Chapter Text
“Did you know it takes about 20 years for moss to completely take over a rock?” Sanji mumbles, eyes still glued to the page of the book he's reading at the dining table and likely not even aware he said it aloud. He's got a habit of vocalizing his thoughts for no one but himself that the crew is very much used to at this point.
Robin sits across from him but doesn't look up from her own reading either and hums, trying to sound fascinated purely out of courtesy. “I didn't. What are you reading about moss for?”
Sanji looks up at this. “If I’m going to be a hater, I want to be an informed hater.” This is the only explanation he offers in his serious tone. Robin giggles at that, not needing further explanation. “Sure, sure.”
“Well, that was research conducted in northern regions of the world anyway. It differs based on location and climate. Sunlight exposure and humidity, things like that.” Sanji is practically talking to himself now, repeating what he reads as if he's trying to drill it into his own head. Stockpiling ammunition for tomorrow's battles.
Robin smiles before returning to the paragraph she left off on. “I believe I have a book on caring for and maintaining steel if you're interested in that next.”
Sanji grumbles absentmindedly, “Oh right, yeah that’d be good. Thanks, Robin.” The cigarette he's holding is long overdue for a flick as the ash nearly breaks off onto Sanji’s lap before he taps it on the ashtray out of habit. She stops herself from replying, he'd likely not hear it anyway.
The Thousand Sunny floats through gentle waters, certainly due to Nami’s flawless navigation skills. The boat is softly rocking back and forth after Nami found a nice spot to sail through with the least amount of turbulance they've had in a while. It gives them all a chance to sit and relax on deck so that's what Nami and Robin decide to do. They chat about the next destination, Trood Island, that her log pose is pointed at as they sunbathe. They’d heard tales of it, rumored to be an island that brings out your true self, even if it's buried deep and locked away.
“How would working out at night be better for you?” Sanji mumbles again with his slightly sunburnt nose buried in yet another book. This one describes the best techniques for physical exercise and how to avoid sprains, fractures, and any unsafe maneuvers or positions that someone just starting out might attempt. It also explains all the benefits besides just looking good. When you feel good, productive and active, it's easier to maintain mental health as well. “What was that, Sanji?” Usopp practically yells from across the deck. His fishing line hasn't seen any action for the past 10 minutes and he might honestly die of boredom.
“It helps you sleep?” Sanji mutters to himself, completely tuning out Usopp’s inquiry. “Yeah actually, that makes sense. You'd burn off any energy not spent during the day. Kinda smart, in a way. No wonder...”
Usopp turns to Robin and Nami. The two of them shrug in unison. It's a curious sight, seeing their cook so invested in books that aren't about exotic fruit tarts or how sautéing is healthier than frying. Nami’s inquisitive look gets a nod from Robin, confirming suspicions with a simple gesture.
“Oh, Sanji-kun! We're positively parched, Robin and I! Would you-” Before the question can be asked, Sanji is practically floating into the kitchen. “Anything for you two lovely ladies!” Sanji’s familiar dedication to spoiling them rotten is more welcome than usual. Usopp sighs in relief as things settle back into normalcy, even knowing he'll only get to partake if there's leftovers.
“What's up with him and all these books?” Usopp questions once Sanji is out of sight. “He seems to be preparing for his own battle.” Robin answers vaguely as always and Nami giggles at it. Usopp takes a look at the small pile Sanjii left behind. “Studies on moss growth? Health and fitness? Steel maintenance? If I didn't know any better I’d think Zoro left these here but, well-” Usopp rubs his chin, lost in thought. “-Actually, can Zoro read?” The girls laugh, surprising Usopp before he joins in too. “Don't tell him I said that.”
Lucky for the sniper king of the straw hats, Zoro has been napping in the crow’s nest for a while now. Unaware and uninterested in what's happening for now, he sleeps and doesn't dream of anything, really. Unlike the deep sleep he gets at night filled with dreams, nightmares, and things in-between, his naps don't typically offer much entertainment. The sun filters in through the nest’s window and glows on his skin. Sanji doesn’t need to wonder what he looks like up there, he has seen it before. The look on Zoro’s face when he sleeps. He’s still, not happy but not upset either. Perpetually serious. Sanji remembers laughing at the sight. Thinking something along the lines of “It’s not like he uses much brain power during the day, what does he need to nap for?” He remembers thinking how funny it would be if he’d really said that and Zoro woke up, groggy and grumpy and already picking a fight. He smiles at the thought. A quick smile, then it’s back to his studies.
“Sanji-san!” Brook’s cheerful voice invades and Sanji loses focus of his book. The deck has oddly been quiet up until now so Sanji had been lost in his reading. “Oh, Brook. What’s going on?” Brook points to his own left hand to point at what seems to be a fracture in his ring finger. “I need some milk for this, if it breaks off completely my violin would be much more difficult to play. Would it be alright if I go get some from the fridge?” Sanji sets his book down on the chair he was lounging in and stretches, he hadn’t realized how long he’d been sitting until getting up. His joints feel stiff, like he needs to take a swim or go on a walk.
“No worries, Brook. I’ll grab a glass for you.” It’s not as if no one is allowed in the kitchen. Sanji just prefers to keep the amount of people in there as low as possible. Everything is in place, easily accessible and he doesn’t want that to change. The crew respects that, and knows Sanji isn’t stingy when it comes to their food or drink. So, they ask.
“Navigation Tips and Tricks?” Brook notices what Sanji has left behind and reads the book’s title out loud like a question. “Oh, yeah.” Sanji answers casually. “Figured I could help a few crew members out if I know my way around a bit better. Nami will surely fall for me when I showcase my new skills! We’ll embark on a new journey together in marital bliss on the All Blue!” Brook stares, which is more unsettling when you don’t actually have eyes. “You think Nami-san needs help with navigating?”
“No, of course not! But some people, I won’t name names, make things difficult for us by getting lost constantly. So I figured I could slip in some tricks into conversation. Maybe he’ll pick up on it subconsciously and finally learn a thing or two about basic directions.”
Brook’s fractured finger is brought up to cover his mouth as he gasps, followed by a quick giggle. “Strengthening his biggest weakness, how romantic!”
“What’s romantic!?” Sanji panics, nearly throwing the book off the side of the Sunny before remembering who it belongs to. He’d rather die than disappoint Robin so he holds back with extreme difficulty.
“That’s so kind, I could cry! If I had eyes, anyway.” Brook’s obnoxious laughter rings in Sanji’s ears as he turns to grab the milk for Brook, cheeks red and teeth clenched. The soundtrack to his embarrassment.
Whatever , he thinks. There’s nothing weird about it. I’m just learning more about my enemy to take him down if that day comes. He’s strong, maybe stronger than me. I have to be ready to defend the rest of the crew!
Sanji does a decent job of convincing himself that that’s true and moves into the kitchen for that damn milk.
“101 Bartending Tips and Tricks? Sounds suuuuuper!” Franky sets the book down he mindlessly grabbed from Sanji’s side. The rain hitting the floorboards of the Sunny make now a nearly perfect time to catch up on the many items Sanji is borrowing. Franky had walked into the kitchen to pass through to his weapon development room in ship’s stern and found their cook lost in a book at the table. “Does that mean we're gonna have those fruity drinks with umbrellas on the ship more often?” Sanji is lost in thought and offers a quick “Mm.” before coming back down to Earth. “Maybe. I’m just researching and that's not really my focus right now.” Sanji flips the page to the next one detailing the proper technique to brew sake. The fermented drink has never been Sanji's favorite but he figures he might learn a thing or two about how to make it. For ridiculing purposes.
“Franky, did you know sake has a symbolic meaning? It’s purification, and it represents bringing people together, which now that I think of it…” Sanji trails off, prompting Franky to answer after a moment of silence that Franky fully assumed would be filled by Sanji. Guess not.
“Oowww! That's nice, actually. Never thought of him as the sentimental type.” Sanji nods, until he registers what Franky said.
“Him?” Franky nods slowly. “Yes? The only guy on our crew who is constantly drinking the stuff? You know, the sword guy? Green?”
Sanji pauses. Moss-for-brains liking sake because of what it represents is a lot less likely than him liking it simply for how it makes him feel. Although, come to think of it, Zoro was the first crewmate to accept Luffy’s insane proposition. He's been here all along, by his captain’s side. Sanji thinks of Sabaody. How he felt watching Zoro disappear before Kuma surely pales in comparison to how Luffy felt. Zoro had watched the crew come together, was there when it almost fell apart, managed to grow and improve drastically during their two years apart, and was the first to come back to their reunion… Technically. Sanji truly never thought much of it until now.
“Yo? Cook?” Franky waves his giant hang in front of Sanji’s face to wake him up. “Sorry, lost in thought. Did you need something?” Franky shakes his head. “Not me, anyway. I was told to pass along a message from Luffy.” At the sound of Luffy’s name Sanji realizes half the day has gone by and Luffy is surely groaning in agony with hunger pains on the floor of the ship somewhere.
“He’s hungry?” A useless question that answers itself every time.
Franky shoots Sanji two mechanical thumbs up and the cook stands quickly. He usually starts prepping snacks at this time of day so now it’s safe to say he’s running behind.
“Thanks, Franky. I’ll whip something up for everyone, come back in 20.” Franky starts making a bunch of strange noises as always before heading out the back to his original destination.
“Of course I do! I used to read this one a lot starting out, it covers all the steps for basic wound care but nothing too severe that would require stitches or anything. Please be gentle with it.” Chopper giddily pulls out a very loved copy of one of the first medical guides gifted to him by Kureha. Sanji takes it into his own hands and to Chopper’s delight, it is handled with much care. Sanji nods. “Thanks, Chopper.”
“Why the sudden interest in medical aid?” Chopped asks so sweetly it almost masks the worry in his voice, wondering if Sanji is hurt and has been hiding it from the crew.
“Oh, well. It’s come up a couple times after a battle, you know. I want to help when someone’s hurt but I usually don’t do it right so…” Sanji trails off as he remembers the way he’d wrap bandages around Zoro’s toned muscles, ignoring Zoro’s insistent “I’m fine”s and how he “doesn’t need help” or whatever sort of ridiculousness he spouts so often. The girls don’t mind Sanji’s offer but don’t necessarily take him up on it, Franky does his own repairs, and Brook is a literal skeleton with no skin or muscle. Luffy is, oddly enough, rarely injured these days so Sanji doesn’t worry about him too much anymore. There’s just one blockhead who doesn’t seem to want to take care of himself properly.
Chopper smirks at the cook. “Ah, right. Yeah, he sometimes will just go to his room rather than get medical assistance when he decides it’s not worth treating. I have to hunt him down sometimes so this will save me lots of trouble. Thanks, Sanji!”
Sanji coughs, an awkward cough to fill the silence as he tries to think of what to say to get Chopper to rethink his motives.
“Well, it’s mostly for myself! You know, I know how busy you are so I thought I’d lighten your load.”Chopper grins at Sanji with a knowing gleam in his eye, clearly picked up from spending too much time with Robin.
“Right. Well, you can leave it on my desk when you’re done. Good luck with him!” Chopper’s got such a joyful tone that Sanji’s embarrassment grows instantly. What’s with the crew today? Sanji can’t understand why they all seem to be teasing him for something. There’s nothing strange going on! Can’t a man just read a few books to expand his grasp on the universe and develop a further understanding of topics that he hadn’t thought much of before? Knowledge is power, so they say!
Sanji groans. The guide is light in his hands, Chopper meant it when he said this is for basic care. There’s a lot of overexplaining to drive each point home. Sanji’s eyes dart to the illustration of what looks like a stab wound. He starts with this one and works his way back to the beginning after.
Robin skims her collection once again, not surprised at all at Sanji’s request to borrow another since he seems to have read half her library at this point. Her room door is open to allow a gentle sea breeze to fill the room along with their senses. “I have this one on conflict resolution, not sure if we need that.”
“It might've come in handy back then, I suppose. But it all worked out in the end.” Sanji earns a surprised expression from Robin with that statement. “I’ve heard of the infamous fight but never got many details. I suppose it's on a need to know basis.” Sanji shakes his head, the memory doesn't seem to be very painful. Just something he doesn't seem likely to forget. As if something in him shifted that day.
“Not at all, my flower! You're one of us so of course you're entitled to any information I have!” Sanji blows a kiss Robin’s way and she chuckles, completely ignoring it before Sanji grows a bit more serious, glancing at the open door but continuing anyway.
“Usopp and Luffy had an intense fight back in Water Seven when our first ship, Going Merry, was no longer a viable option on the sea and well,” Sanji breathes in. “-Usopp wasn't going to let her go that easily. Sentimentality and all. Moss and I had to step in. Things got ugly pretty quickly, insults were hurled and…” Sanji doesn't continue and Robin won't pry.
“They're both lucky to have you two. Every captain needs someone they can trust to guide them back home, and it seems like Luffy’s got quite a few now.” Robin’s sweet smile paired with a loving gleam in her eyes as she seems to recall some things makes Sanji’s heart swell and explode 5 times over. “You have such a way with words, Robin-chan! I’m falling in love all over again!”
Robin smiles before shoving the requested book in Sanji’s face. “Healthy Communication and What to Avoid. This one’s pretty specific, huh? Now who could really use a book like this on our crew?” Robin questions just to see Sanji turn red at the insinuation. She gets what she wants and Sanji begins to stutter, fumbling any semblance of nonchalance he had before. It’s plainly obvious what’s going on now and to try to hide it would be an insult to Robin’s intelligence.
“I know an emotionally constipated swordsman who might benefit from this book. Maybe you two can read it together?” Robin
“Can he even read?” Sanji speaks quietly now, defeated by Robin’s superior wit. He’d have it no other way, of course.
“Did you want to talk about it?” Robin remains soft and welcoming. It’s a simple question, really. Does Sanji want to talk about this strange, newfound attraction to the world’s biggest blockhead? This infatuation that Sanji would like to say just started but he knows that’s not true? The realization that everything he thought he knew about the world, about himself, it’s all wrong and different and changing every day?
“It’s- complicated I guess.” Sanji sighs before Robin places a hand over his own. “That’s okay. Life is complicated. Take all the time you need, your crew is here. And, if I may-” Robin’s tone takes on a mischievous tone and Sanji meets her eyes for the first time since this started. “-I do believe you have nothing to worry about.”
Nico Robin, a woman of many talents. Filled with charisma and charm, can read anyone like one of her many books. Cryptic at times, most times, but she knows what she’s talking about. Sanji pauses. “Meaning?”
Robin winks at the cook. “I’ve heard many things since joining the crew. The swordsman is very simple and honest and above all, isn’t ashamed of himself. You should talk to him. Nothing too revealing before you’re ready, of course but I think it would do you some good.” Robin pats Sanji’s back, gentle and warm, before walking out of her own room. Sanji thanks her internally for giving him space, mentally and physically.
All borrowed books have been returned, after a few months of studying. Sanji quietly prepares dinner for the crew to come back to after the boat docks on Trood Island, a remote little thing that doesn’t see many visitors apparently. The docks are small, not much room for a large pirate ship but the people are welcoming enough with a few exceptions, and they make room. Money is money, after all. An island this small needs customers regardless.
The cook inhales, gathering notes on his dinner and trying to pinpoint exactly what is missing. It needs something earthy, piney maybe. Sanji remembers what he’s got in stock and immediately goes for the rosemary.
Sanji goes to grab the herb and suddenly remembers what he’s been working on for the past two months. Preserved in a sealed jar, his first attempt at homemade sake continues to ferment on the shelf underneath the spices. He stares, longer than he should, at the jars containing that bullheaded mossface’s favorite drink. If you asked him why he made it, or how much effort really went into it, he wouldn’t tell you. Or, more accurately, he couldn’t. He’s not sure why. Maybe it was the desire to learn a new skill. Maybe it was the satisfaction of seeing Zoro gulp it down and being forced to admit that it’s delicious and that Sanji has succeeded in making the grumpiest crew member feel good, even just for a moment.
After adding the rosemary, Sanji turns the heat down and places the lid on the pot to allow dinner to simmer for a while. He’ll probably do the same.