He fidgeted quietly before bending
down to kiss Zoro on the forehead, then the cheek, then the forehead again because he liked
the way his green hair tickled his nose and-

“Mmm, s’morning?”
Sanji gave a small laugh, hand coming up to ruffle the soft green strands. A calloused hand
touched his chin and ran down his neck, still sleep loose in movement.

“Yeah, I’ll bring up some food in a bit.”

He moved to pull away but a hand yanked on his shirt, making the blonde move with it so the
fabric didn't tear. He still couldn't stop smiling.

“Stay.”

Zoro’s one good eye cracked open, looking up at Sanji with a gentle little look. Sanji ran his
fingers over the bridge of his nose, his brows, his lips. He liked touching Zoro in the light,
watching where his fingers fell.

“I can't just stay in bed all day like some people, marimo. Got a ship to run, amazing food to
make and all that.”

“...I could make you stay.”

Sanji laughed, highly amused as Zoro kept tugging at his clothes, trying and failing to undo
the buttons on his shirt before giving up and just tugging at the fabric uselessly.

“Go back to sleep, mosshead. You can impress me with your shitty attempts at seduction
later.”

Zoro grumbled, but his hands slipped away from Sanji’s shirt. The cook leaned down to press
another kiss to his brow, and was caught off guard as Zoro tilted his head quickly, making
their lips connect. Sanji sighed into it, morning breath and all making him melt and smile. He
pulled away before Zoro could take control, moving to a safe distance so he could retreat for
now. He slipped out the door, catching the little smile on Zoro’s sleepy face. It made him feel
brand new.
He had to shake himself outside the door, try to will away the light flush on his face and the
stupid grin. He couldn't act the part of a competent captain while being all disgustingly dopey
like this. He wasn't a teenager anymore for shits sake. He managed a few quick stretches,
knowing he’d be aching for a while after a night like that. Zoro had been surprisingly gentle
though, all things considered. For all the man’s brutishness and lack of grace, he had treated
Sanji like something- not fragile , but close. Something that should have come across
demeaning or annoying really, but then again came the knowing Sanji had for Zoro. The
knowing that he was being treated with respect, with honor .

He managed to enter the kitchens without the silly look on his face at least. Only a few looks
were shared when he entered, which was hopefully about nothing. He was wearing clean
clothes, his hair was neat, no reason to-

“You sure took your sweet time this morning, shitty eggplant.”

Sanji winced. That was, not a good tone. That was a very-much-pissed-off tone. Sanji
carefully turned to get a look of the old man and yeah, he looked like shit .

“I woke up late, piss off.”

“Yeah, I'm sure you did.”

Sanji moved a bit closer, crossing his arms and narrowing his eyes. Zeff was glaring at him
with a laser fine focus.

“And what’s that supposed to mean?”

A few of the closer chefs scrambled away quietly as Zeff took a purposeful step forward to
poke Sanji in the chest, hard.

“It means , that your room is right next to mine , shit-head.”

Sanji opened his mouth to curse right on back, and paused. The gears in his head came to a
halt and a few horrifying things clicked into place. He felt himself pale and Zeff narrowed his
eyes further. Oh fuck .

“You get it now? I’m too old to be losing my sleep over that .”

Sanji was sure his face had switched from white to red so quickly he could have been a
firework. His cheeks certainly felt hot enough to be one.

“I get it! Just shut up !”

“Hmf. You sure didn’t.”

“OI!”

He heard a snicker from behind him and grabbed the nearest object, flinging it in that
direction. He growled at Zeff, officially in a pissy enough mood to ruin his earlier
mushiness.

“Please, if the entire boat didn't hear what you were up to last night then at least half did.
Either get the blueberry head to thicken the walls or go to the cellar, for fucks sake.”

“I GET IT! now kindly just shut the fuck up ! And everyone better be working if I turn
around!”

They were, thankfully, even if they all had carefully blank expressions that made Sanji want
to kick all of their asses. Hell, he’d be lucky if he’d be able to look anyone in the eyes all
fucking day after a show like that. He was trying to be a respectable leader for shits sake and
that had been tossed right out the window for at least two days. He was tempted to relocate
Zeff’s room to the god damn bottom of the ocean. He was tempted to relocate himself there.
He got to work right away, only stopping to throw a pepper grinder and a butter knife at two
younger chefs snickering in the corner.

-oOo-

Zoro was having a great morning. Hell, he was probably having the best morning of his life .

He’d gotten to wake up to Sanji pressing kisses on him, smiling down at him so sweet with
golden hair catching the morning light. He’d looked ethereal, and a part of Zoro still had
doubts that he hadn't been a dream. The last time he had felt this good was when he had
beaten Mihawk, and even then this was still something just on the side of more .

Sanji, bright and beautiful in his arms, glowing under him, sleeping next to him. Kissing him-
being kissed by him, it was like he was being cut open and sewn together and the sun was
stuck in his throat. He felt like he was finally living .

He got out of bed because he wouldn't be able to find sleep again and he didn't want to
anyways. He wanted to see Sanji, to just see him and be able to touch his hand maybe, or at
the very least catch his eye and catch his smile. He wanted to hold him close again but he
knew he’d have to wait. Sanji had been right, about saying he had a ship to run. Time
wouldn’t stand still for them just because they had finally seen eye to eye on the whole liking
each other thing and had sex. But damn did Zoro want it to. He’d been wanting this for years
and years now, and like any other starving man he wanted to indulge and gorge. He had to
have restraint though. No good would come from driving Sanji crazy with overbearing
emotions and selfishness. The last thing Zoro wanted to do was scare the cook away.

He rubbed his face, trying to rub away the little grin on his face. He felt like such a kid,
smiling to himself like a moron. The cook would’ve laughed at him if he could see how
stupid he looked. The thought still couldn’t get rid of the smile though. He sighed, giving up
on being anything other than a lovestruck fool and grabbing his pants off the floor. Sanji had
folded them somehow at some point, and that brought a whole new wave of embarrassing
giddiness in him. He shook himself, refusing to succumb to such ridiculousness. Time didnt
fucking stop just because his crush was getting reciprocated, he had shit to do.

Well, he didn't, really, but he always had fun scaring the shit out of other pirates and messing
with Sanji’s crew, so maybe he could do that today. Mostly he just wanted to go see the cook,
maybe tease him a bit, maybe kiss him a little. Or a lot. Depended on how busy he was.
Considering how he hadn't brought food back upstairs he was probably busy, which was fine
since Zoro was a big boy and could go get food himself. It was a shame though that he
couldn't get the cook alone for awhile now.

He threw his jacket on and secured his swords to his hip before exiting the room, figuring
he’d be needing a shower later too. He could hear a lot of noise coming from below, and
hoped he wasn’t missing a fight. There shouldn't be too many customers so early on, so
maybe the chefs were just going at it again. Sanji seemed fine with them beating the shit out
of each other on occasion as long as it was limited to certain areas of the ship and stopped
before it got serious. Zoro thought it was funny, mostly because to him it looked like kittens
going at it, but also because some chefs just threw spices in each other's faces.

“If you’re so god damn invested in TALKING rather than COOKING than you can be on
fucking DISHWASHING TODAY!!”

Yeah, Sanji sounded busy alright. Zoro backed away from the kitchen, deciding he’d let
whatever that was cool down a bit-

“ You .”

Zoro started so badly he nearly didn't block the peg leg that came at his face. He wasn't used
to be on the receiving end of Zeff’s wrath like this, and he didn't think he’d done anything
that warranted it. Unless the last bottle he’s stolen from the cellar had been special or
something.

“Oi, wha-

“The last thing-the absolutely last thing I want to be hearing at god knows what hour is my
kid getting busy horizontal ways. That clear, kelp-head? Take it elsewhere next time.”

Zeff stomped away, looked a little more haggard than usual and twice as pissy. Zoro stood
with his jaw at his feet, face probably every color of red. He had completely forgotten Zeff
slept in the room right next to them . He could only pray that Sanji hadn’t gotten that
particular call out by Zeff, since it’d be one hell of a mood killer. Which, would explain the
yelling in the kitchen. Zoro sighed. They never were much for peacefulness anyways, it
figured their relationship would be a bit on the crazy side, same as always. Zoro couldn’t say
he minded.

A few waiters passed him as he made his way to the kitchens, figuring he still needed
breakfast. They carefully avoided his eye, which wasn’t a great sign, but whatever. The usual
bustle of the kitchen seemed eerily quiet as he stepped inside, noting a few quick looks and
whispers. He shot a glare at one man who was full on staring, and he paled before returning
to his work. Quite a few chefs were just, staring at him.

“DOES EVERYONE HERE WANT DISHWASHING DUTY!? GET BACK TO WORK !”

There was a loud thud as Sanji actually sent one guy flying, making Zoro duck to avoid
collision as he went sailing out the door. A chorus of yes head-chef followed, and Sanji
marched towards Zoro, plates in hand and red faced.

“Uh-

“Just shut up and take the plate.”

Zoro did as told, following quietly behind the cook to an empty table. They passed a
disturbingly still Mihawk, eyes slowly following them like a haunted painting, but Zoro
figured that was a whole other issue to deal with later. Sanji sure seemed hell bent on
ignoring the man at least, and that worked fine for Zoro.

Sanji threw his plate down and started eating in silence. Zoro shrugged and did the same,
since poking at Sanji when he was like this was a sure way to get a foot in his face. He still
got to eat with the cook, and that was a win.

By the time they were done eating and Sanji was sipping coffee, his mood seemed to have
shifted from murderous to annoyed. Zoro decided to risk it.

“So the old man cornered you too?”

Sanji blushed and gave Zoro a look that confirmed he had definitely been cornered. He
groaned, a hand fisting in his yellow hair as he let out a low string of curses. He put his cup
down and gave Zoro an embarrassed look. The swordsman thought it was kind of endearing.

“What’d the geezer say to you?”

Zoro shrugged, earning a small kick to his ankle.

“He just kinda- said take it somewhere else next time.”

Sanji grimaced, looking sullenly at his cup.

“Well, could be worse, I guess. Hopefully he goes and takes a nap and comes back less an
asshole.”

Zoro watched him fiddle with his fork. He felt nervous, because Sanji cared about what Zeff
though. A lot . Even if he didn't want to admit it, the cook wanted the old man to be proud of
him, which Zoro could understand. Getting embarrassed like this wasn't a great start, and he
worried about Sanji hightailing it because of it.

“Would you wanna-somewhere else? I mean-

He took a breath, feeling his cheeks burn as Sanji looked over at him. He stared intently at
the table cloth.

“I mean, could there be-uh, a next time?”

He rubbed the back of his neck, feeling awkward. He glanced back at Sanji, the man sporting
a deep blush. Zoro felt his own blush rise in reaction. He had to look away again.

Light fingers climbed up his cheek, brushing his earrings. When he looked up again Sanji
was leaning into his space, placing a soft kiss on his chin. The kiss climbed like his fingers,
brushing against Zoro’s lips and he pressed back eagerly.

When Sanji pulled back they were both a little breathless and still red-faced, and Zoro
couldn't help but smile. He just wasn't over the surprise he felt when Sanji kissed him.

“Franky can make the walls soundproof or something. Until then we can just-try to be quiet.”
Zoro grinned, leaning his forehead against Sanji’s. Sanji’s hand made his earrings chime.

“What if I don't want you to be quiet?”

Sanji shoved the hand in his face, pushing him away and laughing.

“You jump from shy to brash just like that, huh?”

Zoro stuck his tongue out, licking Sanji’s hand a bit and the cook recoiled in disgust. Zoro
just laughed.

“Well now that I know you’re interested, no point in being subtle is there?”

Sanji wiped at his hand, wrinkling his nose at it. He gave Zoro a flat look after tossing the
dirty napkin aside.

“Right, how could I forget who I was talking to. Do you even know how to flirt?”

Zoro thought about that. He’d been trying to flirt with Sanji for over 5 years. Either he was
really bad at it or the cook was that dense. It was a safe bet that it was a bit of both.

“Do you want me to flirt with you?”

“I’m pretty sure you flirting just includes picking a fight.”

Zoro shrugged. That wasn’t too far off.

“I like fighting with you.”

Sanji hummed, fishing a cigarette out of his pocket, but thinking better of it and tucking it
back away. He’d been doing it less and less, but there was something about Sanji smoking
that completed the picture in Zoro’s head. All those fights they’d been in where Sanji lit one
up when the going got tough and they were bleeding all over the place. He missed that.

“Tell me what you like about fighting with me.”

Zoro eyed him. Sanji was giving him a lazy look, something like mischief in his eyes.

“...Why?”

Sanji fiddled with his tie, brushing against the silk and smoothing out invisible wrinkles.
Zoro watched the movement of his long fingers.

“Consider it a lesson in proper flirting. Make me swoon, marimo.”

Zoro snorted, but couldn't deny that he liked the way the smile on Sanji’s face fit. He looked
bright, like he was coming alive and returning to their morning together. It was just them,
opening up. What did Zoro have to lose by giving Sanji a bit of his honest feelings when he
was trying to work towards that anyways?

“Alright. Well first, I like seeing how flexible you are. It’s pretty hot.”

Sanji let out a small puff of laughter, raising an eyebrow at the swordsman.

“I’ve only heard that about a million times. Keep trying.”

Zoro could imagine. Anyone taking a nice look at Sanji would be interested, but add his
flexibility and you’ve got all sorts of bedroom scenarios. Not that Zoro liked other people
imagining Sanji like that, but he couldn't exactly blame them.

“I like knowing that I don't have to hold back. You’re strong enough that I can push myself
by pushing you.”

Zoro waited for a response. There was a faint blush high on the cook’s cheeks from that, and
Zoro smiled.

“...That all?”

Zoro’s smile widened.

“I like pushing you to your limit. When you’re all bruised and roughed up and you got that
look in your eye, the one that’s like ‘that all you got?’. I lo-really like it. You’re stubborn as
hell, you’ll meet me head on. You’re a challenge.”

They were both sporting blushes now. Zoro didn’t mean to make it sound so- intimate. He
went a little past flirting, diving into a bit of how he really felt about Sanji at his core. It was
dangerous there. He wanted to push it just as much as he could.

“You’re kinda beautiful when you go all out in a fight, and I’m not sure how to say why. It’s
like, your whole body is this clean cut weapon, you even dress it up in a suit. Every part of
you is a tool you have complete control over and that’s...beautiful.”

He thumbed the hilt of Wado, focusing on the strands of Sanji’s hair playing in the breeze. He
felt embarrassed again, all his bravado gone to shit because he ended up going that much
deeper again. He wanted Sanji to know, though. He wanted Sanji to be able to see himself as
Zoro saw him; as something impossibly powerful and desired.
 “I...don’t know how to respond to that.”

Zoro flicked his eye over to Sanji, cheeks red and eyes turned down. He looked younger,
more open and prone.

“You don't have to. I just wanted you to know that stuff.”

Sanji took a breath, taking a small sip from his coffee cup. He met Zoro’s eye and gave him a
small smile, genuine and vulnerable. He seemed to be looking for something in Zoro’s face.

“...Thank you.”

Zoro nodded. He’d always wanted to be the mirror Sanji couldn’t see. Maybe he could be
that now.

He leaned over the table, stealing a chaste kiss for no other reason than that he wanted to.

Chapter End Notes

i am SO sorry i have been ridiculously busy with work shit so i dont know how soon the
next chapter can be pumped out but i promise im still going! this did actually end up
being way WAY longer than originally expected but eh things happen? anyways
comments are always read and appreciated and everyone is amazing and im so sorry im
a shit responder!!
 Chapter 19
Chapter Summary

this round its Zoro-0 and Zeff-1

The round goes to Zeff

“So I take it things have been resolved within your romantic pursuit.”

Zoro almost dropped the boxes he was moving and nearly bit his tongue off keeping his body
language calm. What the fuck was with old men sneaking up on people? He placed the cargo
down and turned to glare at MIhawk.

“If I say yes will you go back to being a hermit in your stupid castle?”

Mihawk blinked slowly, like a bored snake.

“Possibly. Perona has already departed, claiming she couldn't handle the noise levels in the
evening.”

Zoro groaned, for once glad Sanji wasn't beside him. The cook had run back to the kitchen to
work twice as hard on lunch prep, since Zeff had seen fit to remind the blonde of his absence
at dinner duty the previous night. Zoro had been left to a still pissy Zeff who demanded he go
be useful and unload a grain shipment.

“So then is it correct to assume you’ll be taking residence here? Developing your skills in…
cargo handling?”
Zoro crossed his arms, eyeing Mihawk. He didn't look angry like he had when he first
arrived, more curious if anything. Bored old men , Zoro thought. He was surrounded by bored
old men.

“As long as the cook’s here, I’m here. That a problem?”

Mihawk continued to watch him, his eyes open and calculating but not uncaring. Zoro
wouldn't pretend that the man before him was heartless, despite being cold.

“The weight we bare can only be done so alone. No one else will understand, and this must
be accepted.”

Zoro looked at the unsteady cracks of the black longsword, then wado. Heavy, heavy things,
bearing a life. He regarded his old teacher evenly, standing as his equal. It had become
comfortable to view Mihawk as nearly inhuman in ways. He was a man, yes, but lived so
separately from others, so bathed in solitude- his humanity only left echoes at this point.
There was no way to imagine him as a laughing child or inexperienced teenager. There had
never even been the concept of Mihawk, a person who knew loss and pain and had a heart
torn all the way apart.

There had never been a Mihawk surrounded by Luffy, Sanji, and all the others.

He had never had a Kuina.

“Weight can always be shared.”

It was only now, aging and somewhat defeated , that Mihawk suddenly seemed human. It was
such a sobering realization that the man before him was capable of imperfection. He looked
at Zoro like he thought he knew everything, and for the first time Zoro doubted him.

“Not this one. You will come to understand.”

You don't know my nakama

“I’ll prove you wrong them.”

Mihawk smirked, eyes closing. He walked passed Zoro, giving neither acceptance nor denial
to the words.

“Be aware, Roronoa. The next wave of pirates will make their way into our world sooner
than you think.”

Zoro glanced at Mihawk's sword again, enormous and dying.

“I’ll be ready.”

Mihawk walked further down the docks, mouth turned up in a tiny grin. They didn't share one
last look or a goodbye, mostly because Mihawk was strange as hell, but it also just wasn't like
them. They’d either see each other at some future point or one of them would die, and that
was just life as the greatest swordsmen. Zoro picked up the boxes again, moving to stack
them with the others, looking up at the large ship where he essentially lived now.

He felt nostalgic, because if he squinted the newer boat could have basically been the old
Baratie, and he’d had such life changing events happen all that time ago in that place. Hell, it
had been before the grand line itself, with Nami running away into her own trauma and Zoro
bleeding out while some asshole young cook fell into their lives. 19 year old Zoro would be
pissed off to hell if he knew his future self was a lovestruck fool who thought about the past.

The next wave of pirates though. He’d only briefly thought about that, but they’d be on their
way in life, wouldn't they? And Zoro would want to be here, with the cook, but doing what?
Sanji’s dream was a continuation without end, like how Nami’s map would take many more
years to complete and even then always have parts to edit. Zoro was the only one in a lull of
sorts, where it felt like a waiting game. Maybe that was why Mihawk had been so ruthless
and bored; he had just been waiting. Zoro silently thanked Luffy for all he had done, making
sure he wasn't alone the way Mihawk was.

Zoro stretched, leaning back against the boxes and closing his eye. He wasn't worried about
the future that much at the moment. He had his title, he had Sanji, he was happy. Maybe he’d
even call Nami to gloat. Maybe . He kinda wanted to tell all his nakama, as if to say look at
my happiness, I am sharing it with you. He wanted to tell Robin that she’d been right, tell
Usopp thanks for lending an ear, Luffy for his support.

He got up and wandered to the ship’s deck, sitting in a back table by himself, just watching.
A waiter brought him warm bread, and somehow he knew it was right from Sanji’s hands,
like an almost kiss.

-oOo-

Sanji hummed as he worked. As it turned out, releasing pent up sexual tension with Zoro did
wonders for his cooking. After the kitchen settled down to normal levels, Sanji found himself
working with a perfect flow and relaxed shoulders. Zeff had disappeared to nap at some
point, and everything just felt good .

It’d been a while since he hadn't been stressed with work. It was easy to feel rushed and
overworked with the restaurant, but with his chefs coming into their own and gaining skill, he
was able to fall back a little. He didn't have to babysit any of them anymore, and there was
this grace to the establishment that had taken years to build. It made Sanji’s chest swell with
pride.

It was funny to Sanji that he and Zoro getting together seemed to fall into place so easily. It
made him wonder if they had always been moving in this direction, always having needed to
get under each other’s skin in some new way. It was pretty nice that Sanji could openly call
Zoro his friend as well, since they had been friends but it wasn't something to acknowledge
really.

A waiter walked in with Zoro’s empty bread basket, and Sanji signaled him over to give him
a small tray of onigiri with a bowl of the beef soup. The waited slipped away to deliver the
lunch, and Sanji smiled. He had always found pleasure in feeding people, and especially
feeding his nakama, but giving Zoro the food he made now seemed much more intimate in a
very special way. Sanji didn't know if they were lovers or what, but the fact remained that the
relationship was there, still shifting, and feeding Zoro was a way of expressing his affection.

“Head-chef?”

Sanji turned, looking at the waiter. The man had returned, holding Zoro’s lunch. Sanji
frowned at the food.
“What’s wrong?”

The waiter held out the food, offering it to Sanji.

“The swordsman says he’ll only accept it if you bring it to him.”

Sanji blanched. He took the tray robotically, the waiters moving away quickly. Sanji turned to
look out the window, only just able to see Zoro sitting with his arms crossed at a table. Sanji
could feel a vein throb at Zoro being the demanding ass he was. Since when did he think he
could get away with asking for special service? The head-chef turned to flick off the heat
from his stove before marching out the door, intent on giving the marimo a reality check.

Sanji nodded at a few customers as he passed, a few star-struck faces and loyal admirers of
cuisine. He was sure by now word had reached every corner of the world that the new
greatest swordsman happened to be on the same boat as the pirate king’s cook, so it wasn't a
shock to note a few poorly disguised reporters dining as well. He looked ahead to Zoro’s
table and nearly tripped, caught off guard at the small smile directed at him.

It was just- Sanji hadn't even known Zoro could smile like that. At least not before now,
when suddenly Sanji seemed to be privy to a lot of things about Zoro. How had he known the
man for so long and never witnessed this kind of softness? Or had he chosen unconsciously
to not see it- to not know this Roronoa Zoro?

Sanji had to shake himself a little, putting the plate on the table and reminding himself that he
had come to give the marimo a piece of his mind, not compliments.

“I’m busy , y’know. I can't just serve you whenever you damn well want.”

“Uh huh.”

“I mean, I’m the head-chef for fucks sake! I have to run the whole goddamn kitchen!”

“Yeah.”
“And I have a reputation to keep up, I can't just leave because you -

“Cook.”

“Don't interrupt me! I’ve got over 200 orders to take care of so-

Zoro yanked on the tie, bringing Sanji down to eye level for their lips to connect. Sanji
remained still for 2 seconds, contemplating kicking the man’s face in, but melted into the kiss
instead. Zoro was warm and smelled a bit like the oak barrels, with hair spiked from the salt
in the air. Sanji still wanted to take the time to marvel over the available skin presented to
him, but he refrained, pulling back. He’d get his chance later.

“You sure bruise easy.”

Zoro touched the side of Sanji’s neck, peeling away the shirt fabric near the shoulder. The
cook flushed, having forgotten that he’d been sporting a few rather large hickies under his
button-up. Zoro smirked at him, still close enough for Sanji to feel his heat.

“I do not . You just wanted to leave marks.”

Zoro’s hand continued to brush along the skin of Sanji’s neck, fingers dancing over to his
throat. Sanji swallowed, letting the hands brush against the motion.

“When are you done with the shift?”

Sanji became aware that he was awkwardly leaning over the table into Zoro’s space, the man
still holding his tie loosely like he wanted to keep pulling Sanji in. They were out in broad
daylight on the open deck and it wasn't shameful or anything like that, but privacy was
preferred over giving some kind of show. Sanji pulled his tie away, and Zoro let him.

“It’s not even 2pm yet, moron. I need to work the dinner shift later.”
Zoro put his chin in his hand, a smirk still playing on his face and pissing Sanji off.

“That didn't answer the question, curly.”

“I’m not abandoning my chefs just because your libido has come back to bite you in the ass.”

Zoro’s smirk dropped comically. Sanji picked it up and gave it to himself, amused.

“Maybe I just wanted to spar, pervert cook.”

“Uh huh. I know how marimos flirt.”

Zoro’s cheeks turned red, and Sanji grinned, feeling triumphant. The swordsman leaned back,
crossing his arms and pouting.

“Isn't the point of being captain so you can get other assholes to do the work?”

Sanji pulled out a chair, spinning it and popping down next to Zoro. The marimo turned his
head away childishly, reaching for a rice ball to stuff in his mouth. Sanji huffed, highly
entertained by the ridiculousness of Zoro’s immaturity.

“There’s only so much I can leave the others in charge of, mosshead. But I suppose I can give
myself a break to entertain a lonely bit of plant life.”

Zoro grunted, mostly intent on ignoring Sanji in favor of stuffing his face and pouting. Sanji
reaching into his pocket, procuring his daily cigarette and giving himself his vice. He knew
Zoro was watching from the corner of his eye, and the cook purposefully lit up slowly,
sucking on the filter with just a tiny bit extra show. He leaned over, sensing the sudden
tension in Zoro’s back, and breathed out the smoke right in the man’s ear.
“Y’know, I don't know if I can spar with you anymore without getting turned on.”

Zoro choked on the onigiri, rice falling on the floor. Sanji ignored the wasted food in favor of
watching Zoro’s ears burn. He took another drag of his cigarette, smiling to himself.

“Cook-you-

Zoro thumped his chest, red faced from coughing and embarrassment. Sanji blew out the
smoke in his face this time.

“Well it's only natural that getting pinned down by you now would remind me of how you
hemmmmf-

Zoro clamped a hand over his mouth, and Sanji raised a brow at him, proud of his own
composure. He was having a good deal of fun, same as he always had when riling Zoro up.
Judging by the fact that there was nearly steam coming out of the marimo’s ears, Sanji would
say he had won this round.

“You’re a real bastard, you know.”

Sanji shrugged, unable to speak. Zoro released his hand, watching Sanji warily with a flush
still high on his cheeks. Sanji calmly took another drag, smirking with his eyes still fixed on
Zoro.

“What, too much for you? You seemed pretty into it last night.”

Zoro growled low, and Sanji felt a little thrill go up his spine. He wasn't lying about getting
turned on by fighting Zoro, since now it had all sorts of possible endings to go with a good
exercise. There was something absolutely intoxicating about getting held down by someone
so powerful, and even more fun was guoding the other man into doing it.
“Careful cook. I could throw you over my shoulder right now and take you somewhere below
deck.”

“Would you even know which direction to go?”

Another growl. Sanji chuckled around his cigarette, watching Zoro flip between aroused and
annoyed.

“Fuck you.”

“Only if you ask nicely.”

Sanji leapt to his feet, avoiding the swing of a blade and laughing aloud. He trotted back to
the kitchen, smiling away.

-oOo-

Zoro felt like he could safely say his new favorite hobby was kissing Sanji.

Sanji seemed pretty keen on it too based on his reciprocation, and the noises he made.
Currently he was sitting in Zoro’s lap, hands still damp from cleaning up after dinner, tilting
the swordsman face this way and that for better angles. Zoro let him, knowing that Sanji
enjoyed having control over a situation, and it probably translated to the bedroom. Zoro was
fine with that, since he’d be sure to figure out all the buttons he could press to get Sanji under
him. Until them he was more than happy with the current situation.

Zoro pulled the cook further into his lap, close enough that he could feel his arousal. Sanji
made a choked noise and bit at Zoro’s lips, pulling back.

“Oi, no noise, remember?”

Sanji gestured to the wall, and Zoro assumed Zeff was right there on the other side trying to
sleep. He huffed, pressing his face into Sanji’s pale neck and licking at the skin. Sanji gave a
tiny groan and Zoro smiled.

“I’m not the loud one here.”

He got a kick to his side for the comment.

“It doesn't matter if I’m- oh .”

Sanji covered his mouth with his hands quickly, glaring as Zoro palmed him through his
pants. Zoro gave a shit eating grin, moving his hand slowly on the cook. Sanji made a small
noise behind his hands before moving one down to retaliate, typical Sanji fashion. Zoro
grunted as the cook slipped his hand down the front of his pants, but other than that stayed
quiet. Sanji was having a harder time.

“Heh, you are loud.”

Sanji made a noise suspiciously like a fuck you from behind his hand, and Zoro uncurled the
fingers there, replacing the hand with his mouth. It didn't really stifle the noises that much,
but if Zeff heard anything he couldn’t honestly just fuck off. Sanji pulled away from the kiss
panting and Zoro picked up the pace with his hand. Sanji glared again.

“You- ah -shut up!”

“You gonna make me, shit-cook?”

Sanji’s eyes flashed, and Zoro felt a spike of arousal in his gut. Slowly, the cook reached for
Zoro’s free hand, removing it from his hip and dragging it up until he had two of Zoro’s
fingers in his mouth. Zoro shuddered, feeling the hand in his pants wrap more firmly around
his member while Sanji sucked on his fingers. He bucked his hips up, intending to get more
friction and jostle the cook a little, accidentally making the bed creak loudly. The fingers
popped out of Sanji’s mouth as he gave Zoro a disapproving look.

“Do you even-

THUD

They froze, the blush on Sanji’s face fading into sheet white. Both heads turned towards the
wall.

THUD THUD

They looked at each other, wide eyed and horrified. Sanji rolled off Zoro like the devil was at
his heels, throwing the covers around himself.

“So I’m tired, are you tired? I think we’re both probably very tired.”

Zoro stared at the blanket lump of Sanji, then the wall. He sighed heavily, dragging a hand
down his face before flopping backwards. He waited a good three seconds before rolling on
his side and getting under the covers as well, carefully scooting closer to the cook. When he
didn't get kicked away he wrapped his arms around him, nuzzling into the soft hair and
grumbling.

“If you don't call Franky tomorrow, I will.”

Sanji huffed, some of the hair by his face fluttering up and tickling Zoro’s skin.

“Go the fuck to sleep, marimo.”

Zoro sighed again, pushing his nose against the back of Sanji’s neck. He gave it a small bite,
shuffling a bit so he could move to the side of the cook’s neck, his hand slipping under
Sanji’s night shirt-
“I SAID GO TO SLEEP, MARIMO!”
 Chapter 20
Chapter Summary

fluff and jealousy and fluff again and one unhelpful cyborg

Zoro woke up as Sanji rose from the bed, and immediately latched onto the slimmer man’s
waist.

“Where’re ya goin?”

Zoro wasn't awake enough to register much other than Sanji and leaving and those two things
weren’t appreciated at all. He heard Sanji chuckle, low in a sleep-scratched voice.

“This thing called ‘work’, marimo. I’m sure it's a confusing concept for you.”

Too many words, not enough kissing. Zoro pushed himself up as he pulled Sanji down,
missing his mouth on the first go but letting the kiss on his cheek linger. He could tell Sanji
was smiling.

“Call Franky, yeah?”

“Is that really your main concern?”

Zoro pulled back, blinking at Sanji's weirdly cute nose. Since when were noses even cute?
“...Yeah?”

“Pervert marimo.”

“Are you gonna call him or not?”

Sanji laughed, ducking to finally give Zoro the kiss he wanted. The cook squawked as Zoro
wrapped his arms more securely around the man and tossed them both back into the bed.
Zoro kissed him thoroughly, content at the little noises Sanji made. Zoro wondered if they
had time for anything more than making out, and he hummed against Sanji’s lips. Sanji
pulled away, panting.

“I gotta help with the breakfast prep, shitty swordsman.”

Zoro licked at the hollow of his throat, getting a groan in response.

“Zeff’s room is probably empty right now then.”

Zoro could practically hear Sanji’s reluctance to go. All he had to do was push a little more…

“Let me touch you, Sanji .”

Zoro took victory in the gasp the cook gave. He pushed Sanji back into the mattress, kneeling
above him. He shoved Sanji’s shirt up, immediately kissing a train down to his navel, using
his teeth to gently nip at the skin there. It was nice to have the light of day to see Sanji by, to
notice all the little marks on his skin and the deepness of the flush.

“You’re- shit -a manipulative bastard.”

Zoro grinned up at the cook, showing all his teeth as he started tugging down Sanji’s pants.

-oOo-

Sanji ended up joining the rest of his crew just in time for the first breakfast shift. Zeff gave
him a look, but luckily no words or threats were exchanged, so Sanji figured he was safe for
now. Zoro was probably back to being passed out in bed, no doubt quite pleased with himself.

Sanji would have never guessed that Zoro would be so into sex, but he sure as fuck wasn't
complaining. He was feeling desired, which wasn't very uncommon, but somehow it was
much more a compliment coming from Zoro, much more encouraging and something else . It
was being desired by Zoro that seemed to awaken an equally fierce desire in Sanji, and it
brought a nearly distracting need to be with the man. Sanji just couldn't help himself from
gorging on the bounty that Zoro was offering to him, and damn the man because he knew
what he was doing!

Sanji went through the breakfast shift smoothly, trying to keep his mind out of the gutter. He
really did need to call Franky, he just wasn't sure what the fuck he’d say. It was hard to subtly
explain hey Zoro and I are bangning it out but the walls are too thin so could you do
something about that buddy? And he didn't trust Zoro to phrase it any better.

That also brought up the nakama issue. Well, not issue so much as delema about mentionting
the fact that he and Zoro were having sex . Would everyone be ok with it? Would they think it
was weird? Well, it was a little weird, but beside the point. If he and Zoro continued on, it
would most likely not remain a secret due to the nature of the whole crew. Sanji couldn't
quite figure out how he felt about them knowing.

Not that it really did matter right now because everything was still pretty new. They were
basically just causal fuck buddies (lovers? Nakama with benefits?) anyways, since Zoro
wasn't romantic in the least. He sure as hell wasn't going to go at Zoro looking for some
sweet gesture, since Zoro would probably just laugh at him or some shit and wow, ok, that
kind of stung.

Sanji couldn't help it; he was a romantic. He loved the heart shaped bullshit through and
through. He adored weddings, anniversaries, celebrations of love, you name it. He saw dates
happen all the time on his restaurant, and he ate that shit up. He loved a good romance.

He’d always, always wanted one of his own.

He shook his head, moving out to the deck to help the waiters and check on customers. He
wasn't even sure why he was thinking about those things. He was definitely overthinking it
all, that was for sure. Right now he was having fun with Zoro, things were good, end of
story.
“Blackleg Sanji!”

Sanji started, turning to a man a few tables away. The man wasn't familiar, but he looked
absolutely thrilled to see Sanji for some reason. Maybe a fan or something? Bartho or
whatever and his crew stopped by every now and then, so who knew.

The man skittered around tables, practically running over to the head-chef. Sanji reached out
with his haki, preparing himself just in case the guy was some dumbass psycho looking for a
fight. The guy came to a stop right in from of Sanji.

“I’ve been waiting my whole life for you!”

Sanji sighed. The universe had a shit sense of humor sometimes.

-oOo-

“What’s going on now?”

Zoro didn't get a response from any of the chefs huddled by the available portholes other than
a few good shushes. Everyone in the kitchens had turned off the burners and were entirely
focused on something happening outside on the main deck, including Zeff himself. Said man
gave Zoro a head jerk, which was read as a get the fuck over here head movement. Zoro
shrugged and walked over, glad he wasn't getting shit from the old man that morning and
figuring his breakfast relied on his obedience at the moment.

Zoro squeezed himself by the old man, a few of the other cooks reluctantly moving aside. He
took a good look out, but didn't really see much happening other than people eating. Not even
a single dead person. Pretty boring in all honesty.

“What? There’s n-

“Shut up and look at table 4.”

Zoro shut up and looked at table 4, but he didn't really know where the hell table 4 was so he
looked at all of them. People eating, people eating, people eating and drinking, some old
people eating, and-

Well fuck.

“Well fuck.”

Zeff nodded, remaining silent with the room. Times like this Zoro really wished he still had
both eyes because he was sure he was seeing shit. Across the many tables at what was
probably table 4, it looked like the shit-cook was standing over a man down on one knee,
with a suspiciously specific little box open.

“Is that-

“Yup.”

Zoro wasn't sure whether to laugh or break the wall honestly.

“Does this sorta thing happen often?”

A few chefs chuckled. Zoro looked to Zeff, who was rubbing his forehead like he was trying
to erase an oncoming headache.

“More often than it's supposed to happen, that’s for sure. We could probably buy a new boat
if he kept all the rings.”

A loud crack brought all mouths closed and eyes front, and Zoro let out a burst of laughter at
the sight of the previously kneeling man flat on his back. Sanji still had his leg extended, and
the smoke drifting up signaled a less than great mood. A few chefs joined in on the laughter.
“Damn, would have loved to hear what he said to the cook.”

Zoro could only imagine the shit the man had said, but everything in his head made him
laugh harder. Did the guy even know Sanji? Or had he just shown up and pulled out the ring,
pretending it was love at first sight bullshit. Both options were pretty funny.

“Shouldn't you be taking notes then, matcha head?”

Zoro stopped laughing as several chefs started. A few daring ones clapped their hands on his
shoulder, chuckling at his situation. He didn't find it amusing, but he figured his face said that
well enough. He didn't have any good response to that, and Zeff looked far too pleased with
himself.

There was an abrupt shuffle and suddenly everyone was moving back to their stations besides
Zeff and Zoro. A moment later the door slammed open.

“Why are the orders for table 7 and 10 not out yet?”

Sanji did indeed look more pissy than usual. He narrowed his eyes at Zeff and Zoro, before
slowly moving his gaze across the quiet room. No one dared to speak, and Zoro watched as
the cook slowly walked over to one of the stoves, shoes clacking purposefully on the floor.

“Why. Is. This. Burner. Off ?”

“Why’d you say no?”

Zeff elbowed the swordsman in the gut with surprising force as Sanji spun around, laser
focusing on Zoro. A light tinting of pink dusted his ears.

“What the fuck did you say?”

“Well was the ring shitty?”

Damn was the old man’s elbow sharp.

Sanji stared at Zoro like he’d grown a third head and a devil fruit user wasn't the cause. Most
chefs had given up pretending to work, looking wide eyed at each other or the cook.

“Wha- were you watching ?”

Zoro shrugged, enjoying the color creeping up Sanji’s face. He gave the cook a smirk.

“Does Nami know you’re turning down free rings, cook?”

A chef snickered from the corner and Sanji threw a frying pan at his head. Sanji turned back
to Zoro, hand still extended with a murderous glare.

“Last I checked the kitchen was for chefs only , not shitty swordsmen who spew bullshit.”

A few chefs had smartly gotten back to work, the others remaining in rapt attention along
with Zeff, watching the exchange with interest. Zeff raised his eyebrow meaningfully at Zoro,
as if to say you asked for this shit .

“Whatever. Just as long as-

The door burst open, and Zoro wiped his head to the side to watch as the man from earlier
dripped blood on the floor, eyes wide and desperately fixed on the cook.

“Sanji-san I-
Zoro felt something harsh and loud bubble up in his throat, and before he was fully aware of
what he was doing a sword was lodged deep in the wood, just barely skinning the edge of the
man's shoe.

“ Leave .”

The word left his mouth in a growl, deep and feral. He didn't need to stare down the man, he
did as instructed, running away with his tail between his legs on shakky feet. He was
spineless, and Zoro wanted to cut the man in half just for the presumption of entering the
cook’s domain. As if someone so pathetic should be allowed even near a man like Sanji.

Zoro resheathed the sword, turning back to the cook and freezing at the confusing smirk
painting Sanji’s mouth.

“Well, well, well . Who would’ve thought.”

Zoro glared as best he could while fighting a blush. He wasn't keen on Sanji’s mocking tone.

“Thought what .”

Sanji took slow steps forward, hands on his hips with a shit-eating grin. He poked Zoro in the
chest when he got close enough.

“Marimo’s jealous. ”

Zoro swiped at the cooks hand, feeling the blush win against his own will. He glanced
around, glaring at anyone he could. Jealous . As if he could feel any emotion for some
nameless asshole. It wasn't like Sanji gave a shit about the guy anyways, so it was stupid .

“As if. Just gimme some breakfast.”

Sanji leaned back, grin still prominent on his dumb handsome face.

“Sure, sure. Maybe I should get something for the other guy too though, make sure he’s ok.
Of course, you wouldn't mind , would you?”

Zoro glared hard at the cook, body coiled tight. He managed to unclench his teeth long
enough to reply.

“Like I care.”

Sanji didn't reply. He turned, the damn grin still on his face, marching over to grab a tray of
scones. He filled a plate with them, placing butter and jam on a second platter, walking back
over to Zoro.

“I’ll need you to move, marimo. Y’know, so I can bring these to him. Maybe I’ll sit down,
get his name, who knows.”

There was silence as Zoro clenched and unclenched his fists. His foot twitched, and in Zoro’s
head it went smoothly with him moving and the cook leaving and then the cook coming back
but-

He couldn't move. His body wouldn't move and Sanji’s smile only got bigger and that other
asshole was still out there and-

“You gonna move or what?”

Zoro crossed his arms, and he could see the exact moment in Sanji’s face when the cook
knew he had won. Zoro grabbed a scone.

“Fuck you.”
Sanji laughed all the way back to the oven, and Zoro sat down by the door, ears burning as he
ate the scone.

He sat by the door for 2 more hours, just to be safe.

-oOo-

“You get offers like that a lot?”

Sanji paused his petting of Zoro’s hair, looking down at the man’s face. He had thought the
swordsman had passed out on his lap, dozing in his usual late morning nap while Sanji
relaxed against the wall. No one would bother them where they were, tucked behind empty
crates on the shipment dock.

“Mmm, maybe.”

Zoro turned his head, nuzzling into Sanji’s stomach like a giant cat. The moment breakfast
shift was done, the mosshead had all but carried the cook away, seemingly hell bent on
getting alone time. Sanji wouldn't say he was against it.

“You really didn't know that guy?”

“Nope. Just some asshole with a ring. Most of ‘em are.”

There was silence again, and Sanji wondered if this time Zoro had actually gone to sleep. He
was turned over enough that only his scared over eye was visible, his breath pushing at the
fabric of Sanji’s shirt.

“Cook-”
Zoro cut himself off, falling back into silence. Sanji’s smile dropped, and his fingers
continued to run gently through Zoro’s hair.

“What?”

“Nothing.”

Sanji pinched at his cheek.

“Say it.”

“No.”

“Tell me.”

“Hell no.”

“Well fuck you.”

“Fuck you .”

Sanji leaned back, hands flopping the side. He glared down at Zoro, looking peaceful in his
lap.

“Are you actually jealous?”

Sanji didn't know if he’d get an answer or not, but he watched the swordsman carefully. After
a minute Zoro sighed heavily, turning his face back enough to look at Sanji with his good
eye.

“I don't wanna share you, ok?”

Sanji felt his cheeks flush red, matching the dark tint to Zoro’s. He hadn't been expecting
that, and it was- it was a little sweet in a strange way. Zoro flicked his eye away and back,
looking vulnerable with his head on Sanji’s lap.

“...ok.”

Zoro looked at him, cheeks still red and endearing.

“...yeah?”

“Yeah, I mean, hell, it's not like I was gonna run off with that asshole anyways, you know
that right? He probably just wanted me for my food anyways, the shit-head. Not that I’d
blame him though.”

Zoro chuckled, the vibrations running through Sanji’s legs. Sanji joined in, the idea of
himself sailing away with some unknown man appalling and hilarious.

“Sounds like he’d get along with Luffy.”

Sanji made a face.

“Luffy would marry a piece of meat if he could.”

“Luffy would probably just marry you for the meat.”

“Wouldn't that mean there’d be two pirate kings?”

“You’re right, it wouldn't work.”

They sat for a moment before bursting out in laughter, Zoro’s head falling off Sanji’s lap with
a dull thunk . Sanji slid down to his back, lying flat on the dock next to Zoro as his breathing
calmed down. He looked up at the sky, watching fat clouds drift overhead.

“I’m just the cook anyways. Hardly the top pick next to the pirate king and the word’s
greatest swordsman.”

Zoro shuffled closer, pushing himself up on his elbows. He kissed Sanji then, keeping it
chaste so he could get the cook to look at him.

“Y’know, you’d think the guy getting hundreds of proposals-

“It's not hundreds -

“-would be more confident about his self worth.”

Sanji sighed, closing his eyes and pulling Zoro down so he could press his face into the soft
green hair. He’d never tell the swordsman, but it reminded him of Sunny’s lawn a little. It
was familiar, and comforting, and yeah, green. A calloused hand dragged itself over Sanji’s
arm, grabbing his attention.

“If you wanna talk about it, I’ll listen.”

Sanji looked down in surprise. Zoro looked up at him, chin on his chest and just an inch
away, open and honest. Sanji blushed, embarrassed at the vulnerability he had thrown himself
into.

“No, I mean. It’s stupid and I know it so-

“You know you’re important, right?”

Sanji felt like his ears would blow off from the heat, heart pounding with a mix of all sorts of
emotions. He’d been in this place before, sitting beside Zeff or Luffy or anyone really,
counting himself as second rate or last place and he was just the cook, it's not a big deal.

“I should probably go check on the chefs, make sure-

“ Sanji .”

Sanji stilled, chest tight and hands curled up into fists. He looked away, off towards the sea
even as he felt Zoro’s gaze burning him up.

“Cook, is it- is this a thing from, the uh, your- them ?”

Sanji kinda knew what Zoro was getting at. He was used to people either tiptoeing around the
Vinsmoke fiasco or throwing it at him like a bomb. He shrugged as best he could with Zoro
lying on him, still looking away.

“Things stick with you as a kid, y’know? Words that don't mean shit now- I don't know.
You’re, imprintable or some shit at that age.”

Words like useless and weak permanantly screaming in his ear, just on a muted setting most
of the time. Sanji figured that was just how it was going to always be. He could only take so
much time out of the day to hate himself for something someone else said to him. Work and
mental baggage don't make a graceful combination.

“I bet you were such a little shit as a kid.”

Sanji laughed, only half forced. He’d been an asshole of a child with Zeff, sure, but before
then had been a different story. He wouldn't tell Zoro though, mostly becaus it just didn't
matter how soft he was when he was 6 or 8 or whatever. Those bruises faded, and then Zeff
taught him cuss words and how to scowl.

“I swapped the old man’s leg out for a plunger one night. I think I still have a scar on my
head for it.”

Zoro snorted, letting out a burst of laughter. His face, pressed against Sanji’s stomach, made
it easy to hear every inhale. Sanji laughed with him, quieter but a whole lot more genuine. He
remembered Zeff, standing over him with the height of entire buildings, telling him he was
worth something.

-oOo-

“ Yow! You’ve reached Franky, carpenter extraordinaire, shipwright to the pirate k-

“You do realize that answering like that is stupid, right? I mean a Luffy level of stupid, for
fucks sake.”

“ Sanji-bro! What can I do ya for? Don't tell me it's another Zoro incident. Honestly I’m just
glad you still have a ship considering the history of you guys going at it.”

Sanji cringed at the unfortunately accurate phrasing. He cleared his throat, repeating the
script he had come up with.
“Uh, well, you see, the kitchen is loud , Franky, and so the thing with that-

“ Noise canceling pans! I’m on it, bro.”

“N-wait what .”

“ Although they do still burst into flames...well, thats prototyping for ya!”

“...ok, no and never and what the actual fuck are they even made of- nevermind, I don't want
to know. I’m calling about the walls.”

“ Walls ?”

“Need thicker walls. ‘Cuz the kitchen. Is loud.”

Sanji delicately set the den-den mushi down so he could slap himself in the face a little. He
picked the poor thing up again.

“ I’ll do ya one even better, Sanji-bro-

“I told you to stop calling me that-

“ I’m workin’ with those tone dials again, and I’m thinking that if I can reverse ‘em-

“No, really, I just want the walls thicker-

“ -Cuz I already made this silent blender, right? And I figured next step is a mixer, but it's
suuuuuper tricky to get the frequency right, ya feel?”

Sanji paused.

“Did you say a silent blender?”

-oOo-

Zoro was waiting in the room when Sanji finally returned, looking expectant. Obviously he
couldn't expect and instant fix to the thinness of the walls, but he was hoping the cook would
return with good news on that front.

He ended up falling asleep while Sanji (unfortunately still clothed) paced back and forth in
the room, ranting excitedly about new kitchen appliances Franky was working on.
 Chapter 21
Chapter Summary

challengers and challenge

Chapter Notes

sorry for the late update!! I spent way too much time on oceans child and then got lost in
work. Anyways this is a kinda short chapter since the second part of it is still in progress
and that way I'll be able to update sooner

There was an altered routine now, starting from the moment Sanji woke up to the moment he
fell asleep. It was a shift , less a change, like nothing more than taking a step to the side.

Wake up to Zoro, maybe (probably) kiss Zoro, bicker all the way out the door, prepare
breakfast, eat with Zoro, (probably kiss Zoro again). Same general process with lunch and
dinner along with snack (see: kissing Zoro) breaks. Add in a few sparring bits, the occasional
quickie, hopefully quiet sex before bed, and that was life on the All Blue for Sanji. Simplified
to the most straightforward; it was pretty damn nice.

It was all Zoro. Sanji’s life took and uphill climb, and it was the swordsman waiting at the
top, holding out his hand. Zoro challenged the mundane, grabbing at Sanji’s organization and
tipping it over the edge. Here, he was saying. Here and here. Here’s a kiss, here's an insult,
here’s my affection and a blade at your throat. It was always a mixed bag of aggressive
rivalry and quiet romance with them it seemed. This is how I see this. This is what you never
noticed. I want your attention, so fight me. Rinse and repeat and all that.

There's a pattern , Sanji thought. Like the carefully stacked events of his life. Good and bad
and good and bad. And if he had been going uphill for a while, where did down begin?

“Roronoa Zoro, I challenge you!”

Here, he thought. Here and here and here.

-oOo-

It was as sacred a rule as the protection of his hands, above his unwillingness to harm a
woman. Inbedded in his soul were the remains of broken ribs and black eyes- fallen on his
small frame undeservingly. He had only been a child, and it had hurt so much, and so
compassion was born alongside a rule to live by. Do not harm the innocent .

This stemmed from an overly matured realization that what had happened to him was wrong.
Children, like with all things, learn as they grow. And since he had only ever been punished
for weakness, the weakness became a wrongness, and the wrongness became his entire being.
Year and years and all those twisted words and tattered skin, past the starvation, past
childhood, it took Luffy for him to realize you do not deserve this. You did not deserve that .
Zeff had taught him to fight back, and he had become strong, but his worth had never been
properly measured and it had fit him like a too-large shoe.

Compassion, Sanji learned, was also somewhat of a rarity in the pirate world. Luffy, despite
loss and pain, had only risen with coals in his stomach, facing off the entire world. Same with
Zoro. The thing about compassion is, it's born from victims most times. A person needs to be
weak to suffer that perfect amount- to stand up after and say no one should ever feel like I do .
Sanji thinks Usopp got that same disease he does. He thinks Chopper has it. He thinks Nami
has it, but hides it better. Robin is a mix- her compassion is limited to her chosen people after
a decade of backstabbing scars. For Sanji, it might as well be terminal with how often he
needs to see some people smile. Why would anyone step on the hands of a beggar when it'd
be so easy to give them something? It was so easy to give, why didn't everyone do it?

He sees Zoro push a man out of his way, and Sanji gets that, he does. But what if, without
Zeff’s training, without Luffy’s welcome, it had been Sanji who was pushed to the side, too
weak to protest? He doesn't think it often because this is the New World, and he’s crushed
bodies so thoroughly he could have packed them tight in a box, and again, weakness is a
wrongness and do not be that wrongness. His compassion can only extend to the innocent.
Luffy is kind, and kindness is not a weakness but that’s only because Luffy can take out
entire armies and laugh in the face of warlords.

“Zoro, he’s a kid .”

“If he’s old enough to hold a sword and challenge me, he’s not a kid.”
Down on the dock a kid-and he was a kid- stared up at them with a face that hadn't even lost
its roundness. A child made up of dirty clothes and loose teeth no doubt. Sanji starts to turn
his head away, because this shouldn’t involve him at the end of the day. By the time he goes
to bed the kid will have been forgotten and Sanji didn't want to ever know his name. Except.

“I can't let them die.”

There it is again, making him want to light himself on fire. His compassion, betraying him
because those people had deserved to die, hadn't they? After everything they’d done- and his
brothers wouldn't have even cared . They would’ve laughed, cold and broken until a bullet
flicked the switch on their brains. And Judge, above all, shouldn't he have been removed
from the world? Sanji doesn't know what's up and what's down anymore because compassion
can be the outstretched hand and the hidden knife at the same time. God damn double-edged
sword, that's what it is. Sanji thinks he’s losing the rest of his mind, getting attached to some
shitty stray kid with a sword.

“He’s younger than we were.”

“When did you first kill someone, cook?”

Cotton-edged images played in Sanji’s head. He barely remembered, or maybe he had just
gotten too good at forgetting.

“Maybe 16. Maybe 17.”

It hadn't been intentional. Sometimes though, bones break. Sometimes, people are not as
strong as their mouth is loud.

“I was 14.”
Sanji swallowed. He remembered being 14, bandaging up scraped knees because his growth
spurts made him clumsy. And Zoro had been washing blood off his swords.

“Well not everyone is Roronoa fucking Zoro, ok?”

Sanji looked down at the boy, at his fucking face without even a hint of fear and god, wasn't
that just like how Zoro used to be though. So fucking stupid with bravery built on how big he
knew the world to be, but not how big it actually was.

“What happened to that power that came with cutting? The power to not cut?”

You cut apart steel and then helped Usopp to his feet- don't you remember? Duality can never
be exclusive.

But Zoro was already turning away from him, towards a child with too much willpower.
Sanji could read it out, spelled on his jawline like storm clouds predicting rain. The intention
to cut, the intention to harm .

“Draw your sword then.”

Sanji closed his eyes. He heard the clean sound of metal scraping metal, vibrating in his
stomach like nausea.

-oOo-

Zoro thinks about Kuina and the strength she would have blown the world away with if she
was alive. He’s bitter about it sometimes, and it's easier to be bitter than sad anyways. He’s
cut up with scarred over guilt, the kind that goes it should have been me - but it's only loud
when swordsmen flaunt their inexpertise with their bad footwork and bad grip and bad
reactions. Bad bad bad. Kuina would do better. It should have been you.
There’s a lot of misplaced feelings in there. He doesn't mean to be cruel, but knows it comes
out and latches onto his movements. He loves Sanji, but it is irrefutably Sanji who fills the
role as the kind one, and his hands are careful. Sanji isn't well acquainted with the weight of a
sword, and his dream involves consumption towards life.

“Roronoa Zoro, I challenge you!”

No, he wants to say. You do not, and you probably never will.

-oOo-

Sanji holds his breath the same way he did the day he met Zoro.

There’s the fear- even though it's a stranger it's still a fear that whoever this person is, they
won't get up. The difference this time is that it's not Zoro on the ground bleeding out and
calling to Luffy, and it's not Mihawk standing without a scratch.

Zoro’s only sheathing one sword because anymore would be a waste. He didn't so much as
flick his wrist and this - kid is down on the ground and he might now get up. There’s no Luffy
and there’s sure as hell no Chopper and Sanji bites his lip so hard he tastes copper. The deck
is stained red now, and all the salt water in the world won't get rid of the image of Zoro
standing over that boy’s body.

There’s a wet sound that Sanji recognizes as coughing up blood, (he would know, he’s made
that noise plenty) and his legs move on instinct. That kid’s alive that stupid fucking kid he’s
alive and Sanji needs to help him because he doesn't have anyone else and-

Zoro’s hand on his shoulder stops him, and he glances at the hard look in the gray eye, but his
eyes switch back to the kid, choking on his own organs. Zoro’s voice is quiet in his ear.

“He’s gotta get up on his own.”

Sanji feels his heart jump to this throat and then bounce to his feet. He looks from the stupid
dying kid to Zoro.
“He’s not gonna get up if someone doesn't fucking help him.”

Zoro doesn't budge, and Sanji feels anger warm his stomach. Zoro is all hard edges and
sharpened steel, and the softness from the night before and even the morning must have been
completely left behind- tucked in a corner somewhere. Now it's just Roronoa Zoro, demon of
the east, and Sanji’s lover is far away.

“I raised my sword, and I got up.”

Sanji feels his eyes widen. He makes a noise like a yell in the shape of a laugh, rough and on
edge. He wants to scream in Zoro’s face.

“You were dragged , half fucking dead , into a boat by Johnny! And then your nakama
wrapped bandages around you until we got you to a doctor!”

The hand on his shoulder didn't move, and he pushed it off, seething. He looked at Zoro,
wondering if he really remembered what happened as him getting up on his own, like he had
never once had his own tears mingle with his blood.

“If you save him now, he’ll only ever be dependant on others.”

Sanji wants to kick his face in, break his nose. Break all his ungrateful bones.

“And the fuck would you have done if you were alone, huh?”

Sanji gets right in his face, watches Zoro’s one eye latch onto Sanji’s. Zoro still speaks
quietly, too calm for Sanji to stand.

“I would have managed.”

There’s a bone rattling cough behind them, and Sanji turns again, feeling desperate at the
sight of skin turning so gray. He turns back to Zoro and he swears there’s fire in his throat.

“If Luffy and the others hadn’t been there on that day, I would have been the one to pull you
on a fucking boat and put bandages on you. I would have seen someone dying who had
potential and was one hell of a moron, and then I would have saved his ass, just like I’m
gonna do now.”

He doesn't give Zoro a second glance and runs over to the kid, kneeling beside him. He’s
shaking a bit and his eyes are closed, shallow breath bringing a new pulse of blood onto the
floor. Sanji grimances and removes his jacket to press on the open wound. He turns to yell at
any of his chefs who are close enough, still held back by the weight of Zoro’s power.

“Get a damn stretcher and the first aid kit! Now! ”

He turns back to the kid as he hears footsteps rush in compliance. He’s got his eyes barely
open now, staring up at Sanji but probably not seeing him. He would probably grow up
remembering the ghost that smoked a cigarette and told him not to die.

“Don't go into the light yet, ok kid?”

He doesn't reply, but he keeps breathing and that's all Sanji needs. A few chefs appear with
the stretcher and the kit, and Sanji doesn't need to look to know that Zoro is gone.
 Chapter 22
Chapter Summary

Sanji, aka the worry master

Chapter Notes

another shortish chapter because I'm taking so long organizing the next bits. I've
officially finished my drafts for all the next chapters, so now I just need to organize and
edit the fuck out of everything and boom, fic done! I actually wrote the ending way way
back, so its kinda crazy to see it all coming together like a messy painting
anyways, thank you for all the comments and kudos and love and everything in general!
Back to my bullshit now

The boat didn't have extra beds of course, so swordsman number 2 lay unconscious on Sanji’s
mattress. It sure as hell wasn't Zoro’s bed that night, since neither men were about to break
their stubborness streak and make a mutual apology easy .

The kid coughed weakly, and Sanji sighed, patting his damp head with a cloth. He must have
come from somewhere nearby, no way a dumbass like this was from beyond the red line and
had made it so far alone. Sanji didn't really care, but he figured when the boy got up he’d
have to head off towards something .

“...I failed.”

It had been the mantra for the past hours. Not a hello or even a thank you but a right away
admission to some deep seated guilt. A sort of promise that was crumbling before Sanji’s
eyes, deteriorating like a lot of young proclamations did before the journey got tough. Sanji
shushed him, patting at the feverish sweat while he continued the quiet mumble of forgive
me, I wasn't strong enough, I’m sorry.

Sanji wanted to comfort him with the truth, but the truth was hardly believable. To say that
Roronoa Zoro was once just as naive and unprepared was like telling someone about the land
in the sky with an ocean made of clouds. It was like trying to explain color to the blind,
except the blind were crying and chanting their own self degradation.

“Just sleep already and get better.”

Honestly Sanji still didn't know if the guy was fully conscious. The bleeding had stopped
though, wound stitched up with barely 10 crosses of catgut thread. No broken bones or
anything, since Sanji wanted to believe Zoro had no intention of killing when he acted.

Sanji’s jaw clenched, anger warming up his gut again. Zoro could be a god damn asshole
sometimes, pushing his stupidity to new levels now that there were so few people to tell him
no. But that was where the anger was now, wasn't it? The problem Sanji had never thought to
think about. Who would ever bother to tell Roronoa Zoro to stop and make him stop? Luffy
didn't hold a leash on anyone, and Zoro barely listened to his own brain. He didn't want to
think of Zoro as some unstoppable monster, painted in such a different light from himself, but
sometimes the man’s heart seemed very distant, and very cold.

Sanji shook his head, as if he could dispel Zoro from his mind entirely. The bastard took up
so much room in his head these days that Sanji wanted to charge him rent.

“...wanted...to prove...myself.”

There were a lot of directions Sanji could go from that. He could, right then and there, shape
the path this child went forward on. Go this way, do this, give up, never give up, whatever.
Who was he to create the direction some lonely boy went in.

“Go to sleep, kid.”

Go to sleep, get better, go away and don't stain my bed. Sanji wanted to go to bed too. He’d
probably be on the floor for a few hours before breakfast, and he had gotten woefully
attached to having a human furnace sleeping beside him. He got up, loading the pot of dirty
water on his hip bone so he could throw it overboard. He wanted to check to make sure the
kitchen had been properly set to rest for the night, and the supply order wouldn't wait just
because there was drama on the ship.

He exited the room and tossed the contents of the pot away, and he knew Zoro was nearby
just like he always knew when Zoro was nearby. He ignored the presence, unimpressed by
the silent brooding act.
“He wouldn't have died.”

Sanji didn't look or stop, scoffing at the swordsman’s words as he passed the man to go down
the stairs. Zoro followed him.

“I didn't plan on killing him, cook.”

Sanji turned on his heels, glaring hard. Zoro still had dried blood on his sleeve, and it was
just another thing on top of the thousands that pissed Sanji off.

“I’m not worried about him anymore, you stupid shit.”

Sanji wasn't. The kid would heal up fine, go on with his life fine, maybe forget this whole
ordeal. Kids got hurt all the time and survived, becoming adults with scars and small
backstories, and Sanji was proof of what children could endure. The fact that every adult had
once been such a weak little thing still baffled Sanji some days.

“Then why the hell are you so pissed?”

Sanji licked his lips, grip tight on the pot hanging at his side. The glow from the rooms was
casting out on them, causing Zoro’s grey eyes to burn gold. It was always metal with him,
metal in his eyes, metal in his hands, metal in his core. His hair would probably turn grey one
day and Sanji wouldn't be able to tell what was Zoro and what was steel.

“Have you ever considered that I might be worried about you ?”

He seemed surprised. Sanji guessed he would be, since no one did tend to worry about Zoro.
It was always making sure the idiot didn't bleed to death, and that was it. The crew had their
fair share of emotional hang-ups and hurricanes, and Sanji had spent a lot of time giving
Usopp quiet comfort in the form of card games and small words. He had been confronted on
his own more than once, nakama worried for his sake and showing it in different ways. Robin
used to make him sit until she had dissected him of recent insecurities, forcing him to bare
himself like a newborn to his own image. But it was always Zoro’s lost a lot of blood but he’ll
be fine. Zoro almost died but he's fine. Zoro was always just damn fine wasn't he.

“So, what, this is about me now?”

In his agitation, Sanji tossed the pot overboard along with the dirty water. He couldnt find it
in himself to give a fuck. The distant splash was the only evidence in the dark.

“Yes you stupid fuck. You think I wasn't expecting this shit? Since day one I knew some
dumb brat was gonna show up and mess up my deck.”

“Then why the fuck are you mad?”

Because you don't get it and I don't know how to make you get it.

“Because you’ve been on this ship for months, and I still don't know what you’re doing .”

If Zoro was taken aback by that, he didn't show it. His brow furrowed like Sanji had given
him a puzzle.

“You already know my drea-

“I mean what’s next , dumbass! What do you want !?”

It’d been the question in the back of Sanji’s mind for a while now. It’d been there since
Mihawk had come, and Sanji had thought he would whisk Zoro away back to the world of
blood and swords and nothing else. It’d been pushing and pushing because would Zoro
leave? Would he leave and where would he go and what would he do ? What did the world’s
greatest swordsman do, now in this lull of newly found near-peace, where there were only so
many marines to cut apart and pirates were either allies or that much weaker it didn't matter?

And then there was that voice in Sanji’s head, the really annoying one that sounded like
himself but less angry at the world. The one that went will Zoro leave me too?

And Zoro looked at him like he didn't know the answer.

“I don't want to see you end up as some psychopath wandering around and cutting up the
world for fun. I get that Mihawk is your mentor or whatever, but he’s a weird bastard who’s
been cutting people up because he’s bored . And you’re- you’re better than that or some
shit!”

Zoro was quiet, eye large and round looking at Sanji. He shook himself from his shock in an
instant, scowl returning.

“I’m not gonna turn into some fucked- a more fucked up version of Mihawk.”

Sanji ran a hand through his hair.

“You don't know that.”

“Yeah, I do.”

“No you fucking don't!”

“I do, because I have you.”

Sanji wanted to stamp his foot through every layer of the boat. The anger in his gut was taken
away, replaced by something much softer, and he was suffocating from it.
“Idiot. How would I stop you?”

Maybe I’ve never been as strong as you. Maybe you’d kill me one day if you really wanted to.
Maybe I’ve never once been the person who can give you what you need, and that makes me
so fucking angry.

“You’re doing it right now. You’ve always been jumping in front of shit like that.”

Of course, Sanji thought. It was the martyr in him- no, martyr was too grand a word. He was
barely a sacrificial lamb, given away like meat for the god of bullshit.

“This isn't about me though.”

This is about us, and our future is being carved out right now.

“No, but you’ve always had my back before.”

Zoro’s trust, having been given to Sanji so long ago had never been abused. Sanji kept it like
an unopened present. Zoro took a small step forward, and then another.

“Are you still mad at me?”

Sanji’s instinct was to say yes just out of habit. He was finding it annoyingly hard to stay
angry at the moment though, his defenses thoroughly shattered by the way the swordsman
reached hesitantly for him. He knew that if Zoro pulled him into any kind of embrace it
would be over, and that somehow felt like a type of losing.

“If you had killed that kid, I wouldn't have forgiven you.”
Zoro brought his hand up, brushing at some of Sanji’s messy hair, tucking it behind his ear
with unbearable intimacy.

“I wouldn't have. Still mad?”

Sanji wasn't. The anger had cooled a while ago, but he had to keep appearances up for the
sake of his own stubbornness.

“Kinda.”

“Can I still sleep with you in the bed?”

“The kid’s in the bed.”

“Where’re you sleeping then?”

“I guess the storage.”

“Can I sleep with you in the storage then?”

Again, Sanji was tempted to tell him to piss off. But it would be cold without a blanket, and
Zoro wasn't anything soft and comfortable to sleep on, but he was Zoro and maybe Sanji was
in a little too deep because that was all the excuse he really needed.

“Idiot.”

And of course Zoro understood Sanji’s language, so he knew that by that Sanji meant you’re
such an idiot for even asking. Of course. Fuck you. He kissed Sanji’s forehead, and it didn't
earn him a kick in his gut because Sanji was finding out there was a hell of a lot he’d let Zoro
get away with these days. Like cutting up a kid and making Sanji worry. Like being such an
absolute moronic shithead who made Sanji’s heart beat too damn much.

Do you know, Sanji wanted to say, Do you know about the echoes we leave behind? Like how
today when you cut open too-soft flesh, I was seeing Luffy sailing the blues without a
swordsman. I saw a world where I was not the Pirate King’s cook because the Pirate King
died a long time ago and Luffy was just some kid who never met Roronoa Zoro. Did you
know that I have always been a coward, because I take one step after you seem to take two?

“There’s a supply run happening in two days. We’ll take the kid to the island and spend the
day there.” He said instead.

Zoro nodded, fingers still trying to keep Sanji’s hair behind his ear.

-oOo-

Zoro didn't fall asleep right away, choosing to hang on to consciousness while Sanji curled
against him. The cook was dead to the world, no doubt tired from the excitement of the day,
spending far too much energy on a dumb kid and needless worry.

Zoro didn't give himself time to worry about his own dauntlessness. His goals had plateaued,
and there was no more to climb. With an enormity of power available to him, there were no
limits. Sanji had been right in saying that no one refused Roronoa Zoro. No one in the world
seemed capable of stopping him anymore, and he did wonder if there would ever be a point
where he might find himself rampaging blindly into a state of dangerous apathy for the
world. He could cut down enemies and buildings and there wasn't really anything he couldn't
cut, was there? What were his limits anymore now that most ways of measuring proved
useless? If there was a god maybe Zoro could seek them out and kill them, if only to prove
that he could .

He shook himself of the idea, looking back at Sanji. The power the cook had over him was a
hell of a lot more than he knew, that was for sure. Sanji could make him bow his head if he
chose, and he didn't have any clue because he had no idea the depth of Zoro’s love. And there
was absolutely no guarantee to go with that love, but there was never any guarantee with
anything really. Zoro was sure that there was some sort of love reserved for him in Sanji’s
overfilled heart, but it was the kind of love he kept for all his nakama. Sanji loved- it's what
he did . But it was expected that the love Zoro craved from Sanji wasn't there. Sanji was
waiting for his fairy tale romance, and his eyes didn't seem to land on Zoro for that. But then
again it came back to the fact that Sanji doesn't know you love him.
That’s Zoro’s truth; I only have one heart, and it only fits in his hands. Forever was just as
real as any other dream, and he would live to see the impossible in so many ways. Love was
tremendous, it was earth shattering and it transcended. It did not leave him, he carried it, he
treasured it, he loved back with the words on his lips and the ache in his chest. Even if one
day Sanji would look back at him and turn away with shame, with rejection , any kind of
momentary love was worth that cost. If Sanji never loved him as anything more than what he
was now, Zoro would take that and carry it and treasure it.

Sanji moved in his sleep, his hands making fists. Zoro pulled him closer, mile by mile
through the distance into his arms, securing him to where Zoro knew he would be safe. It was
strange that even in a quiet space like this, with Sanji asleep, Zoro couldn't say it out loud.
The weight of such a long carried secret kept his tongue still, so he could only repeat it in his
head. He brushed his lips against Sanji’s brow, willing him good dreams. Do you know I love
you? Do you know? I have loved you for so long now. I might love you forever.

And still Sanji worried about him. What did Zoro have to lose, when he never had much to
begin with? His trauma was insignificant in the grand scheme- but a loss was a loss was loss,
and his loss had still been his loss . Zoro was the man that could lose an eye and brush it off,
who could lose an arm or his ear or go blind or leave both legs in the ground if he had to,
with the infinitely concrete truth that he would get up. It was not in his nature to mourn, it
was his nature to lift and carry and reach the edge of the world. It was Sanji’s nature to offer
himself up and smile while the devil dragged him by the ankles. It was always going to be
who the man was, and it frustrated Zoro to no end.

Do you know, he thought, that I have counted the bullets you’ve taken for Usopp and Nami? I
know the scar on your left calf is from an axe meant for Chopper. There’s a pinpoint fine dot
on your wrist, and I’ve kissed it, knowing it came from the tip a blade set to behead Luffy.
And I love you, and I have loved you, but who you are scares me like an enemy never has.

Zoro thinks that Sanji would take the burden of death away from the entire world if he could.
Sanji would gladly accept to be reborn in countless lifetimes just to die for the sake of others.
He would relive all the tragedy but without the human grace of learning from a mistake. Like
a fucking lab rat, going through the maze over and over and over while the gods wear lab
coats and laugh. He’d take the emptiness, the pain, the anything and all, and he’d take it a
million times over. He’d be reborn just to suffer it, and he’d be proud to.

Could I be reborn too, if only to love you? Sanji stirred again in his sleep, face pressed into
the space carved out for him in between Zoro’s neck and shoulder.
 Chapter 23
Chapter Summary

a reprieve on the supply islands

Chapter Notes
See the end of the chapter for notes

The kid was awake when Sanji went up to change. He was sitting upright, looking tired and
dirty and just a little shocked to his core.

“Thank you. For saving me and all.”

Sanji nodded in response, moving to his dresser. He grabbed a clean shirt and tie, his jacket
long discarded and surely caked with dried blood. Yesterday’s tie was held captive by Zoro’s
body, still unmoving and snoring in the storage. Sanji still had the first aid box on the floor,
and he decided checking bloody bandages was better to be done in his dirtier clothes.

“How are you feeling?”

The cook reached for the blanket, and the boy moved his arms out of the way, giving access.
There was no free-flowing blood or exaggerated swelling, but he’d need to be checked by a
proper doctor.

“Ok, I think.”

Sanji gave him a look.

“You ‘think’?”

The boy shrugged, wincing at the movement. He had clean cropped hair and skin that was
covered in more than a good amount of grime. Sanji wondered if all swordsmen had a thing
about not washing themselves.

“Never been cut like this before. Should I be feelin’ anything special?”

Sanji sighed, throwing the covers back over him. It figured the kid had never received any
crazy injury before now. He had probably lived a fairly normal life, picked up a sword, never
been challenged and gone for the top straight away.

“Nah, the shithead knows better than to cut up your organs. Where’d you come from
anyways? Somewhere this side of the red?”

The kid ducked his head looking embarrassed. Sanji went back to the dresser, quickly
changing shirts.

“A couple islands off the west. Is it obvious?”

Yes.

“Nah, just a guess. We’ll be going that way for supplies tomorrow, so we’ll take you.”

They would have taken him anyways. Zoro was still sleeping, and the cook thought it best
that he stayed that way as things settled in the morning. Some of the chefs still moved with
stiff limbs, unsure how to resume daily life at the moment.

Sanji changed the bandages quietly, letting the boy stay in his thoughts. He didn't prod, since
this person was a stranger and Sanji didn't know if he should be anything else.
“Will I ever be strong enough?”

Sanji tightened the ends of the white fabric, looking up. He was aware, suddenly, of how
infinitely old he must seem to someone so young and inexperienced.

“Do you want to be?”

He hesitated, words probably blocked somewhere in his throat. Sanji figured that was answer
enough.

-oOo-

The supply ship had no luxuries, but it was fast and economical. It made three stops on a
monthly basis, going from the floating restaurant to island to island and back. Sanji rarely
joined the restocking crew, prefering to send trusted members to pick the right supplies.

Zoro was asleep by the rail, soaking up all the sun while Sanji smoked and watched him. The
kid was below deck, probably sleeping as well.

“What do you want to do on the island?”

Zoro wasn't asleep then. He cracked his eye open, focused on Sanji and the smoke clouds.

“I want to be romantic.”

“You’re already a romantic.”

“I’m giving you a hint, dumbass.”

“Oh. Ok.”

Sanji poked him in the head.

“Ok to what?”

Zoro snatched the hand, pressing a chaste kiss to Sanji’s wrist. He gave a quicksilver smile at
the flush spreading over pale skin.

“Let's do romance then, love-cook.”

Sanji withdrew his hand, trying to recover. It wasn't that Zoro was good at this or anything, it
was just that Sanji was too susceptible. He was sure.

“Yeah. Yeah , that’s what I want, so.”

Maybe it was the exhaustion of the whole week combined with the draining events and 3
hours of sleep, but Sanji didn't feel patient enough for anymore beating around the bush. He
was nearing 30, he knew what he wanted in a partner, and it was time to see if Zoro could fit
that role. It was creeping up on him day by day that the role he had so carefully carved out for
his life-long companion had actually never been clear-cut. It was loose all around the edges,
and the longer Zoro stayed, the more the edges seemed to fit to his shape. But Sanji was tired,
and his heart was in the leading position above his brain most times, so he let it direct him.
Zoro was far, very far from perfect, and Sanji was only now understanding that that was still
perfect. And it was terrifying .

After all, love was nothing simple. Love was a mother's touch and soft words when the
bruises took up more space than healthy skin. Love was a warm meal when death was in his
shadow. Love was a push in the right direction even when it meant leaving love behind. Love
came with loss, and so he was afraid. Not of giving, never of giving, but to receive a thing as
enormous as love- the cost was so much, and he was still healing even now. Love was far too
much to take on in that my one true love sense, but to love many with a gentle heart was
enough, surely. He loved so many, mostly equally even if in different forms, but to love one
above all others seemed. It was nearly selfish.

He wanted to ask someone How . How do you hold your most vulnerable piece of yourself
extended in a selfish regard for one person? How is someone supposed to accept something
so large? Sanji wanted to bow at the kindness Zoro was giving him these days, the kindness
he did not deserve he and could never deserve this in the state of mind he found himself stuck
in. He deserved stick thin bones showing through his sunburned skin and a cage that came
with a matching helmet. He deserved every cut and push and broken body and he wanted to
scream until his voice gave out because deserving love ? No, no he could give love.

Robin had berated him about it in her relearned gentle way, as recycled motherly wisdom
often came to her so naturally.

“Did you know there are winter islands so cold that the only way people survive is by living
in communal houses, sharing body heat?” She would say.

Did you know that people have always survived best by forming bonds and holding hands?
Did you know that humans, as living creatures, need to be social in order to progress
throughout history? Did you know that needing others has never once been a weakness, but a
proven form of evolutionary power?

Sanji knew this. He was always tempted to tell Robin I know, I understand, it’s fact. But
written in stone had never been his form of history, and growing up by example of punching
bag techniques and cradled cracked bones had made him forget that the bigger picture is the
bigger truth, and the beauty of people is enormous. Germa was an ink drop compared to that,
and love by that example was absolutely false if not dangerous.

“History can tell us the future in ways we often ignore. Few humans are unpredictable the
way Luffy is, but his unpredictability will no doubt be repeated into a way that will be written
as expected. Our very lives dictate what will happen next, and isn’t that fascinating?” She
would say.

And. He can hear her silent words. And and and. And one day the world will forget us, but it
will all happen again. And it will still be recorded and repeated and forgotten and somehow
formed into religion. And actually it’s not so fascinating at all, it’s extremely predictable.
And actually isn’t that the fascinating part. And in the future, when we are old, (if we even
live to be old) maybe children will be sung to sleep by lullabies about the pirate king with a
too-large smile. And maybe they will grow up to be the pirates that are also recorded in old
books that governments will outlaw. And maybe, if we are very lucky and the god so many
people believe in is actually kind, someone will remember our names and smile. And if
nothing else, Sanji, isn't it so remarkable that we exist together in this space and time, able to
love each other and feel loved? And Sanji, do you know how loved you are?

Did he know? What was the form of measurement nowadays, with Zeff looking so frail and
Zoro so close to his side and Luffy far away? He wasn't so sure even Robin knew, with her
boundless wealth of understanding. And she had been so hesitant to accept love as well once
upon a time. Regardless, the answer had never really been found and the mystery was still
unsolved.

“Let’s go out on a date then. Hell, let's make a day of it, cook.”

Sanji swallowed, hoping the butterflies in his stomach would dissolve in the gastric fluids
already.

-oOo-

“You never asked my name.”

Sanji blew out his smoke, tapping the ash on the brick wall. Zoro stood somewhere behind
them, carefully away from any exchange with the boy. The cook eyed the clean bandages,
wondering how long they’d have to be there. The doctor inside would know, but Sanji
wouldn't be around to hear the prognosis.

“You never asked mine.”

The boy looked at Sanji strangely, his eyebrows drawn in a tight line.

“It's pretty obvious I would know what your name is, Blackleg Sanji.”
Sanji shrugged at that. There were no absolutes anywhere in the world, and there was bound
to be someone so out of the loop they didn't even know the pirate king. Sanji could get away
with flying under the radar and not being recognized all the time. But now he was with Zoro,
and it made them both unmistakable.

“If you want me to know your name, you can tell me. If not, that’s fine.”

Again, the kid gave an unreadable look, before giving Sanji a lopsided smile. He looked
exhausted suddenly, like his body’s weight was too much to bare, but there was a new kind of
happiness there. Maybe the joy of finally understanding something.

“You can read it in the news one day.”

Sanji gave him a smile of his own. He wondered if he’d be seeing him again, maybe a few
years from now, sword held high on the All Blue. Very secretly, Sanji hoped not. He hoped
that, in the very cautious peace blanketing most islands, a boy like that could grow up easily
and find answers in meaneal work.

The doctor’s door swung shut in finality.

-oOo-

“How long we stayin?”

Zoro looked at the cook expectantly, and Sanji reached into his pocket, pulling out his watch.
His men would be picking up pre-made orders, but they always had to double check the
amount, haggle a bit, pack up the cargo and check for new deals. It gave them at least 5
hours, and then they’d go to the next island that was close by for a few other things. They’d
probably only be at the other one for 3 hours, so they could make it back to the All Blue by
midnight.
“We’ll get back to the ship in the afternoon. Did you wanna explore?”

Zoro shrugged.

“We could go get a room somewhere.”

Sanji kicked him in the leg.

“You’re hopeless.”

“I was just kidding. Kinda. We could go start a bar fight?”

“It’s not even 9am, bars aren’t open. Also we’re not doing that.”

“Not doing it now or-

“Let’s go inside somewhere before we’re recognized at least.”

Sanji grabbed Zoro’s jacket, pulling him along into a coffee house. They sat in the corner
under warm light, hardly any people inside other than a tired barista. Sanji waved him over,
placing an order for coffee while Zoro peeked out the dirty stained-glass window. The cook
nudged his leg, getting his attention.

“I thought you were gonna try to be romantic?”

Sanji crossed his arms, raising a brow at the swordsman. Zoro fiddled with his worn jacket,
having the decency to look a little embarrassed.
“Well, I thought about it-

“Since when do you think?”

“Shut up. What I’m trying to say is that I don't know that much about romance. I wanna eat
dinner with you but I sorta always wanna eat dinner with you, so it's not really different I
guess? I mostly just really want to spend time with you, but I’m gonna need help with the
romance part.”

The coffee arrived in time to save Zoro. He grabbed at his drink, chugging it like beer and
obviously burning his tongue. Sanji rolled his eyes, blush high on his own cheeks.

It was sweet , really. Zoro could have brushed him off or even laughed at him, but he was
very honestly trying at something that made him uncomfortable. That in itself was a grand
enough gesture for Sanji, even if he wouldn't ever admit it. Zoro fanned his burnt mouth,
hopeless and somehow charming.

“How about we start off with this?”

Sanji reached across the table with his hand, placing his palm up and open next to Zoro’s.
The swordsman looked at it for a moment like it would bite him, glancing at Sanji for
confirmation before putting his coffee down. He took the cook’s hand gently, giving a little
smile that was entirely too sweet for Sanji to handle.

“You’re blushing, love-cook.”

Sanji took a large sip of coffee, failing to hide his smile. He could feel his tongue burning.

“Shut up.”

-oOo-
Outside the window they could see the entire little town. From the other side their stained-
glass images would be blurry at best, and the privacy gifted by that was rare and welcome.
They traded small observations as the sun moved position.

“The bread cart has a broken wheel. It’s literally- how can they not notice?”

“In that red building, second floor, there’s this guy doing the weirdest dance.”

“Saw him earlier. Check out the flower shop person.”

“Thats 12 dogs too many.”

“I like dogs.”

“Then get a ship dog.”

“Should probably get a cat. Good for pest control.”

“Cats just sleep all day. Look at the hat on that woman.”

“ You just sleep all day and I keep you around. Chopper would like that hat.”

They left when the shop owner seemed fed up with their game, and even then they dawdled
around sleepy shops, ducking into alleyways for no real reason. They sunk deeper into the
shadowed parts of the town, no intention in mind, just the continuation of going further until
they hit an end. Their hands stayed firmly intertwined.
“Drink?”

Sanji checked his watch, and deemed alcohol consumption acception. He steered Zoro into a
low-lit bar, held together by melted wax candles and drunk sailors. Sanji got a bottle of wine
and nursed it while Zoro had 7 pints of questionable ale. It wasn't great, but Sanji left a large
tip.

He followed Zoro, letting the man lead them in circles and down hopeless paths. It was
soothing in an odd way, to become lost by choice while the swordsman continued on
cluelessly. He struggled to light a cigarette with one hand. The sun dipped.

“We should eat.”

“Sure.”

“What do you wanna eat?”

Zoro shrugged. The movement jostled their joined hands.

“What do you want to eat?”

Sanji picked a cafe style place by the docks. A couple sat in the back, looking lovingly into
each other’s eyes and ignoring the waiter. An old woman brought them plates piled high with
pasta and kissed her own fingers in genture. She put the salt on Sanji’s plate, and he let her.
Zoro stuffed a forkful in his mouth.

“‘Yers is better.”

Sanji flushed, then kicked him in the leg.

“Don't talk with your mouth full.”

When she returned to collect the empty plates, she patted both their cheeks. Zoro wondered if
she did that to everyone, or if she just liked them. Sanji said it was an acknowledgement.

“An acknowledgment of what?”

“That we ate her food, and so we are living from her food. Like a blessing to that.”

Zoro nodded, pulling Sanji by the hand so he was close enough to kiss. He let his lips linger
on his cheek, forming his own acknowledgement.

-oOo-

They made it back to the ship just as they were lowering the sails. Sanji watched the island
grow small, wondering about kids and swords and futures. Surely there was a balance that
could be found where a new swordsman could reach their dreams without Zoro stepping
down from his. Maybe all dreams were destined to either come from blood or end in blood
though.

“Don't mourn him, he’s not dead.”

Sanji looked at Zoro, with his eyes painted gold by the low sun. He was being somber, but his
hand was still gentle on Sanji’s.

“I know.”

He did. Sanji had always known it was wasteful to mourn people with so much future laid out
for them. He mourned people like his mother, who had been weaved together by bird songs
and summer rain, but out of a cherishing so deep it overcame any grief. A child with wide
eyes and full cheeks didn't want or need any kind of mourning.

The ship sailed on quietly, and Zoro’s hand was warm.

-oOo-

Zoro knew exactly where he was taking Sanji the second time they docked. It wasn't that it
was the only thing on his mind, but it’d been something he’d wanted and he knew it was
something they needed .

He dragged Sanji by his hand to a stop outside the first decent hotel.

“So, hear me out.”

Sanji looked at him, then the building. He gave Zoro a flat look.

“Wow.”

“I said hear me out. There’s actual privacy here. Y’know, no thin walls?”

“We wouldn't even get to spend the night.”

“We’re not really looking for a place to sleep, cook.”

“We’re not really looking for a place to fuck, either.”

Zoro gave an annoyed sigh, jerking his chin at the door.

“When are we gonna get a chance at actual privacy like this on the ship? No Zeff or kitchen
or crew members.”

Sanji looked like he was going to protest again, but Zoro beat him to it.

“It would just be us, Sanji.”

Sanji looked at him and then at the hotel again. He had a slight blush on his face and
eventually gave a small nod in agreement.

“Could be nice.”

Zoro pulled them inside, digging in his haramaki until the right amount of coins appeared
much to Sanji’s embarrassment. Key in hand, Zoro only took two wrong turns with Sanji
laughing all the way into the room.

Zoro closed the door behind them, turning to face Sanji slowly. In the room it was quiet in all
the ways it never was on the ship, and it startled him. His ears nearly felt like they were
ringing in the lack of sound, bursting at the quiet steps Sanji took towards him.

For a moment he thought he’d made a mistake, and that in the solitude of the quiet hotel
room Sanji would be able to hear just how loud his heart was beating. If Zoro wasn't careful,
words would slip from his mouth and bounce off all the walls and then Sanji would know ,
and funny thing about secrets and unspoken words; they get harder to say as time goes on.
Now that everything was in his grasp, he had that much more to lose. Sanji in the candlelight
of the hotel room with a loose tie and bright eyes- he was something exquisite and private
and Zoro wanted to consume him like a last meal. Simultaneously, he couldn't imagine the
moment ending.

It was slow in a way it hadn't been before, though. Zoro had been able to steal moments out
of their daily life to find out how to touch Sanji, how to kiss him, how to hold him in the best
possible way so every inch of them touched. He’d probably pressed his lips on every portion
of Sanji, and somehow there was still hunger under his own skin. The inexhaustible desire to
touch in so many ways was just something Zoro assumed he would always live with. It came
with the ever present beat of his heart, morse coding out his love for the cook.

By the time clothes were gone Zoro felt overwhelmed. Sanji kissed the tip of his nose, his
cheekbones, offering up softness. Zoro descended on it, giving back in the way his fingers
 curled around Sanji’s hip bone and shoulder blade. He brushed his lips against Sanji’s neck,
feeling each tremble.

“Zoro...”

In the bed they were still slow. Zoro still felt new to gentleness, and he was afraid Sanji
would see how clumsy he was sometimes. His own shaking hands just kept moving, afraid to
stay in one place too long when there was still so much of Sanji to hold. He wanted to slow
the world down, keep Sanji in the bed for weeks so he could properly take his time and
finally memorize every bump of skin and bone.

Afterwards, brought over the peak and then down to satiated and panting, Zoro couldn't stop
himself from kissing Sanji still. And Sanji just smiled, and he had no idea how much it made
Zoro’s heart bleed and burst. I love you, I love you so much, I love you. When Sanji spoke, his
voice was hushed in a whisper, and he was unspeakably beautiful.

“Whenever we docked on a peaceful island like this, I would make up a different life for
myself. I imagined if I wasn't a pirate, or the what-ifs in my own history.”

Zoro understood that concept. He didn't do it because he had his path so clearly from start to
finish, but it was simple to imagine. It was easier though to imagine Sanji, to see him fitting
in with the kind people in the market and giving extra apples to children. He sees a not-a-
pirate-Sanji buying flowers from an old man he knows by name. He sees him living in a light
blue house, or a yellow one, or a white brick cottage further away. Maybe he doesn't have
that scar from that thing, and maybe he spent his weekends swimming in that pond. Maybe
on this island where it's so hard for fruit to grow he adapted and learned everything there ever
was to know about the local bright purple beans. Maybe on this one he was much more a
baker than a chef because that one old woman acted like he had brought her deceased
husband back from the dead every time he baked muffins.

And in all those worlds of made-up Sanjis, Zoro saw himself on the outskirts. He saw himself
faithfully following this Sanji and that Sanji and quietly, desperately loving them. All the
Sanji’s of the unlimited universes and Zoro saying I still love you , following stardust strands
of fate over lifetimes.

Chapter End Notes

wow more overly romantic bullshit who is even surprised also I never did mention yall
can find me on twitter at maddymock where I look at pictures of Sanji all day and cry at
memes
next chapters will be leading up to some pretty meaty bits of this zosan sandwich so
buckle up buttercups
 Chapter 24
Chapter Summary

everyone make some noise for Dressrosa royals

Chapter Notes

short chap while I get the other ones together and a HUGE shout out to donutsandcoffee
for helping me so much!

Zeff greeted Sanji on the dock by throwing a letter at him.

“We got royalty comin’.”

That didn't exactly narrow down the list for someone part of the Straw Hats. Sanji read
through the letter, a bright smile forming as he showed the letter to Zoro.

“Rebecca-chan wants to have her birthday party here! And Viola-swan is coming too~”

Zoro looked less than pleased at the cook’s swooning, but read through the letter himself. The
Tontatta tribe would be coming, or at least a good portion of them along with the King of
Dressrosa and a few other higher status associates. There would be guards and maybe a few
others, and in total it looked like a fairly large and lavish affair. Zoro wasn't interested in any
kind of party that involved nice dress and wine over strong spirits, but he was prepared to
suffer through it.

Sanji took on the party planning in his typical perfectionist manner. Considering it was a
princess’ party, he was no doubt going way over the top, and Zoro figured he’d stay the hell
out of the way. To his surprise though, Sanji seemed to be pulling him back in every time he
tried to give the cook some air.

“Do you think the purple takes away from the blue? Should it be all the base color or is that
too plain?”

Zoro looked at the sketch of the cake. He had absolutely no idea what a base color was. He
looked at Sanji, who was looking at him. The cook nodded like Zoro had given him profound
insight.

“No, the purple is fine. Maybe a lighter lilac though, yeah.”

Zoro nodded dumbly.

It went like that for the next couple of days. Zoro, which envelope is better for the invitation?
Marimo, get over here and taste this. Is the white lily too serious for floral arrangement? Oh,
good idea, we should replace the table cloth. Zoro felt complemented by the attention,
finding himself grinning at the way Sanji couldn't decide over similar shades of yellow and
the design of napkin. Everytime Zoro took a step back, Sanji followed him, and eventually
Zoro just took the same steps the cook was taking until they were lined up in a graceful sync.
Sanji passed a letter over his shoulder, and Zoro was ready to grab it.

Sanji had brought down one of his original recipe journals, and held it lovingly close as he
recited a few parts to his crew. It was regarded with a cherishing from everyone, and held
with absolute respect as a relic from something seemingly mystic to those who hadn't been a
part of it. It was bookmarked on a single page in reference to one dish that had ingredients
measurement so precise that Sanji, with all his impeccable memory and skill, could not recite
for every chef all the time. Apparently Rebecca would be receiving a creation forged from a
part of Choppers past birthday cake, consisting of macaroon truffles and a souffle so delicate
a moth wing could upset the pastry.

The first boat arrived a week later, carrying two guards and two advisors to the king. Sanji
charmed the advisors with his knowledge of wines and proper cutlery, and Zoro tried goading
the guards into a drinking contest. Preparations for the party set, the ship began its
transformation from high-class to royalty-formal. Fairy lights were strung around the docks
and new candles were arranged in center pieces. Glasses were polished, the silverware was
changed, napkins folded like birds. A black suit was thrown in Zoro’s face, and he
complained through trying in on, knowing he’d wear it anyways. Sanji cut him a deal;
everytime Zoro put the suit on, Sanji would take his own off. Zoro found the compromise
fair.
The king and princess arrived the day before the scheduled event. They’d been at sea for a
few days, and wanted the extra time to rest. The Tontatta tribe included Leo and Wicca and a
large group of other small people, who had too much energy for Zoro to deal with, and the
appetite of normal sized humans on top of that. Wicca had seen fit to tell every single person
within earshot that Zoro had the most helpless sense of direction in the world, and it was a
damn shame he couldn't cut her up without starting some sort of international affair.

Viola seemed happy to see Sanji, and if she was happy than Sanji was ecstatic. Zoro was not
.

“Viola-swan, do you still take your tea with sugar?”

“Yes, Sanji-san, thank you.”

“Please, just Sanji is fine!”

Zoro ground his teeth. He wasn't jealous. Sanij would always be Sanji, and that included
being a dumbass with women, even if he had adjusted himself over the years to be less a
bloody-nosed moron. It was the fact that Sanji and Viola had known each other for a while,
and that Viola seemed genuinely happy to spend time with Sanji, which bothered the shit out
of Zoro. The fact that Viola was a princess wasn't helping.

“Zoro-san, how have you been? The news hasn't included any recent adventures with your
name, but I’m glad to see you’re doing well.”

And of course she just had to be an honestly nice person. Zoro almost couldn't stand it. She
was nice, she was pretty, he was pretty sure she had killed at least 10 men, so she was
basically Sanji’s type . The cook was a hell of a masochist when it came to women, example
A being Nami.

“Viola-chan, would you like a tour? Or perhaps you’re tired from the journey, shall I get you
something sweet?”

Zoro tugged on Sanji’s sleeve, annoyed.

“Oi, I’m hungry.”

“You just ate, you’re not Luffy, shut up. Viola-chan, my kitchen is always open to you, just
say the word!”

Zoro grumbled. He wasn't hungry really, but it usually worked as an attention grabber for the
cook. Bastard knew Zoro too well though. Viola seemed to find it amusing.

“I’d be remiss to decline something from you, Sanji-san. Perhaps the tart samples you were
talking about, and Zoro-san could try them with me?”

Sanji looked torn about the idea. Zoro stuck his tongue out in childish revenge. Sanji
glowered for a moment, before smirking triumphantly.

“Ah, but unfortunately the local plant life doesn't have a palate accommodating to sweets, my
dear. As a chef, I could never bring someone something they didn't enjoy.”

Zoro narrowed his eye, feeling a familiar vein throb in his forehead. He was sure that there
was something fucked about the fact that he loved the man that gave him daily headaches out
of impossible annoyance, but that was one hell of an old fact anyways.

With a huff, he grabbed Sanji’s tie, pulling the cook down to steal a kiss. He wasn't above
making a show of possessiveness, pushing the kiss into something just deep enough to make
it a little dirty. Sanji resisted for only a moment, his eyelashes fluttering shut and tickling
Zoro’s skin. Zoro pulled away with a quiet pop , smirking as Sanji turned a bright red and
straightened his tie. Viola had a blush of her own, but her surprise subsided into a casual
smile easily. Sanji avoided eye contact.

“It appears then that Zoro-san can accomodate for sweet things.”

Zoro had to let out a sharp bark of laughter at that. Sanji stuttered something of an excuse,
blushing so hard steam seemed to come from his ears and running off towards the kitchen.
Zoro folded his arms, ignoring his own heated cheeks and smirking at Viola.

“Yeah, sometimes I get a craving.”

A spatula hit him in the back of the head.

 Chapter 25
Chapter Summary

its the wrong words that always spread like weeds

Chapter Notes

did anyone know that Leo was 25 actual years old because I sure as fuck didnt

See the end of the chapter for more notes

Lunch was a casual affair of chefs bustling around to set everything up and royals lounging
with sandwiches. It was odd for everything to be so unremarkable before such a grand event,
like the backstage of a play. No one was in costume yet, and the stage was still being
painted.

“Rebecca-chan, I’m so happy you chose my restaurant for your place of celebration! Such an
honor to have a beautiful princess gracing the ship!”

Rebecca blushed at the fauning, giggling at the overly dramatic antics. Leo was going
through the dishes on the table faster than Zoro could, and he had to hold his own plate away
from him. He had discussed sword fighting with Rebecca’s father, as well as the princess
herself before Sanji had kicked him hard in the shins to remind him that no, actually, maybe
we don't want to bring back certain memories of certain possibly traumatizing events?
Luckily the mosshead seemed fine with keeping his mouth shut, or at least busy trying to eat
his own food before the Tontatta guys did. Sanji made a mental note to increase the portions.
He pushed that aside for later though, focusing his attention on the lovely Rebecca.

“Normally we would celebrate at home, but the timing aligned with a diplomats meeting, and
I couldn't pass up the chance to eat here. I’m sorry it's causing such a fuss though…”
Sanji waved her off, refilling the tea and smacking Leo away from Rebecca’s plate of pear
slices. She picked one up to give to him anyways.

“Nonsense, it's hardly any trouble. For you my dear, we would rebuild the entire ship if it
pleased you!”

Rebecca laughed while Zoro rolled his eye. The swordsman stood, stuffing the rest of his
sandwich in his mouth. Sanji tsked and kicked his shin.

“Where do you think you’re going?”

Zoro picked up the dish, pushing Leo away from his bread crumbs and giving Sanji a flat
look.

“If I stay here any longer the sandwich is gonna come back up.”

Rebecca giggled, and Sanji made a pained face, stuck between fawning over the young lady
and yelling at Zoro. He wasn't going to risk the asshole repeating his stunt from earlier
though, especially not in front of such a sweet and innocent thing as Rebecca

“Ug, whatever. Just take the plate back.”

Zoro waved the plate he had picked up in the air, stomping towards the kitchens. Sanji
groaned, embarrassed at the man’s behavior. He went about cutting the fresh bread for the
princess, cheeks still burning.

“I think it's cute that you guys are so in love and all.”

Sanji stopped cutting. He looked up at Rebecca, flustered.

“Oh, no my dear, I think you’ve been misinformed! I mean, love is such a serious term and
we’re…”

Well shit, now was sure a great fucking time to realize he didn't have a lable for their
relationship thing.

“...We’re, uh, crewmates.”

Sanji winced at that. Rebecca put down her tea, looking at Sanji with large eyes.

“Really? I’m sorry but it's just, Viola thought- and the way you spoke…”

Leo stopped munching on his biscuits, looking up at Sanji as well.

“You guys kissed though! People kiss when they love each other.”

Rebecca flushed the same time Sanji did.

“Leo! That’s hardly our business! I’m sorry Sanji-san, he doesn't-

Sanji put a hand on her shoulder, giving her a smile. She closed her mouth, still looking
uncomfortable.

“It’s fine, princess. I mean, we’re a bit, more than just crewmates I suppose, but really, I’d
hardly say we’re in love.”

Rebecca looked a bit confused, but she nodded, smiling.

“Well, what matters is you’re both happy, and you both look very happy together.”

Sanji smiled, ears returning to a deep red. He was happy being with Zoro, however they
were. Leo jumped onto Sanji’s shoulder, poking him to get his attention.

“Gancho says you can only kiss the person you love though. What if you love someone and
they see you kiss Zoro-land? It’s bad!”

Sanji didn't know what the fuck a Gancho was but it sounded a lot like bullshit. He sure as
hell wasn't going to say that to a tiny fairy boy or a princess though.

“Look, love is something magical, and it takes time to find, right? Sometimes a person isn't
‘the one’ but they can still be special to you.”

Leo looked like he was trying to get his brain around that, and Sanji hoped he hadn’t broken
the little guy. He looked over at the princess, hoping he hadn't said anything that came off as
rude. She seemed to be thinking over his words herself. Leo poked Sanji again, and the cook
gave the boy his attention.

“So Zoro-land is a test?”

Hell, that was a pretty brutal way of putting it. Sanji hoped Rebecca might give him some
backup, but she was looking fairly uncomfortable about the topic at this point. Sanji rubbed
the back of his neck, not pleased with the turn their conversation had taken.

“Uh, Leo, have you ever been on a date? Shit, do you know what a date is?”

Sanji didn't actually know how old Leo was . For all Sanji knew the guy was 10, and the idea
was starting to freak Sanji out. Dear god, he was corrupting a fucking fairy child. At least
Zoro wasn't around for the awkwardness.
Something small hit the table, causing it to jolt and making everyone jump. Wicca popped
out from under a napkin, all big smiles and red cheeks, followed by a more reserved
Mansherry. Sanji silently thanked the stars in the sky for their appearance.

“Leo! Did you see the cake? It’s bigger than a human!”

Sanji jumped on the topic, eager to push the other one aside.

“Yes, thank you Wicca-chan! Each row is a different flavor, and you can try them all. Of
course, it won't be served until tonight, for our lovely princess.”

The three dwarf-fairy-whatevers moved to Rebecca excitedly, and the talk turned to food
easily. Sanji excused himself, deciding he wanted to look over the menu again to see if he
should add more Dressrosa dishes for the coming guests. Maybe he’d add another tier to the
cake just for Wicca.

-oOo-

Zoro ended up getting cornered by Zeff in the kitchen, who looked one wrong word away
from murdering someone. Apparently one of the chefs had come down with a cold and was
banished from touching anything food related, which somehow made a difference or
whatever. Either way, Zoro decided it would be in his best interest to just do what Zeff told
him to do, and so he ended up stuck moving lifeboats for a reason that remained a mystery. It
was taking forever, and he’d have to pick up the pace if he wanted to change for dinner
before Sanji found him in his so-called ‘peasant’ clothes.

He let his mind wander back to the cook as it always seemed to, regardless of how annoying
the guy could be in woman-surrounded situations like this. At least he’d be too embarrassed
to properly swoon over Viola now, which was pretty funny. Zoro was also looking forward to
the party a little, knowing there's be plenty of food and alcohol and most importantly, Sanji
would be free. Unlike the last party, this time Zoro felt the thrill of knowing he could spend
the whole time by the cook’s side, asking him to dance and bitching about servings way too
small and stealing kisses. Their time on the supply island had been a brief blessing of sorts,
getting Sanji away from work for once. Now, tonight, Sanji would be dressed up and bright
eyed surrounded by his accomplishments, and Zoro would really get to be with him. Sure
there’d be princesses, but they wouldn't get to see the way he smiled on the verge of sleep,
tucked in bed with his plentiful scars and mused hair.

Something hit Zoro so hard in the arm he almost dropped the stacked lifeboats. He would
have moved if it’d been a threat, and he was hardly surprised to see Leo looking up at him.
He had a frosting mustache on his face, and the tell tale signs of someone high as shit on
sugar.

“Oh! Zoro-land!”

Zoro put down the boats with a loud thud. He plucked Leo up from the back of his collar, the
kid vibrating like an Usopp invention. Zoro distinctly remembered a time when Luffy had
eaten a full bag of sugar on Merry out of hunger/boredom and caused extensive damage to
the mast.

“Oi, don't just go around crashing into people.”

Leo laughed in the grip, his tiny legs kicking around. He wiped at the frosting on his face,
making it worse.

“Have you seen Sanji-land? He said I could have the second cake slice after Princess
Rebecca!”

Zoro glanced over at the horizon, noting the quickly lowering sun. Had they already served
the cake? No way, the party was probably just warming up now. He’d have to choose
between Zeff kicking him for not stacking the boats or Sanji kicking him for not changing
clothes.

“Maybe you should ease off the sweets for a bit, kid.”

Leo pouted hard, wiggling until he wasn't in Zoro’s hand anymore. He trotted up the
swordsman’s arm.
“How mean! I can eat whatever I want, Sanji-land said so.”

“Well there's no food here , so go back to the party.”

Leo puffed up his cheeks, his tail swishing around agitatedly.

“I don't want to go back, Princess Mansherry is being weird again.”

Zoro sighed. As the sun lowered he doubted he’s be able to find the stupid room with his
stupid suit in it. He looked at Leo, who reminded him way too much of Chopper, and sighed
again.

“And why is she being weird?”

Leo jumped at the opening, beaming up at Zoro.

“Well, so, it all started when she told me she was in love with me-

“Fucks sake.”

“-And then I told her I was in love with her too, because I am, but then she started being so
weird about it! Always making me sit next to her and not do this or that or something!”

Zoro rubbed at his face.

“And what’s the problem then?”

Leo hit his arm, which hurt .

“She’s always telling me what to do! Just because we’re in love doesn't mean I have to obey
her!”

“Isn't she your princess though…”

Another punch. Zoro winced.

“What do you do when Sanji-land tells you what to do?”

Honestly it was a pretty even divide between just straight on doing what the cook wanted and
arguing with him until Zoro eventually just ended up doing what the cook wanted anyways.
Sanji tended to get what he wanted one way or another, and now he had sex as a bargaining
chip, so.

“I do whatever won't get me kicked in the head, Leo.”

Or kicked out of bed.

“Even if you don't like it?”

Zoro gave Leo a glance. He looked like a tiny kid, but then again Chopper looked like a
teddy bear and had a comprehension level of a 70 year old genius. Zoro didn't see much point
in filtering too much for the little guy.

“Look, you love her, you want her to be happy, trust me when I say it's easier to just go with
it. If she asks you to do something crazy then yeah, go ahead and question it, but if she just
wants you to sit next to her then sit the hell next to her.”
Leo seemed to take that in, sitting down on Zoro’s arm. Distant music could be heard now,
along with loud laughter. The party would be in full swing soon.

“So you’d do what Sanji-land asked you to, even though you don't love him?”

Zoro choked on his own spit.

“Who- what? Thats- what the fuck.”

“Because you’re a test, but you still do what he says!”

Zoro took a calming breath to steady his heart, then looked at Leo, confused.

“Who’s a test?”

Leo pointed at Zoro, like it was obvious.

“ You're the test! Sanji-land said so.”

Still rattled, Zoro rolled his eye. Leo jumped back to his feet, climbing back up the
swordsman’s arm to stand on his shoulder.

“And what is the cook testing on me now, huh?”

Leo continued his climbing and scrambled up to Zoro’s head, and the swordsman didn't really
appreciate it, but he wasn't going to stop him at this point. He remembered how hard it was to
get Wicca to leave him alone.
“Sanji-land said you’re his test, and I think that’s what a date is too? So that means Sanji-land
is also your test, until you find the right one.”

Zoro paused at that, even more confused. He didn't really get what Leo was saying, but he’d
might as well finish humoring him until he went away.

“Ok, so what, I’m his test, but he’s my test? What are we supposed to be testing?”

Leo stomped his foot, which was on Zoro’s head and fuck thats his fucking head and ow .

“Dummy! You test out loving someone so that when you find your true love, you get it right!
Sanji-land said you’re not ‘the one’, so that means it's a test, right?”

Zoro stood very still, trying to process that. He couldn't though, the words didn't make sense.
They scrambled behind his eyes, not sinking in while the sun disappeared behind the horizon.
He slowly reached up to grab Leo, and brought the small boy to his eye level.

“Leo, what exactly did the coo- did Sanji-land say?”

Leo huffed, pointing a finger at Zoro.

“Well, I said it was bad to kiss someone you’re not in love with, because me and the princess
saw you both kiss but then Sanji-land said you weren't in love! and he said it was fine to do it
with you, and then I asked why, and he said it was ok because you have to test to see if you’re
in love, even though you’re not? I still don't get it, but if you’re his test then he must be your
test, right?”

Leo dangled there in Zoro’s hand, swaying a little. There was a slow understanding creeping
up Zoro’s whole body, starting with his feet and climbing steadily towards his chest. It left
something like a numbness behind.
 “...He said he didn't love me?”

Leo looked up at him, the sugar crash starting to show already.

“Well yeah, that’s why you’re a test. You guys aren't in love, so it's not real I guess.”

There was a low hum somewhere off of a crowd, an exclamation of excitement, glasses
clinking. Zoro turned his head in it's direction, his feet moving robotically before stumbling
slightly. Leo removed himself easily from the slack grip, oblivious to anything wrong. He
went on about his own love, about testing things with her and the difference being that they
were in love, and was there anyone Zoro-land loved? And why was he with Sanji-land
anyways? What was he testing if they weren't in love?

Zoro had stopped listening. He was sure that somewhere in his head he was capable of
rational thinking and justification, but it wasn't there at the moment. Instead there was a story
going on loop in his mind, the words hushed and familiar and old as dirt. Once upon a time, it
began. Once upon a time there was a man, and he fell in love .

Zoro had heard this story so many times. He could go on and on forever about people who
fell in love and met tragedy, who met the real fucking world without the fairytale endings.
His story wasn't one bit different. He’d fallen so hard and for so long and now he was deep
out of control. He’d created something desperate within himself, convinced that he could live
like this, or maybe that he couldn't live without.

Once upon a time, a man fell in love. That’s it. The story ends there. His ever after doesn't
have uniqueness, and heartbreak is already cliche enough.

Chapter End Notes

:O
 Chapter 26
Chapter Summary

things fall apart

Chapter Notes
See the end of the chapter for notes

Sanji walked along the quiet deck, fixing his bowtie as the fairy lights mixed with the stars
above him. The guests had only just moved to indoor area, everyone’s excitement palpable
for the cake cutting now that the appetizers had been devoured and enough wine consumed.
Sanji lit a cigarette, blowing little smoke rings in the soft dark.

He felt Zoro’s presence before he saw him, turning with a lazy smile on his face. He had just
been thinking about going off to find the missing swordsman, and now the thought of sharing
the quiet moment seemed so nice.

“Oi, moss-

He wasn't expecting the sword, having spent months on months of being beside Zoro, of
trusting Zoro, of knowing him as gentle. There was the built in response of move and fight
that kept the blood in his body as he twisted away from the strike. He stared at the long blade,
embedded in what was left of a table. Something wrong prickled at the back of Sanji’s neck
as he turned his eyes to follow up the hilt, up the arms, into Zoro’s face.

It had been easy, in hindsight, to forget the type of monster Zoro was . Sanji didn't see him
most days as the world’s greatest, as the demon of the east, as pirate hunter and pirate killer
and how many thousands had fallen by his hands now? There had been Zoro, his nakama, his
friend, and this lover who whispered softy into his ear before the sunlight cast shadows.
Hands that touched with reverence- gone in place of something else. The Roronoa Zoro
before Sanji now was not the one to give kindness.
“What the fuck was that for?”

It was debilitatingly frightening, suddenly, to watch Zoro move so slowly. The way he pulled
his sword back like the wood was butter and his muscles were silk, the way his eye gleamed-
the way it burned . Sanji swallowed, never one to back down, never one to back down, aware
that in the pit of his stomach there was something very close to fear telling him that the Zoro
before him was wrong .

“A test .”

The sword came down so close to Sanji’s face that he caught the reflection of his pupil. A
stray hair was cut from his head in the motion of avoidance, the fabric of his suit grazed. The
impact of the wind alone took away Sanji’s breath, and he retreated one step. Wood cracking
behind him told him a few chairs didn't survive the strike. The fairy lights danced.

“What the hell are yo-

“A fucking test , Sanji.”

Sanji jumped, rolling over another table as half the deck was cleared in an instant. He
watched in slow motion as his furniture turned to scrap and the fine china distantly splashed
in the sea. The floorboards, so painstakingly mopped and waxed, torn like paper.

“You goddamn- stop it!”

“You don't get to treat me like some- like a stand-in .”

“What are you talking about!?”

Another wave of blood-lust and anger ripped through Sanji, grabbing at his pant leg and
taking nearly all of the railing where the cook had just been. A few lonely chairs remained,
with a single table sitting in the middle of the once pristine deck. It’s white tablecloth
fluttered like a surrendering flag. Sanji could feel a bruise on his knee forming.

“I want to hear it from you, cook. I want you to say it.”

“Say what ? God, just stop destroying my ship!”

“Is that your main concern right now? The ship?”

A horrible, enormous crack came to follow Zoro’s movement as his blade settled. The entire
ship groaned, the hole in the wood forming a mouth for the vessel to cry from. Even Franky
would have to take days to fix this. A door slammed somewhere behind them, and distantly
he could hear the murmur of other people.

Sanji pulled at his hair, white knuckles grasping frantically like he could pull the semblance
of normalcy from his own head. His beautiful deck, devastated by Zoro’s unfair rage. He
looked to Zoro for some sort of answer to this anger, any kind of explanation, any clue or hint
and there was only a perfectly formed mask on the mans face.

“I don't understand !”

“What am I to you, Sanji?”

(Here’s how it went in Zoro’s head: He says I love you and nothing goes to shit.)
Here’s how it goes in real life: There's this thing in his chest that makes him want to cut open
his own torso and get a good look at his heart just to make sure it is beating. There’s a sun in
the sky and it's so much bullshit the way it's shining down all day every day and how does it
do that? There’s Sanji, standing right there, and he doesn't know Zoro loves him, he doest
know he doesn't know-

And Zoro can't tell him. He can see it in Sanji’s face with an answer painted in anger and
confusion. Zoro can never tell him now, and that’s how it's going to go- that’s just how it's
always been and it makes him out to be a perfect fool for thinking anything will change. It
makes love look much more like a bomb even though it was just a touch and a kiss and a
word at the start.

He won't say love was a mistake but that's mostly because he never got to make the choice in
the first place.

Sanji looked at the mess of his deck, and at Zoro, standing with his sword under broken fairy
lights with a rage so wild it was ugly.

But of course Zoro wasn't something ugly. He had become something quite beautiful to Sanji,
something a little too precious and overflowing for his hands to hold. And now he asked
Sanji what am I to you?

Nakama , of course. My friend. My comrade, my support, my lover, my other arms and legs.
My family. He should tell Zoro it's easier to ask what he isn't rather than what he is . Would
the answer calm him? Would it be enough?

“You’re my nakama, and I’m yours, Zoro.”

Zoro looked at him with his carefully masked expression. Sanji hated that, confused as he
was at what was going on, he wanted to be let in by the swordsman.

“Do nakama fuck each other?”

Sanji flinched at the way Zoro said that, with his quiet tone. He regretted it immediately,
catching the way Zoro’s eye latched onto the tiny movement.
He had wondered, of course, what it had all meant to Zoro. It was always there, muted in
Sanji’s mind and everflowing, wanting to know how serious it all was to Zoro. For all Sanji
knew, Zoro was the same with all his possibly many lovers- being tender and gentle and
holding them like it meant something more. It struck at Sanji like a physical impact that
maybe he had never seen a unique side of Zoro, and that he had been projecting his silly
romantic views the whole time.

Sanji’s rose tinted glasses cracked along the edges and shattered at his feet, and what he was
left with was Zoro, and his anger.

“Maybe they do. How would I know, I only became a pirate after meeting Luffy. You’ve been
at sea your whole life. Maybe it's normal for you, to use your nakama.”

Those implications promoted Sanji’s movement. Angry for whatever reason, Zoro didn't have
the right to talk to him like that. The sole of his shoe hit Zoro’s blade, echoing loud. In the
corner of his eye he saw chefs urging people back inside, away from the chaos. He struck out
again, forcing Zoro back until the man let out a growl, striking downwards and causing
floorboards to splinter up. Sanji felt blood drip off his cheek.

“I never used you! I would never do that!”

“But you’ll still pretend to care. You’ll take what you need from whoever you like, but I
guess I was a more convenient option or something.”

Sanji felt heat claw his leg until the fire burst there. There was an ache starting in his chest,
spreading and becoming all consuming as the pain ate at his heart. He threw his leg out, again
and again even as wood split around him and his flawless ship took hits. Zoro met each kick,
eye glinting.

“You shit-filled useless swordsman, what the fuck gives you the right!?

“What, afraid of the truth, shit-cook? Don't wanna see who you really are?”
“I know who I am! You’re the one who doesn't have a fucking clue, running around and
trying to fit in somewhere!”

There was a flash of something like hurt, something like regret, and then scabbed over and
replaced by that anger again, burning Zoro up from the ground. A blade came down sharply,
and this time Sanji’s leg didn't move quick enough and the blood dripped down into his shoe.

“At least I live up to my title, not getting soft like some useless fucking cook !”

That hurt . Sanji knew his insecurities in that field were well known by the people close to
him. To have it taken from him and used as a weapon was nearly crippling.

“So now you’re gonna be all high and mighty, huh? Can't be equal to a lowly cook
anymore?”

There was another exchange of blows, Sanji lashing out in all the ways he knew how, and
Zoro was forced back, but he didn't take a single hit. It was unbelievably frustrating because
Zoro just always had to be the calm and collected asshole, didn't he? Always taking people
apart with his blank face and cold eyes, and Sanji couldn't do that. He burned too hot, just
like his heart.

“Please, If I wanted you dead, you would be. But if you wanted me dead? I wouldn't even
know, because I would have beaten you before you even tried, cook .”

Another bone rattling sound of wood breaking cut through the air. Sanji felt his own attack
fall feebly against sharp steel, and he wanted to close his eyes. Maybe if he lay himself down,
Zoro would spare the ship at least. The pridefulness in Sanji was too loud though, and he
didn't bow his head to anyone.

“So that’s where we are, huh? You gonna try and kill me? Add me to your list with all the
other dead assholes that pissed you off?”
A knick at Sanji’s throat this time. A tiny trail of red, stark against his white skin and whiter
shirt.

“You’re one to talk about lists.”

“The fuck is that supposed to mean?”

His foot connected with something the same time his sleeve tore.

“You got one hell of a long list of your own, shit-cook. Tell me something, what number am I
when it comes to the people you’ve taken up to your room, huh?”

Sanji felt his blood still in his very veins. He felt his heart pause in it's beats.

“You don't get to say that shit.”

“Why not? I was part of the numbers, right? Part of all the tests .”

He spat out the last word like it burned his tongue. Something very cold clung to Sanji’s ribs,
breaking out of control. He lowered his bleeding leg, eyes hard on Zoro.

“Of course. Because that’s what anyone is to the stupid love-cook, right? An easy fuck.
Meaningless .”

His voice was flat and cold, eyes boring into Zoro’s own glare. He didn't show an inch of his
wound, growing larger by the second. There was a pause as Zoro seemed to recoil a little
before he quickly put himself back together. Sanji wanted to know what he was thinking, and
then he pushed that desire away. There wasn't room for remorse anymore, not when Zoro
seemed set on cutting the ties that had been built. Not when Zoro seemed guiltless in
destroying the ship Sanji had built with love. But he was good at being angry too, at being so
fucking furious he didn't feel shit escape that anger, and so he let himself be angry.
When Zoro spoke it was devoid of emotion, and it made the small remaining part of Sanji-
the one that cared so deeply- want to break and break and cry.

“Maybe you’re right, shit-cook. Maybe you are just the easy fuck. You ever think about that,
cook? About your little customers, lining up for the ‘food’?”

Sanji flinched involuntarily. Zoro pushed forward.

“You’ve never been more than a half decent cook anyways, but free, easy sex? Well it's no
wonder this place is so damn popular.”

“ Fuck you. ”

“I already did. Or did you go ahead and forget and add me to the list of all the others?”

With a snarl, Sanji launched himself, fire and all, at Zoro. He put all his strength into the
kick, forcing Zoro to harden his arm and plant his foot more firmly. Sanji lashed out again,
not able to find an opening but forcing Zoro to move, making his retreat if only a tiny step.

“Maybe I did forget it already, boring as your dick was! I may have had more partners than
you, but at least they could all fuck properly. What’s your excuse? Too used to wannabe
swordsmen sucking your dick, doing all the work for the world’s greatest ?”

Zoro took a hard swing that missed Sanji’s head by a hair. Furry transformed his face, making
him look so dark and cruel that the air around him seemed to swirl.

“And yet you still still came at me begging for it.”

“Acting always was a skill of mine. After all, I had to sail with you all those years, putting up
with your shit just for Luffy!”
Zoro growled, throwing reckless strikes at Sanji, distracted, angry, unfocused.

“Well you got through it, congratulations, love-cook ! You made it with the King of Pirates,
and what do you have to show for it!?”

Sanji took a sharp breath, feeling his stomach turn to ice and his throat burn.

“Don't you dare -

“A glorified food stall with some fucking fish . You think the world gives a single fucking
shit , Sanji!? You think anyone cares except you!?”

Sanji howled, floorboards splintering as he kicked himself in Zoro’s direction. He attacked

until Zoro’s back met the rail, and then he kicked harder, made himself push harder fight
harder be better . He wanted to hear the sound of Zoro’s bones breaking, he wanted it all to
hurt.

Zoro pushed back, and with the enormity of strength he possessed, Sanji couldn't match it.
For all the years and all the trials, he was just the perfect amount right behind Zoro that the
difference could be seen. The sword pushed Sanji from the deck, through the wall of the
kitchen. When he got to his feet Zoro was there, standing by a broken burner in the dark.
Sanji spat blood on the cracked tiles.

“You wanna know something Zoro? You may have that shitty, useless , title, but it doesn't
change shit. You’ll still wander around, alone , killing fucking kids until you die, and no one
will care. You’ll be long forgotten, but I’ll have my fucking fish . I’ll have my food stall .”

Sanji kicked out, knowing it wouldn't make a difference anymore. He felt a sick satisfaction
creeping in his chest at the way Zoro grunted, taking the impact.

“I’ll be here, helping people, giving them food and sure, an easy fuck, and you’ll live you
short, meaningless life, killing every little thing that bothers you.”
He kept going, pressing hit after hit into Zoro, watching the perfect kitchen tremble around
him. Zoro’s sword cut clean through one of the ovens, and the metal creaked like an outcry.

“I should have known the moment you showed your sorry ass here, on my ship. You’ll never
change, you’ll always just get bored and move on, looking for something else to destroy as if
to prove something. One day you’re gonna fucking destroy whole cities, and then islands,
and then what, Zoro? You wanna destroy the whole damn world?”

Zoro just looked up at him, and for a second it seemed like the fight had gone from him. It
was like the wind had picked it up and blown it all away, and then it returned, taking over the
swordsman again and Sanji watched, helplessly, as the sanctuary of creation he had made
himself fell to ruin. The blade came down towards Sanji, and this time he was able to bring it
to a strained halt.

“You’ll fucking destroy yourself, you stupid piece of shit. And I’ll be here, feeding people on
my boat with my magic ocean, and I’ll forget you .”

-oOo-

Zoro remembered a very far away past, and his sensei’s words.

“True death is when you are forgotten, so we will remember her and she will live on.”

True death- when the soul dies. When the body is gone and the grave is left to ruin, and the
world will never know the spelling of the name. He had vowed to make himself invincible in
that sense then. He carried Kuina so she would never truly die, and he made his name reach
her above and the whole world below so that his immortality extended to her, as well.
Roronoa Zoro, the greatest swordsman who cannot die because somewhere, someone
remembers that man who defeated the previous with a white sword.
“-and I’ll forget you. ”

True death, given to him by Sanji then. It was fitting, to be given everything from Sanji, from
the heartache to the heartbreak to a life he cherished and then- an end.

He ached and breathed and it all hurt all over again and he’d never once believed all those
bullshit stories about men so heartbroken they threw themselves to the sea. He’d never
thought pain could run that deep other than loss from death.

There was something breaking in him beyond his heart. His self, his center, his understanding
seemed to slip away for a moment, leaving the shallow remains of something twisted and
ugly which snarled terribly.

He turned away from Sanji, and raised two swords.

“No-!”

The ship screamed as the kitchen imploded with the force. Counters turned to dust as the
pipes burst, and the only remains of ovens and burners lay in metal scraps on the floor.
Broken marble and granite dropped down, and a bottle of bright yellow spice cracked open,
spilling like blood. The old stools in the back, the personally written notes, the hand carved
cutting board- gone in the wake of something Zoro couldn't contain. He was lost to it, letting
the violence overtake him as cabinets spilled broken plates and cups. Distantly he heard
someone screaming, and that was lost too. He raised his swords again and then again. He
raised them and-

His blade stopped.

Open and shaking, Sanji’s hands lay flat over the cover of a book, protecting it from
execution. A hairline cut on the skin trickled onto the leather backing of it, and Zoro watched,
hypnotized, as the blood moved. And his blade was resolute- unmoving.

Sanji’s hands .

Of course. It would take years and then decades even for him to train himself to harm
something so near holy. The preciousness of Sanji’s hands, known even in his
subconsciousness, would not allow for action against. Zoro could hurt so much of Sanji,
apparently even had the capacity to hurt him emotionally in a deep, unforgivable way, but
still he was unable to lay harm of such hands.

He willed himself not to look, and then he did anyways.

Sanji was a mess of dust and cuts. A bruise was blooming at his temple, skittering down to
meet the crusted blood on his cheek. His lips were tight, the cut there still free bleeding and
rolling down is chin. The settled dirt had turned his hair and shirt grey, and he was still beau-

It didn't matter. Zoro could see the wetness in his eyes, and he knew Sanji didn't like crying,
but he was an easy cryer anyways. Sanji was emotion and fire and kindness above all, and his
eyes were wet and hateful. They were so, so hurt. On the verge of tears, blue and infinite,
Sanji’s eyes burned away at Zoro until there was nothing left. It hallowed Zoro out, leaving
him momentarily empty before a wave of shame rose like bile in his throat.

Sanji’s hand bled weakly, and Zoro fled.

-oOo-

In the remains of the kitchen, Sanji clung to his recipe book. He pressed it to his chest, as if
he could apologize to it and everything would become better by will alone. He had risked his
hands, his only offer left, and it had just barely been enough. He ran his trembling fingers
over the old leather, the date of his first day as a Straw Hat marked on the spine. He knew as
well as he knew every word in the book that the first page was dedicated to Luffy’s appetite,
and there was a stain in the top corner from the very man.

He told himself to remain firm. He told himself, you need to be strong, right now.

(Here’s what Sanji was expecting: nothing.)

The most he even thought he was allowed to hope for was a partial kindness. He’d already
gotten more than he thought he deserved, and so it was fitting it should end. There was
something wet running down his face and he pretended it was blood.

You don't deserve shit for the failure you are and no one wants you.

He tells the voice in his head to shut the fuck up, and the king of Germa laughs in his ear.
Chapter End Notes

i am so sorry im not sorry my guys

 Chapter 27
Chapter Summary

where healing starts and anger eases

Chapter Notes

yooo first I'll just say thank you all so much for the comments, everyone's pain brings
me great joy
really getting close to the end of this angst sandwich which is just nuts to me so thank
you everyone for sticking it out! I've had so much fun writing this fic and knowing other
people enjoy it so thank you again

See the end of the chapter for more notes

Here’s what Zeff sees:

There a boy- and he’ll only ever be a boy.

He is no older than the very wood of the deck and his clothes are worn like the skin on his
knees. He holds everything he is on his stick-thin wrists and cries so quietly when it's the
dead of night because someone once told him he took up too much space on an entire planet.
He laughs when people are watching and he’s always afraid someone will try to die so he can
live. He gives, and then he gives more, and on his deathbed with blood in his mouth he will
keep giving with a smile.

Zeff watches Sanji pick up broken, unfixable things in the kitchen with everyone else, silent
as the grave. Something slips in his hold, pricks his finger and makes red bloom like a rose,
and he continues without grace. A part of Zeff breaks at the redness around his eyes, at the
bruises on his skin. He knows, deep in his gut, that until the day he dies he’ll hold this image
in his heart and carry an anger towards Roronoa. He will remember his son, right now, and he
will hate the whole world for breaking a heart that good. He will grieve with his child, and be
helpless.
His hands will always be small and thin and precious to Zeff, and Zeff will always be proud.
(Will always be a little sad.)

-oOo-

The days that followed were quiet. No attacks, no chaos, everyone dedicated to repairs. Sanji
worked hard like he always did, and he made damn good food on a partially working stove
top.

He wouldn't talk to Zeff.

He didn't owe anyone an explanation. This was his fucking life, he did shit and made
mistakes and lived and no one got to tell him otherwise. He had found this ocean. He had
opened this restaurant. This was his fucking dream, built on years of struggle and a hell of a
lot of blood loss.

He’d live this dream alone if he had to, and maybe he’d die alone, but he’d die with his
dream. He’d be proud of that, and no one in the whole damn world could take that away from
him.

“You keep all of it inside like this and you’ll lose it, eggplant.”

Sanji didn't care. He told himself he didn’t care.

“Yeah, I can come over for a repair job, no problem! What needs fixin’ bro? ”

Everything and maybe nothing at this point. He didn't care, he didn't care.

“Sanji-bro?”

I don't care, it's fine, so please. Please.

“What happened?”

I’m sorry.

-oOo-

He wants to write a letter sometimes. Or, he wants to write many letters, but he can only
imagine everything being crammed on one bit of paper and then tossed in an envelope.
Maybe just tossed into the sea where it could settle into sand and be at peace. It would read to
the Vinsmoke because Dear Not-Family had no flow. It would say to the Vinsmoke, I never
hated you. It would say I do not love you, but I could have easily if things had been different.
But you exist, and I have no qualms with that, in fact I am glad. It would say But you exist,
and I never want that existence to intertwine with my own existence. It would go to Judge and
say you’re such a piece of shit and I’ll never understand the whole of who you are and why
you are. It would go to his Not-Brothers and say it's not your fault but the consequences are
yours and you’ll never know them, will you? You’ll never know the pain you caused, but
you’ll also never feel what pain is, and so I am the one who feels sorry for you.

It would go to Reiju and it would say You did what you could, and it was enough. It would go
to his mother and say Thank you. I am me, and that’s because of you.

There are still more letters he wants to write though. Ones that are happier and angrier and
more unending. Ones that start and end, and ones that start but don't end. Still others that
never really start, only fly away into words that have no connection. He’s gathered every
unsaid word and compiled them into a text which no one will really understand. He’s written
out novels in his head of letters he will never send, full of apologies he knows by now are not
necessary. His sacred questions that will never be answered.

Dear Zeff, I’ll never feel like I’ve given you enough. My gratitude outweighs my body
sometimes, and then it crushes me, and I am left with a magnitude of love and annoyance and
confusion. Are you happy in this life? From every corner of my undeserving being, I hope you
are.

Dear Luffy, you’re so fucking stupid. You chose me, and I became yours forever. When you
are hungry I will feed you, and I will never not be happy about that. So thank you. I love you.
Thanks.

Dear Nami, I never lied to you, and you know that. I wanted to be someone who never
deceived you, who only ever offered support, and I never wanted anything in return. I have
always known you needed that. My love is free, and I think yours is too, even if you think it
costs too much.
Dear Usopp, I’ve always believed in you. I won't let you doubt yourself because I’ve seen
who you are, and mirrors lie, Usopp. I’ve seen your beauty, and that’s just too hard to see in
a single reflection. I’m going to say I love you here because I know you need written proof to
believe the truth.

Dear Zoro,

Dear Chopper, don't eat that mass-produced candy shit. I can send you a list of the hand-
made stuff, the kind that won't rot your kidneys but will probably still rot your teeth.
Remember to take care of yourself with the same devotion you’ve cared for us with.
Remember the candy I make for you is the best because it's filled with love.

Dear Robin, thank you for your patience with me. Thank you for every word and every
understanding when I, myself, couldn't give either. I hope it doesn't offend you that I’ve
viewed you as a maternal figure. I read the book you sent me, the one on the lifespan of
ancient aquatic creatures, and I was glad to know that evolution chose the most social ones
to continue further. My love for you is like a manuscript- boundless. I hope that pun does not
incur your wrath.

Dear Franky, I know you like the texture of foil and the way it crunches in your mouth, but
it's just not fucking edible. I’ll make you extra tempura and put breadcrumbs on your
potatoes, so stick with real food, ok? I always wanted to ask if we were an ok family for you,
since you came from something tremendous long before I was even a pirate. It's ok to love us
and love them at the same time.

Dear Brook, I hope you’ll forgive me one day for dying. I don't want this to be a sad letter,
but I don't ever want you to be alone again, Brook. I want you to tell Laboon about my food,
and then I want you to tell future generations about it, and it's so selfish but I want it to be
you who gives the world the truth no one else can. Hell, just live forever and fuck it all, will
you? Tell your skull jokes to the pirates of the next thousand years and listen to the ones that
laugh like Luffy.

Dear Zoro, I’m so sorry.

-oOo-

Late in his room Sanji sat on the edge of the stupid big bed and realized he wouldn't be able
to sleep that night either. Not there, at least.
He made his way to the office because it had somehow survived the catastrophe only partially
upturned, and the paperwork clutter somehow soothed him. It was something to do at least,
quiet and mundane, so he started organizing.

Last months menu, decent but not mind blowing. The order for coffee beans, and a recite.
The invoice for bulk shipments of parsley. A hastily written note for a food allergy. A list of
inexpensive sake brands.

Sanji pushed it all into the trash hastily. He’d been dealing with the leftover bits of Zoro’s
presence, agonizing as he scraped each one from the surface of his life. He didn't think it’d be
so fucking hard, but the overal wreckage of the ship was like one giant invisible footprint of a
Zoro that Sanji didn't want to remember. Maybe it would have been harder though, if all he
had was the softness of a pre-dawn Zoro who had smiled with bed hair. The anger still
bubbling up in the chef’s gut was at least something to focus on. He fisted his hands in his
hair, groaning softly.

It still hurt so terribly. Losing Zoro wasn't supposed to hurt this much, and the betrayal of it
all- he was prepared for the pain to last a very long time, but he was impatient as ever to have
it leave. He kept thinking back to Zoro’s face and Zoro’s words and how cruel it had been.
But they had both been cruel, and despite all the years and years of fighting, they had never
cut each other like that. They didn’t- it wasn't ever supposed to go that far. And now he had
hurt Zoro in such a shit way. Or maybe Zoro wasn't hurt at all- maybe Zoro didn't give a
single shit, and the thought of that caused the pain to redouble. Bitterly, Sanji traced the faint
red line on the back of his hand, thinking of his beautiful ship and the mess Zoro had left
behind. It was a foul, ugly thought, but a part of him did hope that Zoro was hurting too. His
nakama, his closest most trusted and honored companion, having stabbed him so cleanly with
those chosen words-

If Sanji was being honest with himself, he wasn't really angry anymore though. No, despite
how much easier it would be, the anger had long since cooled, and it was all just pretense
now. Anger was like that though, always stemming from or leading to sadness. Put out the
fire and the rage always leads back to pain so sorrowful it's nearly pathetic. And Sanji was no
stranger to sadness.

Somewhere, Zoro was still out there, and despite everything they would still be nakama.
They had found the one piece together, sailed with the pirate king, and that couldn't just go
away. And so one day, inevitably, when this had all cooled over, Sanji was bound to see Zoro
again and there was no doubt in his mind that even with all that plethora of sadness, Sanji
would look at Zoro and see him as nakama. So if Zoro was still his crewmate, and the future
still had hope for some far away reconsiliation, why did it feel like everything was fucking
lost and gone and ruined forever?

“Whereas I am aware it is not my place, I have come to offer my services as an assassin, free
of charge.”
Sanji didn't bother looking up. He’d been expecting this visit in the back of his mind, but had
held up hope it would be avoided. It was just too much to deal with on top of everything, and
he didn't want to have to explain himself for fucks sake.

“What do you want, Reiju?”

He heard her gentle footsteps move from the doorway, and he was very aware that he was
hearing them because she was allowing him to hear them. She wasn't pushing the carefully
and silently agreed upon limits though, and so she didn't place a hand on his shoulder as if it
could provide comfort.

“What I very much want, and have just offered, is to quietly and painfully dispose of
Roronoa Zoro. But you don't really want me to do that, and so I won't. But the offer, of
course, is there.”

Sanji raised his head to look at her as she sat down gracefully in a hard wooden chair. Her
usual mask of indifference was replaced by a stiff look, somewhere in between violently
angry and gently disapproving. She was twirling a piece of wood in her hand, probably a part
of the upper deck. Her curling eyebrow twitched, and for Reiju that might as well have been a
table flip.

“Confident that you actually could kill him then, are you?”

Reiju stopped playing with the wood, placing it harshly on the desk. She met Sanji’s gaze,
and he was reminded of how disconcerting it was to look at such familiar features always set
in such a cold mask. She was more raw these days though, what with the mask being chipped
away so slowly over the years. Her coldness now wasn't a coldness from lack of some other
emotion, rather the coldness outweighed whatever else was inside her at the moment.

“I am prepared to use any and all means necessary. If it came to it, I would only stop due to
my own death.”

Sanji looked away. How had he gotten where he was now, talking to his sister in an
uncomfortably serious way about murdering Zoro? He was supposed to be at one of the
happiest damn times of his life, in his fucking prime on the All Blue, but no. He was tired,
and he hurt, and he didn't even understand.

“Don't you think it’s a bit late to start acting the protective older sister?”

He could still feel Reiju’s eyes on him as he pretended to engross himself in random papers.
He absently noted the prince for artichokes had gone up, and wasn't that just a damn shame.

“Don't you think you’re a bit old to be mopping like some heartbroken teenager?”

Sanji’s head snapped up.

“Excuse me?”

Reiju looked at him cooly.

“Please don't act surprised, Sanji. You practically throw your heart at everyone around you,
and yet somehow seem shocked when you inevitably get hurt.”

Sanji glared at her, actually speechless. He was silent for a moment, gathering his thoughts at
her accusations.

“So you’re saying all of this shit happened because- what? I was too nice or something?”

“No, I’m saying you’re wasting your love on him. This man came into your life, fucked you
over in an unforgivable way, and you’re sitting here, heartbroken .”

Sanji rose from the chair, teeth clenched.

“You don't know what you’re talking about.”

Reiju remained seated, regarding him with openly challenging eyes.

“So you’re denying that you trusted Roronoa with something precious and in return he hurt
you?”

“I’m not -

“He took advantage of your kindness and then threw it in your face.”

“I didn't-

“He attacked you, physically as well as mentally-

“Just shut up! For fucks sake, Reiju!”

Sanji kicked his chair, letting it smash against the wall. A leg came off, splintering
pathetically. Reiju finally rose from her own chair, and she seemed to tower over him with
such a large presence. Sanji had to look away, shamed by the power she so flawlessly
possessed and the weakness he was presenting. Reiju Vinsmoke, so fucking calm and strong
and he wasn't .

“Sanji, he’s not worth it.”

At that Sanji had to look at her. It was astonishing to see her face matching her tone of voice,
because she wasn't calm. She looked at him like someone wholly and so...human.

She looked so fucking sad .

She reached out as if to put her hand on his shoulder, and then withdrew back into herself.

“You loved him, and you were kind to him, and I can't forgive the way he hurt you, Sanji. I
can't .”

Sanji fell back into one of the uncomfortable wooden chairs, head in his hands.

“I still do love him. He’s nakama, and I will always love my nakama. They’re my family.”

My real family, he doesn't say. The chair creaked as she sat down again. He kept his head
stubbornly in his hands, eyes closed.

“But you love him more than that.”

Sanji gave a dry chuckle at that. Funny how just a few days ago he had been thinking of that.
Of Zoro, as such a grand option for his specified love. It seemed laughable now, since
whatever they had been building had collapsed in such an ugly way.

“I’m not in love with him, Reiju.”

There was a blissful silence for a moment, and Sanji looked above his hands at Reiju. Her
hair had become disheveled, covering both her eyes in a messy, unusual way.

“Then how would you explain why you’re so upset?”

“Gee, I don't know, maybe because my ship is torn to hell? My customers and crew are
scared to shit? I got rumors spreading through ever paper known, and no one will leave me
the fuck alone ? Why wouldn't I be upset!? Why the fuck wouldn't I be pissed and hurt about
all this!?”
Reiju stood again, and took a step towards Sanji. He lowered his head back to his hands,
angry and angry and god, he was always angry until he just wasn't anymore.

A hand, gentle on his head. Her gentleness killed him, ate him alive.

“But none of that’s why you’re sad, is it.”

Sanji pressed his closed eyes into his hands, hard. For the second time in recent events, all the
anger burned up and out of him, and he was left with the unavoidable, breakable grief. The
very ugly truth of the matter, which was that yes, he was fucking sad . He was so, so sad .

“I don't know. Guess not.”

Her hand on his head soothed the dirty, tangled hair. He hated and loved how motherly it felt
for her to be doing that. Wasn't it all just so unfair that this whole time Reiju could have been
a sweet person if it hadn't been for what they had been born into.

“Love him, in love with him, either way he still hurt you. You’re sure you don't want me to
kill him? It wouldn't actually be much trouble, really.”

Sanji couldn't help it. He laughed.

Maybe he sounded a little off, but it produced a rare and genuine smile from his sister, and
wasn't that something? It was all so fucked up. He was fucked up. But he had Reiju right
now, and he still had the All Blue. He had cooking, and maybe that would be enough.

“How would I even know if I was in love with him?”

Reiju stopped soothing his hair, and he looked up at her. Her head was cocked to the side a
little, her eyes on him.

“For that answer, I think you’d have to ask someone else.”

Sanji nodded. He was exhausted suddenly, like all the nights and days of no sleep and bad
dreams had caught up to him in that one second. Every bone in his body felt heavy as cement,
his eyes hurt, and he could barely stand the weight of his own head. It all just- buckled.

He remembered all those great storms that Merry and Sunny had endured, and how at some
point, all anyone could do was just hold on and wait it out.

“You’ll be ok, Sanji.”

She went back to stroking his hair and he closed his eyes.

Just hold on, just hold on.

-oOo-

Zoro hadn’t gone to straight to Luffy.

Luffy, for all the burdens he bared and the overwhelming power he handled, was simple. And
where Zoro was now, was not. His simplicity had been tangled so thoroughly he didn't think
he’d ever get out of it, and so he had boarded random boats, island hoped, and disappeared.

It was the shame of it all that kept him from his captain. His failure as so many things adding
up to be unforgivable, weighing him down as he remembered every word he had said so
viciously to the man he loved. The grueling, hideous shame of his actions. He had become
something degraded, so much so that even touching wado at the moment seemed like sin
itself. He had betrayed his morals, betrayed Luffy’s expectations, and betrayed Sanji.

He buried his face in his hands, den-den mushi waiting patiently by his side. Despite the
silencer that shame was, the unshakable need to be with his nakama in his time of pain
outweighed it. He craved the comfort of their presence, and the warmth of Luffy’s smile that
had always told him things would work out. He needed them now, needed Luffy the most
because the long process of healing began an acknowledgement of his actions. He had to
know if he could ever be worthy of his own healing, and he’d need Luffy’s affirmation to do
that. A judgement passed on him of sorts.
He dug his fingers harder into his skin. He wondered, for the millionth time, what Sanji was
doing and how he was handling. Had he called Franky, telling him about his ship and what
had caused the damage? Had he, too, sought out Luffy in confusion and unhappiness? Or
maybe his precious Nami-san, to hear about every detail because he could never keep a thing
from her. Maybe no one. Maybe Sanji was grieving viciously on his own, trying to carry the
burden like he always did. That scared Zoro the most- the idea of Sanji, hurt and betrayed,
shutting the world out. It wasn't Zoro’s place or even his right to be able to comfort him
anymore, but god, he hoped someone was there, telling Sanji he hadn’t deserved that shit. He
hoped that Sanji wouldn't be troubled by pain Zoro had given him, at least for long. After all,
Sanji hadn’t been in love, so maybe he’d find peace where Zoro couldn’t.

Zoro felt another spike of anguish in his chest. He didn't have it in him to be angry, having let
it all out on Sanji’s perfect ship. He had done this to himself though. It wasn't as if he had
gone into all of this expecting Sanji to return his feelings. He’d been in love with Sanji from
the start, and the relationship had grown entirely based on Sanji’s level of affection, and Zoro
had wanted more and more and more. He’d dug himself this hole, so why should he be
surprised he was in it?

Except now he had to try and forget how Sanji felt in his arms. He’d have to go to bed, alone,
trying not to remember the feeling of Sanji’s hair brushing his cheek and his breath on his
neck. Somehow he had to stop himself from thinking of how Sanji so often smiled into his
kisses, his fingers touching the base of his neck. He’d have to forget Sanji, the man he loved,
the man he hurt , smiling back at him like he could have loved Zoro in return.

There was love in it's countless forms and then there was the love he had for Sanji, crushed
between his ribs and eating his mind away. He had become a vessel for it, like how once he
was a vessel for his dream, for Kuina, for a fight and a win and then what? Then what ? As if
he could ignore this great ache in his heart that said look at me right now, I am dying and it is
your fault .

If he could he would have removed his heart and these feelings with them long ago, he would
have. Or, he would have done so if possible when he was younger. Strange, how as time
passed and everything became more vivid and more painful , he only clung harder to these
feelings. Days and weeks and then years passed, and suddenly his love for Sanji was so great
it was almost tangible in the air and getting rid of it would be getting rid of his self. That was
what Sanji had become to him.

There was certainly an unhealthiness to this one-sided desperation. He wasn't building

shrines in Sanji’s name and saving his locks of hair but he was desperate in an ungodly way.
Clinging to memories that could be justified as more than what they were and crying out
silently for something he knew he could not have but could he have it? Could he maybe,
maybe, maybe-

There is love, and there is unrequited love, and Zoro doesn't know where he is because he
never did tell Sanji the truth. It's an unfinished part of his life now, stuck to his skin like a
scar and he covers it as if that will solve the issue.

How would he start, now that everything had happened?

Sanji, I’m sorry. I did those things because-

It wasn't an excuse. Love was always supposed to be something beautiful and sweet, and he
was the one who had butchered it in some sort of hurtful form. Yes, Sanji, here is my love in
the form of a destroyed ship and wounds on your skin. As if Zoro could define love anymore
with his own definition so twisted by remorse. Maybe he would always be unloveable now,
with his broken heart and the stain of his actions.

Sanji, I’m sorry, but you have the right to know I love you.

And where would that get him? Sanji and his ever bleeding heart, probably so unwilling to
accept anything from Zoro, and yet. He would conjure up his kindness through impulse and
nature to provide something to give Zoro. He would, even at the injure of his self, try to
provide a comfort for Zoro. He could see it clear as day; Sanji, angry and hurt and sad
beyond belief, putting all that away to kneel by Zoro’s side and give him what he might not
even want to. Of course Sanji wouldn't want his love of all things, and so pity would take
place, and Zoro would be fed by that. And pity was one thing that Zoro could never accept,
could not even look at without disgust.

Somewhere down the road maybe, he thought. Maybe, if he was lucky and lived to be past
40, maybe he could approach Sanji then. Remind him of a time they used to tangle in bed
sheets and spend days bickering, and wasn't it funny that Sanji never knew that Zoro loved
him? Bring it up casually, and then brush it off. Fain nonchalance and then see what comes of
it. Older Sanji, (probably married by then, maybe with kids) looking at him with a new light
from a new age, maybe giving a smile as an answer. They could build it all up again from
scratch, and this time around they’d be friends and stay friends and never one step further
than that.

He could live like that.

Or maybe he couldn't, but he didn't have a choice. Sanji was destined in a way for a love so
great to match his own enormous heart. Most likely another chef, someone to share that
passion through and through and their talk could bleed from day to year about coriander and
nutmeg and the all blue. Zoro could see it. With how plentifully and easily Sanji loved, he’d
one day find someone to hold his love within and accept it readily. Sanji with his good
features and beautiful smile and sweet words. His gentle touches and his amazing food and
his light laugh. With his whispers of delicate things and great things and his hands that told
you the world could never be wrong. Sanji and all his blessings that he, himself, didn't know
he held. A man made of something incomprehensible.

The den-den mushi touched his side, and he looked over at it. The creature looked upset, like
it could sense Zoro’s distress. He picked it up, trying his best to regain some of his calm. He
didn't know what he’d even say when he called. He didn't even know where he was. Honestly
he couldn’t find the energy to care that much. He was tired in a way he’d never really been
before, and then he was tired of being tired, and tired of not sleeping and tired of the whole
fucking world and himself and-

He groaned weakly. He was utterly and completely directionless. He flicked at the dial,
fingers finding the right numbers like a homing beacon. The soft ringing broke the silence
and then-

“ Yo! This is Monkey D. Luffy, pira-

There was something that sounded like a crash and a scream, followed by another familiar
voice.

“ Stop answering like that! What if it's a marine!?”

Nami’s muffled voice stopped and then Luffy’s came, clear and bright.

“Is this a marine?”

Zoro could have laughed. He heard Nami punching Luffy as she muttered curses, and he
fought the sudden urge to cry. He had missed them so much, and he hadn't even realized the
extent.

“Luffy, it’s me.”

There was silence, and then,

“ ZORO!”

It was said with so much happiness, like somehow Zoro just being somewhere and calling
Luffy was worth such a large amount of joy. He had to cover his face again, taking a deep
breath to keep himself in check, scared of falling apart just from that.

“Luffy, could you come get me?”

 Maybe it was something in his voice, something Luffy could hear and understand, because
there weren't questions . Nami was yelling something in the background, but it was Luffy’s
voice, firm and light at the same time, reaching him like a hand on his shoulder.

“ Yeah, we’ll come get you, Zoro.”

He unraveled at those words.

Chapter End Notes

side note that I absolutely adore and love Reiju and she should have gotten to join the
crew in my opinion
I like to think she gets to escape after the fall of Germa and explores the world re-
learning herself and what it means to be human, and that in the end she never stops
feeling guilty about what happened to Sanji and she loves him as a brother she doesnt
quite know
OH OH and have yall been reading Human by adietxt??? such good food. Also check
out By Another Name by the beautiful Oceanica who deserves much praise
 Chapter 28
Chapter Summary

all aboard the fix-sanji-and-zoros-relationship ship. First stop is sniper king residence

Chapter Notes
See the end of the chapter for notes

Usopp kept his den-den mushi right next to his bed which was a huge mistake .

Whoever was calling him at god knows what time in the morning better be dying, because
Kaya was rousing from sleep too and she needed that sleep! Her tired blue eyes looked at him
curiously, and he sighed, kissing her on the forehead before picking up the receiver.

“Usopp here, sniper to the pirate king, leader of 5000 strong, so whoever this is-

“ I thought it was 3000, when you’d get 2000 more? ”

Usopp straightened up, recognizing that voice.

“Sanji? Is that you?”

He felt Kaya move closer to him, and he glanced at her. They were both awake now, interests
piqued.

“ Uh, yeah, shit it’s late, huh? Sorry .”

Usopp felt his brow furrow. Sanji was all quick tongue and and confidence, and right now…

“Sanji, what’s wrong? Are you ok? Why’d you call? Not that you can't call! Just, did
something happen?”

There was silence for a bit, and Usopp looked at Kaya. they shared a worried look.

“. ..How’d you know it was Kaya, Usopp ?”

“How’d...huh? Well we went to the doctor and it's pretty easy to figure out if someone’s preg-

“ No, I mean, how’d you know she was it for you? That she was ’the one’ or whatever ?”

Usopp blushed, hoping maybe Kaya hadn't heard that. Judging from her smile she had, and
damn it was too early for this!

“Well, uh, Sanji, she’s right here -

“ I mean you knew her for a long time, right? Did you just wake up one day and it was all
clear ?”

Usopp paused. Normally he wouldn't satisfy Sanji’s bored curiosity but he sounded...off. Sad
and quiet and a little desperate. His nakama, asking him for help, and Usopp wasn't going to
say no to that.

“No, no it was never really...it was, gradual. Like, um, like the tide. Does that make sense?”

Kaya’s fingers curled around his free hand, squeezing.

“ Not really .”

“Ok, well. When I first met Kaya, it was like...low tide. She was the ocean and I was standing
on the shore, and I just wanted to be near her. We could hear each other, and see each other,
and my feet were only just starting to get wet. But as time went on the tide came in, and I
started to see her a lot better and understand some stuff and...I wanted to go deeper.”

There was silence on the other end, so Usopp swallowed and kept going. His face was
probably beet red.

“So then by the time Luffy showed up, it was high tide. I was standing in the water, and I
could have gotten out, but I didn't want to. I was surrounded by something so amazing and
beautiful and kind, and by that point I knew I wanted to take the dive. But it had taken time
for it to get deep enough. And even then I didn't do it.”

He remembered it. Leaving her side to join Luffy, making that promise in his heart that he’d
come back, worthy of her.

“I left, but it didn't change anything. When I finally came back, I was brave enough to jump
right in. Didn't need to wait for the tide to come all the way in by then, I just ran right through
the waves. And she let me.”

Kaya kissed his hand, and he turned to her. She had the softest smile on her face, cheeks pink
with the curve of her belly turning round under the blankets. Sanji could say all he wanted
about the All Blue, but nothing in the world rivaled how amazing Kaya was.

“... but weren't you afraid? Of the current dragging you out and never being able to get back
to shore ?”

Usopp hummed, smiling.

“Well, sure I was afraid. I’m still afraid. But not about that, Sanji. I wanted to get pulled out
by the current. I didn't ever want to go back to shore.”

The silence fell on them, and Usopp waited. He rubbed his thumb in circles against Kaya’s
palm.

“ So it was all just, slow and steady. A build up .”

“Mmmyup. ‘Course the realization was a bit sudden, kinda like I was standing in the water
and looked down and just went ‘wow! My feet are wet!’ but hey, I was a dumb kid and I
figured it out in the end.”

Kaya laughed lightly at his side, and he heard Sanji chuckle from the line.

“ Right, well, I think my feet have been wet for a while. Hell, the water’s up to my god damn
neck for fucks sake .”

Usopp laughed. He was so used to Sanji being a tough, hard, foul-mouthed hell of fighter,
that sometimes he forgot the man had his weaknesses. Sanji the love-cook, a little bit
hopeless at love.

“You gonna be ok, Sanji?”

Usopp held his breath, feeling so far away and suddenly helpless.

“ Yeah, just gotta work some stuff out. Thank’s Usopp .”

“Anytime, Sanji.”
The line went dead and Usopp stared at the mushi. That didn't sound like a confident
goodbye. It sounded like acceptance, and a whole lot of hurt. He turned back to Kaya, still
smiling gently at him.

“Go on then. The baby’s not coming anytime soon.”

Usopp kissed her, smiling against her lips. He’d feel guilty until he was back by her side, but
it helped that she knew.

“Right. Ok. I love you so, so much.”

He dialed the mushi again, greeted by a half-asleep, grumpy cyborg.

“Franky, how fast can you get here?”

-oOo-

Sanji wanted Zoro back.

That truth had been presented after Sanji’s talk with Reiju, and confirmed by his talk with
Usopp. The days that followed solidified any doubt in his head as everything blurred together
in the restaurant. Without Zoro, the picture was incomplete. Without him, All Blue couldn't
be perfect.

Sanji didn't want Zoro to be gone. He wanted Zoro back with him, on his restaurant, by his
side to eat his food and bicker over stupid things with. He wanted to fight with him, go all
out, kick his ass, get his assed kicked, and do it all again over and over. He wanted to wake
up next to Zoro- he wanted to wake up next to Zoro. He wanted to cook him breakfast, hear
his shitty snoring, yell at him about his dirty clothes.

He wanted to kiss Zoro. all the time. He wanted Zoro to kiss him back, to kiss him for no
reason, to tell him goodnight and kiss him once before bed. God and the sex . The sex had
been great, like, really great. They could read each other so fucking easily, knew what they
could handle, and they could take that time and figure out exactly what they both liked. Sanji
wanted that with Zoro, he wanted to know how to make Zoro’s toes curl and his breath to
shorten, and he wanted Zoro to know all those things about Sanji. All the things no one else
really did. He wanted Zoro to be there, to know everything. To be by his side, maybe forever.

But Sanji didn't know if Zoro would ever come back after a fight like that. And now Sanji
was alone on a too big bed that he wanted to set fire to (he had tried, it didn't burn) and Zoro
was probably islands away, still pissed at Sanji and hating his guts. Sanji had no fucking clue
where Zoro was, other than not with him, and it was such bullshit .

“ Shit !”

Sanji slammed his heel against the bedpost, hearing something crack. He’d been able to go
through the day pretending and serving and being a captain, but in his room it slipped away
the second the door closed. The best chance he’d ever had at something that good, and he’d
fucked up.

He might really be in love with Roronoa Zoro. and he’d fucking ruined it.

“So you ready to talk now?”

Sanji turned around, so closed up in his thoughts he hadn't even sensed Zeff. He was
embarrassed getting caught like this while he was back to acting like a dumb teenager,
heartbroken over some shit that was his own fault. He didn't want Zeff to see him like this,
not when he was supposed to be a grown ass man.

“Look, I fucked up. I’ll get over it, it won't affect my cooking, so it's fine.”

Zeff marched into the room, right through any of the walls Sanji liked to try and put up.
“You’re about as ‘fine’ as that one time Carne tried making soup with a watermelon base.
And bullshiting me won't get you any closer to being better, eggplant.”

Sanji let his shoulders drop. He reached for his head, tugging at his hair. He hated himself so
fucking much sometimes, and right now was one of those sometimes.

“Yeah, well, I’ll still get over it eventually. Don't know if the marimo will ever forgive me
though. Fuck, I still don't know if I’m ready to forgive him .”

Zeff came over, sitting next to Sanji and making the bed dip. His presence made Sanji feel
smaller, but safer.

“If you can't forgive him yet, take that time. That boy though, he would forgive you if you cut
off his head. But you don't really get that, do you?”

Sanji raised his head, looking warily at the old man.

“Pretty sure he hates me more than anything else right about now. Or was that not obvious
when we both cursed each other all ways to hell and he cut my ship apart?”

Zeff huffed, crossing his arms. He shook his head at Sanji.

“What, you step on a cat’s tail and expect it to be quiet? He was hurt bad, still is. He’s
somewhere licking his wounds, still stupid as hell and head over heels for you.”

Sanji gave a flat bark of laughter at that. Zoro might have liked Sanji before this, but he sure
as hell didn't now. He definitely hadn’t loved Sanji.

“Bullshit. Zoro never even liked me much before now, and then I had to- I got it all messed
up. We could have at least been friends, but I fucked it up. I fucked up.”
Zeff was quiet for a bit and Sanji stared at the floor. Zeff put a hand on his shoulder,
grounding.

“Eggplant. Look at me.”

Reluctantly, Sanji did. Zeff was giving him a look that reminded Sanji of when he had left the
Baratie all that time ago. Where he wanted to say so much but wasn't sure how. A father
trying his damn best.

“You’re special, Sanji. Now, I’m not just saying this ‘cuz I raised you, I’m saying this as a
chef and a pirate. You were always gonna go places, with or without me. You were born to
change up the world a bit, and I’m glad I got to be a part of it all. But what I’m getting at is
that he knows you’re special.”

Sanji’s eyes were wide, but he couldn't take his eyes off Zeff. It felt too bright in the room.
Zeff just patted his shoulder, going on.

“Now, I’m not saying I don't wanna kill the shit-head for what he did, but he knows you’re
something great, and it’s a part of why he loves you so damn much, and I respect that. I
respect how he feels about my son. So whether you’re willing to go after this or let it go, just
know I’m with you on it.”

Sanji turned and watched the dots grow on the ground, little tear drops going down his nose
and staining the floorboards. Sanji covered his face, quick to try and hide his shame. He was
always such an easy crier, easy to let his emotions go wild. Fucking heart on his sleeve and
all that. Zeff just kept patting his shoulder.

“Anyways, if you finally got it through that thick head of yours that Roronoa loves the hell
out of you, your friend’s called ahead, said they’d be at the dock real soon. But like I said, it's
up to you.”
Zeff turned around, and Sanji listened to the familiar sound of the wooden peg leg catching
the ground. Sanji looked up, watching the wood meet wood. Zeff turned around at the door,
gave him a good long look that Sanji couldn't break away from. Then he left.

Sanji sat there, took a breath in, let it out. He did it again, slower, until his heart slowed
down, until the tears stopped. He made a list of all the things he knew in his head vs. what he
didn't.

He knew he cared for Zoro. a lot.

He knew he wanted to fix it.

He didn't know if he could fix it.

Zoro might love him.

He wanted Zoro to love him.

He wanted Zoro to know that he-

Sanji buried his face in his hands again, giving a small, choked little sob. An uncomfortable
laugh rattled through his chest, a bit hysterical.

He wanted Zoro to know that he absolutely, unfathomably, loved him. In so many endless
ways. He loved Zoro’s stupid green hair and always-present scowl. He loved the loud,
uncloth way he laughed. He loved his giant smile and scar-covered skin. He loved how brave
he was about everything. He loved his one remaining eye, sharp and soft at the same time. He
even loved his ridiculous lack of any sense of direction, and if that didn't spell it out, what
did?

He got up from the bed, wiping his cheeks. He had faced down warlords, faced down
admirals, fought alongside the Pirate King for fucks sake. He’d found the god damn All Blue.
He’d survived fucking starvation and the Vinsmoke. This was just one more impossible battle
he had to try at.

When he got to the docks later, Zeff was handing food packages to Brook and Robin. Franky
was unfurling the sails, and a familiar puff of black curly hair and one damn long nose
greeted him.

“Yo, Sanji! Ready to finally go get your man?”

Sanji smiled. He really fucking loved his family.

 -oOo-

“You wanna go alone, don't you.”

Zoro looked back at Luffy. They’d gotten there fast, just like they always did when Nami was
in control. She and Chopper stood at Sunny’s rail, small and distant from Zoro and Luffy.
Giving them space.

“Yeah. Sorry, Luffy.”

Luffy walked up to him, and Zoro thought maybe his captain was going to hug him, but
instead a familiar hat was shoved onto his head, Luffy’s hand warm and secure, keeping it
there.

“It’s fine. Bring this back when you’re done, ok?”

Zoro didn't know what to say, but Luffy turned and started walking back towards the rest of
his little crew, not waiting for any response. Sometimes Zoro thought he could see all the
invisible weight Luffy carried on his shoulders. So much power of the world collected in his
soul, hidden away from sight. Zoro touched the brim of his hat, and turned around to start
walking.

He knew his way here. He liked to think he could walk these paths in his sleep, but it’d been
awhile. The ground under his feet almost vibrated with each step, feeling like echoes of a past
life.

He walked for what felt like hours, his mind rolling over everything that had happened in so
many years. He wanted to say the right things, tell the right stories, but not leave anything
out. He had so much to say, and the beginning was always hard.
He laid his swords down slowly, the metal hitting the stone without a sound. He pressed
Luffy’s hat to his chest.

“Hey. It’s me, Kuina.”

He closed his eyes. He traced her name, carved in marble.

“Guess I have a lot to fill you in on, huh?”

-oOo-

Sanji didn't think he’d ever hugged someone as hard as he was hugging Usopp.

“Sanji, Sanji-ack! You’re breaking my back, oi!”

Sanji let go, holding Usopp’s shoulder to get a good look at the man. He hadn’t changed
much, still kind-looking and broad shouldered, with a confident glow to his appearance. He
looked good, happy.

“Why’d you leave Kaya alone, shit-head!?”

Usopp’s happy little smile disappeared, a nervous grin taking over as he stammered.

“W-well you see! I was, and then-I heard-

Sanji stopped him, hugging him again, so tightly he lifted him off the ground.
“Thanks. For being here.”

“You’re really gonna break my back now ow ow ow .”

Sanji laughed, putting him back down. Usopp joined him, looking over Sanji carefully.

“Soooo, you don't look all that great. No offence! Just, what happened? No one’s really filled
me in, Luffy just kinda yelled ‘Sanji and Zoro broke up’ over the den-den and everyone else
left me in the dark.”

Sanji groaned. Of course Luffy would put it that way. Brook came up beside Usopp.

“Yohoho! I am also quite anxious to hear such a troubling tale, Sanji-san! It must have been
quite the storm to draw a rift between you two.”

Sanji blinked at Brook. The skeleton was sipping tea, pre-made by Zeff, standing next to
Usopp like all the world was fine and dandy. Like Sanji wasn't having a panic attack every
two minutes over that the fuck he was supposed to say to Zoro. Sanji looked back at Usopp.

“Well, first, we weren’t really together . Officially. Um, we kinda-

“You guys banged, right? Don't tell me I made the bed for nothing!”

Sanji grabbed the kettle from Brook, chucking it at Franky. He didn't realize everyone on the
damn boat was listening.

“That’s not important! The short version is that we had a really bad fight and we both said
some really shit things. I just want to fix what I can so Zoro doesn't hate me forever. Also I
need to kick his ass for my ship.”
Brook looked at Sanji, and maybe it was a searching look, but with Brook it was hard to tell
without the eyeballs or eyelids.

“Luffy-san informed me that you two were quite in love, though. Now, I don't quite know the
details of this fight, but considering how long Zoro-san had held a torch for you, I can only
assume it will be resolved with time. After all, love that deep isn't likely to fade so easily!”

Sanji reached into his pocket, grabbing one of the few cigarettes he had left. He decided now
was a good enough excuse to partake in his addiction.

“Alright, riddle me this, Brook. Why does everyone seem so confident that Zoro is in love
with me? Has he told you all personally? Any of you?”

Sanji let the smoke exit his lungs, the soft kick he felt in his head from the drug making him
feel a bit giddy. He looked to Usopp, and at Franky and Robin. Brook spoke first.

“Not with straight words, to be sure. Zoro-san was never very subtle with his admiration
though, always so focused on you above all else, seeking out your company, desiring your
attention. And perhaps I am mistaken, but did he not have it?”

Usopp nodded along.

“Yeah, definitely. He was always just with you, y’know? I guess he didn't need to say
anything.”

Sanji thought back to Merry when he and Zoro had first started sailing. Zoro hadn’t seemed
to care much about Sanji, but he had warmed up to him pretty fast after their first real battle
against Arlong. After that it was like Zoro was observing him, trying to figure him out. He
got under Sanji’s skin and hit every nerve, and it drove the cook insane. But if he thought
about it now, he wouldn't have had it any other way. Zoro just knew all the right buttons to
push, and he was still pushing them.
“Wanting my attention doesn't mean he was in love with me.”

Brook laughed. A chorus of yohohoho taking up all the space in the air.

“No, I suppose not. I guess it was all the little things that piled up, all the looks he gave and
things he did. He would never have done something grand and austentatious, but there was
that one time on Thriller Bark, against Kuma.”

Sanji felt a chill run up his spine. He hated thinking about that. All that blood outside of
Zoro’s body, and the way he had collapsed in Sanji’s arms like a broken doll.

“Yeah, well, we all know he has some kind of death wish combined with that stupid pride of
his. Trust me, Brook, that wasn't anything for me. That was Zoro being a bastard, as usual.”

“But you stayed by his side, didn't you?”

Sanji flushed at that. He had, staying up for those horrible three days, wishing Zoro would
open his eyes and demand food. He had talked to Zoro’s stupid, injured body, mumbling all
sorts of different curses and calling Zoro and idiot in every way he knew how. The relief of
him finally waking was breathtaking, and it may have overshadowed the surprise that Zoro
showed when it was Sanji, waiting by his side.

“Still doesn't prove anything, Brook.”

Brook hummed, taking another sip of tea. Sanji smoked his cigarette, watching the ash get
carried away by the wind. Robin’s gentle hand touched his shoulder, and he looked to her.

“Perhaps we are going about this the wrong way. How our dear swordsman feels for you can
only be properly told by the man himself. But you, Sanji, can easily answer for yourself if
you are in love with him. I believe that if you have one answer, you’ll have both.”
 Sanji wanted to immediately argue that he could not easily answer himself about that. His
feelings for Zoro were confusing as hell, scrambled in his head as he tried to replay past
experiences and look at the present ones. His time on the All Blue, with just him and Zeff had
seemed peaceful, but mundane. A bit boring if he was honest. Really boring if he was
actually being honest. Not the cooking, the cooking was heaven, and the supply of fish was
all he had ever wanted. His ship had been built to his own demands, his chefs were all of his
own choosing, and everything was perfect. Which was- boring. It was like it had all gotten
easy.

Zoro showed up and fucked everything to sideways hell and pissed Sanji off so much he
wanted to tie the anchor around his neck and jump. But god damn, had Sanji fucking missed
that. Missed that challenge in a fight, in satisfying someone so stubborn about liking his food,
in bickering, in barking without bite. His complete equal, showing up and turning his world
upside and saying fuck you, you can do better .

Of course Sanji loved that.

Of course he was in love with Zoro.

He threw the rest of his cigarette into the sea, lowering his head all the way to the rail and
tangling his fingers in his hair. He let out a long string of mumbled curses, and considered
jumping overboard and finding a shark to eat him.

“What a fucking mess.”

Brook clapped him on the back, laughing loud enough to scare the gulls. Usopp joined in,
shaking Sanji’s shoulder.

“You two always were!”

Chapter End Notes

all aboard the reconciliation train choo choo

 Chapter 29
Chapter Summary

straw hat pirates unite! operation fix-Sanji-and-Zoro's-love-life go!

Chapter Notes

note: no actual science was involved in the making of this chapter

See the end of the chapter for more notes

Luffy didn't like it when his nakama were sad. When they were sad, he felt sad, which
definitely wasn't fun, especially when he couldn't fix it. And now Zoro and Sanji were sad,
and everyone was sad for them. And Sanji wasn't even there yet to cook for them and make
them feel better. Stupid Sanji, being late.

“Luffy, do you know what Zoro’s doing?”

Chopper came over to him, big brown eyes upset.

“He’s talking to a friend.”

Chopper made a little oh sound.

“Do you think he’ll come back? Or is he staying with his friend?”
Something dark pulled at Luffy’s heart at that. He didn't want Zoro to stay with this friend,
who was buried under rock and dirt. The dirt couldn't have Zoro yet.

“Sanji’ll come and bring him back, don't worry.”

Nami appeared beside Chopper, staring at Luffy like she thought he was being dumb again.
Which he wasn't .

“How can you be so sure Sanji-kun is coming? Zoro seemed pretty confident anything
between them was over. I mean, did you see how messed up Zoro was?”

Luffy waved a hand at her, and she narrowed her eyes. Nami didn't like being wrong.

“Zoro and Sanji are dumb together sometimes. But it's ok, they love each other so it’ll work
out.”

Nami softened at that. She and Chopper both had big sad brown eyes. Luffy wished they
weren't so sad, but they’d all be happy again once Zoro and Sanji were happy.

The sound of ringing startled them, and Luffy stretched a hand in the direction of the den-den
mushi before Nami would stop him. He snapped it back to his face.

“Hello! This is the pirate ki-

“LUFFY!”

Nami snatched the mushi from his hands, hitting him on the head. Luffy rubbed the spot.
“Hello, no, uh, this is just a cargo sh-oh, hi Robin.”

Luffy and Chopper perked up. Luffy reached for the mushi again, but Nami smacked his
hands away.

“Our coordinates? Uh, yeah just gimme a minu-is that Franky?”

“Namiiii, lemme talk to Robin!”

“Shut it, Luffy. Wait, you’re that close? Yeah I’d say that's just a few days away. Ok I’m
about to read out the coordinates.”

Luffy looked at Chopper, and grinned. His nakama were coming, so everything was already
better.

“You got that? Yeah on the map it's Shimotsuki village, west side. Ok ju-huh? What do you
mean ‘see you in an hour’? Robin that’s not possible. Is someone creaming!? Is that Brook
?”

Luffy laughed, and Nami punched him. Chopper looked ready to turn into guard point.

“Robin, what do you mean in an hour !?”

-oOo-

“What the hell do you mean ‘in an hour’!?”

Brook was running around like a headless chicken, crying about how he was going to die but
he was already dead. Sanji was starting to feel very real panic at the manic grin on Franky’s
face and the way Robin had secured herself to floor with a flurry of hands.

“Just hold tight, cook-bro! And if you’re gonna puke, do it over the railing, would ya? That
means you, Usopp!”

Usopp was running around with Brook, yelling about being too young to die and other shit.
He looked like he was going to throw up. Franky moved to the steering wheel, and a very
familiar looking red button popped up.

“No, no wait, let's think about this-

“Better grab onto something, bro!”

“FRANKY NO-

“COUP-DE-BURST, 2.0 BABY!”

The ship shot forward like a bullet, ripping Sanji from his feet and flinging him into Brook.
Usopp shot a seed into the air, the vines tangling into the mast and keeping them all tight
against it. The three could only hold on and scream into each other’s ears, Robin’s pleasant
little smile haunting Sanji’s vision.

-oOo-

Nami refused to stop looking at the sky. Luffy could sneak behind her and eat all their food,
but she was not taking her eyes off the sky. She had Chopper ready at the wheel, because
knowing Franky’s aim, things were about to get interesting in a not-fun way.

“Nehhh, are they here yet?”

“As I told you the last 10 times, no . You will see them, Luffy.”

“But what if they land on the island?”

Nami paled at that. Her coordinates may have been exact but who the hell knew what
Franky’s boat was running on? They had 5 minutes to go.

“Nami! There’s a dot in the sky, portside!”

Nami followed Chopper’s directions, looking frantically to the sky. There was indeed a dot in
the sky, but it could have been a damn bird for all she knew.

“Keep an eye on it! We need to be ready to move!”

“Aye!”

Luffy was grinning like an idiot, eyes wide as saucers and he looked at the far away speck.

“It's Sanji!!”

Nami wanted to hit him again.

“How do you know?”

Luffy turned and grinned at her, eyes shining.

“You can hear him screaming!”

-oOo-

Sanji opened his eyes to Brook.

“I’m dead. Am I dead? I think I died.”

Brook just laughed at him, helping the chef stand on shaky legs.

“I believe I am the only dead crew member at the moment! Although that did seem like a
second entrance into the afterlife.”

Sanji looked around, utterly disoriented. Robin was at the helm with Franky. Arms still
tightly securing her to the floorboards. Usopp lay sprawled out on the floor, still out for the
count. Franky’s hair looked permanently wind blown, and one of the sails was torn to shreds.
A few paralysed birds were stuck in the riging.

“Saaaaaaannnnjjjiiiiiiiiii!!!!!!”

Sanji turned just in time to get a full frontal attack by Luffy’s entire body. He went flying into
the mast, back slaming the wood and Luffy latched onto him like a leach.

“Ahoy, Luffy-san! We brought Sanji-san, but you already know that! Yohoho!”

Sanji was pulling at Luffy, trying to get him off so he could breathe . Luffy was just laughing
up a storm, crawling all over the cook.
“Sanji! Will you make some food before you get Zoro? I haven't eaten your food in
foreeeevveerrr!”

Sanji finally pulled Luffy off enough to get some air, panting on the deck while Luffy clung
to him.

“Only if you get off of me ! Franky, do not do that again! Shit, at least I didn't throw up.”

Franky walked over, plucking Luffy up and off of Sanji.

“Oh yeah, you’re a way better passenger than this dude. Usopp only puked that one time, but
this guy was like a barf machine. Was a pain to clean up all right.”

Luffy looked at Franky, wiggling around in his hold.

“But it was so fun! You gotta install it on the Sunny!”

“ABSOLUTELY NOT!”

Nami appeared, bearing her wrath on Luffy and Franky combined. Chopper followed,
looking shaken with fur standing up every which way.

“Namiii, come on! We’d get places so much faster!”

Nami crossed her arms, which Sanji noticed were wet. The splash from Franky’s ship must
have been huge.

“No way. Even 1 number wrong on that thing and we could end up landlocked at a marine
base, again , or shipwrecked! Or worse! We get places just fine with my navigating, thank
you!”

She turned to Sanji, giving him a once over. He winced at her judgement, knowing full well
he probably looked like utter shit.

“About time this is happening, though. You gonna go get him or what?”

Sanji shot to his feet, ready to utter a thousand compliments in her name, but hesitated. Now
that he was here (and had survived the trip) he didn't have a clue what to say.

What the hell could he even say? He’d have to start with an apology, and then Zoro would
probably apologize (if he didn't, Sanji would murder him on the spot) and then it’d be pretty
awkward. And even if Zoro forgave him, was this the right time to confess? Shouldn't they
work up to that over time or-

“Hellooo, anyone in there? Don't you have an idiot swordsman to woo?”

Sanji met Nami’s soft chocolate eyes. She had a brow raised and hands on her hips.

“I don't know what to say to him. I don't know if he’ll even want to see me, Nami-san.”

Nami looked at him, really looked at him. He felt stripped of his skin under her eyes, like she
was tearing him open and taking a good look at his beating heart. He didn't think there was
anything pretty there, since all his goods were so damaged.

But she smiled. The kind of smile that could sink ships and part clouds.

“But you love him, right?”

Sanji flushed. He felt like there were a hundred eyes on him suddenly, his nakama all around
him, waiting expectantly. Everyone was just smiling at him, like he couldn’t disappoint even
if he tried. He smiled softly, wondering how long they’d all known. Wondering, for the
millionth time, what he actually did to deserve so much love.
“Yeah, I love him.”

Franky gave loud whoop, thumping his chest. Chopper jumped up and down and Luffy and
Nami just looked at Sanji, smiling so wide he worried for their jaws. Luffy patted Sanji on
the head, messing with his hair.

“Then everything’ll be fine, Sanji!”

Sanji felt a bit like crying, a bit like laughing. God he was scared . He’d never been this damn
nervous in his whole life. Not when he was escaping Judge, not when he was trapped on that
rock- the carnal fight of survival had been too strong. And then when he was looking up at
Kuma, and when Ace’s death had been printed out, he’d always, always known his nakama
would pull through, because they had Luffy. But this wasn't about him surviving an ordeal, or
Luffy beating the final bad guy. This was about Sanji, finding Zoro, and fixing shit enough
for things to get better. This was just Sanji, being hopelessly in love for the first time ever,
even though he’d probably been in love a damn long time.

“Alright. Which way did the marimo go?”

-oOo-

Sanji rushed off, leaving the others behind. Luffy poked at Usopp’s nose, trying to get him to
wake up. Nami followed Sanji with her eyes until he disappeared behind trees.

“You think they’ll be alright?”

Robin came up beside her, smiling serenely. She was reassuring enough with her presence
alone that Nami already felt better.
 “I’m quite sure those two will solve the puzzle of their relationship. They’ve certainly had
enough time to.”

Nami gave a dry laugh at that. If she and Vivi had taken that long to figure each other out, she
would have gone insane. But she wasn't a man, and therefore she wasn't an idiot, and she
thanked her lucky stars for that.

“Yeah, who am I kidding. They’ll be fine.”

“Yes. That or fight each other to the death and die of blood loss.”

“ Robin .”

Chapter End Notes

me: how does franky's ship catch up to sunny tho? they're at least weeks away right
also me: ah yes, fiction writing
 Chapter 30
Chapter Summary

reunion by the graves

Chapter Notes
See the end of the chapter for notes

Sanji thought the village was beautiful, in a quiet way. It was cloudy, so there was no harsh
light, just a glow coming down between tree branches and wet stones lining the way. Sanji
didn't know where Zoro was exactly, all he could do was sense with his haki the general
direction.

He remembered their conversation, long ago, when Zoro had told him he would come back
here, but not to go home. That this place, holding all Zoro’s history, was not where he
belonged. It made Sanji twice as nervous.

He tried to go over what he would say in his head as he walked. Hi Zoro, so you know all that
horrible shit I said? Well gee, I sure am sorry and by the way I’m in love with you! Yeah,
that’d go well. Start with an apology, he thought. Start small, work up to it. Yeah, so
remember how I insulted you entire life’s ambition after saying the sex with you was really
bad? Real sorry about that. God, Sanji wanted to punch himself in the face. He didn't even
care that much about all the bad shit Zoro had said to him, since it felt like a surface wound
now, already scabbed over. Yeah it had hurt at first, but now the words he remembered
seemed hollow in a poor attempt to cover up a pain Sanji was now just starting to understand.
The man had finally gotten the courage to make a move on Sanji, and Sanji went and wholly
misinterpreted it and blew it all way out of proportion. Why, why did his stupid brain tell him
that Zoro was just messing around? Why was it always so fucking hard to accept the love
from people around him? Well he kinda knew why but he didn't want to think about it. He
tried again. Hey Zoro, long time no see, turns out sex with you was actually amazing, wanna
go again? NO! No, no, no no ! Apology, just a simple apology to start with.

Zoro, I’m sorry. Just like that. He’d start with that.

Sanji hesitated as he came upon an entrance to a graveyard. He knew Zoro was in there, and
he understood the sanctity of a place reserved only for the dead but that didn't mean he liked
it. He believed in the freedom the ocean granted someone’s soul, and he didn't know how that
freedom was found in the ground. But still, this place was where specific names were cut into
stone, and somewhere Zoro was in front of one of those names and Sanji didn't know if he
had the right to intrude on that.

He stood with his back to the gate, hoping the spirits would not resent him for disliking their
final resting place. He’d wait for Zoro. God knows how long Zoro had waited for him.

-oOo-

The edges of her gravestone were worn and stained. There were no leaves or debri on it, no
dirt climbing up the sides, but it stood there showing its age. He realized that he was probably
enormously lucky that he only had one grave to visit, one person to mourn. Hers was the only
reason he had ever set foot in a graveyard. Meanwhile he had probably filled entire ones with
the people he had killed on his own.

He knew, or at least he hoped he knew, that Kuina would understand this. That she, a warrior
so much greater than Zoro could ever become, would know that Zoro had to kill, and that he
did not take it lightly. He had learned, young and daunting, that though death does not leave a
person, standing up and continuing forward without succumbing to the guilt was what made
him able to continue for the sake of his- their -dream. His victories meant death, always. His
accomplishments were scored in how many funerals were held, and he had to acknowledge
that. He bowed his head and prayed to her now, again, trying to convey his life to hers.

He touched wado, resheathed it, tucked all the swords away. Luffy’s hat hung from the worn
string around his neck.

“I’ll come back. I promise I won't stay away that long again.”

He touched his fingers to the grave again, closing his eyes as he traced her name in the cold
marble. This was our dream. You were there with me the whole time.

“Bye, Kuina.”

He didn't start walking away yet though. He had wanted to check on the dojo, greet his old
sensei, pay those respects. But after that, he was lost. There was no plan, no island, no
partner. No calling of any kind to pull him in one direction over the other. It was freedom, but
it was an untethered, drifting freedom.
He took one last look at the graves around him, at Kuina’s name and the dead flowers. He
walked back to the gate, sensing someone there. If it was Luffy, that was fine. He had still
given Zoro his space and his company wasn't entirely unwanted.

But he kept walking and saw light hair getting pulled on by the breeze. Flickers of pale skin
between the stones Zoro passed, and his heart froze in his chest. He stepped quietly to the
edge of the gate, and Sanji turned around.

He looked disheveled and tired, with hair falling over his face and rumpled clothing. But
Sanji could have been standing there looking like anything and still been handsome. Zoro
was so caught up in the surprise of Sanji for a moment he had forgotten his own all
encompassing shame. He bowed his head, shoulders hunched, so tempted to kneel right then
and spout apologies. He couldn't look at the man, and Zoro had no idea why or how Sanji
was there, only that right then it felt just as good to see him as it felt horrible.

“I didn't think you’d want to see me anytime soon, cook.”

Zoro winced at his own words. He sounded pathetically quiet, voice low and raspy like he’d
been sick. He was, of course, desperate to know why Sanji had come to him of all things.
What conversation came now, in this place?

“I didn't, at first. But it's like what you said that one time, about how you shouldn't leave bad
things as they are.”

Of course , Zoro thought. Sanji was a good crewmate, an unfailingly kind person. So kind
that he had hunted Zoro across eons of sea to set things right, despite Zoro running away like
a coward.

“Besides,” Sanji went on. “I wanted to find you before you got lost.”

Zoro looked up at the cook. Sanji was smiling a bit, strained and sad. It didn't suit him. Sanji
always looked best when he wore happiness. Zoro felt an ache nearly physical at seeing Sanji
look so unhappy, trying to cover it up as usual.

“It might be for the best if I get myself lost.”

The fake smile on Sanji’s face dropped, and he stuck his hands in his pockets. Zoro felt
trapped on the edge of the graveyard, stuck between dead people and Sanji.

“But if you set out again by yourself, I won't be able to find you.”

Sanji took a small step forward as he said it, hesitant. Zoro just looked at him, feeling like
something very small and undeserving. Wind chimes sounded somewhere, from a building
Zoro probably knew. If he remembered it as large, it was probably small now.

“It's ok if you don't want to though. I would never hold it against you, I know I don't-

A part of him crumpled then, feeling so tired and standing on the edge of the graveyard with
his life at this unhappy crossroads of sorts. He was back to being a teenager again, leaving
this village for the first time, unsure about what was to come, pretending to not be frightened.

But he was so absolutely terrified of a life that lay ahead, devoid of Sanji by his side. Maybe
once, before everything that had happened on the All Blue, he could have survived, tossing
scraps at his desperate affection for the cook, but not anymore. The thing inside him that
ached for Sanji had come out bearing its teeth, and proving once and for all that he had never
been good enough. He had been given something beautiful by Sanji, and then he had
proceeded to degrade it. The shame ate at him again, and he reached out for it now as a
reminder that the man before him was not someone he could possibly ever claim as anything
close to his own.

“I can't ask for your forgiveness, Sanji. I can only say I’m sorry, and that I promise to leave
you alone.”

Sanji made a small, pained sound, and Zoro saw the way he clenched his hands. Zoro wanted
to uncurl them, tell him not to hurt those hands that were so important to the world.

“No, Zoro, I’m sor-

“Don't say you’re sorry. Don't apologize to me, not when I don't deserve it.”

“ No , it was all bullshit, ok? Your dream is your dream, and even if I did think it was dumb-
which I don't - I don't have the right to say shit about it. I mean, fuck, I chased that magic
ocean, at least you really fought for yours. You did something amazing, Zoro.”

Zoro raised a hand to his face, covering his eyes like he could somehow block out Sanji’s
apology. He was drained down to his core after everything with Sanji, after seeing Kuina, and
he was afraid if this went on for longer he would really break apart and fall in a heap on the
ground.

“No, I’m sorry. I hurt you, and I hurt your ship, and it was cowardice on my part. But don't
apologize to me. Every single thing you said, about me fucking myself up, it's all true and
you have nothing to be sorry for.”

Zoro let his hand drop, gaze on the ground. Sanji took another step forward, looking like he
wanted to reach out, but thought better. Quick images flashed in Zoro’s mind of those hands
touching his bare back. He shook the thoughts away, ashamed for the thousandth time at
himself for falling into that want again.

“It's not true, Zoro. And even if you tried to fuck yourself up, we’d stop you. That’s what
nakama are for- we’ll always be there for you.”

Zoro closed his eyes and exhaled. Those words twisted his heart for so many reasons. He
wondered how people got back up after heartbreak. He didn't know how he himself was even
standing.

“-And you have to know that I could never forget you. No matter what, I’ll never forget
sailing with the world’s greatest swordsman. I’ll never forget my time with you on Merry and
Sunny and the All Blue. You’re too important to me.”

Zoro ached so fiercely he was sure something inside him was bleeding. His ribs must surely
have been broken for the pain gutting his chest. How, he wondered, did kindness like this
come from someone so chewed up and spit out by the world? How could Sanji possibly be
here, now, offering gentle words when Zoro had been only horrible to him? Why had he
come ? Why had Sanji come here, to this leftover pathetic beginning where Zoro did not
deserve him ?

“You don't- Sanji, I can't do this. I can't, I’m not strong enough, and I’m sorry .”

Zoro looked at Sanji pleadingly, desperately. His blue eyes stared right back, eating him
alive.

“You can't do what? Let me try and ap-

But Zoro cut him off, something like a growl bubbling up in his throat but dying on his
tongue as the words came out in place.

“I can't stand here and let you say you’re sorry like it's your fault things got fucked up when
it's mine ! I was the one who pushed it on you and was selfish and a liar because I love you,
Sanji! I am so fucking in love with you! So I can't- I just-

Something suspiciously like tears pricked at the back of Zoro’s eye, and he blinked rapidly.

“I’m sorry . I don't know how to not love you, and I’m sorry, Sanji.”

He felt, empty. Trying to catch his breath, panting, insides scooped out and thrown at Sanji
with Kuina right there too. He was utterly empty now, completely bare and open for
judgement. Awaiting execution maybe. And Sanji just looked at him.

Zoro took the opportunity to gorge himself on the image of the other man. It was, possibly,
the last time he would see him for a long while, and he drank his fill now. His gold hair had
grown longer, curling at the ends past his chin, and Zoro knew how soft it was, knew that it
fell through his fingers like water. His pale face, contrasting with the dark circles under his
eyes, always had the light pink tinge to it, always turned bright red so easily. It was charming,
when he stayed in the sun too long and his nose burned and tiny freckles surfaced. And pale
or burned, Zoro had loved kissing that skin. He had loved how easily he could see Sanji
flush, how easy it had been to leave little marks on his neck, how smooth his cheeks had felt.
And his eyes, of course. Zoro had fallen so in love with those blue eyes. Like his other
features, his blonde hair, his pale skin, they should have been unremarkable. It was just light
hair, just light skin, just light eyes. Nothing special. And yet it was Sanji , and his eyes
danced and lit up and were warm and kind and beautiful. They looked at Zoro now, so blue
and searching, never fully giving everything away, but never lying either. They focused on
Zoro now, deep and heavy and gentle.

“...You said, back on the All Blue, that you didn't have a place to belong. Was that true?”

Hollowed out as he was, all Zoro could do was nod. His fatigue made the action near
painful.

Sanji stuck his hands in his pockets again, and then took them out, moving them around in
the air like he didn't know what to do with them. His blue eyes flickered back and forth from
Zoro, nervous.

“Well what if- what if you did? What if I knew a place you could belong?”

Zoro felt his brow furrow in confusion on his tired face.

“A...place.”

“Yeah, a place. I think it’s a good place for you. I think you’d like living there, calling it
home and all that. You’d just have to get along with this one guy-well, two guys I guess, but
one is more important. To get along with, I mean.”

Zoro’s curiosity grew. Sanji seemed to have it in his head that somewhere in the world, there
was a decent place to fuck off to. Of course, Sanji had probably chosen it because it was far
away from him. Keep Zoro away, of course. Because he doesn't want you.

“...What’s the guy like?”

Sanji hummed, scratching the back of his neck, licking his lips like he wanted to smoke.

“Well, uh, the guy. I guess he’s kinda an asshole to be honest. He’s a decent fighter though,
someone you could spar with, keep in shape. He might not like you much at first, but he’ll
warm up to you quick once he sees you’re not that bad. And, uh, he cooks. I think pretty
well.”

Zoro stared at Sanji, because it sounded familiar . He wouldn't put his hopes on that though.
He would not hope for Sanji to give him anything.

“... And the place?”

Sanji smiled then, a real smile. A smile that fit Sanji so well it just made Zoro’s heart hurt all
over again, seeing him be beautiful with that quiet happiness.

“It’s small, but it's surrounded by the most amazing view. The locals are friendly mostly, and
it gets lots of travelers. The ocean though, that’s what makes it the best. It's the most
incredible ocean in the whole world, Zoro.”

And Zoro wasn't sure, he didn't believe that because-

“The All Blue is supposed to be the most incredible ocean in the world, cook.”

And now Sanji paused, gaze going down to his shoes before moving slowly back to Zoro.
there was a lot in those eyes, big and cautious and expecting. Something hopeful.

“This place...happens to be there.”

Zoro just looked into those eyes, trying his best to grasp what Sanji was saying. There was so
much he wanted to be true, but any of it, all of it was so unlikely and he felt so undeserving
and-
And he would risk it. He would risk it every single damn time if there was even a chance of
having Sanji.

“You’re saying-

“And I know it’s not perfect-

“Cook-

“And Zeff is such a pain in the ass-

“Sanji-

“But I want to cook for you all the time , Zoro.”

He looked at Zoro with his blue eyes so open and wanting , what did he want ?

“So then-

“I want you to come back home- I want you to stay .”

Zoro took a step forward, rushing to be closer to Sanji, to see his eyes more clearly. His hand
hovered just over the cook’s cheekbone, so afraid of what it might not be.

“I don't understand.”

And Sanji smiled at him. He smiled at Zoro like he was smiling because of Zoro.
“I’m trying to say I love you too, moss-

Zoro kissed him, because he was used to these leaps of faith by now. He closed his eyes and
felt the way Sanji pulled him closer, wrapped himself up in Zoro’s soul and tucked himself so
far in Zoro’s heart that he’d never come out. Sanji kissed him back and that was it, Zoro was
gone, knowing that there wasn't ever going to be someone else again. There’d never be
anywhere else other than by this man’s side, forever.

And when Sanji said it again, Zoro heard the words quiet on his own skin.

“I love you so much, and I think I’ve been in love with you a long time.”

Zoro kissed him again, lighter, letting Sanji’s lips follow his, chasing Zoro for once. It made
him smile in a way he thought he had forgotten.

“And you really want me to stay with you?”

Sanji bit his lip and then kissed his nose, tugged at his hair. He made Zoro look in his eyes.

“I really want you to stay with me, marimo.”

Zoro smiled, wider and wider until he thought his face would split open. Laughter bubbled up
in his chest and he felt like the wind was electric and Sanji was everything perfect and real.

“I love you. And I’ve loved you for so long, even though you’re a shit cook.”

Sanji just kissed him again, only pulling away to look Zoro in the eye and speak again.

“I lied about you being bad at sex too, so, sorry. Uh, wasn't true, just, so you know.”
Zoro stared at Sanji, letting a long laugh rip out of throat, his stomach, his heart. Sanji was
blushing to the tips of his ears, smiling away.

“I’ll just have to make sure you don't forget it next time, love-cook.”

Sanji just laughed, kissed Zoro and laughed some more. Zoro didn't know if he’d ever heard
something as nice as the sound of Sanji’s laugh, rich and chiming, right by his ear. He didn't
think he’d be able to live without it anymore.

“Also I’m adding the ship repairs to your debt. That plus Nami-sans means you’ll be working
for me for a long time, mosshead.”

Zoro kissed his temple, gently drawing up Sanji’s hand to kiss the tiny mark of a healed cut
on the pale skin.

“Yeah? What’s my job gonna be?”

Sanji made a humming sound, tapping his chin like he had to think hard about that. The
facade crumbled after a second, falling back to a wide smile.

“Does it matter?”

Zoro grabbed him by the waist, hosting him up and crushing him in a tight hug. All Sanji
could do was put his arms around the swordsman’s neck, and ruffle his hair a little. Zoro felt
Sanji’s heartbeat right against his ear, and he closed his eye. Sanji smelled like the grass of
his village and the seasalt of All Blue, and he was everything that was a home.

“Nah. It really doesn't.”

 So close to them Kuina slept on, and Zoro hoped it was a peaceful sleep. He hoped she could
rest easy, knowing that Zoro wasn't going to ever be alone again.

Chapter End Notes

A while ago another writer shared a poem by Donna Marie-Riley with me, and there's a
part that goes "Sure, I love you. Sure, it gets hard. And then it gets softer."
link to the full poem: https://donna-marieriley.tumblr.com/post/93523934468/we-get-
caught-in-the-middle-of-a-rainstorm-which/amp
 Chapter 31
Chapter Summary

safe and warm on the All Blue

Chapter Notes
See the end of the chapter for notes

It wasn't a surprise to Zeff when eggplant came back with the mosshead. It wasn't. His relief
was entirely for something else, he was sure.

No one else seemed to know what to say, and the straw hat boy was probably eating half if
not all the supplies, and Sanji was just standing there like an idiot. So Zeff promptly kicked
him in the back of the head and looked him in the eye.

“You two got your shit together now?”

Sanji looked indignant, as if he hadn't just fucked off and chased his boyfriend across the
entire grandline. The mosshead nodded, a smile tugging at his mouth. He looked a hell of a
lot happier than Zeff had ever seen him.

“Good. You love him?”

Zeff directed it at both of them. Eggplant just flushed as red as a tomato and turned back to
the floorboards, which was answer enough, and the swordsman threw Zeff a wide grin.

“Yeah. I love him.”

Sanji’s face turned twice as red, but he still met Zoro’s hand with his own and gave it a
squeeze. Zeff poked the younger chef, making him look up from the floor again.

“You happy, crap-kid?”

Eggplant looked like he wanted to curse Zeff out, but he glanced sideways at Zoro, and gave
a quick nod, ears practically steaming.

“Yeah…”

“Good. try not to mess it up, I’m still waiting on the grandkids.”

Zeff walked away, moving to close the kitchen door on his son’s embarrassed spluttering.
Almost like he forgot something, he slowly turned around and raised a finger at the
swordsman.

“Oh, and if you pull something like that ship-destroying stunt again, I’ll drug your food, cut
off your dick, and make you eat it.”

Zoro turned very pale and nodded very quickly. Zeff nodded to himself, figured he better go
find the cyborg and put up some new walls between their rooms before it was too late.

Far above them on a shadowed mast, Reiju smiled.

-oOo-

“I’m sorry it took me so long to realize how much I love you.”

Zoro looked at him, wide open and prone to anything, his head in Sanji’s lap. They were
sprawled out on the bed, exhausted from setting in new wood planks for the deck with
Franky, shirts discarded in an attempt to change into sleep wear. Zoro had gotten distracted
by Sanji’s spine. He didn't know Sanji’s excuse.

“It’s ok. You know now.”

Zoro meant it. At the time when he was 19 he would have sacrificed an arm for Sanji to look
at him the way he was looking at him now. But 19 year old Zoro didn't know about Sanji and
the Vinsmoke. 19 year old Zoro didn't know about Sanji, just a child, trapped on some rock
and within an inch of death. 19 year old Zoro had only managed to hit Sanji with the hilt of
his blade in hopes that the chef might live a day longer so that Zoro could chance dying for
Luffy.

Here, now, Zoro knew Sanji. He knew his flaws, knew his insecurities, knew all his trauma
weighing down his shoulders. This Sanji knew this Zoro, knew his pain. What they had was
good, and it was ok that it had taken time. Things had broken and there was always going to
be hard memories, but they were strong and the road ahead was long and forgiving.

“I would have waited for a really long time, Sanji.”

He probably would have waited his whole life. He would have watched Sanji marry, grow
old, have kids. He would have carried on with his broken heart, knowing that you can't sail
with someone for so long, love them so much for so long, and get over that for someone else.
That heart was always gonna be Sanji’s, and Zoro was ok dying with it like that.

“What would you have done if I had never noticed? If I had never shown any interest?”

Zoro closed his eyes. That answer was always simple.

“Go on. Let you live. My love shouldn't be something to hold you back or burden you.”
Sanji pinched his cheek.

“Idiot. What kind of life would that be?”

“A shitty one. But I was afraid.”

“Bullshit.”

Except it wasn't. Falling in love with Sanji had been terrifying, because more than anything
Zoro didn't want to lose someone so special to him in so many different ways.

“I’d never given my heart away before. I was afraid that if I gave it to you, you wouldn't want
it, and then what good would it be? It would always be yours, so it was useless if you didn't
have it. If you had told me you didn't want it after I gave it to you, I wouldn't have wanted it
back. I wouldn't have wanted it at all.”

It would have been like defeating Mihawk but without Wado. Like getting the one piece
without Luffy. It'd be like a dead sea where the all blue once lived.

“I’ll keep it safe. I’ll take care of it, I promise, Zoro.”

Zoro believed Sanji. He’d seen the cook practically jump off cliffs for a lot less. It was just
another reason why he loved him.

It was somewhere in time when the sun still wasn't up, but Zoro wasn't tired anymore. He’d
eat breakfast with all his nakama soon, for the first time in a long while, and Nami probably
still wanted to punch him in the face and ask for all the details. He wanted to sit with
Chopper in his lap, watching Usopp make pea-shooters with Luffy while Brook and Franky
made instruments out of plates and cups. He even wanted Robin and Nami to be sipping
coffee, giving him those creepy knowing looks like they just knew everything . He would roll
his eyes and pretend not to see it, and then Sanji would come out and he would kiss him, and
he would say I love you in front of everyone.
It couldn't be more than a few hours now until Sanji got up to start breakfast. Zoro didn't like
the idea of Sanji leaving his side, even for a second, and he positioned them so he could pull
the cook into his arms and inhale the skin on his neck. When he spoke Zoro could feel the
words vibrating the skin of Sanji’s throat.

“So what now? Are you really ok staying here? On a floating restaurant?

Zoro kissed the skin there, feeling the scratch of stubble.

“As long as you’re here, yeah.”

He smiled as he could practically feel Sanji’s blush. The cook soldiered on.

“But what about sword fighting and challengers and shit?”

“What about it?”

“Don't you need to go off and do- sword things or-

“You got a thing for making things complicated, you know that?”

Sanji pinched his cheek lightly.

“I just want to be clear -

“I’m not goin’ anywhere, Sanji. And even if I do for some reason, I’ll come back. Besides,
foods good here.”
There was silence for a period and then

“Oh. Ok then.”

Zoro huffed a laugh.

“Really? As soon as I say you’re foods good you let me off? I gotta try that more often.”

Sanji tugged his ear, making the three earrings chime.

“No you moron, it just so happens that that’s the first time you’ve ever made sense.”

“I make sense.”

“Nothing you do ever makes sense. Or say.”

Zoro hummed, rolling over again to trap Sanji with his limbs. He leaned down close to the
other man, studying the flush spreading over his cheeks.

“Oh yeah? Nothing I say makes sense?”

“No. you’re confusing as hell.”

Zoro nosed the skin of Sanji’s throat, humming.

“I’ll make it clear then.”

 He kissed Sanji’s brow, soft and light and then his left cheek. He kissed the tip of his nose,
making the cook chuckle, and then let his lips hover over Sanji’s.

“Sanji. My nakama . I love you.”

And then he pressed the kiss onto Sanji’s waiting lips, keeping it feather light.

“I love you, Sanji.”

He kept on saying it until Sanji got impatient and deepened the kiss himself. His skin dusted
over with his embarrassment even as he repeated the same words back. He lay shielded by
Zoro’s body as the sun broke dawn, safe and warm on the All Blue.

Chapter End Notes

Epilogue up next :,)

 Epilogue
Chapter Summary

The start of a new generation

Chapter Notes
See the end of the chapter for notes

Kaya glowed in a much gentler way than Usopp. For the sniper, it was like fireworks and
canon explosions, with big noises and biggers lights. He was radiant with how happy he was,
holding his two sons. Kaya glowed like a campfire going to sleep. She was moonlight if
Usopp was the sun, reflecting all that joy the same as him, making it beautiful. They were
beautiful.

“I’m glad they have his nose- it came from his mother, did you know? I never knew her, but I
know she was wonderful.”

Her voice was quiet and light, and it made Sanji think of his own mother. That softness that
was like little waves lapping at your toes and stars guiding you home. Maybe it was
something all good mothers possessed.

“Anyone who raised such a great guy must have been amazing, that’s for sure.”

Kaya laughed, nodding. They both watched silently as Usopp instructed Zoro on how to hold
up the tiny boy’s neck. Zoro kept saying he knew how, he’d held a baby before so shut up.
Sanji didn't actually know if that was true or not.

“I’m glad that Usopp isn't leaving like his father. It’s so selfish of me, I know, but-
Sanji placed a gentle hand on her arm. He understood how Usopp had grown up wishing for
his father who was faraway on grand adventures. He also understood that Usopp would never
be that father, and Sanji was glad too.

“Even if he sails with Luffy again, it’ll never be for long. He sailed the grandline thinking of
coming back to you, thinking about being worthy of you. And now you two have sons…

Usopp was laughing with the baby in his arms, making the little boy giggle when they
touched their noses together. Both the children looked liked they’d have Usopp’s hair, and
they already had the noses. Sanji wanted to see them run around with slingshots one day,
being little Usopps and pretending to fight monsters while the pirate king sat with them and
laughed.

Zoro was peaceful with the boy in his arms. Both he and the child were quiet, and the soft tan
skin of the baby seemed to match Zoro’s, if only a bit lighter. It made for a picture that Sanji
wanted to keep forever. It made his heart ache.

“Most men get nervous holding a baby, and that's why the baby cries. They’re so sensitive to
everything, and the world is so confusing to their developing brains. They can't even see
color yet.”

Sanji tried to imagine cooking without color. Or seeing Zoro without green hair.

“I can't imagine.”

Zoro walked over with the baby, carefully holding him steady. He moved like he was going
to give the child back to Kaya, but she shook her head.

“Let Sanji hold him. I want them to know their uncles.”

Zoro looked at Sanji, making sure it was ok. The cook nodded, hesitantly reaching out for the
small thing. He knew to support the head, cradle the body. It came into his arms and he let
out a breath, looking down at such an important, amazing little person. Nothing Sanji or Zoro
or Usopp would do would ever outweigh the significance of what was in Sanji’s arms right
now.

“I’m going to check on Usopp, just call me if he starts getting fussy.”

Kaya walked away, light and flowing as she joined Usopp, cooing at the other boy.

“I wonder if it's ok to be touching them.”

Sanji turned to Zoro, who was watching the baby in Sanji’s arms. The baby just stared back,
large eyes open. Sanji hadn't noticed that he had blue eyes like his mother. Blue eyes on dark
skin.

“Why wouldn't it be?”

Zoro reached out a finger, and the baby grabbed it, clutching it as tight as a baby just as well
could.

“It’s just weird to use the same hands I use to cut people down to hold a little kid. I never
thought of it before.”

“Well I use these hands to cook, but you don't see me tossing this guy in a frying pan, do
you?”

Zoro gave Sanji a look .

“I’m sure Usopp would love this conversation.”

Sanji laughed, and then cut himself off, worried he would startle the baby. He looked down to
check on it, struck again by the blue eyes and tan skin.

“He’s got eyes like Kaya.”

“He’s got eyes like you.”

Sanji looked up, studying Zoro’s face. He wanted to know if Zoro was thinking the same
thing he was. Zoro brushed the hair over Sanji’s one eye to the side, a privilege only he was
allowed to do. It never ceased to make Sanji blush, like somehow showing his whole face,
who he really was, made him vulnerable to a person who already knew everything there was
to know.

“They’re a bit lighter, but yeah, they could be yours.”

Sanji bit his lip, unable to break the eye contact.

“What if they had my eyes and green hair?”

Zoro leaned in, kissing Sanji’s forehead, brushing his lips so softly against the skin there that
it felt like a breeze. Zoro worried about holding a child in the hands that had once been
bloodstained, but then he touched Sanji like this. Moved like he had been made out of only
gentle, sweet things.

“What if you had my last name?”

Sanji closed his eyes, feeling those words settle inside him, feeling his feet almost float off
the ground. He wanted to remember everything that had gotten him here, to a part in his life
he never knew he wanted so fucking bad. He wanted to tell that little kid curled up in a
Germa cell that it’d be ok, one day he’d be so loved, one day he would really be loved and
it’d be so amazing.
“I think I’d like that.”

Zoro’s finger was still caught in the child’s hand, sleepy blue eyes looking up at the two of
them. Zoro and Sanji watched him back, tucked close to each other. Sanji didn't quite know
how to stop smiling so wide.

“Yeah?”

“Yeah. Yeah, I’d like that. A lot.”

Their lips brushed, not in the way Sanji wanted them to, not in the way they could right now,
but later they would. For now Zoro moved next to him, careful of his position with the baby
in Sanji’s arms, and Sanji stayed still, careful not to jostle the kid, himself, the moment.

“Are you guys seriously making out right over my child?”

They broke apart, a burst of laughter coming from their throats as Usopp took the small boy
from Sanji’s arms. Usopp did his best to look angry for a second, and then gave into laughing
with them. Sanji rubbed the back of his neck, embarrassed. Zoro’s hand was still resting on
the small of his back, making him feel warm.

“Sorry, um, caught up in the moment.”

Usopp gave a gentle little smile, eyes dancing. Kaya came up and stood by his side and he
turned to her.

“Hey, I get it. Trust me.”

Kaya smiled, the warm moonlight in her casting light on them.

“We’ll go put the twins to bed and then maybe Sanji can show us some tricks in the kitchen?
Usopp always just ends up making smoke bombs when he cooks.”

“Technically it was a chili bomb- which I promise to stop making until the kids are at least
3!”

Sanji and Zoro let them walk away, talking with their children in their arms, lost in their own
world where the two men didn't even exist. Zoro wrapped his arm tighter around Sanji,
pulling him closer, getting rid of all the thousands of inches that just two could feel like.

“I was serious, before. About you taking my name.”

Sanji turned into Zoro, pushing himself into the space between shoulder and chin. He kissed
the skin there, remarkably scar free. He hid his face there while he spoke.

“I know. I want to.”

A hand came up to touch the base of Sanji’s skull, light fingers running up and down his
neck.

“I don't have a ring, I didn't plan thi-oh.”

Zoro pulled away, grabbing his white sword, the significant one. He pulled it up to eye level,
examining the handle of it, before carefully searching with his fingers to undo the white
wrapping. Sanji watched, curious. He had only ever seen Zoro wrap his blade handles a few
times.

Zoro pulled off a bit of the wrapping, steady hands holding it like something sacred, which to
Zoro, it was. And then he ripped a bit off.

“What are you doing!?”

Shocked, Sanji reached to stop him, but Zoro took his left hand, holding it out to look at. He
took the white wrapping, tying it carefully around Sanji’s ring finger.

“Is that ok?”

Sanji stared at his finger, the cloth soft and worn but still so white, wrapped delicately around
his finger. He wondered if this was the same cloth that had first touched little Zoro’s hands,
after the girl had fallen and died. He wondered if she would be ok with this.

“What about your sword?”

Zoro looked at his handle, the wrapping a bit shorter but no less clean and perfect.

“She’ll understand why I did it.”

Sanji swallowed the lump in his throat. He felt overwhelmed suddenly, by this.

“I love you.”

Zoro smiled, rare and gorgeous in his wide open happiness. He kissed Sanji’s hand, the ring
finger, the band of silk.

“I love you too. So much, Sanji.”

They kissed, and Sanji thought about how happy he was hearing those words, how grateful
he was that they were from Zoro. He didn't know how he had ever thought it could be
someone other than this man, holding him and touching him like something so sacred,
knowing him like his own soul. He wished he could have given Zoro something sooner, taken
weight off of his aching heart that Sanji had been so unknowing of. But he couldn't, all he
could do was hold him now and hope he could continue holding onto him. Hope that he could
have Roronoa Zoro, maybe forever.

“Hey, will this make me the owner of your restaurant too?”

Sanji laughed, slipping his hands into Zoro’s. Their palms kissed and Zoro kept on smiling.

“Like hell. Oh yeah, I’ve been meaning to tell you you’re fired.”

“From stealing the booze or having sex with my boss?”

“Both. now kiss me again.”

“I thought you weren't my boss anymore.”

Zoro kissed him anyways. Sanji kissed him back, once, twice, again and again.

“I love you, Zoro.”

He said it again, because he wanted to. Because he could and it was true.

Because his soul had always belonged on the All Blue, but his heart had been nestled right in
Zoro the whole time.
 -End-

Chapter End Notes

I dont know how to begin thanking everyone for the comments and kudos and overall
love that I've received! it's been a long ride, but an overall source of fun for me
throughout the whole thing. Once again I'd like to give a huge shout out to
donutsandcoffee for all their help and late night twitter convos!
I'm still planning a wedding as an additional fic to what might be a series from this
work, but from there I have no idea. In the mean time know that I am thankful for every
single person who bothered to read an overly dramatic love poem to zosan, and that I'm
happy to be a part of the fandom.
Please drop by the Archive and comment to let the creator know if you enjoyed their work!