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Chapter Text

Kuina is different with the cook and it pisses Zoro off.

From the moment they met, the cook had noodled all over her and Nami, stupid hearts in his eyes and stupid pervert face to match his stupid swirl eyebrows.

When he served Kuina a cocktail that smelled like it had so much alcohol in it that it would burst into flame if there were so much as a spark, Kuina had made a bragging face at Zoro over its rim. 

Then Mihawk happened and Zoro hadn’t given the waiter much thought what with being cut practically in half and Kuina having her arm nearly sliced off in turn.

It wasn’t until they made it over Reverse Mountain that Zoro started to notice their dynamic a little more.

The waiter would swirl and serve the ladies and throw insults to the guys on the Merry. That was to be expected he guessed, but what was weird was the way Kuina would respond to the idiot’s attention.

Zoro watched her wink at the cook causing him to stumble.

He would watch Kuina tower over Sanji with her 6’7” form, as they were working on the sails, her arm muscles bulging over his head. Zoro watched the way his face would turn tomato red, and he would begin to stutter and look at her with wide, wide eyes.

When they disembarked on Little Garden, Kuina put her hand on the small of the cook’s back, her large hand covering his small waist. At the bottom Sanji had slipped and Kuina scooped him into her well muscled arm and the cook practically fainted, resting his entire weight in her hold.

Zoro had glared at him, “get your shit together, shit cook. You’re not going to catch even a lizard if you’re fainting like some princess.”

Sanji had instantly snapped back to himself, moving and pressing his forehead angrily against Zoro’s, proposing a hunting competition as Kuina just looked on in amusement at their antics.

It wasn’t until they got to Alabasta and met Ace that Zoro realized that Kuina was treating Sanji the way he treats ladies and Sanji is responding like a blushing maiden.

Ace is practically smouldering at the cook, complimenting him and offering to help, or even moving to do the dishes, standing real close to Sanji.

A light blush dusts Sanji’s fair cheeks as he responds that he can’t allow a guest to be put to work, only for Ace to respond by moving even more into his space.

Kuina practically growls as she stands from the small table where the crew had been chatting as Sanji tidied. She stalks over to the sink and crowds Sanji in, cutting off Ace’s access to him. Sanji’s face is bright red again as he gazes up at Kuina.

Zoro has to gnash his teeth to keep from growling at her in turn, but it seems no one noticed except Sanji who’s blue eyed gaze flicks to meet Zoro’s over Kuina’s wide shoulder and somehow his face goes even more red.

Ace scowls at Kuina over Sanji’s head, and their eyes zap with competition which makes Zoro’s hackles rise even more because Kuina is his rival goddammit and Sanji is his sparring partner and they both need to keep their paws off him but Zoro forces himself to look away from the trio.

He sees Luffy watching them all and he just offers a big grin and a loud shishishi laugh at their antics.

In the desert Kuina and Ace keep vying for the cook’s attentions, egging each other on in the heat. Offering him extra water, retrieving scorpions for him to cook, Kuina going the extra mile to tower over him so he’s shaded from the sun under her large form.

Sanji eventually begs away and walks by Zoro, checking on Chopper being pulled on the sled. 

They walk side by side, shoulder to shoulder, silent but companionable.

When Ace leaves, Kuina is watching with a critical eye as he kisses Sanji’s precious hand, ever the gentleman, but Nami saying so makes Luffy cackle so Zoro is guessing there’s a story there that they may never find out, knowing Luffy.

Kuina glares at Ace’s back once he departs. “Finally. It’s bad enough with you on the ship.”

“Hah?!” Zoro chokes on what little water they have remaining.

“Oh please, I’ve seen they way you look at Sanji. You practically have to, with your proclivity for the number 3,” She teases, pulling at Zoro’s left ear making his earrings tinkle together.

Zoro growls at her and draws his swords, and Kuina responds in record time, parrying and matching his blows.

Finally she’s able to get a sword to his neck but it’s been taking longer and longer for the matches to be called.

“Oh, Kuina-san you’re so strong!” Sanji cheers and twirls around her, celebrating her every win the same way. Lighting his cigarette, Sanji exhales, a “Better luck next time, Moss” while hanging of Kuina’s arm.

Zoro can feel his cheeks heat and he has to turn his head away from the duo.

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Robin joining the crew after Alabasta changed the dynamic only a little. She treats the cook more similarly to Nami than Kuina, but there are moments when she’ll brush a strand of hair out of Sanji’s face, the sweet compliments she offers about his cooking, and fawning that makes Sanji even worse.

Kuina and Robin feed off of each other, working together to make Sanji blush and stutter all over himself until he has to choose either retreat or pass out.

When he retreats he always makes his way to Zoro’s side, smoking as his cheeks cool down.

They’re always quiet in moments like these, when Sanji seeks him out. Zoro doesn’t tease him the way the girls do, doesn’t think he knows how.

He rests his hand on Wado as Kuina ventures over to their peace and Kuina shoots him a grin as sharp as Zoro’s sword that sits on her hip, Toratsume, having made the exchange after Kuina’s near death experience when she was 12, vowing that they will carry each other to the title of Greatest if something were to happen to one.

She’s warded away for the moment and Sanji pets Zoro’s hair when he finally stands up, like a reward for guard dog that did it’s job well.

It makes Zoro’s scalp tingle, which he tries to forget.

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Skypeia is a challenge and adventure all in one, battles and celebrations keeping them on their toes.

Sanji was struck by lighting and Zoro watches as Kuina rubs salve into Sanji’s pale skin that’s lined with traced lightning that Chopper promises will fade with time and treatment.

She’s scolding him and Zoro never thought he’d see the day where Sanji mopes instead of saying something idiotic and chivalrous.

“Promise you won’t sacrifice yourself again,” Kuina demands, holding Sanji’s head in her big hands, his wet blue eyes gazing up at her and Zoro’s stomach rolls at the relationship his two rivals have fostered.

Sanji won’t promise her that though, Zoro knows. Sanji will never stand by and let a lady get hurt over him, even if that lady is one like Kuina, big and strong on her own.

Zoro drinks with Kuina as they watch Sanji dance in the firelight, his lost inhibitions making him beautiful.

He’s had enough to drink that he asks Kuina without embarrassment, “So, are you guys in love or something?”

Kuina laughs, saying no. She takes another swig of her beer, “Sanji doesn’t give himself a lot of care. He’s all about giving, giving away pieces of himself, as much as he can and… this is my way of offering some parts back to him. You do it too.”

“Hah?” Zoro chokes.

Kuina smiles down at him indulgently, like she’s so much older than him instead of just one measly year.

“Have you not noticed?” Kuina laughs.

“No!” Zoro can feel his cheeks heating up.

Still indulgent, Kuina lounges back in her seat, a sprawl fit for royalty. “You do. You let him retreat to you when it becomes too much.”

Face scrunching in concentration, Zoro asks, “When what becomes too much?” 

Kuina shrugs, “Dunno. Sanji’s weird. I’ve asked him before, about his family or childhood, innocuous things. But he always gets squirrely and makes an excuse to come find you.”

“He just knows I don’t ask stupid questions that are none of my business.”

She laughs in response, but her eyes are tracking their crew, before finding Sanji and staying there. “He’s good for you. I like that you push each other.”

“We push each other,” Zoro grouses, pushing Kuina’s shoulder roughly.

“We’re different,” Kuina shoves him back, a shoving match ensuing, just like when they were little.

Sanji must’ve been watching because he rushes them, leg raised to kick Zoro, but Kuina grabs him around his hips and deposits him in her lap before the blow can land.

Sanji goes along with it instantly, wraps a lanky arm around her shoulder, and begins chatting about the weird spices and shit Skypeia has when Kuina asks. He’s prattling on and on until he cuts himself off abruptly, practically leaping from her lap, “Kuina-san! I can’t believe I’ve been ranting at you like this and taking advantage of your–!” 

Watching Sanji grab his own hair and pulling roughly, Zoro interrupts, thrusting his tankard against Sanji’s ugly shirt, “Waiter, go get me a refill.”

Sanji whips his head around to Zoro, a scowl eclipsing his previous panic. “Who’re you calling waiter, you shitty swordsman?”

Zoro presses his forehead to Sanji’s, circling each other and posturing, before they each break away drawing their weapons of choice and trade glancing blows back and forth in a complicated dance that they’re becoming well practiced at.

Fighting with Sanji is different from fighting Kuina. Somehow smoother, despite their difference in weapons and not knowing each other for long. There’s heat, passion, that burns differently than it does with her, a steady build and slow dissipation.

When their fight finally ends, Sanji turns away, lighting a cigarette, but Zoro can see the grin on his lips that he’s trying to suppress. He walks away in confident strides without a word.

Zoro reclaims his seat beside Kuina, avoiding her knowing looks as he wipes the sweat from his brow.

Sanji reappears a few moments later with carrying three tankards full of beer. He passes Kuina one, “Here you are, my dear.”

He sloshes one of the other two in Zoro’s direction, somehow knowing just the angle to make Zoro panic a little but not waste a drop.

And instead of sitting next to Kuina like Zoro expects, Sanji surprisingly drops into a careless sprawl on the other side of Zoro and he has to think back at what Kuina said, Zoro giving Sanji a space to retreat to.

They sit in silence for a moment, the three of them basking in their camaraderie before Zoro takes a noisy slurp of his beer and belches. 

Sanji glares at him but Kuina laughs and gives one herself, turning it into a burping competition that Sanji groans and laughs at in equal measure, whatever tension he carries melting off his shoulders and leaving him looking like the 19 year old man he is.

They cajole him into joining and he lets out one small burp on his 3rd refill that Robin keeps dropping off for him, that sends Zoro and Kuina into fits of laughter which Sanji joins in on too, face glowing red from the drink and embarrassment.

Eventually he leans into Zoro’s shoulder still laughing but slowing, the night eventually getting to him as he slowly blinks himself to sleep, leaning against Zoro.

Kuina nudges him gently as she stands, leaving the two of them to rest and recover together.

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Water 7 had started out so well and then it all quickly went to shit and suddenly they were all sent in separate directions chasing different leads and Sanji was alone on a train with a bunch of marines and maniacs.

Kuina was quiet but angry, quick to draw her sword at any inconvenience they faced, which was usually Zoro’s thing thank-you-very-much, but Zoro understands why she’s on edge and he doesn’t like it either.

When they get the snail call from Sanji, Kuina and Zoro speak over each other telling the cook that he’s in over his head, that these guys are strong and he needs to wait for backup and they’re on their way.

Sanji growls back over the snail, obviously meant for Zoro as he would never think to do so to Kuina, “you worried about me, Mossy?”

Zoro bites a harsh, “Yes, you idiot.” While Kuina steals the snail, “Sanji, these guys are dangerous, you didn’t see them. You can’t do this alone, please listen.”

The snail goes all heart eyed at the term of endearment before sobering, “I’m sorry, my dear, but I won’t let them take Robin.”

“S–” 

Luffy snatches the snail, smile in his voice, “Okay, Sanji. We’re behind you. Give them hell.”

The snail gives a shark grin, “On it, Captain.” and the snail clicks as he hangs up.

“Luffy,” Kuina is mad, her hand fingering the neck of her sword, nearly ready to draw.

Zoro himself is glaring at their captain.

“You guys are so silly. If you were in Sanji’s place, had the opportunity to change the tides, but someone told you to stay put, would you?”

He and Kuina don’t have responses for that, glancing at each other before deflating, resigned to whatever Sanji’s fate might be without them there to help.

It’s not long, but it feels like hours before Sanji is pulled into the train along with Sniper King.

Sanji does his typical noodling and twirling around Nami and Kuina, “were you worried about me, lovelies?”

Nami scoffs but she has tears in her eyes and Kuina takes Sanji’s hands in hers, looking them over and Zoro feels another pang in his chest at their casual closeness, Sanji allowing Kuina what he would never offer to Zoro.

Zoro turns away but can’t help but overhear Kuina mildly scolding the cook, a loud kiss against his knuckle, like Sanji is a princess and Kuina is his knight, and calling over Chopper.

“What’d you do to your hands, shit cook?” Zoro growls as Chopper wraps his knuckles.

“Nothing, really, Kuina-san just noticed some scuffs and such, no big deal.”

Kuina looks down at Sanji, her strong arm draped over his shoulder, making him look tiny next to her bulk. 

“Chh,” Zoro scoffs.

“You fought with your hands, with blades,” Kuina accuses.

Sanji shrugs, but doesn’t dislodge her arm.

Zoro raises an eyebrow and Sanji scowls back, so Zoro lets the topic drop.

Sanji gives his report, Sniper King says something ridiculous, and they crash into the island, full steam ahead and things start moving faster from there.

They all split up, all have their own fights and Zoro’s not worried one bit. His crew is strong and they rescue Robin in no time.

Sanji sits by Zoro on the Merry, once the cannonfire has faded into the sound of the ocean and they’ve made their escape.

“You did your spy thing again.”

Sanji looks at him with an unreadable expression, lighting a cigarette and breathing it out with a heavy sigh. “I didn’t think anyone had noticed.”

“You’re always doing dangerous shit, I’m not surprised about that. Shocked Kuina didn’t follow after you like a bodyguard,” Zoro scoffs.

“She’s some lady,” Sanji sighs dreamily, puffing smoke in the shape of hearts.

Zoro deliberately blows the smoke trail, disfiguring the shapes.

Sanji scowls at him before it melts into a grin. “We’re getting stronger, all of us.”

Zoro knocks his shoulder against Sanji’s who knocks back harder.

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Thriller Bark is difficult in new ways, Moria’s powers a stupid challenge followed by Kuma’s shocking appearance.

Kuina had been knocked back into a crumbling wall by Kuma’s power when she raised her sword to him. Kuma had rumbled that she was lucky with the way she landed, it could’ve killed her.

Zoro is forced to slow down, cool his own hot head and work the problem, barter for his captain’s head and make sure the crew is safe.

Sanji throws a wrench into things when he tries to take over the deal but Zoro will not let him and knocks him out with prejudice. The way his fingertips brush down Zoro’s arm… Well, Zoro has to get over it pretty quick because Kuma tosses him a bubble of Luffy’s pain after that.

Recovering, Zoro gazes down at Sanji and then over at Luffy and Kuina. If he can get them all out of here safe, he will. But they have to have a moment of levity before they find him, whoever it is: Sanji, Kuina, Luffy, fuck even that skeleton.

He leads Kuma away from them, not a glance back.

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He comes to with Sanji and Kuina hovering over him, Chopper in Sanji’s lap. Those two are asleep, Sanji leaning against Kuina’s shoulder with her arm wrapped around him, but Kuina’s gunmetal eye catches his as Zoro forces his eyes open even though they feel heavy enough to drag him back under.

“It was almost you this time,” She whispers, carding a hand through Chopper’s downy hair.

“Almost,” Zoro agrees, closing his eyes again and falling back asleep, knowing he’s well protected; Kuina at his side and Sanji at his back.

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Sabaody is a flash; all running and violence after playtime at an amusement park, blood and slavery under a facade of grass and bubbles. The world is a strange place and it just gets darker on the horizon.

Getting away from the low level marines is easy, a breeze compared to Enies Lobby, even if Zoro’s stitches have reopened.

It’s when Kuma, or something that looks like Kuma, shows up that things really go to shit.

Lasers and flashes of light burning close by, stopped only by a quick acting crew.

Usopp standing straight backed between Zoro and an enemy they both know they aren’t strong enough to face yet. 

Sanji is racing towards him and Kuina is raising her blade as Kuma swings his paw against Zoro and suddenly the world is speeding by around him, everything he’s known and loved gone in a pop, like a bubble that was there and gone in the blink of an eye.

Chapter Text

Kuina steps onto the dock at Sabaody at the exact same time as Zoro.

Their eyes caught each other and lightning stuck through them, as if no time had passed at all. Without a word they both race off to Shakky’s bar that they can see high on the hilltop.

Zoro takes a few shortcuts but Perona’s hollows keep him from straying too far from a beaten path. Somehow Zoro makes it there a breath before Kuina and he pumps an arm in the air in victory.

Kuina puffs, “Not fair! Some girl asked for my autograph.”

“Hmph, sounds like something someone in second place would say.”

Kuina scowl and wrestles to try to get him into a headlock but Zoro is faster now, having trained with Mihawk for 2 years.

They’re laughing as they evade and advance on each other, like no time has passed at all.

“You two! You’re disturbing the peace,” Shakky smokes, playing up at being annoyed, so much like Sanji. She pours them a drink which the 2 swordspeople clink together before chugging the beer down quickly and slamming empty mugs down onto the table.

Kuina belches and Zoro belches louder.

“Had a good 2 years?” Kuina asks, as they sip their second beers slower.

“The beginning was hard, but it ended up okay. I got sent to Mihawk’s island and he agreed to train me. I’ve gotten much stronger, so you better have trained too.”

“Oh, just you wait. I was on Arthurean Isle where they fight in armoured suits, some were even made out of seastone. You wouldn’t believe what I can do now.”

Zoro thumbs his sword when suddenly Perona is there, smacking his arm. “No swordfighting, I’m so tired of swordfighting. Introduce me to your friend,” she demands.

“Kuina, Perona,” Zoro grunts.

“Oh, you were one of the ones I didn’t meet at Thriller Bark,” Perona muses, offering her hand to shake.

Kuina bends to kiss the back of Perona’s pale hand. Zoro expected the pink girl to wipe the touch off, deeming it gross, but to Zoro’s surprise she blushes a deep pink and gazes up at Kuina as she stands to her new 7’2” height.

“A pleasure. I’m sorry you’ve had to put up with my little idiot.”

“Little!” Zoro scowls, despite his height that’s barely scraping 6 foot nothing.

“Oh he was just awful! No manners! Not even cute! He would bleed all over the place!”

“Like that’s my fault!”

“Thank you for getting him here, he would’ve been lost without you, I’m sure.”

Perona sniffs in agreement and orders some fruity pink drink from Shakky.

The rest of the crew shuffles in, one after another as the two year mark gets closer. Each meeting is like coming home.

Kuina spies Sanji first from her higher vantage as she drags Zoro away from the fishing boat.

Sanji twirls to her, his nose already bleeding a little, fawning over her and admiring her more solid form.

Kuina cleans the blood beneath his nose with a pale handkerchief, causing the cook to stutter and blush.

Kuina bows to be on eye level with him, her large calloused hand raising his scruffy chin so he’ll look directly into her eyes, “I’ve missed you, my flower.”

“Lady Kuina!” Sanji squeaks and covers his tomato red face with his hands, blood already coating his upper lip again.

Zoro huffs and Sanji looks around her, directly at him.

“Who’s been feeding you?” The cook immediately demands, breaking away from Kuina and squaring up, wrapping a pale hand against the swell of Zoro’s arm.

Zoro can’t help it and flexes, letting the muscles bulge and the veins pop to the surface. He flashes his silver eye at Sanji and sees a bit of blood dripping from his nose again. 

Quirking an eyebrow, Zoro smirks, “You okay there, Curlybrow?”

Sanji is immediately jumping away and scowling while Kuina fusses over him, wiping at his nosebleed again. 

“Thank you, Kuina,” Sanji smiles and takes the cloth from her to blot at his own face, finally. He opens his mouth to say more but there’s an explosion in the distance and they all exchange eye contact and mutter Luffy with vast amounts of fondness before running to the direction of the explosion.

Zoro goes to take a shortcut but Sanji pulls him back onto the path as they run side by side, Kuina behind them, already drawing her sword.

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Fishman island is an easy introduction to the New World; Sanji fawning over the mermaids and the mermaids fawning over Kuina who drapes an arm around the cook’s tapered waist to keep him in hand.

The fight was fun; that drunk swordsman an interesting challenge.

Making an enemy out of Big Mom right out of the gate wasn’t necessarily on their To-Do list but it was bound to happen sooner or later.

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Law is the same as Kuina with Sanji after all the body swapping shit was fixed and they’re off Punk Hazard.

He’s all smirks and low-voiced chatter in some language that none of the rest of them speak.

It pisses Zoro off and Kuina is scowling next to him as they watch over their cook’s prepwork.

Law says something and Sanji laughs before glancing over at the crew’s swordwielders, eyes shockingly fond, watching them glare between him and Law, who just smirks back.

They keep chatting but eventually Sanji begs off to do something else while the stew simmers on the stove, the smell of meat and veggies likely to draw Luffy to the galley soon. 

“Don’t let Luffy touch the food. It still needs to cook for another hour or so,” Sanji warns, throwing his pink panda apron in Zoro’s direction while he’s distracted glaring daggers at Law.

Zoro sputters, struggling to get out of the tangle of apron without damaging it.

“Pft,” Sanji laughs, pulling the offending fabric from Zoro’s head and pressing it to his meaty chest.

Zoro crosses his arms, blush evident on his cheeks, “Don’t take too long, Curls.”

“Yeah, we aren’t good hosts,” Kuina adds, flashing a dangerous smile at where Law is slouched.

Sanji moves quickly after that, calling that he’ll be back soon, my darling Kuina.

Law smirks at them, refusing to be cowed, his sprawl calm and arrogant. “Which one of you is in love with him?”

“Him,” Kuina points at Zoro with her thumb.

“What! No I’m not! Not even! How dare– Kuina! I can’t believe you would even–! When you are–!” Zoro sputters, his voice a higher pitch than he’s made in years.

Kuina and Law exchange a knowing glance just before Luffy springs into the galley, bouncing around the room until he lands on Law and immediately wraps around him, dominating the conversation, saving Zoro from further embarrassment.

Kuina is enjoying this now, loves seeing both the swordmen blushing high on their cheeks. She spreads out on the bench, her bulk taking up more than half of it.

Sanji saunters back in a few minutes later, a new outfit on and his hair still wet. He takes in the scene, hands on his hips; Luffy crowding Law and chattering at him loudly, Kuina smiling and taking up most of the bench with Zoro taking up the other portion, face still red.

Sanji approaches the duo, Kuina snatching him and setting him in her lap. Sanji allows it for a moment while they all chat, but soon he’s squirming out of her reach to look at his stew.

“Hmmm, not quite yet,” Sanji hums, glaring at Luffy to see if he’s going to bum rush him or complain about having to wait longer but their captain is mostly occupied with Law’s tattoos, seeing what words he can spell with the word death on each hand.

Law is surprisingly docile about being manhandled which lets the swordbearers finally relax around him.

Sanji nudges Zoro to scoot closer to Kuina’s bulk and he sits down close on his other side so they’re pressed thigh to thigh, feeling the warmth of each other’s bodies.

Sanji lights a cigarette, not paying attention to Law and Kuina who both smirk at Zoro. Zoro scowls at them but it is quickly wiped away when Sanji looks up and begins insulting Zoro for making dumb faces at Kuina.

They fight like usual, or they would have, if the air around them didn’t feel so different, pressed so close together.

Slowly the banter tapers off and Sanji is petting through Zoro’s green hair, tugging at it every once in a while, Zoro’s eye slipping closed under the cook’s attention.

“You practically have him purring, little one,” Kuina comments, breaking both men out of their trance, coming back to the realization that they’re not alone.

Sanji jumps up and away from Zoro, his blond hair covering as much of his face as he can.

Zoro himself hides his own bright red face in his sword callused hands. “Kuina,” his growl smothered in his palms.

“Nananana!” Kuina laughs, Law and Luffy joining in.

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The arrival at Dressrosa was almost fun; the stupid disguises and tagging along with Sanji’s usual spy shit but things changed so fast– getting separated so soon was not part of the plan, especially with Zoro getting his sword taken and Sanji mooning after some random girl.

Soon enough half the crew was separated; Nami, Brook, Chopper, Momo, Kuina, and Sanji.

It definitely makes things harder, no one there to watch his back, but they make it through the birdcage and escape that blind gambler and Zoro has to trust that Sanji and Kuina have kept everyone safe.

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Getting to Zou and finding that Sanji had been taken was a shock.

Kuina was nearly boiling over with rage, where she is usually the calm one between them.

She zeroes in on Zoro, who’s pretending at nonchalance. “You’re not worried about him?” She demands, voice as sharp as Zoro’s sword on her hip.

“He can take care of himself. You act like he’s not strong on his own. He is. If he went with them he knows that he can handle it.”

“I know he’s strong!” Kuina shouts. “I also know that there are things that he can’t handle! Because unlike you, I ask him personal questions.”

“You tease and bother him with personal questions.”

“Feh!” Kuina spits, drawing her sword and coming at Zoro head on.

They fight, leading each other away from crew and wandering eyes, and after a moment, Zoro actually has the upper hand. He sets the flat of his blade against her chest, pressing her against the thick trunk of a Zou tree.

“You have to calm down,” Zoro growls. “That was way too easy. You’re no good to Sanji if you’re flying off the rails like this.”

Kuina takes a deep, shuddering breath, hot tears springing into her eyes, but she blinks them away harshly.

“I wasn’t able to keep him safe,” she whispers.

Zoro releases her and eases her to the ground where they lean against each other in the shade.

“He’ll be fine, he’s strong. He’ll be back.”

“I’m worried.”

Zoro sighs, “me too. A little bit.”

Kuina smiles weakly, nudging him, “A little bit?”

“A tiny bit. Like barely a speck.”

Kuina hums and they sit in companionable silence for a bit before they’re feeling ready to rejoin the crew for this ill-timed celebration.

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Kuina goes with the other half of the crew to get Sanji. Zoro’s not sure if he’s jealous of her or not, but he’s confident the cook is fine and will be brought back quickly.

The longer they’re separated, the more annoyed Zoro gets and the more pent up he is, the more he roams searching for a worthy challenger, since both of his usual partners are no where to be seen.

Luckily, many in Wano are up for the challenge— though Zoro usually has an easy time with any who are foolhardy enough to try their luck against him.

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Finally he spies Kuina, standing by the kabuki theatre, her hand casually on her sword as a subtle threat to the milling people around her.

“Ah, Zorojuro,” She husks, eyes still watching the crowd. “It’s good to see you haven’t gotten too lost.”

“Glad Big Mom didn’t eat you, O’Kina.”

“She got close; if Sangoro hadn’t acted as fast as he had, I might have been down a few limbs right now.”

“It’s his fault you went in the first place,” Zoro huffs, looking her over to make sure she is not missing any limbs.

“Hmm, I would follow him anywhere,” Kuina promises, standing tall.

“Oh, you joke,” Sanji says as he exits from the back of the theatre to meet them. His hair is different from Zoro’s, much more feminine in style than Zoro had expected. His eyes are lined in black with spots of red in the corner to accentuate their angles. His lips are painted blue but the center is a bright, teasing red.

“I would never joke about that,” Kuina promises, offering him an arm. Sanji gladly takes it, using her as a balance because his shoes make him nearly her height.

“What’re you supposed to be, Browgoro?” Zoro asks, his tongue thick as he notices how feminine his flowing honey-colored robes are.

Sanji growls and bites at the long pipe Kuina has passed him. “Kin’emon has set me up as an onnagata. I asked him to be a soba cook, but because those fucking Beast Pirates control and poison the food supply, he said my cooking would bring too much attention. I don’t know how this isn’t bringing too much attention, but at least I have Lady O’kina,” here Sanji blows heart smoke rings into the air, Zoro just now noticing the gathering crowd that cheers and presses to get closer to the trio, “to beat away my adoring fans and… other proprietors.”

“Back!” Kuina barks at a man that tugs down Sanji’s kimono, revealing his pale shoulder that Sanji quickly covers again. But it’s enough for this crowd to become ravenous for the cook; ladies and samurai popping heart eyes and those closest to him getting nosebleeds. 

Zoro can tell Sanji is turning red even under the white facepaint.

“O’kina, back to my quarters, please. With haste. Good to see you, Ronin. Stay safe.”

“You too, Browgoro,” Zoro watches as Sanji walks smoothly away, as if he’s used to wearing heels that tower like this. He can see Sanji watching him out of the corner of his eye until they’re out of sight.

🗡️🍴🗡️🍴🗡️🍴🗡️🍴

After the execution, their groups get a little mixed up; Sanji takes Toko and Zoro and Kuina end up with Hiyori.

“Ah, you’re the woman samurai protecting my competitor,” Hiyori says as they’re able to settle for a moment.

“Competitor?” Zoro and Kuina question.

“Yes, the Golden Onnagata. His beauty is being compared to my own. And because I’ve had to wear the Komurasaki persona, he is being exalted even higher as they say he is kind and selective about who he takes to his bedchambers. You have done a great job protecting him,” Hiyori smiles demurely at Kuina.

Kuina’s face reddens under the former oiran’s attention causing Zoro to raise an eyebrow.

There’s some drama about Shusui which makes Kuina elbow him for being too short with Wano’s hidden princess. But he got a cool new sword from her so it almost evens out.

Sanji immediate calls him out on it, “Where’s Shusui? Did you lose him? Marimo, come on.”

“I didn’t lose Shusui!” Zoro hisses, a blush burning his cheeks. “It’s a Wano national treasure! I gave it back to them.”

“Pfft,” Kuina laughs behind him. “The Princess took it from him, scolding him like a naughty dog that didn’t want to drop his bone.”

“No she didn’t!” Zoro yells.

“Yeah-huh.”

“Nuh-uh!”

“Yeah-huh.”

They continue for a moment before Sanji cracks up laughing, wiping a tear from his eye. “C’mon, Moss, let’s see what the new blade can do. Impress me,” Sanji taunts.

Zoro shoots a confused look at Kuina, as Sanji sways away from them, heading to the forest.

“Follow him,” Kuina instructs. “Impress him… if you can.”

“Shut up, O’kina,” Zoro grumbles under his breath before following after the blond.

“What was that?” She called, voice booming through the trees.

Zoro flips her off before he jogs to catch up with the cook, hearing her laughter trail after him.

Sanji is lounging on a boulder, a cigarette already half smoked once Zoro finally finds him. Sanji smirks at him, “Show me what you’re working with, Swordsman.”

Zoro unsheaths Enma and all hell breaks loose– Enma starts sucking out his muscle mass and life force like a vampire.

He’s so caught off guard he almost lets her go too far, almost lets her take more than her due, but there’s real fear in Sanji voice when he yells Zoro’s actual name and suddenly he has a grasp of the situation.

He slashes towards the bamboo forest and it’s quiet for a second before the forest slices into shards and Zoro’s muscle mass is back to normal.

Zoro sheaths Enma again, holding his breath as he turns to see Sanji, his cigarette dropped out of his mouth and into the dirt.

“Fuck, Marimo. I was nearly worried about you,” Sanji snarks, already lighting another cigarette.

Suddenly, Zoro realizes how much he missed the blond this past month. “Cook,” his voice comes out gravelly, but he makes sure their eyes connect.

Sanji swallows, his cheeks heating up but he doesn’t look away. “You don’t even know what you’re saying,” he accuses.

“Cook,” Zoro repeats, more weight.

Sanji glances away for a moment before flickering back, like a moth to a flame, “Yeah?”

“Yeah,” Zoro agrees.

“Fine. But if we both make it through the raid, we’re actually talking about this,” Sanji’s voice is a threat.

“Fine. Now stop distracting me, Twirls. I’ve gotta train.”

“Distracting you?!” Sanji crows, lighting a leg on fire and coming after Zoro. 

Zoro is worried only for a moment about drawing Enma, but he does so anyway.

As they scuffle, Zoro can feel when Enma begins to understand and have fun, though her thirst for blood and violence is not sated.

They are still well matched, their dance adding new steps seamlessly, incorporating every new move and shift in style.

🗡️🍴🗡️🍴🗡️🍴🗡️🍴

The raid was insane, doomed to succeed from the start but took so much blood, sweat, and tears getting there.

Zoro comes awake with a start, the room is quiet besides Luffy’s snores from the pallet nearby.

There’s a soft breeze wafting through the room, the scent of cigarette smoke hung in the air.

Zoro cranes his head to see out the cracked paper door and spies Sanji smoking in the compound garden.

“Ah, so you are alive, then,” Sanji puts out his cigarette when he hears Zoro shuffle closer.

“Made a promise, didn’t I?” Zoro stands on tired and unsteady legs; Sanji is watching but not moving to help.

The blond looks away, lighting up another cigarette, “Oh. Well, hate to disappoint you, Marimo, but I won’t be requiring your services at this moment.”

Zoro rolls his eyes and wraps his thick muscled arm around the cook as he’s seen Kuina do. “Not that, idiot. Hey, look at me.”

Sanji keeps his eyes on the garden until Zoro carefully takes his chin and tilts his head to look at him.

Zoro leans in slowly, giving the other man enough time to chicken out and move away. But instead Sanji leans in, closing the gap with his eyes slipping closed.

Zoro pulls him closer, one hand on his chin and the other spanning Sanji’s hip. Sanji wraps one arm around Zoro’s neck and the other slips under his robe, his tan skin heated under his touch.

Sanji pulls away and he looks a little dazed. Zoro paints a very Kuina-like smirk on his lips but it quickly transforms into a boyish smile which Sanji matches.

“No more death pacts,” Zoro states, voice sharp but not cutting.

“Okay,” Sanji breathes.

“I mean it.”

“Yeah, yeah,” but he’s smiling as he pulls away, though he’s still leaning much of his body weight against Zoro.

They sit in silence a moment, basking in their shared breaths.

“Where is everyone else? How is everyone else?”

“You and Luffy are the last to wake up. Luffy is still out,” Sanji points back into the room. “But Chopper says that he’ll wake soon. I have to head to the kitchens in a moment to make sure the cooks are prepared for him.”

“Everyone else is mostly okay. Bruises and some light burns. The stories are crazy; Usopp, Nami, and O’Tama faced Big Mom! Kuina and Hiyori were able to link up and take out Orochi— did you know that he ate the Hydra Hydra fruit? Cut off one head and another two takes its place, so they had to get creative but they did it.”

Zoro grunts, “Kuina and Hiyori, huh? They kiss afterwards?” 

“Moss! You pervert! I can’t believe you!” Sanji acts scandalized.

Zoro rolls his eye and knocks his shoulder against Sanji’s. The blond laughs, an amazing fucking sound to Zoro.

“But yes, it does seem like they’ve kissed, especially considering the sounds that are coming from the room they’re sharing.”

“Me, the pervert?” Zoro teases. “Cook!”

Kuina made flirting and teasing Sanji look hard for Zoro to compete with, but it’s turning out to be much easier than he’d feared, especially if he can just let them be who they are… terrifyingly powerful young men with impossible dreams and the drive to make it happen, together.

🗡️🍴🗡️🍴🗡️🍴🗡️🍴

A few hours later, when Luffy is awake and the celebration can really start, Zoro finds Kuina with Hiyori sitting on her lap, Kuina’s strong arm around the smaller woman’s hourglass waist.

“Hey,” Zoro greets, stealing Kuina’s jug of sake right out of her hand.

Kuina scowls at him and Hiyori beams, sitting very primly on the throne of Kuina’s thighs.

“O’Kina tells me that you two are related to the Shimotsuki family. That means you both are heirs to a great and exalted family.”

“Hah?” Zoro demands rudely, sake dripping down his chin.

“Marimo! That’s no way to speak to a lady!” Sanji joins the trio, draping himself into Zoro’s lap.

Zoro is distracted enough with his handful of cook that Kuina is able to swipe back her bottle of sake.

Zoro glares back, nearly ready to stand and grab his swords for a fight, but Sanji’s weight in his lap stops him, as well as the new bottle that he places in his now empty hand.

“Oh! Nananana,” Kuina laughs, her body shaking so hard the Hiyori has to wrap her arms around her shoulders so she isn’t vibrated right off of her seat. Kuina lays a steadying hand on her, as she comes up for air, “This finally happened? You impressed him enough before the raid, cousin?”

Zoro and Sanji’s faces are bright red, but they don’t deny it, Sanji’s muscles are tight with anticipation, though Zoro knows that Kuina is happy for them.

“Congratulations to you both,” Hiyori says, nudging Kuina with a sharp elbow.

“Yeah, same here,” Kuina grunts, her focus mostly on Hiyori.

Zoro can feel Sanji sag into his hold, letting Zoro hold even more of him.

“Nothing is going to change though; I’m still going to treat Sanji as I always do,” Kuina continues.

“Kuinaaaaa!” Sanji pops heart eyes at her.

“Pft, like I didn’t already know that. There’s no way you two can stop being ridiculous. Sanji’s still going to fawn over women and you’re going to keep flirting with Sanji. I just get to be his haven more often.”

“My haven?”

“Yeah, Curls,” Zoro tries to play it cool, but he can feel his cheeks heating up

“Aw, Moss, so romantic,” Sanji coos, causing Zoro to put on a fake scowl.

Hiyori and Kuina are grinning at them as the two men slowly transition to arguing and then back to flirting then back to easy companionship.

“I hope you will all come back to visit once your adventures are over and your dreams have been accomplished,” Hiyori sighs, holding Kuina’s large hand, playing with her calloused fingers.

“You could come with us,” Kuina offers, though she sounds like she already knows the princess’ answer.

Hiyori smiles, happy to have the offer but she knows that it is not the right time for her to go to sea. “Not yet, my heart. Maybe when you come back, I will be able to have my own adventure.”

Kuina kisses the back off Hiyori’s delicate hand, understanding. “We’ll enjoy the time we have now.”

Zoro gags and Sanji elbows him, but it makes Kuina smile more.

“I assure you, I’ll be plenty entertained with these two on board,” Kuina laughs.