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It had been just a week but Vivi's presence was greatly missed. Nami of all people was the one suffering the most.
Luckily, the days were still filled with work for the ship's Cook to do. Sanji was running up and down the Merry, tidying after the mess the other boys left behind, trying to understand the palate of the new member, a lovely archaeologist, cooking for the pit of a stomach that was his Capitan, and so on. Sanji was glad to have so much to do, to not have his mind wander over the Swordsman. He was a constant thought since Cocoyashi village.
Why? The blond didn't know, didn't want to know.
So he just kept busy. Busy, busy, busy.
So just like that Sanji was barely awake while making the inventory, his eyelids fell tired over his blue irises, his hair a mess, a hand stuck in the blond strands trying to fix it. He felt his head wobble, his hand wrote one of the letters crooked and Sanji scoffed as an answer. He yawned pretty loudly and slowly sank over the table.
Not much time passed, and Sanji heard the galley door creak open, he tried to peek through his eyelids but they were too heavy.
"Dumb Cook" was a whisper, but it was enough for Sanji to understand the company he had. Sanji felt a hand over his back, the hand was warm, so much warm he let a pleased groan escape his lips "you should stop overworking yourself" the other's voice grunted. Sanji could almost feel a giggle in his lungs, but he was so tired.
Sanji felt the hand move slowly down his back until it stopped at the fairly new scar "Mmnh" was the only thing he managed to say, the warm feeling over it was paradisiacal. In the dead silence of the galley Sanji heard the Swordsman gulp down "Cook" his tone was filled with something, something that Sanji couldn't pinpoint, or maybe he didn't want to.
Sanji felt the other hand come up, to lightly comb his hair away, leaving his face completely bare. Zoro brushed his cheek, and Sanji again melted at the warmth, at the calloused fingers ever so gentle on his face. "Let's get you to bed" the Swordsman spoke softly, and not like other times, he gently wrapped Sanji's middle with his arms and picked him up with ease, not like a sack of potatoes.
Sanji unconsciously wrapped his arms around the Swordsman's neck, and his legs around his middle. He softened against the other man and became putty over the hands that travelled from his sides to his back "God, I hope you'll forget this" Zoro whispered, starting to walk out of the galley to the boy's quarters.
Once they arrived at their destination, Zoro tried to unglue himself from the Cook's hold. But Sanji was so comfortable, the body heat was making him even more drowsy, and the Swordsman's shoulder was perfect for a nap. Mainly because he wasn't wearing a t-shirt.
"Curly, You need to change, you can't sleep in these clothes" Zoro whispered. This time Sanji managed to open his eyes, in the boy's quarters only Luffy and Chopper were sleeping, and Usopp was up in the crows' nest.
Unhappily Sanji let go, and Zoro swiftly sat him down on the blue couch, Sanji smiled at the new comfort and hummed appreciatively when Zoro made quick work of removing his shoes "Cook, I'm going to get you out of these clothes, don't you try kicking me" Zoro grunted and Sanji giggled back, too tired to really understand.
In fact, he was pliant under the Swordsman's touch as he slowly unbuttoned his shirt "You're so lucky I'm not going to bring this up when you're awake" he grunted after peeling away the Cook's shirt, Sanji laughed, or he tried to "Silly Marimo" he mumbled, fluttering his eyes open.
Sanji suddenly felt more awake, seeing the Swordsman between his legs, his warm hands trying to unbuckle his belt. He was strangely beautiful, with the moon reflected light over his tan skin "Shut up, as soon as I peel you out of these stupid jeans you're going to sleep, for at least eight hours" Zoro replied with an angry gruff, Sanji yawned again, sleepiness trying to take over and to some degree successfully "You– seem worried, Zoro " Sanji whispered, keeping his eyes on the Mosshead that stiffed at his name. His hands around his belt finally unbuckled.
"I am worried" he mumbled back "You haven't had any real sleep since Nami was sick" he added, unbuttoning his pants and slowly taking them off, Sanji smiled again, this time at the gentleness of the Swordsman's touch.
Without thinking, Sanji let his hands travel over the other's shoulders, slouching forward to get more contact with his skin, he was so much touch starved. But he was too prideful to admit it.
Zoro didn't voice his disapproval, mainly because he too yearned for that attention from the Cook. But he had more self-control.
Finally, Sanji was out of his pants, now only with his stupid heart-patterned boxers "Let's get you on the hammock" Zoro huffed, taking the blond's wrists and putting them behind his back, trying to scoop him up again, like he did previously and Sanji didn't oppose, he wrapped easily around the Swordsman's torso and hummed at the warmth. Now even better since no cloth was between their skin.
Zoro sighed and held him close, taking advantage of the situation.
He walked to the hammock, luckily the lower one was empty, he tried to put down the Cook. Sanji groaned in disapproval and wrapped tightly around the green-haired man "Curly, you have to let me go" Zoro whispered, Sanji shook his head no and sank his head in the Swordsman's neck. Zoro shivered at the feeling of the other's lips so close to his skin "Don't… wanna" Sanji answered, Zoro sighed again "what would the ladies think if you slept with me?” He would have regretted using this as an excuse, but it was the only way.
Sanji thought for a moment, in his tired state even though his thoughts were drowsy, he slightly shrugged "Don't care… you're so warm" Sanji admitted, hugging the Swordsman even more tightly. Zoro grunted in response.
With ease he climbed the hammock and laid down, rearranging the Cook over his chest. Sanji hummed happily, even in this situation that was still a victory against the Mosshead.
"You… like it too" he whispered close to his ear, and Zoro nodded, sure that the Cook would forget everything in the morning and just kick him out of his hammock.
"Of course I like it, you're so cute when you're sleepy" Zoro whispered back.
Sanji looked at him, cheek squished on his chest "I'm… never going to let you live that out…" he chuckled "You called me cute… Silly Marimo" Sanji added, Zoro wrapped his arms around him and smile fondly "Cook, go to sleep, I promise this is all a dream, tomorrow when you wake up, I'll be out of your hair and you'll hate me like you always do" the Swordsman hummed lowly.
Sanji frowned, followed by a yawn "I don't hate you… I'm just– confused" Sanji whispered back "And if this is a dream… I hope to never wake up" he added, drifting off to sleep. Zoro sighed and held him closer.
"Good night Sanji "
✽✽✽✽✽
Sanji woke up just minutes after sunrise, he felt strangely cold even if he was carefully wrapped in one of the warmer covers. He stretched his legs and arms, feeling for the first time in months really rested.
He got up, took a shower and got dressed for the day. Like the one before he was busy, busy, busy.
He went out of the boy's quarters and looked around, the familiar creak of Zoro's weights grounded him, like every morning "Moss head, want breakfast early?" He asked, feeling good, Zoro stopped his exercises and looked at the blond "Why the generosity?" He questioned while making his way to the Cook "Just feel like it, don't push your luck" he barked back with no real bite.
The two entered the galley and Zoro sat comfortably at the table, looking at the blond while he was cooking.
"Do you like staring that much?” he asked jokingly, trying to shake away the feelings of those steel eyes over his back "What if I do?” Zoro asked "I like watching people doing what they do best" he added and Sanji stopped chopping the vegetables and looked back at him, a bit speechless. But he knew that was the truth, Zoro always looked at their Nakamas while they were doing the things they loved the most. Sanji just couldn't picture it with himself.
Silence fell between the two, Sanji continued his doing, chopping vegetables with ease.
"How did you sleep?" The Swordsman asked, Sanji smiled at the memory of the night, not so sure why "I… slept truly well actually" he replied, he thought back and couldn't really remember how he got to the hammock, or how he slipped out of his clothes. Sanji stopped cooking again, turning to look at the Swordsman "I don't remember getting to bed tho" he spoke softly, Zoro almost choked on the water and looked away, searing patterns into the wooden planks "I have to go" he added before darting away.
Sanji stood there, with no real questions or answers.
✽✽✽✽✽
Time passed and Sanji got back to his incredibly busy schedule. This time, however, he spared time to look at the Swordsman. Something was different. He just couldn't understand what.
Until one night, at the end of one of the long parties that their Capitan wanted.
Sanji was tidying up bottles, empty plates and trash. For him it was routine, he liked having something to do all the time. While cleaning he kept an eye over his Nakamas, all sprawled over the fairly new grassy deck of the Sunny , with their stomachs full. Well, Nico Robin was already in the girl's quarters and Nami wasn't spread like a starfish but she was too long gone in her sleep.
Zoro yawned, the only one awake besides him. He got up and looked at his crewmates, then stomped to Nami and scooped her up in his arms. Sanji had to contain a scream, even more, when their navigator smiled happily into the embrace. A sting in his chest, but why?
"Ew Witch, don't smile, I'm just taking you to your bed" Zoro replied "I'm letting you go if you smile like that again" he added, Sanji was sure he wouldn't but he looked closely "Shut up brute, if only you bathed more you would be such a catch… Always so warm, luckily I don't like a man! Now move, take me to the girl's quarters" Nami mumbled sleepily. Sanji's eyes widened and followed the Swordsman and the navigator until they disappeared into the sleeping quarters.
Soon Zoro returned and did the same thing for the rest of the crew, all behaved differently but appreciated it nonetheless: Usopp wrongly slapped the Swordsman thinking he was getting kidnapped but smiled and hugged back at the warmth. Luffy wrapped the man head to toe with his arms and legs and smiled happily.
Chopper thanked him between yawns and it melted Sanji's heart to see the little doctor so comfortable in the Swordsman's arms.
Sanji went on cleaning, trying to sober out the thoughts of how it would feel to be held by those arms. And why did it look familiar?
Later that night, when the moon was at its peak, Sanji was startled by the entrance of the Swordsman into the galley "Cook" he said, "Still awake?" he asked, Sanji waved one of the plates he was washing in response and Zoro nodded, stomping closer and taking one of the drying cloths to help him.
The two worked in silence, shoulders almost touching, and the blond could feel the warmth emanating from the other's body, then a sudden memory fleshed across Sanji's mind. Why did he picture being held close to those shoulders?
"Oi Cook, you nearly dropped it" Zoro's voice broke the silence, one of his hands on the plate Sanji was washing the other on his hand "You should go to sleep, it was a long day," the Swordsman said taking the plate in his hands "You know I can't Marimo, I have to clean everything before breakfast," Sanji said, badly suppressing a yawn "You're such pain, nap a little on the couch at least, I'll keep cleaning the dishes so you're not behind your work" he scoffed already getting to work, Sanji was left speechless but listened to the Swordsman "You're strangely considerate Mossball- another yawn -Thank you" Sanji replied laying on the couch and closing his eyes, the sound of the plates an old and sweet melody to his ears. Perfect for lulling him into sleep.
"Curly" Sanji woke up to a whisper near his ear "Can you manage to go in the boy's quarters to sleep, I finished with the dishes and I need to go, I have watch duty" at this point it was clear to Sanji that the one speaking was Zoro. He smiled at the low timber and the warmth of the body next to his "I can take you if you can't" the Swordsman added, placing a hand on his shoulder "Mmmh- five more minutes" he mumbled getting a chuckle as a response "Curly, I can't leave you here, tomorrow you'll complain how your back hurts, and you can't possibly get a good night sleep like this" he whispered, Sanji shrugged and then yelped.
Zoro scooped him up easily, holding him just like months before. This time Sanji was more awake tho and he immediately opposed "What are you doing, you brute" he exclaimed, trying to escape the hold but everything was in vain.
"Come on, don't be difficult" Zoro grunted after dodging a palm to his face
"I'm just putting you to sleep, the others didn't throw a temper" he added, at which Sanji stalled, fluttering his eyes open and trying to understand the situation. No, he couldn't accept that, still trying to escape the Swordsman's hold, Sanji struggled with his thoughts, he was so comfortable, and he felt so stupidly safe, so he couldn't accept that.
Zoro sighed and hugged him tighter, he quickly moved his hands under his shirt and over his back, rubbing circles over the bandages the Cook still wore after his injuries in Thriller Bark. Sanji melted, not even resisting the indignation of creasing his shirt. "Mmhg" was his only reply at which he woke up from his drowsy state.
Suddenly the two men found themself in a heap, thanks to Sanji altering their centre of balance. Crushing on the ground the two waited a second before arguing, trying to understand if they woke anyone sleeping or alerted Nico Robin who had watch duty before Zoro.
"Dumbass Cook" Zoro grunted under his breath, Sanji had to take more time before speaking, looking at the position they ended up in. Zoro was sitting, his back on the wall, legs sprawled open, he was in between, almost completely squashed over the Swordsman's chest, still covered in the aftermath of his clash with Kuma "You could have hurt yourself" he barked trying to assess any damage on the Cook's hands, Sanji looked at him, eyes wide open "Why did you do that?" he asked, "Did what?" Saji groaned "Caressed me like that" his voice on the edge of anger "I do that with everyone" Zoro grunted in response "I don't think you do, or at least not like that, you wanted to touch my skin" Sanji noted.
Zoro looked away in defeat "You were sleepy and looked like you wanted comfort, I'm sorry if it was uncomfortable" the Swordsman said, his voice so much softer than before. Sanji remained silent, thinking, that feeling was too familiar, that warmth wasn't the first time it radiated on his skin "Has this already happened?" the Cook asked taking Zoro's face in his hands, the latter instantly relaxed at the contact but tried to evade the answer " Zoro " Sanji found himself saying, this time his voice softer "Yes, it did" the Swordsman answered looking away "I hoped you'd forget" he added not liking the silence "What did you- I... What happened?" Sanji asked Zoro sighed "You were sleeping in Merry's galley, I tried to wake you with no success, so I just scooped you up and went to our sleeping quarters, I- uhm... Undressed you" he paused, waiting for a kick "When I tried to put you in the hammock you didn't want to let me go" Again, silence fell between them "I'm not judging you for wanting human conta- "Don't finish" Sanji interrupted him "Fuck" he muttered under his breath.
Sanji's thoughts were a mess, he wanted to tell Zoro he didn't feel uncomfortable, in fact, he felt fantastic, but he couldn't say that. How could he? Admit to feeling alone? Admitting to being so touch starved he searched for contact in every possible way, that he tried to be subtle because he felt like he wasn't worthy. " Sanji , I can see you're frying your engines thinking" Zoro's voice was all but a whisper, a breath that carried so much more, Sanji's eyebrows wrinkled, his nose itched, and his lips folded. Just like that, he was crying "Oh god, no, please don't cry I didn't mean anything bad" Zoro's voice was a bundle of nerves now, he held the other's face in his hands and tried to wipe the tears away "Curly, I can fix this, tell me what I did wrong" he added and Sanji cried harder.
Zoro hugged him. He wrapped his arms around the trembling body " Sanji " Zoro called, Sanji melted in the embrace "W-Why do you c-care so much?" he managed to ask "Well, that's a stupid question, you're all my family" Zoro answered with ease but Sanji shook heavily his head "No, why d-do you care about me?! What's there to care about someone like me?!" he asked, his voice hoarse from the crying, Zoro took him by the shoulders and sprang him away to look at his face "Someone like you?" Zoro echoed "Yes! I'm worthless, I'm just a mere cook I- this time he was the one interrupted, one calloused hand over his lips "I won't let you talk shit about the man I love, even if it's yourself" Zoro spoke quietly, but his tone was serious.
Sanji looked distraught, to say the least, he moved the hand from his mouth and tried to articulate something "You love... me?" he asked his tears slowed, Zoro looked away for a split second and then back, he wasn't going to deny his feelings "I do, I'm sorry for taking advantage of your tiredness, I'll put some distance between us for the time being" he said, his voice quivered and Sanji didn't like that "Wait... this is happening too fast, I'm not in the condition to fully understand" the blond said "But before that, you didn't make me uncomfortable, I" he bit his bottom lip "I enjoyed it, I thought it was a dream" he spoke softly, under his breath "I'm a mess Zoro , my head's far up my ass and even if I know that I still can't accept things about myself..." he took a filling breath and looked at the Swordsman, he had such hopeful look that tears threatened him again "Curly, if I have the slightest chance to have even something remotely close to be with you, I'll take it" Zoro said, no doubt in his voice.
Sanji sank into the embrace, his forehead against the crook of Zoro's neck, his arms over his chest, held tightly to himself "I never had someone... like that, I-I know I pride myself to be a master of love, but I never really experienced it" he paused "I'm sorry, I'm just nervous" he added before taking a deep breath. Zoro breathed out instead and held him closer "Cook- Sanji you're not alone in this..." he paused thinking of his words "Loving you is the toughest thing that I've done in my life, but not because you're worthless or the other shit ideas you have in your mind!" one hand came up to brush through the blond strands of hair "But because you're so easy to love, you're kind, ready to help who's in need, you're strong and always have my or our Nakama's back, and I love how much you love cooking, I love the smile you have when you talk about All Blue" Zoro could have gone on for hours, but a set of shaking lips interrupted his voice.
Sanji was squinting hard, trying not to think of all the things Zoro mentioned, things he was so conscious about, things he thought he was weak for. He tried to concentrate on the taste of the lips he was kissing, metal and sake, Sanji almost chuckled, the Swordsman's lips were so much softer than he could have imagined, and for a moment the kiss was just that. Lips brushing against each other, but Zoro had other plans.
Or you could say he wasn't expecting the cook to kiss him and was so happy he had to kiss him back. The only thing Sanji knew was that the Mosshead was an incredible kisser, even if he didn't have any reference to base it on. He let himself be carried away, his worries melting at the gentleness, his eyelids relaxing just like his body.
"You taste less sweet than I imagined" was the first thing Zoro mumbled after the kiss "I got carried away, sorry, are you alright Curly?" he asked, seeing the Cook red as a tomato. Sanji nodded slowly "I'll need to get used to that," he said and got the brightest smile from the Swordsman, he could get used to that for sure, he thought.
Zoro brushed the hair away from his face and kissed him on the forehead "Want me to carry you to your bed?" he asked, a fond smile on his face, Sanji nodded and fell almost lethargic into the other's embrace, relishing his touch. Once arrived at the bunks Zoro carefully laid the Cook down, who was still holding onto his neck "Curly, I have watch duty, I'll get back to you as soon as I finish, I promise" he whispered, leaving tiny, almost shy, kisses on his face. Sanji sighed and let go "You better be here when I wake up" he mumbled and Zoro giggled "Yes, I'll be here Sanji "