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“He’s so small.” Usopp balked as there, in the middle of Merry’s deck nestled in a coil of rope passed out, was the smallest child with the largest mask anyone had seen to date. Zoro was still staring just as wide eyed after setting the boy down. He had scoured the sea when he had dove in after the chef. Sanji was their strongest swimmer, which was why when the storm continued, and there was no sign of the blond appearing anywhere after falling in, he leapt in without a second thought.
The water had been like piercing through a glacier; water thrashing and heavy against his body wanting to throw him to the deep dark depths. His heart almost stopped at the frigid shock, but he hadn’t swum in Drum’s ice for nothing. Hadn’t trained his body to withstand the forces of nature as much as it could and more to let down his crew. Zoro would not let a thing like hypothermic water stop him and so he swam. The pulse of the ocean was heavy in his ears as he kicked and dove deeper down into the darkness looking for a flash of blond or pale skin. He had to be somewhere. Sanji was not going to drown at sea over something stupid like this, and so he dove deeper until the sight of a hand caught his eye.
His lungs burned like fire in his chest as his face felt like ice and eyes stung from salt, but he reached out and snatched the cook from falling further into the void of the sea and hauled him to his chest, but instead of a long lanky body he had grabbed onto someone incredibly small with something heavy on his head wanting to drag them deeper down. This wasn’t Sanji. Zoro had no idea what a child was doing here, and a brief thought he potentially grabbed a dead body flashed in his mind, but a quick check for a pulse as they hovered in the darkness let Zoro know this person was at least alive. For now.
‘Shit,’ He thought as the need for air was beginning to overtake his ability to stay down, but he couldn’t find the cook. There wasn’t anyone else around and he strained in sight trying to find anything, anything at all, that could have been the chef. He couldn’t stay a moment longer though, not from the deep swim he had done and not with a child limp in his arms, so he gave one more look around, seeing nothing, and kicked his way back to the surface.
Zoro had barely gulped down a lungful of air when a wave crashed over his head and almost pushed him down again. He held tight to the unmoving body, getting a glimpse of metal before another surge seemed to lift them into the air and he felt his stomach drop. The waves were high, unruly and if he didn’t get this kid back on deck and get back into the water fast there was no telling if they would find Sanji at all.
“Zoro!”
The swordsman whipped his head behind him, spying the Merry tilting and jolting from the storm, before a length of rope splashed before them. He didn’t have to be told twice before he wrapped his arm around the line, shouted towards his nakama, and felt the tale-tell pull of the rope dragging him home. His stomach felt like it was still falling deep down as there was no Sanji in his arms. He would dive again. He trusted the cook not to die and he knew the bastard wouldn’t want some kid to drown instead of him. Ever the martyring bastard.
“Hurry, Luffy!” He shouted over the rain being quickly lifted into the air and hauled over the deck, rolling onto the safety of wood, child tucked into his arms before setting him down over the line that had saved them both.
“What the hell happened? Who is this?” Nami screamed at him looking for Sanji just as perplexed as he was. Zoro didn’t have an answer until Chopper pushed them aside.
“Hurry, he’s unconscious-oh my.” Chopper, with his medical bag already in hand, stopped in horror as the scene truly unfolded before them. A child with the heaviest mask upon his head collapsed on their ship.
“I don’t know. Take care of him. I’m going back down.” Zoro, already standing and moving to the railing stopped only as Robin held his arm and looked at him with a grave stare. He wouldn’t let her stop him though. Even if he and the cook bickered like children there wasn’t time to waste.
“Wait. Trust me.” She spoke only for him and there was something in her tone that made him pause. He didn’t trust her. Not completely, but his gut was telling him something and that was something he could very well listen to.
“Are you sure this is Sanji? Zoro! Did you grab him and leave Sanji-kun in the water?!” Nami moved to punch him as the sound of metal was being ripped away, Usopp already kneeling beside the kid unlocking the mask and tossing it aside, his lock picking skills actually something to brag about later.
“Oi! I didn’t! I looked everywhere and all there was was...” Zoro gestured down to the child and everyone’s attention went back to the boy. Luffy was already kneeling close to him, fingers poking the metal contraption beside them with a grave expression.
“Move, move.” Chopper hurried and as soon as metal clanged against the floor, he was set to help the child breath and there Zoro spied it. Upon the face of the unconscious boy was the distinct swirl that no one could mistake for anyone other than Sanji Black.
“What the fuck?” And Robin’s hand left his arm, and he whipped his head back over to her, but her eyes were only for the child with her ever mysterious expression back in place. He knew she knew something. There was no way she didn’t after she had stopped him, but her lips were sealed. The older woman carefully excused herself with a soft, ‘The Grand Line is a mysterious place after all,’ before leaving towards the woman’s bunk with only Zoro’s suspicious look following after her.
But his attention was ripped back as Chopper’s quick orders and voice were there trying to quickly save the boy’s life. The storm itself began to ease the moment choking was heard. The expulsion of water was as if the cause of the tapering winds and sea before they once more rested on calmer waters and coughing was the only noise for miles around.
“There, let it out.” Chopper rubbed their back as it looked like convulsions racked through the tiny frame before they too faded away leaving only heaving breaths.
“Hurts...” The tiniest of voices said. So much quieter than the coughing that had previously overtaken him, and the quiet continued as he sniffled, “Reiju...?” The boy slurred still curled upon the nest of ropes as an ever tiny hand moved to wipe at his no doubt salt-stinging eyes.
“Sanji?” Luffy implored, curious and unsure himself as the figure began to shiver from the wet clothes and air around. Zoro felt a creeping sensation of dread rearing its head as their chef looked like the size of a 5-year-old boy. It couldn’t be though, but his doubt lingered because he had seen that curl. There was no other person in the world that he knew of that had such a distinctive silly eyebrow.
The little bundle yelped before their eyes finally opened and came face to face with Luffy’s bright smile, their Captain noticing the same swirly and knew it was his nakama, but Sanji immediately screamed. The resulting shout made Luffy shout and in turn just seemed to make the child even more petrified, resulting in terrified tears. The resounding chaos was only paused when Sanji turned around, slipping along the wet deck trying to get up and run but spied the rest of the Strawhats and seemed terrified in place.
“Sanji-kun? Is that really you?”
Sanji could only whimper as figures he didn’t know all towered over him and the bright sunshine cast them in shadows. All he saw were figures so much taller than him, and he scrambled back before slipping on the wet deck again and collapsing back into the heap on the ground. No one had ever seen Sanji be anything but graceful until now, but there, before them all was only a clumsy toddler.
“O-oi, Sanji?” Usopp stepped closer, kneeling down towards the kid who only scooted away in fear. It was then that everyone really took in his features. Body frail and covered in wet bandages and clothes reminiscent of a prisoner. Blood trickled down from a cut alongside his head and bruises peeked out taunting the crew; however, the striking and most notable horror was the large iron mask that was lying next to him they all had seen securely around his head. Only two bright, fearful eyes would have been visible and the quickly growing silence along the Merry was becoming heavy. There, truly before them, really was Sanji. That distinctive curly eyebrow proudly on display. His eyes were so bright and blue, and while his hair was matted and caked in grease it was most definitely blond. He looked a right mess, but that was their Sanji.
“How do you know my name?” Sanji asked shakily, arm up as if ready to defend himself from a blow. He was looking around again but as they all shifted the sun finally graced his eyes and he sucked in a pained breath and quickly covered his head against the wood of the deck. Chopper squeaked in shock and rushed to go check on him in panic, but Usopp held the reindeer at bay.
“Hold on, Chopper.” Usopp seemed the calmest out of everyone at that moment. The daunting realization that this child before them needed help. “Hey, we aren’t going to hurt ya. We’re friends.” Usopp, proud but cowardly and with lies that dripped from his mouth, held the softest tone towards their little chef.
That seemed to stir the boy to peek back over at them, still wary but at least he was looking at Usopp now. “Friends?” The question was innocent but laced in doubt. Sanji didn’t have friends. Sanji knew, with more tears mixing along the salt along his cheeks, that that could be nothing more than a lie. How ironic the biggest liar on the sea was telling the truth to the most doubtful of children.
“Yeah, friends. You’re nakama so we’d never hurt you.'' Usopp kept sitting down in front of the child as everyone watched on. Sanji looked curious then, eyes still darting about before ducking back down from the light but he would peek at Usopp. As if waiting for him to be snatched away, but the longer they all stayed at bay, the more curiosity seemed to be taking hold.
“Nakama?” The tension in everyone was still there while Sanji seemed to only speak in one-word sentences. They didn’t know who this ‘Reiju’ was, but at least he seemed to be coherent and willing to listen. Zoro stood back, watching the scene with a stony expression.
“Hmm,” Usopp tapped his chin looking as if he was thinking long and hard about the question, “Nakama is,” Usopp snapped his fingers before leaning in as if telling Sanji a secret. It perked up the boy up more as Usopp cupped his hands close, “Nakama is friends but stronger than anything in the world. Even stronger than the Red Line itself.”
“Wow, really?” Sanji finally sat up a little more.
“I’d never lie about nakama.” Usopp nodded, puffing his chest out. “You have my word as the brave Captain Usopp!” The declaration brought a tiny smile upon the boy’s face. That seemed to bring a bit of bravery to him and carefully, with his hands covering his forehead, Sanji sat fully up and really looked around. “Where am I?”
“Don’t you remember?” Nami carefully questioned, but at Sanji’s head shake she frowned. He seemed to frown more at her own look and scooted back closer to the railing of the ship. “We’re on the Going Merry.” She prompted, but the name meant nothing to him.
It was then that Sanji looked around. The bright stretch of ocean, as far as the eye could see, and the homely ship covered in a myriad of patchwork fixes. This wasn’t his dungeon. This was far away from the darkness and solitude of Germa’s network of prisons nor was it on the back of the giant snails that kept the traveling kingdom afloat. This place was well loved and bright and sunny, but he still had no recollection of how he arrived.
I’m Luffy!” The rubber teen bounced over, sandals slapping along the deck in front of Sanji. The boy squeaked pressing his back against one of the groaning pieces of wood holding up the once pristine white rails. “And I’m gonna be King of the Pirates!” Luffy declared, always ready to shout out his dream to anyone and everyone around.
“Pirates!?” That shock was back, fright racing through Sanji’s veins like a switch. The boy looked in horror before moving to run, to where he didn’t care, but his spooked frame pushed back too far. Bare feet splashed through a puddle, shoving his body backward further and Zoro watched, the swordsman’s eyes widened as if in almost in slow motion Sanji yelp and tumbled through the holes along the sides of their beloved Merry and plummeted back down into the ocean.
“Shit!” Zoro swore already dashing quickly and without hesitation dove straight in after the boy once more. Again the cold found its fingers along his body, but Zoro didn’t feel it this time as the scrambling limbs of their chef flailed in the water unable to swim. With an outstretched hand, calloused tenderness met a desperate hold, and Sanji quickly was hauled back up to breathe.
Zoro, easily able to tread water, held the boy in his arm while keeping them afloat. “The hell are you thinking, Curly?” Zoro asked as he let the boy cling to his neck, coughing again. There was a scramble above them, Nami already throwing them the rope ladder before Zoro paused. His hand upon the rung as Sanji clutched at his shirt shaking like a leaf.
“You-Are you going to eat me?”
“Why the hell would you think we’re going to eat you?” Zoro balked, never having heard that before. Sanji squirmed in his arm, face red as tiny fists pulled at his shirt and he waited for the answer.
“Niji says pirates eat scaredy crybabies that’s why...” The admission was soft but sincere. He truly believed he would get eaten from a childish lie, and Zoro sighed shaking his head. This may have been one of the most strange questions he had ever been asked.
“I don’t know who this Niji is, but they are idiots.” Zoro nodded, face serious. Sanji blinked, searching for a lie with wide open eyes, but Zoro didn’t lie. “Pirates don’t eat people. That’s dumb. Whoever said that is a moron.”
Zoro hardly expected the smile in return, but it was there. Bright, hopeful, and everything that Sanji was and Zoro hardly knew what to do, and so he turned; climbing up the ladder back to their friends with Sanji wrapped around his neck with a look of real relief finally on his face.
“M’Sanji,” He said, holding on tight to his savior, “What’s your name?” Sanji asked and Zoro snorted as he reached the last rung and hauled them back over onto the deck for the second time.
“Zoro.” The swordsman smirked. “But I already knew yer name, Curly.” Zoro teased. He couldn’t help it. No matter how Sanji looked or was, it couldn’t be helped to reach up and poke that swirly eyebrow eliciting a gasp of shock. It was too fun, too instinctive to rile the chef up, even as tiny as he was.
“Curly?” Sanji sat back, jaw falling open as he looked at Zoro’s teasing face. The boy quickly pouted, cheeks puffing out making the man snort. Sanji was hardly intimidating with his little hands upon his waist sitting up in Zoro’s arms. “That’s not very nice.”
“Oh? What ch’ya gonna do ‘bout it?” Zoro stuck his tongue out while hefting Sanji higher on his hip. Sanji glared, eyes squinting as he looked over with puffy cheeks before reaching up and ruffling Zoro’s own sea-soaked hair.
“Do you gots algae for your hair?”
And that, out of everything, made the entire gaggle of Strawhat pirates howl with laughter. Especially Zoro's own jaw dropped expression, but as Sanji covered his own mouth to giggle in time Zoro could concede this as Sanji’s win. Just this once.
“C’mon, why don’t we step into the galley. I’m sure we can explain everything to you in there and it won’t be so hard on your eyes, okay Sanji?” Chopper suggested after they all calmed down. Luffy was still laughing before the magic words of his favorite room were called and a loud ‘Yahoo! Snacks!’ followed the slapping of sandals and Nami swiftly running after the teen.
“What’s a galley?” He asked as Zoro set him back down on the deck, this time away from the side of the ship. Sanji didn’t toddle far from his side though, hand grabbing Zoro's wet pant leg. “Where’s Reiju? And um, um,” Sanji only took a step when Zoro did, “um what’s- what’s a pirate ship doing in the North Blue? Are you all on adventures? Are you bad pirates? Have you seen the whoooole ocean?”
Sanji, Zoro quickly found out, was full of questions. Granted, he couldn’t blame him, but every step of the way Sanji wanted to know what something was before he would move even a single inch; practically standing on Zoro’s boot to even begin moving. It was as if he had never seen the outside world. It did take a bit of prompting and promising to explain everything inside, but at the swordsman's promise of something warm to drink Sanji relented in his questions to follow the strange group of pirates.
As their steps made it to the stairs, Zoro kept his eye as Sanji carefully shuffled over. His hands wringing tightly to his chest as he warily looked over the wet planks. He climbed the first few steps before the ship swayed from a wave and within a moment his body tipped backwards, and he began to fall. Sanji squeaked but before his back could hit the ground strong hands were already holding his back and neck. Sanji’s face at first scrunched up ready for pain peeked when nothing happened before blinking up with wide eyes.
“Careful, Curly.” Zoro spoke without even realizing it and lifted him up to set him on the top of the stairs with ease. Sanji clutched his shirt, still staring at Zoro in awe before the softest ‘thank you’ was barely heard and Zoro could only grunt out a reply. Zoro followed the boy, Sanji still peeking behind, as if making sure he was still following before they managed to stumble into the small galley.
“Here,” Usopp patted the ground before him. It was where most of the sniper’s experiments were concocted, but instead now he had a few towels ready to help warm the boy up. Sanji didn’t seem too keen on walking far from Zoro’s side, but with a little push and nod from his savior Sanji stepped over so he could get a little dried off. Usopp seemed to sense the hesitation and smirked up at the now awkward look as all eyes were on Zoro.
“Zoro’s all soaked too. You can dry off together. How's that sound?” Usopp winked, bringing the towels over, draping one over Zoro and Sanji’s head respectively and scurrying away with a cackle at Zoro’s grumpy glare from under the fluffy cloth.
“Where is my mask?” Sanji asked as Zoro made himself comfortable upon the floor, a towel left on his head, before bundling Sanji up; the boy was shaking like a leaf no doubt from the soaked clothes. The boy was as tense as the wood he stood upon, and Zoro knew just how frail that body was. His own arms remembering the feeling of bone and non-existent weight outside of that damned contraption were still outside. Zoro made a note to throw the damn thing back where it belonged, deep and far away from Sanji.
“There isn’t a lock in the world that can best the great Captain Usopp! I got it off in a jiff, alright?” Usopp reassured and Nami looked pale as a sheet. Zoro couldn’t blame her. He couldn’t blame anyone as they settled at the dinner table. There was something he felt was right sitting down at Sanji’s level instead of towering over the boy. He had always hated it when adults had looked down on him when he was a kid, and Sanji seemed relieved looking to and fro at everyone around scooting closer to the swordsman.
Zoro felt cold. Colder than the water still dripping from his hair and down his shoulders. Even back when he was a kid, he had been ready to fight. Swords in hand and he knew what he wanted, but this child? He couldn’t see anything of their strong, loud, and boisterous cook. It was as if this was a completely different person altogether, but those eyes and that eyebrow told him otherwise. That laugh he had gotten to hear was their Sanji’s, but still the tremble in his hands didn’t look right on him.
“I won’t get in trouble?”
“Why would you get in trouble?” Luffy asked, head tilted making his hat droop along his head.
Sanji wrung his hands before a deep voice made him look up. “You won’t get in trouble.” Zoro spoke, the man needing to speak and that seemed to calm the boy, but even so Sanji didn't seem to want to sit down, pulling the towel over his head just like Zoro, but he did turn and look around the room before always going back to the man who had saved him.
“Hey, Sanji-kun?” Nami asked, a bit of fear in her voice as those baby blues blinked over at her next. “Can you tell me what you remember last?” And she immediately felt bad as he seemed to wilt again.
“Um,” He faltered, and Zoro watched as Nami tried again before Sanji seemed to clam up completely.
“It’s okay, Cook-san. We’re just worried.” Robin’s alto spoke from beside the kitchen where Sanji should have been. Zoro didn’t want to admit he jumped, but his head whipped to the side seeing her there already preparing cups of coffee and tea, and Zoro wondered when the hell she managed to sneak in here.
“Why?”
“Because you are our friend!” Luffy exclaimed and this time Sanji jumped. Zoro himself felt a headache coming on, but surely out of everyone it would be Luffy who would make the boy come out of his shell. It was Luffy after all, and yet, the more a pit in his stomach was telling him it wouldn’t be Luffy that Snaji would be opening up to.
“O-oh, but-” Sanji started squirming, his arm coming up along his face as if hiding then back along his chest. It was all such childlike movements as he stuttered before looking to Zoro again. They stared at each other, and Sanji dropped his hands and tried to stand still while the swordsman nodded slowly as if giving permission for the boy to talk. He wasn’t, but if it got the cook to talk, he’d take it. “Why would you want to be my friend?”
“Because you’re Sanji!”
But Sanji looked lost at that. As if no one had ever just said they wanted to be by him simply because he was. It was incomprehensible, but carefully he removed the towel from around his head and really looked up at everyone. A bit of bravery, but all-consuming curiosity behind those eyes. No one could deny it now. Sanji had always had that spark of wonder and Zoro didn't want to admit it, but he now could see their cook in that body completely, and he hated it. Sanji wasn’t meant to look in fear. Sanji wasn’t meant to be frightened and small and shy away like he was trying to disappear. Sanji wasn’t meant to be a lot of things this little boy was showing and yet he was.
They watched as Sanji touched his face, almost now truly realizing he was free. Little hands brushed his cheeks and pressed them together before going over chapped and broken lips. There were cuts along the sides of his head no doubt from the helmet that finally stopped bleeding before tiny fingers found his hair and pushed it away revealing both those bright star ocean eyes that were quickly watering.
“Thank you.” Sani sniffled before beginning to cry. Tiny fists rubbed at his face as he hiccupped, and Zoro winced. The tiny sobs forced their way through his mask of fortitude, but with each hitch Zoro gave in to gently rub the small back, trying to get him through both of their overwhelming emotions. It took some time, even Nami looking on with mist in her eyes, before he seemed to calm down. Still Zoro’s hand rested along the nap of a thin neck until hiccups were all that were left.
“Here,” Chopper squeaked. Sanji’s episode tapering off, giving the doctor a chance to pour him a glass of juice to bring over. The poor boy no doubt desperately needed something to drink and sugar into his body before he collapsed from stress. Sanji rubbed at his eyes again before squeaking. Chopper was waiting for the word ‘monster’ or ‘scary’ before Sanji pointed to his nose.
“Your nose is blue!” And that seemed to break the tension in the room. A snort from Usopp dominoed Luffy into laughter and a fond smile found its way to Robin and Nami’s lips. Zoro too looked away fighting a grin. It wasn’t fair how damn cute the kid was.
“Never mind that,” Chopper’s cheeks puffed in a pout reminiscent of Sanji’s own from before, “Can you drink this for me?” Ever their fussy doctor looking out for them.
“Ah!” Sanji flailed his arms making a few of the crewmembers hide a small smile. “You can talk!” Sanji leaned closer, those blue eyes wide in surprise and Zoro felt something ease in his chest. Sanji wasn’t afraid. He was, the air around him still nervous, but still it seemed to be overtaken by wonder and amazement at the thought of a talking reindeer. It seemed like earlier that was too much going on for Sanji to even notice what Chopper was, but now out of the blinding sun, Sanji could see plain as day that Chopper was definitely different.
“Chopper’s a reindeer! He’s the best doctor ever.” Luffy proclaimed with pride leaning precariously over the table to look at them both. Luffy’s smile seemed to match Sanji’s own in wonder, especially as Chopper kicked the floor ‘Totally not happy you said that!’
“A reindeer?” Sanji tip-toed over and after being prompted again to take the glass, he did, but his wonder was going over all over Chopper before almost squeaking in glee as Chopper explained what he was.
“A Devil Fruit!?” Sanji leaned in excitedly. It was like an immediate switch being flipped in the room. That miasma of caution disappeared in an instant as Sanji began bouncing on his feet. Zoro couldn’t hide his own twitching lips this time as Sanji looked like a ball of glee over just the mere mention of the damned things.
“You have a Devil Fruit? I read- And there’s this book I have- and I and I read it all, and-” The crew quickly balked before grinning as Sanji’s own excitement became infectious. It was hard to follow his train of thought. Probably so many words getting jumbled in his head and tumbling forth like a waterfall. No one could really make any sense of what he was saying except the gist of it seemed he knew what Devil Fruits were.
“A book you say?” Robin hummed in thought, setting down tea before the crew. Her own cup of coffee rested in her hands as she gracefully found her own place upon a barrel. Always to the side, just beside the crew.
“Yeah, yeah! It had them alllll listed! And-” Sanji seemed to realize he was talking loudly before covering his mouth and apologizing. That air of excitement popping like a balloon.
“There’s no need to apologize, kiddo.” Usopp reassured him, but for some reason Sanji glanced over at Zoro again, but still Zoro tilted his head and nodded before Sanji looked back to the group. Always to Zoro, and he didn’t understand why.
“How did you find Devil Fruits? Where are we? Who are you? Are we still in Germa? I’ve never seen a boat at Germa before.'' Sanji asked, questions tumbling out of him once more as if reassured and brave with Zoro’s ‘permission’ behind him. The crew laughed and tried to explain, but it was only Zoro that noticed Robin’s wide shocked expression before it was hidden and tucked away once more. They shared a look. He didn’t know what that was about, but he had a suspicion he knew it had something to do with Sanji and what he had asked.
There was finally a proper round of introductions as well as snacks passed around before the biggest remark of them all made Sanji balk and almost topple over. The boy’s comical and over the top movements become endearing and reminiscent of the older Sanji.
“The Grand Line!?”
“Yeah!”
“We aren’t in the North Blue?”
“Well, I did just say we were in the Grand Line, duh.” Luffy remarked before sticking a sandwich he had stolen from Usopp into his mouth. Nami whacked him on the back of his head making Sanji wince, but that innate curiosity was back. He was wiggling, antsy on the floor as he wrung his hands and looked ready to burst with another question.
“What is it, Curly?” Zoro asked and Sanji bounced, arms already flapping widely as the biggest hopeful grin took over.
“Have you seen the All Blue?” The question exploded out of him, the tiny chef jumping as his soaked towel fell to the floor. “It’s real! I promise. If-if you’re on the Grand Line surely you’ve seen it right?!”
“Not yet,” Luffy grinned, rubber lips stretched wide even as Sanji started to deflate, but the spark was back as Luffy said with the utmost determination, “But you’re gonna find it. I know it.”
And that was all the reassurance he needed.
-
The chaos of the galley was well and fun enough, but Chopper had quickly insisted that he wanted to do a full check-up on the little chef and the immediate freeze from the blond didn’t go unnoticed, but as pleading eyes looked towards Zoro the swordsman could only sigh and accompany the smallest crewmembers dutifully. Chopper had quickly discerned that Sanji was riddled with bruises and wounds that seemed to go back for way too long, but Sanji didn’t particularly want to reveal the details of how.
Zoro didn’t want to pry, but at the same time, he wanted names. Names to stow away for a later date and keep close- enemies closer and all- but he would respect the silence and twisting hands of reluctance to speak. A compromise of letting Chopper give him a mild painkiller for his silence was better received.
“You may get a little sleepy, Sanji, so why don’t you take a rest and we can play afterwards, okay?” Chopper suggested after finishing applying a little salve on a few of Sanji’s cuts along his head. Sanji looked to be putting on a brave face, but as his eyes watered Zoro just let his hand ruffle his hair. It was then he noticed just how greasy it was and clucked his tongue in thought. Zoro knew just how prissy the damn cook was. How he showered everyday without fail and took the utmost care of his appearance.
“What about a bath?” Zoro asked, surprising Chopper but the doctor quickly nodded with the suggestion.
“That’s a good idea. A warm bath will help with any aches and pains. Good idea, Zoro!” Chopper grinned wide and he glanced at Sanji waiting for his consent to the idea. Sanji was swinging his legs upon the cot and with a quiet nod the decision was made. “I’ll bring something to change into. I’m sure a few of my clothes will fit.” Chopper’s smile elicited another from the boy before they both hopped back to the floor.
“C’mon, Curly.” Zoro nodded and obediently the little chef followed after him. Zoro having acquired a second shadow. It felt so strange with Sanji not arguing against doing anything he suggested. He wondered just how far Sanji would blindly listen and when that shift changed to their independent and ever stubborn nakama.
A bath had indeed been a good idea. As the steam curled around them Sanji seemed to melt into the warmth as the door shut behind them and the chilly air was sealed away for the moment despite goosebumps still littering his frame.
“Alright. Let’s get cleaned. M’dying for a nap and I’m sure your precious Nami will be happy that you’ll be all squeaky clean afterwards.” Zoro shucked his shirt off as boots were kicked to the corner. Zoro hadn’t heard a response as he continued on towards the shower as a towel replaced his pants. He was about to sit and get cleaned when he looked back spying Sanji still at the door clutching his towel to his chest. “You comin’ or are ya just gonna stand there, Cook?”
“Cook?” Sanji perked from his musings and inspection of the cozy bathroom. It was small, smaller than any he had ever seen, but it was warm inside and looked well used and loved. Sanji still kept his towel close as bare feet carefully stepped along the tiled floor.
“Well yeah,” Zoro shrugged getting the shower set up, “You’re a cook after all, so,” He gestured towards the boy, “Cook.” As if that explained everything to him. Sanji’s returned smile seemed to be enough, especially at his excited nod.
“One day I’m gonna- I’m gonna be the best cook ever.”
And Zoro didn’t want to admit it outloud, but he knew without a doubt Sanji would be.
The bath had been exactly what the kid needed. With hair finally clean and rid of tangles and looking like a fluffy duckling and skin rid of cold. Becoming wrapped up in clean clothes courtesy of Chopper he looked ready to pass out standing right where he was. Zoro watched as the kid tried to stifle a yawn as they headed towards the boy’s bunk, but it didn’t matter as Zoro cracked his own yawn and Sanji followed right behind.
“You don’t have beds?” Sanji asked as he was lifted off the ladder and brought right down upon the rug in the bunkroom. Hammocks were hung with blankets and pillows haphazardly tossed about. Sanji seemed fascinated with the hanging nets as his little feet padded right over to one and looked up. He was too short to climb in, even Chopper had trouble getting in unless he changed forms and Zoro snorted as he scooped up the wiggling boy and plopped him right into the hammock he usually slept in.
“Woah!” Sanji fell face first into the rope. The hammock swinging as he wiggled and tried to roll over. Zoro kept it steady as he had almost tipped over, but as a fluffy head righted itself up a toothy grin followed after. “It swings!” Sanji whipped his head around at the others before the thin blanket he normally slept with was tossed over his head.
“Be kinda hard to have a bunch of beds in a ship don’t ya think?” Zoro pointed out, stepping back to make sure the runt didn’t fall out again. He wasn’t lying down, but it was plain as day the boy was about ready to fall asleep.
“Oh, I guess you’re right.” Sanji peered back down, looking as if wondering just how he’d even get down later, but he seemed to panic as Zoro stepped away and went to turn down the lamp. “Wait! Where are you going?”
“Uh, the couch. The witch said there was an island close by so we might as well get some rest before Luffy no doubt drags us across it all.” Zoro shrugged moving to set his swords back down against the wall. He barely set them down when a loud thunk crashed behind him and Zoro whipped his head back seeing Sanji splayed out upon the floor. “Shit!” He cursed as he hurried over, Sanji already rubbing his head and sniffing. “Oi, what the hell?”
“You can’t- Please don’t go.” Sanji stood up, legs wobbling before he tripped back on the blanket and fell right back into Zoro’s arms. “It’ll be dark. I don’t like the dark. Please don’t leave me alone.”
“Oi, oi.” Zoro stood him back up, already seeing tears reappear. Sanji seemed like those eyes were a faucet of endless water. He never saw a kid cry more than Sanji had, and he admittedly had baby-sat quite a number of kids at the dojo. It was why he wasn’t as off put at being on babysitter duty…at least that is what he told himself. “I said I was gonna be right there.” Zoro pointed behind him at the ratty old blue couch. It had seen better days, but still was as comfortable as all get.
Sanji shuffled, hugging the thread-barren cloth looking ready to cry harder at the dimly lit room. “But if I go to sleep,” He began to confess, “What if it’s a dream? What if I dreamed this and I wake up back…back there? It’s cold. I don’t wanna wake up.” Sanji shook his head back and forth, his fringe flopping along tickling his nose before a finger poked him right on his silly little eyebrow.
“That’s stupid.” Zoro poked it again making Sanji look up fully at him. “Ya already got poked and prodded. Quit being dumb, Curlyque.” Zoro tutted and Sanji rubbed at his face. Zoro sighed, hanging his head before just giving in and scooping the kid right back up. “C’mon.” He let Sanji squirm a bit, no doubt the kid thinking he was going back to the hammocks, before Zoro flopped himself onto the couch, Sanji sitting on his chest.
Zoro recalled something he had seen before. Glimpses of wide eyes and arms hugging themselves. How Sanji would dart out to the deck. How he never lingered in the shadows for too long. Always puffing on those damn cigarettes like a chimney if they went too deep into the darkness. He supposed that fear never really went away, only more carefully masked and dealt with.
Zoro let out a deep breath, his chest sinking down with the air leaving his lungs. Sanji felt so light upon him and he didn’t really want to think about why. He was too tired to think about that. The whys and the reasons, so he didn’t. Just taking his hand and pulling the kid down to lay on his chest. Zoro didn’t say anything, just draping the blanket over the small body and ruffling feather soft hair.
Zoro barely had to wait before tension steeped deep into the frame nested on him seeped away. His heartbeat thundering softly in a lazy pattern soothing the kid to relax further before a small snuffle was heard. Zoro knew the moment Sanji passed out. He could always tell when Sanji was truly asleep.
With a hand upon a small back, Zoro sighed one last time and shut his eyes. He didn’t want to think. This was too much to see. Too much was being revealed without Sanji’s consent. He was getting a front row seat to memories long locked away, and so many were, wrong, wrong. And so Zoro shut his eyes and soon the room was filled with snoring to shut away so many demons.
-
Nami had been right, per usual, that they were close to an island. Sanji hadn’t left Zoro’s side much- at all- since the whole incident began, and the rest of the crew was finding it hilarious. Zoro wanted to be annoyed and grumpy about the teasing, and he was to a degree, Usopp was definitely going to be thrown into the sea when he got the chance, but he couldn’t be upset. Anytime he was ready to feel exasperated Sanji would smile that ‘All Blue’ smile and he was right back to square one. It wasn’t fair. Sanji wasn’t playing fair, but, once more, he couldn’t blame the kid. He was too damn adorable for his own good.
“-And then they’ll go like this,” Sanji opened his mouth wide and chopped down on a piece of beef jerky they were having for a snack, and tossed his head back and forth. Zoro snorted as he continued to do his push-ups in front of the growling blond.
“Really now? Sharks growl?” Zoro asked, peeking up as Sanji tumbled to his side to watch Zoro working out.
“No...But I bet there is one that does! There’s lots of fish, and I bet there is one that growls and has a scowly face just like you.” Sanji teased before squealing loudly as Zoro got to his knees and reached to snatch the kid from his seat. Sanji wasn’t very fast and Zoro easily grabbed him by the waist hauling the boy upside down.
“You little,” Zoro easily was able to manhandle the boy, “C’mere.” He growled and an ensuing one-sided wrestling match started up. Sanji’s laughter and little screams could be heard all across the Merry, and not a single person minded.
“It seems Swordsman-san is quite adept at raising children. Who knew.” Robin’s eyes crinkled just as Zoro swung the boy about before bringing him back close. The giggle it elicited was sickeningly adorable.
“He’s really good with Chopper, but it’s so strange because it’s Sanji-kun. Look at them.” Nami pointed just as Sanji managed to ‘escape’ and run around and jumped on Zoro’s back. Luffy quickly heard the commotion and wanted to join in as well. It was chaos per usual, but the call for land quickly over casted the fun.
“An island? Where? I wanna see! Can I see? Please?” Sanji, panting for breath hanging off of Zoro’s shoulders and Zoro was already weak to Chopper asking for things so there was no way he was going to be able to tell Sanji, Sanji of all people, no. Truth be told he already had a tough time telling the cook ‘no’ when he was an adult. He would fight, argue, and not-pout-pout about it, but he eventually did what Sanji asked, but as a child? He was hopeless.
“Sure, Curly.” Zoro stood up, the blond like a tiny leech along his shoulders he barely could feel.
The island was small and a gust of cool wind bit at all their noses. It didn’t bother Zoro, his body like a furnace, especially after a work-out, but Sanji seemed to cling to him a bit more as the wind carried a few flakes of snow. Zoro’s eyes scanned the horizon for the port before yelping as tiny hands, cold as ice, touched the sides of his neck.
“Sorry,” Sanji mumbled in his hair, the kid always quick to apologize. Their Sanji never apologized for shit, but the word dripped from this version’s mouth like water from a leaky tap. Zoro sighed, his chest letting out a patient breath before shrugging casually.
“S’fine. C’mon. Your hands feel like popsicles.” Zoro, not seeing where’d they dock, not like he would really know, moved to try and locate (steal) one of Usopp’s scarves. He doubted they had gloves the size of pea pods, but he’d figure something out. If not him, Nami would.
“What’s a popsicle?” Sanji poked his head around to gaze at Zoro’s face before those curious eyes widened again and the excited, ‘Woah!’ almost had the boy toppling over Zoro’s shoulder. He quickly was caught, as he always was, looking out in excitement at the growing expanse of land covered in an array of trees as large as mountains and colors of reds, yellows, oranges, and browns blossomed into view. Pillars of smoke from the village no doubt tucked away barely dotted the skyline, and a quaint arching sign welcoming visitors down a well beaten path was decorated in gilded leaves and striking a bolt of lightning right in the center.
As the Merry bopped along the welcoming coast the Strawhats quickly disembarked it was Robin that saddled up next to Zoro, who was trying to zip up the tiny jacket Chopper somehow procured on the excited child. Why Chopper, of all people, needed a jacket no one knew why, but it was a relief nonetheless.
“Swordsman-san?” She smiled as he adjusted the scarf next, Sanji not really helping as he wiggled about, but it was too cute not to watch.
“Hm?” He grunted, eyeing her carefully before finishing up and watching as Sanji attempted to toddle about with his shaky legs. Being on a ship with sea legs certainly took some getting used to once they hit land. It was amusing to watch because Zoro had seen the same issue Sanji had as an adult a few times. Always waiting on the dock to get his bearings before strutting along like a peacock as if he hadn’t almost tipped to the side secretly. It always made him snort just like now.
“I have some news that I think you would like to know.” At his silence she waited until he stood to look at her fully. “About our little chef and how to fix him.”
It was then that Zoro turned serious. His hand resting along his swords as a single eyebrow raised. “Oh?”
Robin hummed and motioned towards the sign behind them. The lightning bolt still upon the center of it. “Fate has a funny way of changing before us. I advise you to go to the top of the hill behind the village.”
“Oh? And what am I supposed to look for?” Zoro narrowed his eyes at her but Robin just turned to catch Sanji jumping into a pile of leaves alongside Luffy.
“You’ll know.”
“Damn woman.” Zoro grumbled as she walked away only to kneel down as Sanji ran right up to her and offered her a lovely red maple leaf. Her smile seemed warmer in that moment as she took the offering. Zoro clucked his tongue and hated the sense of jealousy that he shoved down. He’d go to the damn hill. It was for the best if it would get their cook back and he ignored vehemently how his heart ached at the thought.
-
For once Zoro didn’t have an adventure or a single mishap on the way to the sight Robin had pointed out. Nothing surprising nor dangerous finding their trek, and Zoro was disappointed. Normally there would be some sort of mishap, it was the Strawhat way, but it was as if fate was telling him he had little time left and taunting him for what was to come. Sanji though made the short journey more relaxing despite his nerves and strange desire to keep him the way he was. Sanji was happy. Openly and without a single hesitation, Happy. Not like how he would normally hide behind a statue of ‘suave’ and built up walls. This boy was so open that it was scary even to him. He wished some of those walls would come down to his Sanji, but he perhaps knew why they wouldn’t. Couldn’t. It was a strange feeling and made his brow furrow in thought.
As they walked Zoro didn’t even get lost. His feet did stray along the edges of the path, it couldn’t be helped, but his eyes were trained on the bouncing blond who would run ahead and hop in leaf piles and then run back showing him acorns and bits and bobbles he had found. It was like instinct to follow him, always a step behind just like when he pulled the cart of supplies in a market or beside just like when they’d meander towards a tavern or simply to explore for the sake of it. Sanji had always been fascinated with the land just as this tiny version of him was. Sanji was from the sea after all so trees, mountains, dirt, and grass were a mystery just like the ocean was for him. Opposites in everything but always in step no matter what.
“Zoro! Zoro!” Sanji yelled running back to him with a leaf as big as his head and red as his cheeks from running amok in the cool fall air. “Look! It’s so big!”
“I’ve seen bigger.” Zoro boasted, watching as Sanji’s eyes widened to saucers.
“What! Really? No way. This is the biggest leaf ever!” Sanji nodded, holding it above his head now.
“Tch,” Zoro smirked as their footfalls switched from a well trekked dirt path to stone with scattered leaves abundant about the circular platform, “Skypeia had way bigger leaves. Larger than even the Merry.” Zoro bragged and he couldn’t stop laughing as Sanji looked like he was about to lose his mind at the mere thought.
“Where’s that? I wanna see that!” Sanji jumped.
“You’ve already gone there. The island in the sky.”
It was then the table with a single jar came into view. The crackle of electricity was familiar and potent contained in that little canister, but Zoro had never seen such a blue hue of lightning before. It looked as bright as the eyes of a certain child and just as wild.
“What is that?” Sanji asked, clambering up trying to see the bottle before being lifted easily up and set down upon the stone. Curiosity poured out of the boy as he leaned close to the jar.
“Apparently exactly what we’re looking for.” Zoro rubbed the back of his neck staring at the strange bottle. He wasn’t sure how such a thing could help them, but Robin had told him that this was the key. That their cook’s fate would lay inside such a tiny bottle. He wasn’t sure how or what he was supposed to do now. All he had been told was this was the key and he’d know what to do. Doubtful, but Sanji looked to him for direction and explanation and he truly felt lost in that moment.
“Is this the thing Miss Robin was talking about? To make me all better?” Sanji, ever perspective, called him out. Even as a child the boy was smart as a whip and telling him what was what. It made him miss the Curly haired bastard’s quibs and taunts even more.
“Yeah. Apparently.”
“Do…Do you like me better the other way?” Sanji asked fingers fiddling with the leaf he had collected. His eyes looked scared as if ready for rejection. Zoro sighed. He had no idea how to even begin answering that. He could admit in his mind he missed his friend. Sanji got him. They got each other. They bickered and fought but had talks and shared dreams too.
But this Sanji? He was delicate and made his instincts want to step in and protect him. It was something endearing being the one to take care of the person that took care of them all. That smile rivaled even Luffy’s own and while his older version had that same joyous grin this little boy gave it out so much more freely. Like a little beacon given only to them all- like the most precious of all treasures. But as selfish as they all were they wanted and needed their cook back. Knew they couldn’t take away Sanji’s choice and desire for freedom as an adult too.
“You’re the Cook either way, chibi Curly.” Zoro could only say. It wasn’t about which one he liked ‘better’ after all. Sanji seemed to regard him quietly before turning back to the strange bottle. He heard a tiny ‘okay,’ before the boy was already shaking the bottle. They looked it over this way and that, but it seemed Sanji knew what he had to do. With eyes shut tight, Sanji hugged it close to his chest and let out a sad sigh.
“Thank you for being my friend.” Sanji said, peeking up at Zoro one last time before the bottle popped and that same sound of thunder rolled through them both. It was bright and Zoro had to shield his eyes from the scene. When the crackle and thunder rolled away Zoro dared peek. There, before him once more, was their cook. Sanji, laying upon the large stone, was back to normal. His hand was crushing the red leaf, now just a mere crumble of nature as compared to before, as his chest rose and fell in quick spurts.
“Curly?”
“Fucking hell,” Sanji groaned, “I’m so tired of being struck by lightning. Shit.”
That was their cook. There was no one else it could be with that foul mouth and grumbling priss. “Well, then stop being an idiot who does.” Zoro huffed, arms crossed, masking his instability at seeing those eyes turn to him again. Narrowed and annoyed instead of open and happy. The shift made him feel off balance but with a shake of his head and feet clipping onto the ground it was something he would just have to shake off. It was the Grand Line after all; adaptation was a necessity. But it still was something Zoro would have to meditate through. Too many emotions and not enough words to put together what had happened and what he should say.
“I sure as shit didn’t plan on it, Marimo.”
But the bickering pulled at the corner of his lips. Zoro had missed the smart mouth before him. Sharp tongue like the spices he used in his cooking…which admittedly he had really missed too. “Coulda fooled me.”
Sanji just flipped him off and he couldn’t stop the snort. Zoro rolled his eyes and nodded back down towards the village where no doubt Luffy would demand dinner and Sanji would fawn over the girls with an extra pep in his step to make up for lost time. Back to the way things were where no more pitter patter of feet would be heard. Zoro turned before the familiar scent of smoke tickled his nose and he let out a satisfying sigh not having realized he missed the smell as well. That was the scent of home if he ever knew it.
Their walk back was met with silence. Zoro was curious if Sanji remembered but didn’t want to ask. Not sure if he would be disappointed or embarrassed with whatever answer Sanji would give. His arms rested on his swords, missing the way a tiny body would sit upon them and he shook his head. It was not good to dwell on such thoughts.
“I remember…” Sanji said after pulling Zoro away for the umtenth time away from straying off the path. Zoro felt the hairs on the back of his neck prick. Waiting for the inevitable mocking to start. He was ready with a comeback just in case before Sanji snorted and glanced at him from the side. “Don’t expect me to get sappy on your ass,” Sanji puffed blowing a ring of smoke to the sky, “But I suppose,” Sanji clucked his tongue; there was a beat of silence where Zoro looked over waiting for whatever the bastard was about to say, “I suppose I owe you a thanks.”
Zoro hadn’t expected that before a thin finger was pointing at his face so close that his eyes crossed. “Oi, the hell?”
“Don’t let it go to your head though!” Sanji warned, “And I don’t wanna hear a peep about it. Fucking embarresing is what that was. Ugh, Can’t believe you all had to see that.” Sanji grimaced while grabbing another cigarette; probably to make up for lost time there as well.
“I dunno,” Zoro hummed after a moment, “Reminded me of a cute duckling.” Zoro quickly moved his sword up as the kick he expected came at his face. This he had craved too. The rush of danger as the chef launched at him with furious kicks and an itch to fight back. Their scuffle lasted almost the entire way down the hill, the warm scent of home cooking and civilization wafting over them giving Sanji pause. Zoro too sheathed his weapons, figuring it was high time to find a bar. No longer on babysitting duty as it was.
“C’mon, Mossy,” Sanji tugged at his sleeve dragging him away from the path towards the forest, again, and down into the path towards a small outdoor market. The chef was already ready to get back to work and dive into what he was always meant to do.
“Oi, lemme go. I’m done having to watch over your ass aren’t I?” He grumbled but let those fingers run down his arm and tugged at him by a pinky curling along his own.
“Shut up. I’ll get you some mulled wine if you behave. It’s my turn to babysit your ass now.” Sanji winked and Zoro could only sputter and glare, but still he didn’t let go.
“What the hell?!” Zoro moved ready to argue as Sanji reached up with his free hand to poke that furrowed forehead, the wrinkle upon Zoro’s brow barely retreating while Sanji then moved to poke his nose.
“I mean it’s always been my job to watch after the lost moss.” Sanji teased. Zoro grumbled but followed along, a promised drink good enough for him. Zoro sighed as Sanji dragged him away and as he looked back, those bright star ocean eyes crinkled just as they had before. “Guess you just got a turn is all. Sappy ass plant.”
‘Fuck’ Zoro thought as his hand was pulled down into the crowd. It wasn’t just a tiny child that had him wrapped around a finger, and as he looked at their still linked ones he had to wonder what the meant for later.
And what was a swordsman to do but follow along? That smile was damning, and it seemed whatever they went through calmed just a bit of that rage Sanji had. A bit of that bitterness and calloused distrust. Zoro had wished, perhaps just a little, to get a chance to see that smile a tiny more often. Zoro doubted just a day with him could cure whatever issues and anxieties the kid had had, but whatever it was, he was pleased to get tugged along with the firecracker in front of him. Maybe he hadn’t fixed anything at all. Zoro doubted he was capable of anything of the sort, but a little trust went a long way. And as Sanji turned and handed him a hot cup of ale and shoved a piece of fresh bread into his mouth maybe it was just reassurance to whatever frazzled demons that lived in that blond head just between them.
“C’mon Zoro! Let’s explore!”