Chapter Text
Things were going back to whatever normal looked like for Sanji and Zoro, and Sanji would swear up and down he was fine with it. That their sparring sessions were enough, and he was okay with just staying friends. That he didn’t want more quiet, personal moments with the brute of a man.
He’d be lying, but it wouldn’t be new.
No, he had to stop fake dating his friend, even though he'd caught real feelings for the man. That’s what he kept telling himself even as he prepped for their last get together with their friends as a ‘couple’. Zoro of course seemed completely unfazed as he pulled their dining room chairs to the small living room to provide more seating near their coffee table.
Sanji on the other hand had already gone through three cigarettes and felt jittery.
As he laid the final snacks on their coffee table he took a deep breath. He could do this.
“Nervous?” Zoro rumbled from beside him.
Sanji nearly jumped out of his skin, too distracted to have noticed his friend sneaking up on him. “I- uh, a bit. It’s gonna be weird I guess? Last time we’ve gotta pretend and all.”
His marimo nodded, expression unreadable. “Yeah. Least you won’t have to go on another awkward fake date with me.”
“It wasn’t that awkward.” Sanji chuckled at the raised brow he received. “Okay, maybe it was kinda awkward, but still! It wasn’t bad. Law and Luffy are cool, and you guys had fun stories to tell.”
“Whatever you say curls.” Zoro nodded towards their front door. “Wanna spar before they start arriving? You seem wound up.”
Sanji hesitated, eventually sighing softly. “Yeah, I think that’d help a bit.”
It was a short sparring session that did help him in the slightest, but an hour into their bi-monthly hangout he still found himself stepping out onto the balcony and taking a seat at the edge. His legs dangled off the side, the cool winter air easily surrounding him as he stared at the city below.
He wanted to be happy that they didn’t have to pretend anymore, but it felt like he was losing something he hadn’t known he’d needed.
The sliding glass door opened behind him, and he took deep breaths as footsteps approached. He fought back tears he refused to shed in front of a friend and took out his cigarette pack and lighter, trying and failing to light up and pretend he wasn’t breaking down.
His new companion sat beside him, and he glanced over at Law, finding the older man staring out across the city. Without any prompting, he spoke in a low rumble, words carrying easily in the quiet winter air. “Y’know, it’d be easier if you told him you liked him.”
Sanji blinked, lashes wet. “Come again?”
Law didn’t turn, but he could tell his focus was solely on him all the same. “I think he knows to some extent, but he’s convinced himself he’s seeing things. Finding a truth that only exists when he looks for it. He can be pretty dumb like that, though I’m sure you’re already aware.”
The blond floundered for an answer, staring at the man before him in confusion.
“I suppose you can be as well. Have you really missed the signs?”
Sanji finally managed, “I’m not sure I’m following. Or know what you’re talking about.”
Law finally turned to him, golden eyes filled with a mixture of understanding and amusement. “He likes you too. And not in this weird fake-liking way you’ve been engaging in. He really likes you.”
“How can you know that?” Sanji’s voice came out harsher than he meant for it to, his frayed nerves peeking through his shaking tone. “He- I was just helping him. Keeping your boyfriend- him and Usopp from- I just-“ He cut himself off, looking away again. “How’d you even figure it out?”
“Because he’s been holding back.” That gained the blond’s attention again. Law had already looked away though, expression filled with some unknown emotion.
“Holding back?” Sanji echoed.
“Yeah. Those kisses we saw- he wasn’t kissing you like you had an audience. He was kissing you like he was afraid to find out if you’d kiss back if it was a real one.” Law paused, humming thoughtfully. “I don’t believe anyone else has noticed, but I watched the kid grow up, same as Luffy. He likes you, and he’s probably frustrated he’s pretending to have something he actually wants.”
That hit Sanji like a punch to the gut, and he drew in a stuttered breath. “You’re just- it’s not like that. He doesn’t- it’s really not like that. He- he wants-“ The blond looked away. “Not me. He doesn’t want me and my mess of a life.”
Law was quiet for a long moment, continuing to look out at the horizon as if it contained some secret only he was aware of. “I thought the same about Luf,” he mumbled. “That he couldn’t like me in such a soft way, especially with all of my baggage. But he stuck around, and kept asking in his own way. And eventually I asked, what if I just convinced myself I don’t deserve it?”
At this Sanji stiffened. His hands shook, and he hoarsely whispered, “Did you deserve it then?”
“That’s what he keeps trying to convince me of everyday.” His tone was soft and rumbling, a loving edge to it as he continued. “And I must be a fool because I think I might believe him.”
The blond blinked away a fresh set of tears, looking back out at the city lights below them. He carefully moved to stand, sparing a glance down at his companion. “Thanks Law.” He didn’t know what exactly he was thanking him for, but he was grateful all the same.
Law glanced up at him, a ghost of a smirk playing at his lips. “Don’t thank me yet. Go get him, and show him you want him too.”
With a small nod Sanji swept back inside. It wasn’t hard to spot his marimo, the man leaning against their kitchen counter with a red solo cup of something grasped loosely in one hand. He wasn’t talking to anyone in that moment fortunately, simply observing their small group of friends in the living room as they played some board game together.
With quick strides Sanji found himself in front of his roommate, a green brow raising in question. He didn’t give the man time to ask anything- he simply cupped his cheek with a still trembling hand and leaned forward, capturing chapped lips in a soft but questioning kiss.
Zoro didn’t move at first, stock still against the blond. It was as Sanji began to pull away that he set his drink down and wrapped an arm around him, tugging him closer. This was far different from the kiss on New Years’ Eve- the small sigh through Zoro’s nose, the way he pressed closer, the small swipe of his tongue at Sanji’s own lips- he was practically melting into his roommate, pressed against him like he was a lifeline in a storm.
When he finally leaned back he heard a soft snort, finding Zoro smiling at him. “Thought we were done with this fake relationship?” He asked quietly.
The blond nodded, responding just as softly. “We are. I. Was hoping we could try again? Something real this time?”
Silence settled between them and Zoro flushed, his good eye blinking rapidly in disbelief. “You’re. You mean that curls? Not just fuckin’ with me?”
“Yes.” As he breathed out his answer, he leaned in for another kiss, pouring every emotion towards his brutish marimo that he’d bottled up over the past few months. He knew he didn’t have to rush, but still, he didn’t want to wait any longer.
The damned mosshead leaned back, a gentle hand pressing against his chest. “Hey. I’m not going anywhere. Are you good?”
To this, Sanji responded with his own question. “Are we good?”
Zoro’s smile softened, gaze lingering on his lips. “Yeah. I think so.”
The blond smirked. “Then shut up and kiss me like you mean it dumbass.”
And with a bark of a laugh he did, hands dragging his new boyfriend ever closer.