Chapter Text
It all started when Usopp claimed he woke up at 3:30 am and saw Zoro and Sanji sleeping, sharing a single bunk. “I don’t think so bro, I was fixing the Mini Merry that day and was the last one to get to bed. Zoro-bro was in his bunk, on the furthest upper part, and we all know why his bunk’s there—-“ Nami cuts her off to point a finger at Usopp’s nose. “Because he usually sleeps in the crow's nest, and is always, ever since East Blue, was the last one to wake up.” Nami completes. “A-and is this one of your pranks again, Usopp? I don’t think Sanji and Zoro will like this joke.” Chopper suggests.
Usopp is about to accept his defeat when their archeologist enters the conversation. “I didn’t see it this morning, but I believe our sniper is not lying this time.” She said. “Even you, Robin??” Franky said. “Okay, okay. I told you all earlier that it might take us a month to reach a new island, right?” Nami asked, ending the commotion, and they all nodded. “Let’s make a bet.”
At first, Usopp, especially, did not want to play the game, thinking it is just another scheme their navigator is on to dry their wallets, but Robin, who rarely joins their shenanigans, agreed to play the game, creating a team with him and Brook.
In the afternoon, they were able to ask Luffy which team would he join. They actually thought of not dragging Luffy into this because their captain never lied and couldn’t keep a secret, but it’s their captain so.. “AHAHAHAHA! Sanji and Zoro on the same bunk, ehmhuksmsmb?“ Nami covers his mouth. “Lower your voice, do you want to join the game?!” She asked, almost shouting but very carefully, well, she didn’t want what happened in Skypiea when they were unable to steal the gold because she shouted back at Luffy, and ended up shouting at each other, waking up everyone.
Luffy was still laughing when Nami uncovered his mouth, but surprisingly, he picked a team. “Of course they would, they love each other!” He said. Robin smiled in victory. “Robin, our team is called Team Meat! okay?” He told Robin. “Roger that, Captain.”
They think Luffy doesn’t know what dating means, but he just said Zoro and Sanji love each other and picked the team. Now, both sides agreed to distract Luffy if ever he came close to spilling the beans.
The last member to join the crew and to pick a team was Jinbe, he picked Nami’s team which they called “Team Berry” because it’s a bet, and they intend on taking all the money (well, just Nami). Jinbe picked Team Berry for the reason that; he doesn’t know the two well yet for him to think they’re dating, and all he witnessed of them so far was all the fights and insults.
The first week of the game was mostly about observing. They called the pair ZoSan. “It’s been a week, what are your reports, Team Berry?” Robin started the meeting. They would meet like this if Zoro is up in the crow’s nest to train and Sanji is in the kitchen, and usually an hour in the middle of the day. “The usual, they fight, Sanji-kun called Zoro ‘Matcha-head’ that’s the only thing new, and you saw how infuriated Zoro was.” Nami, the team representative.
“Okay, our turn.” Usopp took out a brown necktie. “I was on night watch yesterday so I took the opportunity to investigate... I saw this under one of the chairs up there.” He said. There was a silence, followed by a commotion.
“How could we trust that, bro? You could have swiped that off from the bathroom.” Franky.
“Our cook has always been neat, he would never leave that in the bathroom.” Robin.
“Well, you could’ve taken that from his locker, Usopp, I never forgot the day you put a fake bird head in my locker to play a joke on me! you bastard!” Chopper.
“I could have easily taken that.” Nami.
“Yohohohohoho, isn’t that one of Sanji-san’s go-to neckties?” Brook asked them. “I believe it’s been a week now since he last wore it, and he would usually wear it at least once every week, right? Just an observation made by my eyes, as if I had one, Yohohohohoho.”
A commotion broke off again. “Okay, enough, we will add a rule and will keep a score.” Nami proposed.
The new rule was; that if they fought, Team Berry gains 1 point, if they touched aside from being in a fight, Team Meat gains 3 points. Which is only fair because they fight a lot. All the other interactions and scenes will be scored through a meeting.
They dispersed immediately after Sanji left the kitchen to deliver the ladies their drinks and snacks for the guys, as he does each afternoon.
As of the moment, Team Berry gained at least 5 points for each time the two fought and that's for the afternoon only. Usopp saw how Nami made a berry sign with her hands, mocking them before she settled on the chair across from him, it's dinner time. "We're losing here, Robin—when we shouldn’t. Do you have a plan?" Robin just smiled at him, the smile she does when she is about to do something, Usopp called it, the 'Miss All Sunday' smile.
It was when Luffy picked up the roasted turkey that Robin took out the tie Usopp had earlier. "Sanji, I believe this is of your possession." She started. Team Berry did not see that coming, they froze with Brook laughing at the background, it was a picture perfect for Robin's liking; like a Renaissance painting.
They observed how Sanji was taken aback by it but couldn't make an assumption yet when Zoro just continued eating, going on his daily life like nothing. "Oh! yes, My sweet Robin-chan, I’ve been looking for that tie since forever!" He said as he gently took it from her hand. "It’s my turn for the night watch so I went up earlier to bring the books I plan to read, I found that at the crow's nest." She explained. "Crow's nest? how did that get there?" He replied, rhetorically with an awkward laugh. "I wonder.." Robin said before she took a bite of her steak.
"Oi, Marimo, isn’t it your turn to help me with the dishes?" They heard Sanji say. "Me? I don't remem--" Sanji cuts him off by holding his arms to drag him by the sink. They all saw that. "3 points," Usopp whispers to Nami.
"Add 3 to that, Yohohohohoho," Brook said as low as he can. They looked back to see that just behind Franky who was helping gather the dirty plates on the table with Jinbe, Zoro's hand was on Sanji's lower back, which Sanji immediately shoved away. "That was a scheme! isn’t it your turn with the dishes tonight, Usopp?" but Nami points out instead when they got out of the galley, pissed off.
Technically, that was not, Robin just helped Sanji with the tie he had been looking for.
The whole week passed. Team Berry earns a total of 28 points and Team Meat, 20. "Should we change the rule to the first team to reach 40 wins?" Franky jokes at Robin and laughs.
They’re currently up the deck, watching Chopper, Usopp, and Luffy playing a board game, they aren't exactly playing because Luffy won’t follow the rules. "I don't play a game I don't win, Franky." Robin calmly responded. Franky simply nodded, “That’s true, I hesitated big time when you joined and formed a team, of all people." Franky said. "You just don't want to admit that I've already seen something," Robin told him. Franky smirked at the sentence. "But you heard me in Enies Lobby, Rob. I don't believe in something until I witness it with my own eyes." Robin simply nodded at that. "Point taken." She replied.
Their eyes instantly followed Sanji who went in Zoro's direction. Franky expected yelling or insults and Robin hoped Zoro would do something to make a contact, But they didn't do any of it. They simply stayed quiet, no one initiating a fight or anything, and so did Franky and Robin.
The table had turned the next day when a ship of sailing merchants stopped by the Sunny. They were selling a wide variety of items like food, cosmetic products, and tools, they got something each of the Straw Hats would be interested in. Nami was able to negotiate with one of the vendors to give her some of the dresses for half the price in exchange for taking her photo for promotion. They are currently photographing her. "Nami-san, are we sure the Marines did not send them to update your bounty picture like the last time?" Sanji suspiciously asks. "Oh no, Sir. Most of our customers are pirates and we try to get away from Marines as much as we can." One of them called William said.
When they were almost finished taking Nami's pictures, one of the vendors approached Sanji who was watching the shoot, standing guard for their precious Nami-san. Zoro is nearby as well, but his only reason is that he has been itching to slash someone. "Excuse me. I believe you're Vinsmoke Sanji?" One of the vendors approaches him with his God-forsaken bounty poster. "Not a Vinsmoke." He said but confirmed anyway. "I saw your first bounty picture too, and I just want to say that they didn’t do you any justice when in fact, you look stunning in person."
Everyone being present on the lawn, looking at the merchant's stuff and trying out those they've bought, heard what he said, even Zoro-- Especially Zoro. "O-oh.. you think so?" Sanji replied with a puff of smoke.
"Absolutely, as a sailing merchant, you are much more beautiful than any of the blondes with blue eyes I've met, sir.." the person added. "What?? with those curly eyebrows??" Zoro joined with a snicker. "Is the grass on the lawn talking?" Sanji, obviously an insult. “Uhuh, he said you’ll love the soil on the next island great and I’m burying you there.” Sanji bit the cigarette on his teeth hard, his nostrils flaring in anger. Their crew members secretly shared a look, but not to count the points.
“What’s your name?” Sanji asks the guy calmly. “M-my name’s Richard.” Sanji smiled at him which made Richard blush. “Do you need a picture too? for one of your products.” Sanji offered, there’s something in his voice that was flirty, but not like how he does it with women. Richard and the guy earlier who agreed with Nami’s offer, William, shared a look. “Actually, we do need a male model for our clothes, we just don’t come across hot pirates every day so you would be perfect!” William said. “Show me the clothes.” Sanji stood up for them to guide him, even placing a hand on Richard’s shoulder as they walked.
They glanced at Zoro and saw him glaring at the merchants with his hands on Enma, his most dangerous sword.
They took the photos on the same setup Nami used on the deck. It’s rare for Sanji to work with men (aside from Zoro who he always fights along with as the future Pirate King’s wings) and it’s a photoshoot so everyone came to the deck to watch. “Is it just me or Zoro looks super mad?” Franky asked Nami. “I know, If I could sense haki, I bet he’s trembling of conquerors now.” She replied.
“Try this one too, Sanji-san,” Richard said, the guy had been raining their cook with praises with just his first outfit on. Sanji followed him to change without a word when Zoro came out from his side to stop him, holding him by the wrist; Franky and Nami turned to look at each other. “What the hell?” Nami said briefly, turned to look at them again, and saw Sanji shove his hand away. They can’t hear but it looks like they’re talking to each other. “Oh boy..” Franky, when Zoro grabbed Sanji by the wrist again.
As fast as they could, the two squatted to the ground to hide under the table the merchants brought with items for sale when Sanji turned around in their direction. It was for a minute only. “Sanji-bro’s gone,” Franky said when he spied to check. “And Zoro?” Nami asked, he’s still in the same spot but… he doesn’t look so mad now.” Franky informed her, curious, she decided to stand to see for herself.
“Is he smiling?” She asked herself. The representatives of Team Berry shared a confused look.
They had Sanji wear 10 outfits, it was more than how many they had Nami wear. They paid with high-quality meats, spices, and cutleries, all at Sanji’s request. They paid back generously since Sanji is unrecognizable from his bounty poster, saying they could hide his identity to have the pictures printed on newspapers for promotions. Sanji surprisingly agreed to it, but not really a surprise when he said he was happy that women across the four seas and grandline would see his pictures.
“Sanji is the night watch tonight.” Usopp started, he had the 4 main players (Him, Robin, Franky, and Nami) gather for a moment. “If you want the game to be over now, you may peek at the crow’s nest later, around 2-3 am.” He said. “I’m not giving up!” Nami said and elbowed Franky. “I’m not sure, Nami-sis. I’m this close to putting a surveillance den den mushi in the crow’s nest for later.” He said, doing a pinch gesture. “Then we’re busted, you know how advanced Sanji-kun’s Observation Haki is, right?” Nami. “Then we can wait for the next morning and see if there’s another necktie up there,” Robin said with a giggle.
They saw Zoro went out of the galley and went to the Bathroom’s direction. “I don’t know about y’all, but consider our Team winning if Zoro doesn’t sleep at the quarters tonight,” Usopp said as soon as Zoro vanished from their sight.
The next day. They made another meeting as soon as Zoro went up the crow’s nest for his workout with everyone aside from Chopper and Luffy who are still in the galley with Sanji.
“News flash, I woke up and saw Zoro-bro in the sleeping quarters. He’s on the floor sleeping though.” Franky started. “Yohohohohoho, not really a win, Franky-san. He went to bed at 5 am.” Brook said. They all couldn’t argue with it, they all know Brook wakes up at 5 am and sings everyone to wake up at 6 am. “Unless no one saw them kiss from our team, the game keeps going,” Nami said with determination. “Oh, comee on! I know you saw what happened yesterday, Zoro reeked of jealousy! I can sense it with my nose which I trained in the wild when I was 5.” Usopp argues, just wants the game to end.
“Even though Zoro went to bed at five this morning and woke up on time for breakfast at seven, he appeared to be in a good mood.” Jinbe shares. “Of course, he would be,” Robin said and shared a look with Brook. “Yohohohohoho!” He laughed louder than ever. “Do you even remember y’all’s scores?” Usopp.
“Our team has 33, your team has 40.” Franky.
“No, forget the scores, we’re ending the game if they kiss, right in front of us,” Nami said, almost in unison with Franky.
At this point, everyone’s convinced that Nami just wants to find out if Zoro and Sanji are dating, but her money-grubbing tendencies ultimately prevail.
They all quickly scattered around the lawn when Luffy ran through the galley door. “WE WILL HAVE A CELEBRATION!!” He shouts. “Aww! For what captain?” Franky asks and Chopper comes out behind him with a cookie on his hoovers. “I baked a cookie!” their reindeer doctor whom everyone adores said. “CHOPPER BAKED A COOKIE WITHOUT SANJI’S HELP!” Luffy announces like it should be on the Guinness World Record and grabs the cookie from Chopper to eat it. “AND IT’S DELICIOUS!” he said. Chopper transforms to his heavy point. “I worked hard on that you bastard!”
They have no idea how Sanji let them bake a cookie on their own, but they did and it was not bad. Chopper is so proud of it but they can see through their captain; that he just wants to eat the premium meats Sanji got from his photoshoot the other day. (side note: he really was proud of Chopper for baking the cookies.)
They ended up having a dinner party even with all the priced cookies gone. “It wouldn’t be long enough until Chopper becomes my sous chef, isn’t he?” Sanji said, placing an entire chocolate cake in front of Chopper. “Your compliment doesn’t make me happy at all, you fool!” He said while salivating in front of the cake.
Just like how they got used to ever since they started the game, they all secretly shared a look when Sanji sat beside Zoro. “Are you drinking tonight for our doctor’s accomplishment, Sanji?” Robin asked, already pouring him a bottle of wine. “I’d gladly take it if it was from you, Robin-chan.” He replied. Robin handed him the glass with a giggle.
Dinner went on with Luffy storytelling to everyone how Chopper managed to bake the cookie, of course, it wouldn’t be a Straw Hat Pirates dinner without the throwing of spoon and fork, foods constantly going missing from their plates, and dancing. Was Zoro and Sanji holding hands under the table? Maybe they were. Did Jinbe see Zoro’s hand on Sanji’s waist during Sanji’s 3rd glass of beer? He did and his jaw is still on the floor right now, eyeballs almost popping out of his eye sockets.
“Oh, Chopper! You finished the entire cake?” Sanji said, almost slurring. “Oh, no. He’s done.” Usopp said in the corner and Chopper nodded with a burp.
“That’s your entire share of sweets for this week, okay? You’re a doctor, you know better than everyone here not to get diabetes.” Sanji said and drank more of the beer. That gained an startled reaction from Chopper. “Whatt?? Sanjii, there’s a little left.” He said, now crying but Sanji just shook his head. Chopper turns to face Zoro with sparkles in his eyes, asking for help. “I first drank sake at 14 and I’m doing fine,” Zoro said. “Shut up.” Sanji just shrugged him off.
“Didn’t you say you started smoking at 13? How is lung cancer better than diabetes, huh.” Sanji bangs the glass on the table loudly— and wait, when did Sanji shared that piece of information? “Right?! He should slow down while he’s still young!” He said, voice raising.
It’s as if they’re alone on the table right now, but there’s Franky who has already accepted his defeat. Robin and Brook enjoying the drama. Usopp who just wants to sleep but doesn’t want to leave yet, is still counting the points like a muscle memory. Jinbe who is sitting right beside Sanji never thought the day would come when he witnessed their swordman’s hand on their cook’s hand intertwining it, on his waist, and was squeezing the cook’s thigh. And then there’s Nami, whose navigating skills are unparalleled she can sense a storm incoming to get her.
“But a whole week is too much, maybe for only 3 days, right, Chopper?” Immediately, Chopper gave a nod in agreement. Sanji’s eye moves to look at the two back and forth, his curly eyebrows furrowing. “Fine.” He said and downs the remaining beer in his glass. “Shishishi, aren’t you like Chopper’s Mom and Dad?” Luffy said, laughing as he licked clean the remaining food on the plates. “I like them better than my reindeer parents, heheheh,” Chopper said while caressing his full tummy. Everyone was expecting for ZoSan to snap at that and get pissed off, but Zoro just laughed.
RORONOA ZORO LAUGHED!!
“Are we now?” He replied rhetorically and glanced at the cook, cheeks flushed. They stared at each other, golden eye met ocean blue. Nami was sure that was only for 3 seconds, but why was that the most intense eye contact she had ever witnessed? “The great Captain Usopp has countless enemies… That’s not how you look at your rival.” She heard Usopp whisper beside her. “Okay, let’s get you to bed, Chopper,” Zoro said and was about to stand when Sanji halted him by pulling his robe. “What, love cook?” Zoro asked him.
It was quiet for a while, Chopper had already fallen asleep and Luffy still had an entire chicken he snatched somewhere. Everyone was silent, waiting for the moment to unfold. “The marimo and I are dating.” He confessed.
It was quiet until, “Sanji?” Zoro said that got everyone to react. Zoro calling Sanji by his birth name was not on Nico Robin’s bingo card for tonight, so is on anyone’s around the table. “…Since when?” Nami couldn’t help but ask. “Wano?..” Sanji, couldn’t look her in the eye.
“Before, after, or during?” She asked.
Sanji looks at Zoro. “Uhh.. we had sex when we reunited in Wano,” Zoro answered the question for him, earning them another wave of reaction. Zoro flew across the galley when Sanji kicked his abdomen in response to that, his entire skin turning red.
“Oh come on, dude, we didn’t need to know that.” Usopp.
“What a superrr bold response, Zoro-bro. That’s so hard-boiled!” Franky.
“Yohohohohoho, where did you do it?” Brook.
“I just hope not in Elder Yasui’s place. Since it has been empty when they reunited.” Robin.
“I still couldn’t believe it..” Jinbe.
“AHAHAHAHAHA. I told you all they love each other! They even train together at night in the galley or crow’s nest! Sanji seems to be always—-“ Luffy was unable to finish what he was going to say when he, too, received a kick from the cook.
Nami just sighs, “I guess we couldn’t help it. Congratulations on your relationship Sanji-kun. I’ll be jealous if you put Zoro above us ladies though.” She said, batting her eyelashes. “You witch.” She heard Zoro said as he got up on his knees. “Don’t call her that, cactus head!” Yup, that’s still Sanji. “Of course, you and Robin-chan are still at the top of my heart.”He assures her. “And I’m inside it,” Zoro says and carries Chopper to bring him to bed.
It’s been a week now since the ZoSan dating confirmation. Team Meat won after earning 500 points for Sanji’s confession and Team Berry had to surrender 500 berries each.
They disembarked on an uncharted spring island with the best field of flowers to have a picnic at. “Heyy, don’t Sanji-kun look too good on these?” Nami said while looking at the newspaper with Sanji’s photos from last month. “Should I be his manager?” She asks while sipping on her drink. “No. The clothing brand will go bankrupt with your prices, please don’t do it.” Usopp replied, waving a hand.
Robin and Franky, after picking up flowers joined the two. “Guys, what do you think of making a portable flower-themed pool with flower shaped floaties?” Franky asks them. “He doesn’t like the sound of my idea, of building beds using flowers like a beautiful deathbed,” Robin said. “I think both ideas are weird.” Nami honestly told them.
They went on their own business for a moment when the ship’s couple appeared in their sight, distant from them but yet in view. “Look at those two..” Robin said, the three others did as she said. They watch as Zoro sneaks beside Sanji and throws him petals of flowers he took out from his haramaki. “Screw them, now I miss Vivi,” Nami muttered in the air.
Sanji was still distracted by the petals of flowers raining on him when Zoro pulled him for a kiss. “There you go, Nami. They kissed.” Usopp jokes. “Game over.”