Chapter Text
As Wano shrunk into the distance, Sanji moved towards the galley while the rest of the Strawhats dispersed across the Sunny. Despite being appreciative of the chance to rest and recuperate in Wano in the form of banquet after banquet, everyone was relieved to be home and wished to spend some time settling back into their routines.
Before entering the galley, Sanji paused at the doorway and closed his eyes. He took a moment to simply breathe in the familiar scent of aged wood, spices collected from countless islands during their journey, and fresh fruit from Wano placed at the centre of the dining table. As he entered, he traced his fingers across the table, continuing on to the countertop and the kitchen space. He hovered his hand over the rows of ladles and knives hung over the stove, reminiscing all the dishes he had made throughout the years. He turned to lean over the sink, placing his hands on either side and shut his eyes to prevent the tears that were threatening to fall.
He was so grateful to be back. He had never imagined that his crew, his captain, would have gone to such lengths to save him, to bring him back to this ship. To bring him back home. God knew he was thankful for it. Sanji had not believed they would welcome him with open arms. He had expected some disappointment or shunning. Yet, when he had returned they had thrown themselves into his arms and shed tears of joy. He could still feel the warmth of Brook’s bony arms, Chopper’s antlers digging into his stomach, and Carrot’s soft cheek in his neck. A lingering feeling that only brought more tears to his eyes. When reuniting with the rest of the crew, Robin had simply pulled him into a tight hug and whispered a threat to never leave again into his ear. Usopp joined soon after, bawling like a newborn, with Franky coming up in the rear and lifting all four of them into the air while yelling, “SUPERRRRRRR REUNION!!!” Even Jinbei just laughed and smiled at him with a look of understanding that had Sanji looking away in shame.
And Zoro. Who had kept his distance at first, but never ignored Sanji when called. Who bickered with him like nothing had happened. Who defended him from King’s attack in a moment of distraction. Who promised to kill him if he ever succumbed to his Germa modifications. Zoro who was leaning against the doorway of the galley with his arms crossed and looking at Sanji with a small smile of fond exasperation.
“Didn’t know you were a crybaby, cook.”
Sanji looked up in surprise, before sniffling and looking away. “Shut up, shitty swordsman.”
Zoro simply chuckled and walked towards the counter before stopping to stand across from Sanji, “You cry anymore, Chopper’s gon’ end up worrying over your red eyes later.”
Sanji looked up to glare at his first mate and swiped the back of his hand across his eyes in an attempt to wipe the tears away. Not trusting his voice, he simply held his hand out. Zoro rolled his eye before pulling out Sanji’s handkerchief from his haramaki. Sanji grabbed it from his hand, but not without muttering, “You better have washed this, you dirty marimo.”
“You gave it to me days ago to wipe some sweat. I had Hiyori wash it for me, you jackass.”
“How dare you make a lady do your chores, you absolute barbarian.” Though Sanji’s retort lacked its usual bite while he blew his nose into the handkerchief.
Zoro rolled his eye again instead of responding, giving the cook a chance to gather himself. Leaning against the counter and looking away, Zoro asked, “Do you wanna talk about it or do you plan to make us pull it outta you again?”
Even though Sanji knew that Zoro held no grudge against him, the question still pierced. He knew that he had hidden too much from his crew. He may not have outright lied to them, but his secrets had put them in danger and led to his betrayal. His crew had forgiven him easily enough, but it didn’t mean they had forgotten. Sanji closed his eyes once more and sighed.
“It’s nothing much…” Zoro gave him an unimpressed look and Sanji looked away again, “I just…I missed this. This kitchen. I missed being home. Our home.” Zoro’s expression softened at that, taking a step back and letting a breath out. He turned to look out the galley doorway unto the lawn outside, where Usopp was tinkering on a new project and Brook was softly strumming his guitar. “The Sunny will always be your home. We will always be your home, Sanji.”
A breath caught itself in Sanji’s throat and he couldn’t help the sob that tore its way out. The cook sank onto the kitchen floor with a hand gripping the sink loosely. Zoro’s eye widened briefly before rounding the kitchen and kneeling beside the other. He paused for only a second, but another heartwrenching sob escaped Sanji, and without further hesitation, he pulled the cook into his arms, leaning his head against his shoulder.
Hearing the commotion, Luffy ran in to see the two of them huddled on the kitchen floor. He quickly approached them and joined the hug, pulling the both of them into his rubbery arms.
“What’s wrong, Sanji? What happened?” His eyebrows furrowed in concern.
Sanji let out a weak laugh at his captain’s worried tone. “Nothing, captain. I’m just glad to be home.”
Luffy paused for a moment before grinning and saying, “Of course, Sanji! You’re our nakama after all.”
Sanji relieved, sunk into their embrace and allowed himself a moment of rest before dinner prep.
As Sanji’s breathing slowed, Zoro let out a breath he didn’t know he was holding. He may have known that Sanji was about five seconds away from having a breakdown, but he had never expected him to do so in his presence. In all honesty, he was glad that Luffy had shown up when he did. He wasn’t sure he would’ve been able to comfort Sanji as easily and quickly as their intuitive captain had done. Luffy slowly unwrapped his arms around the pair, careful not to jostle the sleeping cook.
“You should take him to bed, Zoro.”
Zoro nodded and gently manoeuvred the cook into a bridal carry, standing up as he headed towards the men’s room.
“Take care of him, Zoro,” Luffy whispered.
“Aye, aye, Captain.” Satisfied with Zoro’s response, Luffy grinned once more and left the galley to return to his fishing.
Smiling to himself, Zoro carried Sanji to the men’s room. He had passed by some of their concerned crewmates, but only smiled in response and nodded in Luffy’s direction to their inquires. Once in the room, Zoro set Sanji down into his bunk covered in lavender throw pillows and matching lavender sheets. The other man had made little movement and noise despite being moved, speaking to his exhaustion. Zoro tucked him into his bunk and took a step back to admire the cook’s relaxed features. Reaching forward, he ran his fingers across the cook’s forehead and tucked a piece of hair behind his ear. Deciding to leave him to his much-needed rest, Zoro moved his hand downwards to give Sanji’s left wrist a last reassuring squeeze and left the room.
As he walked down the stairs, preparing to go up to Crow’s Nest for some late afternoon training, Robin appeared in his peripheral.
“Is the cook alright?” A nonchalant smile was placed upon her lips, but a tinge of worry could be seen in the crease of her eyes.
“He’s alright. Just tired.” Zoro omitted the tears, believing Sanji deserved the privacy. However, Robin nodded in understanding and he didn’t doubt that she had overheard their conversation. She turned her head towards the men’s room, pulling an arm up to hold the other. A rare visible sign of worry from the older woman. “He will heal. Don’t worry,” he offered. Robin turned a wary smile his way before nodding and heading towards the library.
Without further interruption, Zoro climbed up the ladder to the Crow’s Nest and began his workout.
It was during his third set of 100 reps of weight swinging that Usopp’s shout came ringing through the Crow’s Nest. “Enemy approaching!” Quickly throwing his weights down, Zoro swung down the ladder, swords in one hand, prepared for battle.
Luffy had slung himself down from his seat on the mast to the lawn in front of him, while Usopp was leaning over a railing with his binoculars in hand, trying to get a better view of the enemy ship. Sanji had since woken up and come out of the men’s room, lighting a cigarette beside him in spite of the pouring rain. A quick once over told him that he had since changed out of his earlier clothes and washed his face, eyes no longer red and swollen.
As Zoro looked up at the grey sky, an ominous thunder seemed to surround the ship. Dark and vicious clouds swirled ahead with no respite. Nami stood at the helm, looking out at the sky and eyebrows furrowed in concern. In the rain, he could barely make out her comment, “This isn’t looking good.”
“Usopp! How many are we lookin’ at?” He shouted across the wind at the sniper.
“Only one ship, but big! I don’t think they’ve spotted us yet!” Usopp shouted back, Franky pulling up beside him with another set of binoculars to get a better look.
“What’s the play, Captain?” Sanji piped up.
The black-haired man simply put an arm on his hat and grinned, “Shi shi shi.” And with that, all the Strawhats smiled back with varying levels of excitement and exasperation, ready for action. Just as Luffy had begun to stretch his arms out to grab a handful of his crew to sling across the ocean, a red beam shot its way through the rain landing at the centre of the Thousand Sunny’s lawn. A tall red-haired woman emerged from the light and Zoro was immediately on guard, something was off about this woman.
“Who are you?” Luffy yelled.
However, in response, the woman simply grinned and extended her arms in front of her. Zoro only had a chance to tense as beams of red light shot out from each of her ten fingers, aiming each one at a member of the Strawhats. In a futile attempt to protect his crew, Zoro pulled Sanji and Chopper, who were the closest to him, toward him before the light engulfed his vision. His senses were suddenly filled with an unbearable amount of pain as if each of his nerves were being flayed open and burned. He could do nothing but hold onto his crew and scream. A raw cry of pain clawed its way out of his throat and vaguely he realised that his howls were not alone. He could hear similar cries across the lawn, familiar in that they were of his crew. He turned towards the noise, an overwhelming urge to protect his family and eliminate any threat in their way. He could make out Sanji next to him, panting and trying to reach back towards him to grasp his arm. As he attempted to pull Sanji closer to him, another wave of red light came crashing onto him and Zoro was sent to his knees, bringing Sanji and Chopper down with him. A sharp pain shot up his thighs when his knees touched the grass, cracking under his weight. He grits his teeth to ground himself, but lets out a guttural roar when a third wave of light comes and he is no longer able to keep his torso upright. With his cheek to the grass, Zoro catches a blurry figure smiling in triumph before fading into the darkness.