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The sun was shining brightly. The crew was on deck, Nami’s eyes on Zoro and Sanji. She was leaned back in her chair, her legs up and propped up against the railing as she was drinking a cool drink that Sanji had just prepared for her, shaking her head as she kept sipping on her drink, narrowing her eyes and she eyed Robin, who was enjoying her drink as well.
Sanji prepared only two drinks – for her and Robin.
Usopp, frowning and fanning his hot face, glared at their cook and he crossed his arms over his chest, calling out to Sanji.
“Oi, Sanji, I’m hot too – why didn’t you offer me a drink as well?” asked Usopp on purpose and Sanji turned over his shoulder and narrowed his eyes, slowly taking out his cigarette to blow out the smoke and then he shook his head.
“You have legs and you know where the kitchen is,” muttered Sanji. “You can get it yourself.”
Usopp made a face and Luffy whined as he was hot too.
“Sanji!” whined the captain. “You should have brought drinks for everyone!”
Sanji said something under his breath and went back to what he was doing before. What was he doing before? He was standing near Zoro and the two of them were arguing, like always. At least in Luffy’s opinion, but there was a little smirk upon Robin’s lips because she noticed something.
Zoro had a drink as well.
Sanji brought him one as well.
How… Interesting.
Things were happening between the two of them. Many things had happened and the rest of the crew all knew it, actually. About Zoro and Sanji – being together? They were the only ones convinced that they were doing a good job at keeping it a secret, though, but the matter of fact was that they were being very obvious and Nami shook her head as she leaned towards Robin.
“Do they really think we don’t know?” asked Nami and Robin chuckled.
“Know what?” asked Chopper, perking up.
Well, almost everyone knew.
“How long do you think before they figure out we all know?” asked Franky.
“A week, tops,” said Brook and Nami perked up, her interests already growing.
“Two weeks max,” commented Usopp and Nami grinned.
“Want to make it interesting?” she asked and Usopp narrowed his eyes.
“How?”
“Wanna make a bet?” asked Nami and Usopp rubbed his palms together. “I say they will crack in less than a week.”
“Alright,” said Usopp, Robin sighing along and she shook her head. But, Franky was interested in making a bet as well, Luffy frowning as he didn’t know what his crew mates were making bets about, frowning as he leaned over to Chopper. As the doctor, he was bound to know what was happening.
“Chopper, why are they making bets?”
“No idea,” whispered Chopper back and Luffy hummed along.
Nami narrowed her eyes and her eyes slowly travelled to her two crewmates – it wasn’t really unusual that Zoro and Sanji were having an argument. It had happened way too many times, but their arguments had gotten different as of lately.
They stood too close.
Zoro had his hand casually resting on Sanji’s hip, while Sanji had his hand prepped over Zoro’s chest, which prevented the swordsman from pulling him too close and he narrowed his eyes. The cigarette was now between his lips and he blew smoke right into Zoro’s face, who narrowed his eyes and Sanji tried walking away – he needed to make sure that Nami and Robin wouldn’t run out of their drinks.
“You’re too close, Marimo!”
“You’re the one who keeps yelling into my face, shitty cook,” huffed Zoro and gripped his sword.
“It really seems like moss has eaten what was left of your brain, huh?” grumbled Sanji. “I was about to get more drinks and you kept blocking my way. Move!” ordered Sanji, tempted to kick Zoro.
Zoro narrowed his eyes.
“Gonna get some more for me too?” asked Zoro and caught the way Sanji’s face coloured into pink shades.
“No!” snapped Sanji right away. “The only reason why I brought this here is because I made too much of the first batch,” huffed Sanji and Zoro’s smirk widened as he kept his hand on Sanji’s hip. The cook kept barking, but he never really bit as he seemed to enjoy how close they were pressed together.
“Ah.”
“Let me go,” said Sanji and stumbled back. “You’re annoying!”
“Sure,” said Zoro, clearly mocking him.
“Nevermind,” said Sanji and straightened his clothes, smiling towards Robin and Nami. Then, he lifted his head up, eyes travelling towards Zoro, who was now looking away and his face turned into something much softer.
“Idiot,” huffed Sanji under his breath as he walked away. He sounded almost… sheepish.
Chopper scratched the back of his head.
“Why are they mad now?” asked Chopper.
“I believe that’s called flirting,” chimed in Franky and Chopper’s jaw dropped.
Flirting?!
The thing was – Sanji and Zoro were together. For almost two weeks now and they were very careful about it. They didn’t want to stir up too much drama between the crew, so they kept things very low.
The two of them never kissed in front of everyone, they didn’t hold hands, they kept bickering like always. The bickering was like some sort of foreplay, really, keeping things interesting. Truly, not much changed since they had gotten together, so why make a big deal out of it.
Zoro and Sanji were pretty sure they were good at hiding the relationship.
They never flirted out in the open either.
However, they would stand a little bit closer than usual. They would always share drinks without asking each other. Whenever they were under attack, they would block attacks that were aimed at them. They had each other’s backs. They would always touch accidentally, but other than that, things were pretty normal. Nothing too out of the ordinary.
Surely no one noticed anything, right?
Things were slowly getting more comfortable with each other, so Sanji didn’t even bat an eye when Zoro leaned over to his side during lunch and stole a sip of his beer, drinking from his glass.
Zoro adjusted the glass afterwards, making sure that Sanji wouldn’t knock it off the table by accident.
It was the small things like that that the rest of the crew most definitely didn’t miss and Chopper was now staring intensely at the two of them. Since Franky’s little comment before, he had been watching them and he had definitely noticed that things were very different.
Luffy, on the other hand, was too busy shovelling food into his mouth to notice the change and he happily grinned, his mouth full.
“This is really good!” said Luffy, mouth full.
Sanji beamed, nodding.
“I guess it’s fine,” said Zoro by his side and smiled as he took a bite of meat, Sanji’s ears going red and he looked away.
Usopp watched that and he slammed fists against the desk – if they kept this up, he was going to owe Nami money!
“You owe me money,” whispered Nami, her eyes glowing and Usopp rolled his eyes.
“That proves nothing,” huffed Usopp back.
“You said two weeks, right?”
“I…”
“What are you two whispering about?” asked Zoro and Sanji flicked the ash from his cigarette to the side.
“No-nothing!” piped up Usopp.
“You’re acting weird,” commented Sanji.
“No, you are!”
Sanji frowned and then he eyed Zoro, who kept eating his food in silence, but the look on his face was content, which told Sanji everything. Zoro was enjoying his food and he sighed happily. He tried out a new recipe, eyes following towards Nami.
“Do you like your food?” chirped Sanji.
Nami nodded and Robin chuckled when she saw Zoro eating food from Sanji’s plate and she kept her eyes on the book, flipping a page.
“This is the second time they shared food today,” commented Robin and Usopp choked on his drink – he wasn’t going to lose his money, right?!
The next day, there was a crew meeting – they were approaching an island, where they were supposed to refill their supplies. Nothing too out of the ordinary.
What was out of the ordinary was yet again Zoro and Sanji.
Zoro sat down first, not thinking too much about it as the rest of the crew slowly gathered. There was more than enough space for all of them to sit comfortably, but Sanji slowly made his way over to Zoro and sat down, pretty much right into his lap.
Zoro didn’t bat an eye at first.
Robin chuckled as she slowly lifted her eyes towards them.
“There’s more space over there, but Sanji sat into Zoro’s lap,” commented Robin and Sanji quickly stood up, narrowing his eyes, face red and even Zoro looked somewhat flustered.
“The bench is crowded!” insisted Sanji, but Franky pointed to an empty spot to the side.
“Dude, there’s more than enough space for you to sit over there,” commented Franky and Brook’s loud laughter followed soon after.
Zoro and Sanji moved at the same time. Sanji quickly made his way to the other side of the table, sitting on the opposite side of Zoro, but their knees were still touching under the table. Robin chuckled, but pretended not to see. Sanji kept his eyes on Zoro, who kept on staring back at him, like this was about to be his fault!
“What?” deadpanned Sanji.
“Nothing,” grumbled the swordsman and looked away.
Sanji didn’t appreciate that, so he kicked his shin under the table.
“What the hell was that for?” hissed Zoro, gritting his teeth.
“For making this out to be my fault,” argued Sanji.
“What? I didn’t say-”
“You didn’t have to!” hissed Sanji as Zoro was still massaging his shin.
“No, I get it,” said Usopp, holding back his laughter. “Zoro’s lap is probably more comfortable than the bench, huh?” dared to ask Usopp, feeling daring, but the glares from Sanji and Zoro made him flinch and he quickly flinched, moving to the side. “Only joking, ha-ha-”
“Shut up,” growled Sanji and Zoro in unison.
“Yes!”
Luffy started laughing so hard that he nearly fell off from his seat. He wasn’t really sure what was so funny, but he was just glad that everyone was getting along so well!
Before making the emergency stop to gather the needed supplies, there was a slight accident that happened on deck. The main culprits for it were Sanji and Zoro, so they decided to be the one to fix it as well. It was only fair, Zoro narrowing his eyes as he watched Sanji, who was fixing the railing. Well, he was trying to fix it, but the stupid Marimo-head kept butting in all the freaking time.
Zoro kept sharpening his swords near the mast, but so far he wasn’t really doing anything productive, which pissed Sanji off, who was sweating his ass off under the scorching sun. His sleeves were rolled up, his tie loosened and he really needed a smoke.
Sanji looked over his shoulder.
“Will you help me or not, Marimo?!”
“Soon,” said Zoro.
“Define how soon is that because I’ve been working my ass off here for half an hour, while you’re still standing there doing absolutely nothing!” grumbled Sanji and Zoro frowned.
“Soon.”
“Ugh-”
“You’re cutting the wood wrong, by the way,” said Zoro and Sanji frowned again.
“I’m not!”
“You’re gonna dull the axe,” said Zoro and Sanji groaned, turned his back towards him and went back to fixing the ship. However, Zoro’s eyes were still on him, carefully watching his every move, making his hands all shaky. Sanji didn’t enjoy being put under a spot like this and he tried his very best to focus.
Sweaty hands, the axe ended up slipping from his hand and it fell. Startled, Sanji gasped, not because he injured himself but because he nearly dropped the axe on his foot.
Zoro was soon there, grabbing his wrist, pulling it in front of his face.
“Are you hurt?” asked Zoro, voice now serious and Sanji swallowed thickly.
“N-no.”
“Sanji,” said Zoro, one of the rare times that he indeed used his name and Sanji pointed at the axe.
“The axe fell from my hand, that’s all, I didn’t cut myself,” was all that Sanji said and saw how Zoro’s shoulders slowly sagged down, the worry soon gone. Still, Zoro didn’t move, holding onto Sanji’s wrist and Sanji’s body started overheating again. The reason being completely different from before.
“Be more careful,” muttered Zoro. “Don’t make me worry like that.”
“I… sorry,” mumbled Sanji and Zoro slowly lowered his hand, but his fingers were still around Sanji’s wrist, heart leaping into his throat as he kept staring into Zoro’s dark eyes.
Usopp was staring at them – at this rate he was going to lose the bet in a matter of days.
“Do you think they know they’re still holding hands?” asked Usopp.
“Nope,” said Franky.
Nami waggled her eyebrows as she looked at Usopp.
The mission was simple enough – get on the island, gather the needed supplies and get back to the ship. It was supposed to be a fast trip, Sanji and Zoro being sent together to gather some of the needed supplies. Zoro had been suspicious as to why Nami told them to go together. There was just something that he didn’t like the way he was looking at him, but then before he managed to make a comment about it, Sanji grabbed his hand and dragged him with him.
Things were supposed to go fast and smooth, but Sanji knew he made a mistake when he allowed Zoro to be the one leading the way with the map. Honestly, he didn’t know what he was thinking and before they knew it, they got lost. The island wasn’t that big, but they couldn’t find the needed store.
They were in the middle of nowhere.
“I hope you know this is your fault,” said Sanji and Zoro narrowed his eyes.
“How is it my fault?!” asked Zoro and turned around.
“You’re the one with the map of the island!” snapped Sanji and Zoro looked down because he was indeed holding the map. “But, I really should have known better that the guy who cannot tell his right from his left wouldn't be able to read a simple map like this!”
“The map is wrong!” stated Zoro.
“What?”
“I know where I’m going,” huffed Zoro and started looking around, narrowing his eyes. “Hmm. Maybe we have to take left next.”
“We took that left three times already,” said Sanji and pointed at the tree behind them. “That’s the same damn tree that we have already passed by three times, Marimo. Three,” stressed Sanji and rolled his eyes.
Zoro looked at the tree. It looked a little bit familiar, but it also… Maybe it didn't.
“That’s a different tree,” said Zoro, confident.
“Admit it – we are lost!”
“We are not lost,” groaned Zoro back.
“Going with you was the worst mistake ever,” huffed Sanji. “Nami sent me with you so you would not get lost, but it was really my mistake to give you this freaking map,” said Sanji and tried to take it from Zoro. “Give it to me,” mumbled Sanji and Zoro shook his head.
“Let me just-”
“Marimo!”
“Shitty cook, let me look at the map!”
“You’re so stubborn!” grumbled Sanji.
Both of them pulled onto the map, which ended up with the map ripping right in the middle and Sanji glared at Zoro, whose eyes were on Sanji, already blaming him for everything.
“Oh, no, don’t give me that look,” said Sanji.
“You ripped the map!”
“I didn’t-”
“Yes, you did,” said Zoro.
“Ugh, just shut your mouth,” huffed Sanji, trying to salvage the moment by placing both parts of the map together on the floor while he was studying it. Zoro, on the other hand, kept scowling at him.
But, from the map, Sanji really couldn’t tell where they were.
“Great, we’re really lost!” said Sanji and slowly lit up a cigarette.
“Maybe we’ve gone a little it off the road-”
“A little? We’re in the middle of nowhere!” snapped Sanji.
Zoro chuckled and sighed.
“Is it really that bad?” asked Zoro then and Sanji closed his mouth. “We’re alone. Finally.”
Sanji looked around.
They really were completely alone, by the sea. The waves were gently crashing against the wet sand, birds were singing. It wasn’t all that bad. Sanji took a deep breath in and fixed his hair.
“I guess… it could be worse,” said Sanji and Zoro snorted.
“Oh, shut up and come here,” said Zoro, his hand on Sanji’s wrist again as he tugged him closer and stole a kiss. Sanji was caught off guard, but he soon recovered as he clutched to the front of Zoro’s shirt and pulled him in for a kiss, holding the cigarette between his fingers, sighing as there was a little smile on Zoro’s lips when they pulled apart.
With Sanji’s anger finally fizzling away, they carried on with their way and Zoro soon noticed something on the muddy floor.
“Footprints!” said Zoro and Sanji snorted.
“Yeah.”
“Do you think they lead back to the village?”
“Only one way to find out, I guess,” said Sanji and Zoro’s shoulder brushed against his.
“I told you I knew where I was going,” said Zoro and slowly trailed the footsteps, but they ended up taking a little detour despite finding the footprints.
By the time that they finally managed to make it back to the crew, Sanji’s tie was all crooked, both of them were out of breath and their faces were too red. Luffy was quite worried that they had perhaps gotten attacked, but Nami and Robin were only laughing silently.
“Were you two attacked?” asked the captain and Zoro shook his head.
“We got lost,” said Sanji, avoiding making eye contact with everyone. Zoro kept the smirk on his lips and it was highly annoying.
“Are you sure you're okay, Sanji?” asked Luffy when he noticed something on Sanji’s neck and he pointed at it.
Sanji flinched and his hand flew to his neck, just where Zoro’s lips were before. Did the idiot leave a mark there? Sanji glared at Zoro, who had an unapologetic grin upon his face.
“You…” started Sanji, face red. “I'm fine. Just a mosquito bite,” said Sanji through his teeth and he kept glaring at Zoro.
“Doesn't seem like one,” commented Chopper and he noticed Sanji’s red face. “Your face is red. It could be serious. I'll take a look-”
The corner of Sanji’s lip shook, but he wasn't really annoyed at him. Chopper was worried and trying to help. The only one to blame was Zoro, the idiot.
“I'm fine, really.”
“Hmm, what kind of a bug could it be?” asked Chopper out loud and Usopp burst into laughter.
“Big, green and stupid,” grumbled Sanji before he walked away and Zoro rolled his eyes before he followed him.
He knew Sanji would yell some more, but it was all worth it. Zoro didn't really know why Sanji kept complaining so much as just minutes ago he seemed to be enjoying himself just fine.
The crew decided to stay on the island one extra day – Luffy wanted to experience their cousin to the fullest, so they stayed for one more day.
One more extra day of chaos.
Just as they were getting ready to board the ship, they ended up being attacked. Luffy said the wrong thing – he was meaning to compliment the store owner, but the words got jumbled up and now they were fighting, while trying to escape to the ship.
In the middle of the fight, Sanji slowly leaned back, but he jumped when Zoro suddenly appeared behind him, blocking an attack. The blades clashed, Sanji kicking the guy’s stomach and the enemy dropped down.
Zoro’s eyes were on him.
“Okay?”
Sanji nodded.
“Mmm. Watch your left,” commented Sanji when another guy lunged at Zoro, but he swiftly ducked down and Sanji kicked him right into his face. There was a cracking sound, the guy yelping, holding his bloody nose and Sanji scoffed.
“Too easy,” said Sanji as he fixed his tie.
Zoro smirked as they returned back to the fight, making sure that they got their message across – their crew and their captain was not to be messed with. While checking if Sanji was okay, Zoro snuck in a little kiss, believing that the crew had long boarded the ship and was waiting for them there.
However, once the two of them returned to the ship, Luffy was watching them carefully, studying them. Finally, he decided to ask.
“Hey, why do you two only kiss when you think no one’s watching you two?”
The question was loud, everyone heard him.
What followed was long silence, stretching between the whole crew and Sanji’s face turned redder than the lobster he had cooked a few days ago. He swallowed, looked at Zoro, who didn’t seem too bothered, but at the same time…
“What?” asked Chopper.
“I saw it before, too. You kissed,” said Luffy, pointing and laughing at them.
Luffy said it like it was the most casual thing ever.
Sanji choked on his breath, Chopper yelped and Franky was cracking up.
“It’s not like that!” started Sanji. “He was the one who started it!”
“You grabbed me first,” deadpanned Zoro.
“You didn’t stop me,” said Sanji and gritted his teeth.
“Why would I?!” asked Zoro back and more silence followed.
Luffy was cracking up as well, arms wrapped around his stomach.
“I mean, it was really about time,” said Nami and Zoro looked at her.
“What?”
“Everyone knows,” sighed Nami.
“What… How?” asked Sanji. “Marimo-”
“Pay up,” said Nami and planted her hand out in front of Usopp. “Less than a week, see?”
Usopp groaned.
Sanji was horrified – they made bets?
Nami happily collected her bets, while Sanji disappeared to the back, Zoro following him with a little smirk on his face as Sanji kept complaining and Zoro didn't interrupt him.
The whole thing was kind of hilarious, Sanji not finding it funny at all, but then again, Zoro always had a way to make Sanji change his mind.