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Sanji took a long drag of his cigarette, the nicotine settling into his system as he exhaled slowly, matching the gentle rhythm of the Thousand Sunny's sway. His gaze followed a small blue-finned fish, gracefully swimming through the aquarium, capturing his attention, while his hand absentmindedly combed through the green hair of the man dozing with his head resting in Sanji's lap. Zoro’s soft snores filled the quiet space, and Sanji’s eyelids grew heavier with each passing moment.
If someone had told Sanji a few years ago, back at Baratie, that he'd fall head over heels for a man, he would've laughed himself silly. The idea seemed absurd—Sanji, who lived to charm and care for women, falling in love with a man? It was ridiculous. What he hadn’t expected, though, wasn’t just the relationship itself—it was the intensity of that love. Nothing could have prepared him for how fiercely Zoro would love him.
Sanji had always seen himself as the giver of love. He looked after others, made sure everyone was well-fed, took care of their needs, and lived to bring comfort. Giving, giving, giving—it was what a gentleman did, after all. How could anyone love him the same way? He was a failure. That was what he had believed for so long. He’d made peace with it, content with offering love without expecting it in return.
Then Zoro came along—his walking headache, a moss-headed swordsman with only two functioning brain cells, and those were dedicated to sword-fighting and drinking. That had been Sanji’s first impression of him. Most people probably felt the same. But with time, Sanji realized how easy it was to love Zoro. Beneath the gruff exterior, the intimidating aura, and the constant scowl, there was a man capable of loving him with everything he had. It wasn’t just affection—he loved with an intensity that ran deep, giving every part of himself without hesitation. It was a love that Sanji had never expected, but once he saw it, he realized how natural it felt to embrace it. Loving Zoro became as instinctive as breathing, because beneath all the layers, Zoro’s heart was pure and loyal.
Most would assume that Sanji, the romantic, would be the one showering his partner with affection all the time. And maybe that would've been true, if he ended up with anyone else. But not this time—not with Zoro. What Sanji never expected was how Zoro’s love would mirror the gentleness of his heart, how it would be as strong as his loyalty and as passionate as his dreams. He hadn’t seen it coming, but maybe he should have.
Sanji jerked awake, blinking sleepily as the remnants of his dream faded with each blink. His eyes drifted to the clock—it was half past two in the morning. He must’ve dozed off, exhausted from the previous day's chaos when their captain decided to throw an impromptu celebration after catching a giant squid. The evening had been filled with laughter, Brook’s melodic tunes, and Luffy’s goofy dancing with Usopp and Chopper. It was the kind of day Sanji cherished on the Sunny, where everyone was content and he had the chance to cook for his beloved crewmates. Even the tiredness felt worth it—he was happy to be their cook.
A small smile tugged at his lips as he remembered the events of yesterday. His attention shifted to the mosshead next to him, sleeping soundly with his arm wrapped around Sanji, holding him close. Sanji’s heart fluttered at the warmth and security that Zoro’s embrace provided. He admired the peaceful expression on Zoro’s face—so different from the usual fierce determination he wore while awake. Zoro looked so serene, so vulnerable in his sleep, and Sanji couldn’t help but feel a rush of affection as he gently combed through his lover’s hair, memorizing the feeling of being this close, this intimate with the man he had come to love more than he ever thought possible. After a moment he carefully untangled himself from the warm embrace, being careful not to wake his sleeping partner. He needed a bath before finishing his nighttime routine.
After a refreshing bath, Sanji made his way to the kitchen. Taking a seat at the counter, he opened his recipe notebook, which was meticulously organized with care and attention to detail, which holds his passion, all the recent recipes he has cooked for the crew and began to flip through the pages. Planning breakfast early seemed like a good idea—especially since he knew that if he woke Zoro now, the swordsman would definitely drag him back to bed, insisting he needed proper sleep and rest. Sanji took his time deciding what to prepare for breakfast, thinking ahead in case anything required prep work.
As he flipped through the notes, he came across a bookmark he didn’t remember placing. It was simple yet elegant, with a small fish charm dangling from it. The design reminded Sanji of the sea, and a soft smile spread across his face as he recalled mentioning to Zoro that he needed a new bookmark. He had asked Zoro to remind him to buy one because he always forgot. Running his fingers over the charm, Sanji’s heart swelled with affection. Zoro never failed to notice the little details about him, and that thought filled him with warmth and love.
Though his body was tired, his insomnia was beginning to kick in. Sanji mentally noted to make a warm cup of milk later in hopes of easing himself into sleep. Lost in his thoughts, he was startled by a pair of arms wrapping around him and a soft kiss planted on the top of his head. The familiar scent of steel, cedarwood, and a lingering hint of booze filled his senses.
“Why are you still up, Curly?” Zoro mumbled into his ear, his voice thick with sleep as he nuzzled lazily into Sanji’s neck. His movements were slow and unhurried, filled with a tenderness that Sanji had come to recognize as Zoro’s way of showing affection when words weren’t enough. Zoro pressed gentle, feather-light kisses along the side of Sanji’s neck, the touch soft but intimate, as though each kiss was a silent plea for him to come back to bed and rest in his arms. Each kiss sent a shiver down Sanji’s spine, a mix of comfort and quiet yearning.
“Thinking about breakfast, something warm would-be nice right?” Sanji replied, turning to meet Zoro’s lips with a soft smile, feeling giddy inside. Zoro kissed him back, followed by another peck to the corner of his lips.
Zoro grumbled, pulling him away from the kitchen counter with an affectionate nudge. “It’s not even morning yet, love,” he murmured, his breath warm against Sanji’s ear, the hint of a smile in his tone. “Come on, let’s go to bed.” His hands lingered on Sanji’s hips, holding him close.
“Alright, alright,” Sanji laughed softly, relenting with a playful smile, “but before that, you need a bath. You reek of booze, you moss-brained neanderthal.” His teasing tone was softened by the affection in his voice as he reached up to plant a quick, tender kiss on Zoro’s lips. Sanji’s hands slid down Zoro’s chest, gently nudging him toward the door. “Go on, take a bath,” he urged with a quiet chuckle, he promised, “I’ll be right there, and we’ll go to bed once you’re clean.”
Zoro rolled his eyes at Sanji’s teasing but couldn’t help the small smile tugging at his lips. With a gruff sigh, he finally relented, turning toward the door as Sanji gave him a gentle push.
As Zoro walked away, Sanji’s gaze lingered on him, watching the broad muscles of his back disappear through the doorway. He shook his head with a soft laugh and focussed back at planning breakfast. After a moment, he decided to go for a warm broth with something light for those who might wake up with a hangover and the exotic fruits he collected from the last summer island they landed couple of days ago. After making his notes, he decided to make his warm cup of milk and a tea for zoro, smiling to himself as thoughts drifted to Zoro again. It amazed him how easily he now welcomed love, how his heart had softened to affection after keeping it guarded for so long.
Sanji had always kept his walls high, carefully guarded, never letting anyone too close. Most of the people he had dated had given up, unwilling or unable to understand the complexities of his past and his heart. But Zoro—Zoro had been different. He hadn’t pushed or pried, but waited with a patience that Sanji never thought anyone could have for him. like a wild cat, hissing and recoiling from a gentle hand, Sanji had been scared at first, afraid of how to handle Zoro’s affection.
But Zoro had never wavered. With each day, he broke down Sanji’s walls, not with force, but with tender persistence. Brick by brick, Zoro gently dismantled the barriers Sanji had spent years building, replacing them with something stronger—trust. He didn’t demand explanations or pry into the painful parts of Sanji’s past, simply waiting for the day Sanji would feel safe enough to share those pieces of himself. Zoro had made Sanji feel seen, understood, and cherished in a way he never thought possible.
Humming softly, Sanji swayed gently as he waited for the milk to warm up. The kitchen was his sanctuary, where he felt most at peace, surrounded by his passion for cooking. He could spend hours here, content in the place where he made meals for the people he loved most.
He took two mugs from the cupboard, pouring warm milk into one with a spoonful of honey, just like how Zef used to make it for him back at Baratie. Once again feeling a wave of gratitude toward the old man. He prepared tea in the other mug, knowing that’s what Zoro preferred than milk.
The thump of footsteps echoed its way to the kitchen. Moments later, Zoro’s strong arms wrapped around him from behind, but this time there was a newfound energy, fresh from the bath, as Zoro’s warm skin pressed against his. Sanji barely had time to react before the said man gently turned him around, capturing his lips in a deep, lingering kiss. The intensity of it caught Sanji off guard, yet he immediately melted into the embrace, his body softening against Zoro’s as he felt the warmth and tenderness radiating from him.
“I’ll get the mugs,” Zoro murmured, brushing his lips against Sanji’s. “Go sit down, love.”
Zoro carefully placed the mugs on the kitchen table, slipping coasters underneath each one before Sanji could start lecturing him about protecting the wood. Chuckling to himself, he made himself comfortable beside Sanji, who had already taken a sip of his warm milk, humming contentedly as his body visibly relaxed.
Zoro sipped his tea, his gaze fixed on Sanji, quietly admiring his features. He could sit like this for hours, lost in the details of the man he loved. The way Sanji’s ocean-blue eyes sparkled under the soft kitchen lights, the way his champagne lashes kissed his cheeks every time he blinked, the way one of his golden earrings gleamed from Sanji’s ear like it has always belonged there—Oh, Zoro was so whipped. He never imagined he could fall so deeply for someone.
The intensity of Zoro’s stare made Sanji blush a deep crimson. “Stop staring, Mosshead.”
“Why? Can’t I appreciate the beauty of my lover?” Zoro teased, a smirk tugging at his lips, making Sanji want to wipe it off so badly.
“Looks like you’re still falling for me” Sanji shot back, laughing as he wiggled his eyebrows playfully. Zoro smiled, taking Sanji’s hand as he pressed a soft kiss to the back of it.
“I’m already sinking, Curly,” Zoro whispered.
Sanji’s face grew even redder, and without thinking, he grabbed Zoro’s shirt and pulled him in for a kiss. Their lips met in a slow, tender embrace, both melting into the warmth of the moment.
When they finally pulled apart, Zoro held Sanji’s hands again, this time gently running his thumbs over Sanji’s palms in a soothing motion. Sanji’s hands were his pride, his treasure, and Zoro treated them with the utmost care, as if they were his to protect.
“I know you love taking care of everyone,” Zoro said softly, pressing his lips to Sanji’s each finger. “But you need to take care of yourself too. You deserve rest, love. Let’s finish our drinks and go to bed.” There was a tenderness in the way Zoro tugged him, filled with an unspoken understanding, urging Sanji to rest, to let go of his endless thoughts and worries, and simply be with him in the calm of the night.
Sanji’s heart swelled with affection, overflowing with love for the man sitting beside him. Zoro always knew just what to say to calm his restless mind, to make him feel cherished. He still didn’t quite know how to handle this much love, how to contain it all. For now, he’d simply bask in the warmth of it, even if his heart was already overflowing.
Cause with Zoro, Sanji is free to ‘love and be loved’.