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There’s that feeling again.
Sanji turned around and stared at Zoro, who nonchalantly looked away with a yawn. Sanji scoffed, rolling his eyes, as he decided arguing with the marimbo this early wasn’t worth it.
Besides, Sanji was holding a platter of tangerine granitas topped with a special berry juice he scored at a previous island. There’s no way he’s going to let two hours of work go to waste just because Zoro has a staring problem.
It’s the kind of morning when the sun is slow to rise, peeking over the clouds gloomily. The kind of morning when Luffy is still asleep, Usopp is peacefully working on some new weapon, and the ladies are lounging on the deck. The kind of peaceful, lovely morning with a drab of somberness.
He walked up the stairs, feeling Zoro’s intense stare burning holes on his back. Honestly. What a weirdo.
When he saw the wonderful ladies of the Going Merry, however, Sanji’s slight tension melted away. Why, the mere sight of such beauty has melted his very core!
Without another thought, he made his way up the stairs.
The sensation of a deep, analytical gaze went away.
“Stay out the kitchen if you want dinner in time!” Sanji yelled after Luffy, who ran out the kitchen like a madman, clutching several snacks as he cackled gleefully.
Sanji huffed, fighting the small smile that threatened to spread across his face. His captain is… something else. He glanced across the ship and made eye contact with the marimbo, who looked like he was shaken out of a nap.
“What’dya want?” Zoro yawned.
Sanji scowled. “If you could stop being so lazy and keep Luffy away from my kitchen, that’ll be great.”
“Mhm.” Uninterested, Zoro’s grey eyes lazily roamed around the ship. Then his eyes suddenly narrowed and he fixed his gaze on something.
No, someone, Sanji concluded as he followed Zoro’s fixated stare. Then he frowned in confusion. It was just Usopp coming down the stairs, holding a handful of blueprints and various weapon parts.
From the slow, downcast way he walked, it was clear what had happened earlier: Usopp must’ve had an idea on how to upgrade Nami’s clima-tact, went to her with the blueprints ready, and got rejected. Unfortunately for Usopp, it was an increasingly frequent sight.
Although Sanji felt slightly bad for Usopp, he can’t fathom why Zoro would be bothered. Or interested. Or, again, bothered. Seriously, the way the swordsman’s eyes are so focused on Usopp’s steps… it’s as if Zoro’s worried something may happen.
Sanji felt uneasy. Was Usopp’s idea this time a damn bomb? Is that why Zoro looked so… so apprehensive? Zoro’s fingers twitched, inching towards his swords.
Oh hell no.
Usopp really has a bomb this time. Or at least very reactive, very sensitive gunpowder. Something that would warrant such a look from Zoro.
Then Usopp made the last step and Zoro’s aura disappeared immediately. Sanji blinked. Huh?
When Sanji looked back at Zoro, the swordsman was yawning as he rested his back against the ship. Slipping back into sleep.
Perplexed, Sanji simply stepped back into the kitchen. He chalked it up to the marimbo being weird again. Sanji shook his head. The dinner plan has been ruined thanks to Luffy. He’d have to change the recipe last minute.
Other things to worry about. Sanji pushed Zoro out of his mind.
“LUFFY!”
The whole ship jumped as Nami’s ear-piercing screech filled the air.
Sanji’s legs dropped as he immediately turned to look for Nami, wondering what Luffy had done to anger her this time. Beside him, Zoro huffed since his training partner’s attention was stolen.
“Quit sulking. We’ll finish as soon as I make sure my goddess is okay,” Sanji told him.
“Love-cook,” Zoro muttered under his breath, as if that were an insult. Sanji rolled his eyes, then perked up when he saw Nami.
“Nami~” He called. “Are you alright, my beautiful Nami?!”
“Find me Luffy’s head, now! ””
Sanji sighed happily at the acknowledgement.
Nami came from behind her tangerine grove, holding her clima-tact angrily, her eyes filled with pure fury and annoyance.
“What’d he do this time?” Zoro yawned.
“He owes me Beri!” Nami exclaimed angrily. “But instead, that sniving captain gave me this–!”
She held a half-eaten fruit of questionable origins with two fingers, sneering in utter disgust. Sanji bit back laughter, and instead put on an angry frown. “I’ll help you find him~”
Nami threw away the fruit and stalked down the stairs, her staff sparking.
Without even turning around, Sanji could feel the way Zoro straightened up ever so slightly. The previously relaxed and bored swordsman now has an unsettling focused attention on Nami.
There the marimbo goes.
Sanji tried to be discreet. He followed Zoro’s gaze, and found himself staring at Nami’s legs. Knowing the swordsman has absolutely no interest in Nami, Sanji frowned. What else could it be then?
Nami skipped several steps in her haste.
Zoro’s grip on his sword— only one, since he’s just training with Sanji— tightened. His knuckles turned worried-white but his expression remained cool.
Nami landed on the floor, continuing to scour the ship.
Sanji dared to look at Zoro and saw that the angstiness was gone. Huh. A hypothesis is starting to form in Sanji’s head but he kept it tucked away for now.
For now, he has a Luffy to find and a Nami to please.
The next day, Sanji walked up the stairs.
The feeling of a deep, burning gaze didn’t come. He discreetly looked over his shoulder and made direct eye contact with the swordsman.
Zoro quirked an eyebrow. Then he looked away before either of them could exchange words.
Sanji hurried up the stairs, scowling. Damn it, moss-head.
. . .
A few days later, another opportunity came.
Sanji happened to glance at Chopper before the stairs, about to make his merry way up. He looked back to Zoro and waited in anticipation.
Unfortunately, the idiot swordsman’s eyes were somewhere else. Sanji coughed inconspicuously, trying to draw Zoro’s attention without drawing too much. Nothing. Sanji coughed again.
“You sick or something, shitty cook?” Zoro finally growled, looking over at Sanji.
“Shut the hell up,” Sanji grumbled. “Just something in my throat.”
Zoro smirked. His eyes shifted behind Sanji— perfect!— and landed on Chopper.
Sanji waited.
Then Zoro looked away without a care in the world, just like last time.
Sanji wasn’t sure what he expected. That intense feeling of being stared at. Was it all in his imagination? Or was it because Chopper’s not human? Then Sanji shook his head, perishing the thought immediately.
It was no secret that Zoro took a liking to Chopper. Like a brother, or perhaps a father (the thought made him smile. It was simply too ridiculous.). And, not to mention, Zoro didn’t do that weird staring thing at him last time.
Then what?
Was Sanji’s hypothesis wrong? No way.
“I’m gonna get some beer,” Zoro grumbled, breaking the silence. He walked away without ever seeing Chopper finish going up the stairs.
. . .
It cannot be because Chopper’s not human.
With that mantra marching in his mind, Sanji waltzed inside the conference room, where Nico Robin studied ancient maps. He made his way towards her and bowed dramatically. “My dear flower, how lucky I am to see you today~!”
“We see each other every day,” the archaeologist smiled in her mysterious way.
“I’m so lucky!” Sanji continued anyway.
“May I help you with anything?” Nico Robin asked in amusement. She closed her book and fixed her intense gaze at him. Sanji felt like dying— of happiness. This sort of intense gaze, he could happily endure for eternity. Unlike Zoro’s weird, unnerving stare.
Speaking of stares.
“Uh, yes!” Sanji nodded vigorously. “Nami-dear called for you. She’s up at the deck.”
Robin nodded once. “Thank you, cook.”
Her acknowledgement made his toes tingle, not in a weird way. Sanji smiled a wide, happy grin. “Of course, Robin! I’ll go ahead and fix up some nice, cold dessert for you lovely ladies! Allow me to escort you, I need some tangerines on the way.”
Robin got up and jerked her head towards the door. “Of course.”
Sanji followed her very willingly. Hell, he’d gladly follow her to the edge of the Earth. He strayed slightly behind her. Partly because of manners, and partly because he wanted to test his hypothesis.
There’s Zoro, hanging around as usual. This time, he’s with Luffy, and it seems they’re in a deep conversation. Knowing the two lack severe brain cells, Sanji figured they’re debating about something unimportant. Like their favorite foods or something.
He has to get Zoro’s attention. After some quick thinking, Sanji yelled across the ship, “Oi, Luffy! What’d you want for dinner?”
Immediately, Luffy’s head swirled in his direction. There’s a big grin on his face, as usual, accompanied by some drool. Zoro also turned, his eyes lidded in boredom.
“Finally, Sanji! I’m getting hungry!!” Luffy yelled back, unnecessarily loud. “I want meat!! Lots and lots of yummy meat!”
Sanji gritted his teeth. On one hand, he absolutely hates the thought of leaving anyone hungry. On the other hand, he just fed Luffy less than an hour ago.
Before he could reply, however, he realized Zoro saw Robin going up the stairs. But there’s no staring. None at all. In fact, Zoro’s attention is back on Luffy, waiting for Luffy to finish making dinner plans with Sanji.
What the absolute hell.
“Got it, captain.” Sanji replied.
Is it because Robin is still fairly new to the crew? Is it because she joined on… less than ideal terms? Zoro was the last of the Straw Hats to accept her. He was the most suspicious of her too. Is that why Zoro didn’t stare as usual?
But there was that moment. When Zoro’s eyes zoned in on Robin walking up the stairs, before he looked away.
That’s gotta mean something, right?
Sanji sighed aloud, cursing the moss-head for being so damn confusing.
. . .
When the idea popped into his head, Sanji was alone in the kitchen. The kitchen was quiet. He was peacefully minding his own business, doing some prep work for lunch.
Chop, chop, chop.
The melodic cutting of vegetables was the only sound in the kitchen.
Sanji spun his knife around, and toyed with the idea of wielding knives in battle. He grinned to himself, deciding that was a stupid idea. That’s way too similar to Zoro’s three-style swordsmanship anyway.
And it’ll be a cold day in Alabasta before Sanji willingly takes up a role similar to Zoro.
Wait.
His mental gears worked slowly, connecting some dots. He wasn’t sure if the dots were connected correctly, but they’re connected regardless.
Zoro wields swords. Knives are like baby swords. Weapons. They’re weapons.
Sanji dug a little deeper.
The first time he noticed Zoro’s stairs-stare, he was holding a platter of dessert for the ladies. Could a platter count as a weapon? Maybe to the marimbo, whose brain lacked any critical thinking capabilities, it does.
Who did Zoro stare at next? Right. Usopp. The maybe-bomb. That makes a lot of sense.
Following Usopp was… right, his dearest Nami! What weapon did she wield? Of course, her thundering staff of limitless power! Literally. It was sparking lightning because Nami was furious, as always.
Then… Sanji had executed his experiments. Zoro didn’t do the stairs-stare at him the next time, because he was empty-handed.
Oh.
So was Chopper. So it wasn’t because Chopper’s not human! And Zoro didn’t stare at Nico Robin either, because she carried nothing either. Not because Zoro harbored bits of suspicion.
For some reason, it’s like a weight was lifted off Sanji’s chest. Which was weird and, quite frankly, weird. It was just weird, alright?!
Sanji smirked at his brilliant reasoning. He resumed chopping, and decided to do one last experiment.
“Luffy, run up the stairs and back,” Sanji commanded.
“Huh? Why?” Luffy blinked from underneath his hat.
“I’ll give you a nice treat,” Sanji coaxed, holding up a pastry.
“Okay!” Luffy zoomed up the stairs instantly.
Sanji watched Zoro carefully. Zoro’s eyes, once again, flitted towards Luffy but he didn’t do the stairs-stare. Alright.
Luffy halted to a stop, panting (from excitement, not from exhaustion. Because he’s a damn dog). “Where’s my treat, Sanji?” He demanded.
Sanji handed Luffy a kitchen knife (with the safety cover on, of course! He may be daring, but he’s not stupid enough to hand Luffy an actual knife with the promise of a treat hanging over the captain’s head).
“Huh? This isn’t a treat,” Luffy frowned, but tried to bite the handle of the knife anyway. Sanji smacked Luffy before anything unpleasant could happen.
“Obviously not, moron!” Sanji said. “Do it again, but holding the knife.”
“Huh?” Luffy frowned. It’s clear he’s losing interest, so Sanji waved the pastry around. Luffy dashed off without another word.
Sanji turned his attention to Zoro, almost giddily. After all, he’s about to prove his genius hypothesis once and for all.
Lo and behold, Zoro was doing it. The stairs-stare. His grey eyes cloudy with intensity, blank but honed in on Luffy’s… legs? Sanji remembered that Zoro had stared at Nami’s legs also. Zoro’s hands crept to one of his swords, but the mosshead did nothing more. Just stare, with a bated breath.
Sanji absolutely did not jump when, suddenly, Zoro turned his burning gaze from Luffy to Sanji instead.
“I know what you’re doing, shit cook,” Zoro said lowly, accusingly.
Sanji bit back a smirk as he handed Luffy his well-deserved treat. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Think I didn’t notice your swirly-brows staring straight at me this past week?”
“Wha– what about my brows?!” Sanji cried indignantly.
“You figured it out,” Zoro huffed sarcastically. “My big, bad secret. You happy, nosy chef?”
Sanji blinked. There’s a rough edge to Zoro’s voice that made him come to a halting stop. The jokes and teasing remarks died at the tip of his tongue. Zoro’s downcast eyes held a twinge of self-loathing, of deep guilt.
“Why?”
“Hm?” Zoro looked up. His eyes are tough, guarded. The vulnerability is gone. Back to normal.
“Why do you stare at us when we use the stairs?” Sanji asked. Then he shook his head. “No, not simply when we use the stairs. When we use the stairs while holding things.”
Zoro scoffed. “Not a lot of people know this, so you better keep your lips shut,” Zoro warned. He looked over the sea, avoiding Sanji’s gaze.
“Who do I have to tell?” Sanji faked his own scoff. He waited in anticipation, his mind supplying a hundred different ideas.
“There was this girl…”
Immediately, Sanji turned red and his heartbeat picked up a little. “A girl?!”
Zoro gave him a disgusted look. “She was twelve.”
Sanji sobered up immediately and spurted out apologies. To his annoyance, Zoro only laughed.
“I was eleven. She wanted to become the best swordsman in the world, and I wanted to beat her. We trained together every day.”
A pause. Sanji dared not interrupt.
“She died,” Zoro stated simply, as if announcing what he had for dinner. The casualness made Sanji choke on his spit, just a little. “She fell down the stairs. Landed on her sword. Big, bloody mess. She could’ve survived with mild injuries, but her sword pierced her fatally.”
“That’s why…?”
Even though Sanji couldn’t finish the horrid question, Zoro nodded.
“So if you’re going to make fun of me,” Zoro scowled, “just know you’re laughing at the death of a little girl.”
Sanji let out an offended gasp, until he noticed the joking air of the joke. Oh. Zoro’s giving him an out.
“I would never , you barbarian!” Sanji declared.
“You’re calling me a barbarian after you forced me to spill my sob story?” Zoro growled.
“HEY, I didn’t force you to do anything!”
“You were watching me for a week—”
“Only because you keep staring at me—”
“I just told you the reason—”
“Well obviously, I didn’t know before—”
Eventually, the two slip into a familiar dance of back-and-forth insults. He noticed that Zoro’s eyes are no longer so carefully guarded, and that he could see sincerity slip into Zoro’s smile.
What neither of them noticed, in their willingness to argue, was the ear that sprouted besides them, keenly listening to them.
Nico Robin let go of her power and walked away. Her smile, usually mischievous and sly, is small and sincere.