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It's been a while.
Zoro missed Sanji.
The one and only.
But he was suddenly avoiding him, and as much as he asked — there was never an answer.
"What's up with you?"
Zoro asked, his tone gentle and soft. Deep down, even though he's persistent; he's getting a bit tired of asking.
"Are you ever gonna stop asking that?"
The cook exhaled sharply. Again, it was the same. It felt a little different, but it could be anything at this point.
It was silent for a moment. There wasn't any tension, it was oddly relaxing in a way.
"If you need anything, just look for me."
"..."
"That's out of character for you."
Sanji mentioned.
Again, a short moment of silence. Zoro's expression softened a little,
"Are you trying to change the subject?"
"Whatever. Just — tell me what's wrong, at least. Whenever you're ready."
His words were soft. It felt strange, coming from someone like Zoro.
Of course it did.
Someone like that dumb brute would never talk like that, let alone to someone like him.
Sanji hummed in response,
"Sure.."
Zoro stared at him for a bit. "Right..."
He left the kitchen quietly, oddly enough again.
Sanji pondered his thoughts a little.
Was he, of all people, worried about him?
It was surreal to think about it. It was weird too.
Well, he could try it, to the very least of his expectations.
The deck was cold, and Zoro had zero clue why he chose to sit here. Wasn't he on watch this time? It's fine, then.
He wanted to wait for Sanji either way.
"Why are you here? You're supposed to be at watch."
Sanji scoffed, poking Zoro's cheek. What a way to start a conversation.
"Waiting for you."
...
"Right."
"I didn't really expect for you to come anyways."
Zoro muttered, glancing away from Sanji as if to be...embarrassed.
Again.
It's getting stranger.
Sanji doesn't want to think about it.
He sat down next to Zoro; the sound of the wind filling up the silence a little.
It was awkward of course. He wouldn't expect himself wanting to talk to someone like this; let alone...Zoro - of all people.
"You gonna start talking, or what?"
Zoro scoffed, gritting his teeth.
It went painfully quiet again.
Zoro clicked his tongue, "Right...just- take your time. No pressure."
Sanji's cheeks flushed a little.
"Will you ever stop speaking like that?"
"Like what?"
"Urgh- Nevermind..."
"Look, I'm just tired."
"Tired?"
Zoro asked as if it weren't obvious enough. As if it were a joke.
"How can I explain it in a way your brain would understand?"
Sanji taunted, a short smile appearing on his face.
"Ouch. Didn't have to be that obnoxious."
"You know what that word means?"
...
"No."
Sanji stared up at the sky instead.
"Of course you don't."
"What are you trying to say?"
Zoro immediately responded back.
"I wanna get to the point."
"Then do so."
Sanji stared at Zoro, narrowing his eyes before glancing away and sighing a little dramatically. "Finally, thank you."
...
"I don't think there's a much easier way to say this."
...
Zoro stared at Sanji dead, not a sound; not even a single movement.
It was creepy. Kinda. It was a little sweet that he was trying an effort to listen...
Yea.
"I think I love you. At some point, but it's getting to me now."
Sanji confesses awkwardly, taking a glimpse of Zoro before looking straight, trying to distract his mind by looking at...either the sky or the ocean.
Zoro processed it for maybe too long that the cook thought there was something wrong.
Just as he was about to say something,
"Really? All of that just to figure out you have feelings for me?"
Zoro snickered,
"That's cute. And pretty dramatic."
It was dramatic, alright?
He's never fallen in love with a man, let alone someone he'd rather prefer to rip his guts out than to kiss him.
Sanji stared back at Zoro, his eyebrows lowering and eyes narrowing again.
"Thanks. I really needed that, jackass."
"We're on the same boat, then. Literally."
"Is it time for puns? Or are you trying to use a metaphor for the first time?"
Sanji teased Zoro backed, placing his hand on the wooden floor. It was a little cold. The wind was a little breezy anyway.
"Probably both."
"I like you too."
What a way to drop that bombshell on him.
Sanji continued to look at Zoro as the other glanced away to look at the sky like he did.
"I didn't believe myself either, but you're quite interesting to be honest."
"Interesting? Or weird?"
Sanji asked.
"Are we really gonna start something like this?"
Zoro answered back with another question.
...
It was quiet again, but it felt more bearable.
"I didn't expect you to-"
"I think I've heard enough. You're getting yourself worked up."
Zoro smiled softly and reassuringly at Sanji.
A small blush crept up, he felt it. He wanted to hide again, but he also felt a little more comfortable.
"Right...uh...what does this make us?"
Sanji asked another.
"You tell me."
"That's so helpful..."
"I mean...do you really want to?"
Zoro hesitantly asked.
"Why else would I have confessed?"
Sanji sighed again.
Zoro hummed at the response.
"Mkay."
"I'll always be here for you, though. You can trust me."
"I already do."
Sanji chuckled; smiling a little.
"I'll go to bed, you're on watch. Love you."
Zoro smiled back.
"Yea. Love you too."