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When Zeff woke up this morning, he followed his usual routine. First stretch and crack his back, then brush and rebraid his mustache, and finally put his prosthetic leg. He stood up and simultaneously felt his right knee and the wooden plank crack. Zeff slowly changed from his night clothes to a shirt and large pants.
The morning was slow and calm. He left his room and walked down the hallway in the direction of the stairs. Even if the sun was slowly rising, Zeff could already feel the warm sunlight against his skin. He sat on a chair and looked at the ocean. Like every morning, Zeff took a bit of time for himself. Thirty minutes. Zeff watched the sea in silence for thirty minutes before going into his beloved kitchen to find the racket he treasured.
But today was different.
Today, Zeff wouldn’t go in the kitchen and find Patty and Carne fighting like an old married couple over rice claiming the other one was either over or undercooked it. Today Zeff won’t insult and kick his idiots good for nothing but kind cooks. Today he won’t find his dining room full or take reservations. Because today Zeff wasn’t at the Baratie.
Today, Zeff was at the All Blue.
One morning, Patty and Carne burst into his room in tears saying nonsense about Eggplant being home. Zeff had quickly left his room and had indeed found his baby Eggplant, standing proud on the Baratie’s deck. Sanji had found the All Blue and his idiot son had been determined to show him.
It took the Straw Hat three months to sail across Paradise and the New World again to accomplish an old man's dream. During the journey, Zeff meets Sanji’s friends and slowly gets to know his nakamas. Chore boy loved eating and ate all the kinds of food Zeff would present to him. He also learned to never get closer to the tangerine trees without Nami otherwise she would be angry and Zeff would rather eat his other leg than make a woman angry at him.
Usopp often forgot to drink water when he was working in his shop and Zeff needed to keep an eye on him. At first, the old pirate was surprised to meet a skeleton, a cyborg, and a reindeer but he quickly started to love them. Brook was a fantastic companion to drink tea with and Chopper was adorable. Zeff was more worried about Franky, especially after the cyborg assured him he could build a better protective leg and add a weapon a laser but after a few conversations, he was quickly reassured. Franky had a big heart and was just excited to help. Robin and Jimbei were calmer and Zeff loved talking to them.
The only person Zeff stayed a bit away was Zoro. The swordsman wasn’t researching for contact either. The two men only talked a couple of times and every time Zeff could feel Sanji’s eyes on them.
Sanji’s presence wasn’t the only thing Zeff could feel when he was close to Zoro.
Zeff closed his eyes and enjoyed the calm. If there was a word the Straw Hats didn’t know, it was the word silence.
Then slowly Zeff started to hear footsteps. At first, he thought Zoro as usual would go directly into the galley. Zeff could see the dance between his Eggplant and the swordsman. They fought all day long but in the morning, they would eat breakfast together either talking or in silence just enjoying the other’s presence.
But today is different. Today Zeff heard Zoro’s footsteps coming closer to him. The swordsman sat next to Zeff and watched the ocean. Zeff glanced at Zoro. Like his Eggplant, the swordsman was no longer the boy he met at the Baratie, no Zoro was a man. A man who saw too much and fought against death itself. A man with scars Zeff didn’t know the story of. The first time Zeff saw the scar on his eye he couldn’t stop worrying about him. Worry if the scar hurt, if the person who gave him the scar was still alive and could hurt him again. Worry and wondering if he would see Zoro again. See his grey eyes, smile, and green hair reminded Zeff of the two people he had loved the most in his long life.
There is a comfortable silence between them. Then slowly Zoro’s attitude started to change. He moved a bit then passed his hand in his short hair. He bit his lips a lot. The boy was nervous and Zeff decided to push him a little.
“Want to ask me something boy?”
Zoro jolted and looked away. “I do. I mean.” He rubbed the back of his neck with his hand. “I don’t know where to start.”
Zeff smirked. “You want to pop the question to my Eggplant and want my blessing boy?”
Suddenly Zoro’s face became all red and reminded Zeff of the strawberries he had brought the day before. He shouted “What? No! I mean yes but no-”
Zeff saw and heard all the fights and insults Eggplant and Zoro could throw at each other but it wasn’t the only thing he could see. He also saw them holding hands when they were doing the groceries, he heard Sanji claiming he wanted to try a new restaurant and only Zoro could come with him. He saw them dancing in the galley when they thought they were alone and no one was looking at them. He saw Sanji climbing in the crow’s nest at night and only leaving in the morning.
The major clue Zeff got was when he saw Zoro having his hands on his Eggplant ass and Sanji's tongue in his mouth.
Zeff drank three bottles of sake just to try to forget that image.
So yeah, he knew they were dating and since Eggplant didn’t say anything, Zeff played along. Eggplant will tell him when he’s ready. Zeff wasn’t worried, Zoro was a strong good man. He was kind and patient. He knew the swordsman would be by Sanji’s side until the end of time but it didn’t mean he couldn’t mess with the boy.
Zeff raised an eyebrow. “So you don’t want anything serious with Eggplant? And here I thought you were a good boy. I am disappointed here.”
Zoro blushed even harder. “Of course, I want to marry Curly but not right now, I mean I don’t have a ring and I don’t even know if he wants to marry me but if he wants to, of course, I would marry him. But no, I wanted to show you this.” Zoro buried his hand into his haramaki and Zeff discovered he had a pocket in it. Zeff could see a cigarette pack, a lighter, and pictures. Zoro pulled out one of the pictures and looked at it with a smile before handing it to Zeff. “That’s my parents.”
Zeff looked at the picture. On it, he could see three people, a tall woman with long green hair and a man with a beautiful smile.
Zoro bit his bottom lips. “My parents always talked about the blond man. They told me he was a pirate they met before I was born. I never met him. I always tried to find him but I never did. When we first met at the Baratie I wasn’t sure and then I fought Mihawk so I never got the chance to ask you. But one day I showed the picture to Curly and he recognized you immediately.”
When Zoro had passed the doorstep of the Baratie, Zeff had thought he had seen a ghost. Zoro looked so much like them.
Zeff kept his gaze locked on the picture. The woman and the man were so beautiful. He missed them so much.
He could feel Zoro’s eye on him. “So my question is, is it you? Do you know my parents?”
Zeff brushed the picture with his thumb. The picture was old and the corners were wrinkled. Zeff felt his mind slowly get lost in his memories.
God, he missed Tera and Arashi more than anything.
— — —
Zeff growled when he woke up. He opened his eyes and looked at the ceiling. He knew he wasn’t alone because he could hear someone humming a song Zeff didn’t know of.
Zeff looked around the room. He was lying down on a small bed and the room was simple with only other furniture a nightstand. Zeff tried to sit but groaned. Instinctively he put his hand on his torso and felt bandages against his fingertips.
Fuck.
Tera was going to be so mad.
A year ago Zeff had left his home village with only a dream in his pocket and a small boat. Zeff dreamed of finding the All Blue. He dreamt of the magical ocean since his mama had first read a book Myth and Legends of the World . When Zeff became a cook he dreamt even harder of finding it.
The All Blue was real, he was sure of it. He wouldn’t find it if he stayed cooking in the small family restaurant so Zeff decided to leave and become a pirate. He sailed for months without trouble until he got caught in a storm.
His boat had run aground three months ago on a beach close to the Shimotsuki village. Zeff had met wonderful people including Roronoa Arashi and his wife Tera.
Tera was a bit taller than Arashi. She had long green hair and beautiful grey eyes. Arashi had short black hair and a smile rivaling the sun. Tera was more confident and Arashi more shy. The couple were swordsmen. Both of them were strong but only Tera showed her true strength, Arashi was more self-confident about his skills.
Zeff started living with them despite not wanting to. He wanted to find a boat and leave quickly to sail in the direction of the All Blue again but it only took for Arashi to smile to destroy all Zeff’s defense.
Zeff left the room and found Arashi humming a song in the kitchen. Tera was nowhere to be seen probably at the market. Zeff winced when he saw bandages on Arashi’s arms.
“You woke up. I’m glad.”
Arashi turned his head and smiled at Zeff. He felt his cheeks burn under the swordsman's gaze. “I am. You’re hurt.”
Arashi’s eyes widened and looked at his forearm. “This? Don’t worry Zeff this is nothing.”
Zeff frowned. “You’re hurt so no this is not nothing.” he advanced and took Arashi’s arm to look at it.
Arashi’s cheeks turned red. “I’m fine I swear. Go back in bed before Tera arrives and see you standing. The pirates hurt you a lot, you need to rest.”
“I agree with my dear husband.”
Both Zeff and Arashi jolted. they looked back at the door and saw Tera's arms crossed watching them. “Actually, you should both be in bed right now.”
Zeff felt his cheeks burn under the implication. The Roronoa only had one bed and a futon if Tera really wanted them to be in bed, they would have to share it and Zeff didn’t know if he would survive by being so close to Arashi.
Arashi blushed too. “Zeff is the one who is the most hurt, I can finish cooking. I’m okay my dear.”
Tera narrowed her eyes. “Then Zeff go back to bed and sweetheart if you don’t feel well you will join him.”
Both of the two men blushed harder if it was possible. Zeff nodded unable to say no to Tera and went back in the bedroom. Before closing the door he looked back at the couple. Tera kissed Arashi’s hand and asked if he was really alright. Arashi nodded with a smile and Zeff felt his heart bleed.
He sees the love between them, he sees how much they adore each other. They’re young, joyful, and happy, he’s an alcoholic pirate chasing a mirage so he doesn’t understand how those two beautiful souls can care for him.
He knows they’re flirting with him. Tera brings him flowers and sakes bottles and drinks together while Arashi cooks for him despite Zeff telling him multiple times he is a chef.
They love kissing his hands and tell him he should fight with his legs. His hands are a treasure and he has to protect them.
The dangerous thing is that Zeff loves them back. He loves them so much he feels his heart is going to explode every time he see them but he can’t. He can’t fall for them because he knows neither Tera nor Arashi wants to travel and discover the world. They want to stay in their village and live peacefully while Zeff can hear the sea calling him and telling him to come home.
Zeff doesn’t know what to do.
He knows in one glimpse of happiness he can have by being by their side but he doesn’t if he deserves it.
— —
The next day, Zeff wakes up alone and the bed is cold. He sees a note written by Tera that she left to buy things while Arashi went to the dojo. Since the young man could get lost in his own house, Tera must’ve walked with him to ensure he would arrive at the dojo before the sun was set.
The morning was slow but the house was silent except for Zeff's footsteps. He started to make lunch to surprise the married couple hoping they would like it.
Then the door opened and Tera smiled seeing him. “I’m glad to see you awake.” She showed him a sake bottle. “I bought your favorite.”
Zeff took Tera’s hand and kissed it. “You’re too kind. How did you do it?”
Tera shrugged. “I went to the next village.”
“The next village is hours away, why did you go into so much trouble for one bottle?”
Tera smiled and god she’s so beautiful. “Because I love you, Zeff. My dear Arashi is my soulmate but you, my sweet Zeff, I love you too. You’re the missing piece Arashi and I always felt. I know how much you love Arashi I’m not blind, I just wonder if there is a little space in your heart for me.”
Zeff looked at Tera and only saw kindness and love in her beautiful brown eyes. “Oh my Tera, my dear goddess, how can I not fall in love with you?”
Tera chuckled and Zeff felt his heart beating faster. She advanced and Zeff felt her breathe against his skin. Tera smiled. “Then can I borrow you a kiss?”
“For you my Tera I’ll give you all the kisses of the world.”
Tera chuckled again and Zeff felt over the moon when Tera captured his lips. Zeff didn't how much time they kissed, minutes, hours, maybe days, Zeff didn’t care. He was ready to spend his lifetime kissing Tera and was dying to know the taste of Arashi’s lips.
They parted and Tera rested her forehead against Zeff’s. “We should go to the dojo, Arashi must’ve finished his training.”
“We should, otherwise we will never see Arashi again. He will either be lost in the dojo or on the way.”
Tera laughed and god she was the most beautiful woman on earth. They left the little house and walked toward the dojo. Arashi was patiently waiting for them sitting on a stone bench petting a cat. Arashi smiled at them and smiled even more when he saw them holding their hands. He looked at Tera. “You confessed?”
Tera nodded with a smile and a slight blush on her cheeks. Arashi smiled so much Zeff thought his cheeks must hurt. “And you agree to be with us?”
Zeff smiled. “My dear sunshine, of course, I love you.”
Arashi jumped on his feet and before Zeff realized Arashi started to kiss his face. He first started with his cheeks, his nose, his chin, and forehead. Then he finally captured Zeff’s lips. Zeff buried his hands into Arashi’s black hair. He could feel Arashi’s smile against his lips.
Arashi parted and Zeff wiped some tears at the corner of Arashi’s eyes before they could fall. “Why are you crying my sun?”
Arashi smiled. “Because I’m so happy. I love you so much, Zeff. So much.”
Zeff smiled. “I love you too my sunshine.”
— —
Zeff, Tera, and Arashi went to the market in the morning. It’s been three months since they started dating and six months since he was living with the Roronoa.
Zeff looked at the apple while Tera looked at the different kinds of rice. Arashi was next to Tera, holding her hands but unlike them, Arashi wasn’t looking at the food, he was looking at the young puppy at his feet.
Zeff glanced at Arashi, he saw his boyfriend slowly let go of Tera’s hand. The swordswoman was in deep negotiation with the seller and didn’t notice Arashi’s action. Zeff started feeling nervous. Arashi was the type of man who could disappear if he blinked at the wrong moment. Zeff didn’t know how it was possible but Arashi could get lost in their own house even more village.
Then he saw Arashi putting the puppy in his haramaki and their gaze locked. Arashi smiled nervously and showed the puppy to Zeff.
“They’re so cute.”
Zeff blinked. “Tera is going to say no.”
“But look at them.”
“You know Tera doesn't want an animal.”
Arashi showed the puppy to Zeff. “Please. Zeff, my love look at the cute puppy.”
Zeff made the mistake of looking at the puppy and back to Arashi. His brown beautiful eyes were pleading. Zeff sighed. “Fine, but if Tera is angry-”
“She won’t be angry trust me.” Arashi stole a kiss from Zeff. “Thank you, my love.”
“Anything for you my sun.”
They left the market and Zeff wondered when Tera would realize about the puppy. She didn’t say anything on the way back home and he could see Arashi was a bit nervous. They arrived home and Arashi was forced to tell her when the puppy barked. Tera had only sighed after hearing Arashi’s explanation.
“My sweet Arashi, of course, I knew about the puppy. I noticed the second you stopped holding my hand. Of course, we can keep the puppy.”
Arashi beamed and kissed passionately Tera. “I love you so much!”
Arashi went back to the puppy and Zeff hugged Tera. The pirate smiled. “He has you wrapped.”
“I’m not the only one. Don’t think I didn’t see you when he asked you to keep the puppy, my dear.”
Both Zeff and Tera started chuckling while looking at Arashi playing and petting the puppy. They would do anything for their sun to shine brighter.
— —
It’s been a year now since they started dating and Zeff was happy. Or, so he thought.
In the morning they would go to the dojo and Zeff watched Arashi and Tera train. Arashi was strong but didn’t believe in his talent. Zeff saw the man cut a house in two with one blow and yet Arashi always complained about his lack of skills.
Tera was strong too, Zeff knew he had fallen in love with her when he saw her seeing her cutting a ship in two.
Zeff was always amazed when they trained together.
Then after they finished their training, the three of them walked toward the market. They would buy food and each of them had a role. Arashi was walking between them holding the bags, Zeff asked questions about the different ways to cook an ingredient and Tera negotiated the prices and make sure no one scammed Zeff.
After that, they walked back home to eat the meals Zeff cooked. In the afternoon, Tera and Arashi liked to nap on his chest while he petted their hair.
Some evening, Zeff and Tera would start a drinking contest and immediately regret it the following morning. The only good thing was Arashi taking care of them. One time to make fun of him, Arashi braided his mustache into two braids.
So yes, Zeff was happy and rested.
It’s been a year and three months since the last time he sailed and no he wasn’t missing it.
(Zeff felt his scrawl every time he looked at the sea.
He could hear the sea calling him. )
He looked at Tera and Arashi and no he wasn’t missing the ocean.
(Dear Sea how much he missed it.)
— —
Surprisingly it’s Arashi who first brought up the subject.
Zeff was drinking tea while Tera was outside with the puppy. Arashi sat next to him and took his hands. He started kissing Zeff’s hands and the pirate started to feel his cheeks burn. Arashi looked at him and Zeff knew something was wrong.
The last time he had seen tears in Arashi’s eyes was when Zeff and Tera got hurt while fighting pirates.
“What’s wrong my sun?”
“You’re not happy Zeff.”
Zeff felt his heart in his throat. “What? What are you talking about? Of course, I’m happy, I love you and I love being with you.”
“I know my love, I know. I can see how much you love us and love being with us but I can also see how much you misses the sea. The sea is your home, Zeff. You belong on a ship sailing on dangerous waters not in a simple house next to a dojo. I see you watching the sea every time you think we’re not looking. You have to go.”
Before Zeff could disapprove, he heard a door being slammed.
“Stop.”
Zeff turned his head and saw Tera standing in the door frame. She was tense and had tears in her eyes. Her face was red and with the color of her hair, it reminded Zeff of strawberries.
“Stop talking Arashi.”
“Tera, my dear, we have to talk about it.”
“No.” Tera shook her head. “Zeff is happy with us and he’s going to stay with us.”
“Tera-”
“Stop it Arashi!” To Zeff’s horror, Tera started crying. “I know, I’m not blind either, I can see Zeff missed the sea but if- if he leaves, he won’t come back and I can’t- I can’t lose a part of my heart. I can’t.”
Tera buried her face in her hands and started sobbing. Zeff stood up and took her in his arms. He started petting her hair and tried to calm her.
“It’s okay Tera, I won’t leave. It’s okay-”
“Zeff,” Arashi stood up and walked closer to them. “my love, you’re not happy.”
“I am! I promise I am, I am so happy with you two.” Zeff released a sob. “I do miss the sea and sailing but it’s okay. It’s not like I can find the All Blue-”
His innocent words made Tera cry even harder. Zeff tried to calm her but Tera couldn’t stop crying.
Tera took his hands and kissed them. “Please Zeff, don’t say that. Don’t say you can’t find the All Blue, it’s your dream and I refuse to hear you say that.”
Arashi cupped Zeff’s face. “It doesn’t matter a far you will be, our love will never be lost or forgotten. Sometimes, to love is to let go and we need to let you go.”
Zeff wants to disapprove but only hears the sea calling him louder and louder. It’s so loud he
barely hear Tera and Arashi.
It broke his heart to make his goddess cry but his sun was right, Zeff had to leave and Zeff left a week later.
They shared kisses and barely left the bed during the past week. Tera only left the house to buy food and Arashi cooked every meal. They whispered against their skin declaration of love more than Zeff could count.
Tera and Arashi offered Zeff a boat and he left promising them three things. Stop fighting with his hands, find the All Blue, and not forgetting them.
“I could never forget my dear goddess and neither you, my little sun.”
They cried, they smiled, they kissed and the last words they said to each other were I love you.
Three months later, Zeff had found a bigger boat and had started to build his crew. Zeff true to his words, had stopped fighting with his hands and began to have a nickname.
Red leg Zeff.
He wondered if Tera and Arashi would like it.
A month after he got his new ship, The Cooking Georges, and five months since he left Zeff received a letter from Tera. Since his departure, Zeff, Tera, and Arashi wrote letters to each other. They were so proud of him and his accomplishments.
When he opened Tera’s letter, Zeff cried and had never more wanted than to go back home. Tera was pregnant. Learning Tera’s pregnancy was the most beautiful day in Zeff’s life. He
wished so badly to be with them. He needed money and build a house for their family.
Zeff thought about coming home but at the end of the letter, they both tell him they can wait until Zeff finds the All Blue. They wanted to see their baby grow up at Zeff’s magical ocean. They wanted to grow old together at the All Blue.
Months passed and Tera and Arashi never stopped sending letters. Zeff cried when Arashi announced the baby was born.
Roronoa Zoro.
By simply reading Arashi’s words, Zeff could feel how much his little sun was happy and proud. The little baby had green hair and grey eyes.
Zeff hadn’t met Zoro yet but he already loved him so much. He swore to himself to protect him.
Arashi and Tera wrote every week about their lives with Zoro and Zeff always responded. His crewmates often told him that soon they will forget him and move on especially that now they had a baby but Zeff knew they wouldn’t. His goddess and sun will never forget him or stop writing him.
Until one day they did, the letters stopped abruptly and Zeff never gets a letter from his lovers again. He was heartbroken and didn’t understand. He kept writing again and again but he never got an answer to any of his missive.
After weeks of silence, Zeff cried. Of course, they couldn’t wait for him infinitely. He had been so stupid.
How could he have thought a goddess and a sun could wait for a mortal to come back to them?
He continues his quest and wonders if he finds the All Blue, they will come live with him. He attacks a ship during a storm. It’s dangerous he knows but he doesn’t care.
Tera and Arashi deserve everything and maybe if Zeff send them gifts, they could give him a second chance. Unfortunately, both of the ships stink. Zeff didn’t find a treasure but a blond boy and thought it was the same. They spent months starving on a rock.
He hope Arashi and Tera will still love him even if he lost a leg. At least he didn’t lose one of his hands.
He and the boy are saved and spend weeks at the hospital. Zeff decided to keep the boy Sanji. Zeff is sure to his bones Arashi and Tera will love him as much as he does.
Sanji is the son Zeff never dared to dream of.
When Sanji asked about love, Zeff thought of Arashi and Tera and only responded that love was beautiful.
Years passed and Zeff never forgot his lovers, his sun and goddess, his Arashi and Tera. Then one day, a young man passed the door. He has Tera’s green hair and eyes and Arashi’s nose and smile. Zeff blinks and maybe he’s dreaming.
The boy, Zoro comes to him and doesn’t recognize him. He’s with Chore boy, a girl with orange hair, and a long-nosed boy.
Zeff wants to talk to him but he can’t.
Zeff realizes he has Tera’s confidence when he challenges the warlord and Arashi’s heart when after his defeat he cries and promises to never lose again.
After Chore boy leaves with his son, Zeff wonders if he will ever see Zoro again.
He hopes so.
He hopes even more to see Tera and Arashi again.
— — —
“Old man?”
Zeff jolted at Zoro’s voice. The boy has his hand on Zeff’s forearms and looks concerned.
“Everything is okay old man? Do you want me to call Curls?”
Zeff blink. For a second he sees Arashi wondering if Zeff should grow his mustache and the next one he sees Tera asking if he wants more food on his plate.
“I’m okay.”
Zoro nodded but Zeff could feel the young man wasn’t convinced. Zoro glanced at the picture. “So is it you in the picture? You know my parents?”
Zeff looked back at the picture. “I love them more than anything. I spend a year by their side and it was the most magical time of my life. After I left, we wrote letters but they stopped writing a couple of years after your birth. Are they okay?” Zeff turned his gaze at Zoro.
The boy looked so sad and looked away from his gaze.
“They passed away. I’m sorry. I thought you knew.”
Zeff stopped breathing. He wanted to cry but couldn’t. He had no right to cry in front of their son, their baby, their treasure.
“What happened?”
Zoro swallowed. “Pirates invaded the villages, Dad fought them but there were too many. He succeeded in killing half of them but they tricked him into thinking they killed me and Mom after they burned our house. Mom couldn’t fight with him because she was protecting me and the rest of the village. After his death, Mom got sick. We didn’t have enough money to buy the medicine.”
“Where did you go?”
“I started living at the dojo after Mom died.”
Zeff nodded. He felt his heart bleeding at the thought of his Arashi, his sun dying protecting his village and their family. Of Tera, his goddess grieving her soulmate and trying to raise Zoro. Of Zoro growing up alone, after the death of his parents.
“Were they kind to you?”
Zoro nodded. “Shimotsuki-sensei was great.”
“You remember who the pirates were?”
“I do. I took care of them after I sailed. They’re all dead.”
“Good.”
They stayed in silence watching the sea. Zeff was still holding the picture and handed it to Zoro. The boy shook his head and softly spoke. “I have other pictures. You can keep it. They would want you to keep it.”
“Thank you.”
“They loved you you know.” Zoro smiled. “Dad talked about all the time. Mom too. How you cooked, your jokes. You were the love of their lives.”
“And they’re the loss of my life.”
Zeff had never loved someone as he did for Tera and Arashi. And never will.
Zoro frowned. “Do you regret leaving?”
“Sometimes I wondered how we would have lived if I had stayed but no.” Zeff smiled at Zoro. “I wouldn’t have met Eggplant if I hadn’t left. Also, your dad was right, the sea was calling me and I couldn’t ignore her. But please Zoro, don’t be like me. Don’t become an old man living with regrets. If you want to marry Eggplant, do it. Don’t waste the precious time you two have. ”
Zoro nods and turns his head toward the galley. Sanji opened the door and frowned seeing them. Zoro stood up and walked toward him. He climbed the stairs and Zeff saw Tera walking toward Arashi. Zoro stopped right in front of Sanji and Zeff saw his Eggplant frowning. Before Sanji could talk Zoro spoke.
“Marry me Curls.”
Sanji’s eyes widened while Zoro blushed. “What?”
“I said marry me. Did you become deaf during the night?”
“I perfectly heard you Marimo, that’s the fucking problem. What do you mean to marry you? And you know it’s a question like will you marry me and not a fucking order?”
“I do but it’s not a question because I know you’re going to say yes so marry me Curls.”
“How do you know I’m going to say yes?”
“Because I love you and you love me.”
Sanji sighed. “Do you even have a ring?”
Zoro blinked. He took off one of his earrings and handed it to Sanji. “Here.”
Sanji closed his eyes and chuckled. “Only you would do that. Only you.” He reopened his eyes and Zeff could see all the love his little eggplant had for Zoro. “Of course, I’ll marry you stupid marimo.”
“Great.” Zoro blushed even harder and his grip tightened on his swords.
Zeff smiled. Both Tera and Arashi did the same thing when they were stressed or nervous.
Suddenly Zoro kissed Sanji. Zeff saw his son melting in Zoro’s embrace and decided it was the moment to look away.
Zeff looked back at the sea and his gaze drew to the picture he was still holding. Zeff will love Tera and Arashi until his last breath. Their love was legendary and momentary but it didn’t mean Zeff’s heart would stop beating for them.
For Zeff, the ocean was his life. The ocean had separated him from the two love of his life but the ocean united his son with the love of his life.
Tera and Arashi were gone but a part of them will forever live in Zoro. Their beloved son who brought happiness and joy in Sanji’s life, his beloved son.