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Everything happened too fast to process.
The Straw Hat crew had just landed on a big island—huge port, lively marketplace packed with all sorts of goods, people from all over the Grand Line and beyond, inns and houses scattered across the land, and the relief of not seeing a single Marine base nearby. They’d be staying for a whole day, just enough time for the Log Pose to set toward the next island.
Sanji was fine with that. A full day gave him more than enough time to restock the Thousand Sunny’s pantry at his own pace, checking out all the colorful, fragrant ingredients the island’s central market had to offer.
Not really paying attention to where the others were headed—especially a certain swordsman with absolutely zero sense of direction (though Sanji had a gut feeling he should at least have an idea of where that idiot was going… since it always fell on him to track the dumbass down)—Sanji shrugged it off and made his way to the market.
He had barely started picking out the first batch of rare spices when gunshots and screams rang out behind him, echoing from the main port. A chill shot through his body, his instincts screaming in his ear: Luffy.
Muttering a quick apology to the old lady running the shop, Sanji turned on his heel and bolted in the opposite direction, silently hoping—just this once—that his gut was wrong about his captain.
Skidding around the corner that led to the port’s main street, Sanji exhaled sharply, giving himself exactly three seconds to take in the scene—and to be thoroughly annoyed at how spot-on he was when it came to Luffy and chaos.
People were rushing past him, pushing against his shoulder as they ran the other way, but honestly? He barely even noticed. All that mattered was Luffy, right in the middle of it all, surrounded by at least fifty men—pirates, for sure—wielding guns, swords, knives, and a whole range of weapons that made Sanji wonder just what kind of enemies these guys usually fought.
From the corner of his eye, Sanji caught sight of a massive ship, easily three times the size of the Sunny, anchored nearby. A few more men stood on deck, sneering down at the fight, weapons drawn. His gaze flicked to the flag flying from the mast—a skull impaled on a sword, dripping blood. Pirates, no doubt. But ones Sanji had never heard of. Not that it mattered.
The New World was way too big to keep track of every single crew sailing around. What did matter was getting Luffy out of there and causing as little collateral damage as possible.
Sanji ran toward his captain, who was talking to a massive man, standing apart from the rest of the enemy crew—probably their captain. In the blink of an eye, Sanji saw Luffy being trapped inside a cage made of sword blades.
A Devil Fruit user. Just great.
Being as impulsive as he was, Luffy immediately grabbed the blades to break free, only to end up cutting himself. His pained yell made Sanji’s blood boil, and before he even thought about it, he launched himself forward to take down every single one of those bastards.
Sanji took out the first five without warning, landing a powerful arc kick that sent them flying and drawing the attention of the remaining men surrounding Luffy.
“Captain!” one of them shouted. “It’s the Straw Hats’ Cook!”
Great. Now they know who I am, Sanji thought as he spun into another kick, sending three more flying.
“Sanji!” Luffy’s voice cut through the chaos, and Sanji felt a rush of relief. He was okay. Well, at least he was still talking and conscious. That had to be a good sign, right?
“I’m coming, Luffy!” Sanji called back, but a wall of men blocked his way.
“Sanji-san! Get down!”
On pure instinct, Sanji ducked, just in time for Brook to leap over him, followed closely by Robin and Franky, who landed on either side of him.
“Sorry for taking so long, bro,” Franky grinned. “We were all the way on the other side of the island, looking for ruins with Robin.”
“Hope we made it in time,” Robin added with a wink that made Sanji’s heart stutter.
“You got here just in time,” Sanji admitted. “Their captain ate a Devil Fruit and trapped Luffy in a cage made of blades. Every time I try to get close, more guys show up.”
“We’ll back you up,” Brook said, giving him a thumbs-up.
From that point on, the fight started to even out, but Sanji had to admit—these guys were good. Their fighting techniques were refined, their swordplay was elegant, and their aim with firearms was deadly accurate.
“Where the hell did you guys come from?” Sanji muttered, kicking an enemy square in the chest.
“We’re the Vlad Pirates,” the next guy sneered. “And we came here to take your heads.”
“You can get bounty money from any wanted pirate,” Sanji dodged the swing of a blade. “Why us?”
The man laughed, a manic gleam in his eyes. “Oh, come on, Black Leg… you, of all people, should know—” He licked his lips, eyeing Sanji up and down. “—the rarest meats are always the most delicious.”
That made Sanji pause. And then it clicked. His stomach twisted.
“You’re not after the bounties… You’re cannibals.”
The man let out a low chuckle and slashed his sword, slicing Sanji’s cigarette clean in half. “Cannibal is such a vulgar word, Black Leg. We prefer… connoisseurs of exotic meat.”
“You’re a bunch of disgusting vermin, that’s what you are,” Sanji spat, dodging another strike, sliding to the side, and landing a brutal kick to the back of the guy’s left thigh, making him stumble. Sanji straightened, spun gracefully, and delivered a crushing blow between the man’s shoulder blades. He went down. And didn’t get back up.
Glancing around, Sanji noticed that while he’d been fighting, Nami, Chopper, Jinbe, and—much to his complete surprise—Zoro, had found their way to the port and joined the battle.
Sanji pushed forward, trying to reach Luffy, but it was like every enemy had figured out his goal. There was no way to break through, and Luffy had already realized it was useless to struggle. No matter what part of his body he used, the blades always managed to cut him.
Sanji’s mind raced. He scanned the battlefield, then suddenly swerved left, cutting a new path through the chaos. “Marimo!” he shouted when he caught sight of Enma and Kitetsu gleaming in the fight.
“Kinda busy here, Curly!” Zoro barked, deflecting an enemy’s strike.
Sanji leaped into the air and kicked the guy who was about to attack Zoro from behind, landing right next to him. The two of them stood shoulder to shoulder, facing opposite directions in the battle.
“Luffy’s trapped in a cage of blades,” Sanji started.
“I noticed.” Zoro grunted, irritated.
"Go get him out of there! I’ll cover your back."
For the first time, Zoro took his eyes off the fight and looked at Sanji, analyzing his face intensely. His hands and the rest of his body kept fighting, as if his eyes and his other muscles were completely separate entities. The swordsman was a fighting machine—one of the most efficient and lethal. If they weren’t in trouble, Sanji would probably be admiring that fact even more.
"I don’t need anyone to protect me," Zoro finally said.
Sanji rolled his eyes as he kicked their enemies, keeping anyone from getting too close to where the two of them stood. With the reach of Sanji’s legs and Zoro’s swords, they had carved out a clearing amidst the chaos, a space no one smart enough dared to step into.
"I’m not saying—Duck!" Sanji yelled, and without breaking eye contact, Zoro obeyed, allowing Sanji to land a kick on one of Vlad’s pirates who had been sneaking up on Zoro’s blind spot. The trust in that moment didn’t go unnoticed by Sanji, but he chose not to make a fuss about it. "I’m not saying you need protection, you idiot!" Sanji finally finished. "But helping Luffy without these morons getting in the way would be way more efficient, don’t you think?"
"Right arm, Curly!" Zoro warned, and instinctively, Sanji pulled his arm out of the way just in time for Zoro to lean toward him and swing Enma through the space where his arm had been, cutting down an enemy foolish enough to interrupt their conversation.
Neither of them looked away for even a second. The battle raged around them, but they were in their own neutral zone, debating tactics to save their captain, like the two indispensable wings they were, while working together so seamlessly that it was almost comical.
Sanji huffed, impatient. "Any of us could handle that cage, but you’re the one who can do it the most efficiently. So why don’t you stop being a stubborn, hardheaded idiot and just go over there?"
Zoro opened and closed his mouth a few times but couldn’t come up with a decent argument. He simply turned and charged toward Luffy like an enraged bull.
Sanji almost smiled. It wasn’t easy to get inside Zoro’s head, but when it came to protecting and saving Luffy, nothing else mattered. Now, all Sanji had to do was make sure those disgusting cannibals didn’t get anywhere near Zoro until he could free Luffy and they could put an end to this mess.
It didn’t take long before Sanji heard a familiar, unmistakable cheer of joy. Looking toward the cage, he saw the shattered blades scattered across the ground, Luffy standing with his arms raised, and Zoro watching the scene with the tiniest hint of a smile.
Sanji felt relief wash over him too. Luffy was like a bird—he wasn’t meant to be caged under any circumstances. Seeing him free, already cracking his knuckles and scanning the battlefield for the one who had imprisoned him, lifted a weight off Sanji’s heart…
…only for it to come crashing down twice as hard when, in the very next moment, he saw Zoro drop to his knees beside Luffy, eyes wide in shock, as he was struck by the enemy’s blade, right between his ribs.
With a guttural roar, Zoro turned to his attacker and drove Kitetsu straight into the man’s right thigh. The man screamed in pain, collapsing onto his back. The noise drew Luffy’s attention, and only then did he turn around and see the scene behind him.
"Choppeeeeer!" Luffy’s voice boomed louder than the battle cries around them.
Sanji glanced around, searching for the doctor, but everything felt like it was moving in slow motion, and his eyes kept snapping back to Zoro and the dark stain spreading across the side of his clothes. Red and green, blending into something ominous, stretching across Zoro’s body.
Chopper finally managed to break away from his own fight and ran toward Zoro, but Sanji couldn’t see what happened next—because a large group of enemies had surrounded him. Blinded by rage at what they had done to Zoro, Sanji barely even felt his feet making contact with those worthless worms who didn’t deserve the air they breathed.
Driven by pure fury, he let his legs ignite, flames licking up his ankles, calves, knees… And without a care for who or what he was hitting, Sanji spun.
And then, there was silence.
Sanji blinked, looking around, seeing the enemies collapsed at his feet and Luffy letting go of the enemy captain’s throat, letting the man fall to the ground with a pathetic whimper.
"And don’t ever cross our path again, got it?" Luffy said firmly, turning his back on the man and rushing over to Chopper, who was now kneeling beside Zoro, lying on the dock.
Conqueror’s Haki, Sanji thought. Luffy didn’t use it often, but Sanji had already noticed a pattern—it always surfaced when someone Luffy cared about was in danger. And if this situation didn’t qualify, then Sanji might as well hang up his knives for good.
Shaking off the haze, Sanji forced his legs to move towards the swordsman. Getting closer, Sanji was able to notice a few things: the side of Zoro’s clothes was soaked and dark with blood from the cut; Zoro looked a little paler than usual; and thank goodness, he was conscious, eyes open, and talking to Chopper, though he stopped as soon as Sanji approached.
“You know, Marimo,” Sanji said, lighting a cigarette and stopping next to Zoro’s feet. “When you said you didn’t need protection, I believed you...” Sanji looked down at the swordsman and gave a crooked smile. “Why’d you lie?”
If Zoro could steam, hot vapor would probably shoot out of his nose and ears after hearing Sanji’s teasing. “You shitty cook! You’re just taking advantage of the fact that Chopper is holding me here!”
Sanji laughed. “Ah, Marimo, don’t be upset. You fought well,” Sanji glanced around, seeing their crewmates gathering near them, listening to Luffy telling the story of what happened to Zoro. “…even though you were the only one who ended up hurt.”
“You fucking shitty cook!” Zoro struggled, and Chopper had to use Arm Point to keep him in place.
“That’s enough, you two!” the reindeer asked. “Sanji, Zoro needs medical care and can’t make any sudden movements for a while. The cut didn’t hit any vital organs, but it was deep enough to cause some damage.”
Sanji huffed. “Tell him that, he’s over here thinking he can come at me.”
Zoro moved again, but this time the pain won, and he grimaced. Both Chopper and Sanji leaned in towards the swordsman.
“You see?” Chopper said to them both. “Zoro, you need to rest. No sudden movements for a few days, until the wound starts healing.” The doctor looked at Sanji. “Can you prepare a meal focused on his recovery?”
At that, Sanji smiled. “Of course I can! With my cooking and your care, this green-haired idiot will be good as new in no time.”
“So, Chopper, how is he?” Luffy’s voice came before he did, followed by the rest of the crew.
“He’s stable now, but he can’t overdo it or make sudden movements, so no fighting, bending over, lifting weights, or twisting his body. The wound was deep, so it’ll need to heal from the inside out,” Chopper explained.
“Is it going to take long?” Luffy asked, looking worried.
“A few weeks,” Chopper grimaced. “But Sanji said he’s going to prepare special meals for Zoro, focusing on the nutrients needed for a quick recovery, so I think by the end of the month, Zoro should be able to move normally again.” Chopper smiled, and Luffy followed suit.
“A month sounds like a lot,” Luffy said. “But if Sanji is going to take care of Zoro’s food, then let’s do this... Sanji!” Luffy grabbed Sanji’s shoulder, sending a chill down Sanji’s spine. He had a bad feeling, but running wasn’t an option.
“Yes?” Sanji responded, hesitantly.
“From today until Chopper says it’s all good, you’re in charge of taking care of Zoro!”
“WHAT?” Sanji and Zoro asked at the same time.
Luffy laughed. “It makes the most sense here.” And as if the matter was settled, he turned and headed towards the town. “I’ll go back to looking for the beetles I was tracking. See you later!”
“Hey! Luffy!” Sanji yelled, but Luffy didn’t even bother to turn around. “What do you mean ‘makes sense’?! Nothing makes sense here!”
“Luffyyy! Come back here, you idiot!” Zoro tried to stand up, but Chopper was holding him down. “This fucking cook is not laying a hand on me!”
Luffy kept laughing as he walked further into the island, followed by the other crew members, who stayed silent. Smart. They knew what would happen if anyone spoke up. The only one left was Chopper… but not for long.
“Well, you heard Luffy…” the doctor seemed nervous. He shifted back to his normal form, adjusted his backpack, and started walking away quickly. “Sanji, take care of him, got it? No letting him move beyond his limits! Bye!”
And so, Sanji got a new job from his captain: babysitting Zoro.
Sanji sighed, accepting defeat. There was nothing to do once Luffy made a decision. All he could do was adapt and move on. Against all his most basic desires, Sanji looked at Zoro and was surprised to find the swordsman’s gaze on him.
“You’re not laying a finger from that perverted hand of yours on me, got it?” Zoro said through gritted teeth.
Sanji exhaled a puff of smoke, uninterested in the insult. “Our captain ordered it. So whether you like it or not, we’re going to have to make this work.”
“We’re not doing anything! Luffy doesn’t know what he’s talking about. I’m fine,” Zoro said, and as if to prove his point, he sat up with difficulty and tried to stand, but his legs gave out, and he started to fall backward. Sanji was by his side in a second, catching Zoro under his arms, preventing the fall, and gently sitting him back down on the ground.
“What were you saying again, Marimo?” Sanji crouched down next to Zoro, finished his cigarette, and tossed the butt into the sea behind him. “You can barely stand. Let me at least help you get to the Sunny.”
“I already said I’m fine!” Zoro grunted, but his forehead was shining with cold sweat from the effort and pain along his body.
Sanji rolled his eyes. The two of them were extremely stubborn, the hardest heads in these seas. But they were still nakama, and Sanji would never leave Zoro in that condition under his watch, no matter how much he hated the situation. The swordsman was a pain in the ass, but Sanji would never refuse help to someone in pain or hunger. He looked at Zoro, took a deep breath, and accepted the situation. Since it was meant to be, he’d be the best caretaker in the world.
“Marimo, I’m going to take you to the Sunny, then I’ll go back to get supplies and make you a special dinner so you recover faster.”
“No way you are,” Zoro laughed sarcastically. “I can walk on my own.”
Rolling his eyes, Sanji decided to humor him, just to see how far that stubborn fool would go. “Fine. Let’s go, let me at least help you get up.”
Sanji extended his hand, and Zoro grabbed it, forcing his body up with a painful grunt. Sweat drops appeared on the swordsman’s forehead with this small movement.
Without letting go of Zoro’s hand, Sanji put his arm around his shoulder and supported the swordsman next to his body. “Don’t say anything. You’re not in any condition to argue, you idiot swordsman. Just shut up and let’s get to the Sunny, understood, Marimo?”
Zoro nodded, still grimacing in pain.
The two of them looked towards the Sunny, anchored about eight hundred meters away. It didn’t seem like much, but it would be eight hundred meters carrying someone twice Sanji's size, plus three katanas, and the swordsman’s extremely inflated ego. It wouldn’t be that simple. But Sanji simply planted his feet firmly, clenched his jaw, and took the first step. His companion needed help; Zoro needed Sanji at that moment. So he would swallow all the curses and let only the best of him come to the surface. Sanji wasn’t known for being a gentleman for nothing. Besides, Zoro couldn’t be all bad, could he? There had to be something, anything good about him, beyond his incredible sword skills, sculpted body, sharp mind in judging movements during battle, and the surreal ability to sleep anywhere…
Zoro’s face was red, but Sanji couldn’t tell if it was from anger or embarrassment. Whatever the reason, it was funny. The all-powerful Zoro being helped by Sanji, someone the swordsman despised so much.
Little did Sanji know that Zoro’s problem wasn’t just being carried. He hated the feeling of vulnerability; it was something he didn’t usually allow. Even with the pain spreading, he tried to pull himself together, attempting to disguise his weakness with a defiant look.
“Don’t look at me like that, Marimo,” Sanji muttered, noticing Zoro’s irritated gaze. “If I weren’t so nice, you’d be crawling back to the Sunny right now.”
Zoro mumbled something incomprehensible, but didn’t try to break free. The truth was, he really didn’t have the strength to argue or find something offensive enough to say, and the thought of falling again was even more humiliating than being carried.
Sanji, on the other hand, seemed absurdly calm. He had the posture of someone who’d never been forced to do something, as if walking with Zoro, almost bearing all his weight, was the most natural thing in the world, which, in a way, irritated Zoro even more.
“If it weren’t for you and your ideas, I wouldn’t be in this situation,” Zoro grunted, teeth clenched, looking at the sky, trying to distract himself from the pressure on his ribs.
“Sure,” Sanji replied with an ironic smile. “If you weren’t so stubborn, we could agree that we were on the same page at that moment, but fine, I’ll carry you to the ship while you grumble. Like I’m not used to it already.”
Zoro turned his head with a grunt, but soon remembered it wasn’t the best time for an argument. Sanji was right – he was completely dependent on the cook at that moment.
“Okay, okay,” Zoro finally said, letting go of his resistance. “But only because... I can’t walk right.”
Sanji laughed inside but kept a serious face, still carrying Zoro’s weight easily. “See? It’s not so hard to agree with me. Now just don’t do anything stupid and pass out on the way, okay?”
“You’re asking too much,” Zoro replied, trying to be as sharp as possible, but being able to take one step after another, feeling Sanji’s solid body right beside him, like a reaffirmation that he’d be fine, started to bother Zoro. Because the truth was, he was beginning to trust that the cook was helping him simply because he was who he was. There was no trick or scheme or sarcastic insults. After the shock of Luffy’s order, the cook had started showing who he really was, no matter who was on the other side: he was a gentleman, in the best sense of the word. Being kind was in his nature – and Zoro had always known that, even if he didn’t admit it. Being a gentleman as naturally as breathing was far beyond Zoro’s skills, and it was something he could never surpass the cook in.
The sound of the waves crashing against the Sunny’s hull grew louder as they got closer, and Zoro’s inner struggle started to fade with each step. He didn’t want to admit it, but being carried by Sanji... maybe it wasn’t the worst thing in the world.
Sanji, in turn, felt something he wasn’t used to feeling in situations like this. Maybe it was the relief of seeing Zoro finally relying on him without hesitation, or maybe it was the fact that, in some way, they were closer than they’d ever been before. He didn’t know, but one thing was certain: with every step, the distance felt like time dragging on, and the words between them began to feel lighter.
“Hey, Marimo?” Sanji called.
“What?” Zoro replied quietly, his head close to Sanji’s.
“Maybe it’s not so bad having a cook as a friend,” Sanji joked, not looking at Zoro. Sanji wasn’t sure where those words came from, or why, suddenly, he felt the need to say them to Zoro. But after all, when would they have another moment like this, right?
Zoro didn’t respond immediately, but his body relaxed considerably under Sanji’s arms, and the cook found himself smiling.
When they reached the Sunny, as if he wanted to prove he was the right person – maybe the only person – for the job, the cook simply said softly, “sky walk,” and, literally walking through the air, took Zoro to the deck, supporting him carefully.
Zoro’s footsteps echoed awkwardly as he tried to keep his balance, with Sanji right next to him, offering support and doing practically all the work himself. But in a hurried move, Zoro stepped wrong, completely losing his balance. Sanji, with a frustrated sigh, reacted instinctively, catching Zoro in his arms like a bride.
“Put me dow-” Zoro tried to protest, but the pain in his body made him let out a muffled sound.
Sanji lifted him easily, Zoro’s body almost floating in his arms. The tension between them was palpable, but the fear of seeing him fall again made the chef focus on the task at hand: getting Zoro safely to the male dorm so he could get comfortable and start recovering.
Zoro didn’t say anything, just resigned himself to wrapping his arms around Sanji’s neck to avoid falling (although Zoro was sure the cook wouldn’t let him go for anything), and he felt his face heat up more than ever before.
In the male dorm, Sanji gently placed Zoro on the mattress, adjusted the pillows at the headboard, and stepped back to look at Zoro fully, who was staring at his own boots. The silence that followed was broken by Zoro, who seemed lost in his own thoughts.
“Why... do you do this?” Zoro muttered, his voice low, almost as if he was asking himself out loud.
Sanji waited until Zoro looked at him. Sanji stared back, his face partially hidden, but his eyes conveyed something that Zoro still didn’t fully understand.
"Because I’m a gentleman," he replied, the teasing tone soft but firm. "And believe it or not, it’s not a burden for me."
Sanji smiled gently, but Zoro’s expression showed a strange unease.
The cook adjusted his clothes. “I guess you don’t want to take a bath now, but it’d be good if you at least put on something that’s not covered in blood.”
Zoro nodded silently.
Sanji went to Zoro’s closet and grabbed a pair of sweatpants and a tank top. “You... uuh... want help with that?” Sanji pointed at the clothes he was holding.
Zoro’s eyes widened for a moment, then he snatched the clean clothes from Sanji with force. “I can change myself, you pervert!”
Sanji laughed and raised his hands in surrender. “That’s not what I meant,” he said, walking toward the door. “Although it wouldn’t be a bad idea...” Zoro wasn’t sure if he heard the last part correctly. Sanji stopped and quickly turned at the doorframe. “Try to rest, okay? I’ll be back soon.”
Zoro didn’t answer, and Sanji didn’t wait for a response. He’d take care of Zoro, but something inside him told him it wouldn’t be easy.
After quickly returning to the center of the island to finish his shopping and get more ingredients for Zoro’s meals, Sanji returned alone to the Sunny.
Before starting to prepare dinner, he stopped by the male dorm and found Zoro fast asleep. For a few moments, Sanji allowed himself to lean against the doorframe, admiring the calm features of the swordsman, always so serious when awake. But there, relaxed and out of the stress of a fight, Sanji could see the beauty in Zoro’s sharp features—his well-defined jawline, high cheekbones, surprisingly straight nose (despite the countless punches right there), well-shaped full lips, slightly parted while Zoro slept.
Sanji blinked, snapping out of his daydream and swallowing hard, uncomfortable with the direction his own thoughts were going. Definitely, taking care of Zoro would be more of a challenge than he’d imagined. Closing the door behind him, Sanji went to the kitchen to prepare dinner and Zoro’s special meal.
Time seemed to pass faster when Sanji was cooking. He got into his own zone, where no one bothered him, where he controlled every aspect and everything worked perfectly. But it never lasted long enough until someone showed up hungry. That day was no different. Having lost track of time, Sanji heard his crewmates’ voices heading up to the deck and straight to the kitchen after an afternoon of exploring the island.
“Sanjiiii, what’s that amazing smell?” Luffy asked, throwing himself into his usual chair.
Sanji smiled. “Beef stew with potatoes, buttered sautéed vegetables, and mousse for dessert.”
“Sounds delicious,” Usopp commented, sitting next to Luffy.
Chopper was the last to enter the kitchen, bringing a pale, staggering Zoro. When he saw the scene, Sanji’s body moved before his mind did, going straight to the swordsman, throwing Zoro’s arm over his shoulder and holding him by the waist to stabilize him.
“What the hell are you doing out of bed?” Sanji scolded Zoro, guiding him toward the table.
“He insisted,” Chopper said with a defeated voice. Sanji felt sorry for him. Zoro could be really persistent and knew how to use Chopper’s love for him to even get out of bed when he shouldn’t.
“It’s okay, Chopper. It’s not your fault,” Sanji winked at the little doctor, who blushed.
Sanji helped Zoro sit at the end of the table and, after making sure he wouldn’t fall, served dinner – including a special portion just for Zoro, with meat stew, vegetables, and plenty of nutrients to help him recover quickly.
“Dig in,” he said, sitting at the last free seat: the one opposite Zoro.
Minutes passed, and Sanji noticed, amidst the usual chaos of the Straw Hat meals, that Zoro hadn’t touched his food. This started to bother the cook.
So, setting his own utensils aside, Sanji stood up, grabbed his chair, and, as if it were the most natural thing in the world, moved closer to Zoro and sat next to him. None of the others seemed to notice—or care.
Zoro watched Sanji’s every move with an intrigued expression, unsure of how to react.
“What are you doing?” Zoro asked in a voice meant only for Sanji.
Sanji grabbed the spoon next to Zoro’s plate, filled it with stew, and brought it to Zoro’s face, who widened his eyes upon realizing what was happening.
“No way, Cook!” Zoro vehemently shook his head. “What happened earlier was humiliation enough.”
Sanji clicked his tongue, impatient and frustrated. “Listen here, you shitty swordsman, don’t you dare associate what I did and am doing for you with something as horrible as humiliation.”
Sanji’s gaze was the most serious Zoro had seen in a long time. Apparently, he had touched a nerve that should’ve been left alone.
"Let me take care of you, please?" His voice had a tone of irritation, as if this was the one line that shouldn’t be crossed. Zoro had to be careful with whatever he said next, because it could change the delicate dynamic between them.
And Zoro found himself not wanting the cook to leave.
The thought of pushing him away, in any way, bothered Zoro more than the pain in his side. Realizing that made his heart race and sent extra blood to his face, turning it red. So Zoro didn’t say anything. He just nodded, agreeing to whatever conditions Sanji wanted to impose. What mattered was that he stayed there, taking care of him.
Sanji’s expression softened almost immediately when he saw Zoro leaning slightly toward him, opening his mouth, and eating from the spoon still extended between them. He just wanted to make sure Zoro was comfortable. And he wanted to ensure the recovery would be successful, so he knew he needed to be close. It was the most logical thing, right? Gently, he took more stew and brought it to Zoro’s mouth. Zoro looked at him for a moment and, without looking away, ate.
A few slow spoonfuls later, dinner started to lose momentum, with Robin and Nami leaving the table, followed diligently by the others, leaving Sanji and his slow task of feeding a wild, grumpy animal.
"You don’t have to do this, I’ve already told you I can take care of myself," Zoro murmured, but his voice was thick with emotion, something he didn’t normally allow.
Sanji just shrugged, his gaze focused on the plate, as if his attention wasn’t on Zoro, but on the action itself.
"Yeah, you did," he said, almost like an unspoken apology. "But I’m doing it willingly."
Zoro looked at him for a while, the words he wanted to say stuck in his throat. But deep down, he knew that Sanji wasn’t just feeding him. He was taking care of him in a way Zoro never expected, and it stirred something inside him, something he never knew how to deal with.
"Why does this matter to you?" Zoro asked in a low, neutral tone, without a trace of aggression. Sanji looked into Zoro’s good eye, searching for the origin of the question, and realized how close he had gotten when using the napkin moments before. Slowly, he pulled away, folded the napkin into a square, and placed it on his lap.
"I don’t understand," Sanji replied.
"Why are you here?" Zoro asked, in the same tone as before.
Sanji tilted his head, confused. Had Zoro hit his head too? "Because Luffy said so."
Zoro shook his head. "Don’t give me that, Curly. You’ve turned down Luffy’s requests before. Why’d you agree to take care of me?"
Sanji’s voice broke the silence. "I just..." he paused, his eyes softening. "I can’t leave you alone, Zoro. We’re the same when it comes to accepting help: we don’t. We’d rather make sacrifices so no one else has to." Sanji slowly raised his hand and wiped Zoro’s mouth with the napkin. "Even if you won’t admit it, not even to yourself, no one else on this ship would understand what it’s like, except for me. No one’s meant to go through hard times alone... I know how’s that and…"
Sanji looked away, neatly folded the napkin into a square again, and placed it back on the table, grabbing the spoon to fill it one last time. Only then did he look back at Zoro. "I guess what I’m trying to say is... you need someone too, you know?"
Zoro, surprised by the sincerity in his words, swallowed hard. He wanted to respond, but what he was feeling was too confusing. In the end, he just looked at Sanji, giving a weak smile, trying to convey everything he felt in that moment.
"I’m not good with words, Curly, but..." He sighed, leaning in to take the last spoonful. "I think you... you’re right."
Sanji felt his own eyes widen. What was Zoro trying to say? What was he even saying? Where was that strange feeling coming from?
Zoro placed one hand over Sanji’s hand, which was resting on the cook’s leg, and smiled sheepishly. "And if you keep doing this, taking such good care of me, I won’t have a choice but to get used to it."
Sanji smiled back but said nothing else. Sometimes, there was no need to say anything more. The silence between them said it all.
The End