Archive of Our Own

“Oi, cook, more juice.”

Sanji groaned, looking over at Zolo, who was seated at the galley’s dining table, with a judging glare. “You’re practically a juice-a-holic, sword-boy, give it a rest.”

“Yeah, and you’re a lolly-sucking loser. Gimme another cup.” Zolo raised his mug towards Sanji from across the room.

“Sorry, I need the rest of this for my sweet-hearts and for cooking. No luck.”

“Tch, stingy cook.” Zolo muttered, watching the cook write something in his recipe book for a second. His eyes darted across the cook, from soft golden hair to focused blue eyes they finally landed on the cooks lips – for no particular reason, – and he narrowed his eyes at Sanji’s lollipop.

So he wasn’t allowed juice, but Sanji could lick lollipops all day without anyone complaining? That wasn’t freaking fair.

He didn’t say anything. Not yet. He just got up and stalked out of the kitchen, thoughts of their vices swirling around in his head.

Sanji had already made all the excuses. About needing the juice for cooking, not wanting to spend extra on more juice, how even he was a bit concerned for Zolo’s blood-sugar. Sure. If it was from anyone else on the crew, maybe Zolo would have listened, but he really couldn’t when the cook himself always had a darn lollipop in his mouth.

Sanji was a hypocrite.

Because he was the cook, he got extra money to stock up on food. Lollipops were food, so Zolo figured he spent the crews’ money on his lollipops. Which he would have been fine with, but Sanji apparently couldn't spare any on Zolo’s extra juice.

Well then, Zolo would just have to give him a taste of his own medicine.

So he headed to the crows nest to train, or at least until Sanji fell asleep. Once he went to bed, Zolo’d go back to the kitchen and steal his stash of lollipops.

When Usopp showed up to take first watch and Zolo took his leave, he headed to the gallery, confident Sanji would be getting ready for bed.

He immediately started opening and closing cupboards, pushing items around to try and find the lollipops. When he saw the disarray, Sanji would just assume Luffy had been looking for meat, anyway.

Zolo got more than two-thirds of the way through, and quite frustrated, before he was interrupted by the galley’s door opening. Turning around hurriedly, he was met by a foot to the face. “What are you doing in my kitchen?!”

Zolo flew across the room then jumped to his feet, glaring towards Sanji, who... was wearing pajamas.

Zolo told himself he took a moment to check Sanji out only because Sanji rarely wore casual clothes, and certainly not because he looked stupidly adorable in a plain t-shirt and heart-patterned pants.

Zolo was shaken from his thoughts when Sanji pulled the lollipop out of his mouth with a ‘pop’ and spoke, “Well? Were you looking for more apple juice? I told you I don’t have any extra left!”

Zolo glared at him, “It’s none of your business, stupid-cook.”

“It’s my kitchen, so it’s my business!”

“Tch, fine... I’ll leave.” As he turned to leave, a plan started forming in his head.

Sanji just stared after him looking sort of confused and most definitely annoyed.

After exiting the galley, Zolo stood outside for a moment before opening the door slightly to peer back inside. Would Sanji pull out a lollipop for tomorrow morning? Sanji, however, only pulled out his recipe book to write something down before heading towards the door.

Zolo dashed away and retreated to the mens’ quarters, swiftly lying in his hammock before Sanji followed him – unknowingly – into the room a moment later.

Once again, Zolo watched Sanji as he sat down in his hammock, reaching out to grab something, Maybe his lollipops are in here. Zolo quickly realized that Sanji had only wrapped his current lollipop up before setting it back down next to his hammock.

Did... Curly-brow re-use lollipops? That seemed weird, especially for the clean freak, but he supposed Sanji never did waste food.

When Zolo woke up the next day to Sanji calling everyone for breakfast, he’s ready to continue his plan. He’d follow Sanji all day. That way he’ll definitely find where he’s keeping his lollipops!

He got to breakfast a little late, as he took a moment to glance around the boys’ room before he left – still no luck, – but he was able to wrestle Luffy off of his plate, and once everyone started filtering out of the room he set his plan into action, resting his head on the table and closing his eyes.

From the table, he could watch Sanji cook and see exactly where he gets his lollipops… Well, so long as Sanji doesn’t kick him over the head and make him leave.

So he pretended to sleep, eyes barely cracked open, just enough to see Sanji clearing the table.

He watched as Sanji stacked all the plates up, setting them in the sink and turning on the water. No kicks yet, that was good.

Then, the water stopped, and he closed his eyes quickly when Sanji’s footsteps came closer.

Sanji stopped right beside him, and he had to try his very best not to flinch before the incoming kick he knew was coming came…

But it didn’t. Sanji didn’t kick him.

Sanji stood there for a moment, then Zolo could have sworn he heard him mumble something like “Stupid swordsman, you’ll hurt your neck sleeping like that,” before Sanji’s footsteps receded.

Sanji’s tone was weird. Almost soft. It made Zolo shiver, and he wasn’t completely sure he hadn’t just heard Sanji wrong.

He cracked open his eyes just the barest bit again, but Sanji wasn’t in the kitchen. He must have left the galley while Zolo was lost in thought. Zolo still couldn’t risk moving his head, so he closed his eyes and waited.

Sanji was back relatively quickly, and Zolo once again heard his footsteps close in on him before-

A soft hand brushed past his hair to hold his head up as he felt a soft something be placed on his hands.

He desperately wanted to open his eyes as his head was set back on a quite fluffy and now identifiable pillow. This couldn’t be Sanji, could it? Did he seriously hear him right?

And why was Sanji’s hand lingering so long on his hair?

He was tense for another few seconds before the mysterious hand fell away and he opened his eyes just a little again.

It was the darn cook.

Well, there was a lot to think about, but not right now. Now he was on a mission. He had to keep watching him.

But Sanji never got a new lollipop. Hours went by – surprisingly easily, the cook was comforting to watch, swishing around the kitchen with a certain finesse even Zolo could appreciate – and no new lollipop.

Sanji left to give snacks to the girls, no new lollipop…

Sanji started to cook dinner, no new lollipop…

And Zolo’s inevitable time came, when Sanji finally did decide to kick him over the head for lingering too long, only it wasn’t really because he was there too long, it was just so he could set the table for dinner.

He also… dare Zolo think it, Sanji looked a little concerned. Zolo belatedly realised that sleeping all day at the table wasn’t really a normal thing to do.

Oh, well.

Dinner went by fine, and then Zolo took position next to Sanji to wash dishes with him.

They fell into comfortable silence and Zolo’s thoughts once again went back to the pillow. When his gaze lingered on Sanji’s face too long now he blamed it on the lollipop.

Sanji gave him a nod when they finished, and Zolo left.

Despite not completing his mission, he felt weirdly fulfilled. That’s not to say he wouldn’t finish it. He most definitely would. He also had a plan… but, he felt nice. Spending time just watching Sanji.

His plan consisted of stealing Sanji’s lollipop after he fell asleep, then Sanji would have to get a new one in the morning. Zolo would find his stash, he’d hold it over his head, and BAM! More juice.

So he waited patiently for night to fall before going to his own hammock to pretend to be asleep.

A long time passed.

Too long, he realised. Not that it was out of the ordinary for their love-cook to go to bed late and get up early – he was always planning meals, organising things, and prepping for the next day, – but Zolo realised just how late the cook stayed up some nights. It was a little worrying.

Eventually, Sanji did enter the room. Zolo watched as he took off his suit jacket and tie, pulled out some pajamas – those same darn heart-patterned pants, – and politely looked away when the cook went to change.

Sanji then took his lollipop from his mouth and put it in a wrapper, leaving to presumably go to the bathroom.

At this point Zolo was almost regretting this. He’d surely be tired the morning after staying up so late waiting for Sanji to go to bed and fall asleep.

It wasn’t too long before Sanji came back, though, and Zolo found listening to Sanji’s breathing weirdly calming as he waited. Sanji’s breathing soon deepened, and once Zolo was absolutely sure he was asleep he quietly crept down from his hammock.

Feet softly landing on the cold floor, Zolo cast a quick – well, it was supposed to be quick – glance towards Sanji.

Sanji’s hair fell out of place around his head in a rare way so that Zolo could actually see both of his stupid eyebrows.

He held his breath as he took a step towards Sanji, unsure of what he was doing. His eyebrows both went the same way? That was so freaking perfect… So cute. He looks so cute like this, Zolo finally allowed himself to think. It didn’t sound as bad as he thought it would.

His hand raised on its own for a moment, and it lingered in the air halfway between himself and Sanji for a moment before he took it back. What was he going to do? He wanted to trace those dumb curls with his fingers.

He could at least commit them to memory. And he did, before turning around to look for the lollipop once more.

It was right where it was earlier, and Zolo picked it up, hyper aware that it had previously been in the cooks mouth, before he tucked it away in his locker and carefully climbed back up into his hammock. Well, after getting one last good look at Mr. Swirly-brows.

Zolo slept well that night. Things were going well. He still set his internal clock – that perhaps got buffed in exchange for his sense of direction – to wake him up when he heard the slightest sound, and so he awoke to Sanji throwing his legs off the side of his bunk and yawning.

Zolo once again watched as Sanji got up, looking away while he dressed, and looked back when he heard some shuffling. When he looked back, he could see that Sanji was looking for his lollipop.

Sanji lifted things up from where they were on the crate that he’d set it on the night before, as well as going back to his locker to look for it there.

Finally, things are getting interesting, Zolo thought to himself as Sanji left the room.

Zolo stalked after him as he headed towards the kitchen. Now he’d get what he wanted.

Sanji, however, was seemingly just scouring the counters. Zolo watched through the crack of the galley door as the cook opened and closed drawers and doors in search of… presumably the lollipop. Shouldn’t he just get a new one?

It seemed as though he wouldn’t, as more and more time passed with him shuffling uselessly through the same drawers.

After a while, he just gave up. Zolo watched as he slumped and put on his apron, pulling out ingredients like normal.

Now things really weren’t adding up.

Zolo frowned and turned back to the boys’ room. He wasn’t going to miss sleep over this. Still, Sanji’s frantic searching and inability to find a new lollipop was… weird.

It almost seemed like Sanji only had one lollipop.

As he lied down and closed his eyes, images of curls and lollipops bounced around in his head. It was weird. Right now he was comfortable, though, so he let himself fall asleep.

Few hours went by before he was called, along with everyone else, for breakfast. He was still glad for the extra sleep. His thoughts were better collected. He had learned some things through his stalking of their cook.

One, that he definitely felt a little bit more than friendly towards the curly-browed idiot,

and two, that he quite possibly only had one lollipop.

He wasn’t quite ready to decipher the whole Sanji giving him a pillow thing.

When Zolo did get to breakfast, he noticed that Sanji’s eyebrows – or, at least the one he can see – were furrowed. He looked almost distressed. This went away once he started serving everyone food, putting on his best customer service smile, but it lingers with Zolo.

Zolo himself, on the other hand, did not linger. After breakfast he headed out onto the deck with the lollipop he stole.

If Sanji really did only have one lollipop, there must be a reason, right? Maybe the lollipop itself held the answers.

He settled down on the front deck of Merry, behind Luffy who was sitting in his usual seat on the sheep’s head. There, he carefully unwrapped the lollipop. It looked normal. He experimentally flicked at it with one of his fingers, but of course nothing happened.

He narrowed his eyes. What exactly was he doing? There was only one thing he could think of. So he stuck out his tongue, trying not to think of the lollipop previously being in the cook’s mouth.

Giving it a quick lick, he was able to determine that… Well, it frankly tasted disgusting. The fact that is was too sweet was a given, since Zolo didn’t like sweets, but it was somehow also bitter. The flavours mixed in a weird way that just tasted bland, and there was also a faint – and very fake tasting – cherry flavour along with it.

Over-all it tasted more like a block of soggy wood than a lollipop.

He made a face and stared at it pointedly. Maybe he was doing the cook a favour taking it from him.

Unaware of anything else to do, an idea came to Zolo’s mind. The cook clearly wasn’t licking this thing for taste, so… might there be something else in it that kept him addicted?

He decided to break off a piece to get a sample to give to Chopper to analyze, so he took out one of his swords. Should be simple enough, Sanji won’t even notice it’s been cut.

Holding out the lollipop, he takes one good swing towards the edge but-

It doesn’t cut.

This thing’s as hard as steel.

Zolo frowns, holding his sword in one hand and hitting the lollipop against it with the other.

“ZOLOOOO, what’s all that noise?” Luffy yelled from where he was sitting on The Merry’s head.

“Sanji’s lollipop. I want to find out what he’s always slurping on.”

“Sanji’s not gonna like that!” Luffy warned.

“Then don’t tell him.” Zolo dismissed as he continued smacking the lollipop against his sword. What the frick was it made out of? No wonder the cook couldn’t finish it.

He soon relented, just as Luffy had gotten distracted by something else. He tucked the lollipop away in his belly warmer as he headed to the crow’s nest to train. He had to make up for skipping training yesterday.

The day went by relatively easily between training and naps, though Sanji’s mid-day snack was noticeably late.

At dinner the cook’s face had another upset expression it, and Zolo could practically hear the gears turning in his head. He had a sinking feeling he had something to do with it.

After dinner Zolo once again took his place washing dishes with Sanji, only this time when he glanced over to Sanji, instead of switching the lollipop from different sides of his mouth, Sanji bit at his bottom lip.

“Stop thinking so much, Curly, you’ll hurt yourself.” Zolo provided helpfully, but Sanji just scoffed.

“Shove it, sword-boy.”

“Really, what’s up?” Zolo offered again. He silently hoped the sucker wasn’t that addicted to lollipops.

“I…” Sanji paused, looked back at him, made a face, then looked back at the dishes, “Nope, nevermind.”

Well, that was insulting, “Hah?”

“I said nevermind.”

Zolo stared pointedly at him and slowed down his drying of the dishes until Sanji finally gave in, slamming his hands against the counter.

“Okay, fine! I lost my lollipop. That’s all. I know it’s stupid.” Sanji stared intently at the dishes, avoiding Zolo’s gaze.

“You can’t just get another one?” Zolo may as well insure that Sanji only had one lollipop while he was at it, right?

“No, I can’t, okay? I just have one. Forget it.” Zolo’s gaze hardened in thought.

“Does it bother you that much? Missing it?” He reached his hand in his belly warmer. If it did really bother him, he’d give it back. He did wonder why, though-

“Yeah, make fun of me, whatever. It really does bother me missing it.” Oh no- It wasn’t there- Zolo lost the lollipop.

In his panic, he ignored Sanji, patting rapidly around his belly warmer. “Uh-”

Sanji finally looked at him with a defensive glare. “Whatever this weird mime insult is, it’s not good.”

“I wasn’t- uh- hold on-” Zolo was still distracted.

“What do you mean hold on?! Why aren’t you saying anything?” Zolo’s attention was finally brought back, and he went over Sanji’s previous words to him belatedly.

“Uh... I wouldn’t do that, make fun of you for something you seriously miss. Even if it is a stupid lollipop. If it’s important to you it doesn’t matter.” He put on his best determined face, and Sanji’s expression softened. Sanji looked quickly back towards the dishes, but Zolo could have sworn he saw pink dust his cheeks before he did.

“That’s surprisingly sweet, Mosshead… Uhm, thanks.” At that, Zolo blushed, looking away.

“Yeah, sure.” They continued in silence, but Zolo was determined to find that lollipop later.

Later turned out to be sooner, because after they finished washing Sanji actually requested his help. “Mosshead, could you… I mean, two sets of eyes are better than one. Would you help me look for my lollipop?”

“Oh, sure.”

Unfortunately, that meant searching the places Sanji thought Sanji would have lost it. He didn’t want to blow his cover yet, so that meant playing along. The peace between them would surely shatter if he told him. And for that same weird reason that had been on his mind lately, he’s enjoying just being around Sanji. Searching for lost lollipop included.

“It’s not a drug, right?” Zolo abruptly started, cringing when Sanji’s head hit the underside of the table where he was searching in shock.

“Shoot- No, it’s not a freaking drug- What?” Sanji growled, “You moron, you made me hit my head, too.”

“Huh...” Zolo believed him, but something was still bugging him. Because if it was just a normal lolly, he would replace it, right? Sanji didn’t elaborate, so Zolo didn’t push it.

They searched throughout the kitchen and boys’ room. Of course, it wasn’t there. Zolo hadn’t really been those places all day.

Sanji looked bummed out, but gave Zolo a smile, “Thanks for helping me. Even if it was fruitless.”

“Sure thing. I hope you find it.” They both nodded, and Zolo made his way towards the crow’s nest.

Now the real search began. He spent probably half an hour rustling through weights and sword cleaning supplies – the time seemed to go by much faster with Sanji – but no luck.

He laughed dryly. If he told Sanji he’d surely make fun of him. ‘You’re so directionless even your stuff gets lost.’ A long sigh then escaped him. He wasn’t sure what to do. Maybe Sanji would just get over it?

Unfortunately, over the next few days, this does not seem to be the case. He still has that anxious look on his face that he wipes away to serve, but now there’s more.

It was a little mistake. Zolo himself didn’t notice, but when Nami commented politely at dinner one day, “Sanji? This stew is good, but it’s a bit meaty for my tastes,” Zolo then realised that his own stew was a bit too tangy and sweet.

They both had turned to Sanji, who looked downright flabbergasted, and quickly started profusely apologising. Apparently he had mixed up the two of theirs’ meals.

Of course, Zolo didn’t mind. Everyone made mistakes… but the cook didn’t. Or, at least he did everything in his power to prevent it. He checked and double checked, and to outsiders it may even seem concerning, but that’s just the way the cook was. A perfectionist.

The one mistake was fine. Though it was certainly weird.

The problem was that he kept messing up things. Breakfast would be late, he’d burn himself on a pan. It was severely out of character.

That is why, one day, Zolo got up early to hang out with Sanji while he cooked.

Sanji’d probably whine about it, but Zolo felt a protective urge. He also… felt quite guilty.

A while after Sanji left the boys’ bunkroom, Zolo followed him, pushing the galley door open and stepping inside.

Sanji didn’t greet him, but it was normal for them not to greet eachother, so Zolo didn’t say anything back. He just dragged a seat over to the island to sit down and watch Sanji work. After a few minutes, Sanji turned around to wash some vegetables at the sink and jumped when he saw Zolo, “Sheesh! Tell me when you enter the kitchen, you big silent oaf!”

“Isn’t “silent oaf” kind of contradictory?” Zolo raised an eyebrow, playing things natural when, in reality, he was worried. It wasn’t like the cook to be so unobservant, so distracted.

“I didn’t know you knew big words like that, Seaweed.” Sanji huffed, continuing what he was doing with the vegetables.

“Oh, shut up, Swirly.” With their bickering at a momentary impasse, silence fell over them before Sanji changed the subject.

“So why’re you here, up so early?”

“’M watching you cook.” Zolo answered truthfully, but Sanji just gave him a glare.

“Sure...” Sanji paused, “Well, if you’re gonna hang around, do you want something? No juice, though, it’s too early in the morning.”

Zolo’s expression softened, “Alright, tea, then?” It was just like Sanji, always offering things, like he didn’t do more than enough just feeding Luffy every day. He was so kind. Zolo liked how kind he was. Kind and thoughtful.

“Sure thing.” Sanji confirmed, but Zolo didn’t hear him over his own daydreaming.

When he gave Zolo his tea – of course he already knew Zolo’s favourite tea – He also included some of Zolo’s favourite cookies.

They were a weird recipe, rice covered with seaweed, but Sanji learned to make them just for him. Zolo’s heart fluttered again.

He ate slowly, savouring the cookies and tea while watching Sanji work. It was peaceful. Silence was comfortable when they were together.

Sanji flitted about like normal – albeit a little more jittery-seeming – until he suddenly hissed in pain.

Zolo immediately got up, rushing around the counter to see the that Sanji had cut his hand while he was chopping. It was a small nick, just on his index finger, but Zolo knew how he valued his hands, he knew how careful he was, and how good he usually was with a knife.

So Zolo grabbed his hand, pulling him towards the sink to rinse the cut while grumbling, “Be more careful, idiot.”

“Hey, I’m fine!” Sanji growled back, but Zolo ignored him. “I said I’m fine, let me go!”

Zolo grunted in response, but Sanji was fed up, kicking him in the shin to get him to let go. “What’s your problem, Mosshead? I said I was fine!”

“Your hands are important to you, aren’t they?” Zolo questioned, lifting up his leg to rub his hurt shin.

“It’s just a fricking cut, I’ll deal with it. Don’t smother me, you idiot.” Sanji defended, and Zolo furrowed his brows.

“You don’t “just fricking cut” yourself on accident, you lolly-sucker.”

“And how should you know? It’s not like you usually watch me so carefully, but apparently now I need baby-sitting.” Sanji spat.

“I’m not baby-sitting you, stupid-cook, I’m worried about you!” Zolo spat back, and Sanji paused. Once again, Sanji’s brain seemed to be working too hard over something.

“What do you mean you’re worried about me? Your worried about me messing up the food?” Sanji tilted his head. He was still glaring, but his tone lost all its venom.

“No, I’m not- What? Your food’s always good- I mean, terrible- No, though, I’m just worried about you.” Zolo explained, even though it seemed obvious. Sanji was bad at this, though, he knew. Always the self-sacrificial overworking idiot, Zolo knew something was up with Sanji’s self-worth. He never pried.

“Oh.” Sanji looked down at their hands, and they both fell silent for a moment. Zolo grabbed Sanji’s hand again and pulled it under the running water. “You know, you don’t have to.”

“Don’t have to what, Curly?”

“Don’t have to worry about me.” Sanji spoke quietly, and Zolo looked up from his hand to meet his eyes for a moment. He didn’t know how much he’d pay to find out what Sanji was thinking, but he knew it was enough that Nami would be mad at him if he spent it.

“I know.” He offered finally, and Sanji looked confused, but if he didn’t get it already, he probably wouldn’t get any of Zolo’s explanations quite yet anyway.

They were both silent as Zolo dried off Sanji’s hand and gave him a small band-aid, and once he did they both went back to what they were doing like nothing happened.

Sanji cooked, and Zolo watched.

It’s not long after the incident that Sanji calls everyone for breakfast. Things go as normal, people who usually do compliment the food, and Zolo says it tastes like trash. The only difference is the warmth in Sanji’s gaze when he gives Zolo a glare for the insult, and the less evil than usual grin that Zolo gives back.

When Zolo and Sanji settle next to each other to wash the dishes, once everyone else has left, Sanji starts, “So, are you going to start watching me cook every meal? Because that’s practically a full-time job, mosshead. You can forget about your training.”

Zolo grumbled in response. He probably couldn’t, it’s true. After this, Sanji’d immediately start on afternoon snacks, then dinner… Zolo already took time to wash the breakfast and dinner plates with Sanji, so he wouldn’t have any time in between if he watched Sanji cook.

That’s not even to mention Sanji’s indignation if Zolo saw it fit to watch him cook everyday. And Zolo could understand, if Sanji started babysitting his training he’d be understandably upset, too.

The problem was that Zolo felt responsible for this – ignoring the way his heart’s been feeling around Sanji lately. – He was probably the only one on the crew who knew about Sanji’s missing lollipop… and, like it or not, he would have to own up to it eventually.

But with Sanji acting the way he has been, how could he?! He got him a pillow, he didn’t kick him in the head on like- five different occasions where he normally would- and- it made Zolo feel all that much worse about the whole thing.

Neither of them continued the conversation until they were done with the dishes.

Zolo walked to the door, Sanji stood by the counter fiddling with his tie.

“I’m gonna go train. Don’t hurt yourself. And bring me some juice whenever.” Zolo finally said.

Sanji gave a nod, “Yeah, sure thing, moron.” and Zolo left.

The implication of comfort when Sanji brought him juice went unsaid. As did Sanji’s appreciation. They heard each other regardless.

Over the following days, Sanji didn’t take Zolo up on the offer, and Zolo decided not to push it.

For a while, things seemed normal, and Zolo could pretend that it was just a lollipop. That it didn’t matter. That Sanji would get over it before it became a big deal.

But it was a big deal. It was a big deal to Sanji, so it was a big deal to him.

Zolo entered the galley one day, looking to demand some juice to go with the snack Sanji had left him a moment ago.

What he didn’t expect to walk in on was what was most likely a fantasy of Chopper’s.

The kitchen table had probably twelve plates on it all stacked to the ceiling with lollipops, and Zolo’s chin quite literally hit the floor.

“Have you gone insane, Dartboard?!” He demanded, and a flustered looking Sanji almost dropped the molten sugar he was pouring into a new mold.

“Shut up!!! Why are you slinking around like a dang cat all the time?! Don’t just come in here and yell at me, you oversized-knife wielder!!!” Sanji yelled, his face alit with anger.

“There’s something seriously wrong with you!!!” Zolo shot back, still overwhelmed with the sheer volume of candy he walked in on. “Chopper’s going to get diabetes!!”

“These aren’t for Chopper, you idiot! They’re all failures, anyway!!”

Zolo ignored Sanji for a moment, eyes still popping out of their sockets as he tiptoed over to a plate to pick up a lollipop and inspect it.

It didn’t look like a failure. It just looked like… A lollipop.

His face relaxed as the shock of the situation died down. He then raised an eyebrow towards Sanji in question. What’s wrong with it?

Sanji scoffed, shoulders tensed as he continued pouring the candy into the molds. “Everything.”

Zolo narrowed his eyes, licking the lollipop suspiciously. It was certainly nothing like his old lollipop, but Zolo should have known that Sanji couldn’t make anything that disgusting.

It was perfect. A subtle mix of cherry and some unknown tropical fruit they probably got recently, not at all fake-tasting. Sugar levels toned down to something reasonable. And, with a curious bite, actually destructible.

Yeah, they were nothing like his old lollipop.

That did raise the question. Why did he even want that disgusting thing? What made it so important?

He glanced over towards Sanji again, who he now noticed had three lollipops in his mouth. Sanji pulled a batch out of the fridge and replaced it with the one he just poured before he walked over to Zolo, setting it on the table.

He popped one out of the mold and held it up to him. “Try it, compared to the one you just licked. That one’s an old batch.”

“Okay...” He set the lollipop he just licked down in favour of the one Sanji handed him and licked it.

His face screwed up. Well, it tasted more artificial. More sweet. With a tentative bite he could tell it was sturdier than the previous batch. There was that bitterness he detected in Sanji’s original lollipop, too, but…

It still tasted good.

As if reading Zolo’s facial expression was enough, Sanji let out a distressed sigh and slid into a seat where he rested his head on the table. “Still okay, right? Fudge, I call myself a chef and I can’t even make bad food...”

“Isn’t that the opposite of a chef?” Zolo slid into a seat beside Sanji, and Sanji turned his head to rest a cheek on the table and face him.

“A chef should be able to make what he wants.” Sanji said, and Zolo considered his words carefully, pausing before he spoke again.

“Would you be happy if it tasted the exact same?” Zolo asked, and Sanji reached out a hand to put yet another lollipop into his mouth from the most recent batch.

“I don’t know… I just wish- Like, if I make a good replica, that’s when I find it, right? Right when I don’t need it?” It was a desperate grasp at logic that the cook would usually scoff at.

“Do you need it?”

Sanji frowned, lifting his head from the table and taking the four lollipops out of his mouth to fiddle with them.

Zolo tried to analyse his facial expression. Sanji looked like he was trying to decide something for a while before he met Zolo’s eyes again. “Do you… want to know why it’s important to me?”

“I told you it doesn’t matter. If it’s important to you, it’s important to me.” Zolo assured, though he was curious.

“I appreciate the sentiment, Mosshead, but I’m asking you a question.” Sanji huffed.

“Alright. I do want to know.” He gave, and Sanji sighed like he was hoping Zolo wouldn’t care at all.

“I’ll make this as easy as I can...” Sanji paused, chewing on the end of a lollipop stick. “When I was a kid, before I met Zeff, things weren’t very… Good.”

Zolo tensed. Oh shoot, it really is important. Worry pausing for a moment, he scrunched his face up in confusion, wasn’t Zeff Sanji’s father?

“Zeff’s the one worthy of being my father, I’ll say that.” Sanji supplied. “Anyway, people... weren’t very nice to me, other than my mother...”

Zolo could see the distress in Sanji gaze, the gaze that kept flicking away from him when he said certain words. Zolo now desperately wanted to know, not just about the lollipop. What was shrouded behind his “easy” words? How could he help?

Sanji’s face lightened slightly as he opened his mouth to continue, “I’ve always liked cooking. Ever since I was a child. I used to sneak out and make food for my mother.”

The thought that Sanji had to sneak around to cook was disturbing, but he hummed for Sanji to continue regardless.

“I was terrible at it. It was all crap, the stuff I made. She’d treasure it, though. Flatter me. Tell me it was good.”

It was hard to imaginine a Sanji that wasn’t good at cooking.

“That lollipop,” Zolo finally remembered what they were initially talking about, “I made it for her. It’s trash, hard as a rock, totally inedible, but…” Sanji’s voice cracks, and he looks away, clearly trying to hide the way his eyes teared up.

A familiar grief rushed through Zolo. One he still felt when he thought of Kuina’s injuries.

He placed a hand on Sanji’s back, “I get it, Curly-Brow.” and for once Sanji looks fondly at him for the use of the nickname.

“You idiot swordsman, let me finish- It just reminds me of her, my time with her, and- That’s it, I guess. It’s the only good thing I came out of there with.” Sanji sighs a relieved breath, and Zolo can see him relax after getting everything off his chest.

“You’ve got the memories.”

“It still hurts.”

“I get it.” He repeated, his eyes flashing to where the Wado is attached to his hip. He really gets it. He really messed up.

Unable to bear the silence, Sanji pushes himself out of the chair and shoves the four lollipops back in his mouth, “I won’t give him them all at once...”

“Who?” Zolo also sits up, leaving the two lollipops he tested at the table.

“Chopper. I won’t let him get diabetes.” Oh right. “Since you’re here, help me clean this up, Sword-Boy.”

“Sure, you lolly-sucking loser.”

As they systematically put the lollipops into various comically large containers, Zolo notices with suspicion that every time he looks towards Sanji, Sanji’s staring back at him. What’s more, Sanji keeps immediately trying to pretend like he wasn’t staring at him.

His brow furrows, and he waits patiently for Sanji’s gaze to return to him before he whips his head around to catch him. “Hah!”

“Shut up!” Sanji seethes, and Zolo grins.

“You’re staring at me.”

Sanji sticks out his tongue, “So what if I am? It’s not my fault you’re so ugly.”

“Doesn’t seem like you’re looking because I’m ugly.”

“Ugh, you loser.” Sanji pouts, and Zolo’s gaze sobers, “It’s your fault, you’ve been acting so weird lately.”

Zolo raises a brow.

“I’m just thinking...” Sanji narrows his eyes, and Zolo tenses. “You’ve been weird lately.”

“Weird?” Zolo starts sweating profusely… He knows. How does he know? Did Luffy tell him?

If Sanji knew he took his lollipop… after this whole conversation, and all their interactions lately… He was in big trouble.

Luckily, Sanji started talking again before his thoughts could spiral too much more. “You know, helping me look, these weird heart to hearts… You know how I am, so it’s your fault!” Unluckily, he could still know.

“How you are? In what way, your annoyingness?” He scrunches his face up, hoping to gosh that Sanji didn’t know. He had so much to lose that he wasn’t even aware he could have before.

Sanji finally explodes, “How I’m the freaking love-cook, you fudging crappy swordsman-” What’s a fudging crappy swordsman? Zolo wondered as Sanji pointed to himself pointedly. “I feel the butterflies too hard already, and you being so darn caring and thoughtful is NOT HELPING!!”

Zolo’s mouth dropped open in shock and relief, and the self-proclaimed love cook’s mouth soon followed.

“I didn’t just say that-” He started sputtering, and Zolo just stared as he backed himself into a metaphorical corner before sucking in his lips and staring at Zolo awkwardly.

“I’m- Uh...” Zolo was vaguely becoming more aware how red his face had gotten while Sanji sputtered. “Flattered.”

Sanji’s face twisted into one similar in strength to when he got his last terrible wanted poster, and Zolo just hoped it was because he wasn’t being very classy, and not because thinking of Zolo that way disgusted him.

Somehow, they finish putting away all of the lollipops – except for a few to be given to Chopper and the others – and Sanji spares Zolo no words before quite literally kicking him out of the kitchen.

Zolo had so much to make up for. Way too much.

And now Sanji might-

… He might like him.

That was good. In any other scenario, Zolo would be ecstatic, but… Right now he felt crappy.

He went over what happened in his head.

He stole from him, gave him more attention than usual, prayed off his fraying emotions, and now was making Sanji falsely fall in love with him.

Alternatively…

He was curious about him, so he investigated his lollipop, made an honest mistake, couldn’t bare to be hated by him, tried to comfort him, and allowed Sanji to uncover feelings hidden beneath a shroud of petty anger?

Sanji would definitely go for the first one, Zolo thought. Although he’s thought a lot of things about the cook lately that have turned out to be false.

Whatever the case may be, it seemed Sanji wasn’t quite sure about things himself. He was blisteringly dismissive of Zolo throughout dinner and breakfast the next day, and it made Zolo wonder if it really was just a slip of the tongue in the first place.

The way he looked at him, blushed, looked away, and made him extra cookies said otherwise.

In other news, Chopper and Luffy have been ecstatic at the amount of lollipops.

It was the next afternoon that he had brought down some weight to lift in the kitchen – much to Sanji’s dismay – that Luffy and Chopper walked in to get what was probably their tenth lolly fix of the day.

He watched as Sanji opened a small, diversionary container – because otherwise they’d work together to break in and eat the big batches, – to give them each one.

It seemed then that the logical part of Luffy’s brain caught up to the actions of the cook and swordsman throughout the week, and he broke out into a big grin, “Oh! Sanji and Zolo are finally together, I see! That’s why Zolo had Sanji’s lo-”

SMACK! Zolo slapped his hand over Luffy’s mouth in just the nick of time, giving Luffy a death glare.

“Mmph MMMPHPh Ghphph.” Said Luffy, and Sanji kicked Luffy over the head, red as a tomato.

“Who said anything about me and Mosshead being together?!!” Luckily, Sanji seemed to be focused on the relationship part of what Luffy said.

“Gphahhgsh… mphph… MEAT!” Luffy escaped Zolo’s grasp and ran to the door of the galley, snickering. “I see, you owe me meat for keeping your secrets.”

He dashed out before either of them could condemn him further, and both Sanji and Zolo were left red faced and panting.

There was a bout of silence before they remembered Chopper was there, and the three of them glanced between each other awkwardly. “Uhm… Thanks for the lollipop, Sanji! I won’t say anything.” Chopper offered, scampering out of the situation.

Zolo glanced to Sanji, who was looking at him, before immediately looking away.

“So… I guess this really is a thing.” Sanji sighed, turning to put the remaining lollipops away again and return to cooking dinner.

“What...?” Zolo needed to confirm Sanji didn’t hear – or at least was too distracted to notice – the second half of Luffy’s sentence.

“You and me.” He paused to raise a brow at Zolo, “Unless you really are stupid enough to not have noticed the change.”

Zolo scoffed, leaning against the counter.

“Guess that was hopeful thinking. You’re in the way, Meathead.” He kicked Zolo’s ankle, and Zolo returned to his place at the table with his weights.

“I don’t hate it.” Zolo admitted. Far from it.

“And I hate to admit it, but same here.” He paused to walk over to the table and lean towards Zolo, “It almost makes losing my lollipop worth it.”

Zolo’s face flushed red as he parroted Sanji, “Almost...” and Sanji frowned. He looked sad. Zolo didn’t want Sanji to be sad.

After a long pause, Sanji pushed away from the table and back over to the counter to work on dinner.

Zolo took the opportunity to think about this. Beyond the repercussions that would come from him taking the lollipop. About how Sanji liked him. About how ecstatic he would be without the lollipop hanging over his head.

How ecstatic he could be.

He liked Sanji. Sanji, as it turns out, likes him, and even if it would all be for naught when Sanji found out – because he would find out, if not on his own, Zolo would tell him soon- eventually, – he would regret it if he didn’t take the shot while he could.

That’s why he pushed himself out of his chair, walked over to Sanji, spun him around to face him, and said, “Since you’re missing your lollipop… Do you need- uh- something else on your mouth?”

There was a long pause where Zolo questioned everything in his life that led up to this moment before Sanji’s mouth opened, as if to say something, before snapping shut again as his face and ears turned redder than he’d ever seen them before.

Unable to form words, Sanji nodded furiously, and it took Zolo an embarrassing amount of time to react, but when he did he leaned in, clunkily pressing their lips together.

They were soft, softer than he expected, and it took a bit, but Sanji relaxed against him, tongue slipping out to tentatively lick at Zolo’s lip. Zolo responded by opening his mouth and tilting his head, deepening the kiss.

Zolo hadn’t spent much time romancing, focused purely on becoming the greatest swordsman, and he’s not sure if Sanji has much experience himself, considering the clumsiness of the kiss. Their teeth clack a few times, and neither of them are sure where to put their hands.

Despite all of this, it’s better than Zolo could ever imagine.

When he finally pulled away, Sanji coughed, still just as red as before, “Talk about coming on strong, Mosshead.”

“Sorry.” Zolo rubbed the back of his head sheepishly.

Sanji eventually took a step back, clearing his throat, “I like this- whatever this is,” he paused, “Uh, I’m not ready to tell the crew… I don’t know when I will be. I want to take things slow.”

Zolo nodded, “Yeah, for sure. Let’s not rush.” Not to mention Zolo needed the time to confess about the lollipop...

“Okay, yeah… Now get out of my kitchen, I’m cooking.”

So Zolo slunk back to the table, and silence overtook them as they both silently celebrated and panicked over their relationship for wildly different reasons.

The days continued turbulently for Zolo. Between sheepish kisses that left him light headed, and guilt that left his heart heavy whenever he saw Sanji space out with a sad look on his face, it wore him out more than their island adventures ever could.

It’s on a day he felt particularly weary that Sanji burst through the door of the crows’ nest to join him on his night watch, cookies and juice in hand. He strode over to Zolo to give him a peck on the cheek along with the snacks and drink, which Zolo took gratefully, but with a defiant growl.

He chewed on one of the cookies – one with sea king meat – while Sanji took a step away to open the window and take a deep breath of sea air.

His hair blew softly in the wind, moonlight making it look as if it was glowing, and his eyes were a bright crystalline blue that contrasted the night sky and the waves perfectly.

All Zolo could focus on was the way his lips were downturned into a frown.

He looked from Sanji to the juice in his hand – it wouldn’t have been worth it. The juice. He wouldn’t hold Sanji’s lollipop over his head, now knowing what it was.

His face turned into a vicious scowl as he thought of his own selfishness, and before he knew it he was standing.

“I took it.” He admitted, voice stern, and Sanji only turned to look at him with confused eyes. “I took your lollipop and lost it.”

His back hit the ground faster than he could blink, and when he opened his eyes, he hissed realising that he wasn’t even in the crows’ nest anymore.

“Ah! Zolo! Don’t do flying around like that! You could hit me, I’m fragile!!” Usopp shrieked, but Zolo barely heard him.

He got up. One free hit he deserved, but he wouldn’t do Sanji the dishonour to let him win completely. It wouldn’t help.

Soon Usopp had fled, and Sanji landed softly on the green at the bottom of the crow’s nest, a hurt glare on his face. “You lied to me, you jerk! You made me think you cared about me!”

“I do care, Curly. I didn’t mean to hurt you.” Zolo reasoned, voice as calm as he could make it considering the scenario.

“Oh, shut up! Out of everyone on the crew, the only one who notices is the only one who could help, but just my luck, it’s the idiot Mosshead who hates me.” Sanji hissed, raising a leg into the air for a fighting stance.

“I don’t hate you! I told you I lost it.” Zolo unsheathed his swords, placing one in his mouth.

“Joint Jim-Jam!” Sanji leapt with ferocious speed straight into a sweep of Zolo’s leg, which he just barely avoided, jumping out of the way and parrying with a blade while he turned his head to slash towards Sanji’s neck.

Sanji ducked out of the way of Wado, and, leg bouncing off of the other sword, he landed on his hands, unleashing a flurry of kicks on Zolo, which were each just barely deflected, “So you really think we insult your directional skills for no reason?!”

“What does that have to do with things?!” Zolo mumbled through Wado before catching one of Sanji’s legs between two blades, flipping him to the side.

Sanji gracefully sprung over his legs and his hands again to land on his feet, wiping his forehead as he continued, “Who do you think’s the one always FINDING you?!”

“You are-” Zolo was cut off as Sanji rushed towards him again.

“Clavicle Schnitzel Kick-off!!” Sanji feinted a kick to the leg, instead springing onto his hands again to smash Zolo in the chest.

Zolo rolled backwards, landing in a kneeling position, “What’s that got to do with anything?!” He crossed his blades in front of him, “Ultimate three swords...”

“That means I know the directions you take better than you do!!” Sanji crouched down to prepare his next attack. “Leg O’wham...”

Zolo launched himself towards Sanji, “A THOUSAND WORLDS!!”

Sanji kicked off the ground towards Zolo, “DRUMSTICK SUPREME!!!”

They collided and both tumbled straight to the ground, struggling to get the upper hand, “So what?!” Zolo let his swords clatter on the ground in favour of grabbing at Sanji’s wrists.

Sanji wrapped his legs around Zolo’s torso, trapping his legs so he could wrench his hands out of Zolo’s grip, “So I know exactly where you would have lost my lollipop!!”

The shock that overtook Zolo was enough to give Sanji an edge. With a swift kick, Zolo went flying over the edge of the ship and into the cold water below.

After the initial freezing shivers faded, Zolo relaxed, he let himself feel the water, to focus on the moment for a few seconds; Before he needed to surface for air. Before he needed to think about how to fix things.

When he did surface, he opened his eyes, and could distantly hear Nami chewing out Sanji for fighting.

Somehow, between gasps for air he managed a sigh before he pulled himself back up the side of the ship where he could flop down on the green.

“You two are too much! I’ve doubled both your interest rates for this, you know!” He heard the witch’s shrill voice, but didn’t bring himself to respond. “Hey, are you okay…?”

Her voice softened, and he opened his eyes to look at her, “I messed up.”

“What happened this time...?”

Zolo sat up, stretched, and got up, “Let’s talk somewhere else.”

“Yeah, sure.” Nami side-eyed Usopp, who was totally not listening in.

They headed to Nami’s room – a place only Zolo was allowed because he wasn’t interested in women – and Nami sat down on her bed, patting the seat beside her.

“Still no fair you get a better bed than all the rest of us.”

“Yeah, yeah, and you’re avoiding the topic, mister. I take it whatever it is has to do with Sanji?”

Zolo groaned and sat down where she patted, sparing no amount of scowl, “Yeah, maybe… He doesn’t want the crew to know part of this, so if you’ll snitch to Usopp I won’t tell you.”

Nami mimed zipping her lips shut, thought for a moment, then unzipped briefly, “You know, everything has a price… but I’ll set the price high.”

Zolo considered this for a moment before deciding it was the best he was going to get out of her. He dragged a hand across his face while he gathered his thoughts before starting.

He told her everything – respectfully avoiding the specifics about Sanji’s attachment to his lollipop, – and Nami listened attentively between gasps of shock.

“Oh my gosh- you- he only has one lollipop?- But more importantly, congratulations on finally getting together!- But also I am so sorry, you really messed things up!”

Zolo rubbed his hands over his eyes tiredly, and Nami took the hint, “Okay, okay, you’re not interested in my reaction, I get it. I’ll save the celebration for when you’re officially together, okay. Phew… So you want my help?”

Zolo grunted, “How much’ll it cost?”

“Awe, you know me so well. I’ll give you a couple’s discount for it, hah!” Nami gave a thumbs-up, but Zolo didn’t laugh. “Let me think…” Nami brought her hand to her chin and stroked an imaginary beard thoughtfully.

Zolo took the time to lay back on the bed and try to clear his head. He couldn’t change the past, he didn’t know how things would turn out, and he was getting help from… well, the most eligible person on board. He shouldn’t be so stressed, but regret still tugged at his heart uselessly. He hurt Sanji.

“I’ve got it!” Nami held a finger up triumphantly, and hopped to her feet.

Zolo didn’t bother sitting up, but at least raised a brow in interest.

“First of all, you’re a brute and don’t think before you say things...”

He growled at her, “I thought you were going to help.”

“I am! Just listen, I know you’ll want to rush in and try to fix things, but you can’t do that. If you go in now, Sanji’s just gonna fight you again. You need to give him a few days first, and then… You strike with all you’ve got!!” There was a fire in her eyes, and Zolo suddenly wondered if he should have gone to someone else.

“And do what exactly…?”

“Sanji’s a romantic, I think we all know that. He loves all that mushy gushy stuff, and to top it off, you hate it! That means if you do something mushy, he’ll know you did it just for him.”

Zolo shuddered, “I’m no good at that stuff.”

“But you love him, so you’ll do it anyway. And I’m here to help, I have the perfect thing!” Nami giggled. It sounded evil… She was probably thinking of her paycheck. “You’ll make him a new lollipop. One just from you, to keep as a memento of his memories with you!”

“A replacement lolly? But he said he could find his old one…”

“Dead wrong.” She made an ‘X’ with her arms, “It’s not a replacement in the least. His old one was for someone special to him, and this one will be from someone special to him. Make it a completely different flavour, fail horribly, I don’t care what you do, but make it different. That’s the key!”

Zolo stopped to consider this seriously. It did sound like the kind of romantic mush Sanji would enjoy… Him learning to make the lollipop, and following through with soft words would definitely warm Sanji’s heart…

But that was only if Zolo succeeded. What if he couldn’t make the lollipop in the first place? What if the words came out and sounded mocking, or cheap?

“Hey, at least give it a try. If it doesn’t work, I’ll give you another half off.” Nami said softly, and Zolo sat up to look at her properly.

“Yeah, thanks. I’ll try it.” Nami was right. He had to try. She was also being uncharacteristically sweet, so it’d be a shame to pass this up.

He started on the lollipop right away. Well, as soon as Sanji was out of the kitchen. He was sure it’d take him a while to make a lollipop, and in the mean time Sanji would be getting the space he needed.

Although making a lollipop sounded simple enough, once he stepped into the kitchen he realised it wouldn’t be quite so easy. It suddenly looked bigger than usual, and he had no idea what to do.

The one thing he knew was he needed those mold things that Sanji was using, so he could start by finding those.

Unfortunately, even that took longer than expected, and by the time he found them he wasn’t sure when Sanji would burst back into the galley, so he was forced to slink away. Not to mention he didn’t have any other steps in mind.

Maybe Sanji would have a book with a recipe for lollipops?

It took Zolo an embarrassing amount of time to find the section of the crews’ booshelf that had Sanji’s cookbooks on it, and after struggling to read more than too many titles written in cursive North Blue, he gave up and asked Nami for help finding the right book.

He only had to fork over a few berry, and Nami left him with the book he needed to make “the perfect lollipop,” as it claimed.

Satisfied, he stowed it in his belly warmer to take up to the crows’ nest.

He read the recipe over carefully, once, twice… okay, too many times. He wasn’t sure how to change it, though. It was just sugar, water, cherry juice, and some other stuff that Zolo wasn’t sure how to find – he figured he’d be fine without it, – but as Nami said, he needed to customise it.

Was he supposed to put in something the cook liked…? What did the cook like?

Cherry juice was one thing, Zolo liked all juice, but Sanji was more picky. He only really liked expensive, flaunty, aged grape juice. That would work, but Sanji would get mad at him for taking it.

Perhaps he could put in something he liked. It was supposed to remind Sanji of time spent with him, after all.

When Sanji was happy with him he always made him cookies… And from his time in his home town, he knew how to make them. He started to grin as the ideas formed.

There was a vinegar, salt and sugar mixture that had to go on the rice that would be a perfect substitute for Cherry juice, and he decided that he could mash up some rice and put it in it as well. Perfect!

And so, in the short breaks between Sanji cooking, Zolo got to work.

It took him a few days to scout out everything he needed, but once he got the placements down, things went smoothly. Soon it was time for him to try out his first batch.

Between burning the sugar, realising rice had to be made with water, and using the wrong kind of vinegar, his first batch didn’t quite make it… but he left the kitchen that day with a good list of what not to do, and a confidence at the fact he escaped and washed the dishes he used without Sanji noticing.

Days went by of avoiding Sanji’s gaze at meals – he had found his lollipop, Zolo was happy for him – but the evening soon came when things worked out for him.

Sanji had watch, so he got to work.

He set the rice to cook with what he had found to be the right amount of water, and prepared the rice vinegar, salt and sugar mixture while he waited.

When it was done, he put the sugar, water, and what he had found out to be the mystery ingredient, corn syrup, into the pot while he mashed the rice and added the flavouring.

Once the sugar dissolved, he added the rice mush and some more water to soften it while stirring vigorously.

The bubbles popped and splattered as if it was mad at its very own existence, but Zolo did not back down. He growled at it, and, within time, the thermometer reached the desired temperature and he poured it as swiftly at he could into the molds.

He made two, one to test and one to give to Sanji if it was acceptable.

Once the pot was set down, he took a moment to wipe the sweat off of his forehead before putting the molds into the freezer.

Now it was a waiting game. He washed dishes at ease until the shrill beeps of his timer stopped him.

Putting on oven mitts, he opened the freezer and took out the molds, setting it carefully on a cooling rack to warm up.

After finishing up with the dishes, Zolo walked cautiously over to test a lollipop.

He popped them out of the molds and eyed them, choosing the less damaged one to save for Sanji. Gathering his courage, he gave the test one a lick.

Minimal sweetness, more or less to his tastes.

The vinegar was really strong… It was tolerable, though.

The rice didn’t really taste like anything, but it had a grainy texture.

It was definitely too salty.

But he was proud of himself. It was the best batch yet. It didn’t reach anywhere near Sanji’s prowess today, but it just about matched up with Sanji’s disgusting old lollipop.

With frantic nerves, he steeled himself for the next test, opening his mouth to take the most forceful chomp he could muster.

The crack that was heard was not the lollipop, and though toughness is what he was going for, he was not sure whether to be grateful for the chipped tooth.

Going in for the final test, he held it steady with one hand as he unsheathed the Wado.

With precision to be envied, a sharp SHINK echoed through the kitchen, and a wild grin finally broke out onto his face. It didn’t even crack.

He tucked both lollipops into his belly warmer – after wrapping them with tin foil – and went to the boys’ room to drop the test one off with his stuff before he headed to the crow’s nest where Sanji had watch.

He was done waiting. He was gonna do this tonight.

His heart hammered in his chest as he climbed the stairs to the crows nest, and he had to stop to take a deep breath before he opened the door quietly.

Sanji was staring wistfully out towards the ocean, and Zolo paused to admire him. The sea once again reflected in his eyes, and the lights were off in the crow’s nest, which allowed the light from the now rising moon to give his hair a perfect glow. He looked perfect.

Almost perfect. His lips were still turned in a small frown.

He cleared his throat, and Sanji turned to face him slowly, like he really didn’t want for this confrontation. Shade covered the half of his face covered by his hair.

When Sanji’s eyes confirmed the mosshead’s identity, his face fell a little and he turned back to the window, rolling his lollipop back and forth in his mouth anxiously.

Think romantic Zolo reminded himself, stuttering, “You look nice in the moonlight.”

Sanji remained tense, but smiled. A fake smile. “Yeah, thanks…” So Nami was right, Sanji’s anger had died down. He wasn’t sure this was better.

Zolo settled beside him, leaning against the windowsill, and Sanji gave him a slow questioning look.

“Sanji,” The cook’s eyes widen briefly at his name, “I didn’t mean to hurt you. I took it because I was curious. Then when things started opening up between us, I got scared.”

Sanji’s eyes softened, and he looked like he was ready to forgive him, but Zolo knew it wasn’t enough. Sanji was too nice. He’d forgive anyone who asked, even when they didn’t deserve it. He had to earn this, or things wouldn’t really be fixed.

“I didn’t want things to go back to… baseless animosity, so I didn’t say anything. I’m sorry.” He reached a hand towards his belly warmer, but Sanji stopped it before it got anywhere. He held it between his hands. His soft hands.

“I’m sorry, too,” Zolo’s heart hurt, don’t do this, “I know you don’t hate me- I said you did when I was mad at you, but I didn’t mean it.” His eyes were pleading, like he was the one to blame, but all Zolo could do was nod.

“You have no reason to be sorry,” He put a finger to Sanji’s mouth before he could speak again and pulled his other hand free of Sanji’s to pull the lollipop out of his belly warmer.

He held it up, removing his hand from Sanji’s mouth, and Sanji gasped, “A lollipop…?”

“For you. To remind you of our time together… I hope you can still recall it happily. And-” He coughed, “That we can make more memories together.”

Sanji’s bottom lip trembled as he took it from Zolo’s hand and unwrapped it, “… Did you make it yourself?”

Zolo nodded, and Sanji’s eyebrows knitted together as he went into professional taste tester cook mode.

He pulled his other lollipop out of his mouth and licked Zolo’s lollipop tentatively, closing his eyes.

Zolo’s pretty sure he catches Sanji’s eyebrows scrunch up, and a vein pop out on his forehead before he puts the whole thing in his mouth and forces a smile, but it’s not really forced, “It’s good!”

Zolo sighed and leans forward into Sanji’s space, wrapping his arms around him, “You’re too sweet.”

Sanji lets out a laugh as the tension fades out of him, “Unlike your lollipop.”

Zolo presses their foreheads together, and Sanji returns his old lollipop into his mouth along with the new one, placing his hands around Zolo’s neck.

They stare at each other for the rest of the evening, foreheads together and lips just barely touching. Zolo can feel Sanji’s heart beating, and it’s just as fast as his. There’s both an excitement and quietness in the air.

It’s the perfect first memory for the new lollipop.

Eventually the door opened, and they sprung apart from each other as Nami entered the Crow’s nest for her watch. She raised a suspicious eyebrow before Sanji started sputtering and yelling, “It’s not what it looks like, my sweet!” but luckily she kept her promise and feinted obliviousness, only winking at Zolo.

Zolo followed Sanji until they reached the entrance to the boys’ bunk and Sanji paused. “In case it wasn’t obvious, I do forgive you, and… I really like you, Sword-boy.”

Zolo let out a snort, to which Sanji kicked him in the shin, “Yeah, same here, Lolly-sucker.”

Sanji leaned in to give him one more kiss goodnight before they went back to “friends” in front of the others. But Zolo didn’t mind in the least.

And from then on, Blackleg Sanji could be seen slurping on two lollipops.