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The swordsman didn’t usually find himself engaging in many different hobbies aboard the Sunny. He stuck to his usual train, booze, and sleep. Curiosity never enraptured him the way it did other Strawhats. Zoro never felt the need to ask about Robin’s history books, Franky’s tools, or even Brook’s instruments.
So that’s why the feeling he got when he first ventured into the galley on a perfectly sunny day, a day perfect enough for a nice nap on the thousand sunny’s lawn, was a strange feeling. He didn’t have a problem attributing it to curiosity.
The scent of fried fish and rice helped a bit.
But it was just that. The scent emanating from the galley and the curiosity of it all. The presence of the blonde cook could be damned, it was his amazing food that somehow managed to move Zoro from his perfect napping spot.
Though that was a week ago now, and it had become a routine for him, today the scent was sweet. Zoro knew the cook didn’t appreciate his presence in the kitchen, his safe space, but Zoro felt so at peace at the counter. He pushed the door open and stumbled onto the stool next to the kitchen counter. For a while Zoro just sat there, the cooks back facing him as vegetables were chopped. Each sound and scent was wafting towards him in a dreamy pace. The swordsman was slowly tranced into sleep, the sound of hands chopping away at a cutting board in front of him resonating through his brain. Zoro pondered on the effort it might take to warm his chest up like this. The scent seemed to dull. His breathing evened.
Sanji had noticed Zoro enter the kitchen a while ago, keeping himself busy and ignoring the swordsman. Sanji had a hard time interacting with the man when they weren’t fighting. It wasn’t because Sanji actually hated Zoro though. Rivalry would be much closer to an accurate relationship descriptor for the two men.
That was all. Simple annoyance, simple fights, it was all so easy with Zoro.
After many moments of silence, Sanji getting deeper into his zone and into his thoughts, he sighs. Still just a bit distracted by the presence of another person.
Sanji wasn’t being himself, letting Zoro invade his workspace. And yet he was being completely himself, because he had a soft spot just for the swordsman.
Sanji looked at the way Zoros arms were crossed onto the counter, he scoffed. His heart softening at his gentle breathing.
“Oi, lazy moss,” the blonde chef grumbles. Sanji brings his hand down onto Zoro’s shoulder, shaking him.
The man only barely shuffles, bringing his own face deeper into the crook of his arms. Like a child.
“You overgrown plant…” Sanji sighs and grabs the stool across the counter, resting his head in one of his hands, his eyes positioned on the crown of Zoros head. The green strands taunting him.
The vegetables had all been chopped up and ready to join the oil and paste he’d made earlier in the wok, squid nice and white. The honey walnut glaze he made for the side of shrimp ready, batter for it also waiting to be dipped and fried. His noodles for the stir fry beginning a simmer on the stove, not quite at a boil just yet. The smell of all the ingredients mingled, Sanji couldn’t blame Zoro for loving the atmosphere in here, he loved it too.
Relaxing into his hand, Sanji sighed again, louder. He was hoping zoro would hear and understand moss isn’t welcome.
When the food was ready he could come back and enjoy the scent and taste to its fullest.
Just a week ago, Zoro had started moving his afternoon naps from the lawn to Sanji’s own kitchen.
No explanation, no words, just loud boots opening the door and a stumble into the stool in front of Sanji’s work station. The day it happened Sanji could say he was confused more than anything else. Usually zoro would take his booze from the pantry and leave. He didn’t expect the swordsman to stick around and keep the chef company, even if it was just soft breathing under toned arms. Sanji couldn’t help but slowly become fond of Zoro’s presence day by day. He’d rather die than admit it though, so he’d still found himself kicking the man out eventually.
But he’d long accepted his fondness for the swordsman, even before he had started napping in his kitchen, keeping Sanji company without a word. And Sanji wasn’t an idiot, on the voyage away from Thriller bark he had begun to understand. Just how sick he was, falling for a sentient moss ball. A cute, strong sentient moss ball.
A grumble sounded from said moss. Sanji snapped out of his thoughts, staring at the man as his eyebrows downturned.
“Another bad dream huh?” Sanji wondered aloud. Zoro had them sometimes. The chef vaguely knew the potential contents of said dreams. A childhood friend, a dream cut short. Many things had happened since then as well. Zoro had been through a lot with them.
Sanji sighed.
Still, How Zoro managed to dream through such a short nap, he would never understand.
Said mans eye peeked out from the crook of his fore arm, staring directly at Sanji,
“Not a bad one.” He muttered.
“God! You scared the shit out of me marimo!” Sanji removed his hand from his own face and spun the stool, facing away from Zoro. He doesn’t know what his face looks like right now. Doesn’t know if he was caught admiring Zoro’s sleeping form.
“Not my fault your a scaredy cat, shit cook.” Zoro yawned as he said that, stretching his arms above his head like an overgrown green cat, “Why you sighing so much?” He continued.
“Because your still here, you idiot.” Sanji had moved around the counter and started shoving Zoro.
“You always kick me out. I’ll stay, let me nap, swirly” Zoro said, letting himself be pushed around but not actually leaving.
“…what are you gonna do for me being in here? Wait for dinner with everyone else or go get lost somewhere on the sunny, I don’t care.” Sanji spoke, actually caring a whole lot. He wanted a compliment from Zoro on this glaze. If he got lost, no matter where, Sanji would hunt Zoro to the ends of the earth to get a compliment out of him.
The chef loves praise what can he say, and today he was especially proud of the sauces and pastes he’d come up with.
“I’ll help you, cmon, love cook, teach me some things, hm?” Zoro smirked, crossing his arms and cocking his head.
Sanji flushed immediately, this was as close to flirting as he could get out of the dense first mate. And Sanji knew Zoro was only taunting him, trying to get a rile up out of him.
“…help, huh?” Sanji started, “you wanna help do you…?” He laughed a bit, imagining Zoro tossing a wok or plating salads.
Zoro shrugged. A gesture that told Sanji, he just wanted to stay in the kitchen.
“Why do you wanna stay so bad? Love me that much, Marimo-kun?” Sanji teased, expecting a punch to the arm and an annoyed expression.
So, when Zoro just shrugged again. Sanji’s mouth dropped. Huh?
Why didn’t he deny it?
The chef cleared his throat. Zoro must be tired. Or delirious, or both?
“Uh…okay yeah you can help…” Sanji whispered, wondering what he could get Zoro to do. Too flustered to kick him out anymore.
Sanji took a look at the batter he’d made earlier, a nice mix of flour, paprika, and cayenne pepper.
“Pat dry these shrimp for me, Then you are going to coat them all in this batter. I have garlic and oil on the stove and we are gonna fry it once you’ve done that. Even you can do something so simple, right?” Sanji smirked.
“Yeah even I can do that, asshole” Zoro grumbled.
Sanji laughed, “yeah, yeah. Wash your hands first, mossy”
The sound of the sink turning on, off and then approaching boots pleased Sanji. Zoro was very obedient today. He could get used to that.
Sanji put his noodles on a medium low heat, they were practically ready, just a bit longer before he could toss the entire stir fried veggies and squid together.
With washed and dried hands, Zoro patted the shrimp and started to roll them around in the batter.
“So much shrimp…” Zoro mumbled.
“This crew is a hell of a lot to feed, including you. And especially the captain“ Sanji smiled, turning away from the stove to help Zoro coat the shrimp. Sanji was excited for it to be done so he could try the honey walnut glaze out on it.
There was a comfortable silence that surrounded the two men as they set aside battered shrimp. They’d found a rhythm and worked together seamlessly.
Zoro found himself on auto pilot as he got the hang of it, enjoying his surroundings and the mundaneness of it all. The routine felt just like lifting weights. Except shrimp wasn’t as heavy.
The scent of the cook, spices, and sound of boiling noodles put Zoro at ease. The cook? Did the cook smell good too? What did he even smell like…?
That was easy now that he’d thought about it.
The love cook smelled of spices and herbs, his scent was home, coming back to the sunny after a long hard battle, taking a nap and waking up to warmth.
Zoro looked up at Sanji, his gentle expression as he walked over to start frying the shrimp in the pan.
Sanji was probably thinking about how choppers servings would all be vegetarian. Nami would want smaller portions, Franky needed chilled Cola with his food, Luffy would need the biggest serving of them all.
Sanji was kind, he wanted to do everything right by his crewmates, even Zoro. Always alcohol and a side of rice next to his dinner plate as it was set out.
“…you…” Zoro spoke softly, on autopilot, His thoughts getting the better of his mouth.
You are kind.
Zoro panicked, what is he even trying to say out loud. He didn’t want to tell the cook any of that. Any of the thoughts that were swirling around in not only his head, but his heart.
Zoro was hoping he was quiet enough where Sanji wouldn’t register the word and start a conversation. But of course, the cook always did what Zoro didn’t want him to.
Sanji tore his eyes away from the shrimp he was dropping into the pan, his eyes still gentle, the blue grey felt like it was boring into his soul.
“Yeah?” Sanji asked.
This was so weird, why were they so…calm. Why was everything so quiet. Why weren’t they beating eachother’s asses? Zoro contemplated if he should just start a fight so he didn’t have to think about his feelings.
“Uh.” Zoro dropped the last shrimp into the batter bowl. What was wrong with him, he could just tell The cook to shut up. He wiped his hands on a towel. Zoro could just leave, why couldn’t he just punch Sanji in the face? He thought about what to say to justify breaking their silence.
His brain lit up.
Zoro approached the stove, “shouldn’t we take this off the stove? I’m sure it’s done right?” Zoro reached over to the noodles.
“WAIT, Zoro!” Sanji yelled, throwing the shrimp down into the pan.
Zoros hands which were now holding onto the metal handles of the pot slowly put it back over the fire. Stepping away from it as if he hadn’t just touched hot metal.
“Sorry, you’d know better than I would.” Zoro scowled, of course the cook would yell at him, he was fucking around in the mans territory after all. No one would dare tell Zoro how to swing a sword, it was more or less the same. He wanted to leave the galley, Zoro felt like an idiot.
“…that’s still hot.” Sanji breathed out. Looking at Zoro’s face, worried.
“Are you okay, Marimo? Let me see.” Sanji wiped his hands clean onto the towel next to him, reaching out to touch Zoros hands.
“Nah, I’m fine, cook.” Zoro looked away, as Sanji took the mans hands in his own.
“Bullshit, why were you holding it for so long? You should’ve just dropped it.” Sanji sighed, Zoro’s hands reddening. He brought the man over to the sink, running cool water over his palms.
“Didnt wanna fuck up your food or the pot.” Zoro grumbled, his hands still in Sanji’s own, looking away so the chef couldn’t see his embarrassed face.
Sanji’s heart stuttered.
“Y-you’re an idiot, it wouldn’t be ruined if you just…” he trailed off. Sure, the water from the unstrained noodles might’ve splashed out onto some of the other dishes and the stove. The pot could’ve been scratched or dented. but it wouldn’t have been a big deal. Zoro doesn’t know that though. He looked at Zoro’s pout which was still visible from the side of his face.
The marimo was so damn cute. God, it wasn’t fair.
“Hey, but you were right though.” Sanji chuckled, “the noodles actually were done, next time…just turn the stove off,” he smiled pinching Zoro’s forearm teasingly.
“…next time” Zoro grumbled, turning his face back toward Sanji.
They stared at eachother for a moment, silver eye burning into the chef. Zoro’s eye softened, a fond expression overcoming his features. Sanji’s heart skipped a beat. What was Zoro thinking about?
Oh.
Next time.
Why did he say that? Fuck. Sanji opened his mouth and then closed it again. He didn’t want to insult the swordsman right now but he just couldn’t think of anything else. So he kept his mouth shut.
A beat of silence passed between them before Zoro moved his hand out from under the water, bringing it to Sanji’s face. He swiped a wet thumb on the side of Sanji’s cheek which wasn’t covered by hair. He tucked a piece of yellow hair behind the cooks ear. Almost lovingly.
His hand was wet from the cold water but still warm.
Sanji was mesmerized, that expression on the demon of the east blue? Pirate Hunter Zoro? No one would believe Sanji if he tried to tell them.
Though Sanji was certain he wanted to keep this face on Zoro to himself, if anyone else was able to see this emotion from him…Sanji is sure he would kill someone right then and there. Possessiveness creeped around in the back of his head.
“You…You’re kind.” Zoro spoke, his thumb rubbing the skin under Sanji’s eye.
Sanjis heart stopped.
“That’s…what I wanted to say earlier.” Zoro breathed out, slowly removing his hand.
The chef grabbed the hand and brought it back to his own face. Not letting him leave, not letting the moment end.
They stood like that for a few moments. Staring at eachother, without a word.
Though, the thousand sunny and the straw hat crew could never accommodate to moments of silence. That’s what they loved about the crew.
Most of the time.
In the distance, the sound of yelling broke Zoro and Sanji out of their trance.
“SANJI!!!!! Food!!!!” Luffy screamed, his voice getting closer and closer to the galley. Dinner time was closing in, after all.
Sanji gripped Zoro’s forearm, feeling a toned muscle flex under his fingers, and shoved his hand back under the cool water.
Luffy bursted in through the door, which meant the rest of the crew would soon follow.
Not on his watch.
Still flustered, Sanji still somehow managed his usual, “GET OUT OF MY KITCHEN!” Already raising his leg to kick the captain out.
“But Sanji!! Im hungry!!” Luffy whined and slouched, upset.
“Foods not ready, just wait a little longer” Sanji sighed, shoving Luffy away with his foot.
“But! What about Zoro?!” Luffy pointed at said man, obviously sensing a bias which didn’t exist.
“Stupid Swordsman injured himself! He needs the sink” Sanji huffed.
Zoro just grunted in response.
“Keep your hands under the water, Marimo. And I’ll get some petroleum jelly or ointment from Chopper later.”
“its not that bad, cook.”
Chopper popped out from behind Luffy, who still hadn’t left.
“What did you say Sanji? Is Zoro okay?” Chopper asked, hopping into his seat at the dining table as usopp and nami chattered next to him, the straw hats filed into the room.
Sanji sighed, Nami looked so perfect today, hair pulled up in a high ponytail. Robin was smiling gently as she found her seat, the shirt dress she was wearing was a magnificent blue, matching her eyes. He couldn’t kick them out. Sanji was a ladies man after all.
So instead he replied to the doctor, “The moss head burned his hand helping me”
The crew looked stunned,
“Zoro was helping you, Sanji-kun?? I thought he was just an overgrown piece of the Sunny’s lawn” Nami cackled.
Some of the crew had suddenly remembered moments where the ship was roughing its way through a stormy sea, every member running around, jobs to do, Zoro sleeping through all of it.
Zoro turned his head faster than the speed of light. He turned the water off and wiped his hands on his haramaki in the process.
“I’m helpful! You sea witch!” Zoro yelled walking over to the dining table.
Luffy hit the table laughing, usopp muffled his giggles behind his hand not wanting to feel Zoro’s wrath, brook yo-ho-ho-ing in the background.
Franky laughed, “That sounds SUUUUPER not fair, Help me out next time too, Zoro-bro!” Robin giggled softly next to him. Jimbe sharing the same expression, looking over the crew fondly.
Chopper quickly asked, “are you okay Zoro? Let me see!”
Zoro nodded, “ I barely touched it. Doesn’t even hurt anymore”
Chopper nodded slowly, taking a look anyway. “Doesn’t need any ointment, redness is going down…”
“Dartbrow over here can’t help but over react” zoro gestured to Sanji, smirking.
Sanji scowled as he tossed the squid into the stir fried vegetables and noodles, so much for that moment they shared.
Other conversations began to form between the crew as they waited for Sanji to plate the main dish. the fried shrimp that zoro and him prepared earlier and honey walnut glaze already being passed down to the table along with some other sides.
Sanji cleared his throat, “all right, foods ready.”
Courtesy of Robin, no one had to get up from the table for the food to be delivered.
Sanji approached with some of the plates before settling down and joining the meal.
Once all of the plates of fried shrimp, salad, and squid stir fry, made its way from the counters to their dining table everyone started eating. A Vegetarian version of the stir fry was also available for their small doctor. Zoro smiled softly at the thought.
Robin’s observant eyes met Sanji’s face, in the middle of many conversations, she spoke to him,
“Cook-San, why is the side of your face and hair all damp?” She smiles sweetly, knowingly.
Zoro stared between Robin and Sanji.
Sanji froze, realizing she was right, glaring at Zoro “I-I, the sink…sprayed me, when I was opening it to get Zoro’s hands under the water, my sweet Robin-Chan…haha” he managed to get out.
Zoro and Sanji looked at eachother, sanji was thankful the rest of the crew was not paying attention to that awful excuse. Nami would definitely catch something, wiggle her eyebrows at the two of them, Tease Zoro along with Usopp. Zoro clueless as ever, probably.
Sanji already knew most of the crew could tell there was something else there, even if it was just Sanji’s affections. Though, They were All too busy either giggling or being unamused at a story Usopp was telling.
As things settled down and the usual Strawhat dinner commenced It felt as if nothing had happened back there, everyone goofing off, luffy inhaling the food and asking for seconds immediately. Stories told, laughs shared.
Sanji sighed, he wondered if he would ever get to experience a nice moment like that with the swordsman again. Zoro had probably forgotten all about it.
Though, the way he looked at him earlier suggested something different.
And during the dinner every so often Sanji would catch Zoro looking at him.
Zoro would also find Sanji’s blue eyes drift toward him expectantly every few minutes.
And when he’d caught the cooks eyes for long enough, zoro held the eye contact.
He nodded at Sanji, mouthing something.
Sanjis heart warmed in his chest, reading Zoros lips.
‘Foods good, cook’
Warmth filled Sanji’s expression, a huge smile split his face. Zoro’s heart fluttered back. So pretty, he thought.
That was new. Something his heart and brain could never connect until now.
Zoro’s curiosity definitely yielded results. Learning new things was a good thing. About himself or otherwise.
He’d learned not to touch a hot pot, maybe grab some oven mitts first, let the pot cool off. Lotsa solutions. He felt brainless in hindsight.
Robin was observant, he’d already known that, but now he had things to hide. Things he’d rather not other people hear. Especially a certain cook.
And something he’d learned about himself.
The reason he had stumbled into the galley one week ago was definitely not the scent of food or even curiosity.
His eye meets the cooks once again.