Archive of Our Own ^beta

Zoro stretched as the sunlight hit his face. He moaned to himself, turning over to feel next to him in the bed. He was a little surprised when his arms wrapped around his girlfriend. While he could sleep pretty much anywhere, Sanji sometimes found it difficult to fall asleep when they were in a hotel room, having gotten too used to sleeping on a ship. Zoro had been expecting to wake up to an empty bed and find Sanji either gathering their clothes together or sitting on the windowsill with a cigarette.

He pressed his face against her neck, inhaling her perfect scent. Their relationship was still new, a secret from their crew, at least as far as he knew. Everytime he thought about how the woman in his arms was his girlfriend, Zoro felt a rush of relief. Sanji still annoyed the heck out of him, maybe less so now she was reining in her lack of control over women, only now when their foreheads pressed together and their hot breath hit the other’s mouths, he could finally end it by kissing her! At least when no one else was around.

“Morning, babe,” Zoro mumbled. He kissed Sanji’s soft skin, his hand trailing down her front. He squeezed her soft breast, before his fingertips dancing down her abdomen.

Zoro paused.

“Cook?” He turned. He spotted a glassy look in her eyes. “Everything alright?”

Sanji blinked. She turned over, nestling herself between Zoro’s legs. She looked into his eye. His dark eye that still held so much pain. Yet somehow, when he looked at her, she swore she could see a sparkle in the black. Like a star sapphire.

She cupped his rough cheek, smiling. Zoro never seemed to have stubble, even in the morning! Despite her hormone treatment, she still had to sneak to the bathroom to shave her chin before facing the day! Chopper insisted that it was still early and it would get better. If it didn’t, Robin said that there were treatments.

“I’m fine,” Sanji said honestly. “Just… caught up in my thoughts a little.”

“Huh…” Zoro dipped his head, kissing Sanji’s chest. “Is it like a dysphoria thing? Or… A Germa thing?”

He nuzzled her breasts. Sometimes, he would still start (mostly playful) fights with the cook, saying he was ready to fulfil his promise to kill her. They would kick and slash at the other, growling and spitting the usual cries of ‘Marimo’ and ‘Shit Cook!’ Then, at night, Zoro would cradle Sanji and kiss her all over. He was grateful that both he and Sanji had made it this far, but also that Germa didn’t take the woman he loved, both literally and emotionally.

They’d had long talks about Germa before. It had been awful. Zoro thinking he’d never see the Cook again. Sanji having to confront people she thought were long gone. After long talks, Sanji had confessed that it was something she had to go through. Confronting her family, the repressed fears and demons, had brought that voice inside her to light. The voice telling her she was a failure. Only after the disaster, being rescued by Luffy, was Sanji able to finally drown out the voice. She could address the feelings inside she hadn’t let speak up. Now, she was free. All because of those shitty people who had once called themselves her family!

“Both, sort of,” Sanji confessed. She wrapped her arms around his neck, cradling his head against her. “Just… A lot of negative memories. Sometimes it’s hard to drown them out.”

“I get that.” Zoro’s voice was mumbled against her skin. He laid against her. She was so warm against him. He never wanted to let her go.

Their long talks had been useful for them both. Zoro had always thought he had nothing to hide, from himself or others. Only to realise, when hearing about Sanji’s inner demons, that him starting their long rivalry had come directly after he was almost killed by Mihawk. He needed Sanji. Sanji would make him stronger and push him to train harder.

Just like someone else had before.

Birds sung outside the window. They could hear other guests mumbling and walking through the corridor. Zoro could hear Sanji’s heartbeat against his ear. Sanji could hear Zoro’s deep breathing.

“Are they serving breakfast yet?”

“In a half hour. If you’re hungry we can head back to the ship and I’ll make you something there.”

“Nah, I’m not ready to leave yet.” Zoro squeezed her tighter. “... I mean, you could make onigiri with lunch. If you want.”

She tapped his head. “Only if it’s okay with Nami-san and Robin-chan!”

Sanji lifted Zoro’s head. She pressed their lips together, pushing her hips up against his. A shiver ran down her spine when he pressed back. He held her close, their naked bodies entwined together in the large, soft bed.

“Do you want to talk about it?” Zoro mumbled, before biting her lip.

“No, I’m alright.”

“You can-”

“Yes, I know.” She bit his nose playfully. “I can tell you anything. And maybe later I’ll want to. But right now.” She took his hand, placing it on her breast. Zoro made a low, grinding noise in the back of his throat as he squeezed her in the palm of his hand. “You being here, with me, this is enough.”

It took Zoro a moment to realise what she had said. He huffed with a small laugh, kissing her again. He tilted his head, opening her up. Zoro flicked at Sanji’s tongue with his own before running lightly down the side, moving slowly inside her mouth.

“Zoro,” Sanji gasped. She wrapped her legs around his waist, lifting her feet her ankles linked together, her flexibility keeping her wide open for the man she loved.

In less than an hour they would have to make their way back to the Sunny. Nami would complain about them wasting their money staying out all night, Luffy would demand food, Jimbei would calmly cast them off and Brook would ask to see Sanji’s panties. Usopp would be working on a new invention while Franky came up with ideas to make it brighter and louder. Chopper would fuss about the new bruises on Zoro’s neck while Robin read her book in the garden with a smile that was a little too knowing. Sanji and Zoro would continue with their lives. They would fight, train, cook and watch the ship at night. All while continuing to grow and put their demons behind them.

Sanji knew, with all the certainty in her heart, that she wouldn’t have been able to start without Zoro. Even with the whole shitty mess with Judge. Without Zoro she would still be lost, trapped in hell and brimming with self-hatred. Zoro knew he would still be focused on competition and unable to let himself feel joy.

This time now was their time. And they would hold each other for as long as they could.