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December was never a particularly important month for Zoro. Koushiro didn’t really celebrate Christmas back at the dojo where Zoro grew up, and Zoro himself was not one for the spectacle of the season. The lights, the decor, the rush to buy, buy, buy, all of it was only giving him a headache each year. He tended to hide away in his room for that month to let the chipper crowds mill far, far away from him.
Still, this year there was one package he could not wait to receive.
“Yeah, Curly, they released the new volume just last week but it doesn’t mean they had to draw it a week ago. You know the weekly chapters are just collected into volumes, it’s not more work for the author.”
He was speaking on the phone with his roommate, who was annoyed that Zoro insisted on staying home instead of helping him with the groceries like he usually would. And yeah, on a normal day, Zoro would drop everything to help Sanji. It was great seeing that idiot gush about a ripe cucumber or whatever else he found in the store that day. Sanji didn’t smile all that often, and groceries were one of the few occasions where he truly relaxed, for some ungodly reason, and Zoro's crush on his roommate bloomed exceptionally strong when he saw that blond idiot smile. But this time Zoro was waiting for a delivery he refused to miss.
“So no, I am not being an asshole to Vinsmoke Reiju. Just to your sorry ass. Why were you calling me in the first place?”
“I needed you to check the fridge for how many eggs we had left,” Sanji said over the phone as if he didn’t have a constant inventory of their apartment in his head. Zoro groaned but opened the fridge anyway.
“It’s empty,” he deadpanned. “Which I am sure you knew. Why are you really keeping me on the phone, Curly?”
“Okay. Listen, I am waiting for something through the post as well, okay?” Sanji said and Zoro frowned. What was that about?
“And?”
“And I want to make sure you don’t open it!”
“Don’t you worry, I will only open my package from Vinsmoke Publishing, okay?”
“That’s the problem, you ogre!”
Zoro was about to answer when the doorbell rang. Without thinking or bothering to hung up, he put the phone down and went to get it, excited to see the delivery woman holding a package. The size was a little off but he grabbed it from her anyway and took it inside to tear it open impatiently. He frowned when instead of his usual book, he saw a gift box and an envelope addressed to Sanji.
Sanji, who Zoro just realized was still yelling on the phone. He picked it up, catching the trail end of the sentence.
“...and I swear they won’t be able to put you back together in the best hospital out there, you hear me?!”
“I didn’t hear,” Zoro said. “Why is there a gift and a letter coming to you from Vinsmoke Publishing, Curly?”
All Zoro got as a response was a loud scream from the other end of the call.
* * *
“I don’t see what’s so difficult to understand,” Sanji said, lighting up another cigarette, while Zoro still fought to process the situation.
“You being a secret brother to the author of my favorite manga is very difficult to understand!” Zoro protested.
“And you wouldn’t have to understand any of it if you didn’t open my mail!”
“How was I supposed to know the package from Vinsmoke Publishing was for you?!”
“By reading the address label, you complete neanderthal!”
Zoro pursed his lips. Sure, he tore it open without reading who it was addressed to, but he really thought it was just his manga. “Maybe you should have told me you were expecting a package, huh?”
“I didn’t know she would send anything but a letter. But it shouldn’t matter!”
“Can you just explain it to me one more time?”
“Vinsmoke Sora, who started drawing The Search for All Blue, was my mother,” Sanji explained, stiffly. “Once she passed, my older sister Reiju took over the story and has turned it into The Warrior of the Sea you love so much.”
“I know that . What I don’t understand is your relation to all of it.”
“Once my mother passed, I took on her maiden name and basically left the family business. Zeff brought me up more than my biological father anyway,” he shrugged. “Listen, I don’t want to get into details, okay?”
“Okay, okay,” Zoro raised his hands in defeat. “I get it, it's messy. You could have just warned me, you know? I've gushed to you about Germa basically every day since we met. You know I have the entire collection from volume one. And here you are, son and brother of the authors.”
“I don't like it when people know,” Sanji said, his shoulders tensing. He was finishing his cigarette and Zoro feared he would just light up another one right away. “They start asking me for details and such, and it's all about my mom and Reiju. Look at you now, you're already treating me differently.”
“I won't stop treating you like an idiot, if that's what you're worried about,” Zoro frowned and Sanji shot him a dubious glare. “I just would have talked to you less about it.”
“Good,” Sanji nodded. “In that case, I'm counting on you to behave when they visit for boxing day.”
Zoro just grunted in response. On one hand, yeah, he definitely planned to behave. On another, the author of his favorite manga of all time showing up at his apartment for Christmas was a little surreal. Zoro could not help but feel like the rest fo the month would end up being stressful whether he liked it or not.
* * *
“Why are you putting down only six plates?”
Their place was not too bad but nothing excessive either. They moved in together to save on rent through Sanji's blossoming cooking career and Zoro's training for kendo tournaments. It was a two bedroom with an open concept kitchen/living room layout. It was big enough for the two of them most of the time but definitely felt cramped with people coming over. Not to mention, Zoro did not really care to make it look presentable, leaving his training gear everywhere, no matter how crazy it made Sanji. Sometimes because it made Sanji mad, sure, but mostly just because he kept it where he trained. Zoro would usually just make non committal noises when Sanji bothered him about keeping the place tidy but for the few weeks leading to Christmas, he was uncharacteristically compliant. Sanji did seem a little less stressed thanks to that, which Zoro would have enjoyed, but the stress of the upcoming visit took over instead, making very little difference overall.
Eventually, the day of the party came, with no dumbbells or towels in the living area, now transformed into a dining room somehow. Zoro felt really proud of himself as he watched Sanji put the final touches around the apartment for the guests. Except that the number of plates seemed wrong.
Sanji looked up, frowning. “My three brothers, my sister, and the two of us make six people,” he said slowly. “How many plates would you set for six people?”
“Perona is coming as well,” Zoro said. “Did I not tell you?”
Sanji's expression made it clear that Zoro had not, in fact, told him. Oh well.
“No, you didn't! Why did you not tell me we have an extra guest? What if there's not enough food?!”
“Relax,” Zoro shrugged. “I know you make enough for everyone to get seconds and most people don't. We won't go hungry.”
“But your sister deserves something special!”
“She's fine,” Zoro shrugged again. “I know you love spoiling her when she visits but it's honestly unnecessary.”
Sanji gritted his teeth and went to grab an extra plate to update the seating. Zoro honestly was not a big fan of Perona visiting. He saw how Sanji treated her, and it unsettled him every single time. Whether because it was his adopted sister being showered with affection, or him wanting it for himself, Zoro did not bother to figure out. But this year, he had asked Perona for a big favor and would therefore stomach her visit. If she would not get a whole dessert spread from Sanji for once, it was just fine by Zoro.
Before either of them could say anything more, the doorbell rang.
“Go open it,” Sanji said, his voice ice cold. “As I deal with your lack of planning.”
Zoro frowned, suddenly aware again who exactly was coming over. He refused to give Sanji the satisfaction of seeing him stress, though, and went to open the door. As expected, a pink haired woman stood on the other side, and for once it was not Perona. “Hi,” Zoro managed to say to the woman whose work provided him with endless joy for years.
“Hi,” Reiju smiled back at him. Behind her stood three men who looked exactly like Sanji, aside from the hairstyles they were sporting. They did not look happy to be there, making Zoro frown. Reiju kept talking. “You must be Roronoa Zoro? Sanji told me a lot about you.”
“I bet all bullshit,” Zoro blurted out and looked away, embarrassed. “Come in, Curly is setting the table.”
Reiju nodded and entered, her brothers following. The entryway was immediately crowded and Zoro retreated to crack open a beer in the corner of the living room. He watched from a distance as Sanji hugged his celebrity author sister, and glared at the three brothers taking in the view. He noticed they nudged each other and looked in his direction, but remained silent.
“And this is the sentient algae I mentioned,” Sanji’s voice cut through Zoro’s thoughts and he looked up. “Marimo, this is my sister, Reiju.”
“You look younger than I imagined,” Zoro replied, and immediately cursed himself internally. Reiju simply smiled politely.
“Just because I am Sanji’s older sister?”
“He’s been reading the Germa books,” Sanji rolled his eyes and Zoro blushed. “Just bragged to me the other day that he has all the volumes and shit.”
“I am just a little older than mother was when she stopped publishing,” Reiju nodded. “But just like she did, I do keep my face out of the public eye. I suppose I will take your comment as a compliment.”
“Take it as you will,” Zoro mumbled. Reiju’s smile became strained and Zoro took a sip of his beer to stop talking. Sanji gave him an annoyed look but before he could say anything else, the doorbell rang again and Zoro was up.
“It’s probably Perona,” he said and rushed to the door to get away from the conversation.
“Merry Christmas!” Perona yelled as soon as he opened the door. Predictably, she was holding a giant bag full of gifts. “Or whatever it is you celebrate, you big lump of coal!”
“Yeah, Merry Whatever, Perona,” Zoro nodded. His sister could be a handful but he was just glad to have someone to put between himself and Sanji’s family. “Come on in, there’s already a crowd.”
“I saw the fancy car outside,” she giggled. “So the Vinsmokes are here, huh?”
“Yeah,” he said and led her into the dining area. “Cook, Perona is here.”
Sanji turned away from talking to his sister and smiled widely, bowing to kiss her hand and going into a long monologue about her beauty. Zoro decided to let them be and took a seat at the table next to one of Sanji’s brothers.
“Ichiji,” he introduced himself to Zoro who nodded back.
“Zoro,” he said. “I doubt Curlybrow told you what my name was.”
“He did not,” he said and looked at Sanji and Perona. Zoro followed his gaze as Ichiji continued talking. “So he straightened out?”
“What?” Zoro asked, frowning. “What do you mean?”
“You know, after he was kicked out by father,” Ichiji said in a flat voice. “I thought he would go all in on the frou frou shit. Wear dresses all the time like a disgrace and get fucked by dudes all the time. But looks like the banishment got him on the straight path.”
Zoro frowned, looking at Ichiji. “Are you a fucking idiot? What’s any of this supposed to mean?”
Ichiji gave Zoro a surprised look in return. “Oh? Are you and him?... You don’t seem the type.”
“The type? What is the type?”
“You know,” Ichiji said, increasingly confused, and made a flapping hand gesture.
“So you’re saying I don’t look gay?”
“Yeah?”
“Well, I am,” Zoro said, crossing his arms on his chest. “So if you’ve got any problems with that, we can take it outside.”
“Relax,” Ichiji scoffed. “I didn’t mean to insult you or your girlfriend.”
Zoro got up, grabbing Ichiji by his collar and lifting him up. The man, to his credit, immediately managed to swap Zoro’s arms away and took on a respectable fighting stance.
“Hey!” Sanji yelled and got between them. “What’s this? Mosshead, would you die if you had to behave for five seconds?”
“It’s not my fault!” Zoro protested. “He-”
“He’s a guest!” Sanji interrupted him. “There’s no excuse for such behavior! Apologize immediately!”
Ichiji crossed his arms and grinned. Zoro stared between the two of them and huffed after a moment of silence.
“Whatever,” he said. “I guess you’ll have to feed just six people after all.” He turned around to grab his jacket and storm out to cool off. He heard Sanji and Perona both call after him but he honestly did not care. If Sanji wanted to host such assholes, then he could, but Zoro would not be complicit. And he would much rather spend the next couple of hours at the gym than a stuffy dinner party anyway.
***
When Zoro came back home, he was sweaty and much more relaxed. He fully expected for Perona to still be there but was surprised to see Sanji’s sister and one of the brothers still around.
“I’ll hit the shower,” Zoro said but the shitty cook got in the way.
“Sit down,” he said. “You haven’t eaten.”
Zoro crossed his arms. “I’m not hungry.”
“I didn’t ask, did I? Sit down.”
Zoro kept his eyes locked with Sanji for a while but gave in quickly enough. He understood food does not go wasted around their apartment so he went and took his seat at the table.
“Ichiji told us what he said,” the brother said as Sanji made up a plate for Zoro. “He’s a proper shithead. As if he hasn’t been making out with the neighbor’s son every summer when we were younger.”
“I still would have preferred to not have to break up a fight,” Sanji said and took a seat opposite of Zoro. “But I do appreciate the sentiment, you brute.”
“Sure,” Zoro said around a mouthful of rice. He didn’t understand how that asshole could make rice taste so good. “So you kicked him out?”
“He kind of left on his own when he realized nobody here agreed with him,” Sanji shrugged. “Yonji went with him, but Niji stayed behind to drive Reiju back.”
“Good enough,” Zoro shrugged. “I don’t like the idea of anyone insulting you at your own home.”
“You’re such an idiot,” Sanji said, blushing, and Zoro looked away.
“Well then, now that we know you’re all good, I think we can take our leave,” Reiju announced. “Zoro, I took the liberty of signing one of your copies of my books. I really appreciate your support of my work, and of my little brother.”
Zoro grunted in acknowledgment and Sanji just shook his head. “That’s how he says thank you,” he explained and Zoro blushed. He continued eating as the Vinsmokes filed out of the apartment, listening to them saying their goodbyes.
“I brought you your gift, you big dummy,” Perona said once the door closed behind Reiju and Niji.
“You really shouldn’t have bothered, my dear,” Sanji said. “He didn’t do gifts at all.”
“Didn’t he?” Perona asked, looking at Zoro closely.
“Shut up,” Zoro mumbled. “You know I’m bad at this shit.”
Perona giggled. “I put them under your tree,” she said. “It was great seeing you, Zoro. I’ll be in town until tomorrow. Let’s do brunch?”
“Sure,” he shrugged. She put a small kiss on his hair and before Zoro realized, he was alone with Sanji again. He finished eating in silence until his plate was clean and then took it to the sink to wash it. He was about to retreat to his room once he was done but Sanji spoke up before.
“I guess we’re not having family over for a bit, are we? It went about as badly as it could.”
“I don’t know about that,” Zoro said. “I didn’t break Ichiji’s nose or anything.”
Sanji snorted, lighting up a cigarette. “I guess that’s true. I guess I should have warned you but I didn’t think he’d say stupid shit like that. He’s been civil for a while now.”
“He said your father kicked you out for being queer?”
“Yeah. When I was fifteen,” Sanji sighed. “Right after my mom passed away. He caught me wearing one of Reiju’s dresses and I was not smart enough to come up with a good excuse.”
“And that’s how you ended up with Zeff?”
“Yeah. I’ve been apprenticing with him for a while at that point and he noticed I was looking rough all of a sudden. Took me in and never looked back. I owe him my life.”
“He’s good people,” Zoro said. “Your biological father sucks but at least you ended up with someone good, right?”
“I guess so,” Sanji smiled. “Now go open your gifts! Dear Perona put so much energy into them, I’m sure.”
“She just got me a katana I saw on an online auction. I sent her the link and everything. But you should open your gift.”
Sanji gasped. “Perona got me a gift and I got her nothing?!”
“First of all, you got her a great meal, idiot,” Zoro said. “And second of all, no. She got you a gift from me.”
“From you?” Sanji asked, blinking in surprise.
“Yeah. I don’t know about this stuff but she does so I asked for her help. Go open it, will you?”
Sanji gave him a confused look but went to the tree and looked at the box labeled Sanji . Carefully, he carried it to the couch, opened it, and stared at the contents. Zoro began worrying he really fucked up when finally Sanji spoke up. “What is this?”
“Make up,” Zoro said. “If it’s the wrong one, it’s not for the lack of trying! I don’t know about this shit but Perona does, I figured-”
“You got me make up?” Sanji asked and looked up. “Why?”
Zoro shrugged and sat down on the couch next to Sanji.
“I know you like to dress up in girly shit,” he said. Sanji tensed next to him but Zoro continued. “I saw some dresses and heels and I know for a fact they don’t belong to a girl you brought home, okay? And I know you were tryign to keep it under wraps but I don’t think you should. So I kinda wanted to tell you I know and also get you some shit to make it easier. Perona said eyeliner, mascara, and lipstick are a great base for any look but I have not idea what any of this meant so she said she’d just buy you shit from me.”
“I… You knew? How long have you known?” Sanji asked. Zoro shrugged again.
“I figured it out like a week after we moved in?”
“And you didn’t say anything?”
“Wasn’t my place to say.”
“And you don’t mind?”
Zoro looked at him with a confused frown. “Why would I mind?”
“I don’t know. Isn’t it stupid? Or gross?"
“ You’re stupid but not because you wear dresses sometimes,” he shrugged. “I bet you look hot no matter what.”
“You bet what?! ”
Zoro blushed, realizing what he’d admitted to. “I mean…”
“No, shut up,” Sanji said. "Isn't that why you wanted to fight Ichiji? For saying you and I were a thing?”
"No!" Zoro protested. "I don't mind people thinking that! I just hated him acting like anyone wouldn't be lucky to have you!"
Sanji stared at him for a moment and Zoro was just about to take it all back and escape. But then, suddenly, Sanji pulled Zoro close by the collar and kissed him right there, on the couch. Zoro froze, not sure what to do with the sudden reality of his dream coming to life. Sanji finally moved away, beetroot red in the face, searching Zoro’s expression for hints of a reaction. “Sorry,” he said. “Did I misread that?”
“Fuck no,” Zoro gasped. “I just… Are you sure?”
“Yeah,” Sanji mumbled. “Have been for a while. I just thought it’d be a dealbreaker that I… That I’m genderqueer, I guess.”
“You really are an idiot,” Zoro said. “As if I would let who you are get in the way of me wanting you.”
“I just… I can’t believe you,” Sanji laughed. “You are unbelievable.”
“Does that mean I shouldn’t kiss you?” Zoro asked and Sanji laughed more. Zoro took that as his cue and closed the distance between them.
December was never a particularly important month for Zoro before he met Sanji. But for the rest of his life, it would be the month he got together with the love of his life, and he could not find a more meaningful month in the year to celebrate.