Chapter Text
"Hey, don't you think Sanji's had enough now?” Whispered Nami to Zoro.
The crew was enjoying a night out on a new island, having landed earlier in the day after nearly a month at sea. Yes, they loved being on the ocean and yes, they loved each other but being stuck on the ship with no adventures to be had, led them to getting somewhat sick of each other. So it was decided, they would have a night out on the town and stay in an Inn there for some respite. The evening had been going well, with the crew enjoying the local food, and drink, on offer.
But it seemed Sanji had indulged a little too much. He was, unsuccessfully, trying to flirt with the barmaid behind the bar, while also trying, and failing, to remain seated on his stool. The cook was struggling, in his inebriated state to remain upright to continue his flirtation with the barmaid.
“Ugh, leave him be. Consequences of his own damn actions and all that.” Zoro returned. He didn't want the reminder that Sanji had been spending his evening trying to flirt with every woman in the bar. He told himself it was the embarrassment of being associated with such a loser, but deep down he knew that wasn't true.
“Come on Zoro, someone has to get him back to his room soon. Better you than me. He's heavy to carry.” Nami retorted, but Zoro caught the underlying hint.
Nami had been quick to cotton onto Zoro's feelings for Sanji and had been looking for any excuse for the pair to “just get on with it and kiss” claiming “undeniable chemistry” or something. Zoro wasn't really sure what she was on about. From where he stood, the cook's behaviour made it clear of his lack of interest in him. Flirting with every woman he met was a pretty strong indicator of where Sanji's interests lay. Yet Nami had a point, if he wanted Sanji to get back safely, he was the best option. His job, first and foremost, being to protect the crew, even if it was from themselves and their intolerance to alcohol.
Zoro let out a sigh, “Fine, whatever. Let me just finish my drink.”
Zoro grabbed his bottle and was disappointed to see how little was left, before chugging the remaining liquid.
“Night, and make sure the others get back ok yeah?” Zoro nodded to Luffy, Usopp and Chopper who were crowded at the table next to theirs. They had already bid Robin a goodnight and Usopp seemed to be telling another wild story of his, to Luffy and Chopper's delight.
“Goodnight Zoro.” Nami waved as he made his way across the bar to where Sanji was sat.
Sanji had his arms crossed, resting on the table with his head lying on them, seemingly close to sleep.
“Come on love cook. Time to go.” Zoro said, approaching Sanji.
Sanji raised his head to look at Zoro, his gaze was unfocused and the nearby lamplight caused his eyes to glisten.
“Wa? No, not yet! ‘m still talkin to…to…erm…this nice lady here.” Sanji slurred.
“No you're not, you're just bothering her.” Zoro sent a glance to the barmaid, who seemed to just be ignoring them. “Let's go Cook.”
Sanji still refused to move, by placing his head in his arms again and ignoring Zoro.
Zoro sighed in frustration and decided there was only one thing for it. He grabbed Sanji, lifting him up and throwing him over his shoulders in a fireman's carry. The cook only had time to let out a squawk of indignation before Zoro was carrying him out of the bar.
“What are you doing shithead? Put me down!” Sanji cried. Zoro ignored him as he walked them up the street. He could have sworn it was the way back to the inn, or maybe it was back the other way.
“At least go the right way! The inn is that way!” Sanji pointed back from where they'd come, confident for someone who was as drunk as he was. Zoro trusted him enough to follow the direction he pointed and sure enough the inn appeared around the next corner.
Zoro carried Sanji all the way up the stairs and into his room. He dropped the cook down onto his bed.
“Ow, you brute!” Sanji whined from where he was sprawled out on the bed.
“Aw what, you want me to be careful? Are you that delicate?” Zoro retorted from where he remained standing beside the bed.
“Shudup.” Sanji cried from the bed. A foot coming up to weakly kick at the swordsman's chest. Zoro grabbed it gently, tapping it once, fondly, before placing it down on the bed.
“Come on cook, give it up and go to sleep. You're too drunk.”
“‘m not drunk. You're drunk.” Sanji giggled at that.
Zoro looked down at him fondly, he loved it when the cook laughed. “What's so funny cook?”
Sanji's laughter ceased at Zoro's questioning tone. Sanji raised a hand, reaching out and brushing against Zoro's earrings. Zoro could feel them as they clinked together, chiming gently.
“Always wanted to do that.” Sanji murmured, gaze locked onto Zoro's ear. “Why've you gotta be so pretty Marimo?”
Zoro stared down at Sanji in shock.
“Cook, you're drunk. Stop saying things you don't mean.”
Sanji squirmed on the mattress, flopping his limbs until he managed to, inelegantly, roll onto his side. He reached out again, cupping Zoro's face with his hand, brushing his thumb over his cheek.
“I don't lie about this Zoro.” Sanji levelled him with a look. His eyes held sincerity, but Zoro did not want to believe him.
“Go to sleep Sanji.” Zoro said, removing Sanji's hand from his face and placing it down beside the cook. “We'll talk in the morning, if you remember this.”
Sanji just nodded.
Zoro turned to leave, intending to go back to his own room for the night. Instead, Sanji called out to him.
“Hey Zoro, will you stay? Please.” Sanji's voice was quiet and if not for his desperate gaze, Zoro would've thought he'd imagined the request.
“Ok Cook, I'll stay until you fall asleep.” Zoro knelt next to the bed, head level with Sanji's. Sanji's blue eyes stared into his own. Blinking every so often, but not closing for longer than a moment.
“You've got to actually close your eyes to go to sleep Cook.” Zoro whispered, smiling despite himself.
“I don' wanna sleep. Not if that means you'll leave.” Sanji whined. “Zoro, please, hold me.”
Those words went right to Zoro's heart, causing it to ache. Sanji was unlikely to remember any of this come morning. He shouldn't do this. Except that was a battle he was never going to win.
“Ok Sanji. I'll stay.” He said. He could just stay until Sanji fell asleep, that'd be safe.
He lay down beside Sanji, with his chest pressed to his back. He brought one arm to cushion Sanji's head. The other wrapped around Sanji's side, Zoro's hand pressed against his chest, over his heart.
“Now sleep Sanji.” He whispered.
Within minutes Sanji's breaths evened out and quiet snores came from him. Zoro had told himself he'd stay only until Sanji had fallen asleep. He couldn't bring himself to move though. He knew Sanji would have a major freak out in the morning if he discovered Zoro in his bed. Zoro liked the relationship he had with the cook, it was easy. He didn't need to complicate things if Sanji realised his crush on him. Still he stayed. Even as he felt the heaviness of sleep weighing down on him, he stayed. Surely it wouldn't hurt to sleep for a little while?
That was his final thought as he drifted off, hoping he awoke before the cook. Because boy was Sanji going to be mad otherwise.