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Zoro looked doubtful at the paper he was holding. He blinked and rubbed his eyes, but he was still holding a note in his hands.
The paper looked old, the coins were torn and a part was ripped out like someone ripped it from a book. Zoro didn’t recognize the handwriting but he was sure the writer was someone from the crew. He had found the note in the crow’s nest and they had been sailing for a week. Also, Zoro didn’t find it last night during his night watch so someone had put the note during the day.
Zoro brushed the ripped part. He hadn’t seen any of his nakamas holding a book since they started sailing except for Chopper and Nami. But their doctor would never rip out a page from one of his medical books and the witch would increase his debts for even looking at her maps. Then Zoro’s gaze drifted and saw Robin reading next to the tangerine trees.
Zoro cursed. Robin had been sailing with them since they left Alabasta a week ago and no matter the hour of the day or the night, Zoro would always see her with a book in her hands.
He left the crow’s nest not before putting the note in his pocket. Zoro passed next to the boys’ room, he could hear Luffy and Usopp snores. Chopper was either asleep or reading his new book about medicinal plants. Nami was probably advancing on her map. The cook was sleeping, probably dreaming about girls. Zoro climbed the stairs and walked to Robin. When he arrived at the last steps of the stairs, she turned her head and smiled at him. She must’ve heard the sound of his boots.
“Something’s wrong Swordman-san?”
Zoro pulled out the paper from his pocket “Is it yours?”
Robin tilted her head. She held her hand, showing Zoro she wanted to look at it closely. Zoro was reluctant, he didn’t trust her yet despite Luffy claiming she was nakama now. But maybe because of that note, Zoro would see if she was really as trustworthy as she was saying.
Zoro gave Robin and she read it out loud.
“Your smiles are the rarest and most precious things I’ve seen,
They brighten my day in untellable ways and warm my heart.
I wish you’d smile more because you’re so beautiful,
But I don’t think I could stop loving you once I start.”
Zoro felt his cheeks warm up. He knew the note wasn’t for him but still. Who among their crew would write something as beautiful as this?
Robin brushed the paper. “This isn’t from one of my books but the paper looks familiar. I didn’t know someone among us would know poetry. I have no idea who wrote it but it’s a beautiful poem. Where did you find it?”
“In the crow’s nest, just before my shift.” Zoro shrugged “If someone had left that there, then it’s probably unimportant.”
Robin looked at the paper, she frowned and then smiled. “Maybe it’s important to the poet. You should keep it.” Zoro frowned. Robin was smiling like she suddenly understood who was the writer. She handed him the paper. “What it’s sure, is that our nameless poet is deeply in love. Don’t you think Swordman-san?”
Zoro looked at the paper and read it again. Who could fall in love with a smile? Smiles aren’t that pretty. Well, Sanji had a pretty smile, but that stupid cook was pretty all the damn time.
He put back the note in his pocket. “I think it’s stupid.”
Robin chuckled “Of course. Now it’s getting late. I should go to sleep, goodnight Swordman-san.”
“Night.”
Zoro walked back to the crow’s nest. He pulled a blanket around him and after a few minutes, he took the note out of his pocket to read it again. Robin had called it a poem. Whoever wrote it, maybe Zoro could ask them to write another one for Sanji? That idiot would like it.
— — —
When Zoro found the second poem he didn’t realize it at first. The poem was hidden between two blankets in the storage room. Nami had decided the usual blankets needed to be washed so Zoro had gone pick the ones Conis had offered them. He saw a piece of paper falling on the ground and took it.
“You inspire me.
Every day,
Day after day
After day,
You train to be a better version of yourself
For us, for you, for the crew.
You fought God himself
For us?
You inspire me to do the same,
To want to be better
For us, for you, for the crew.
I want to deserve you.
I want to reach you,
But sometimes I feel you’re too far.
Will I one day touch you?
Or would you push me away?
Please,
Let me be at your side.
That’s my only prayer.”
After he finished reading Zoro remembered the first poem. He walked to the boys’ room and took the poem hidden under his pillow. Zoro sat in his hammock and compared the handwriting. The letters matched perfectly. Whoever wrote the first poem also wrote the second one.
One was an accident. Twice was a coincidence. Zoro didn’t believe in coincidence. He needed to find who was the writer or poet as Robin said.
Zoro made a mental list. It didn’t look like one of Usopp’s pranks. Chopper wasn’t interested in poetry. Luffy didn’t know how to write and would ask Cook, or the girls to write letters to Ace before they bought a den den mushi. He had three suspects now. Robin, Nami, and Curly. Robin seemed surprised when Zoro had brought her the poem but she could have faked it. He needed to compare the handwriting but not right now in the middle of the day. Zoro would wait for Nami’s night watch duty to begin to start his investigation.
After Curly called for dinner, Zoro discreetly looked at his nakamas’ hands. None of them had ink on their fingers but Cook made everyone wash their hands before eating.
Once Zoro was sure everyone was sleeping, he walked out of the boys’ room quietly and carefully went to the galley. He found Robin’s book on the table. He had seen his nakama annotated in it so it would be perfect for comparating. He flipped the page until he found a long note. Zoro pulled out the two poems from his pocket and compared the handwriting. He sighed when he saw it wasn’t matching.
Zoro closed the book and found Nami’s budget list on the fridge. The handwriting wasn’t matching either. Then Zoro walked to the counter where Curly’s cooking book was. He was about to open it when the door opened.
Zoro hid and saw Nami walking into the galley. She whispered “Weird, I thought there was someone.” and walked out.
Most of the Straw Hat tend to forget that Zoro could be sneaky. After all, when you’re a hunter you have to be sneaky. He grabbed Sanji’s cooking book and opened it. The last pages were being torn apart. With the moonlight passing by the window Zoro put the two poems next to the spicy food pasta recipe.
The handwriting matched.
The Cook had written the two poems but why? Did he somehow like Zoro back?
No, it couldn’t be. Zoro was in love with the cook since Arlong Park and he knew Sanji adored women. Zoro would never have a chance and he knew it. Also, the idiot love cook had made it clear he only tolerated Zoro’s presence so why?
Was Cook pranking him?
No, it wasn’t Sanji style. Curly was an idiot but not an asshole, he wasn’t the kind of person who made fun of someone's feelings.
Then Zoro looked up at the crow’s nest. Nami was curled up with blankets around her watching the sea drinking a tea that Sanji had made for her. Of course. Sanji had been writing poems for Nami and Zoro just found them first.
He looked back at the poems. Sanji always complimented Nami’s smiles and beauty and at Alabasta even more. At Skypiea, Nami had become stronger and hadn’t feared fighting Enel. Also, it was clear that Sanji had developed a crush on Nami since the very beginning.
Zoro felt a wave of jealousy and envy growing through him. He put the poems back in his pockets. It was bad, he knew it but he couldn’t bring himself to give her Sanji’s poems.
Maybe he could pretend that somehow in another universe, Curly loved him back.
— — —
A week after they left an uninhabited island, Zoro found another poem in the crow’s nest after his second-afternoon nap. He took the paper and read it.
“Sometimes
I wonder if you truly hate me.
When you glance at me askance
My heart breaks a little
More each time.
Then you smile at someone
And I forget the pain.
Seeing you happy is worth the world’s agony.
I wonder if one day I’ll see love
Or even friendship
In your eyes when you look at me.
Sometimes I wish you could smile
In your eyes when you look at me.”
At the same time, Sanji came out of the galley holding a plate with drinks. He walked or more ran to Nami and Robin sunbathing on the deck.
“Nami-swan! Robin-chan! My dear goddess, I made those lovely drinks just for you my loves.”
Robin smiled and took her drink “Thank you Cook-san.”
Nami kept her eyes closed “Thank you Sanji, you can put the drink here.”
She hadn’t even looked at the cook and yet Curly was still praising her. Zoro clenched his fists. He will have to talk to Nami.
Zoro waited after dinner when Robin took her night shift to talk to her. He knocked at the girls’ room and Nami opened the door.
“Zoro? Is everything alright?”
“Can we talk?”
“Sure.” Nami smiled and opened the door more.
Zoro entered and Nami closed the door. He saw the candle lit at the desk. She was probably advancing her map.
Nami sat on the bed “What did you want to talk about?”
Nami patted the spot next to her and Zoro sat too. He clenched and unclenched his fists. How could he talk about it without mentioning the poems?
“I wanted to talk about the Cook.”
Nami raised an eyebrow “Really?”
Zoro hummed. “It’s just. Could you. I mean. Could you be kinder to him?” Zoro grimaced. Nami was going to tease him forever.
“Kinder?”
“He works hard and today you barely looked at him when he gave you and Robin the drinks.”
“Oh, I didn’t realize it. I will be more careful. Thanks.” Then Nami smirked “It’s very thoughtful of you.”
Zoro felt his cheeks reddened. “Whatever.”
Nami chuckled.
“You’re advancing your map?”
“Well, no.” Nami blushed “I’m writing letters to Vivi.”
“How is she?”
“Fine. She misses us.”
Zoro looked at Nami. She was smiling and blushed even more. He recognized the look in her eyes. He had the same look when he looked at Sanji. Undying love for an extraordinary person.
“You love her.”
Nami blushed even more “Yeah.”
Fuck, Curly will be heartbroken.
Zoro swallowed “Sanji like you. A lot. Maybe you should tell him about Vivi.”
“He knows.” Nami smiled “He helped me confess before we left.”
“Oh.”
If Cook knew Nami didn’t love him back then why did write poems for her? Maybe he was still in love with her and just needed to write down his feelings.
“You should tell him you know.”
Zoro frowned “Tell him what?”
Nami rolled her eyes with a smile “That’s you love him, idiot.”
“What’s the point? Sanji won’t love me back. I’m the literal opposite of his perfect partner. Besides screwing everything up, it won’t do anything.”
“You don’t know that.”
Zoro laughed sadly “You and I both know Cook barely like me on his best days. It’s fine. I don’t mind. His future wife will be the luckiest person in the world.”
“Oh, Zoro.”
“Look.” Zoro stood up “I should probably go. Cook would have an aneurysm if he saw me in your room.”
Nami chuckled “Right. Good night Zoro.”
“Night.”
Zoro walked to the door and when he opened it, Nami called him. “Zoro. Your partner will be lucky to have you too.”
“If you think so.”
She smiled “I know so.”
Zoro walked back to the boys’ room. Luffy was snoring loudly and his hand was on Usopp face’s. The poor sniper had arrived last in the room and had no choice but to sleep in the hammock right below under Luffy. Chopper was peacefully sleeping curled up with blankets.
Sanji was sleeping with a smile on his face. Probably dreaming of girls or the All Blue. Zoro fell asleep soon after he lay down in his hammock, lulled by Sanji’s breathing.
— — —
Two days had passed since they won the Davy Back Fight. Sanji had got up early like usual to prepare breakfast. Chopper had woken soon after him and they went together into the galley. Since Usopp had been on night watch duty, only Zoro and his captain were still in the boys’ room. Luffy was still asleep and Zoro just wanted to pass the next five minutes in peace.
Zoro turned his head and was ready to fall asleep when he got a glimpse of a piece of paper in his eyes. He stood up and found another poem on the floor. The idiot love cook must’ve lost in on his way. Zoro took the poem and read it in his hammock.
“I was so worried those assholes would take you away.
Any crew would be blessed to have you
As a nakama.
I thank the sky every day that I’m yours.
I wonder if you do too.”
Zoro rolled his eyes at the note. As if Luffy would have let those assholes take Nami or anyone away.
He wondered if Sanji would be pissed if they had chosen him instead of Robin or Chopper. Curly would have probably thrown a party.
“Whatcha reading?”
Zoro jolted and fell from his hammock.
“Shishishi.”
Zoro growled “Luffy.” His idiot captain had extended his head to his hammock scarring Zoro.
Luffy smiled. “Good morning Zoro. What were you reading?”
“Nothing important.”
“Really? So why your face is red?”
Zoro felt his cheek burn even more “Aren’t you hungry? Curly must’ve finished breakfast.”
Luffy’s eyes widened. He jumped from his hammock and ran to the galley shouting “Sanji! Meat!”
Zoro rolled his eyes and put his poem in his pocket. One day he will die because of his idiot rubber captain.
— — —
Everything was shit. After they left Merry, Zoro hadn’t thought about checking the crow’s nest to find another poem. He only thought about his three poems hidden in his pillow case and put them in his pockets before leaving. Usopp's departure was hard for everyone and Robin was still missing. Luffy and Chopper had taken it the hardest. Zoro had shared his bed with Chopper in the hotel and their poor doctor had cried himself to sleep.
Nami was in the second bed and Curly was on the couch. Zoro could feel the cook wasn’t sleeping. He looked around the room and saw that Luffy wasn’t there. Zoro left quietly the bed, leaving Chopper still asleep. He walked to the door when Sanji whispered.
“First Robin, then Usopp. Now you too?”
“I’m not leaving. I’m just gonna check on Luffy, he’s probably on the roof. I’ll come back with him.”
Zoro turned his back and put his hand on the doorknob when Sanji whispered again. “Promise me. Promise me you’re coming back.”
“Promise.”
“Okay.”
Zoro left the room. He walked toward the emergency stairs and climbed them. He found Luffy on the roof watching the city. When he sat next to his captain, Luffy quietly spoke “I made the right decision didn’t I?”
“Yes.”
“So why this is so hard?”
“Because the toughest decisions are the hardest.”
“It hurt so bad Zoro.”
“I know.”
Luffy rested his head on Zoro’s shoulder. He wanted to give time to his captain but Zoro was worried the more they were outside, the more the cook was freaking out in the hotel room.
“We should go back inside.”
Luffy nodded. Once they were in the room, Zoro headed to the chair next to the couch.
“You need sleep Captain. I’m taking the first watch.”
Luffy smiled softly “Thank you Zoro.” and lay down next to Chopper.
Zoro sat in the chair and saw the Cook looking at him.
“You’re back.”
“I promised you.”
Sanji smiled. Zoro could see tears in his eyes. “Good. I would have kicked your ass otherwise.”
Zoro smirked “In your dream Curly.”
“We should probably sleep. Good night Moss.”
“Good night Curly.”
— — —
They had won and lost at the same time. The Straw Hat had won against the World government. They saved Robin and found Usopp again but they had lost their home. Their Merry.
As the Merry was burning, Zoro thought he wouldn’t be able to nap on the deck or hear the crack of the wood under his footsteps.
He put his left hand in his pocket and brushed the old paper of the three poems. He was glad he had the time to take them with him.
Zoro would have been more heartbroken to lose them too.
— — —
It’s been a week since they started sailing with their new home. Zoro was still getting used to the ship and most importantly the crow’s nest. Franky had made it bigger than the one on the Merry. He could put his weights and cleaning kit for his katanas in it without having Curly or Nami yelling that his stuff was everywhere.
Zoro was a very organized man. It’s just that sometimes, his belongings would move from the places he put them. His bets were on either Usopp or Curly. They loved driving him crazy.
Zoro climbed the ladder and found Nami drinking a hot chocolate with a blanket around her. The night was cold, they could even feel the cold wind in the crow’s nest. Tomorrow Zoro would have to ask Franky for heaters.
“Everything is fine?”
Nami nodded “Yep. I’m so glad to see you.”
Zoro chuckled “You’re only happy because that means you can go to sleep.”
“Of course why else?”
Zoro and Nami started laughing together. Nami stood up “You’re gonna train?”
“No, I think I’m gonna clean my swords again.”
“Okay.”
“Did you get news from Vivi?”
Nami nodded “She’s sad for Merry. She also said she’s excited to see Sunny and meet Franky.” she yawned “And now I’m going to sleep.”
Zoro chuckled “Right. Night.”
“Goodnight Zoro.”
Nami left the crow’s nest and Zoro started to clean his katanas. Thirty minutes later, Zoro was done with Wado. He put the katana on one of the couches and caught a piece of paper stuck between the seats. Zoro took the paper and recognized Curly handwriting.
“I always thought the Merry was my home
Like the Baratie was my home
Like somewhere I felt safe,
Like somewhere I felt protected.
In reality, it was always you.
You’re home.
Like the Merry.
Like the Baratie.
I know you have my back,
Just like I have yours.
I know I’m safe with you.
Thank Goddess they’re back,
Robin and Usopp,
But promise me you’ll never leave me us.
If something happens,
If someone tries to take you away,
Promise me you’ll tell me.
Promise me.
I’ll go with you,
I’ll be there,
I’ll be by your side.
Promise you won’t leave me.
Promise.”
Zoro understood Sanji’s fear. If Nami would leave they would be lost just like they had been after Robin and Usopp left.
He hoped Sanji knew that they would be lost without him too. He hoped Sanji knew Zoro would follow him until the end. Maybe Cook could let him live at the restaurant he would open at the All Blue. Zoro hoped so. Whatever Sanji would go, Zoro would follow.
— — —
The first time Zoro woke up he felt pain. Just and only pain. Everywhere. In every bone, in every inch of his skin. He started smelling tobacco and heard something being peeled. Zoro cracked an eye and saw the sun high in the sky. Chopper had put him in one of the rooms of Moria’s castle. Then he saw Sanji, wearing a blue hoodie with a bandage around his head, peeling potatoes, and a cigarette on his lips.
Zoro let out a breath. Sanji was safe. Sanji was fine. Sanji was fucking alive.
He had panicked and nearly lost his mind when the idiot had told the warlord to choose him.
Zoro looked at Sanji. The cook had dark circles under his beautiful blue eyes. His fingertips and nails were red, his blond hair was messy too. Zoro had noticed Sanji had a bad habit of tearing his hair when he was stressed. His blond hair was the most beautiful hair Zoro’s had ever seen.
Zoro’s gaze went to the cigarette on Curly’s lips. He would give everything to be this place. To kiss Sanji’s lips.
Damn Chopper must’ve given him his strongest painkillers.
Zoro fell back asleep before Sanji realized he had woken up.
The second time he woke up, Sanji was still by his side, sitting on the ground peeling carrots this time. The moonlight passed through the window and lightened Sanji’s hair. He looked like an angel.
“You’ve freaked everyone out.” Before Zoro could respond Sanji spoke again. “And you will apologize to Chopper.”
“He’s a doctor. It’s his job to fix us.”
Sanji angrily put the carrot and peeler on his lap “It’s not his job to give you CPR twice because your fucking heart stopped beating twice your absolute moron. Have you any idea are scared we were? Do you even care?”
Zoro looked away. “I won’t apologize for what I’ve done. It was necessary.”
“Oh fuck you mosshead.”
Zoro looked at Sanji “He was about to kill Luffy.”
Zoro wanted to add that the warlord would have killed him too. And Zoro would die before anyone hurt his Captain or the love of his life.
Sanji bite his cigarette “Why do you think I stood up idiot? Do you think I would have let him kill him? It should have been me.”
“I’m the first mate. It’s my job. End of discussion.”
Sanji was about to insult again when Chopper arrived.
“Zoro! You’re awake! I have to check your wounds so please don’t move.”
While Chopper was checking his injuries, Zoro could feel Sanji’s gaze on him. When Chopper started taking off the bandage around his torso, Sanji suddenly stood up and growled about making dinner and left the room.
Chopper hadn’t spoken since he started the check-up which was very unusual.
“Hey. I’m sorry about worrying you.”
Chopper kept his head down, his eyes focused on Zoro’s injuries. Once he was done, the little doctor looked at Zoro.
“You scared all of us. I won’t ask you to not do it again because you wanted to protect Luffy and the rest of us but next time. Please. Be more careful. Or make sure I’m close.”
Zoro smiled “Promise. Also, thank you for saving me. You did a pretty good job.”
Chopper smiled back and rubbed his head “Shut up you idiot! If you think your compliment makes me happy you’re wrong!”
Zoro chuckled. They sailed again a week after he woke up, Chopper wanted to make sure his wounds wouldn’t open again. Ten days later, Zoro could finally take the night shift again. He had been surprised when he saw a new piece of paper on the window sill. Zoro took it and hoped it was another poem. In the back of his head, Zoro knew the poems weren’t for him but he liked to think, in another universe, Sanji would write for him.
“You’ve frightened me.
Scared me.
Seeing you hurt aches more than bugs under my skin.
Please be careful.
I need you,
Like I need breath,
Like I need water,
Like I need air.
Let me protect you.
Let me take your pain.
I can bear it,
My love,
Promise.
Let me die for you.
I would do it gladly.
I’d rather die than live in a world without you.”
Between Moria and the asshole who could become invisible and tried to force Nami into a wedding, their poor navigator had been through a lot. But Sanji could stop worrying, Zoro would die before anyone hurt or killed any of their nakamas.
— — —
Zoro was in a walking nightmare. He was alone, hurt, on an unknown island, and most importantly didn’t know if his nakamas were alive. He wouldn’t blame Luffy for punching that asshole, Zoro would have done it if his captain hadn’t but fuck why did they have to fight an fucking admiral and a warlord? Fuck he was still recovering from his injuries from Thriller Bark.
The island looked hostile and Zoro could hear baboons. He just hoped people were living here or Zoro had really ended up in hell.
He put his hands in his pockets and found them empty. Zoro had put all of Sanji’s poems in a drawer in the crow’s nest. Usually, when he knew he was going to be away for a long time, Zoro would at least pick one. It was like Sanji was always with him. But he had none, because he, they were supposed to sleep at the Sunny tonight. They were supposed to be at home.
— — —
Zoro was walking around Saboady. Rayleigh had told him he was the first one who arrived at the bar. Zoro hoped the others were safe, after all, he only knew Luffy had survived that day because of the Marineford war. He wasn’t worried though, he knew his nakamas were stronger than most people think.
He hoped Sanji hadn’t been teleported to a horrible place.
He brushed his scar over his left eye. The cook will laugh so hard. He couldn’t wait to hear Sanji insult him again. Zoro wondered if he would have poems again or maybe Sanji moved on and fell out of love.
Zoro walked toward the port where Sunny was moored. After three hours of walking Zoro didn’t find it. Rayleigh must have hidden it.
“Sire? Are you searching for something?”
Zoro turned his gaze and saw a fisherman looking at him.
“If you’re hungry you can come with me. I’m going fishing for my shop.”
Zoro considered the offer. He was indeed hungry and Cook would probably appreciate it if he brought him fish.
Zoro nodded. “Thank you.”
The fisherman pointed to a boat “It’s my boat, you can go sat in it and I will arrive in five minutes with the rest of my stuff.”
Zoro nodded he walked to the boat and found a galleon next to a little boat. Weird. Usually, fishermen preferred smaller boat than galleons but maybe at Saboady, there was different customs.
Zoro understood his mistake as soon as the ship went underwater and cut the ship in half to return to the island. Pirates started screaming at him but Zoro didn’t care because, on land, he saw the fisherman talking to a blond man wearing a suit.
He jumped on land and walked to them.
Zoro felt his heart stop beating for one minute. Sanji was stunning. His blond hair was a little longer and his strands of hair were on his other eye. He was wearing a suit and a cigarette on his lips.
Sanji looked at him and raised an eyebrow with a smile “Got lost again Marimo?”
Zoro felt a weight leaving his shoulders. God he had missed his Curly so much.
They walked to the Sunny together and found Luffy on the way. They fought the two pacifistas together and Zoro realized that both his Captain and Cook had become stronger. Good. He would have yelled at the Cook for hours if he had taken the two years of training for some vacations.
When they arrived at the Sunny, Zoro was glad to see all of his nakamas were safe. All of them at changed. Some grew taller, some had longer hair, and Franky was more robotic. Only he and Luffy had gained more scars.
They said goodbyes to Rayleigh and Shakky and started going underwater. Everyone falls back into their routine as if they weren’t separated for two years.
Luffy sat close to the Sunny head. Zoro walked toward him. He had been worried about his captain. He had fought a war and lost his brother alone. Zoro hadn’t a lot of regrets but not being at Luffy’s side during that time was one.
“Luffy.”
Luffy turned and smiled at him “Zoro! You know I’m really glad to see you again. I really missed you guys.”
Zoro looked at his captain. He was smiling just like before but something was different. The innocence in his eyes was gone. It probably died at the same moment Ace let out his last breath.
“I’m glad too.” Zoro swallowed. He didn’t know how to discuss the subject. Luffy was probably still affected. “I’m sorry for Ace. I’m sorry we weren’t there.”
Luffy tilted his head “There is no need to be sorry Zoro. I’m not. None of us would have been strong enough for that war. If you guys would have been with me, maybe I would have lost everything that day.”
“You’re right. If you want to talk about it, we’re here.”
“Thank you, Zoro. If you want to talk about your eye, I’m here too.”
Zoro shrugged “I lost because of the baboons. Nothing spectacular.”
“Really?”
Zoro hummed.
Sanji came out of the galley “Dinner is served. I made all of your favorite meals especially your Nami-swan and Robin-chan! Oh, my dear goddess I missed you so much!”
Zoro heard Luffy chuckling but he was too stunned by Sanji. The cook was smiling, moving gracefully around, he could see hearts in his eyes as he looked at Robin and Nami. Zoro felt his heart squeeze. During those two years, Zoro had dreamt about seeing Sanji again. MMihawk had found his bounty poster but since it was a drawing Zoro could only count on his memories but none of them had done justice to Sanji’s beauty.
He felt Luffy elbowing him. “I’m here if you want to talk about Sanji too.”
Zoro frowned. “Sorry?”
Luffy smiled “You know.” he turned his head and started running toward the galley “Sanji! Food!”
Zoro wondered if one day he would understand Luffy.
The dinner passed well. Everyone was laughing and talking about the past two years. Only Sanji remains silent. After dinner, Zoro rolled up his sleeve and with Sanji started doing the dishes.
They were working in silence as always except for the soft “Zoro.” every time Sanji would hand him a plate.
“So, how was your training.”
Sanji froze and tensed “I was in hell. I prefer to not talk about it.”
“Okay.”
Zoro swallowed. Why every time he tried to speak to Sanji, he screwed it up?
“And you?”
“I was on an island with Mihawk and Perona.”
“The ghost girl? From Thriller bark?”
Zoro hummed.
Sanji lightened a cigarette. “And you spent two years with her? You two must have gotten close.”
Zoro shrugged. Perona was more like an annoyed little sister. Well, older sister as she loved reminded him. Before he could respond, Sanji turned his back. “Now get the fuck out of my kitchen stupid Marimo.”
Zoro rolled his eyes “Right. I’m taking the first shift Curly. See you tomorrow.”
He left the kitchen and walked toward the crow’s nest. He opened the second drawer on the left and Zoro let out a breath. All of Sanji’s poems were still there. He took the papers and spent the nights reading them again and again.
Around two a.m., Zoro heard someone climbing the ladder. He quickly hides the poems in his haramaki. The door opened and Sanji passed the door.
“It’s my turn shitty marimo, get out and go to the fuck sleep.”
Zoro raised an eyebrow “Since when you’re taking the second night shift idiot cook? And why are you so pissed?”
“I’m not angry now get out!”
Zoro frowned. Sanji clearly looked angry.
“It’s because of something I said?”
Sanji rolled his eyes “You don’t understand anything. Just go to sleep.”
“Fine. Night Curly.”
Sanji hummed. He sat on one of the couches with his cooking book and a cigarette on his lips. The next morning Zoro found Sanji in the kitchen cooking breakfast. Usopp was already at the table drinking a glass of tangerine juice.
“Oi Zoro! Sanji told me you were with the ghost girl from Thriller Bark. Is it true?”
Zoro hummed. In the corner of his eye, he could see Sanji’s grip tighten on the bowl.
“Unfortunately. She was annoying. She loved pissing me off, floating around with her dumb bear and ghosts calling me her little brother.”
Then he heard a bowl break. Both Usopp and Zoro turned toward Sanji. Usopp stood up “Everything is alright Sanji?”
Sanji hummed “Yeah yeah, don’t worry about it.”
Usopp shrugged and looked back at Zoro “She called you little brother?”
Zoro nodded “Apparently she always wanted to have one. That little shit would force me to paint her nails and do her hair. So annoying.”
Usopp chuckled. “You shouldn’t let the girls hear you. Knowing Nami she could make you do her nails in exchange for reducing your debt.”
Zoro rolled his eyes. At the end of breakfast, Usopp and Franky called for a bath. Zoro didn’t the point of it, he showered before leaving Kuraigana a week ago so he didn’t need to take another one. But Franky forced him and Luffy to take one. On his way to the bathroom, Zoro saw Sanji climb the ladder to the crow’s nest. Weird, Sanji went to bed after breakfast, why would he go to the crow’s nest?
After the bath, Zoro went to the crow’s nest for a nap. Nami said they needed five hours more before arriving at the Fish-man island. When he entered, there was a smell of tobacco and Curly’s cologne. Then he found a note on one of the couch. Zoro felt excitation growing in his body.
Did Sanji leave another poem for Nami? Zoro hoped so.
He took the paper and a smile grew on his face as he recognized Curly’s handwriting.
“I’m so happy to see you again,
That face I missed so dearly.
Two years: a nightmare.
Did you think of me?
I dreamt of you.
Every day,
Always.
Your hair’s longer
But so is mine.
Do you like it?
I’ll cut it if you don’t.
I wondered
(hoped to god that)
if you were safe.
Do you know the pain I felt when I saw that scar?
But, God, you were back,
And that’s all I ever prayed for.”
Weird, Zoro didn’t remember seeing a scar on Nami’s body but maybe he hadn’t paid attention. He would need to check tomorrow and ask her if everything was alright. And if he needed to kill someone too.
Zoro wondered if the cook thought of him even for one second or if his mind was only focused on Nami.
Zoro felt his heart tighten. Sanji hadn’t moved on but at least Zoro would still have poems and pretend they were for him.
— — —
Zoro hated the fish-man island. Seeing Sanji running and flirting around with every single mermaid he could see only reminded Zoro how Curly would never love him back. He was a brute with no manners and didn’t care about them. He wasn’t delicate either nor pretty.
Why on earth does Zoro have to fall in love with Curly? Deep down he knew why. For his kindness, his charm, his smile, his cooking skills, and everything that made Curly, well, Curly .
He turned his look away from Sanji inviting another mermaid to her buy a drink for the fifth time in the past hour. Zoro walked out of the bar. He sat on a rock next to the bar and looked around. The country was beautiful. Kids were running or more swimming around playing with a ball. Adults were dancing and drinking.
They had won against Hody Jones the day before so the civilians were happy and celebrating. The king and the three princes were a bit tense after Luffy provoked Big Mom but Zoro didn’t care. They will have to fight the emperors sooner or later to accomplish their dreams and crown Luffy King of the Pirates. Big Mom will just be the first to fall.
Luffy was with the princess, eating like a starving animal. Zoro was glad to see their Captain smiling and happy. Jimbei was close to them, keeping an eye on Luffy.
Zoro wondered if the fishman would follow them willingly or if Luffy would kidnap him. He sighed. Zoro didn’t want to think about the snoring of eight men in a single room. He would have to negotiate with Franky if he could build another room or Zoro would have to move to the crow’s nest. The only regret will be Zoro won’t be able to see Sanji waking up or falling asleep.
Would the cook even care if Zoro moved out?
Brook came out of the bar and sat down next to him. The musician handed him a beer. Zoro gladly took it and started drinking it.
“Curly is still busy?”
“Indeed.”
Fuck. Zoro brought the bottle to his lips and finished the beer quickly. Brook handed him another bottle.
“Nami would throw a flip if she knew you bought me beers with your money.”
“Nami-san is the one who gave me the idea. I wanted to cheer you up but I wasn’t sure how.”
Zoro shrugged “I'm fine.”
Brook didn’t respond. He only watched the underwater city. Jimbei was trying to get Luffy to slow down. Maybe Zoro should tell their new nakama it was vain.
After Zoro finished his second bottle, Brook spoke again. “During my tour, I hoped the situation would have changed. I care about Sanji-san but I care about you too deeply Zoro-san. I’m sad Sanji-san can’t see your love for him.”
Zoro swallowed. “I’m not-”
“I’m old and only bones but not an idiot Zoro-san.”
He sighed “I’m that obvious?”
Brook smiled “Young love is the most beautiful thing.”
“It fucking hurt.”
“It’s the part of the beauty.”
Zoro snorted “Bullshit.”
Brook laughed “You’re right. I was thinking maybe we could spare. It could ease our minds and strengthen our muscles even if I don’t have muscles since I’m just bones. Yohoho.”
Zoro nodded with a smile. Brook was right, he needed to stop thinking about Curly. Zoro only used Wado for their spar session. He didn’t know how long they trained but it must’ve been too long since he saw the entire crew sat not too far watching them.
By reflex, Zoro passed his fingers on his scarred eye to put the sweat away from his scar. He saw Curly frowning at his action but with the distance, he could be wrong. After all, why Cook would be worried about him?
During the evening the Straw Hat went back to the Sunny. They needed to prepare to ship for the ascent. They said goodbyes to the royal family and surprisingly Jimbei too.
Usopp whispered “So what’s the plan? You and Sanji kidnap Jimbei and with the rest of us we keep him until we’re back at the surface?”
Zoro shrugged “Maybe Luf will just grab him at the last second.”
Nami nodded “Probably that.”
In the corner of his eye, Zoro could see Franky, Chopper, and Brook getting closer to the boys’ room in case they needed to restrain Jimbei.
He wondered if any of them remembered that Jimbei had been a warlord and would free himself in maybe one minute.
Luffy waved at Jimbei and went on the deck. “We can leave now!”
Sanji raised an eyebrow “Without Jimbei?”
Luffy nodded “He’s not ready yet but it’s fine. I know we will see each other again.”
Zoro nodded. Just like Luffy and the rest of the crew they wanted to go on an adventure with Jimbei but they needed to respect his wishes. They will just have to kidnap him the next time they see each other.
Zoro yawned. He hadn’t taken his naps today because of the party and he terribly regretted it. Everyone started doing their things and Zoro climbed the ladder for the crow’s nest. He falls asleep on one of the couch, holding his katanas.
When he woke up Zoro found a plate with onigiris and warm sake. He slowly eats them to savor the flavor. Zoro would never get tired of Sanji’s cooking. On his way to bring back the plate to the kitchen, he found a piece of paper on the ground close to the door. He picked it up and read it.
“All my life I heard stories of beauty,
Of mermaids and princesses,
But none are as beautiful as you.
Does your scar ache?
I heard it gets worse in the rain.
Please, tell me if it hurts.
I’ll help.
I’m glad to know that Princess Shirahoshi’s okay.
Did you know I’m a prince, too?
Not that it matters,
Because it’s not about you.
Be careful,
Promise?
I need you more than you think.”
Zoro frowned. He had asked Nami about it and the only scar she had gained during the two years was on her left index. She cut herself with paper, nothing to worry about. But of course, Curly is Curly and would worry about everything even the simple things. Zoro was tired and a bit angry. He saw Sanji all over mermaids for hours and he would still talk about them. He crumpled the paper and threw it in the drawer and didn’t pay attention to the prince part. Sanji would do anything to impress girls.
Like he said to Brook, love was bullshit.
— — —
The Cook’s arms were around Zoro’s waist. His head was pressed against the swordman’s pecs and Curly was comfortably sat on his lap. Zoro could smell tobacco and his cologne and shampoo. Cook raised his head and Zoro didn’t see his beautiful blue eyes but two round brown eyes. Right. It wasn’t Sanji who was cuddling him but Chopper in Sanji’s body.
Thanks to Troaro, some of the Straw-Hat had switched bodies. Nami was in Franky’s body, Franky was in Chopper’s body, Chopper was in the Cook’s body and the Cook was in Nami’s body.
The idiot was so happy he started having a nosebleed. Chopper had been overwhelmed by the situation and did the only thing that could calm him down. Cuddling Zoro.
Zoro didn’t know what to do. He wanted to cuddle too but it felt weird. Zoro knew Curly wouldn’t like it. It would feel so wrong and inappropriate. Speaking of Curly, he hadn’t stopped watching them since Chopper sat on his lap. Chopper curled up even more trying to make him small but it was complicated for him since the cook had the same height as Zoro. He could feel Chopper stressing so Zoro by reflex started petting his hair.
Curly’s hair looked fluffy and there was indeed fluffy. They were soft at the touch and Zoro could smell his shampoo. It was dangerous and he knew it. Curly might be mad at him for days because of this but right now Zoro didn’t care. This was the closest intimacy he could ever dream of.
“Thank you, Zoro.” Chopper smiled. It was weird, the young doctor was smiling with Sanji’s face but it wasn’t his smile. Sanji’s smile could equal the sunrise. Small almost shy at the beginning but radiant at the same time.
“Zoro?”
The swordsman raised his head and saw Franky or more Nami's arms crossed looking at him. He hummed.
“Sanji and Brook are going after the samurai. I want you to go with them to protect my body.”
Zoro’s gaze drifted to Sanji. The idiot was having another nosebleed and Brook was next to him waving.
He sighed “I have to?”
“Yes. You and I both know how Sanji can be reckless during a fight and I want my body intact.”
Slowly Zoro curled his arms around Chopper. He could feel Curly’s muscles and warmth. It was a lifetime chance and Nami was ruining it.
“Can’t you ask someone else?”
Nami raised a robotic eyebrow “You want me to entrust Sanji’s safety with someone else?”
Zoro frowned. He trusted all his nakamas with Sanji’s safety. Everyone could protect him and fight with him. Yes, he was the best at it but it was because they fought together and against each other every day so of course he knew him best.
Chopper put the cook's hand on his cheek. The cook’s fingers were long and thin. They were covered by gloves, protecting Curly’s treasure from the cold. Zoro couldn’t see his round nails. Sometimes Curly would paint them during one of the girls' nights. This week, he had chosen pale pink. Chopper brushed his cheek with his thumb. Curly had never been this delicate with him.
“It’s okay Zoro, I’m better now. And I have to start working on the antidote for the children. You should go. Maybe you could spend more time with Sanji.”
Right the kids. Zoro had forgotten about the kids. Who in their right mind experimented on kids? Fucking kids.
“Alright.”
Chopper stood up and smiled “Be careful and try to not fight.”
It was weird seeing Curly smiling at him and being attentive toward him. Zoro nodded and started walking to the Cook and Brook. Curly lit a cigarette and started smoking. Seeing Nami smoking was disturbing.
“We need to go after that fucking samurai. It hurt to say it but he’s my responsibility.” Sanji wiped the last drop of blood from his nose.
Zoro rolled his eye “You idiot pervert cook.”
Sanji frowned “Did you say something?”
Brook spoke calmly “We should go before there is a storm or worse we lose the samurai.”
The trio started walking into the snow searching for a damn samurai. Zoro could hear Sanji growling and complaining about the cold. Suddenly Snaji slipped on ice and Zoro caught him before he could fall.
Their gaze got locked and Zoro felt himself falling again. His blue eyes were like the ocean and Zoro was more than happy to drown in them.
Then Brook ruined everything. “What a romantic scene!”
Zoro jolted and let Sanji fall. He stood up and kicked him “You idiot swordsman! Be careful with Nami-san body! It’s a treasure we protect and thank the sky for it! Of course, a brute and idiot like you wouldn’t understand. I swear you’re really the dumbest idiot in the all history of marimo.”
Zoro ignored him and started walking again.
Sanji angrily bit his cigarette “Oi! Marimo! I’ve been talking to you! Stop ignoring me!”
Zoro kept walking. He knew Sanji didn’t love him back. The Fish-man Island had just one more proof. He needed to move on he knew that. He had to make up his mind. Every time Sanji wrote a poem, it wasn't for him and had been selfish by keeping them for himself. Once he was at the Sunny, Zoro would give the poems to Nami, the rightful recipient.
At some point, they finally found the head of the samurai. Sanji jumped into the lake to find the torso. Once he had done it, the trio and the samurai had run from a monster. Until a fucking gaz who turned people into statues appeared. They ran to a base to find Marines, Troaro, and most importantly Luffy. Troaro switched Nami and Sanji back into their own body despite Curly disappointment.
Between two blows, Usopp told everything Zoro had missed. Luffy had made an alliance with Troaro, Smoker, and Colonel Glasses and most importantly Luffy had been hurt already and lost a fight. Damnit.
They had been defeated once two years ago. Zoro promised himself he wouldn’t let that happen again.
“Oi Luffy! Get a grip! This is just the beginning of the New World!”
Even from afar, Zoro saw his Captain smile. Luffy understood.
“Yeah sorry! I will be careful now!” Luffy continued running toward his target. His Captain would win next time, Zoro was sure of it.
In the distance, Zoro heard Curly snort “Always too hard on himself.”
Of course, Zoro was hard on Luffy, he needed his idiot captain to understand the New World wasn’t some game. They could die at any moment, Luffy needed to be more serious.
They continued to fight and somehow Zoro found himself in a room with a winged woman and Colonel Glasses. The idiot marine wanted to prove herself again so Zoro let her did.
The winged woman was winning and Zoro got bored. He cut the woman in half. Zoro didn’t have time for this. The gas moved forward them, he needed to find his crew and the abused kids. He took Glasses put her on his shoulder and started running. Once he had found his captain and the kids they could finally leave that fucking island.
They find a samurai and his son, capture Cesar, make an alliance with Troaro and Smoker, release abused kids, and declare war against a warlord in a matter of a single day. Their entry into the New World had been quite eventful. Good. Zoro hated being bored.
Colonel Glasses asked to take the kids so they be treated faster. While he and Nami were talking with her, Zoro felt the burning gaze of Sanji on him. Maybe the idiot was jealous?
They said goodbyes to the crying kids and marines. Nami and Luffy started making a tour of the Sunny to Troaro while Franky and Usopp took care of Cesar. Cook left to the kitchen and Chopper to the infirmary. Robin decided to read a book on the deck and Zoro started meditation.
After dinner, Zoro decided to take the first watch. Chopper came knocking around two a.m. “Everything is fine Zoro?”
Zoro hummed. The poems were in his hands. He had decided to read them one last time before giving them up to Nami. The poems were Zoro’s treasure. Something that wasn’t his but took it anyway selfishly. Zoro didn’t care about stealing but doing it from his nakama felt wrong.
Chopper walked to him and sat. “Being in Sanji’s body was weird. He’s so tall.”
Zoro snorted.
“Every time I would run, I couldn’t breathe after it. I told him tobacco was bad.”
Zoro smirked “If Cook stopped smoking, he wouldn’t be the cook anymore.”
“You’re right though.” Chopper rested his head on Zoro’s arms. “I wish I could create something to ease the pain in your heart.”
Zoro felt his heart skip a beat. “You know too?”
Chopper sadly smiled “Of course I do. I’m a doctor. It’s my duty to know my patient.”
“Right. Don’t worry about me though. I’m fine. I. I just need to move on.”
Chopper smiled but Zoro could see he didn’t believe him. The sky, the ocean, and Sanji’s eyes were blue, the trees, the grass on the deck, and his hair were green, Sanji was smoking, and Zoro loved him.
“Speaking of doctor, you must be happy with Troaro. Between doctors, you two can understand each other.”
Chopper nodded “Troaro is smart and good surgeon. He told me he would explain the surgery he had done on Luffy after the war tomorrow.”
“That’s cool. Now I’m gonna take a nap. Wake me up if you need something.”
Chopper nodded again “Night Zoro.”
Zoro fell asleep on the couch with Chopper by his side. He woke up with sunlight in his eye. Chopper was nowhere to be seen. He could only see a note. “Didn’t want to wake you up. I’m eating breakfast.”
Zoro smiled. Their little doctor was adorable. He stretched and started walking toward the boys’ room. Despite what the others could think, Zoro wasn’t a caveman. Yes, he would take a shower only once per week but who needed more? But Zoro drew the line at clothes. He would change his clothes every two days because of the sweat.
When he arrived he opened his locker and started changing. Then he saw a paper just in front of Curly's locker. Zoro knew it was a poem. He knew it. He knew he needed, had to leave it. It wasn’t for him. He needed to move on. And yet.
And yet Zoro picked up the poem and started reading it in his bunk.
“So close.
So far.
You’re like the sun,
Always in view but never at hand.
Please,
Stop being so hard on yourself.
Share your burden with me.
Let me help you.
That’s all I want:
To be at your side.
My heart bled when you stood close to her
But if you’re happy
Then I’m happy.
I need you to be happy
Closeness, that’s what I pine for.
Today, so close to you, I was filled with joy.
Every day, that’s what I want:
To stand in the sun, side-by-side.”
Zoro wiped the tear that escaped his eye before it could fall. He really never had a chance did he?
He stood up and put back the note on the floor. Zoro walked out of the boys’ room with his heart in his throat.
— — —
Zoro found the same note in the crow’s nest two days later. He was a pirate, he was selfish, and most importantly, he was stupidly in love. He took the note and put it in the drawer with the rest of the notes. He couldn’t look or talk to Nami or Curly for two days.
— — —
Sometimes Zoro wondered what he had done in a past life to deserve that. Dressrosa was a mess. Luffy and Troaro were fighting Mingo, Zoro himself was fighting a giant with a high voice and apparently, Luffy had another brother who assured him to win the Mera-Mera fruit. Zoro hoped it wasn’t an imposter. Luffy would never forgive himself if he had let a bad person get Ace’s fruit.
And worse of all, Curly had called for a slit-up. Cook, Nami, Chopper, and Brook had gone after Zou and while the others were fighting for their lives. Zoro didn’t want to think about how Sanji was all over the dancing woman.
Now Zoro was in a cabin with Franky, Robin, Usopp, and their sleeping Captain waiting for his awaking.
A blond man knocked and handed him sake. Robin smiled at him and greeted him.
“Hi Sabo, did you get time to speak to Luffy?”
The said Sabo started explaining to them that he was indeed their Captain’s brother and he ate the Mera-Mera fruit. Good, at least they had managed to protect Ace’s legacy.
Sabo handed him a white paper. “That’s Luffy’s vivre card. I took a piece of it, you should split it. It will help you to find him and see if he’s injured or not.”
Zoro nodded “Thanks.”
“Sabo.” Robin handed him a piece of paper with a number on it “That’s our den-den mushi number in case you want to speak to Luffy.”
Sabo smiled “Thank you, Robin. All right, Luffy might be a bit much for you to handle but take good care of him.”
Zoro smiled. Ace had said the exact same words. After Sabo left Robin went to sleep. Usopp was sleeping too so only Zoro and Franky were up. Franky was doing some reparation for himself. Zoro hoped the others were okay.
“You know Zoro-bro, you shouldn’t worry about Sanji-bro. Even if he faces a woman, Nami-sis, Chopper-bro, and Brook-bro are there to protect him.”
Zoro frowned.
Franky smiled “I know you, bro. You had the same face as me when I look at my beautiful Robin.” The cyborg and Robin had started dating after the Fish-man island. Curly had sobbed for hours before threatening Franky with literally everything. “You don’t have to talk about it if you don’t want to.”
“I think the situation is different. Robin loves you back.”
“I think you should talk to Sanji-bro. You could be surprised.”
Franky hadn’t been there when Sanji saw the dancer. He hadn’t seen how Curly was all over her.
“I don’t think I could.”
— — —
Luffy had woken up later in the day and they sailed almost immediately thanks to the admiral. They had fought one two years ago and Zoro wasn’t eager to do it again. They finally arrived at Zou but too late. One of Kaido's men had ravaged everything but at least Raizo was alive much to their shock. Nami, Chopper, and Brook were okay. Only Curly was missing.
Nami explained about the bullshit wedding and handed a paper to Luffy.
“Dear nakamas, I’m leaving to meet a woman. I promise to come back. Sanji.”
Zoro felt his heart broke. Curly had decided to leave them, leave their nakamas without a second look just for some woman he never met. And to marry her?
Zoro punched the closest tree out of rage. He was hurt. How could Curly have done that? He knew Sanji adored women and would never be his but to abandon their own nakama? That wasn’t Sanji style.
Luffy didn’t want to wait, he wanted to sail with the Sunny until Big Mom’s territory to bring back their Cook home. Before they could leave, Zoro went into the crow’s nest. He wanted to pick up his katana cleaning material and not the love notes Sanji had written for Nami. Absolutely not. He climbed the ladder and entered. The first thing he saw was a note hanging on the mat.
Zoro took it and sat against the mat to read it.
“I love you, I do.
More than words.
I want to grow old together,
To hold your hand as we’re buried in matching plots.
I want to build our home at the All Blue.
Kids? Maybe, I’ve seen the way you are with them.
I have to leave.
It’s not easy, believe me.
It makes me want to dribble tears.
But I have to.
To protect you.
I told you, two years ago,
I’d rather die than live in a world without you.
You’ll never love me back
And that’s okay.
How can I allow myself to dream of more than friendship?
Foolish as ever, to wish for what I can’t have.
Maybe in another universe. Goodbye my love.”
And Zoro broke down. He buried his face in his hands and tried to stay quiet, knowing his nakamas were preparing the ship. He didn’t want anyone to see him like this. Unfortunately, his wish didn’t come true. Nami entered and sat next to him. She took him in her arms.
“It’s gonna be okay. I promise Zoro. We will bring him home.”
Zoro swallowed. He had to tell her. He broke the embrace and wiped the tears. “He loves you.”
“Zoro-”
“Curly hadn’t stopped loving you. Not once. Not even for a second. He’s been writing poems for you. I kept everything.”
“Zoro what are you talking about?”
Zoro stood up and opened the drawer. He took the nine poems and handed them to Nami. He looked at the tenth one still in his hand and handed it. “He’s been writing them since Alabasta. I know you love Vivi deeply but please talk to him.”
Nami shook her head “I didn’t know. I’m sorry Zoro.” she swallowed “I’ll talk to him.”
“Thank you. I’m sorry for stealing them. I’ll apologize to Cook too once he’s back.”
Nami pressed her lips against Zoro’s cheek “You have a good heart Zoro. I’m sorry he doesn’t realize it.”
“It’s fine. Just bring him home.”
Nami smiled “Of course.”
Hours later, Zoro saw the Sunny sailing away hoping he could see again their Curly. He hoped Cook wouldn’t be too much angry after Nami revealed the truth. Zoro would rather have Cook angrily shouting at him and insulting him than silence and ignorance.
Zoro just hoped Curly would still see him as nakamas.
— — —
The submarine was small and Zoro felt like he was suffocating. He couldn’t see the sun and one time he had a good idea to look through the window. He started feeling sick only a minute after seeing the infinite darkness. Usopp and Franky had begged him to stay in the room Penguin had given them not wanting him to get lost.
Zoro was lying down in one of the bunks. By reflex, he passed his hand in his pockets and found it empty. Right, he had given Nami the poems.
The door opened and Usopp entered. “Dinner is about to start.”
Zoro hummed but didn’t move.
Usopp sighed “I know it’s not Sanji’s cooking but come on, you need to eat. Zoro come on you haven’t eaten since we left two days ago.”
Zoro shifted and turned his back to Usopp. He heard footsteps coming closer and the mattress sagged.
“I know you’re worried. I’m too. But Luffy and the others left to bring him back. And you and I both know how much Luffy is stubborn. He won’t come back without Sanji. He will kidnap or drag him or something.”
“You really think Curly will abandon a woman at the altar?”
Usopp snorted “Sanji won’t marry someone he doesn’t know. He’s too in love with someone else for that.”
Zoro bit his lips. He closed his eye trying to keep his tears for him.
Usopp patted his shoulder “It’s gonna be okay. Sanji will come back to us. Promise.”
“I’m gonna take a nap.”
Usopp sighed “Okay. But I’m bringing you a plate. Sanji will kill me if I let you starve yourself.”
The sniper left the room and Zoro curled up on himself. He fell asleep before Usopp came back.
— — —
Luffy was bouncing around. The rest of the crew was happily talking with Jimbei their new nakama. Tomorrow the battle against Kaido will start. Hiyori had gave Zoro her father’s katana to replace Shusui, Emna. Emna was difficult but Zoro wasn’t worried. The blade wanted blood and Zoro was going to give it to her.
Zoro heard footsteps coming closer to him. He would recognize them between millions. Curly.
“Hey. You’re training with your new katana? I hope Wado is fine. I know how much you care about it.”
Zoro growled “Wado is fine. I had to give them Shusui.”
“Oh. I’m glad for Wado.” Sanji made a pause and then smirked “Also it’s good that you’re training. After all, now that my bounty is higher than yours-”
Zoro cut half of the cliff and Cook’s cigarette.
“Are you insane Shitty swordsman! You almost cut me!”
Zoro rolled his eye and turned his back. Everyone arrived a couple of hours later and they were finally reunited. Troaro was trying to explain his plan but Luffy saw a butterfly and started running after it.
Zoro sat and started cleaning Emna. Sanji walked to him and sat next to him.
“I think we should talk.”
“If this is about your fight with Luffy, he already talked about it. No need to waste time on it again Cook.”
Sanji nodded. Zoro could see he was holding something in his hands. Then he saw Sanji brushing something, a piece of paper with his thumb. Curly was holding the poems.
Zoro swallowed. Cook was going to yell at him and tell him to mind his business. Things will be awkward and Zoro will move permanently to the crow’s nest. At least Franky wouldn’t have to build a new bunk for Jimbei.
Curly liked his lips “Nami-san handed me the poems. She said you gave them to her, saying I was still in love with her.”
“I kept finding them. You should be more careful if you want to express your feelings and don’t want anyone to know.”
“Why did you keep them Zoro?”
Zoro stopped breathing and his heart skipped. He couldn’t tell him. Curly already hated him. There was no good reason to say the truth. Zoro clenched his grip on Enma.
“Zoro.” Sanji put his hand on Zoro’s. “Why did you keep them?” His beautiful blue eyes were fixing Zoro.
How could he lie to Curly? His eyes were begging for an answer and only Zoro could give him one. The only reason why he kept all the nines' poems during their journey.
“Because I love you.” Zoro swallowed the lump in his throat. He didn’t wait for Sanji’s insult; he spoke again “I kept them because I wanted to pretend you loved me back. I know it’s pathetic but it was stronger than me. I had to.” He shrugged “I’m a pirate. I steal things that aren’t mine and keep them. I’m sorry Curly.”
Sanji smiled “It was for you.”
Zoro frowned “What?”
“The poems were for you idiot.”
Zoro felt his guts twist. Was the cook pranking him after all? He felt his face burning with humiliation.
Sanji cupped Zoro’s face with one of his hands. “One night, at Alabasta, Nami-san came to me asking for help. She wanted to confess her feelings to Vivi. We talked a lot. The entire night even. She talked about growing old with her, holding her hand, and going on dates. I’m not gonna lie, at first, I was devastated but then I realized something. I wanted to do that with you. I wanted to grow old with you at my restaurant. I wanted to hold your hand every time we went to the market.” He blushed “I wanted to kiss you all the time. I wanted to fall asleep and wake up in your arms.”
Zoro tried to find the glint of a lie in the blue eyes but didn’t find any. Sanji’s eyes were shining, just like when he mastered new recipes or kicks. Full of joy and happiness.
“I talked with Usopp after that. He told me he was writing nearly every day to Kaya. And Robin-chan let me borrow a book with a man writing poems to his lover to confess so I thought I could try. You didn’t say anything so I thought you didn’t care or find the poems.”
“So why did you continue?”
Sanji smiled “Because I love you so much that I can’t keep it to myself anymore.”
“I would read them every day. I really thought they were for Nami.”
“I can’t blame you. I was scared you wouldn’t love me back. But I can assure you I love you. I love your smiles even if they’re rare. You do inspire me to be better. I’m so happy that we’re nakamas and sailing together, I wouldn’t want anyone else. I wanted to die for you back in Thriller Bark. I can’t imagine my life without you. I was devastated when we were separated.”
Zoro put his forehead against Sanji’s “That’s why I stood up too. I couldn’t let Kuma hurt you. And I never stopped thinking of you during those two years.”
“Neither do I. Please tell me your scar doesn’t hurt you.” He brushed it with his thumb.
“Sometimes it aches because of the rain but it is rare. I mostly don’t feel anything.”
“Okay. Tell me if it hurts, I want to help you.”
“I will. Promise”
Sanji passed his hand to the green hair. Zoro took Sanji’s other hand in his. The poems, his no, their treasure was still safe. Zoro could feel Sanji’s breath against his skin. He could smell tobacco. He wondered if Curly could smell sake.
“Will you stay with me Marimo?”
“If one day I leave it will be because you kick me out.”
Sanji snorted. “As if I could live without you. I love you.”
Zoro captured Sanji’s lips and Sanji kissed him back almost immediately. In the distance, he heard some cheering from his nakamas but right now Zoro didn’t care.
“I love you too Curly.”
Sanji smiled. Shy but radiant just like a sunrise. His Curly was by his side and Zoro will make sure he never leaves. No one will take his treasure away from him.