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“That moron said what?!!”
At this point, Sanji – quite literally – almost spat his tea on Usopp’s face. But the cook does not waste food. Or, in this case, a warm drink.
Nami and Usopp stared at each other. Even the background music stopped for a moment, meaning that Brook had stopped playing the piano to listen to the conversation.
We-well- I- I thought you knew that Zoro said he loves-” Usopp stuttered. He stopped almost immediately when he saw Sanji’s face. “I mean, I didn’t say anything! Zoro loves his swords! And sake! That’s-”
“Ohh, come on! Stop that, Usopp!” The woman sounded tired. “Sanji-kun, I’m sorry that you heard it from us, but everyone is exhausted from this situation! It is obvious that you and Zoro love each other! If the fact that Zoro is in love with you is a surprise, or if it is something you can’t stand-”
“No. No, no, no, no. Nami-swan, that’s not it. The fact that the algae is in love with me is not the problem here. You are missing the point!”
Utterly confused, Nami blinked. For sure that was not the reaction she was expecting when she and Usopp dropped the bomb. Sanji should freak out for sure. They’ve just told him that Zoro admitted his feelings for the cook. If this was not the thing that was making Sanji go insane, then what was it?
“Sanji-kun, if you are still not comfortable with the fact that you also like guys-”
“No!! That’s not it!!” Nami-san was getting worried. He must say something so that she can stop worrying. His mind, however, was out of control. “Could you please repeat exactly what he said?”
“Hm. Zoro admitted being in love with you. He also said that he has felt that for quite a while. He said that he knew you fell for him after. He knows that you do love him. And that it is understandable how you feel, because ‘of course he does not know what to do. He just fell harder’.”
“See??!! That’s the problem!!” It’s so obvious! Why nobody understands the reason why Sanji is so livid? “He said he fell in love with me first! Before I fell in love with him! As if I could be stupid enough to not understand my own feelings! Me? Second place? Fell harder?!! Nami-san, do you know how long I have been feeling like this? Do you know for how long?!”
“As a matter of fact, Sanji-kun. We all know.” Although the way she moves her hand indicates herself, Usopp, and Brook, she meant all straw hats.
“Then you can see the problem, right? The fact that the moron just assumed that I’m stupid enough to be the second one to realize that I’m in love with him!”.
.....................
And this is how it started. The problem that had been consuming Sanji’s body and mind since Friday morning. Until now – Saturday – he hadn’t had time to come clean with the bastard. The blond was quite busy at the restaurant, trying his best to not be consumed by ideas of how to get revenge against Zoro.
It’s quite simple: it is not the fact that he just found out Zoro loves him that is making him boil. It is QUITE OBVIOUS that Zoro loves him and that he loves Zoro, even though until now none of them had openly acknowledged that. It is the fact that Zoro just assumed he – the algae – was the first one to fall in love and the first one to notice that he was in love. Who does Zoro think he is?! Some kind of love-master? The one who just understands his own feelings and feels at peace with them? Nope. Zoro cannot be the one who fell in love first because Zoro does not possess the capability for it. He does not possess the ability to understand his own feelings. He can’t be the first one, because if someone here is the first one at anything, it is Sanji. Sanji, who knows what love truly is. Mr. Romantic himself. As if Sanji could be second place in a love-related matter!!
And it gets worse!!
If Zoro is assuming he was the first one to fall in love, this means Sanji was the one who fall harder – as Zoro himself told Nami and Usopp. Oh, please! It was not Sanji. Zoro must have been the one who fell harder because anyone would fell harder for Sanji.
He can even imagine the situation. The moment when poor mosshead noticed.
“Oh! Oh no! Luffy, I’m in love with Sanji! And he is so majestic! How should I act? What should I do?!”
“Well, I’ve no idea about that, eggplant. But it’s good to know that you’ve finally noticed.”
Sanji almost dropped the bottle of oil he was carrying. At some point he started talking to himself. In his defense, his imitation of Zoro was perfect. Zeff just entered the kitchen at the wrong time.
“Oi! I wasn’t doing anything! But what do you mean by “finally noticed”?”
“Hm?” Zeff just kept doing whatever he was doing in the kitchen. “You finally understood and accepted your own feelings”, he said, as natural as if he was talking about the weather. “Broccoli boy told me that it could take some time before you could acknowledge that.”
“He said what?!! When did he talk to you?!” No. It is worse. “What did he say?!”
“Hmm. Couple months ago. He came to the restaurant. Said he was in love with you, but that you hadn’t realized yet. I agreed with him ‘bout that. Can’t say it was a surprise. At least the boy was educated and respectful enough to talk to me. He kind of wanted my permission to date you or something like that. Just not with these words exactly. He said that he didn’t need my permission to do whatever, but I must say, eggplant, it was kind, and he was brave enough to come clean with me. Boy is kind of lost in terms of geography, but he is not lost regarding his plans. He said he wanted to give you the best life ever. What else a parent could want for his child?”
Zeff’s little discourse took form while he mixed some herbs to make a sauce, completely ignoring Sanji’s astonished expression.
Honestly, does everybody know? “Are you saying he came here AGES AGO and told you he’s in love with me? And somehow, he was just possessed by the spirit of the ancient fairy of romance and made some sort of vow that he wants to live with me? Zoro? Mosshead himself?!”
“Yeah. That boy, eggplant. Now close your mouth before you start drooling on the food. It is not a surprise about the boy. You ought to finish the salad in two minutes!”
..........................
It is Sunday morning now. 6 a.m. to be precise.
After a night without sleep, the cook decided it was time to take care of this annoying situation.
For the third time he knocked on the door and repeatedly pressed the bell. Despite being early in the morning, he came prepared: Sanji was carrying tons of food. Breakfast – a distraction to-
“Who is-AHH! Sanji!! Is that food?!!”
“Yeah. Of course, it’s breakfast for this black hole you call a stomach. There is plenty of it.” A distraction for Luffy. “Is Zoro inside?”
“ ‘Course! We woke up early because he has a tournament today. It’s a two-hour drive to get there. You’re going too, right?”
“Well, captain. That depends. I have some important matters to solve prior to anything. If you’d excuse me.”
Luffy probably didn’t hear whatever Sanji said, way too distracted by the food. The blond then made his way through the familiar corridor through Luffy and Zoro’s house. Those walls hid many memories. Memories of many secret glances whenever Sanji admired the mosshead when Zoro was not looking.
See?! Of course he was the first to fall in love! There were so many moments in this house. Parties, movie nights, games. All the moments they spent together, in which Sanji – of course! - was completely aware he was in love. He. Himself. Sanji was the first one to notice. Not Zoro!
“Hey!” The cook just opened the door without knocking. He was lucky enough Zoro was almost completely dressed, although his hair was still a bit damp. The bag on the bed indicates Zoro was about to go somewhere. In this case, to the kendo tournament.
“Haven’t you heard of knocking? It is polite.”
“As if you care about politeness.”
Zoro just smirked while he got a coat from inside the closet. “Did you bring me food before the tournament, cook? That’s nice of you. I always knew you cared. But you know Luffy lives here, right?”
“Cut the crap, you idiot. What is this gossip that you are in love with me?”
For a second, Zoro hesitated. He was probably not prepared to deal with this information early in the morning. But as quick as he hesitated, it disappeared. He just grinned slightly.
“Not a gossip, curly. Quite honestly, I wasn’t expecting to talk about my feelings today. Not early this morning. But it is true. I’m in love with you”. If Zoro was just pretending to be confident about confessing his feelings, he was doing an excellent job. He said those final words without stuttering. He didn’t hide his face or anything. Just stared at Sanji, saying the words the cook dreamed of hearing for quite a while now.
Sanji’s legs were turning into jelly. He was sure there were flowers blossoming inside his stomach. His heart was, at the same time, louder than any music and faster than any train.
But it doesn’t matter. His jelly legs were firm when he hits Zoro with one of them. The swordsman blocked the attack on the last second. “Oi! What the fuck?! Are you trying to injure me before the tournament? I just told you I love you! Is that what you do with someone who’s in love with you?!” Zoro frowned. Now he seemed as pissed off as Sanji.
“Yeah! ‘Cause you told everybody you fell in love with me first!!”
“... Yeah?”
“And that’s a lie! I can’t believe you’re spreading misinformation!”
“What do you mean by ‘misinformation’? Can’t I tell people that I love you? Because it is quite obvious. And it is also obvious that you’ve been pining over me too! I love you. You love me. It can’t be clearer than that!”
“That’s the problem!! You told everyone you fell in love first!!” Why can’t Zoro understand that? “As if you were enlightened enough to come clean with your own feelings. Zoro, it is you! You’re not a romantic person. You wouldn’t be able to understand that you are in love with me BEFORE I understand that I was in love with you!”
“Ehhh? You came to my house early in the morning because you’re annoyed by the fact that I fell in love first and because I realized first that I was in love with you??” That’s it? That’s the enormous problem? Not Zoro’s confession? “Are you out of your mind? I just confessed to you, and you’re angry about not being the first one?”
“Yes! Isn’t it obvious? How could anyone believe that I was not able to see love when it was right in front of me?! It is me! I breathe romance! Between you and me, it is impossible that I would be second place in anything. Including falling in love with you.”
“You’re making no sense at all, cook. You’re just pissed because you’re second place in falling in love.”
“Yes!!”
“Then we have a problem. Because it’s obvious that I was the first to fall in love. Not you. I fell first.” Zoro admitted. Then, he smirked again. “You fell harder.”
“No!! I fell first! You were the one who fell harder!”
“Now, Sanji. Who is the one telling lies, uh? If you’d excuse me, I have to go. Or I’ll be late.” He grabbed his bag. Now Zoro was also mad with Sanji. “Just accept that you’re in second place, cook. It will be better for all of us.”
.....................
“Let me see if I understood. You and Zoro-bro are in love with each other.”
“Yes.”
“You’re both aware that you are in love. He confessed his feelings.”
“Yes.”
“But instead of being all lovey-dovey or having crazy mind-blowing sex, you are mad at each other because he says he was the first one to fall in love. And you, the second.”
“Precisely.”
“But you are saying you were the first. Not Zoro.”
“Yes.”
“And you fought because neither of you wants to be the supposed number two?”
“Yes.”
“But you love him.”
“Unfortunately, I do.”
“And he loves you.”
“That’s what I said.”
“That’s way too complex, Sanji-bro. Even to me!”
Here is the situation: they all came to watch Zoro’s tournament. It is no surprise that Zoro has been winning all his fights so far. He does seem more pissed than usual though. Franky understood the reason why Zoro was so angry this morning after a not-so-clear conversation with Sanji.
It makes no sense at all. But when did those two make sense?
Now they were mad at each other. And no one seemed to understand or care about Sanji’s side (the REAL side).
“It looks like you are quite troubled by that, Sanji.”
At least Robin understands. She was helping Sanji with the picnic they were about to have in the park near competition venue. It was a warm spring morning, and they were all having fun while also cheering for Zoro.
“Oh, Robin-chan! What else could I do?! That moron just lied to everyone instead of confessing he was the one who fell later and harder, you know? I can’t lose!”
“And what is there to lose?”
“Robin-chan, you’re the smartest person I know. You are brilliant. Amazing! But even you don’t seem to understand my problem here. How could I not realize sooner than than him?” Why doesn’t anyone understand Sanji? Zoro’s plan and lies were way too orchestrated. Now all their friends were on Zoro’s side. The lying side. The wrong side. The second-place side. “I was the first, Robin-chan. He was the one who fell harder.”
“What am I hearing? Curly, are you lying to our friends about our relationship?” Zoro finally joined them. He was wearing his regular clothes now, enjoying his lunch break before the final two matches in the afternoon.
He grabbed a tuna sandwich after smiling at Robin. Sanji knows that smile. It is the smile that says “don’t believe him, Robin. He’s crazy”.
“I’m telling them the true, mosshead. After all the misinformation you shared! And just wait a minute! What relationship?!”
“Our relationship, curly. I love you. You love me. We love each other. We’re in a relationship now.” In front of all their friends, Zoro was finally blushing. He was trying his best to act as if this was all normal to them. Even with all their friends now staring at them, waiting for the next chapter of the soap opera unfolding before their eyes. Poor Chopper almost clapped, happy for their friends. But he was smart enough to not do anything.
“Okay, let’s solve this right here, right now, then.” Full of self-confidence, Sanji turned towards the straw hats. “Let’s vote, shall we? Those who think I fell in love first, please raise your hands.”
When Nami, Usopp, Chopper and Brook raised their hands, Sanji smiled.
“Well then. Who here thinks Sanji actually noticed after me that he was in love with me, and that I fell first, raise your hands.”
This time, Robin, Franky, Jimbe, and even Luffy raised their hands. Even Luffy!
“Hm. It’s a draw, isn’t it?” Robin smiled again.
“I can’t believe you, people.” Sanji sighed and momentarily gave up. For the moment, he had hungry mouths to feed. He could deal with his friends later. Talk to them. Help them see the truth.
...........................
“Is it really unbearable?”
Breaking the silence inside the car, Zoro sounded so broken it brought a knot to Sanji’s throat.
“Hm?”
“To accept that I fell in love with you first. Is it unbearable that I love you?”
For someone who had just won the tournament, he sounded defeated.
Inside the car, just the two of them were making the journey back home. Luffy was ‘kidnapped’ by Franky and Robin. Instead of Luffy, the backseat of the car now had a shiny trophy. Another one for Zoro’s collection.
Sanji, of course, was the driver. Because he prefers to drive rather than give Zoro directions. Speaking of the devil, Zoro tried his best to admire the landscape. But it was all too much, you know?
“I’ve told you before. There is nothing wrong with you being in love with me. It’s- It is the opposite, actually. Even though I knew that you loved me, deep inside my mind I never really believed that-”
“That it was true.”
“No. That I deserved it. Your love.”
“Oh!”
“Yeah. ‘Oh!’.”
“But I do. I love you.”
“I know you do.”
“Then why does it matter if I was the first-”
“’Cause it makes me the stupid one who was blind to this feeling and the one who ignored you, and hurt you because I was not acknowledging that, you idiot!”
“Then... You’re feeling ashamed that you supposedly hurt my feelings because you didn’t notice them earlier?”
“Yeah. That’s pretty much it. I am the most knowledgeable person in the matters of love and romance.”
“Tsk. That’s pretty lame.”
“Lame? I’ve just said that I fear I destroyed your little heart and you’re saying it’s lame? See, that is exactly why there is no way you could have been the first to fall in love. I say something romantic. I’m here opening my heart while driving us home, and you’re saying that me being worried about your feelings for me is lame.”
“No, curly. You’re cute worrying about me. But it is quite stupid of you to be ignoring all the things we could be doing just because you're stubborn.”
“You are stubborn too, you know?”
“I am.”
The car finally stopped in front of Zoro’s house. Instead of getting out, they remained inside the vehicle. Both of them waiting for something. Some sort of sign.
The butterflies were back floating inside Sanji’s belly. He also felt his cheeks warming up.
“In this case, we must solve this situation.”
“We do. How do you suggest we do that, if both of us are quite stubborn, Mr. Moss.”
“What if..” Zoro is quite handsome, you know? In particular when his face is slightly red. The swordsman brought his hand up, holding Sanji’s chin. Gently, as if the cook could break at any moment. “What if...” What if he kisses Sanji already, hm? “What if I kiss you right now, Sanji?”
Yes. Yes, please, kiss me.
“Then I’ll be the one who fell first. And the one who kissed first.”
“What the hell?!” Magic? Fuck the magic of romance! How could he?! “Are you serious right now? You know what? If you’re thinking those lips are touching mine first, then you’re completely mistaken, moss! I’ll be the first one to kiss!”
“Really?” Zoro smiled. If he sounded broke before, now he just sounded happy. He sounded like Zoro. “I don’t see you doing anything to achieve the goal of being the first. If you really want to tell people you’re the one who started our first kiss, then-Ooohp!”
There were lips touching now. Mouths exploring each other. Sanji was way too eager, almost jumping on Zoro’s lap. The cook not only wanted to prove that he was the first one to initiate their first kiss. He wanted to make sure that it was THE kiss. The kiss the mosshead would never forget.
At the same time, Sanji also wanted to enjoy as much as he could. After all, his traitorous mind kept saying he did not deserve it. Well, fuck that tiny negative voice inside his mind. He was here now. Kissing and being kissed back. Belonging to someone he loved. Someone who loved him back. His best friend.
“So,” Sanji was out of breath. Zoro was still planting kisses on the corner of his mouth and on his cheek. Hands were running down everywhere he could touch. “Are you ready to admit that I was the first one here?”
Lazily and satisfied, they smiled to each other. They also got out of the car and walked towards the door.
“Yes. ‘Course, curly. You’re the one who kissed first.”
“And you’re the one who- Oh, no.”
“Oh, yes, curly. This time, I’m the one who kissed harder.” The green bastard smirked. Out of nowhere, when he opened the door, he grabbed Sanji, carrying him like a bride, with one arm underneath his knees and the other holding his back. With the movement, the blond gasped.
He was about to retort that Zoro couldn’t be the one who kissed harder.
“If you insist on being the first, curly, then I’ll be the “harder” one. Indeed, I have something else hard that I can show you.”
Sanji turned red as a tomato when Zoro closed the door with his foot.
He could be number one. But he was fucked.
...............
“You know, I’m glad you solved your problem.”
“Thanks, Luffy.”
“You’re happy now. All I want is for my friends to be happy.” The captain grinned while he continued eating his breakfast. Usopp also smiled. The four of them were enjoying the morning together. There was plenty of tasty food and Zoro and Sanji were exchanging touches and smiles.
“Mosshead was kind enough to admit that I was the first in terms of kissing in our relationship. We are at peace.”
“It’s wrong,” Luffy casually commented. Three heads turned towards him. “Zoro kissed you first. Three years ago. At Vivi’s Christmas party. You were both drunk. Nami said you were crying because no one wanted to kiss you. Then Zoro said he was the only one who could do it. Then he kissed you. He was the first.”
“Ah! See, Curly? I’m collecting “firsts” as I collect victories after matches. And since you told me last night that I was your first as well, this means-”
“Zoro,” Sanji breathed. He closed his eyes for a moment, before staring at his boyfriend. (His boyfriend!!!). “Just shut up before you regret it.”