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Something inside Zoro finally started to unclench as the Going Merry pulled into the open sea once more, leaving Cocoyashi Village behind. The fight against Arlong and his crew had finished days ago, but then there had been the lingering presence of the villagers. Good, loyal people that he trusted; after all, they had helped patch him up after the fighting was done. However, his inner alpha was not comfortable with looking weak in front of strangers. Now that he was back in a familiar space with familiar people, his alpha was starting to relax.
Zoro huffed a laugh at that thought. Familiar people. Seemed ridiculous to think that about people who he'd really only known for a few weeks. Sanji, being the most recent addition to their ragtag group, had simply turned up with Luffy when the captain finally reached Cocoyashi himself. Zoro hadn’t been completely convinced about letting the omega cook join the crew, but Luffy was the boss and Zoro was willing to trust his judgement. Sanji had quickly proven himself an adept fighter and loyal crewmate though. He held his own against the Arlong Pirates and risked his life to save Luffy. That was enough for Zoro and his alpha to fully accept Sanji as pack, even if he found the omega irritating at times.
The thought of the cook drew attention to a nagging concern Zoro held in the back of his mind. Or rather, his alpha seemed to be holding it. It desperately wanted Zoro to check on Sanji, but the swordsman couldn’t possibly fathom why. They were safely on the ship. Sure, maybe Zoro wasn’t completely back to top fighting form if something did happen, but that wouldn’t stop him from pushing himself if he needed to. Plus in any event, Sanji could definitely take care of himself. All this reasoning meant nothing anyway, because Zoro would be able to hear or smell if there was something going on. And he couldn’t. So there.
Unfortunately, all this logical thinking did absolutely nothing to quell his anxiety. Zoro sighed as he pushed away from the bannister he was leaning against and made his way towards the stern of the ship. Fucking fine, then. He would go check on the cook and visually confirm what he already knew to be true, that Sanji was safe and sound. And then he’d make a point of visiting the rest of the crew, because he wasn’t about to have anyone start to draw conclusions about why he, as an alpha, was checking on the only omega on their crew. He ignored the way the thought of making sure everyone was safe soothed his jumpy alpha.
He eased the galley door open and stuck his head inside, unsure if he’d be welcome. Zoro would laugh if this was happening to anyone other than himself. The thought of a big, brash alpha suddenly feeling shy was amusing, but unfortunately he was the big, brash alpha in question.
Sanji was bent over a notebook on the kitchen bench, scribbling notes down as a pot of something simmered gently on the stove. Seeing him content did wonders to settle Zoro's own nerves, but not enough for him to feel comfortable leaving. Instead, he slipped inside quietly, taking a seat at the dining table.
As quiet as he was, Sanji still glanced up at his entrance. “Zoro,” he said in greeting, before turning his eyes back to his writing. “You hungry? Lunch is still a couple hours away, but I could spare you some scraps for a snack.”
Zoro wanted to say yes. He knew that even though Sanji promised scraps it would be anything but. Knew it would make the omega happy if he could provide for his packmates. It felt like it would disappoint Sanji if he said no and fuck , when had he started caring about that? It didn't matter anyway, Zoro's gut was churning with anxiety and he likely wouldn't finish anything the cook made for him. That would upset Sanji more than anything.
“Oi, shitty swordsman. Did I use too many words? Do you want food or not?”
And instead of the usual annoyance Zoro would feel at the jab, his cheeks flushed with embarrassment. “Sorry, no, uh. I had enough at breakfast. Thanks, though,” because if he was going to disappoint Sanji by turning down his offer of food then at least he could say his earlier cooking was the reason why and why was he caring so much about Sanji's feelings?
Sanji squinted slightly at Zoro. “Did someone finally knock some manners into your head, marimo? Maybe you should go lie down for a while.”
Zoro huffed and absolutely did not pout as he crossed his arms and looked away from Sanji. He was being considerate and this is the thanks he gets?
Sanji continued to stare at him for a few more moments before returning his attention to lunch preparation. Zoro knew Sanji thought he was acting weird. Zoro was acting weird. He and Sanji should be arguing right now, or Zoro should've stormed out of the galley in a huff. But he didn't want to fight the cook. And the thought of leaving him alone made the hair on the back of his neck stand up.
So Zoro stayed and watched as Sanji puttered around the kitchen. It was strangely soothing to watch him work. There was a rhythm to it, Sanji's movements practised and efficient and lithe. Zoro could also appreciate the fine blade work, something the pair of them held vaguely in common. Obviously Zoro's own blades were much bigger but that didn't mean Sanji was any less impressive. Zoro tilted his head consideringly. His own blades were made to hurt, to destroy, but Sanji? He created with his blades, he nourished the crew. Where Zoro took life, Sanji nurtured it.
Sanji kept glancing at him expectantly, and he seemed to be moving even faster now, almost rushed. Zoro wasn't quite sure why he seemed to be drawing the cook's attention all of a sudden, and then realised with a start that he'd moved from his seat at the dining table to in front of the kitchen bench. Directly opposite where Sanji was working, and all without meaning to. He felt his face heat, and kept his eyes on Sanji's hands. No way was he going to let the cook know that he hadn't meant to move closer. It was embarrassing enough that he had moved closer at all! If he just stood here quietly and didn't make eye contact, maybe Sanji would leave him be.
Something smelled as though it was burning, and Zoro frowned at the thought. Sanji didn't burn food. A quick glance toward the stove and oven confirmed this.
Sanji slapped his knife down with a firm clack . “What do you want, mosshead?” he asked, voice strained.
Zoro blinked. “Huh?”
“Why are you still here? What do you want?”
Oh. The burnt smell was Sanji. “Nothing, I-”
“Then you need to leave, I can't cook with you stinking up my kitchen, “ snapped Sanji.
It took everything Zoro had not to whine at that rejection. He just wanted to watch Sanji cook, to know he was content. But he'd be noseblind not to notice Sanji's anxiety at the swordsman being so close, his usual salty sweet caramel scent turning charred and black. Zoro instinctively wanted to soothe whatever was stressing the omega out, and Sanji should want him to stick around to do so. At least, that’s what he’d heard? But for reasons unknown, Sanji wanted the alpha gone. It didn’t make any sense.
He turned abruptly and marched out the door, before he could change his mind. Whatever, it was fine. It was stupid, really. He was being stupid. Nevermind the fact that his inner alpha was screaming at him not to leave Sanji alone. If the cook was going to ignore his instincts, then Zoro could too.
He stuck his nose to the wind to find where Nami had secreted herself. She was most likely to commiserate with him about Sanji, since Luffy and Usopp were both too enamoured with the cook's food.
A faint scent told him she was below deck, likely in her room. Zoro made his way to the trapdoor on the deck. It made sense really, if he'd bothered to think about it. Since it was the last time she was going to be in Cocoyashi for the foreseeable future, Nami had made sure to collect any old belongings she still had secreted away. The villagers, in a similar mindset, had showered her with gifts and trinkets. Little pieces of them that she could hold close to her heart throughout her journey. Then of course, there was everyone’s wallets she had pickpocketed as she ran and leapt onto the departing Merry. Nami, finally with some time to herself, was probably taking the opportunity to sort it all out.
He arrived at her door and knocked twice.
“Come in,” Nami called.
Zoro pushed the door open and walked in. Nami was indeed seated at her desk, an assortment of things spread out in front of her. Zoro could easily identify the piles of berry, as well as the collection of wallets she had pilfered the money from. The paper, inks and pens he could assume were for her mapmaking endeavours. Everything else was less clear in its meaning. An old, chipped mug, a well-loved doll, a small collection of modest jewellery, and a brightly patterned piece of folded fabric stood out to Zoro, among other things. It wasn’t for him to worry about, really. It all belonged to Nami now. She smelled content, though there was an undercurrent of sadness, a slight mouldy smell to her bright citrus scent.
“What's wrong?” he blurted out before he could think better of it. Again, why did he care all of a sudden?
“Huh?” Nami turned to look at him. “Oh, hey Zoro. Nothing's wrong, really.”
Zoro, unconvinced, stepped towards her. Being closer to Nami felt like the right thing to do.
“It's just all this stuff. I'm glad I have it, but it still smells…”
Like home. Of course. Zoro lifted his hand to reach for something on the desk, but stopped. “Can I- Do you want me-” He didn't know how to ask without sounding like an idiot.
Nami thankfully understood what he was trying to say. “That's kind of you to offer, Zoro. But no, I would rather it just smell like them for as long as possible. Plus,” Nami wrinkled her nose, “you kinda stink at the moment. When did you shower last?”
Instead of a flash of anger at her comment, Zoro just felt… hurt? Oh, this was not good. “Uh, I guess it's been a while,” he stammered out, quickly retreating out of her room. If she said anything more he didn't hear it, too busy definitively not freaking out about his damn feelings of all things.
What was going on? Not fighting with the cook, Nami actually maybe upsetting him a little bit? He needed to sit and meditate for a couple hours because something was not right. He had barely stepped back into the sunshine on deck when Luffy started shouting at him.
“Zoro! Do you want to- hey wait.” Luffy stretched his arms from where he was sitting on the figurehead to grab onto Zoro's shoulders.
Before Zoro could even process what was about to happen, he staggered back with an armful of captain as Luffy launched himself through the air and clung to Zoro. Luffy put his nose to Zoro's neck and Zoro grabbed his collar and threw him across the deck, a terrible growl ripping out of his throat.
The railing of the Merry creaked alarmingly where Luffy collided with it, but thankfully it did not give way. Luffy was unharmed, of course, and giggled as he picked himself back up. “Wow, Zoro's grumpy! I was wondering why you smelled like that. Zoro should have some food!” Luffy finished with a grin.
Zoro was not listening, hands tugging at his hair. He had growled at his captain! What the fuck was wrong with him? Luffy waltzed off in the direction of the galley, humming happily and no worse for wear. Something Zoro should be thankful for, at least. If he had actually hurt Luffy he'd probably throw himself off the ship.
“Zoro?” a voice called from above.
Zoro dropped his hands and looked up.
Usopp was peering over the edge of the crow's nest. No doubt he had heard what had just happened. No doubt he was scared of Zoro right now. No doubt Zoro was going to have to make it up to him somehow, because having a packmate scared of him was unacceptable.
“Could you bring me some water?”
Yes, yes. Absolutely. Anything Usopp wanted, Zoro would get for him. He raced to the galley and yanked the door open.
Sanji's glare pinned him in place, keeping from stepping over the threshold. Zoro swallowed. Luffy was somehow already busy eating something at the table, indifferent to the tension in the room. “Can- Can I have some water? For Usopp. Please?” He had to get a hold on himself! This stammering shit had to stop.
Sanji didn't say anything, just pulled a bottle out of the fridge and threw it to Zoro. Zoro resisted the urge to grunt as he caught it. Sanji had thrown it hard but as if he would give the cook the satisfaction of knowing that. He ground out a “Thanks” before turning and hurrying back to Usopp.
Reaching the bottom of the rigging, he quickly stowed the bottle in his haramaki before scaling up the ropes. When he reached the top, he slipped neatly into the small space opposite Usopp. The way the sniper's face lit up when Zoro produced the bottle was nearly enough to make the swordsman forget how uncomfortable the rest of his day had been so far.
“Wow, thanks Zoro! This is just what I need!” gushed Usopp, unscrewing the lid and taking a gulp. “Ah, that hits the spot.”
Zoro found a smile forming on his face at Usopp's obvious delight. How embarrassing. He looked to his feet in the hopes Usopp wouldn't see.
“The others been giving you a hard time?”
Zoro started at that, face flushing. Okay, so Usopp obviously overheard what happened with Luffy. But how did he know about Nami and Sanji? He chanced a glance at the sniper. He looked… fond? “How did you know?”
Usopp shrugged. “Wasn't hard to figure out. A rutting alpha, smelling dejected and like none of his packmates? Anyone would be struggling. Even you, tough guy.” He reached over, aiming for Zoro's… face?
Zoro intercepted Usopp's hand, grabbing his wrist. What was happening?
“Zoro?”
Zoro could smell that Usopp was deliberately keeping himself calm. He was thankful for that. He didn't think he could handle upsetting all of his packmates today. “What did you say?”
Usopp's brows pinched together. “Um, which part?”
“I'm rutting?”
“Yeah?”
Oh.
“Is this- Have you not been through a rut before?”
Zoro realised he was still holding Usopp's wrist and dropped it before he squeezed it too hard.
“That's… uncommon but not unheard of. You've been mostly by yourself before now, haven't you?”
Zoro grunted affirmatively. After he left Shimotsuki Village, there hadn't really been anyone except Johnny and Yosaku. Even then, it was a stretch to call the pair packmates.
“Well, there you go. No pack, no cycles.”
“How do I stop it?”
“Uh,” Usopped laughed nervously. “You can't stop it, it's your hormones. You're gonna feel this way for a couple more days at least.”
A sorrowful grumble scratched out of Zoro's throat without permission. Definitely not a whine, thank you.
“But there's things you can do, that we all can do, to help!” Usopp said hurriedly, desperate to quell Zoro's anxious mood. “You just have to really listen to your alpha for the next little bit. And all he wants is to know your packmates are safe and happy.”
Zoro frowned. But he knew that they were safe. Why couldn't his alpha understand that? He had things under control.
“Here.” Usopp reached back over again, slower this time.
Zoro watched him carefully but made no move to stop him. As Usopp got closer, his spiced scent grew stronger. He smelled content. He smelled good . Zoro grabbed his wrist again, gentler this time. He kinda wanted to rub his face in it. He started to lean in before he caught himself.
“It's okay,” Usopp soothed. “Listen to your instincts.”
Zoro blushed, but moved in to rub his cheek over Usopp's wrist, where the scent was strongest. The smell of the two of them mixed together, cloves and green tea and wood and the barest hint of lily, seemed to wash over him like a hot shower. He breathed in deeply as his eyes fluttered closed and his shoulders dropped away from his ears.
“Your alpha wants other alphas to know that I'm under your protection,” Usopp explained. “If I smell like you, that makes things pretty clear.”
Zoro grunted in agreement. “Luffy?”
“Aha, yes. I did overhear that.” Usopp nodded sagely. “He got right in your face, didn't he?”
Zoro growled gently, equally frustrated with himself and the captain. Normally he had much more patience for Luffy's antics.
“I know you know he didn't mean any harm. Your alpha doesn't though, and he thinks any alpha getting that close without showing submission is a threat.”
Much to Zoro's dismay, everything that Usopp was saying made a weird sort of sense. How annoying. “What do I do now?”
Usopp grinned. “Simple. You can scent Nami and Sanji like you did with me. Then you just need to prove your strength against Luffy. A play fight or an arm wrestle or something. Once you beat him, then you'll probably want to scent him too. Not much else to do after that. You'll want to keep an eye on everyone, but the more you scent them, the less you'll feel like you need to keep watch.”
Zoro thought about that. He imagined rubbing his face on Nami. On Sanji. “Uh. Do I have- Does it have to be my face?”
“For scenting?”
Zoro nodded.
“No, you could- you could go wrist to wrist for sure. Sorry, I shouldn’t have presumed, that was pretty forward of me for a first time scent but you just kinda seemed like a face kinda guy so I just went for it and-”
Zoro waved dismissively, cutting him off. “It’s fine, Usopp. Just- the others.” Zoro didn’t know how to articulate his worry without seeming dramatic.
Luckily Usopp nodded in understanding. “Yeah, I get it. You’ll figure it out, Zoro. Trust your alpha.”
The swordsman was ready to snort derisively at that statement, but remembered that listening to his alpha had got him to scent Usopp successfully, thus making him feel a little better. “Okay Usopp,” he sighed. “Thank you.”
Usopp briefly looked taken aback, something Zoro noted with a twinge of shame, but the sniper quickly recovered. “Of course, I am the great Captain Usopp after all! I know many things about many places and many people. It is only natural that you came to me seeking knowledge!”
Zoro rolled his eyes but smiled nonetheless. Which was strange, since he normally had little patience for Usopp’s outrageous claims. Well, if he needed any more proof of how much his hormones were messing with his feelings, there it was. With a final nod to Usopp, he hefted himself over the edge of the crow’s nest and started climbing down. And paused, thinking, then climbed back up to look into the crow's nest. “Usopp?” he asked.
“Yeah?” The sniper had an amused smile on his face.
Zoro took a deep breath. He couldn't believe he was asking this. “I don't- Do I smell bad?” He didn't think he did, but it was always kind of hard to tell with your own scent.
Usopp looked puzzled as he processed Zoro's question. Then his eyes widened slightly as he realised why Zoro was asking. “You smell like you, just,” Usopp waved his hand vaguely, “more. Don't let the others get to you,” he finished with a smile.
Zoro nodded, grateful, then resumed climbing down the rigging. He knew what he had to do, now it was time to actually do it.
By the time Zoro landed back on the deck, Luffy was back in his seat on the figure head.
“Luffy?”
Luffy turned to look at him. “Zoro!” he greeted. He sniffed the air noisily. “You smell not as grumpy now.”
Zoro scratched the back of his head. “Yeah, uh. Usopp says I'm rutting, which is why I threw you across the deck earlier. Sorry.”
Luffy giggled. “Ohhh. That's okay, I know Zoro didn't mean it.” He stood up and jumped off the figurehead.
Zoro froze.
Luffy splashed into the ocean.
Zoro swore and jumped in after him.
In a matter of moments, they were both back on deck and soaking wet. Luffy lay on his side while Zoro slapped his back to help expel the water he had swallowed. Luffy started to laugh after he finished coughing up seawater.
“You're an idiot,” exclaimed Zoro, still panting from exertion. “Why did you do that?” He sat back from where he had been half-leaning over the captain.
Luffy rolled over on his back to look at the swordsman. “Zoro's so brave and strong, I knew he would save me,” he grinned.
Zoro blushed. “Oh, you fucker.” Luffy had shown his submission in the worst way possible. Not that Zoro's alpha cared in the slightest. In fact, it was feeling remarkably self-satisfied, which explained why Zoro wasn't yelling at Luffy as much as he deserved right now.
Luffy giggled and wrapped his arms around Zoro’s shoulders to pull him in close.
Zoro was still miffed but he took the opportunity to nuzzle his cheeks against Luffy's, scenting him thoroughly. “Next time just wrestle with me, bastard.”
Eventually Luffy loosened his grip and Zoro rolled over onto his back next to the captain. He felt rather satisfied, his alpha a lot calmer now. The sun was warm, so he stretched his arms out and tucked them behind his head. He was still very wet, and there was no way Nami or Sanji would let him into their spaces if he was going to drip all over their floors.
He closed his eyes, the mixed scent of Luffy's sea salt and ozone, and his own sweet matcha accompanying him into slumber.
~*~
“Oi! Ten minutes until lunch!”
If Sanji's voice hadn't woken him, then Luffy kneeing him in the stomach as the captain scrambled over him to race to the galley definitely would have. He sniffed the air. He couldn't stay mad at Luffy anyway, but definitely not when he still smelled like Zoro. His nose also picked up a distinct lack of Nami, which meant she was still below deck and probably hadn't heard Sanji's call.
Zoro climbed to his feet, his clothes now stiff with dried saltwater, and made for the trapdoor. He'd go down and tell her about lunch, and about his rut, and with any luck he'd emerge unscathed.
He reached Nami's door and knocked twice.
“Yeah?” she called from inside
Zoro pushed the door open and stepped inside. “Hey. Sanji's serving lunch.”
“Oh, thanks.” Nami was busy doing something on the desk in front of her. Zoro wasn’t going to even try to guess what. “You smell wet like you showered, and yet you still stink. Explain that to me,” she said, finally turning around in her seat to face Zoro, her smile deceptively sweet. Like she would murder him if he didn't have a good explanation for stinking up her space. Or even if he did.
He shrugged. “Didn't shower, and I'm rutting.” Zoro didn't really know how to beat around the bush, and he wasn't about to insult the navigator by trying.
Nami didn't say anything, though her smile faded a bit.
“Uh. Luffy jumped in the ocean so I'd have to save him.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “He thought that was the best way for him to submit to me.”
“Right.” Nami's voice was flat, and her scent was turning sickly sweet, like overripe oranges.
Zoro did not fidget. Sure, he was uncomfortable with the souring smell, but that didn't mean he had to show it, thank you very much. “So, um. Usopp said I'd feel better about leaving you alone if I scent you.”
“Ha. Yeah, I bet you would,” said Nami, voice as bitter as her scent, eyes staring off into the middle distance.
Some help his alpha was being. All it wanted to do was scent Nami so she knew she was safe under his protection, so her scent would go back to being honey-sweet. Zoro knew better, knew he was toeing some invisible line in Nami’s head. He needed to be careful. “So, can I?” he asked gently.
Nami’s gaze snapped back to Zoro. “Huh?”
“Can I scent you?”
Nami neglected to say anything, instead nodding stiffly.
Zoro approached slowly. As he got closer to Nami, her shoulders seemed to creep towards her ears. She was clearly uncomfortable which was confusing to Zoro; why would she agree to something if this was how she felt? He reached forward to take her wrist, and she flinched backwards away from him.
That was the last straw. Zoro took a giant step backwards out of her space. He usually was very satisfied with his size; the sheer bulk of him befitted a warrior and an alpha. Right now? He was terrifying to Nami, for reasons he didn’t understand, and he hated it. So he sank to his knees.
“Zoro?”
“You do it.”
Nami's eyebrows pinched together. “What? I don’t-”
Zoro waved vaguely towards himself. “Scent me. Or don’t. It’s your choice, I’ll deal with it either way.”
Nami’s eyes shone with unshed tears as she considered the man in front of her. After several long moments of hesitation, during which Zoro definitely did not squirm under her gaze, she gently cradled his head and pressed her wrist against his cheek.
Zoro’s eyes fluttered closed as soon as she made contact. He resisted the temptation to lean further into her arm, wanting for her to remain in control of their contact. Instead, he breathed in deeply and sighed at the subtle sweetness returning to her tangerine scent.
The navigator lightly rubbed her arm against Zoro. “You're kinda pathetic like this, you know?” Her voice sounded wet, and Zoro got the feeling she wasn't just talking about him.
“Mm. Maybe. ‘s lucky I've got friends that care about me no matter what, then.” It was fine, Zoro could not just talk about himself too.
The pair contemplated each other in silence for a few more long seconds, their mixed scent filling the room. Then Nami sniffed and cleared her throat. “Come on, let's go. Sanji will combust if he finds you in here.”
Zoro barked a laugh as he rocked back onto his feet to stand up. “You say that like I wouldn't want to see it.”
She managed a small, if not slightly exasperated, smile. “You guys are so weird about each other.” She gently pushed him in the direction of the door, voicelessly indicating that she would follow him up to the galley.
Zoro let himself be guided, and turned to leave. “Hey, I'm normal, it's just him that's weird.”
Nami raised a doubtful eyebrow at that, not that Zoro saw it. “Uh huh.”
~*~
Lunch was normal. For them, at least. The normal amount of chaos. Zoro and Nami walked in as Sanji was bringing food to the table. Usopp was trying his best to restrain Luffy from inhaling all the food before everyone could even sit down, much less fill their own bellies. He was mainly unsuccessful, but the lack of ire from Sanji meant that the cook had foreseen this outcome and had prepared enough food accordingly.
Zoro breathed deeply through his nose. The food smelled amazing, as it always did, but the galley also smelled like him. He had scented three of his four crewmates already, and yeah, like Usopp said, his scent seemed to be hanging around a lot more than it usually did. Maybe later he'd feel embarrassed about it later but right now he just felt satisfied.
Sanji, upon seeing Nami, had started up his usual, besotted song-and-dance. “Nami dearest! I can't wait for you to try-” He froze suddenly, sniffing the air gently.
Zoro took great delight in watching what happened next unfold in real time. The confusion as Sanji realised Nami wasn't quite smelling like herself, and then the way his face fell slightly when he realised she smelled like Zoro . The cook’s eyes slid over to the swordsman and narrowed in accusation.
Zoro simply raised a questioning eyebrow in response, figuring it would be funniest if he played ignorant. It had the desired effect; Zoro was sure he would see actual steam burst from Sanji’s ears any moment now. The cook opened his mouth, no doubt to curse Zoro to hell and back, and-
“Try what, Sanji?” Nami interjected, leaning slightly into Sanji’s space and batting her eyelashes attractively.
Thank the gods for Nami and her feminine charms.
Sanji’s attention immediately snapped back to the navigator as he waxed poetic about the meal he had prepared, leaving Zoro free to sit at the table and simultaneously feed himself while protecting said food from the gaping pit that was Luffy’s stomach.
Lunch passed quickly. Sanji, Nami and Usopp alternated between chatting amongst themselves and yelling at Luffy. The captain, to his credit, remained unfazed. Zoro idly considered doing more to stop him pestering the others, but they didn’t smell truly annoyed, and Luffy still smelled of green tea. Zoro couldn’t find it within himself to rain on Luffy’s parade when the other alpha was still marked with Zoro’s scent.
One by one, the others filed out of the galley, bellies full and other miscellaneous tasks calling to them. Sanji had escorted Nami to the door, and the only reason Zoro hadn’t rolled his eyes at how unnecessary that was was because he had leaned back in his seat, crossed his arms and closed his eyes. The cook had let her leave after promising something wonderful for afternoon tea, and then closed the door after her.
Zoro had hoped to bask in the combined scent of his crewmates a little longer, but was interrupted by Sanji’s usually sweet scent turning unbearably salty. He cracked one eye open to evaluate what the problem was now.
Sanji was clearing the table, scowl adorning his face, obviously preparing to wash up.
Zoro opened his other eye, trying to catch the cook’’s gaze and draw his ire. If he got pissed off enough he might actually come out and say what was bothering him. But Sanji seemed to be determinedly avoiding looking his way. The anxiety that had been kept at bay over lunch now started to creep back into Zoro’s chest. He had to fix this. “Cook?”
“What,” snapped Sanji.
“Can I help with the dishes?” Zoro climbed to his feet and carefully made his way towards the kitchen. He wasn’t sure if him not helping out was the issue, but at this stage anything was worth a try.
Sanji scoffed as he carried the last of the dishes to the sink. “Like we need anything else smelling like an alpha brute.”
Ah, so that's what he's shitty about. “I’m rutting, you bastard.”
“So?” Sanji replied curtly.
Zoro took a deep breath in an effort to relax, and tried very hard not to wrinkle his nose at the cook’s scent. “So I can't help the way I smell right now. And I know you're not gonna let me scent you, but at least let me help you with something.”
Silence reigned as Sanji finally paused in his frantic movements. “... I didn't say I wouldn't let you scent me,” he said lowly, turning the tap on to fill the sink.
“You didn't have to. It's fine, I'll deal with it,” Zoro sighed, reaching for a dish towel. “Start washing,” he added, aiming to annoy Sanji since he didn’t want to sit in this emotional vulnerability any longer than necessary.
Sanji rolled his eyes, having already moved a stack of plates into the sink to start cleaning. But he didn’t say anything in response, which Zoro counted as a step in the right direction.
The simpleness of the task and the shared silence meant that Zoro’s mind was free to wander. When he compared it to how he was feeling this morning, his mood had greatly improved over the last couple hours. Usopp had really helped him out, and he made a mental note to do something further to thank the sniper. Luffy had caught him off-guard, but he really should’ve known better when it came to their captain. And Nami had been delicate work, far more gentle than he was used to being, but they’d made it through in the end. Maybe he should try and speak to her about what happened? Perhaps in a few days when his rut passed. Then he wouldn’t feel the need to physically crowd her as she spoke about difficult topics, now that he knew she greatly valued her space.
He was feeling much better, but Sanji was still a thorn in his side. Well, maybe that wasn’t entirely fair, since Zoro was fairly certain he wasn’t being deliberately difficult. But the cook was proving to be a tricky problem to solve. He realised now his earlier thoughts about how Sanj as an omega should want an alpha like Zoro around were not only wrong, but foolishly so. That wasn’t surprising, in hindsight. The alphas he had heard spouting that nonsense were the kind that frequented the same dive bars and dodgy taverns Zoro had in his pirate-hunting days. Not the most progressive thinkers, but he’d never had any reason to challenge their ideology until now. Sanji, like Nami, obviously had something else going on in his head when it came to Zoro. At least with the navigator he had it narrowed down to an issue with rutting alphas. Sanji was still rather vague; he didn’t know if it was an alpha issue or a rut issue or simply an extension of the cook’s apparent misandry. Hell, maybe he just hated green hair.
Zoro snorted quietly at that thought, earning a sidelong glance from Sanji as they continued to work. Zoro didn’t offer an explanation, and Sanji didn’t ask. The amount of comments and nicknames the cook gave him that were centred around his hair did lend themself to that last hypothesis. At any rate, it wasn’t a problem that was going to solve itself now or anytime soon; Zoro could see that. Sanji was going to need even more careful work than Nami would, because the cook would not tolerate being treated delicately like she would. Zoro couldn’t blame him; he would be much the same if their places were switched. For the moment, Sanji was tolerating the swordsman in his space despite clearly being uncomfortable with it. In return, Zoro was not going to push things any further today.
“Finish drying those.” Sanji had pulled the plug out of the sink and was now deftly drying his hands. “I’ll be back,” he announced, before striding out of the galley.
Zoro rolled his eyes but nodded all the same. Of course he was going to finish his job. He didn't need Sanji to tell him.
Sanji walked back in as Zoro finished the last plate. “Here.” he said, holding out a balled-up piece of fabric.
Zoro took it and let it fall loose in his hands. It was one of Sanji's t-shirts, soft with wear.
“Um. I've been wearing that to sleep for the last few nights, so it should. Y'know. Smell like me. Or whatever.”
Zoro raised the shirt slightly and sniffed at it surreptitiously. The scent of salted caramel washed over him. The Sanji that wore this shirt was comfortable and relaxed, which in turn relaxed Zoro. He found himself unthinkingly rubbing his face against the fabric. There. Now it smelled like him, too. Zoro breathed the combined scent in deeply, and it was like fitting the last piece of a jigsaw puzzle. The last of the lingering tension that had clung to him all morning finally melted away. “Thanks, cook,” he said, unable to stop a small smile from gracing his face.
“Yeah, fuckin’ whatever.” Sanji turned his face away from Zoro, but not before the swordsman spotted a pink tint to the cook's face.
It was with great difficulty that Zoro kept his mouth shut. After all, Sanji had granted him some measure of grace, letting him stick around when the smell of him clearly bothered the omega. He wasn't so emotionally stunted that he couldn't tell their usual banter wouldn't land well right now.
“Just put it in the laundry when you're done with it. I don't want it back reeking of you.”
On the other hand, where was the fun in being the bigger person? “Don't worry, it'll definitely need to be washed once I'm done with it,” he leered.
Sanji turned red. “Oh, you bastard. I changed my mind, give it back now!” he snarled, making a grab for the shirt.
Zoro yanked it out of his reach. “Fat fuckin’ chance,” he grinned. He darted past Sanji, ducking low to avoid a foot aiming for his head, and sprinted out of the galley and onto the deck. Sanji was hot on his heels and cursing up a storm. Zoro couldn’t help but laugh as he drew Wado in defence. He laughed at the absurdity of it all, at their ridiculous cook. And perhaps more than anything, he laughed in relief that things between the two of them had gone back to normal, more or less. Sanji getting riled up was only fun when Zoro was actually deliberately antagonising him. He now knew from earlier in the day that he couldn’t cope with a properly pissed off cook. Not while he was rutting, anyway.
Things were gonna be a little different from now on. Then again, things changing had always been the plan. Liberating a village from tyrannical rule? Travelling to the Grand Line? Hell, finding the One Piece? All these things made dealing with pesky hormones every once in a while seem all but insignificant. And Zoro knew they would deal with it the same way they'd dealt with everything else so far.
Together.