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As a child, Sanji dreamed about meeting his soulmate. A sweet girl who would complete him and love him despite all his imperfections. Someone like his mom -sweet, kind, and perfect. Someone he could worship like a treasure.
Soon enough, though, Sanji learned that not all soulmate couples were perfect for each other. As the years went by, his father grew more and more resentful toward his mother. She, on the other hand, never stopped loving the cruel man. She passed quietly, still loving the man who never deserved her. And with her gone, there was nothing left for Sanji in Germa.
So, he left.
❦❦❦
When life brought him to Zeff, Sanji learned that not all soulmates were romantic. The angry chef had few people he liked. Half the time, it was impossible to tell if he even liked the cooks at Baratie… or Sanji himself. He was always shouting, reprimanding Patty and Carne for overboiling the soup or burning the meat. Or telling Sanji he'd never become a chef with his lousy knife skills.
But he did care for them, in his own special way. When the young cook asked Zeff about soulmates, he thought the man would say he never met his, or just laugh in his face. Instead, he learned that Zeff had known his soulmate for over a dacade.
“What?! When?! Why have I never met her?” shouted Sanji.
“Yes you have. You've met Dren many times,” scoffed Zeff.
“Dren... the owner of the bar Pinky?” Sanji was not expecting that.
“Yeah. Figured out it was him when I felt him lose his pinky in a fight. The man used to love sword fighting. Now the old geezer can’t even hold a sword properly - hahaha,” laughed Zeff, holding his belly.
“So... are you two, like, together?”
“Naw. Me and pinkyless Dren aren’t together - what gave you that idea? But we do get together for a drink or two sometimes.”
From then on, Sanji started noticing that every three days, Zeff would cook something before closing Baratie to meet Dren. He’d come back home in high spirits, completely wasted out of his mind.
The two geezers were drinking buddies. They liked to get together and talk about the past, complain about work, or try to outdrink each other. They were best of friends.
Still, while he liked how happy Zeff looked while arguing with Dren about who was cooler in their youth, Sanji wanted his soulmate to be his first love.
❦❦❦
It turned out to be wishful thinking.
Whe moment Sanji met Luffy’s crew, the young swordsman became his rival, igniting a fire inside him. Sanji had never before met such an ogre of a man - so opposite of him. Rude, crass, and completely inadequate around the ladies.
It was only when Mihawk cut Zoro to shreds and Sanji fell to his knees in extreme pain that he had to face the truth: his soulmate wasn’t some sweet girl, a romantic like him, but his rival. His nakama.
It was a tough pill to swallow. He was angry at Zoro for weeks, glaring at the mosshead for not only taking away his dream of a sweet, lovely girlfriend, but also for never noticing they were soulmates.
Most pirates hid who their soulmates were, it was their weakness, after all. So, if Marimo-head couldn’t figure out such an easy thing, why would Sanji change their dynamic? They were nakama, under one captain they had sworn to follow. That was more binding than any soulmate bond, right?
When Nami met Vivi on Whiskey Island, their eyes met, and in that instant, the world seemed to pause for them. The Straw Hats' cook was jealous of them, until that is, the day they had to part ways, and he saw how much that affected Nami. Sanji had never seen Nami so heartbroken, and Sanji could not do anything to make it better.
She was strong and perfect as she always was, the head of their dummy crew. But once in a while, her eyes would gaze looking over the ocean in this soulful way that meant she was thinking of the princess she left behind. On those days, Sanji made desserts and special drinks just for her.
❦❦❦
They were approaching Greenfern Island when the topic of soulmates came up in the kitchen.
“Ne, Luffy, you ever meet your soulmate?” asked Usopp.
“Shishishi, yeah I have,” snickered Luffy, stuffing his face with lunch.
“Really?” Usopp and Nami said together, wide eyed.
“Yeah, it’s Shanks!” Luffy grinned.
“The Red-Haired Shanks?” asked Usopp, his eyes practically bugging out of his scull at this new revelation.
“Aha, that’s him. He saved me when I was little and gave me this hat and told me I could become a pirate even with Devil Fruit powers. Shishishi.” Luffy was smiling ear to ear. “And I swore to become a better pirate than him, find the treasure, and become the King of the Pirates!”
The rest of the crew was gob smacked. Even Zoro looked at Luffy with wonder, not surprise though, he knew his captain better than that. Still it was suprising, that the hat Luffy treasured so much ... had been given to him his soulmate, one of the Four Emperors.
“What about the others?” asked Usopp. “Mine is definitely the beautiful Kaya.”
“Vivi,” smiled Nami dreamily.
“Mademoiselle Vivi and Mademoiselle Nami must be the most romantic and beautiful couple the soulmate bond could have ever linked,” swooned Sanji, taking Nami’s hand.
“Yeah right, me and Kaya are way more romantic,” protested Usopp.
“What about you, Sanji? You haven’t met your soulmate yet, right?” asked Nami.
“No. I have met mine,” answered Sanji, he smiled at the crew, it just wasn't genuine.
“And yet you flirt with every girl you meet, Curly?” Zoro suddenly interjected, smirking.
“Unlike you, moss-for-brains, I appreciate the fairer sex as it should be appreciated - without ill intent,” retorted Sanji.
“Yeah right, Ero-cook.”
“Does that mean your bond isn’t romantic?” asked Usopp.
Sanji was about to agree with his long-nosed friend, when he felt that familiar, painful squeeze in his chest - a reminder of a long buried dream . A dream to love and be loved by his soulmate. He glanced at Zoro, who was looking at him with that infuriatingly inquisitive stare.
“Who knows. A bond is defined by both soulmates,” Sanji muttered, pulling a cigarette from his pack. He lit it with a soft click, dragging the first inhale slowly, clearly not planning to elaborate.
“What about you, Zoro?” Nami looked toward the swordsman.
“Like I care about that crap. Only idiots like the cook swoon over that nonsense.”
Sanji felt a pang of disappointment. But it was an answer he expected. Things like soulmate bonds were clearly not a dream the moss-headed idiot entertained. Nor would he ever see it as something special. Still… Sanji felt disappointed.
“Your soulmate would be hurt to hear such a thing,” Luffy interjected suddenly and the crew went quiet.
“Your soulmate might be someone very special, you know. Maybe they’ll help you become the world's best swordsman or help us find the One Piece! … Sanji! Is there any more meat left?”
And just like that, the moment passed.
Sanji left the table to find more food for the black hole that surely lived inside their captain’s stomach.
❦❦❦
The island of Greenfern was a smaller one - no local people, only tall trees and ferns as far as the eye could see. It was a peaceful summer island with sandy beaches and shade under the thick forest canopy. If they could manage to hunt or fish enough food, Sanji wouldn’t have to worry so much about their supply of food for a litle while.
As Sanji glanced over at Zoro, it suddenly struck him:
“Hey, mosshead! Don’t wander too far, or we’ll lose you among your kin,” he snickered. The swordsman really did blend into the lush green surroundings of the island.
Zoro, who had just reached the forest’s edge, turned back with a glare.
“Say that again, swirly-brow, and see what happens,” Zoro shot back.
“Ahh, Nami-swan, we’ve lost the Marimo!” Sanji called out dramatically. “I hear his voice, but I can’t see him! Has the swordsman been eaten by the fern plants?”
Nami snickered quietly but didn’t comment.
“Okay, boys,” she said, waving off their bickering. “We’ll search the island for food, and if we’re lucky, we should be able to leave by tomorrow morning.”
“Maybe there’s a treasure on this island,” Luffy wondered aloud.
“You can go search for any treasures captain. The island’s small - you won’t get lost. Take Zoro with you. By my calculations, there aren’t any big animals around here, but maybe you two will find something edible. Usopp and I will look for drinking water. Sanji, you’re on ship duty. Stay here and see if you can catch any fish.”
“Yes, Miss Nami!”
“Okay, everyone - be back before sunset.”
The crew left to search for supplies, while Sanji took out a fishing rod.
❦❦❦
Zoro felt like he was walking in circles. Everywhere he looked, there were only trees and fern plants up to their knees. More trees, more fern. The air was damp, and the smell of moss overwhelmed his senses, making him wonder if he’d already passed this spot ten times over.
Above him, Luffy was in high spirits, swinging from branch to branch like a monkey and yelling:
“Woooo! Hey Zoro, I bet I can find meat before you can find meat!”
“Damn rubber idiot! How are we supposed to find anything with shouting on the top of your lungs?”
Suddenly, something moved in the bushes ahead. Zoro immediately unsheathed Wado, bracing for an attack.
Luffy, on the other hand, dove straight into the bush from the branch above.
“Meat!” he shouted, landing headfirst with a crash, taking whatever was in there by surprise and as they tumbled. A furry of limbs and leaves, as he tackled something big and furry.
Zoro stepped closer, watching Luffy grin ear to ear with something squirming in his arms - something almost larger than their captain. It was a wild pig. But not like any pig Zoro had ever seen before. It had greenish fur and long, black claws that looked almost like talons.
“Zoro, it looks tasty. You think Sanji can cook it?”
The pig started thrashing harder, clearly panicked by the sound of Luffy’s stomach rumbling.
“It looks like a pig, so I’d say yea.”
“Maybe Sanji can barbecue it on an open fire?” Now the pig was thrashing like crazy, squealing and kicking. But Luffy held onto his dinner no problem.
“Come on, dinner. Let’s ask Sanji to cook you.” Luffy stood up, with the pig in embrace, ready to head back.
“Hey, which way is the ship, Zoro?”
“Uhhh... I think it’s that way,” pointed Zoro.
“Okay! Let’s go!”
And so, the two of them marched confidently into the opposite direction of the ship.
❦❦❦
It took Luffy and Zoro until sunset to finally find the ship. They’d walked through the entire forest, in circles, until they found Merry, only for Luffy’s biggest disappointment, when Sanji informed him that the wild pig was not suitable for eating. Something about its protein turning poisonous when heated, formulating something poisonous, Zoro didn't understand. Zoro thought Luffy might actually cry.
“I guess now you are a friend and not food,” Luffy said solemnly, staring at the pig. “And you look so tasty too…”
The pig, still frozen in distress, didn’t wait another second, when it felt Luffy loosen his grip, it bolted - sprinting back into the forest with all its might.
“Sanji, what will we eat, then?” grumbled Luffy.
“I was lucky enough to catch a lot of fish,” Sanji replied with a smirk. “I was thinking of cooking it over an open fire, if our captain approves?” Sanji smirked at Luffy.
“He does! Yes, Sanji, make me fish! FISH! FISH! FISH! I love fish~! Sanji, grill me some fish right now!”
“Okay, okay, no need to beg. Nami-san and Usopp should be returning shortly.” They gathered wood and built a fire, and Sanji began grilling the fish just as the rest of the group emerged from the trees.
“Oi! We’re back!” yelled Usopp.
“Gosh, the humidity in that forest is unbearable. My hair is all poofy,” Nami complained, running a hand through her hair.
“Nonsense, Nami-swan. You look as beautiful as ever. Would you like some dinner, my dear?” Sanji beamed, already offering her a plate.
“Hey! We came back first! And we helped with the fire!” Zoro protested.
“YEA!” doubled Luffy beside him.
“First of all, gentlemen always should take care of ladies first. Plus, Nami is bringing drinking water for all of us. You brought back a poisonous pig,” Pointed out Sanji, smirking teasingly at the swordsman.
“Thank you, Sanji,” Nami said with a smile, accepting the plate of grilled fish.
Once the Straw Hat pirates were fed, most of them sat around the fire, drink in hand, enjoying the evening. Sanji, meanwhile, took care of the cleaning.
“Usopp-kun, where did you guys find the water?” he asked.
“There’s a freshwater spring in the north part of the island. It forms a pretty decent pool.”
“Hmmm... Think I could go for a dip? The night’s bright, and there don’t seem to be any dangers on the island.”
“There shouldn’t be a problem. Just don’t get lost.”
“Yeah, will do. Tell Miss Nami not to worry.”
❦❦❦
When Sanji didn’t return after an hour, Zoro started to worry. So, he went looking for him.
At first, he was sure he followed the northern direction perfectly. The night was bright, and he could see clearly. But then the forest darkened, and somehow, Zoro seemed to hit every damn branch in it.
He dragged his feet through the thick ferns, muttering curses and wondering where the hell he was - and why in the world he’d decided to follow the cook in the first place.
Then, as if by magic, something changed.
Suddenly, he could see where he was going - more than that, he knew where he was. It was like a map of the island had been placed into his mind. He moved swiftly, dodging tree branches as if he knew these woods. Every step and turn felt intentional. Left, right, right again.
And just like that, in only a few turns, Zoro was standing at the edge of a moonlit clearing.
The lake wasn’t big, but it wasn’t small either - just like everything else on this island. Sanji stood waist-deep in the water, his back turned, gazing up at the moon and stars.
The moonlight traced the shape of his silhouette - the broad shoulders, the curve of his spine, the dip of his waist, and yes… the subtle curve of his ass. He looked like something out of a myths about seductive spirits that sunk ships and made pirates lose their minds.
Wild and beautiful...Except, wild he was not, since he was Zoro’s.
Wait, what?
Zoro blinked. He didn’t know where that thought had come from, but the strange knowledge pulsing inside him felt absolute: the cook belonged to him, and only him:
“Sanji,” Zoro called, far more huskly than he meant to.
Sanji jolted and turned, chuckling. “Idiot Marimo. What are you doing here? Did you get lost again, moss-for-brains?”
Zoro sat down a flat rock at the water’s edge, watching Sanji. The cook looked perfect in the pale moonlight. Water droplets slid down his chest, and his damp hair was slicked back, revealing those emerald eyes. Zoro swallowed. He was getting aroused just looking the cook, and the knowledge that had led him though the forest told him he couldn’t waste this chance to speak to the cook.
“Just enjoying the view,” Zoro said, smirking as he leaned forward. “You look like a water nymph. The kind that lures men into the water with their beauty… only to drown them.”
“W-What?” Sanji blinked, thrown off.
“Seductively gliding in the shallow waters in the moonlight,” Zoro continued, his voice low and husky. “You could seduce anyone, Ero-cook.”
Sanji’s face went red. What the hell was the Marimo saying? What possessed him to flirt like that?!
“What are you talking about, Moss for brains? Are you drunk? But even drunk, you usually make more sense. Did something possess you?” The knowledge told him that cook liked to be flirted with, but felt embarrassed by it. It told him to command the cooks attention.
“Come here. Come and find out what’s wrong.”
Sanji hesitated. Zoro’s voice was... different. Usually the man’s voice went low in serious situations, like a fight, but his curiosity burned stronger than suspicion.
He took a few slow steps closer, stopping a short distance away.
“Closer, Ero-cook,” Zoro said, spreading his knees and patting the space between. “Or are you scared?” Zoro looked at him with challenge in his eyes.
“Scared?! As if!” Sanji huffed. “You don’t scare me, moss-for-brains!”
He stepped forward again - only to be pulled in by Zoro, who gripped his hips and guided him to stand between his legs.
“Yes… just like that,” Zoro purred, a smirk tugging at his lips.
“What are you looking at, you pervert Marimo?” Sanji muttered, trying to glare but finding it difficult to look up at Zoro. His heart was beating faster and it felt like he was taking in deeper breaths as Zoro maneuvered him into a closer embrace.
“Can’t a man admire what’s his?” Zoro replied, voice teasing.
“…What did you just call me?”
“You’re mine. Aren’t you?”
Sanji froze. Eyes wide, lips parted, mind spinning. Zoro was caging him in, staring at him like he feasting with his eyes, holding him like he was a treasure and demanding submission. The man in front of him wasn’t just any man.
He was his soulmate.
His Zoro.
His soulmate… was flirting with him - was interested.
Sanji’s eyes caught movement. Zoro licked his lips, slowly.
“Yes?”
“Yes what, darling?”
“Yes, I am your soulmate.” Sanji’s voice was barely audible, his face flaming. In his whole life, no one had flirted with him this aggressively, this directly. Ladies flirting back sometimes, but they were never this forward or had this look of wanting to eat him alive. Sanji found he didn’t hate it.
The water was cool - but Zoro’s gaze set his whole body on fire. Like that first time their eyes met in Baratie.
He dropped his head, wrapping his arms around himself, trying to hide the flush rising over his chest, neck, and cheeks.
“Don’t hide from me, Sanji,” murmured Zoro. “You said it yourself - you’re mine. Mine forever.”
“…If I’m yours,” Sanji whispered, lifting his gaze, slight irritation in his voice, “that makes you are mine too, moss for brains.”
Zoro’s smirk softened.
“Forever yours, Sanji.”
And then he pulled the cook in for a kiss.
❦❦❦
The morning sun lit up the island of Greenfern.
An island where fern adorns every step beneath the trees, and morning dew glimmers like liquid silver. The air is thick with the scent of moss and forest fauna, and sunlight pours through the canopy in long, golden rays that seemed to worship the land.
Greenfern island is neither a large nor a small island.
It sits quietly, veiled in mist and myth.
The legend of Fern Island is as follows, on the shortest night of the year - the summer solstice - if one was fortunate enough to find and pick a fern flower, they would be granted all the wisdom of the world, and the ability to uncover all worlds hidden secrets or treasures.
But the gift is fleeting.
The flower blooms only for one night, and after summer solstice night ends, the flower wilts and loses it power.
And somewhere along a worn forest path, crumpled slightly and tucked inside the boot of a man with no sense of direction, the fern flower rested - its purpose fulfilled, having guided the man not to gold or infinite knowledge, but to the one treasure he'd never thought to seek lying in his arms.