Chapter Text
———
During one of their more leisurely days, Sanji had found himself being the first to arrive back on the ship after his shopping trip on the island with the exception of Brook who volunteered to stay behind to keep watch and had kindly assisted Sanji on carrying the things he brought back. Meanwhile, Chopper holed up in the infirmary telling everyone he was working on some medicine when he really accidentally fell asleep but no one had to know that.
Sanji had happily steeped sweet tea leaves for the skeleton to show gratitude once they were finished unpacking everything and now he was lounging on the deck, sprawled out in a beach chair waiting for everyone else's return.
From a distance he could hear Usopp shouting, and then announcing his presence with loud thuds and sound of heaving Sanji found Zoro kneeling by the ladder up as he clutched his stomach.
“Oi!” Sanji stood up, alarmed as he observed the swordsman and frowned at the sight. “Are you coughing up flowers?”
Still bent over, Zoro snapped his head up to glare at him. “Are you blind, Shit Cook?”
Sanji whispered sharply. “It's not Hanahaki, is it?”
“I don't even know what that is,” Zoro replied before another bout of blooms started coming out of his mouth in flurries. Usopp then finally reached them, hunching over as he tried to catch his breath before helping up the swordsman so he was leaning on the rails.
Sanji eventually walked over to the two. “Usopp, what happened?”
“He caught some virus I think. I found him wandering in the jungle and by the time we were on our way back he started doing that,” Usopp explained as he pointed at the sight of the flowers splayed out on the wooden floor and then to the path they came from where pieces of flowers stretched out. “Left quite a trail of colors.”
“Up, Marimo. Let's take you to Chopper.” Sanji stretched out an arm and Zoro was about to protest but Usopp was already hauling half of his weight and so he reluctantly latched himself onto the cook, slinging an arm on his shoulder.
“Fucking flowers,” the swordsman had managed to grumble in his breath before another surge of colorful flurry comes launching away from his mouth as they make way for the infirmary.
“Chopper, open up!” Sanji knocked on the door using his foot.
“Sanji?!” He heard the doctor call out before his padded footsteps came around and the door flew open. “I fell asleep. Zoro?! What's wrong?”
“He's puking flowers,” Sanji groused as he pushed forward, pulling the weight of the swordsman until he was able to plop him down on the makeshift clinical bed.
Chopper immediately has his hooves all over Zoro, touching his forehead, examining his throat, then his eyes all the while asking a series of questions. “Are you feeling awful? Nauseous? How's your throat? Does it hurt?”
Zoro shook his head. “How do I get rid of it?”
“Let me check your breathing. Okay...”
“What do you think it is?” Sanji inquired, he was leaning by the wall, content to watch them with a frown from that distance.
“I'm not sure,” Chopper replied solemnly. “It could be Hanahaki…?” Sanji raised an eyebrow. Clearly, he wasn't the only one thinking of it.
“The hell's Hanahaki?” Zoro scowled.
“I'll have to do some more tests. Zoro, you will stay here or I will ask Sanji to kick you out cold.”
“Fine,” Zoro conceded without resistance. He simply resigned to a huff then positioned himself to lie on the bed. “Now I don't feel really good.”
“I can give you some medicine for the headache, if you like?” Chopper offered. He was already taking out a pill bottle from one of his drawers. “It can make you drowsy though, Zoro.”
Zoro took one pill and swallowed it without a care in the world. “I could use a nap.”
Sanji snorted.
Minutes later and Zoro was out cold snoring like a gorilla. Sanji then waited patiently as Chopper put his medical paraphernalia back into their place before straightening himself up from where he leaned. “Chopper, a moment with you outside please.”
He waited for the doctor to get out first before closing the door of the infirmary behind him. Chopper then held one of his hands. “Zoro will be alright, Sanji. He's going to be alright. He always does.”
Sanji nodded stiffly. He appreciated the reindeer's concern but something did not sit right with him. “It can't be Hanahaki, right, Chopper?”
“Do you know what that is, Sanji?” The doctor looked up at him in astonishment.
“I do. And I would appreciate it if I also get an answer to my question.” He ended up patting Chopper's head.
“I'm not sure. I have to ask Zoro some more questions to make certain if that is the case.”
“Hmm.” Sanji could only nod. He inhaled the last of his smoke before looking over where the kitchen was. “Chopper, would you like some refreshments?”
“Yes please!”
...
It was only after dinner time that Zoro roused from his sleep and looked around disheveled. He touched his side, securing his swords in place.
“And the local plant life yet lives again.” His eyes landed on Sanji who was leaning on the door frame, a dull smirk playing on his lips. “Just in time for dinner,” he followed up before inviting himself inside, a tray he laid out on Zoro's lap before moving to take a seat on the nearest chair he could grab. “Eat, Marimo.”
Zoro grunted, his way of saying thank you and proceeded to stuff himself with the choice of food the cook had prepared for him.
“What are you hiding from us, Marimo?”
Zoro was chewing his last bite when he finally looked up at Sanji who tilted his head as if trying to dissect his brain open for answers that were not there and Zoro resigned to a scowl.
“Huh. It might be Hanahaki as Chopper suspects.” At that point, Sanji might as well just be talking to himself out loud. “You sure you don't know what that is?”
“You keep saying but you're not explaining, Curls,” Zoro growled.
“Hanahaki is also known as the unrequited love disease. People who have the illness tend to harbor unreciprocated love for someone to a point they start growing flowers in their lungs and cough it up. The more it is hidden, the deeper the roots take up and the puking often happens. And if it doesn't get remedied on time then the host dies.”
Zoro's eyebrow curled upside. “Is there any cure?”
Sanji took a moment to answer before clasping his hands together. “The only known cure is surgery, to extract the root from the lungs but it bears one big consequence: the host will no longer remember the one they love. Zero memories, gone.”
“That's bullshit. Why won't they just tell what they feel?”
“Of course it would be so easy for the marimo,” Sanji chuckled listlessly.
“I don't have Hanawhatsoever.”
“How are you so sure?”
“I don't have it, Shitty Cook.” Zoro gave him a pointed look.
“No. I guess not,” Sanji muttered reticently as he shrugged before he smoothed his dress pants and stood up, collecting the now emptied tray from Zoro before leaving him to his own devices again and closed the door.
“He doesn't have it, Chopper,” Sanji announced just as he laid eyes on the doctor who had just come out of the library while he was on his way back to the galley.
“Zoro must've just contracted some allergy or virus while getting lost on the island. It's not Hanahaki.” Sanji sounded so sure.
“Okay, Sanji. I still have to perform a few more tests tonight to figure out a cure though before I tell him he's free to go.” Chopper nodded, he did let his face give away that he was worried about the way Sanji was acting about this.
“Suit yourself, Doc.” He made a move to walk away.
“You haven't eaten dinner yet. We kept it in the fridge for you to heat up, Sanji.” Chopper called out to him just before he was out of earshot.
“Right.”
He did as he was reminded and mustered the remaining energy he had left to eat. Sanji did not even bother to heat the food up anymore. It was around his fourth spoonful when he felt something squeeze in his chest making him abruptly drop the spoon he was holding, it clattered to the plate and Sanji rushed outside to get to the bathroom quickly.
“Fuck.” He wheezed audibly, using his knuckle to punch his chest as he hacked up. “Come on…”
He freezed where he had bent down on the toilet when a voice right next to the door called him. “Sanji?”
“Uh! Wait a moment!” In panic, Sanji flushed the remains of his disgrace before shuffling to open the door.
“Sanji, hey.”
“Usopp...” Sanji couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief as he came face to face with the longnose.
“Can't sleep?” Worry laced his voice.
“I was going to. Just feel queasy,” Sanji managed to croak out.
“I can get you some herbal tea leaves that I steep? It might help.” Usopp suggested and held up his hand to help Sanji stand up properly. He gladly took it.
“I’m all good. Thanks, Usopp. Night.” Sanji muttered. He patted him on the shoulder before making a hurried exit.
He found himself in the kitchen again. Sanji made sure to lock the door before plopping down on the couch.
He loosened his tie, a shaky breath escaped his lips and made a grab for the unsuspecting bucket down on the floor which he kept for emergencies like this.
The squeezing came again, this time accompanied with a burn on his chest as it made its way up to his throat and Sanji shoves his face down to the bucket as petals and flowers gush out of his mouth uncontrollably.
His throat felt like it had been mercilessly raked several times by sharp claws once the flowers stopped rushing. Sanji exhaled before letting out a pathetic laugh as he sank down to the floor, clutching the bucket that was now full of blooms fresh from his chest.
No, it wasn't Zoro who had Hanahaki. It was him.
...
The next day, Sanji tended to his usual routine. He eventually ended up falling asleep in the galley and none of the others took notice or had inquired why he didn't come down to the bunk to sleep, which was good.
Today will be better, he coaxed himself.
This was cut short, however, when the loud thumping of their captain’s fist came colliding with the door. Always right on schedule.
“No meat! And no breakfast until an hour from now!” Sanji shouted, a tinge of irritation in his voice.
He heard the lock click and Luffy peeked inside. “Awww but Sanji!”
“Out! Out of my kitchen!” Sanji threw the spatula he'd been using to haul the fried eggs and it hit the wall next to where half of Luffy’s face was peeking.
Next thing he knew the door flew completely open. Zoro was now blocking their captain from view. “What's got your panties in a twist, Curls?”
Sanji barked, pointing a finger at him. “You too! Out!”
“I'm thirsty,” Zoro demanded, making no move to go anytime sooner and even had his arms crossed in retaliation. Luffy is now long gone and has taken interest in something else outside.
“Take the pitcher on the table and leave.” Sanji huffed in defeat realizing the swordsman seemed genuinely parched before pointing at the table as he turned back to the remaining eggs frying on the pan and glared at it.
He heard Zoro make way to the table. The pouring of water in a cup audible next to the frittering of the cooking oil. “The hell's wrong with you this morning, seriously?”
“Nothing. Now get out and let me finish breakfast.” Sanji rasped exasperatedly. He anticipated another argument from the swordsman but nothing came as he finished his cup and exited wordlessly, leaving him alone.
Only after breakfast do things calm down for him. Sanji had resulted to silently serving everyone their dishes whilst it was Zoro who seemed more than happy to be bothering Sanji by shooting him looks every chance he could get but Sanji really tried his best not to be itched by this even though he was fuming and the words ‘Wanna fight?’ were wanting to escape the back of his throat.
“Sanji-kun!”
He was content to inhale a cigarette by the helm when Nami came marching towards him.
Sanji involuntarily smiled. “Nami-swan! To what do I owe your lovely being the pleasure?”
“Can you he—” She stopped in her tracks. Her nonchalant demeanor was now replaced with worry as she watched Sanji’s face slowly contort into a grimace. “Sanji-kun? Sanji? Are you alright?”
“So sorry, my dear,” Sanji clasped his mouth shut and muffled his own voice as he make way past her. “I-I need to take this in the bathroom.”
Inside, he battled it out with the sickness of his stomach and how much it hurt that this stupid thing kept wringing his chest. Sanji watched as the remaining petals trickled with blood as he puked.
“Oi?” To his surprise, Zoro was banging a fist on the door outside as he called out for him. “You okay in there, Shitty Cook?”
“Fine, Mossy,” Sanji grumbled in his breath.
“The witch asked me to check up on you.”
“Don't call her that!” He snapped. “And I'm fine, great. You can get back to whatever you're doing now.”
“If you say s—Shit, nevermind. Hurry up in there!” Zoro was about to dismiss him until he started making choking sounds and hurriedly tried to shake the door open. “The flowers are at it again.”
Sanji reluctantly clicked it open and immediately got pushed away as Zoro dove for the toilet and he watched him worriedly as he strained to cough them out.
“Shitty fucking flowers...” Zoro murmured.
“I'm sure Chopper is close to working on a remedy.” Sanji awkwardly patted him on the back.
“This is so annoying.”
Sanji chuckled bitterly. Tell me about it.
Just then their captain came bounding. “Zorooo! Sanjiii!”
“Luffy, what are you—” Luffy pressed himself next to Sanji, his cheek being squished as he tried to see what was happening.
“Oooh! Flowers. They're so pretty. I've seen San—” Before Luffy could even finish his sentence, Sanji made a grab for his mouth.
“What was that, Luff?” Zoro in a distracted state belatedly inquired of Luffy without looking.
“Captain.” Sanji gave Luffy a warning smile, still clutching hard on Luffy’s face. “Why don't we leave the marimo alone for a bit. Come on.”
Once he closed the bathroom door, he dragged Luffy to the deck and eventually let go of Luffy when he deemed they were out of earshot.
“Are you giving me meat, Sanji?” Their captain implored, tilting his head.
“No.” Sanji crossed his arms. “But if you behave I will make you a sandwich.”
Luffy beamed. “With meat?”
“Fine. With meat.” Sanji gave in.
“Great! To the kitchen!” Luffy snaked his rubbery arm right into Sanji’s waist and wasted no time to fling them right to the galley door using the other.
Eventually, Sanji does set down a ridiculous stack of sandwiches in front of Luffy who's been drooling in anticipation. He watched him have a go at it before taking a seat across and lit up a cigarette. “Captain. Luffy.”
“Huh?”
“Back there. What were you going to say about the flowers?”
“M'lower'sh?” Luffy frowned, mouth still full. It took him a moment before swallowing and he clasped his hand together and grinned. “Right! I saw Sanji with flowers like those before.”
“Before? When? Where did you see me, Luffy?” Sanji did his best to make himself sound calm.
Luffy scratched his chin before nodding. “In the aquarium one night. You had a bucket of them.”
“Hah...” Sanji almost sounded pathetic.
“Why? Is it Sanji's secret?”
“You can say that.”
“Okay,” Luffy shrugged before extending his arm towards Sanji, his plate now empty. “Can I get more sandmeat?”
Sanji sighed. “It's sandwich, and yes.”
Frankly, Sanji understood that he was fucked fom that day forward. Dealing with it on his own was difficult enough as it is, it doesn't help that his symptoms were getting worse by the day, and now factor in Luffy's knowledge of the thing… Their captain may be an idiot but he was not clueless. He had the intuition of an innocent child who more often than not was always close to touching the truth.
He had to be more extra careful starting now. He'd been so lax that some of the crew witnessed his frequent visits to the bathroom, the pained expressions he tried best to mask. It was only bound to get worse from there. Which it did, much to Sanji's indignation.