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“Life changes in the instant. The ordinary instant.”
- Joan Didion, The Year of Magical Thinking
Unrequited love is a testament to the power of the heart, because it continues to beat full of love, even when it feels as though it's breaking. This is something Zoro unfortunately knew all too well. The love he had for the Prince was one that could not escape friendly banter, occasional spars, and quick brushes against each other. He was but the noble guard to Prince Sanji Vinsmoke, the eccentric and pompous Sanji. Zoro, from age eight, had been tasked by the court to keep Prince Sanji company. The blonde had a rough childhood, and being the runt child of King Judge didn’t tend to bring him any opportunities for companionship. Zoro, as his guard and eventually his closest friend, was always there for him. Be it after rough beatings, long tedious royal presidings or just to sit and talk late into the night. Nothing could break the two apart; until a crack in the impenetrable wall of friendship they had built around themselves was made.
When Sanji hit the age of ten and four, Zoro being ten and five, Judge had sent for Sanji to meet in the royal throne room after dinner one evening; without his faithful guard. This terrified Zoro to no end. Every minute his prince spent alone with the King brought him more dread. He was more than prepared to commit treason and attack the King if his Sanji came back beaten once more. However, something much different happened when the Prince was finally able to escape the throne room later in the night. Sanji seemed to be in a daze. No cuts or bruises were visible on him, which his guard thought to be a small victory. In reality this was just the start of a new battle, one that made the fearless Zoro’s stomach turn. Sanji walked swiftly and silently towards his rooms, Zoro followed one step behind.
“Father has arranged a marriage for me,” Sanji sighed out once he and Zoro made it behind the doors of the Prince’s private chambers, away from the prying eyes and ears of the noble staff. Sanji threw himself backwards onto his bed with a groan, hands covering his face. Zoro’s eyes widened, from shock or horror, he hadn’t a clue which.
“She is a princess from our neighboring kingdom. Father thinks it to be a wonderful way to build a new alliance and surely to get rid of me,” Sanji exclaims with faux enthusiasm. There was a tight tension in the air. Zoro swallowed the growing lump in his throat and fought the urge to sit beside his friend and wrap a comforting arm around him.
“When does he plan to marry you?” He asked, not sure if he truly wanted to know the answer. “The quick approaching age of ten and eight.” Sanji peered over to the guard, then promptly beckoned him over, patting the empty space on the bed beside him.
“Please, sit with me. I need the distraction from these grand delusions I have running through my head.” Zoro followed the command and moved to sit on the foot of the bed. He placed a tender hand upon Sanji’s leg and gave it a tentative squeeze. Whether it was for the comfort of himself or the Prince, Zoro would rather not think too hard on that.
“Who knows, maybe she’ll let you run off once she realizes you’re impotent.” As the last word left Zoro’s throat, so did all the air in his lungs. The damned brat whipped a kick to his chest!
“Are you certain you don’t speak of yourself, moss for brains?” Sanji bit back. Zoro wheezed out a laugh and began to recompose himself. If old age wouldn’t kill him, Sanji definitely would. Zoro shifted himself so he was face to face with his companion, a lax smile adorning his own face and a scowl on Sanji’s. The banter, insults, and attacks were nothing new, and it brought a wave of much needed relief to the both of them. Zoro nudged at Sanji’s foot with his own before speaking back up.
“You’d love to know, wouldn’t you Curly?” This caused Sanji’s face to become flushed, so much so, Zoro could see it in the faint candle light. His own stomach betrayed him at the sight, flipping in excitement. Zoro relished in the moments where he could make his beloved prince blush. This particular moment only fed into the greed Zoro’s heart desperately hid. He leaned in close to Sanji’s face for a better view of bright blue eyes that wrinkled near the corners when Sanji smiled. Zoro placed a rough hand on Sanji's cheek and whispered, “maybe one day, you’ll be able to explore and find your answer.” Sanji gasped in shock and pushed the guard away from him hard . Zoro took a tumble off of him, and onto the floor as he barked out a laugh.
“Stop with your taunts! You’re such a fool!” Sanji sneered. Zoro did nothing to defend his case. It was best to let his Prince continue to perceive his flirting as taunts, knowing he’d never be able to make good on them.
“Regardless, my future wife can tell you just how wrong you are,” Sanji said with a snap. If Zoro hadn't been looking at Sanji, he would’ve thought the snap to be the sound of his own heart breaking. Shoved full throttle back into the reality of the situation, Zoro sat up on the floor, his laughter had faded out into the night.
“Who is she anyway?” he questioned. Sanji straightened out as he sat up to look down towards Zoro. His own face regaining its previous seriousness.
"Nefertari Vivi. I don’t know much else but her name, kingdom, and age,” Zoro raises a brow, silently urging Sanji to continue. “She’s ten and three, she also has a lady in waiting. From what father said, her lady is not much younger than you,” he huffed. Sanji grew more agitated as he spoke, clearly not too happy to have a younger bride to be. Zoro on the other hand, wasn’t happy purely because Sanji would not be his bride.
“Time moves slowly, but passes quickly.”
- Alice Walker, The Color Purple
Three months had passed since the night Sanji told Zoro of his arranged marriage. During that time, Princess Vivi had made her appearance in the castle. Along with her came her father, King Cobra, and her lady in waiting, Nami. The king was a rather kind man, nothing at all like Judge. Nami, a red haired witch in Zoro’s mind, was protective of her princess. Zoro had respect for that at the very least. As for the Princess herself, she was soft spoken and sweet. Sanji took to her rather quickly, far too quick for Zoro’s poor heart.
Currently, Sanji and Zoro were headed into the neighboring country to visit Vivi, as this had become routine. For one full week, once a month, either royal would visit the other at their respective kingdom. Despite his irritation with Nami, Zoro enjoyed the times they visited away from Judge. Sanji was less on edge, and quick to regain a part of himself he wasn’t allowed to have back at home. Although happy for his prince, Zoro’s heart ached. Sanji was growing more attached to Vivi with each passing month. Zoro wished it could be him making Sanji act like this, but it wasn’t, and it never would be.
The pair arrived at the Nefertari castle by mid-day, greeted by none other than Vivi and Nami themselves. Sanji swooned towards Vivi, the two interlocking arms and walking ahead of their companions. Zoro stretched as he exited the carriage they had spent most of the day in, grunting a greeting at Nami, who only sighed in response.
“It’s just wonderful to see you again Zoro,” Nami said, as pleasantly as she could manage. Her eyes glued to Vivi, scowl growing deep. That was different. Zoro arched a brow as he assessed the scene laid in front of him, when two and two finally clicked. He bumped his arm against Nami in order to get her attention away from the Princess for a moment.
“Let’s speak tonight over some drink in the kitchen,” he started. Nami looked at him, trying to read in between nonexistent lines. “Once our two beloved royals have gone to bed,” he stated with a knowing look in his eye. There was a moment of silence. Zoro and Nami both looked back towards their respective companions. Nami sighed, understanding the request.
“You too, huh?” Zoro nodded defeatedly. “Fine, let’s talk then,” Nami conceded. They rushed to catch up with the two betrothed and went about their day as planned.
The day in itself was a rather lax one. Sanji was made to sit with Vivi in the King's throne room as the kingdom's people came to speak, plead, and propose their own ideas. This was, sadly, all necessary for the pair to be subjected to. Depressingly, that also meant Zoro had to take part in this tortuous task. The guard bit back a yawn as yet another citizen came into the throne room. He found himself wishing he was with Nami, at least they could throw around a good conversation; maybe even jumpstart the one he earlier insisted on having.
Around midafternoon the four teens were given a reprieve from the more arduous responsibilities they had, so Vivi decided that she and Sanji absolutely must visit her most favorite spot of the kingdom. Nami was visibly tense as she and Zoro followed only a few steps behind the royal pair. It was quite amusing to watch someone other than himself suffer in this way. “Suffer with me if you’re just going to stare,” Nami said under her breath. Zoro couldn’t hold back the bubble of laughter that escaped him.
“Trust in me when I say, I am.” Zoro responded, looking back to his prince, who had just brushed his hand across the princess’s cheek. Zoro nearly gagged, Nami having her turn to laugh now. “Gods, how I’ve prayed for that to be me.”
“You want the prince to push your hair away from your face?” Nami teased, quickly reaching her hand to ruffle Zoro’s rather short hair, who in turn pushed his ginger companion away from him.
“Don’t you pretend to not want to be in my prince’s shoes right now, witch,” Zoro quipped. Nami groaned, of course she also wanted to be in Sanji’s shoes, he knew that much.
After watching their one sided lovers flirt with each other, the day finally came to an end and after a grand meal Zoro escorted Sanji to his temporary bedchambers. He stopped himself just outside of the door, holding it while Sanji walked in keeping his eyes glued to the castle's wooden floor. He sighed and let his hand drop, allowing the heavy oak to shut but instead of a thud, there was silence. Zoro looked up in confusion, only to see Sanji now holding the door with a cocked brow.
“Are you not joining me tonight?” Sanji inquired. Zoro had to remember his place, and that this was not one of his many fantasies. So he shook his head, both in response and to clear his mind.
“Not tonight my Prince. I have a few matters to attend to.” After speaking he gave a curt nod and turned on his heel. “I’ll be back to check on you before assuming my position.” With that, Zoro left, making his way to the kitchen to meet with Nami. He needed someone he could let out his own frustrations to.
"The way they look at each other, and the casual touches! Have you noticed all of the touching?" Nami blubbered drunkenly, half into her wine glass and half at Zoro. He nodded along while staring down at his plate, looking despondent. The amount of drink he had consumed and the company made him feel even more heartsick. The two of them had bonded over their mutual suffering and appreciated the fact that they now had someone to vent to. After so many years, Zoro could finally voice his feelings for Sanji, even if it wasn't to the man himself.
"They look good together. I can see it now, the two of them happily married with a couple of curly-browed babies,” Zoro declared in a pessimistic tone. Nami groaned in response and plopped her forehead onto Zoro's shoulder in defeat. He brought his hand up to pat her head in a weak attempt to comfort her. He knew there was only one thing that could truly help her, as it was the same for him; for their love to be requited.
“Alright, all of this crying and feeling sorry for ourselves has me exhausted. I'm going to retire for the night.” Nami lifted herself from the stool she had been sitting on for the last two hours and shuffled her feet towards the sink, dishes in hand.
“I'll clean up here, you just head to bed. Try not to fumble over your own two feet while you're at it,” Zoro jokes as he goes to stand as well. Nami laughed mockingly and bid him a good night's rest as she left the kitchen. Zoro was left with his thoughts as he washed the dishes they had dirtied. It was fine for him to be upset in private like this, but he needed to get it together. If being with Vivi will make his prince happy, then he would suck it up and just be happy for him. Even if his heart broke a bit more each time he had to witness it. Zoro sighed as he finished the dishes, wiping his hands on his pants. Slowly, he made his way back to Sanji’s bedchamber and stood by the door, forcing himself to remember that although the two of them were close Zoro was still his guard. He still had a job to do.
“If there is one thing one can always yearn for and sometimes attain, it is human love.”
- Albert Camus, The Plague
With the passage of time came a strong tension looming over the young inhabitants of the castle. In the last month, Vivi and Nami had been staying in the Germa kingdom overseeing wedding preparations and going to fitting after fitting, and although Zoro was more than satisfied with Nami’s presence as they had grown quite close; his heart was one that could not be fulfilled with friendship and wine alone. Time had been cruel to him as he watched Sanji at his own fittings, a bit of Zoro’s heart breaking each time Sanji relented in how happy he was that it was Vivi he was to wed. This was something Nami had grown accustomed to listening to.
“Zoro, I understand the hardships your soul is facing, mine is on that same path,” Nami had said to him one night, during their routine late night encounters. “But you must hold onto the happiness the two share,” she sighed. Nami poured more wine into her glass before looking to Zoro, with more conviction. “At least we have the pleasure of being in their lives until the end.”
Today however, Zoro was going to confront his problems head on. He made his way from his own room, to the grand dining hall where he knew Vivi and Sanji would be. Taking a labored breath as he entered, he looked around for the two royals, which wasn’t hard considering the boisterous laughter coming from Sanji at the far end of the table. Zoro paused, taking just a moment to stare at the prince. He had grown into a fine young man over these last few years. However many times Zoro had allowed himself to stare, he never failed to be mesmerized. He placed a hand on his swords to ground himself. Zoro wasn’t here for Sanji.
“Excuse me, my Prince, may I speak with Princess Vivi?” Zoro swallowed a lump in his throat before he continued. “In private,” he added. Sanji’s eyes widened in surprise at the request, looking around to see if anyone had overheard. It wasn’t common, nor typically allowed for someone like Zoro to talk to a woman of her status in private. Zoro had to think quickly, in order to keep himself out of any trouble. “I have a rather private message to pass on from Lady Nami.”
Vivi tilted her head slightly in confusion but stood to follow Zoro out of the room regardless, taking one last quick glance back at Sanji. Thankfully, the hall was completely empty for the moment, so Zoro could avoid bringing a princess to a sitting room to be alone with her. He preferred to keep his head, thank you very much . Zoro turned to Princess Vivi with the full intention of giving her a piece of his mind. However, as his eyes met with hers, he couldn’t bring himself to speak as he pleased.
“What did my Lady request you tell me?” Vivi asked with poise. Hells… Zoro couldn’t do this to her. Zoro gripped at his swords tightly before shifting on his feet.
“I’m afraid I had to lie to you Princess,” Zoro danced around his head for the right words. “In honesty, I wanted to ask you personally if you would like to attend a festival tonight.” Vivi stared at Zoro, either appalled or excited, he couldn’t quite tell. She looked around to make sure the coast was still clear before taking a step towards Zoro.
“With you?” She asked.
“Yes.”
Vivi raised her hand and made a swift motion, slapping Zoro across his face. He blinked a few times in surprise, not that she had hit him, but that it had actually stung.
“How dare you, Sir Roronoa!” Vivi took another step forward, her finger now jabbing into the chainmail adorning Zoro’s chest. “I am no harlot. I happen to be a princess, one that is to marry the prince you have promised to protect!” Zoro’s eyes widened, Vivi had the wrong idea! This wasn’t what was supposed to happen. Vivi turned, starting to make her way to the door back into the dining hall. Zoro panicked, grabbing her wrist before she could get too far from him. Vivi glared back at him, so much so that if looks alone could kill, Zoro would be a dead man.
“Please, Princess, you have the wrong idea,” he started, frantic, “it would be not just myself, Nami and the Prince would be in attendance as well!” There was a long pause. Vivi pulled her arm back and stood in place, in deep thought. Zoro’s heartbeat quickened, not sure if he would lose his head today or not.
“Lady Nami is joining?” she implored.
“Yes, we planned to sneak out late tonight so as to not raise suspicion.”
Vivi looked back up at Zoro, a smile adorning her face. “I shall be joining then!” she chirped. Zoro let out a breath of relief before a thought struck him.
“Don’t tell your betrothed, not while there are ears around,” he whispered, hoping his excuse was enough to buy him time to tell Sanji himself. Vivi nodded excitedly in response.
“One half of the world cannot understand the pleasures of the other.”
- Jane Austen, Emma
Zoro was finishing his rounds when he spotted Sanji entering his bedchambers. Zoro sped up slightly to catch up to him. Just as Sanji began to close his door, Zoro pushed his way through and into the room, closing the door behind him. The Prince stared at him with wide eyes and confusion on his face.
"Dress inconspicuously, we are sneaking to the festival that's in town," Zoro smirked.
Sanji's face flushed and murmured, "'we' as in..." Zoro could tell where this was going and put an immediate stop to it.
"You, me, Princess Vivi, and Lady Nami. Hurry and get dressed," Zoro clarified. Sanji let out a quiet “oh” and nodded, then moved to his wardrobe. “Meet us in the kitchen,” and with that he stormed back out. Zoro ran to the kitchen to find Nami there, ready for their regular meeting.
“Us and our royals will be enjoying the festival tonight so go help your princess get into a disguise and meet back here when you're ready to go.” The words rushed out of his mouth and continued to do so despite the shock he saw on Nami’s face become more exaggerated as he went on.
“What are you talking about?” Nami questioned incredulously.
“If you wish to enjoy a festival with Vivi before she is wed then you will do as I say and with haste,” as he spoke his words became louder and more urgent. He could tell when his words finally clicked in Nami's mind, because the moment they did, she jumped from her stool and practically sprinted to Vivi's bedchamber. Zoro let out a slight laugh at the sight. This would be a fun night indeed.
After going through one of the castle's rarely used exits, the group snuck through the royal gardens and out of a small gap in the otherwise pristine hedges, then down to the festivities. Vendors were lining the streets and music filled the otherwise cold air with warmth and vigor. Zoro took a deep breath in, basking in the scent of fried foods, strong ale and sweets. It wasn’t his first time sneaking away from his duties, and certainly wouldn’t be his last, but to do so with the man he loved, along with Nami and her beloved, was a first. He half regretted not thinking of doing something like this sooner with the three rather than just by himself.
Zoro looked towards the lot of friends beside him, catching a glimpse of Sanji, awestruck by the lights hanging between roof tops and vendor tables alike. Zoro couldn’t help but smile, his prince looked breathtaking, even with a hood to hide himself from the townspeople. Zoro noted how Sanji’s curled brows pinched together in wonder, how his lips pinched at the corners as he smiled. Zoro was completely and utterly enamored. It took Nami shoving a sharp elbow into his side for Zoro to crash back into reality and join in on the conversation going on around him.
“Who knew the streets of the kingdom could look this beautiful!” Sanji gasped. Vivi nodded her head in agreement.
“I’ve partaken in a few civilian festivals in my kingdom, but nothing like this.” Vivi took Sanji’s arm into hers as she walked with him. Nami and Zoro were close behind, their duties to protect the two royals wouldn’t be put to the side just because they were all disguised.
The four had spent an hour walking around each stall, trying food and playing makeshift skill games. They shared laughs and a few drinks. It wasn’t until they had reached the townsquare that they all took a moment to sit and appreciate the music that made its way through the air with ease. Zoro took a hearty swig of the beer he picked up from a nearby stall and swallowed with a loud sigh. He watched as Nami effortlessly chatted with Princess Vivi, and how easily she was able to put a large smile on the royal's face. Zoro turned to Sanji, offering him the mug in his hand.
“Loosen up a bit Curls, have some fun,” he nudged at Sanji, who took a weary sip from the mug, grimacing at the taste of the ale. Zoro laughed out a half hearted “light weight” which in turn sparked a bit of competitiveness between the two. They parted from the girls and made their way to the drink vendor and started their own drinking competition that Zoro knew he’d win. Sanji didn’t fancy more than a glass of wine with his meals, so he was bound to tap out early.
Sanji did indeed tap out after three drinks, his eyes glossing over showing just how intoxicated he had gotten. Zoro couldn’t contain his laughter and rose to his feet to help steady his wobbly prince. “Easy there Prince,” he barked as Sanji started to tumble forward with a childish giggle. As Zoro hoisted Sanji up once more, the music went from a quick upbeat tune, to something more romantic. Sanji’s eyes lit up and he quickly turned his face to Zoro's, nearly kissing him as he did so.
“Let’s dance~!” Sanji hummed as he half heartedly attempted to push Zoro forward, despite being locked in his arms.
Zoro’s face turned a deep red, not only did he nearly, accidentally, get kissed, but now his adorable prince wanted to dance. In town square, around all these people and his bride to be? Sanji pulled at the collar of Zoro’s shirt as he waited for an answer.
“Wouldn’t you much rather dance with Princess Vivi?” Zoro asked, hoping to shift the attention from him to Vivi. Sanji pouted. Gods , did Zoro want to kiss that pout away. “Come on, Curls.” Zoro began to drag Sanji back to where they had left the girls, but stopped in his tracks. The sight laid out in front of him made his heart swell with pride.
Nami and Vivi sat side by side, the princess’s face was adorned with a deep dusting of red as her lady in waiting whispered something into her ear. Nami’s hand was placed tenderly on the small of Vivi’s back, pulling her impossibly closer to her. Zoro smiled fondly, his last minute plan of forcing the four of them together was paying off, at least a bit. Zoro tightened his grip on Sanji, eliciting a low groan from the prince.
“On second thought,” Zoro started, startling the blonde in his arms. “I would be honored to share a dance with you, my prince.” Sanji beamed up at the guard in sheer excitement.
“I thought you’d never ask!” he cheered.
The rest of their evening went by smoothly, Zoro and Sanji shared a singular dance; albeit one that ended up with Zoro’s feet being stepped on a few times. Nami managed to talk Vivi into a dance as well. Nothing could take this small victory away from him, even if Sanji wouldn’t remember it in the morning. Zoro would cherish being able to hold him close for once, and allow himself to think the whole world stopped just to watch them stumble on top of one another.
A month passed in a matter of seconds since that night, much to Zoro’s dismay. Final fittings had been done just a week ago for the Prince and Princess. Zoro had received his orders to stand close by as Prince Sanji Vinsmoke of the Germa Kingdom exchanged vows with her highness Princess Nefertari Vivi of the Alabasta Kingdom. The ceremony was absolutely beautiful, set in the royal gardens. The couple dressed in white, surrounded by the vibrant purples and yellows of the plentiful flowers. Zoro could do nothing but stare as he truly lost the love of his life. At the very least, he could pretend that the tears in his eyes were from joy instead of overwhelming sorrow. One look at Nami, who was standing beside Vivi, and he could see her heart shatter in time with his.
During the reception however, Zoro busied himself with his duties. Making sure all other guards were where they needed to be to provide sufficient protection to his royals and all attendees. Once he was satisfied he allowed himself to slip away and stand guard outside of the reception hall. He felt bad leaving Nami by herself, however he refused to allow his sorrow to cloud him as he worked. Zoro knew he’d get an earful from the lady in waiting later that night regardless.
“All I've ever wanted was to be near you”
- Shannon Hale, Enna Burning
Evening rolled its way in, Zoro had just seen the newly married couple to their shared bedchamber and somberly made his way into the kitchen, now abandoned of its staff. He sat on a stool, head in his hands as he awaited Nami’s arrival.
“If I shed any more tears I will become a shriveled up husk,” Nami sighed. She wandered over to her usual stool and planted her forehead onto the cold ivory of the kitchen counter.
“Not like that would look any different to your usual complexion, witch,” Zoro snarked, which immediately resulted in getting his stool violently kicked. Deciding that he needed to let out some energy, he kicked her chair right back. Nami slowly lifted her head to stare daggers at Zoro. It was on . They both grinned deviously as a flurry of smacks against toughened muscle and a few cracks against Zoro’s skull echoed throughout the kitchen.
What had started as playful arm slapping and chair kicking between two children disguised as adults, had quickly devolved into Nami losing her patience and straddling Zoro on the cold tile flooring to gain some leverage, or potentially just strangle him. Zoro let out a strained groan as Nami pressed her hands down against his windpipe. Smirking as he attempted to flip them over to gain his own advantage over her. However before he could enact his plan, there was an unexpected interruption.
“Are we… interrupting something?” Sanji said, clearing his throat in the process. Nami and Zoro snapped their heads comedically fast in the direction of the royals, who should have been fast asleep. Nami was the first to jump up, leaving Zoro on the floor.
“No!” Nami squeaked, her face a deep crimson as she pulled her attention to Vivi, who had been holding back laughter. Zoro rose to his feet, dusting his pants off in the process.
“It’s fine your highness’s, Lady Nami was just trying to kill me,” he said with a smirk, earning Nami’s deathly stare burning its way into his skull. This only provoked Zoro more, and with a laugh he pushed her teasingly. “Not like she would find much success.”
In one swift motion, Nami clocked Zoro in the back of the head, causing him to stumble forward, a knot already forming where Nami had punched him. “You witch…” he grumbled. Vivi let loose the laughter she had been holding back the entire encounter.
“We just came down for a drink. We weren't expecting to see you two love birds on top of eachother,” Vivi spoke through her laughter.
“I don't think I would call what I feel for that idiot love . Perhaps contempt, or even disgust,” Nami clarified, whilst Zoro made faces at her.
“Well, since you two obviously aren't busy, how about the four of us drink together?” Sanji grinned, enjoying watching Zoro act so childishly. Sanji brings over wine and glasses for each of them and they all take a seat. They sip their wine and chat about the wedding and enjoy each other's company. After a few glasses and plenty of shared laughs, a thick blanket of silence made its way over the group. It felt as though there was plenty left unsaid, which for Zoro and Nami, that was true. However, it was neither of them who broke the silence first. It was Vivi.
“Forgive me for speaking so freely,” she started, her cheeks a dusty pink from the alcohol. “But jokes aside, there is absolutely nothing between the both of you?” she asked, motioning between Zoro and Nami. The two shared a look, before laughing.
“Nothing!” Nami choked out.
“Just friendship,” Zoro nodded along. There was a sudden wave of relief that washed over Vivi that Zoro took quick notice to. Intrigued, he decided to push his luck and gamble on the thought stewing in his brain. Taking a sip of wine, he straightened himself and looked at Sanji. “I don’t even like women,” he declared. Three pairs of eyes widened, all in various degrees of shock.
The next to pipe up, thanks to the liquid courage, and Zoro breaking the ice, was Vivi. “You fail to see the beauty in women, Roronoa,” she sipped on her wine. “I quite fancy women.” The gasp that tore its way out of Nami’s throat made Zoro snort, wine lodging itself up his nose. Zoro fought for his life, trying desperately to regain his composure.
Sanji and Vivi exchanged a few looks before laughing to themselves as though they just shared a joke. Nami raised a brow. “If that’s the case Princess…”
“I do fancy you the most, Nami,” Vivi said calmly, stretching her hand out to rub Nami’s.
“Could've said something sooner, Princess.” Zoro retorted, finally able to speak again. Vivi shrugged, turning her gaze to him.
“I always thought she knew. Regardless, I had a duty to my people.” Vivi sighed, tears pricking the corners of her eyes.
“My lady,” eyes turned to Sanji, who was removing his wedding band, tears already flowing from his eyes freely. “This belongs to you, more than it does myself.” Nami took the ring slowly, staring at it for a moment, before sliding it on her finger. “We may not be able to undo time, but we can at least make it right, even if it's just between us.”
Zoro stared at the table, his previous courage slipping through his fingers. For the first time in his twenty years, he was terrified of the actions a few simple words could cause. He felt a hand caress his shoulder, then move to his jaw, guiding him to look up. Zoro was met with the most dazzling set of blue eyes, the same set he found himself falling into love with every single day.
“I hope that one day, you and I can be like that, Zoro .” Sanji stated. Zoro’s heart nearly burst right from his chest.
“Let that be today?” He asked, making haste in removing an earring from his lobe, handing it to Sanji. “May I have the honor of loving you until the end of time, Sanji ?” Sanji smiled widely at him.
This was just the beginning of their story. While for the time being, they would need to keep their love from prying eyes, they would no longer have to hide it from each other. Perhaps in time that would change, but for now, that was enough for them; and they were happy.
“Of course I love you. It is my fault that you have not known it all the while.”
- Antoine de Saint - Exupéry, The Little Prince