Work Text:
The first handful of weeks of dating had been awkward. Their hands nervously shifting underneath tables, fingers grazing together before intertwining. Sanji started preparing fancier things for Zoro, things he made for the girls. Zoro appreciated it, sure, but they agreed to keep it on the down low until they got further in their relationship. And he knew Nami was too observant for her own good.
They were taking it painfully slow. And Sanji was getting impatient.
Friday night marked three weeks of dating, and the most they had done was hold hands and sleep in the same hammock. Sanji had wanted to kiss Zoro a dozen times by now, but Zoro didn’t seem to reciprocate. Not that he could tell.
“Are you not going to the island?” Sanji asked as he got himself undressed.
“Nah,” he responded simply, pulling his shirt off and tossing it to the side. Sanji rolled his eyes, changing into the clothes he normally slept in. Zoro was busy getting comfy as Sanji strode over.
“Why not?” He prodded once more, inviting himself into the hammock beside Zoro, tossing a leg over his waist. Zoro had to shift himself to make enough room for Sanji so they didn’t rock too much and fall over. “Nami said they might have a sword shop.”
“I just bought new swords,” his gaze flicked over to the three swords; two of which he got in Loguetown; leaning against the wall. Sanji sighed, resting his face against Zoro’s shoulder.
“Then maybe we can go tomorrow,” he murmured. Sanji let one of his fingers mindlessly trace circles on Zoro’s chest, watching the way the skin shifted underneath his touch.
Zoro let him touch how he liked. He was finally starting to warm up to the affection, especially more when they were alone. Zoro wasn’t big on PDA, but alone he’d let Sanji get a bit adventurous. It was an unfamiliar feeling for Zoro; having never dated or thought about dating. Sanji didn’t even really know what to do with himself in times like this. When he thought he had an idea, he’d get too nervous and clam up.
Both of them were so horribly inexperienced when it came to romance. The fierce, passionate battles in front of the crew would wear off as soon as they were alone. Sanji wished he could bring some of that confidence into their love life, but he didn’t know how. He didn’t know if he was going too fast or too slow for Zoro, and he was too worried to ask.
But as they lay there together, Zoro started to feel a bit of confidence surge within him. It was subtle, but he wouldn’t let it fade.
“Do you.. Wanna kiss?” Zoro half blurted, half stuttered out. Sanji’s breath caught and he glanced up at him.
“....Right now?” Sanji asked, trying to contain his excitement (which the nervousness was helping with).
“Yes..” He awkwardly responded. “If you want to,” Zoro added, afraid he’d be pressuring Sanji.
“I do—!” Sanji sputtered, his hands on Zoro’s chest as he shifted his position to move their faces closer. Zoro’s arms were tight at his sides until his brain sent the rest of his body a much-needed message: touch him, for fuck’s sake! So Zoro’s arms moved quickly to wrap around Sanji in a gentle; albeit; awkward, manner. Sanji was caught off guard, his cheeks turning a deep shade of red. Their faces were incredibly close at this point, and they were both just still.
“What now?” Zoro asked stiffly, trying not to sweat bullets and scare Sanji off.
“We kiss?” He answered back like he wasn’t even fully sure. So Zoro just gulped and started to lean closer. Where that initial confidence went, he had no idea.
Sanji joined in leaning closer, his eyes closing tightly. Zoro’s fluttered shut as well, feeling Sanji’s warmth grow closer.
And then their noses bumped together and they pulled back.
“.....” Zoro went silent; moreso than before, too nervous to speak. His whole face was an embarrassingly red color, eyes wide.
“..........let’s try again,” Sanji timidly squeaked, to which Zoro gave a slight nod. This time, Sanji tried tilting his head so their faces would slot together better.
Their eyes closed once more, and this time, their lips met. Zoro felt the first hint of Sanji’s lips on his own, a warm, soft sensation that he hadn’t expected. However, he didn’t really go in with any idea of what it was going to feel like.
Sanji pushed his own lips against Zoro’s trying to add the right amount of romantic with the right amount of needy. He didn’t know whether or not he achieved it, but he knew it felt good. Their lips were still against each other’s for maybe two seconds before they pulled away. Sanji blinked before locking eyes with Zoro.
“Was that good?” He asked, his hands still delicately pressed against Zoro’s chest.
“I think so,” Zoro answered back in a low tone. “...Wanna do it again?”
A small smile spread to Sanji’s face when he heard Zoro’s question.
“Yeah,” he said before tilting his head to lean back in for one more kiss.
This time, they both knew what they were expecting. And they both loved it, despite how awkward it may have been.