Chapter Text
“Go on a date with me.”
Sanji sputtered, gulping down the tea he was drinking. Coughing, he looked at Zoro with watery eyes. “What?”
Zoro stood with his arms crossed, leaning against the door frame to the galley. “I said, go on a date with me.”
“I heard what you said!” Sanji retorted. “I’m asking why you said it!”
Zoro’s usual grumpy expression turned even grumpier. “Because I want to. Do you not?”
“That’s not the point of the question!”
“So then go with me.”
“Fuck, fine!” Sanji placed his tea cup down and stomped over to where Zoro was standing. “I don’t trust your intentions,” he growled. “But fine, take me on a “date” if that’s what you want.”
Zoro stared him down, gaze unflinching. “Fine, let’s go.” He turned away from Sanji, going down the stairs to the deck and looking back expectantly.
“Where are we even going?” Sanji grumbled as he followed.
“On a date.”
“I know that!” Sanji sent a kick at Zoro’s shin which was dodged easily. “I’m asking where exactly!”
Zoro ignored him, waving to Luffy as they climbed down the deck. “I’m going out with Sanji, be back later!” He called. Luffy grinned, already training his eyes on the galley. Sanji groaned as he realized the groceries he had stocked up on yesterday would be gone in a flash.
“This better be worth it, moss head,” he threatened. They stood in the harbor they had docked at, a small island with a town taking up most of the land. It was nothing special, an island barely worth noting on the map. But they had stopped by to restock and had a few days to kill before the log pose reset. Zoro grunted instead of answering, leading the way down a cobbled street. Sanji didn’t know if letting him lead was the best idea, but since Zoro was too stubborn to tell him where they were going he had no other choice.
After a while of what seemed like endless walking Zoro stopped at an intersection, looking around with a frown. Sanji sighed. “You’re lost, aren’t you.”
Zoro scowled, shaking his head. “We’re almost there.”
“No we’re not! We’ve been walking around for more than half an hour! Admit it, you’re lost, moss head.”
“No I’m not!” Zoro’s fingers twitched in the direction of his swords and Sanji fully expected him to start the fight, but instead he decisively turned towards one alley and stomped away. Scoffing, Sanji followed. The path they had taken seemed to have been right, since Zoro’s face was easing out of it’s frown as they neared the sounds of laughter and chatter. “We’re here,” he said with a bit of relief in his voice.
Sanji looked ahead of him curiously. “What is this, a restaurant?”
Zoro nodded, pointing at a building not far off. “That one.”
Sanji looked past his finger to a nice looking house with a giant fish hanging over the door. A sign above it said, The Singing Sea King. People milled around the entrance, it was obviously a popular spot among locals on a weekend evening. Although he was sure the food tasted fine, Sanji still regarded the place with a bit of skepticism. Why would Zoro bring him here, of all places? Hell, why was Zoro even asking him on a date? Was this a real date? Like a...romantic date?
Sanji shook his head, clearing his mind of any such thoughts. “Lead the way, moss head.”
They entered through the wooden door, but Zoro barely gave Sanji any time to appreciate his surroundings before he was tugging him along through the room. They made it to the other side and he pushed open a back door, tugging Sanji along with him.
“Zoro, we actually have to stay in the restaurant to eat,” Sanji shook his arm free of Zoro’s grasp, giving the swordsman an annoyed look. “Or is your sense of direction that bad?”
“Shut the fuck up for two seconds, would you?” Zoro gave him an annoyed glare. “I just thought you’d appreciate this more.”
Sanji rolled his eyes, but followed Zoro out from underneath the roof of the restaurant and down a narrow path. A small breeze was picking up, the fresh smell of salt in the air. Zoro’s steps slowed as the path faded away into a swath of coarse sand. The rushing sound of the sea met Sanji’s ears as he stepped out onto the beach, eyes taking in the sparkling ocean in front of him. The sky had dimmed by now, making the water look dark and foreboding. Zoro was already walking again, reaching the end of the shore and being met with the gentle waves.
“I told the waiter to bring our food here. I paid in advance,” he explained. His gaze was trained on the water, eyes darting quickly to Sanji as he approached to stand beside him.
“And what if I had said no to coming here?” Sanji kicked at the wet sand with his foot. “You’d have to eat your dinner by yourself like a loser.”
“But you didn’t say no.”
Sanji looked at him. “No, I didn’t.”
The gentle lap of waves filled the silence between them.
“Why didn’t you?” Zoro flicked his eyes towards Sanji again.
“Why did you ask me in the first place?” Sanji countered.
“I already said, because I wanted to.”
“You don’t just ask someone on a date, moss head, unless you’re interested in them. And that’s obviously not the case here. What are you pulling?”
More silence. “Shut up, love-cook.”
Sanji sighed. “Why did I even come here?” he muttered.They were interrupted by the sounds of footsteps behind them. They turned around quickly, fighting instincts taking over, before realizing it was a confused looking waiter with a platter in his hands.
“Um, it says this is for you?”
Zoro jerked his head towards a rock that jutted out of the sand. “Place it there and leave us alone.”
The waiter squeaked a ‘yes sir!’, placing down the platter and backing away from the two fearsome looking customers.
“Let’s eat,” Zoro shoved Sanji with his shoulder.
Sanji grumbled, crouching down on the sand. “We don’t even have chairs.”
“Just sit on the sand, who cares.” Zoro plopped down, sitting cross legged in front of the table-like rock.
Sanji huffed, sitting down across from him and grimacing as the wet sand soaked through his pants. He looked at the plates in front of them. Pretty standard stuff, local fish with a side of rice and vegetables. He poked at the flank of his fish, lifting the tail to look at it. “I’ve never seen this kind before. Must live in these parts.”
Zoro, who had half the fish in his mouth already, shrugged. “As long as it's good.”
Sanji cut off a piece and took an experimental bite. It wasn’t bad, lacking in a bit of lemon juice, but he had tasted worse. “It’s fine.”
Zoro gulped down the last of his fish, reaching his fork for the rice. “I bet you’re thinking you could do better.”
Sanji bristled because yes, that was what he had been thinking. “Of course I could! Just because you think food is food doesn’t mean I have to like it!”
“Was I saying that you’re wrong?” Zoro questioned with a mouth full of food. Sanji really would need to teach him some better table manners someday.
“So you think my food is better?” Sanji scoffed disbelievingly.
Zoro swallowed slowly. “Obviously.”
“Obviously?” Sanji asked, a bit taken aback.
Zoro scowled. “Well yeah! What, you think I hate your food or something?”
“No, just surprised to hear you say that.” Sanji looked at Zoro cautiously. He was being suspiciously nice, and Sanji couldn’t figure out why that could be. Maybe he had drunk all the cooking sake and was trying to distract Sanji with his compliments. Or maybe he was out of money and needed some. Yeah that was probably it.
Zoro looked away, a strange expression on his face. “Have I never complimented your food before?”
Sanji gave a laugh. “No, you haven’t. A grunt is the most I can get from you when I set a plate in front of your face.”
Zoro frowned, rubbing the back of his neck. “Oh. Well,” he paused. “I do like it.”
Sanji looked at him suspiciously. Something was definitely up. “Listen,” he narrowed his eyes. “If you want me to buy you booze or something, you could’ve just asked instead of trying to play the ‘nice’ act by taking me to dinner.”
Zoro looked up at Sanji, confused. “..What?”
“I said, you don’t need to butter me up just to swindle some money out of me.” Sanji crossed his arms. “It’s not like I’d give it to you anyway.”
Something flashed in Zoro’s eyes, something that almost looked like hurt. “That’s not…”
Sanji rolled his eyes. “Yeah, yeah, deny it all you want. Is there any point for me to stay here right now?”
Zoro looked at him, disappointment written in his frown. “If you hated this so much you could’ve left earlier.” His voice was cold, different from before.
“Maybe I should’ve,” Sanji retorted.
Zoro’s expression darkened. “Then go now! No point sitting here if you don't want to!”
“Then why the fuck did you even ask me to come here?!”
“Because I wanted you to!” They were both standing now, growling into each other's faces.
“That doesn't answer my question!”
“Well that’s the only answer you’re getting!” Zoro shoved Sanji away from him, sitting back down hard on the sand. “Just fucking leave already.”
Sanji growled at his back in frustration. Why did he have to be so stubborn?! Why act all nice all of a sudden? There had to be some motive behind it. Instead of stomping back up the path they had come by, he sat back down, glaring at Zoro.
“No, I’m staying here until I find out what the fuck you’re trying to pull here.”
Zoro crossed his arms. “I want you to leave. I have better things to do than sit and chat with you shitty cook.”
Sanji snorted. “Sure switched up fast, huh?”
“That was your fucking fault,” Zoro jabbed a finger at him.
“My fault?"
“Not everyone’s out to get you, curly, so learn to take a fucking compliment.”
Sanji gaped at him, anger swirling inside his chest. “I can take plenty of compliments unless they’re from you.”
“Well get used to it!”
Sanji fumbled over his words, not expecting the response. “Get use– what do you– what do you mean get used to it?!”
Zoro looked away, arms crossed. “Shut up.”
“You’re saying you’re gonna continue complimenting me?” Sanji said with a hint of disbelief in his voice.
“And what if I am?” Zoro looked at him defensively.
Sanji opened and closed his mouth. “But– but why?”
“Because you deserve them,” Zoro said, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.
Sanji quieted, looking at Zoro’s face for an explanation. Annoyed, he muttered, “I hate you.”
Zoro’s lips twitched upwards slightly. “I know.”
Sanji looked at him for a second longer before picking his fork back up and shoving the now slightly soggy vegetables into his mouth. Zoro watched him finish in silence, eyes tracing the movement of the fork as it scraped the plate clean of rice grains. His eyes flitted up to Sanji’s mouth and then up to his eyes.
“Now what?”
“What do you mean, now what?” Sanji asked incredulously. “You were the one that took me here.”
“Yeah, but I didn’t think this far ahead. I kinda thought we would…” He cut off the end of his sentence as a flush dusted his cheeks. “Nevermind.”
“We could just go back. It’s getting late and I want to salvage at least some of what's in the fridge.”
“No!” Zoro blurted. “Let’s stay a while.”
Sanji shrugged. “Alright.”
Neither of them spoke for a while, the moon in the sky bathing them in a cool light.
“Your suit looks...nice,” Zoro said with a small cough.
Sanji looked down at himself. “I’ve worn this basically everyday this past month.”
Zoro scowled. “Yeah? Well then you look nice everyday!” He paused, eyes widening. “I mean your suit! Your suit looks nice everyday. Not you.”
“Killer compliment,” Sanji rolled his eyes.
“Not that you don’t look nice,” Zoro continued. “I mean you do–fuck I mean–” he put his head in his hands, groaning. “Fuck you.”
Sanji sniggered. “What’s gotten into you, moss head? Had too much to drink before this?”
Zoro lifted his head to glare at him. “No.”
“Then stop acting like a drunk mess.”
“It’s not my fault when you–” he broke off his speech again, scowling at Sanji.
“Oh so it’s my fault again?” Sanji raised an eyebrow. “What am I doing wrong this time?”
“It’s because you’re–” Zoro growled. He gestured with his hands towards Sanji. “You know!”
Sanji shook his head in confusion. “What the fuck are you talking about? Spit it out!”
“It’s because you’re fucking hot!”
Sanji snickered. “Stop pulling my leg, moss head. I see no point in you trying to flatter me, it won’t work.”
Zoro rolled his eyes in frustration. “I’m not trying to flatter you, shithead, I’m just observing. Isn’t this what people do on dates?”
So he was still going on about the date thing, huh. Sanji thought he had dropped that by now since all prospects of getting booze were off the table.
“This isn’t a date, moss head, how should I know?”
That strange look came over Zoro’s face again. “I asked you on a date. So, this is a date.”
“Zoro, I don’t think you understand,” Sanji said with the air of explaining a simple concept to a three year old. “Dates are for people who like each other. We don’t like each other.”
“But I asked you on a date, didn’t I?”
“Well yes, but–” Sanji floundered around to find his words. “But you didn’t mean it that way.”
Zoro stayed silent, gazing at him. “You have nice eyes.”
“Zoro, I still don’t see what you're trying to–”
“I’ve noticed it before, while we fight.” Zoro interrupted. “They get all intense. Makes you look good. Like you’re about to kill someone.”
Sanji was sure his cheeks were burning. What the fuck was this guy saying? He was seriously asking for a fight right now.
Zoro looked him up and down, gaze lingering on his face. “Your legs too. They’re nice. Powerful.”
Sanji glared at him fiercely. This fucker was playing with him! “I’ll show you just how powerful they are if you don’t shut up.”
Zoro's face slipped into a smug smirk, which only further riled up Sanji’s temper. “Don’t even get me started on your a–” He was cut short as Sanji’s leg swung up to hit him over the head.
“I warned you, didn’t I?” Sanji stood over Zoro, empty food platter knocked over in the sand. “I’ll show you just how powerful these legs are.”
Zoro grinned up at him, slowly standing. “I can’t wait.”
They both sprung up in action, blade clashing against the sole of Sanji’s foot. They pushed against each other, equal in strength. Sanji aimed a kick at Zoro’s side and was deflected by the flash of another blade.
“That look,” Zoro growled out quietly. “That’s what I meant.” He was staring intently into Sanji’s eyes, and Sanji saw himself mirrored in the black pupils.
Sanji furrowed his brow, pushing harder against the blade. “I told you to drop it,” he grunted out, slightly strained. They pushed a second longer before both of them sprung back, chests rising and falling in tandem as they caught their breath.
“Not how I expected this night to go,” Zoro remarked with a small smile.
“Yeah? Seems pretty standard for us.”
Zoro hummed as they slowly traced a circle through the sand with their footsteps. “Maybe I wanted tonight to be different. Too bad someone didn’t want to play along.”
Sanji gritted his teeth, darting forward to knock a blow at Zoro’s head, which was blocked by the blunt end of his sword. “So it’s still all my fault isn't it? Why don't you tell me what the hell you're playing at instead of dragging me out to fight onto a beach?”
“I didn't drag you out to fight, asshole, you kicked first. We weren't supposed to fight on our date.” Zoro sent a flying slash at him which Sanji deftly avoided.
“I already told you, this isn’t a date,” Sanji answered exasperatedly.
Zoro looked at him, frown replacing the eager expression of a fight. The moonlight hit his face in a way that made it seem like it was carved out of marble. “Who are you to tell me what I meant?” He regarded Sanji a second longer before turning away from the ocean. “Whatever, meet me at the ship.” Trudging past him, he headed up the path, muttering something as he went.
Sanji stared after him, tempted to follow behind to stop him but deciding against it. “Fine.” He watched Zoro’s retreating back, face turning into a frown. What the fuck was his deal? He asks him on a “date”, acts all weird the entire night, and then leaves? And it was his fault? He kicked at the sand in frustration. Sitting down on the rock, he leaned his head on his elbow as he looked out towards the sea. Why did he even ask him on a date anyway? That one question continued to float around in Sanji’s mind, unanswered by Zoro’s stubborn responses. Why not just ask him to dinner? He frowned, rubbing his temples as he felt a headache coming. Damn moss head and his stupid antics.
The moon was brighter now as the sky had darkened to black, and the chill air from the ocean sent shivers through Sanji’s body. He pushed his stiff muscles to stand, brushing off the sand that had accumulated on his legs. Slowly making his way back up to the restaurant, the cool night had stilled, and only a few drunkards were weaving about lazily. Everyone on the Sunny would probably be asleep. There was no need for a night watch since Zoro slept in the crows nest most days anyway, and the village held no dangers for them. He unbuttoned his suit jacket as he walked, the fabric feeling restricting after such a long day. He swung it over his shoulder, loosening his cuffs and yawning. The Sunny soon came into view, the deck dark and quiet as expected. Climbing up the rope ladder he swung up over the railing, landing softly on the grass. He should probably check up on the galley to make sure Luffy hadn’t destroyed anything important. Swinging the door open, he was relieved to find everything intact. The fridge was significantly emptier than when he had left, but that was to be expected. Lighting an oil lamp that stood on the table, he cleared away the leftover silverware that he hadn’t put away before Zoro had so rudely interrupted him. Something on the table caught his eye, and he stooped down to look at it.
It was a small paper note, with the unmistakable scribble of the swordsman’s handwriting.
Sorry.
He flipped it over, but there was nothing on the back. “Fucking moss head,” Sanji muttered.
Blowing out the lamp, he closed the door to the galley and walked over to the men’s cabin. Peeking inside, he saw only Luffy draped halfway over Usopp, and Brook and Franky snoring away softly. No green haired swordsman. He sighed, fingers working around the buttons of his shirt. Climbing into his bunk, he stared up at the ceiling, Zoro’s frowning face still swimming in his mind. Sighing, he rolled onto his side and went to sleep, hoping the birds would wake him in the morning.
***
The birds did not wake him, Luffy did.
“Sanji! I’m hungry!”
He felt the sleeve of his shirt being pulled. “Sanji! Wake up!”
He opened his eyes to stare into the grinning face of his captain that was much too close for this early in the morning. “Alright, alright.”
He pushed Luffy away, yawning as he clambered out of his cot. “Is everyone else up yet?”
“Mmm nope! Just me!”
Sanji looked around at the rest of the members in the cabin. He noticed with a jolt that Zoro was there, snoring in the bunk next to him. He was shirtless, an obvious sign that he had worked out before bed. The scar that stretched grotesquely over his torso stood out in a rough ridge, the well defined muscles relaxed in the swordsman’s sleep. It was strange to see such a fearsome and battle worn body completely relaxed in the confines of a blanket.
“Sanji~” Luffy whined. “Stop looking at Zoro and make me breakfast!”
Sanji’s ears burned and he turned away from Zoro hastily. “Right, sorry.”
Preparing a sufficient meal for Luffy wasn’t difficult, since the captain preferred quantity over quality. After shoveling down two omelettes with plenty of bacon on the side, Luffy sat contently with his hand on his stomach and his plate cleaned off. “Ahh, thank you Sanji! That was great!”
The door squeaked and Sanji whipped his head around in anticipation only to find Robin walk in with an empty coffee cup.
“Good morning Robin-san!” Sanji trilled pleasantly, although he felt disappointed for some reason. “I see you have once again made yourself coffee. I’ve told you my dear, I will wake up in the middle of night if I have to just to brew you the best drink you have ever tasted.”
Robin smiled, placing the cup in the sink gently and sprouting two hands that rinsed it clean. “Thank you for the offer, cook-san, but it really doesn’t bother me. I enjoy the early hours alone.”
“As you wish, Robin-san,” Sanji brought forth a bowl of self-made yogurt topped with blueberries. “At least have this breakfast I made you.”
“I think I will, thank you.” She accepted the bowl, pulling out a chair next to Luffy and sitting down with her usual grace.
“Morning, Robin!” Luffy said to her eagerly.
“Good morning.” She took a spoonful of her breakfast, eating it with a pleased expression on your face. “It tastes wonderful, Sanji. By the way, you wouldn’t happen to know what Zoro was doing last night?”
Sanji froze, hands in the soapy bubbles of the sink. “No, why do you ask?”
“Oh, I know!” Luffy interrupted. “Zoro and Sanji went out yesterday! Zoro told me!”
Robin raised an eyebrow slightly, taking another spoonful from her bowl. “Is that so?”
“We got dinner and came back, I wouldn’t know why he’s acting weird,” Sanji hastily said.
“Weird? I never said anything about that.” Robin regarded him with a sly smile. “You think he’s acting weird? I must admit, I was curious as to why he was training till the early hours of the morning, but I see you know more about it than I do.” She licked the remains of yogurt off her spoon smugly.
Sanji sputtered, stubbornly turned away from her as he aggressively scrubbed a plate. “How should I know? I didn’t do anything!”
“I’m not accusing you,” Robin remarked.
Luffy was looking at Robin’s breakfast bowl hungrily. “Is that why you keep saying his name in your sleep?”
Sanji froze. “What?”
Luffy shoveled a spoonful of Robin’s yogurt into his mouth eagerly. “Mhm, it's super distracting when I’m trying to sleep,” he complained. “You do it whenever Zoro comes into the cabin at night.”
Robin propped her head up with her hand, pushing her bowl towards Luffy to avoid the food splatters he created. “Is that so?”
Luffy tipped the entire contents of the bowl into his mouth, managing to say a ‘fanks Wobin’ with yogurt dribbling down his chin. She smiled at him before turning back to Sanji.
“Our captain is as perceptive as ever, isn't he?”
Sanji had aggressively continued his dish washing, trying to convince himself that Luffy was crazy and that his subconscious mind would never do such a thing.
“And what does Zoro think of this?” Robin asked Luffy.
Luffy shrugged. “He just comes over to Sanji and waits for him to say something. Say something next time, Sanji, Zoro doesn't like it when you ignore him.” Luffy licked the bowl clean, springing up from his chair to carry it over to Sanji. “I’ll go wake him right now! Then you can–” Sanji wacked him over the head with the spatula he had just washed.
“Mind your business and go wake the others. It’s time we set sail for our next island.”
Luffy stuck his tongue out as he backed out of the kitchen, muttering something about Sanji being a meanie. Robin pushed her chair back with a quiet scrape, smiling at Sanji before trailing after Luffy.
Sanji looked down at his soapy hands, thinking about the words of his captain. Did he really do that? He supposed the only way to really find out was to ask Zoro about it, an option that he immediately discarded. Speaking of the devil, Sanji heard heavy footsteps approaching the galley, the rhythm of steps undoubtedly Zoro’s. He could be sneaky when he wanted to, but apparently annoying everyone on the ship with his elephant steps was more important.
The door pushed open and his green head looked in. His eyes were still half closed with sleep, and he yawned widely as he sat ungracefully in one of the kitchen chairs. “What’s for breakfast?” His voice was deeper and rougher than usual, which Sanji noticed only happened on nights where the swordsman got little sleep.
“Nothing, if you sit like a lowlife at my table.”
Zoro reluctantly swung his legs together and sat up a bit straighter, glaring at Sanji. “Happy?”
Sanji walked over to the table, sliding a plate with Zoro’s breakfast on it towards the moss head. “I don’t serve customers with an attitude.”
Zoro glowered at Sanji, crossing his arms. “You’re still serving me.”
“Would you rather starve?” Sanji sat down across from him, placing a plate of his own breakfast in front of himself.
Zoro ignored him, eating his breakfast in silence. Sanji glared at him a while longer before doing the same, ignoring the awkward tension between them. They both finished simultaneously, as if their meal had been a competition too. Sanji stood, grabbing his plate and reaching over the table to take Zoro’s too.
Zoro grabbed his wrist before he could touch it, staring up at Sanji indignantly. “I can clean up after myself.”
Sanji’s eyes flickered in annoyance. “I’m not saying you can’t.” He attempted to pull himself free, but he had to admit Zoro’s arm strength beat his own. “Let me go, asshole.”
“Are you not even going to mention last night,” Zoro asked coldly.
Sanji froze in Zoro’s grip, knowing this is what the swordsman had really been wanting to ask about all morning. “There’s nothing to mention.”
Zoro opened his mouth, then closed it again. “Fuck you.”
“Is that all you can manage to say, you neanderthal?” Sanji once again attempted to wriggle out of Zoro’s grasp. “If you want to say something, spit it out.”
Zoro looked at him for a long moment. “Last night...I wanted to do something different. For you. But you fucking–” He cut himself off, muttering a curse under his breath. “If you can’t stand me that much don't fucking talk to me, alright? Stop playing along just to get a good laugh out of the dumb fucking swordsman.” His grip on Sanji’s wrist tightened. “I’m not someone you can treat like a joke. Take me seriously next time, and stop pretending like you care when you don't.” Sanji could feel Zoro’s heartbeat through his fingertips as he stared icily at Sanji.
“I don’t know what the fuck you’re on,” Sanji growled queitly, leaning closer to Zoro over the table. “I’ve never treated you like a joke and you know that, you’re the one who thinks he can rile me up just for the fun of it. I don’t know what goes on in that empty head of yours,” Sanji jabbed a finger at Zoro’s temple, “But how about you fill that vacant space with something other than how to mess with me. I don’t need another dilemma on my hands because you’re too lazy to find someone else to play with.”
They glared at each other, the temperature in the room dropping down to an icy cold. “Fuck you,” Zoro spit. “I don’t know how I manage to-” he broke off, steely eyes looking up at Sanji’s blue ones. “To tolerate you.”
“Can’t say I do even that,” Sanji hissed. “Get the fuck out of my kitchen if you’re going to act like this.”
“I live on this ship too. I can stay wherever I want,” Zoro retorted.
“You want me to kick you out personally?”
“I’d like to see you try.” He finally let go of Sanji, who resisted the urge to rub his sore wrist.
“Do you really want me too?” Sanji grabbed a fistful of Zoro’s shirt with his freed hand, making Zoro lean across the table. “I’ll kick you flying so hard you'll end up back in the East Blue.” He leaned down to Zoro’s face until they were nose to nose. “You'll be sore for days, moss head.”
Instead of growling back at Sanji like he usually did, Sanji could see Zoro’s face flush and his chest rise and fall rapidly. They were so close he could feel Zoro’s hot breath washing over him. His eyes flickered over Sanji’s face, clouded with emotion. “Sanji..” his voice was low and quiet, almost breathless. “Fuck.”
“If you're that riled up fucking hit me, Zoro. Cause I won’t hesitate.” He let go of Zoro’s shirt, swinging a leg at his head. To his surprise Zoro didn't dodge, and the leg hit him right on the mark. Zoro staggered back in surprise, reaching up with a hand to touch the blood that had begun to trickle out of the corner of his mouth.
Sanji looked at him, stunned. “Why the fuck didn’t you move?!”
Zoro looked at him blearily, blood slowly trickling down his chin and onto his shirt. “Distracted,” he managed to grunt out before staggering into a chair and collapsing onto it. It took Sanji a few seconds to pull himself together before he swung his legs over the table and to the chair Zoro was slumped in. He lifted Zoro’s head up in his hands, giving it a slap when his eyes didn't open.
“Get the fuck up moss head or I’m taking you to Chopper.” Sanji tried to hide the frantic tone to his voice as he looked at the blood coming from Zoro’s mouth. A low groan escaped Zoro’s lips, and his eyes fluttered half-open.
“Don’t need Chopper,” he mumbled. “Just you.”
“That’s it, I hit you in the head too hard.” Sanji grabbed Zoro by the waist, hoisting him up and swinging him across his shoulder. Zoro groaned, trying to mumble out a protest.
“Close your mouth or you'll get blood on my suit,” Sanji growled, kicking the door open. He staggered slightly as he went down the stairs, passing Usopp who looked at them in concern.
“He’s fine, hit him a little too hard,” Sanji explained, pulling up Zoro as he started to slip. “Breakfast is ready for the rest of the crew, they can serve themselves.”
“Are you sure you don't need–”
Sanji waved him off, continuing down the stairs and walking across the deck to Chopper’s medical office. It was still early in the morning, but Sanji knew Chopper would be awake by now. He knocked on the door, preparing himself for the berating he was about to get.
The door swung open and a sleepy looking Chopper looked up at him. All traces of weariness left him as he saw Zoro and he yelled, “Waah! Zoro! What happened?!”
Zoro lifted his head, one side of his face already started to bruise. “Nothing. I’m fine.”
Sanji grimaced, walking into Chopper’s office and throwing Zoro onto the medical cot. “We got into a fight. This dumbass didn't dodge my hit.”
Chopper looked close to tears as he rushed around the room, grabbing ointments and bandages. “I told you guys to stop fighting!”
Zoro lifted himself up on one elbow, eyes tracing Chopper’s movements. “Listen, Chopper, I’m fine. That shitty-cook can't hit that hard anyway.”
Chopper stopped in front of him, his normally cute face frowning in anger and worry. He held up his hoof. “How many fingers am I holding up?!”
Zoro looked at the hoof in confusion. “Uhh…”
“Exactly. Don’t argue with the doctor!”
Sanji snickered at Zoro’s bewildered expression as the little reindeer started to clean the blood from his face.
Chopper shot Sanji a dirty look, which shut him up promptly. “He didn't hit you anywhere else, did he?”
Zoro grabbed one of Chopper’s hooves, stopping his movements. “Chopper. I’m fine, really. Go eat your breakfast before you worry about me. I don’t want our doctor working on an empty stomach.”
“I’ll help clean him up,” Sanji offered, kneeling down next to the little doctor. “Go eat, I made you something special.”
Chopper looked indecisively between Zoro and the door, the tantalizing smell of breakfast and the chatter of the rest of the crew drifting through the doorway. “A-alright! But promise me, no more fighting!”
“Alright, alright.” Sanji ruffled Chopper’s fur, something he didn't get to do much since he was always wearing his hat. Chopper chased his hand away, pulling on his red hat and walking out the doorway reluctantly. Sanji closed the door behind him before turning to look at Zoro, who had a smirk on his face.
“Clean me up? You feeling guilty?”
“Shut the fuck up.” Sanji walked over to the cot, pulling up a chair and sitting down to look at Zoro's face. There was blood smeared on his chin that had dripped down to his neck and chest. Taking Zoro’s chin in his hands, he tilted it up. Lifting his finger, he dragged it slowly below Zoro’s lips, smearing the blood away.
“You’d get your hands bloody for me?” Zoro asked in a low voice, staring up at Sanji.
“I did this to you, didn’t I? Let me take care of you.” Sanji looked at Zoro’s blood on his hands. “To settle this disagreement.”
Zoro’s lips twitched into a smile. “Heal me, doctor.”
“I think Chopper would be quite disappointed to learn that I didn’t make use of the tools he left to clean you up.”
Zoro looked at the array of cotton swabs laid out on the table. “I’d much prefer your methods.”
“Is that so?” Sanji let go of Zoro’s chin, reaching instead for Chopper’s table. “Too bad for you then.”
Zoro opened his mouth in protest as Sanji deftly wiped the residual blood from his chin. “Sanji-” he was cut short as Sanji pressed a cotton swab onto the gash on his lip, making Zoro hiss at the stinging sensation of the ointment slathered on.
“Be a good patient and hold that for me while I clean the rest. Honestly, you’ve gotten hits worse than this. I don't know what Chopper’s so worked up about.” He quickly wiped away the blood from Zoro’s neck and collarbone. “All done, you’ve been a star patient.” He took the swab with ointment away from Zoro and threw it out. “You can go fuck off now. I meant what I said and I know you did too.” He stood, sticking his clean hand in his pocket and walking out the door, leaving a bewildered looking Zoro behind.
“Fuck yo–” the last word was cut off as he slammed the door shut behind him. He spotted Chopper coming down the stairs again, looking content after his breakfast.
“Sanji! You put rainbow sprinkles in my yogurt!” Chopper’s eyes glittered up at Sanji. “Usopp was soooo jealous!” He giggled, but then seemed to remember the situation he had left earlier. “How’s Zoro?”
“He’s fine, probably still sitting there with a dumb expression on his face. Tell him to stay out of my way for the next few hours, I’m going to town before we leave the island.”
Chopper looked at him with big, sad eyes. “Oh..alright. Please try to get along with him a bit more, he's been so unhappy these past few weeks.” He paused a bit before adding on, “He cares for you a lot. He just doesn't show it very well.”
Sanji stood for a few seconds, mulling over the doctor’s words. “I’ll try.” Walking past Chopper and hopping down the ladder leading down to the ground, he soon disappeared from sight.