Archive of Our Own ^beta

Zoro raised his swords as he stared Sanji down from across the training ring. 

The prince’s pose was relaxed, his hands slid casually into his pockets as if he hadn't a care in the world, but Zoro knew better by now, could see the steel in his gaze and read the tension in his legs. 

He was ready, waiting for the next attack. 

And Zoro was never one to back down from a challenge. 

He lunged forward, thrusting his swords at Sanji and calling up a vine to tangle his feet. Sanji saw through this attack, quickly launching himself in the air away from the plant and executing a roundhouse kick to Zoro’s head. 

Zoro dodged, redirecting one sword to block the attack as he swept his second sword through the air, aiming for Sanji’s open side. 

Sanji twisted his body away from the blade in a way that would've made Zoro pull something. He bent backwards, landing deftly on his hands as he brought his foot up to clip the underside of Zoro’s chin. As Zoro shifted his jaw to recover from the blow, Sanji landed back on his feet and struck him with a solid kick straight to his torso. 

Zoro sailed out of the ring, landing roughly in a soft patch of snow. He groaned as he let his swords drop to the ground by his side, staring up at the clouds as he tried to remember how to breathe. 

That had been a hell of a kick. Even with no magic, his prince always found a way to surprise him. 

There was a light laugh, and Sanji’s face appeared in his field of vision, his golden hair haloed by the sun, making him sparkle. “That makes it even again, 64-64.”

“Lucky shot,” Zoro wheezed, bringing his hand up to rub at the bruise forming on his chest. “I'll get you next time.”

Sanji chuckled, “Keep telling yourself that, Mosshead.”

Zoro growled, but accepted the offered hand and let Sanji pull him to his feet. He brushed off the snow clinging to his tunic and glanced down to see the daisies that had sprouted where he landed, the blossoms poking up through the snow. 

Sanji spotted them too and smiled, “Cute.”

“Shut up,” Zoro shoved his laughing face away and snatched up his swords as he went back to the center of the ring, “Let's go again.”

“Sure,” Sanji grinned brightly as he lazily followed after him, “I've got nothing but time.”

Zoro matched his grin as Sanji joined him, and they got ready for another round. 

Just as his blades met the soles of Sanji’s shoes, however, a loud screech echoed through the training courtyard, “Roronoa!”

Zoro winced, the sound of the head guard’s voice grating his ear as he pulled away. Sanji’s foot dropped back to the ground, and Zoro’s heart ached as he watched the delighted smirk on his face fade into the carefully blank look he always had within the castle.

Zoro sighed, the mood broken as he sheathed his swords and turned to face the head guard, “Yeah?”

The head guard was seething, his face pinched and beet red as he ground out through clenched teeth, “Pray tell just what in the seven seas do you think you're doing?”

“Training,” Zoro huffed as he crossed his arms, “Is maintaining my skills not part of my duties?”

“It is,” the head guard hissed, “But not when your sparring partner is the third prince!”

Sanji's shoulders hunched as if he was trying to make himself smaller, and Zoro held back a growl as his hand found the hilts of his swords.

“Your one and only job is to protect him,” the head guard insisted, “Not put him in mortal peril!”

“I wasn't even using all three swords,” Zoro told him, using all of his willpower to not roll his eye, “and I can control my strength. He was never in any danger.”

“Need I remind you the third prince is defenseless?” The head guard snapped, “Unlike the rest of the royal family, he has no magic to speak of. Even your magic — as slight as it is — can overwhelm him, and that's not even bringing your swords into it! And further more-”

“It was my request,” Sanji said as he stepped forward, “I wanted to stretch my legs out in the courtyard and help Sir Zoro train. He was going along with my wishes.”

Rather than be pacified, the head guard turned his ire towards Sanji, “Be that as it may, the king has given strict orders that you are to never leave the castle. It's simply too dangerous to have a royal so exposed with no magic to defend himself, and your father would be beside himself if anything happened to you. Even out here in the training courtyard your very life is in danger.”

He turned to glare at Zoro. “You of all people should know better, Roronoa.”

Zoro scowled and crossed his arms. He did know better, he knew better than anyone that despite the lack of magic, Sanji was one of the strongest and most capable fighters he'd ever met. Even if there was a mage threatening him here in the courtyard, Sanji could defend himself with ease. 

Zoro may not know why the king was so insistent that Sanji never leave the castle, but it wasn't for his safety. 

“The king will hear about this,” the head guard continued, “and there will be consequences.”

“He was following his prince’s orders,” Sanji tried again. “He shouldn't be punished for doing what the royal family told him to do.”

The head guard sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. “Very well. Roronoa, you're lucky you’re the longest a guard has managed to remain attached to the third prince, even with his inadequacies, and the king finds that to be of immense value. Normally he wouldn’t abide by such blatant disregard of his commands.”

Sanji didn’t even flinch at the remarks, just held himself a little straighter and gripped his fists tight. Zoro did his best to follow his lead, but couldn’t stop the scowl or his hand from gripping Wado’s hilt tighter as the head guard gestured back towards the castle.

“Bring the prince back inside,” he ordered, “and make sure he doesn’t leave. No matter what he may request of you.”

Zoro nodded stiffly, biting his tongue as he followed Sanji back inside the dark and dreary castle.

When they'd gotten out of earshot, Zoro scoffed, “What a fucking asshole.”

“I know right,” Sanji snickered, then pitched his voice as he mocked, “Roronoa you should know better.”

Zoro laughed at the impersonation, then shook his head. “He shouldn't be so condescending towards you.”

Sanji shrugged. “Magic is everything in Germa. If you can't use it, you're basically worthless.”

“Still,” Zoro tapped his fingers across his hilts as he glanced at Sanji, “You're a prince. That must mean something.”

“A prince of Germa who can't use magic,” Sanji reminded him with a chuckle, but this time it was an empty sound. “I'm worse than useless, I'm disgraceful. My entire existence brings shame to the kingdom.”

Zoro grabbed his wrist, stopping them in their path. Sanji glanced over at him, his bright blue eyes curious as he raised a brow. 

“You're not useless.” Zoro stated, pleading with him through face and tone alone to understand, “Not to me.”

A dusting of pink crossed Sanji’s face, the blush spreading across the bridge of his nose as it filled his cheeks with color.

Zoro’s cheeks warmed in response, and he slowly let his wrist drop, feeling awkward about his sudden outburst.

He’d only been in Germa for about six months, but in that time his infatuation for his charge had only grown. Originally, Zoro had come to the kingdom as a mercenary to fight in one of King Judge’s many ongoing wars. But that war had ended quickly and instead of paying out the rest of Zoro’s contract as per their agreement, Judge had him serve it as a castle guard instead. Zoro had resented the whole arrangement, moved from one station to another until the head guard decided to solve two of his problems in one fell swoop: Have the guard who didn’t want to be here protect the prince that didn’t want protection.

After Sanji’s mother died and his magic never appeared, Judge ordered he be kept in the castle at all times for his own safety, meaning he needed a guard with him at all hours of the day. Over the years this had been something the prince had grown to resent, and he had mastered the art of ditching his guard in the most elaborate ways possible. The result of this was very few of them were willing to put up with his antics.

Zoro and Sanji had connected almost immediately, quickly becoming friends and the only solace the other had in such a dismal place. It had gotten to the point where Zoro hadn’t wanted to leave Sanji behind when his initial contract was finally up, and agreed to stay on as a guard just to stay by his side.

His attraction to the prince put into his care had only grown the more time he spent with him. What could he say, Zoro had always had a type — strong, kind, could kick his ass — and Sanji just happened to tick all of the right boxes for him.

So as much as Zoro hated Germa, he refused to leave Sanji here all alone again.

He ran a hand through his hair as they continued walking to Sanji’s rooms, choosing to ignore the awkward moment and say, “You doing anything for the Solstice?”

Sanji snorted, “Not particularly, no.”

“Really?” Zoro frowned, “It’s one of the biggest holidays. I’m surprised Germa doesn’t celebrate it.”

“They do,” Sanji admitted with a tilt of his head, “The commoners always put on quite the celebration, or so I’ve heard, and I’m sure the rest of my family will make a perfunctory appearance at the castle town for it.” Sanji sighed, grimacing as he glanced at the nearby wall, “But of course I won’t be able to go to that.”

Zoro hummed, his fingers drumming an erratic pattern across his sword hilts, “You’re not going to do something at the castle?”

Sanji shook his head. “Judge considers most celebrations a waste of valuable time and resources. He’ll let the peasants have their fun, but insists the rest of us be above such nonsense.”

Zoro blinked, staring after him for a moment as he realized, “So, wait, you’ve never celebrated the Solstice?”

Sanji frowned as he turned back to him, “Maybe with my mother, but certainly not since.”

The late Queen Sora had been sick and bedridden for the entirety of Sanji’s life, which means Sanji would have only celebrated the holiday in the medical wing or not at all.

That struck something deep in Zoro. He wasn’t the biggest Solstice celebrator around, but he enjoyed doing special things with his friends, liked eating and drinking and being with them for the momentous occasions that happened throughout the year.

The thought of Sanji being denied that just didn’t sit right with him.

Sanji smiled that soft sweet smile of his, probably reading Zoro’s thoughts on his face. “It’s okay if you want to take the day off for it, spend some time with your loved ones instead of trapped in here with me.”

Zoro steeled himself, his mind made up. “I’m not going to leave you here by yourself.”

The corner of Sanji’s mouth twitched, but he just sighed and kept walking, “Suit yourself, Mosshead.”

As he returned Sanji to his chambers, a plan began to form in Zoro’s head. It might take some doing, and he would probably need a little help from his friends to pull it off, but he was reasonably confident they could do it.

He’d celebrate the holiday with Sanji, one way or another.

“Roronoa?” The guard at the castle entrance raised a brow as Zoro passed. “I thought you had off for the Solstice?”

Zoro’s pulse spiked, but he took a deep breath to calm himself and let out a world-weary sigh instead, “Yeah, well, you know how needy the third prince is. If I don’t keep an eye on him, who knows what trouble he’ll end up in.”

“True enough,” the guard shook his head, “Better you than me, anyway.”

Zoro huffed, but kept his mouth shut as he passed through the gate and into the castle. 

The stone halls were as dark and twisted as they ever were, and despite Zoro being pretty much stuck in the castle for the last few months, he found himself turned around more than once. But eventually he did find his way to Sanji’s chambers and quickly entered.

There was a small fire burning in the fireplace of the main room, but Sanji himself was nowhere to be seen. Zoro shifted from foot to foot as he figured out what to do next. In all likelihood, Sanji was simply further in, either in his private chambers or his bedroom, but Zoro had never been allowed past the main room, and wasn’t sure how to proceed.

Thankfully a door to his left opened, and Sanji entered the room, his nose in a book. He stopped and looked up when he finally realized someone else was there, and blinked for a few seconds before he said, “Marimo? What the hell are you doing here? I gave you the day off.”

“I know,” Zoro grinned as he offered Sanji his hand, “I’ve come to kidnap you.”

Sanji scoffed, his brow furrowing as he closed his book, “What the shit are you going on about now?”

“It’s the Solstice, you should be out celebrating with everyone, not cooped up in some dark, dank castle.” Zoro gave his hand an insistent shake. “My friends are waiting. They’ll take us far away enough so we can celebrate without your family knowing, and we’ll bring you back before they even notice you’re gone. What do you say?”

Sanji chuckled as he crossed his arms, his smug face looking more attractive than it had any right to. “You want to celebrate with me that bad, huh?”

Yes, Zoro did, but he’d rather die than admit that to Sanji’s face. “You coming or what?”

He laughed again, setting his book down on a nearby table as he took Zoro’s hand, “Sure. Take me away from here.”

Zoro did so, quickly ushering them down the hall and towards the center of the castle.

“Where are we meeting your friends?” Sanji whispered, his hand still clutched in Zoro’s.

“We have to go to the middle courtyard,” he answered, his eye darting around for any wandering staff that could report him to the King and ruin the whole plan.

“In that case,” Sanji tugged his hand and guided him down the next hallway, “We should be heading this way.”

Zoro grumbled, but followed Sanji's lead.

They made it to the courtyard with no fuss and Zoro circled the perimeter wall, looking for the spot Usopp marked. He spotted the faint yellow glow that indicated his friend’s magic in the far corner, and tugged Sanji’s hand as he led him over. 

“This is your great escape plan?” Sanji raised a brow as they arrived. “Has your sense of direction truly depleted? You can’t even tell the difference between a wall and an exit now?”

“Maybe shut up for a moment,” Zoro grumbled as he reached out and touched the magic. His hand fell through it easily, and he felt around blindly for a moment until someone grabbed ahold of him and tugged.

He glanced back over his shoulder to catch sight of Sanji’s wide eyes, and made sure to tighten his hold on his hand as they were yanked through the portal, collapsing together in the snow on top of Usopp.

“Oof,” Usopp groaned from somewhere under him, “my lumbago…”

“Sorry!” Sanji apologized immediately, springing back away from the heap and landing on his rear in the snow for his troubles, “Sorry, I didn’t mean to-”

“Now look what you’ve done,” Zoro sighed as he sat up, “You spooked him.”

Sanji launched a snowball at his head. “I’m not spooked! I’m just appropriately apologetic after falling on top of someone!”

Zoro growled, snatched up some nearby snow, and quickly formed it into a tight ball before chucking it at Sanji, “Then stop acting like it!”

Sanji snarled as he wiped the melted snow off of his face, and immediately grabbed some more to make another snowball. Before he could toss it, Nami stepped in between them, her hands on her hips as a frown cut across her face.

She raised an eyebrow as she looked down on Zoro, “Do we really have time for this right now?”

“Oh.” Sanji’s face flushed pink as he scrambled to his feet, “Apologies, my lady, I didn’t see you there.”

He bowed low, and Zoro rolled his eye as he made his way to his feet as well, offering Usopp a hand up that he took with a grateful smile.

“My name is Sanji, the third prince of Germa,” he continued as he straightened up, grabbing her gloved hand to place a kiss on the back of it, “It is an honor to make your acquaintance.”

“Oh, wow,” Nami laughed as he let go of her hand, “Zoro, you didn’t tell me he had actual manners.”

“He doesn’t,” Zoro scoffed as he brushed the snow off, “He’s just annoying.”

He blocked the kick aimed at his head with his arm, a smirk spreading across his face as Sanji glared at him.

“Speaking of manners, you gonna introduce me to your friends or what?” Sanji scowled as he put his foot back on the ground.

Nami and Usopp shared an all too knowing look, but Zoro ignored it as he gestured at them. “Yeah, fine. Curly, this is Nami the weather witch and Usopp the master of running away.”

“Don’t say it like that to the prince,” Usopp hissed at him, then turned a sheepish grin towards Sanji, “It’s teleportation magic — it’s what brought you here — and yes, I have on occasion used it for quick escapes, but as a noble and brave warrior known far and wide, there is hardly a foe I can’t fell.”

“Really?” Sanji raised a disbelieving eyebrow, but said, “You’ll have to tell me all about it sometime.”

This was the very correct thing to say, as Usopp’s eyes lit up at the prospect of telling one of his wild tales to a fresh audience. 

“We don't have time for that either,” Nami tossed a bag roughly at Zoro, who caught it with a grunt, “Change out of that Germa uniform. We gotta get going before Luffy eats his way through the entire festival.” She heaved a heavy sigh, “Again.”

Zoro huffed, but slid his foot in an arc, causing bamboo to shoot up and give him some privacy as he changed. 

“Sorry, Sanji,” he heard Nami say, “I would've grabbed you at least a cloak to wear if I knew you needed one.”

“It's quite alright,” Sanji was quick to assure her, “Never being allowed to leave the castle means I'm not granted much in the way of outerwear. But I'm fine, really, it's not even that cold out.”

A chilly wind swept through the area just then, making everyone audibly shiver.

“A-anyway,” Sanji laughed through chattering teeth, “I'm much more interested in why that Mosshead called you the weather witch?”

“Oh that,” Nami laughed, “It's a fairly accurate — albeit rude — statement of my abilities. I'm a weather mage.”

“Really?” Sanji sounded suitably impressed, “That's a rare form of magic. You must be an exceptional mage indeed.”

Zoro rolled his eye, and he could hear the shit-eating grin on Nami’s face when she said, “Finally, someone around here who appreciates my talents. I'm so glad Zoro brought you!”

It was nice though. He knew Sanji had been lonely, trapped in the castle like he was. It was good that Sanji was connecting so well with the people who mattered most to Zoro, like he fit right in. 

But as much as Zoro was thrilled to see the prince get along with his friends, they had more important things to do at the moment.

“C’mon,” he huffed as he pulled out a sword and sliced away the bamboo. He quickly sheathed it again as he started walking to town, “We gotta get going or we’re gonna miss everything.”

“Sure,” Nami said as she grabbed the back of his cloak, “But maybe heading in the right direction would help?” 

Zoro’s face flushed as the other three laughed, but turned and followed after Nami’s lead.

“So, uh,” Sanji said as he fell into step next to him, rubbing his bare hands to keep them warm, “I don’t mean to be rude, but where are we? And where are we going?”

“Oh.” Nami glanced at him over her shoulder, “Zoro didn’t explain it to you?”

“Not beyond that we were heading somewhere to celebrate the Solstice without my family interfering.” Sanji shivered slightly before tucking his hands into his pockets, “The specifics were left a mystery.”

“We were in a hurry,” Zoro explained quickly, his eye darting to where Sanji’s hands were tucked away as he clenched his fists around the phantom warmth of it.

Nami sighed as she turned back around, but said, “Right now we’re on the edge of the Sunny Forest, and we’re on our way to Merryville, which is a small town in the-”

“The Nika Valley,” Sanji finished with a nod, “Yes, I’m familiar. We’re quite a ways from Germa.”

“Quite a ways,” Usopp puffed out his chest, “It was no small feat either.”

“I believe you,” Sanji laughed, a light, delighted sound that Zoro had never heard within the halls of the castle, “Shit, Marimo, when you said you’d take me away, you meant it.”

Zoro blushed and rubbed the back of his neck, the small smile on his face making his heart race in his chest. “Yeah, well, no one should have to spend the holiday stuck in that castle by themselves.”

Sanji hummed, his face softening as he lightly bumped his shoulder against Zoro’s, “Thanks.”

Zoro grunted at the jolt of heat surging through him at Sanji’s touch, his face even redder he was sure, but just then they broke through the treeline and arrived in the town proper.

Bright lights were strung up across every building as they passed through the entrance, and cheerful music sounded from seemingly all corners of the town. As they walked further in, the delicious smells of food wafted around them, making even Zoro’s mouth drool with anticipation. Despite the cold air pinching at their exposed skin, the excitement and joy all around them was palpable and contagious.

They came to a stop in the center square, and Nami frowned, “Where’s Luffy? He was supposed to meet us-”

“Zooooooooroooooooo!” A voice echoed as it bounced between the buildings, growing louder as the source grew closer. Zoro braced himself for impact as Luffy slingshotted himself off a nearby roof and slammed into him, his arms wrapping around him several times like an octopus.

“There you are,” Luffy laughed, pulling his head away enough to catch sight of a bewildered Sanji, “Oh. Is this your friend?”

“Yes,” Zoro groaned as Luffy released and sprung off of him, “This is Sanji, he’s-”

“Hi, Sanji!” Luffy rounded on the startled prince instead, pulling him into a bone-crushing hug, “Zoro says you’ve never celebrated the Solstice before, which is so boring! So we’re gonna have the best time today!”

“I, uh,” he blinked a moment to get his bearings, but fell into Luffy’s rhythm easily, “Yeah, I’m looking forward to it.”

Luffy cheered as he released Sanji, his body twisting unnaturally as he landed on his feet, “First stop, food! They got these spicy meat pie things that you gotta try!”

With that, Luffy sprinted off, Nami and Usopp in hot pursuit as Zoro and Sanji followed at a more leisurely pace.

“What’s with the…” Sanji bit his lip as he tried to find the words, “bending?”

“Oh, yeah, that’s his magic,” Zoro shrugged as he nodded to where Luffy had found the meat pie stand and was already shoving three into his mouth, “He’s rubber. He can’t control or make rubber, he just is rubber.”

Rather than be thrown off by that, Sanji laughed, “I guess magic takes all forms, huh.”

“Yeah,” Zoro could only stare mesmerized as the lights surrounded and softened Sanji, making him nothing short of beautiful. “I guess it does.”

They caught up to the others in short order, only to be met with Luffy shoving pies into their faces. 

“You've got to try this!” He exclaimed around a mouthful of his own, spraying crumbs everywhere, “It's so good!”

Zoro scowled as he snatched the pie and started eating it. Sanji hesitated, but took the offered food and gave it a tentative bite.

Zoro watched his face carefully as he ate, shifting from curious to intrigued to simply marveled at the taste as he lifted the pie to get a better look, “This is delicious!”

Luffy swallowed and beamed at him, “Isn't it? This stand makes it special.”

Sanji glanced over at the stall owner and took a step forward, but stopped himself. He bit his lip, his face carefully shuttering like it always did inside the castle. 

That look always made Zoro’s heart ache, and here, well outside of Germa and the Vinsmoke’s influence, he could do something about it. 

He lightly nudged his shoulder against Sanji’s and nodded towards the stall, “Go on. Ask her about the recipe.”

Sanji’s face flushed a brilliant pink, the corner of his mouth twitching as he turned to Zoro, hope making his eyes shine, “Really? It's okay?”

“‘Course it is,” Zoro shrugged like it was no big deal as he took another bite of pie, “Hell she’ll probably be thrilled that someone's interested. Most of the craftsmen and stall owners here are just dying to tell you how they do it, so always feel free to ask.” Zoro shot him a smile, “No one will mind.”

The grin spread slowly across Sanji’s face, but it lit him up brighter than any of the surrounding lights. He spared Zoro a sure nod, then stepped forward to talk to the owner about her pies. 

Sanji sparkled as they talked, the stall owner lighting up as well thanks to his enthusiasm. She started writing something on a piece of paper, and Sanji smiled wider than Zoro had ever seen, his heart melting at the sight. 

“You didn't mention you were in love with him.”

Zoro flinched as Nami snuck up on his blind side, but he recovered quickly and turned to scowl at her, “Huh?”

“You always talk about how he's dumb and annoying and that his family is the worst,” she continues, sipping a hot chocolate, “I thought it was strange you decided to stay in Germa for so long, but I figured the money must have just been that good. I'll admit I had my suspicions when you proposed this whole scheme to bust him out.” She raised a brow, “But seeing you around him confirms it: you're in love with him. You coulda said.”

“Shut up,” he scoffed and looked away, his face red, “I am not.”

Nami chuckled, her eyes trailing up to his head, “You're blooming.”

Zoro quickly ran a hand through his hair, and was horrified to find rose petals of all things falling off, “Shit…”

He vigorously scrubbed at his head to get rid of the rest of the petals as Nami laughed. 

“I think it's sweet,” she said when Zoro finished, “He's good for you, and you're definitely good for him.” She grinned, “I'm rooting for you.”

Zoro blushed, suddenly embarrassed but pleased all the same at her assessment, and let out a soft, “Thanks.”

He had wondered how Sanji would get along with his friends, and was delighted to see he fit in easily, like he was always meant to belong. He had also been eager to see what Sanji was like away from the clutches of his family, the glimpses of his personality he got when they were alone not nearly enough for him, and found that he was enjoying this Sanji very much. 

It was nice to see Sanji so…free. 

With a friendly smile and a wave, Sanji tucked the paper the stall owner gave him in his pocket and returned to Zoro’s side, still munching on his pie.

“She gave me the recipe!” His grin grew, and Zoro felt his own lips turn in response, “The spice combination is truly marvelous. I can’t wait to try it out.”

“Sounds good,” Zoro laughed, “I can’t wait to try it.”

Sanji’s grin grew, but before he could say anything else, Usopp and Luffy reappeared with warm drinks in tow.

“Here,” Usopp handed a warm apple cider to Zoro as Luffy gave Sanji a hot chocolate, “We’re gonna try and make our way towards the more traditional Solstice stuff so Sanji can see it, but knowing Luffy we’re gonna end up stopping at every food stall along the way.”

“Sanji wants to try all the food,” Luffy insisted, wrapping an arm around Sanji’s shoulders, “It’s an important part of the holiday — the most important part! He shouldn’t miss out on it.”

Nami sighed and shook her head, “Maybe let Sanji decide what he wants to do?”

Sanji blushed as all of their attention moved to him, “I, well, I want to try everything. The food, the music, the traditions…” He glanced at Zoro, smile small as he sipped his drink, “Everything. If that's okay?”

“Of course it's okay,” Zoro said as he playfully nudged his shoulder, “We’re here for you. You should be able to check out everything you want.”

Sanji’s flush deepened just as Luffy grabbed his wrist and shouted, “Oh! The cake place! They have this chocolate cake thing that's the best! You gotta try it!”

He dragged Sanji away, Zoro and the others trailing after him. 

They spent quite a while exploring the food stalls, mostly because Luffy wanted to try everything and Sanji wanted to stop and talk to every single stall owner. 

He ended up with a smile brighter than the sun and a pocket full of new recipes, so Zoro couldn't even complain about it. 

They did eventually make their way to the center of town, where most of the vendors were set up by the giant tree in the town square covered head to toe in colorful, shimmering lights. 

Sanji stopped to stare at it for a moment as the others peeled off to do their own shopping, his eyes wide as his mouth hung open. 

“It's beautiful,” Sanji whispered in awe, “So many colors all in one place…”

He shivered and Zoro once again cursed himself for forgetting that Sanji, who was never supposed to leave the castle, lacked proper outdoor winter wear. Zoro huffed as he unfastened his own cloak and shrugged it off. 

“The light mages around here do all the decorating,” he explained as he draped the cloak across Sanji’s shoulders, “There's a whole guild in town, and they really go all out trying to outdo each other.”

Sanji blinked, seemingly surprised by the sudden appearance of the cloak, but held it tighter around his shoulders as he chuckled, "Competition does bring out the best in us, huh?”

“It always does for me,” he laughed as he grabbed his hand and led him towards the vendors, “C’mon, help me pick out gifts for the others.” 

“Gifts?” Sanji’s brows furrowed for a moment, then he gasped, “Shit! This is a gift giving holiday isn't it?” He scowled, his hand drifting to his hair, “Everyone's been so nice and I haven’t gotten them anything!”

“Relax, Curls.” Zoro gave his hand a squeeze, “That's why we're buying our gifts now.”

“Oh…” he seemed to relax a little, at least his hand fell away from his hair, but he bit his lip and said, almost sheepish, “I don't…have any money.”

“Don't worry about that.” Zoro grinned as he pulled out the money pouch Nami gave him earlier, “I've got that covered.”

“Where did you…?” Sanji started, his eyebrows climbing up his forehead. 

“Nami leant it to me,” he stashed it back in his pocket, “don't worry about it.”

“Where did Nami-?”

“I said don't worry about it,” he squeezed his hand again, “C’mon, let's get gifts.”

Sanji may have only just met his friends, but he was an excellent help in picking out gifts for them. Together they managed to find a matching pair of orange earrings and necklace for Nami, a new bag and custom made goggles for Usopp, and Sanji even found a small wooden fish figurine that he insisted Luffy would love.

“What about you?” Sanji asked as he tucked Luffy’s present away, “What are you getting Luffy?”

“The same thing I always get him,” Zoro grinned, “Tomorrow we’ll go to a tavern. I’ll buy all the food, he’ll buy all the drinks.”

Sanji laughed, “Based on what I saw earlier and your ability to drain the wine cellars dry, I’d say that’s a fair exchange.”

Zoro chuckled too, but quickly became aware of another pressing problem. With everyone else’s gifts acquired, how was he supposed to buy Sanji’s gift with him right here?

He couldn’t just ditch him — this was his first stint away from the castle in who knew how long, and Zoro was the one who brought him along. He knew Sanji could defend himself just fine if push came to shove, but the idea of leaving him alone out here for any amount of time just didn’t sit well with him. On the other hand, he couldn’t surprise Sanji with a gift if he was attached to his hip while picking it out.

So when Sanji got distracted chatting with the stall owner at one stall, Zoro started casually slipping over to the next one to see if there was anything there the prince would like. He'd get about five minutes of browsing in before Sanji joined him at the stall, then rinse and repeat. 

Currently they were at a stall that sold little glass baubles filled with colorful magic. The sample pieces shone brightly, the magic whirling inside of them as if it were alive. 

Zoro had already written them off as a gift — the last thing Sanji needed was a reminder of how he didn't have magic — and his eye were drifting over to the next stall. 

“Amazing,” Sanji exclaimed as he leaned in to get a closer look at a glass rose, “How do you get the magic inside? Is it all captured light magic, or is the magic in the glass itself?”

“It's actually all different types,” the woman smiled as she gestured at her creation, “I shape the glass with my own magic, but for custom orders clients can pour the essence of their own magic in ‘em, and the colors and lights will react to them.”

“Really?” Sanji's eyes went wide as his smile grew, “How does that work?”

While Sanji hung on her every word, Zoro took that as his cue to silently move on to the next stall. It was a fibercraft stall, brightly colored sweaters and scarfs and hats covered the small counter space, and Zoro quickly scanned over them. 

He spotted a pair of blue gloves among the piles, and wriggled them out to take a closer look. They were a little small for him, but would probably fit Sanji’s hands easily. He thought about Sanji’s hands, his most prized procession that he kept tucked in his pockets when they fought so he didn't hurt them, could save them for cooking delicious food whenever he got a few moments in the kitchen. When Zoro had held one earlier, it was pink and raw from the cold, the skin dry and cracked across his knuckles. 

Zoro glanced over and saw Sanji was still deep in conversation with the glass mage. He looked back and waved the gloves for the stall owner here, “I'll take these.”

“Sure,” the owner took the gloves and said, “I also  have a hat and scarf to match in here somewhere too if you want.”

“That's fine.” His eye darted back to Sanji, "Just make it quick.” 

He paused, doing the exact opposite of what Zoro just asked him to do, and gave Zoro a once over, “You’re a plant mage, right?”

“Yeah,” Zoro blinked, a little shocked he’d clocked him so easily, “How’d you know?”

“Well,” he gestured at Zoro’s head, “The green hair is a dead giveaway.”

Zoro scowled and ran a hand through said hair.

“But there’s a neat trick you might be able to do with these,” he continued as he found the hat and scarf, “They’re designed to absorb and distribute magic, so with yours you can add like, extra stuff to them, if that makes sense?”

“Maybe?” Zoro arched a brow, “What do you mean extra?”

“Like,” he offered Zoro the gloves and ran a finger along a silver thread on the back of them, “If you can put aloe in here, then it’ll help soothe the wearer’s hands.”

“Oh!” That did seem helpful, and like something Sanji would appreciate. He ran his finger along the silver line, leaving traces of aloe behind. When he was done, a green shimmer settled over the gloves, blending almost seamlessly into the blue.

“Nice,” the stall owner smiled, then offered the scarf and the hat, “You can do something with these too, but I’m not sure what would fit best.”

Zoro frowned as he thought it over. Since the scarf would be by Sanji’s face, he figured something that smelled good would be best, so he traced the silver line and left behind some lavender for him.

The hat took a little more thought, but he suddenly remembered Sanji’s favorite nickname for him, and figured that would at least make the hat a little softer. He chuckled a little to himself as he traced the silver line and left behind the essence of moss. See how Sanji liked being a Mosshead for a change. 

Zoro grinned and glanced over at the other stall, only to find Sanji already making his way over to him. 

“Shit,” Zoro chucked the money at the owner and shoved the gloves, hat, and scarf into his haramaki, making the stall owner scowl. 

“I do have bags, you know.” He held up his finger, summoning stray fabric from the stall to weave into a tightly woven bag. 

But before Zoro could grab it, Sanji had arrived and smiled brightly at him, “What's here, Moss? Anything interesting?”

“Not really,” Zoro shrugged as the stall owner made an affronted noise, “Just boring clothes and stuff.”

Sanji hummed, then turned to examine the wares for himself. When he did, Zoro snatched the fully formed bag out of the owner’s hand, yanked his purchases out of his haramaki and put them in there instead, then shoved the bag in one of his other bags. 

The owner gave him a secretly unimpressed look, but thankfully didn't say anything. 

“C’mon,” Zoro grabbed Sanji’s hand and led him away from the stall as quick as he could. 

“Hey!” Sanji snarled but followed after him, “what's the rush?”

“Nothing!” Zoro said, maybe a little too high pitched, “Just, that guy didn’t have much. You wanted to see everything right?”

“Yeah…” Sanji sighed, looking suddenly dejected, “Guess with just the one day of freedom I have to prioritize, huh?”

Zoro stopped in his tracks to stare at Sanji, his hand suddenly like ice in Zoro’s own, “What do you mean?”

“Nothing,” Sanji offered him a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes, then tugged at his hand, “C’mon, let’s see what else they’ve got here.”

They continued around the stalls at a more leisurely pace, enjoying the sights, the food, and the company.

Sanji's hand remained clasped in Zoro’s the whole time, and Zoro never wanted to be anywhere else.

They met up with their friends again as the sun began to set. Sanji excitedly told Usopp and Luffy about everything he had seen with Zoro, while Nami gave Zoro a pointed look and a raised brow. 

Zoro just shrugged, sparing Sanji a soft smile as he practically glowed with excitement, and Nami sighed and rolled her eyes. 

“Oh!” Luffy perked up suddenly as the last of the sun disappeared, “Look!”

As the sun faded, the lights around town grew brighter and brighter, shifting colors and moving around each other as if in a dance. 

Sanji watched the routine, mesmerized by it, and Zoro watched Sanji, finding he couldn't look away. 

When the lights finally settled, giving off a bright white glow to combat the darkness, Luffy cheered and shouted, “Okay! To the hilltop! And make sure to grab as much food as you can along the way!”

The others smiled as they complied, snatching whatever leftover food the stalls were handing out as they made their way up the indicated hill. 

“So,” Sanji fell into step beside Zoro, his arms full of roasted chestnuts and pastries, “Why are we climbing a hill in the dark? Wouldn't it have made more sense to do this while it was light out?”

“Oh,” Zoro laughed, realizing how ridiculous this must look to him with no context, “Right, yeah, we need a high vantage point for the fireworks.”

“Fireworks?” Sanji’s brow raised in confusion. 

“Yeah, fireworks are these loud-”

“I know what fireworks are,” he growled, driving his knee into his side, “I'm wondering why we're having them now. Aren't they normally to mark battle victories?”

Stupid Germa and its stupid warmongering, “They're for celebrating, sometimes it's a battle, usually it's just…” he gestured around them, “Happy moments or whatever.”

“Tonight's the longest night of the year,” Nami added as they reached the top of the hill, “Setting off fireworks helps drive the darkness back, at least a little bit.”

“Yeah,” Usopp nodded, “Once we make it through tonight, the sun will return, bit by bit.” He laughed, turning to grin at Sanji, “Until then, we'll make our own light.”

“Alright crew!” Luffy announced once he found a spot, “Begin preparations!”

“Prepare what?” Sanji asked, his eyes darting between all of them as they got to work.

“You’ll see,” Zoro grinned as he handed him his bags, “Can you hold this for a sec?”

Sanji took it easily — Nami and Usopp’s loads too when they asked — but his curious frown remained in place as he watched. 

Nami was up first. She took her stance over the chosen patch of snow, breathing deeply until a light breeze surrounded the area. She exhaled slowly, the air getting warmer and drier until a patch of snow big enough to fit the four of them melted away.

When she fell back, releasing the desert wind she’d summoned and catching her breath, Zoro stepped forward to take her place. He placed one hand on the revealed patch of wet dirt and closed his eye, letting his magic out through his fingertips and into the roots below.

It was always easier for him to work with what was already on hand than create new plants, so he dug deep for the seeds of grass sleeping down below, and sent a jolt of life through them, enticing them to grow and burst forward.

He opened his eye to a patch of soft grass filling the space Nami had created and grinned, glancing immediately towards Sanji to catch his impressed smile in the moonlight.

“Alright,” Usopp puffed out his chest as he stepped forward, “My turn.”

He sat down on the grass and crossed his legs, patting around a bit before flashing them a thumbs up, “We’re all good.”

“Yeah,” Zoro rolled his eye as he sat down too, “Thanks ever so much for your contribution to this endeavor."

“I sense a bit of sarcasm coming from you,” Usopp grinned as he elbowed him in the side, “But being the better person I’m going to ignore it. You’re welcome, and I know my supervision is what makes this teamwork so spectacular.”

Luffy laughed as he flopped down in the seat next to him and started shoveling popcorn in his mouth. Nami sighed as she snatched the rest of the bags from him and handed them out, then sat down on his other side.

Sanji hesitated for a moment, then passed out all the food in his arms, making sure everyone got a little bit of everything.

“That was incredibly precise magic work,” he said as he handed Nami some chestnuts, “You truly are a gifted weather mage.”

Nami grinned, “You’re such a sweet talker.”

When the food was distributed and Sanji still wasn’t sitting down, Zoro rolled his eye and tugged his arm.

“Would you come here already?” He grumbled as Sanji landed in an inelegant heap next to him, “The show’s starting soon.”

Sanji grumbled and flipped him off, but rearranged himself into a more comfortable position as he finally sat down.

“Now that we're all here,” Luffy grinned, his eyes darting around to the gathered crew, “What did you all get me?”

Everyone dug through their bags as they quickly passed along their gifts. Zoro ended up with a jar of choji oil from Usopp, a bottle of whiskey from Nami, and a hastily scribbled ‘i o u buz!!!’ note from Luffy. 

And despite him being a new addition this year, his friends hadn’t left Sanji out of their gift giving. He got a notebook from Nami to write down all the new recipes he’d gotten, a jar of special hot sauce from Usopp, and a little fish figurine almost identical to the one Sanji had picked out for Luffy.

“Cool,” Luffy laughed, tapping his own fish figurine against Sanji’s, “This means we’re friends for life!”

“I’m glad someone else here has taste,” Nami said as she slipped on the new jewelry, “I know Zoro didn’t pick these out.”

“Yeah, you’ve got a good eye for stuff,” Usopp grinned as he adjusted the goggles on his head and the bag over his shoulder, “It’s good to have you around.”

Sanji beamed, his smile wide as his cheeks flushed a brilliant shade of pink, “Thanks, it’s good to be here. Thank you for letting me come around with you all today.”

The winter gear sat heavily in Zoro’s bag. He wanted to give it to Sanji, see that smile directed at him, but with three expectant gazes boring into him, rare worries cropped up and held him back.

What if it was too much? What if Sanji didn’t like it?

In the end, the gifts stayed where they were, and Zoro held his tongue.

Movement along the hillside reminded them about the show about to take place, and everyone’s attention quickly turned to that and the food laid out in front of them.

A cold wind passed through them, and Zoro let out a little shiver, rubbing his arms to generate some heat since he still lacked his cloak.

Sanji scootched a little closer as he unfastened the cloak. Zoro opened his mouth, but before he could say anything to stop him, Sanji draped half the cloak over Zoro’s shoulders and settled so he was pressed right against his side.

“Here,” Sanji turned to smile at him, and Zoro was struck by how close they were, “We can share.”

“Uh…” Zoro was well aware of the three pairs of eyes that were very blatantly staring at them as they continued snacking, but made the valiant effort to ignore them as he leaned more into Sanji, “Thanks.”

Sanji’s grin grew as he turned and settled more against his side.

“Look!” Luffy shouted, smile spread wide across his face as he clapped his feet together, “It's starting!”

Sure enough, a low whistle echoed around the space, followed shortly by a flash of bright green colors and a loud boom.

Sanji startled at the noise, his flinch pushing him more against Zoro’s side, but his face was delighted as he watched the show, his free arm wrapped around Zoro's. 

Zoro couldn't bring himself to look away. Instead of the sky, he watched the colors dance across Sanji’s face, illuminating the blue of his eyes and making his entire being glow bright in the darkness, like he was the only light around for miles, the center of the entire universe. Sanji radiated a steady warmth where he was pressed against him, and Zoro found himself drifting even closer to him, not wanting to part for a single second. 

“It's beautiful,” Sanji said softly, gaze locked on the fireworks. 

“Yeah,” Zoro agreed, eye never leaving Sanji, “it is.”

All too soon the show ended, the world once more returning to darkness. There was a scattered applause coming from the other onlookers from the hillside, while their group scrambled to gather their things and clean up their leftover food. 

Zoro sighed as he forced himself to pull away from Sanji’s warmth. He cleared his throat as he swooped in, shifting to drape the cloak across just Sanji’s shoulders once more and fasten it tight. 

“Aren't you cold?” Sanji asked softly, an inscrutable look crossing his face. 

“I'm fine,” Zoro assured him, risking a look up and realizing just how close he was and how damn blue his eyes were. He let his fingers linger in the clasp, unwilling to completely cut contact with him just yet. 

Sanji leaned in a little closer, and Zoro held his breath, bracing himself for their lips to meet.

Instead, Sanji brushed his fingers through his hair coming away with violet petals, “You’ve got a little…”

Zoro flushed, pulling away a little to scrub at his hair and get rid of all the petals as Sanji chuckled.

“You’re so ridiculous.”

“Shut up,” Zoro growled, but Sanji just laughed a little louder and leaned close again, his lips hovering near Zoro’s. Zoro, completely drawn in, let his eye drift shut in anticipation of the contact. 

“Okay!” Nami shouted, clapping her gloved hands loudly together and forcing them to spring apart,“We're all done here! Time to head back.”

“Right, yeah,” Usopp grinned as he stretched his arms, “Leave it to Usopp the Savior to get us where we need to go.”

“Where are we going next?” Sanji asked as he scrambled to his feet, Zoro not far behind him.

“Home,” Nami answered with a nod, “We spend the day together, but head back for Solstice Dinner with our families.”

“Oh.” Sanji’s shoulders slumped, and he clutched the cloak tight, “I see.” He gave her a tight lipped smile, “I had a lot of fun today. Thank you for letting me tag along in your festivities.”

Nami’s face softened, the corner of her mouth twitching. She looked like she wanted to say something, but before she could Usopp let out a low groan. 

“Okay, so,” Usopp’s smile was shaky as he turned away from the doorway he had conjured in midair, “This totally isn't my fault. I'm a prodigy among space mages just so you know, so whatever's going on here isn't me.”

Zoro raised a brow, “So what is going on?”

“For whatever reason — probably the magical defense around the castle and me working without Zoro there to be a conduit for my own magic, if I had to take a guess — I can't actually get you guys into Germa Castle.”

“Ah.” Zoro crossed his arms. Truth be told, he wasn't quite ready to head back just yet, and he was sure Sanji felt the same, “Shame. Guess we gotta stay here.”

Sanji perked up a little at this, and Luffy even let out a loud cheer, but Nami cut off the celebrating with a whack to his shoulder. 

“Need I remind you that you technically kidnapped a prince?” She hissed. 

“He came willingly,” Zoro insisted, “He wants to be here.”

“Be that as it may, it's still incredibly high treason,” Nami sighed and rubbed her temple, “If you don't get him back before the rest of his family returns, you're gonna find yourself in the dungeon! And I am not going to help get you out.”

Zoro was about to protest and say he didn't mind being in the dungeons as long as Sanji was away from that miserable place, but just as he opened his mouth, Sanji sighed. 

“It's fine,” he insisted, placing a hand on Zoro’s shoulder, “we'll figure something out.”

He turned to Usopp and asked, “How close to the castle can you get us?”

“Uh…” Usopp’s fingers traced the edges of his doorway, his eyes scanning the landscape beyond it, “A couple of miles, it looks like. Up in the mountains somewhere?”

“It'll have to do.” Sanji nodded as he grabbed Zoro's wrist, “We'll make our way on foot from there.”

Zoro grunted as Usopp nodded and rearranged the doorway for them. 

Sanji glanced around at his friends, “It was really nice to meet all of you. I hope to see you again someday.”

“What are you talking about?” Luffy laughed, “Of course we'll see each other again! You're one of us now.”

A slow smile crossed Sanji’s face, and he seemed to light up with the acceptance. With one last parting nod, he squeezed Zoro’s wrist and walked through the doorway back to Germa. 

They tumbled out of a closet inside a cabin, landing in a heap on a soft rug in front of an empty fireplace.

Sanji groaned as he pulled himself off of Zoro, “Does being transported by Usopp’s magic always end like that?”

“Pretty much.” 

Sanji sighed as he stood up and made his way over to the nearby window. Zoro brushed off his pants as he got up and looked around the cabin.

It was a small, just the one room with a bed, table and chairs, a dresser, and two doors, one for the closet they tumbled out of and one for outside. A quick look through the drawers revealed several sets of clothes and cans of dried food, but unfortunately no maps or anything to help guide them back to the castle.

He frowned as he set their bags on the table. He knew he wasn’t the best at finding his way around, and since Sanji hadn’t left the castle in over a decade, he probably wouldn’t be much help finding their way back. 

He perhaps hadn’t thought this little excursion of theirs all the way through.

“Shit…” Sanji groaned as he turned away from the window, “It’s snowing pretty hard out there.”

Zoro frowned as he joined him, glancing out over a blanket of white almost up to the window, with big, puffy flakes still falling from the sky.

“Shit,” Zoro repeated, stepping away from the window with a sigh, “Guess we’re stuck here for a while.”

“Guess so,” Sanji said, although he didn’t seem particularly bothered by it. Instead he made his way over to the food stores and quickly assessed the situation.

Zoro sighed as he checked his swords at his side. They were all there and undamaged, so he rested his hand on their hilts as he headed for the door.

“Where are you going?”

Zoro turned to glance at Sanji, “To get some meat.”

“Don’t be an idiot,” he scowled as he made his way over to him, “There’s a blizzard out there! With your sense of direction you’ll never find your way back and freeze to death.”

“I’m not that bad,” Zoro huffed, ignoring the similar thoughts he had just moments ago, “And I won’t go far. I’ll stay in sight of the cabin the whole time.”

“We have enough food here to last the night,” Sanji gestured at the cupboards. “It might be a problem if we’re stuck here a few days, but-”

“I promised you a full Solstice celebration until we arrive back at the castle,” Zoro stated, “And that includes Solstice Dinner, which traditionally has meat, not canned goods.”

“You're so stupid,” Sanji scoffed, his face turning red as he looked away, “You don’t have to do this.”

“I know, but I want to.” Zoro grinned as he turned back to the door, “I won’t be long.”

“Wait.”

Zoro stopped, turning once more as Sanji shucked off Zoro’s cloak and offered it to him.

“At least wear proper gear if you’re going out there,” he muttered, his eyes bright as he glanced at him.

“But you-”

“Will be fine inside.” Sanji shoved the cloak to his chest, “Take it.”

“Alright,” Zoro put his cloak back on and opened the door, “I’ll be back soon.”

True to his word, he didn’t stray far. He found a wild turkey that got caught in the storm and quickly cut off its head to put it out of its misery, then brought it back to the cabin without it ever leaving his sight.

He didn't think he was gone for that long, but he was greeted by a roaring fire in the fireplace and Sanji standing at the table with a couple of the cans open in front of him and a knife he’d scrounged up from somewhere. He glanced up when Zoro entered, “That was quick. Did you get anything?”

Zoro held up the dead turkey and nodded at the fire, “How’d that happen?”

“There was some wood tucked away in the back,” he explained with a scowl, “You gonna shut the door or wait until the snow fills in here too?”

Zoro scoffed, but did as he asked, kicking the snow that had fallen in back outside and shutting out the cold and the wind with a decisive click. 

With the fire going and the smells of whatever Sanji was cooking filling the air, the little cabin was feeling rather homey. Zoro smiled to himself as he stepped forward and put the dead bird on the table. 

Sanji wrinkled his nose, “Please tell me you know how to defeather a bird?”

“A 'thank you’ would work too, you know.” Zoro muttered as he got to work pulling the feathers out of the turkey. 

They worked in silence, Sanji transforming the canned goods into something delectable, and Zoro butchering the bird. When he was done cutting out all the inedible parts, Sanji took over, examining the turkey from all angles.

“Can you sprout some rosemary and sage for me?” He asked after a moment.

Zoro raised a brow, “My magic isn’t meant to serve as your pantry, Cook.”

Sanji turned to him, brow raised, “So you can’t do it?”

“I can do it,” Zoro hissed, the competitive fire that Sanji always managed to bring out burning within him, “Without a source though it’s not gonna be very big or last very long.”

“I just need to grab some leaves, do you want to eat or not?” Sanji insisted as he cleared some space on the table, “This is wood, will that do as a source?”

It would do, but Zoro grumbled anyway for the principle of it, then ran his hand across the rough surface, summoning the two small sprouts he’d requested.

Sanji grinned as he plucked the leaves from them and returned to his cutting board, chopping them into tiny flakes. Zoro saw the remaining stems wither and fade away, then turned to watch Sanji work. Once his dry rub was ready, he took his time to spread it across the skin of the turkey, then set it on the spitroast over the fire.

Without being asked, Zoro made his way to the fire and took over turning it, making sure to keep it at a nice steady pace to keep the roasting even. 

Sanji grinned wide, even going so far as to give him a, “Thanks, Mosshead,” then turned back to the cans to prepare more food. 

They chatted while Sanji cooked, mostly about the day, the things Sanji saw and enjoyed, the things he’d want to do or try next time he got out of the castle.

“Not that I’m expecting that to be anytime soon,” he laughed, shooting Zoro a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes, “I’m well aware this is a one time thing. You’ve risked enough just to give me this, and I’m forever grateful.”

Zoro would give him the world if Sanji would let him. If all he wanted were more days like this, he would do everything in his power to get them for him.

Soon enough, the dinner was ready. Sanji carefully removed the turkey from the fire and started carving it up as Zoro scrounged up some dishes and cutlery to set the table. When everything was ready, Sanji plated the food, and they sat down to eat.

Zoro had had a variety of Solstice Dinners in his day, either attending one friend’s dinner or another. Even so, he’d never had anything as good as what Sanji had made with scavenged emergency rations and a handful of supplies.

“This is delicious,” he told him, and delighted in the smile that spread across Sanji’s face at the words.

“Damn right it is,” Sanji’s face flushed at the praise, but he sat up a little straighter, taking pride in his work as he continued eating, “We might not have all the fancy ingredients they have at the castle, but I can make do.”

“More than make do,” Zoro grinned, “I bet we’re eating better than they are at the castle.”

Sanji chuckled, his face turning a light shade of pink as he went back to his meal and muttered, “Shut up and eat your food.”

Zoro considered it his win as he did just that.

When they finished eating, Zoro gathered up all of their empty dishes, insisting that since Sanji cooked it was his job to clean. Sanji didn’t fight him on it, busying himself with gathering snow from outside to preserve their leftovers for tomorrow. With that done he settled in front of the fire, content to just watch it for a bit while Zoro finished up.

His eye darted over to their bags while he worked, his presents for Sanji still tucked away inside. He’d missed his chance to give them to him earlier, too nervous with all his friends’ eyes on him, but now that they were alone it was an entirely different story.

He grabbed his bag as he made his way back to Sanji, double checking just to make sure everything was there. He sat down next to him in front of the fire, content to let the warmth and quiet sit with them for a moment.

Sanji leaned closer to him, their hands almost brushing where they lay between them on the rug. Zoro ventured to go so far as to brush his pinky against Sanji’s hand, feeling bolstered when he didn’t pull away.

“Uh,” Zoro swallowed as Sanji glanced his way, and he turned to the bag instead, fishing his gifts out, “I got you something.”

“Something?” Sanji’s grin grew mischievous, “Like a Solstice gift? So you did get me one.”

“Yeah,” he nodded, the tips of his ears turning red, “I did, I just…” He scowled and looked away, “Well. Whatever.”

He thrust the gloves, scarf, and hat at Sanji, gaze pointedly looking anywhere else, “Here.”

Sanji’s brow furrowed in confusion when he took them, his eyes widening in shock when he realized what they were, “Marimo…”

“I noticed you didn’t have any real outdoor gear,” he quickly explained, “They have some plant stuff mixed in them too. The gloves have aloe to help soothe your hands, and the scarf has some lavender. And the hat, well…” He rubbed an irritated hand over the back of his head, “Anyway, you don’t have to wear them if you don’t-”

He was cut off by Sanji throwing his arms around them in a tight hug.

“I love them,” he whispered in his ear, “I want to wear them all the time. Thank you.”

Zoro blushed, but wrapped his arms around Sanji too, holding him close as he muttered, “You’re welcome.”

They stayed like that for a long moment, but eventually Sanji pulled away. He wrapped the scarf around his neck as he examined the gloves carefully.

“I think the last set of gloves I had was made by my mother,” he mused, a small smile on his face as he ran a finger over a thumb, “I don’t know what happened to them. After she was gone, Judge forbade me from leaving the castle, so I didn’t need winter outerwear like this anymore.”

Sanji glanced at him, a bright smile on his face, “But because of you, I do again.”

Zoro’s heart lurched in his chest. He wanted to pull Sanji tight against his chest again and never let go, to burrow inside of him until no one could tell where he ended and Sanji began.

He settled for placing his hand on Sanji’s letting his thumb caress the side, “I’ll take you outside more often, let you break them in properly.”

Sanji’s smile softened, a sheen of hope in his eyes as he softly said, “Thanks, Mosshead.”

The corners of Zoro’s lips slowly shifted to a smile of his own, the affection building up in his chest too much to contain. 

Sanji tucked the hat and the gloves away and pulled the scarf to his face, his eyes sliding shut as he breathed in the scent. When he opened them again, there was a glint in his eyes, “I got you something too.”

Zoro blinked in surprise, wondering when Sanji had time to do that, “Really?”

Sanji grinned as he turned to his bag, digging through it until he pulled out what he needed. He shuffled closer and presented Zoro with a wooden box wrapped with a red ribbon, “Here.”

Zoro took it carefully, his fingers brushing against Sanji’s, the heat of him sending a shock through his system. He pulled away slowly, letting his touch linger.

Sanji grinned bright like a kid, and leaned back on his hands, “Go on, open it.”

Curiosity piqued, Zoro undid the ribbon and popped open the box, brow furrowing at what he saw there. 

A glass sphere that fit easily in the palm of his hand, with three intricately carved swords spiraling along the side. And not just any three swords, he noticed upon closer inspection — his three swords, the very same ones currently leaning against the table. But as impressive as the craftsmanship of the glass was, it was nothing compared to what the bright blue fire contained within it. 

The flames flickered against the glass, giving off a comforting warmth that almost seemed affectionate. It grew brighter and more intense the more Zoro looked at it as he tried to parse what it meant.

He raised a brow and glanced over at Sanji, “What’s this?”

Sanji’s smile turned mischievous, then he leaned forward and closed his eyes, taking deep deliberate breaths.

The fire ebbed and flowed along with Sanji, growing smaller with every inhale and growing again with every exhale. The fire in the fireplace flickered along with his movements too, making it all too clear that they were both connected to Sanji.

“This is yours,” he said in awe, his eye darting between the fire in his hand and Sanji, “This your magic…”

Sanji grinned and nodded, “Yup, that’s my fire magic. Ms. Violet was so nice to make that glass for it and let me pour a little bit in.” He tilted his head, “I think it came out rather nice.”

Zoro could only stare at him, completely flabbergasted, “How…?”

Sanji leaned forward so he could cup his hand around Zoro’s holding the glass orb. The fire inside responded to him, growing even brighter the closer he got.

“When I was younger, I was a fire mage,” Sanji explained, his eyes locked on the dancing flames, “Not a very powerful one mind you — I could never seem to do anything under pressure, which is why my father never believed I had any magic at all — but I had enough. I could put on little light shows to amuse my mother and sister, I could control the heat of the fire when I cooked with the old head chef in the kitchens.” He closed his eyes and sighed, his thumb caressing the back of Zoro’s hand, “It was enough.”

When he opened his eyes, he glanced at the fire in the hearth, “When my mother died, my magic died with her. My fire has always been tied to my emotions — I can make it work better when I’m more passionate — and between that loss and being trapped inside that shitty castle, I just couldn’t get it to work anymore.”

His gaze turned to Zoro, the blue from the flames in his hand making his eyes glow even more brilliantly, “And then I met you. You didn’t treat me like I was broken, like I was this huge, embarrassing burden that needed to be kept secret and away from sight. You treated me like a person, like I mattered.”

“You do matter,” Zoro whispered, his voice forced out of his throat with a rasp, “To me, you matter more than anyone.”

Sanji’s smile softened, a delicate thing that was almost too fragile to behold.

“It’s been coming back slowly over the past few months,” Sanji continued, his hand leaving Zoro’s, “Ever since you first came into my service. Sparks here and there, nothing to write home about, but it was enough to give me hope.”

He reached out and cradled Zoro’s face, “Getting away today, celebrating with you and the others, something changed. My magic began flowing freely, and I’ve better control of it than I’d ever had before.”

Sanji ran his thumb across his cheek bone, “Thank you. You’ve given me my freedom and my magic back, both things that I thought were lost to me forever.”

Zoro didn’t realize Sanji was leaning in until their lips met. It was a soft kiss, just a tentative press of lips, and Sanji was pulling away again before Zoro could properly enjoy it.

“Sorry,” Sanji said quickly, letting his hand fall away from Zoro, “I’m sorry. You’ve already done so much for me, I shouldn’t-”

Zoro didn’t let him finish. He grabbed the back of Sanji’s head and brought them together again, giving him a proper kiss this time, pouring all the feelings he’d been bottling up for his prince into it.

Sanji moaned as he opened himself up to the kiss, pressing himself more into Zoro as his hand slid up his back, clutching at his tunic and pulling him close.

When they finally parted, Zoro pressed his forehead against Sanji’s, his soft pants dancing across his tingling lips as he basked in his presence.

“I love you,” he admitted, breathing the truth of his words against Sanji’s lips, “What I’ve given to you pales in comparison to what you give me every day. I would move the heavens and earth for you if you requested it.” He pressed his lips to Sanji’s forehead, “Whatever you want of me, ask and it’s yours.”

“I love you too,” Sanji said softly, wrapping his arms around Zoro and holding him close. He tucked his face in the crook of Zoro’s and whispered into the skin there, “I don’t want to go back to the castle. I want to be free.”

“We’ll be fugitives of Germa if you don’t go back,” Zoro said, tightening his hold on the glass orb, “Always on the run. Are you sure?”

“Yes,” Sanji nodded, “As long as I’m with you, we can make it work.”

Zoro felt the truth of his words in his fire, his conviction making it burn bright, the pulsing heat from the orb in his hand echoing his own racing heart.

“Then you never have to go back again,” he confirmed, wrapping his arm around Sanji tight and holding him close, “You’ll stay with me.”

Sanji laughed, his delight palpable, and nodded again as he leaned more into Zoro.

After a long moment just holding each other, Zoro scooped Sanji into his arms and moved them to the bed. He carefully removed Sanji’s scarf, setting it on the nightstand and the glass orb on top of it for safe keeping, and eagerly continued the kissing and cuddling until they fell asleep.

As Zoro drifted off, Sanji in his arms, he was hopeful of the new future they would build together.

The bright sun streamed through the cabin windows come morning, ending the long night. 

Zoro grumbled as the light hit his eyes and forced him into wakefulness. The memories from last night quickly caught up to him, and he had a moment of panic when the rest of the bed was empty, but thankfully Sanji was still there, puttering around the fire as he made breakfast. 

Zoro glanced at the glass orb on the nightstand, the fire as bright and active as Sanji. He smiled to himself as he got the rest of the way out of bed, slipping it into his pocket as he joined Sanji by the fire. 

He wrapped his arms around his waist and nuzzled the crook of his neck. Sanji laughed as he shifted something over the fire and leaned into Zoro’s touch, “Good morning to you too.”

Zoro grunted in response, placing soft kisses along the side of Sanji’s neck, drinking in the vibrations from his chuckles. 

Sanji took the food off the fire and placed it on the table, then turned in Zoro’s arms so they were pressed chest to chest. He cradled his face in his hands and pressed a lingering kiss to his lips. 

Zoro let him control the kiss, opening up more as he thoroughly enjoyed it, letting Sanji do as he pleased. 

When Sanji pulled away he grinned, “You ready for breakfast yet?”

“Always.” Zoro stole one last kiss then sat down. 

Sanji grinned as he joined him, leveling Zoro with a sharp look, “I don't want to hear any shit about how it's the same as last night.”

Zoro laughed, “We’re trapped in a cabin who the hell knows where on a mountain. I know I'm lucky to be eating at all. And last night’s food was good, I'll eat it again.”

Sanji beamed at him, blush high on his cheeks, “You say the sweetest things, Mosshead.”

They eat in relative silence, their fingers tangling together across the table, unwilling to let go of each other completely. When Sanji finished, he set his empty plate aside and sighed, “So, I know it was my crazy idea last night, but do we actually have a plan for leaving Germa?”

Zoro frowned as he took another bite, chewing it over thoughtfully, “You said you wanted it so we're doing it.” 

“I appreciate your desire to fulfill my every request,” he scowled, resting his chin in his hand, “But what's the plan?”

“I'm working on it,” Zoro scowled back, tapping his fork against the plate, glancing at the closet, “Usopp’s gate still has some juice in it. We can use that to go back to Merryville and work our way from there.”

The corner of Sanji’s mouth twitched, “And where will we go from there?”

Zoro smiled wide, “Wherever we want. Is there anywhere in particular you want to go?”

Sanji’s grin grew, splitting his face from ear to ear, “Have you ever heard of the All Blue?”

Zoro shook his head, and Sanji launched into an explanation of a magical ocean with every fish in the world in it. The way Sanji talked about it made it sound like the greatest place in the world. 

“It's just a legend, so no one knows if it actually exists,” he continued, “But I know it does. And if it does, well,” his grin grew sheepish, “It would be the last place Germa would look for us, wouldn't it?”

“It would,” Zoro agreed with a nod, “Then that's where we'll go.” 

Sanji beamed back at him as Zoro gathered their dishes and continued, “Well get everything settled here, then head out before the snow stops.”

“Oh,” Sanji glanced out the window, “The snow has already-”

Before he could even finish speaking, the door to the cabin burst open and the room filled with Germa soldiers. They swarmed the area immediately, separating Zoro from his swords still leaning against the cabin wall as they surrounded him.

“Zoro!” Sanji stood, but a second group of soldiers surrounded him too. The fire surged in the fireplace as he glared at them, but none of them moved.

“Your highness!” The head guard greeted as he entered, “We are so glad to have found you. You must have gone through quite the ordeal.”

“Ordeal?” Sanji snarled, his attention turning to him, “What ordeal?”

“The kidnapping, of course,” the head guard sneered as he turned to Zoro, “I knew it was foolish to trust your safety to a mercenary, and look how he’s repaid our kindness and hospitality!” He crossed his arms and huffed, “Why the moment our backs were turned, he frisked you away and demanded ransom!”

“Sir Zoro didn’t kidnap me, I went willingly!” Sanji growled and tried to take a step forward, but his arms were grabbed by the soldiers, “He never demanded a ransom!”

“That is the story the King is going with,” the head guard’s eyes narrowed, “What else would he say? That his stupid, worthless son ran off with his guard? That he couldn’t even keep a magicless whelp like you under his control?” He shook his head, “The shame of it would kill him, and destroy this kingdom.”

“Then let him die,” Sanji hissed, “Let all of Germa burn to the ground. I’m not going back.”

“Yes, you are.” His gaze turned to Zoro, “And we execute traitors here in Germa, Roronoa. I do hope you’re prepared to face that fate.”

Zoro growled, sending his magic deep in the soil to find a vine he could use to trip them up. In the dead of winter there wasn’t much, but there had to be something he could use. He just needed some space to get to his swords, then-

“Wait.”

Zoro froze, his eye wide as he turned to Sanji. He was staring at him, face pale, and had the look of someone about to do something very stupid.

“Sanji,” Zoro growled under his breath, “Don’t…”

Sanji bit his lip, then turned to the head guard, “Don’t hurt him. I’ll come willingly, just let him go.”

“Curls!” Zoro barked at him as he took a step forward, “You can’t-”

A soldier thrust the butt of his spear into Zoro’s stomach, forcing him to wheeze and keel over. Two of the soldiers grabbed his arms while he was recovering, shooting some kind of magic through him that made his muscles unresponsive, while a third pressed his finger against his throat. Zoro growled and opened his mouth to yell at them, but no sound came out.

A soldier kicked his leg, making that unresponsive as well, and Zoro collapsed to the ground in a heap. 

“Stop!” Sanji shouted, “Don’t touch him!”

“And why shouldn’t we?” The head guard raised a brow, “He’s a traitor and a kidnapper. Why shouldn’t we execute him right here?”

Sanji growled and clenched his fists tight, the fire flaring behind him, “Leave him alone and I’ll go without fighting. I’ll take any punishment my father sees fit — I’ll even back up his shitty lie about a ransom without complaints.” He snarled and stepped forward, “If you hurt him though, I’ll fight you every step of the way. I will kick and scream and rage until his whole kingdom is ash at my feet.”

The head guard frowned, weighed Zoro’s life against Sanji’s resistance, and sighed, “Very well, this will all be so much easier with your compliance, your highness. If Roronoa is seen in Germa again, however, he will be killed on sight.”

Zoro growled and opened his mouth to shout, but he was still mute, could only lie there and rage in silence. 

“That's fine,” Sanji agreed easily, his gaze finding Zoro’s, “I'm sorry, but you've done too much for me already. I can't let them kill you, not when I can do something about it.”

He could fight, he could stand by Zoro’s side and kick these idiots out of their lives for good. 

Zoro did his best to convey these feelings through his gaze alone, but Sanji turned away.

“Thanks for everything,” he said, voice already resigned and distant as he put on the cloak and the wintergear Zoro had gifted him, “It was fun.”

The soldiers grabbed Sanji’s arms, binding them behind his back, and escorted him out of the cabin, taking him away from Zoro. 

The head guard gazed down at Zoro like he was a bug to be crushed under his heel. Zoro glared back at him, snarling soundlessly as he sat up as best he could with most of his limbs uncooperative. 

The head guard nodded to one of the other soldiers, “Torch the place.”

“No!” Sanji screamed, trying to rush back through the doorway, but the soldiers held him tight, “You agreed-”

“Not to hurt him, and we aren't,” the head guard said coolly, “We’re hurting the building. If he doesn't make it out, that's on him.”

“You bastards!” Sanji kicked out at the soldiers, knocking several over, but even more came to take their place, dragging him forcefully outside, “I'll kill you!”

“I highly doubt that,” the head guard rolled his eyes, “What can a non-mage do anyway?”

He signaled to the rest of the soldiers to get it done. 

They lit their torches from the fire still burning in the hearth, then tossed them against the walls and filed out. The entire cabin was aflame in moments. 

Zoro growled, glad at least that his voice had finally returned. He shook his numb limbs to get them moving and tried to stand, but immediately collapsed. 

He needed to get up. He needed to get out of here, he needed to get Sanji, he needed…

He needed his swords. 

But he couldn’t do anything if he couldn’t move!

The fire spread, engulfing everything in its path. Zoro closed his eye as it reached him, anticipating the burn as brushed his skin. 

But it never came. Zoro glanced down at his unmarked arms, and when the fire hit him it shimmered blue and passed harmlessly around him. 

That was right, this fire was originally Sanji’s. He must still have some control over it, at least enough to protect him. 

As the flames passed harmlessly over him, a tingling sensation spread through his frozen limbs. He gave his arms a few test shakes and found them functional once more, Sanji’s fire purifying whatever curse the soldiers placed on him.

Zoro stood on his shaky legs and saw that the path to his swords was still untouched. He grunted as he went to them, attaching them carefully to his belt as he considered his options. 

He imagined the Germa soldiers were on the move, on horseback too most likely, given how fast they were able to find them in the mountains. He didn't know how long Sanji’s control on the fire would last at a distance, so he needed to leave quickly. 

The door was blocked off by flames, but the path to the closet where Usopp's portal waited was still clear. 

It was clear what Sanji wanted him to do: get out of there, leave Germa and get as far away as he could, to never look back. 

He wasn't going to do that, he couldn't leave Sanji in Germa’s grasp. 

But he couldn't take on all of Germa alone. 

The beginnings of a plan forming in his head, Zoro growled as he made his way to the portal. 

This wasn't goodbye, he told himself, he wasn't running away. 

He would get his Sanji back. 

The blizzard that raged over Germa Castle was one of the fiercest the region had seen in centuries. This far north snow was an expected occurrence in the winter, but the ferocity of this particular storm was abnormal. 

Stranger still, the storm was only at the castle. 

“I can't keep this up forever,” Nami muttered from where they were hunkered down on a hilltop just outside the castle, overlooking the destruction, “It's easier with region and seasonal appropriate weather, but-”

“I know, I know,” Zoro scowled as his eye scanned the outer defenses, “Are you through the walls yet at least?”

“No.” She scowled and flicked her wrist, summoning more snow, more wind, more ice, “Their magical defenses are too high. The storm alone can't get through.”

Zoro bit his lip, considering the situation for a moment, “Alright, give me a moment.”

He sank to his knees and put his hand down, sinking it through the snow until he found the soft earth. He spread his magic out, searching for the roots buried deep under the castle’s walls. 

Germa never thought much about his plant magic, thought the petals and buds he produced subconsciously too soft to fit in properly with their image. They favored more direct and destructive magic — if they'd given Sanji the space to bloom, his fire magic would have been just what they were looking for. Plants weren't flashy or showy, they grew and wilted with the change in seasons, but for the most part were an afterthought. 

But what Germa never considered was that plants weren't harmless. Plants were patient.

Zoro found plenty of roots buried under the castle, grasses, weeds, vines, flowers, shrubbery, trees, all deep asleep under the snow, waiting. He took a deep breath and summoned them all, poured his magic into them, let them grow and spread up into the stone. They found each crack, each fault, and forced their way in, expanding the stone past its breaking point. 

With a loud crack, the outer walls came tumbling down. 

Zoro gasped as he pulled away, breathing deeply as his magic came back into himself. 

“Perfect,” Nami’s grin grew as she shifted the focus of the storm to the newly destroyed wall, “Thanks, Zoro.”

Zoro grunted as he stood on shaky legs and watched the chaos unfold. 

With the outer wall destroyed and the magical defenses collapsed, Nami’s storm barreled through the castle, destroying fortifications as it went, eventually breaching the very castle itself. 

Mages of all types scrambled out to deal with the mess. Stone mages to try and rebuild the wall, wind mages to attempt to move the storm, water mages to deal with the snow. 

But no fire mages to melt the ice. 

“Either his magic's gone again, or he's refusing to help after they set you on fire,” Usopp noted with a sigh, “It was a long shot, but it was still our best plan. Sorry, Zoro.”

“That's fine,” Zoro grunted as he turned to Luffy, “Plan B then.”

Luffy’s grin grew wide and feral, “Plan B.”

His arm shot out to wrap several times around Zoro and Usopp. 

“W-wait,” Usopp tugged at the unrelenting rubber, “I thought you didn't need me for plan B…”

“Sure we do, how else are we gonna get out again?” Luffy laughed.

“Keep the storm going as long as you can,” Zoro told Nami, “We'll be back soon.”

Luffy extended his other arm to the castle walls, gripping the icy surface as tight as he could, and launched them all forward, through the holes in the walls and into the castle itself. 

They landed with a hard impact, all of the guards thankfully distracted by the raging storm. Zoro rolled to his feet quickly, and turned his head to get his bearings.

“Okay,” he swiveled his head around. All of the halls in the castle looked the same, but he was pretty sure they weren’t far from the kitchen — one of Sanji’s favorite places to visit — so he knew the way back to the prince’s rooms, “This way.”

Luffy bounded after him, while Usopp hung back a bit, “Should we…really be following Zoro’s directions?”

Luffy laughed loudly as Zoro flushed and hissed, “If you know they way around here, then by all means.”

Usopp held up his hands in surrender, “Okay, you do your thing.”

Zoro huffed as he turned back around, leading them through the castle.

It took them longer to find Sanji’s rooms than Zoro remembered the trek being, and their traipsing through the castle didn’t go completely unnoticed. Luffy was able to fight off the guards that did follow them — his stretchy limbs too much for them to handle — as Zoro protected Usopp from any stray shots and focused on navigating the castle halls.

They did eventually find their way to Sanji’s rooms, and to Zoro’s surprise, found them unlocked.

Extra wary now, Zoro made sure to have Wado drawn as he slowly opened the door.

The main room was dark and empty, no Sanji, no guards, nothing.

“Hellooooo!” Luffy called out as he entered the space, immediately making his way to the door that led further in, “Sanjiiiiii! We’re here to save you!”

“Is this really his room?” Usopp said as he came up behind Zoro, “You sure it’s not someone else’s room? Again? Because it looks kinda…” he gestured around, “Cold and empty.”

Zoro scowled, his eye landed on the book Sanji had been holding the day they’d left together.

“It’s his room,” he said as he made his way over to the table, noticing a fine layer of dust over it, “He just hasn’t been back here.”

“Sanji! Let’s go!” Luffy burst through the door on the opposite side of the room, blinking at them before stating, “I don’t think Sanji’s here.”

“Where else could he be?” Usopp mused as he glanced around the room, “They don’t let him leave the castle, and if he hasn’t been back here…” He gasped suddenly and clutched his face, “You don’t think they executed him in your place do you?”

“The king kept him trapped here for decades,” Zoro clenched his sword, refusing to accept that Sanji would be gone so easily, “If he’d wanted him dead, why would he wait so long?”

“Well,” Luffy frowned as he tilted his head, his straw hat slipping a little, “How are we supposed to find him?”

“Especially since you barely found this room?” Usopp mumbled.

He scowled as he finally sheathed his sword, but as he’d been prone to do so often lately, his hand went into his pocket, and he pulled out Sanji’s glass orb.

The flame had dulled and shrunk somewhat since Sanji’s capture, but it was still burning. Sanji was still alive somewhere in here, he was sure of it.

“Where are you?” He muttered at the orb as if it had all the answers.

He stepped back towards the door and noticed the flame flicker slightly, as if it was drawn to something in that direction.

It was Sanji’s fire originally. Was it pointing the way towards him, showing Zoro how to find him?

He turned quickly in a circle to test it and sure enough, the flame jumped in just one direction in particular. 

Sanji. 

“This way,” he grunted to the others as he rushed out the door, knowing they would follow him, holding the orb out in front of him as he led them back through the castle. 

The blue flame grew brighter and brighter as they moved closer to Sanji, but to Zoro’s surprise it was going down. No matter how far down they went, Sanji’s fire kept directing them lower and lower. 

“Are you sure you're going the right way this time?” Usopp said when Zoro brought it up, “I mean, you routinely get lost on your way to the bathroom.”

“It's fine,” Luffy spoke up before Zoro could snap something biting at him, adjusting his hat on his head, “Sanji is important. Zoro will find him.”

Zoro spared him a grateful nod and continued on their way, the bright blue flame leading them further and further under the castle. 

They eventually arrived in the deepest, darkest bowels of the dungeon. Zoro glanced around frantically, holding the orb out for light, but couldn't see anything. 

Still, the flame flickered and grew brighter as he stepped forward, so further along they went. 

“Sanjiiiii!” Luffy called out, his voice echoing off the damp walls, “Are you down here?”

“I don't think anyone's down here but ghosts,” Usopp whispered, fists clenched tight into the back of Zoro’s shirt as they kept moving. 

Suddenly a series of sparks broke through the darkness, tiny beacons of light coming from the very last cell in the row. 

“Shit!” Came a very familiar curse, “C’mon you stupid, unreliable-”

“Curly!” Zoro shouted as he ran the last few steps, Luffy and Usopp right behind him.

The sparks stopped, but Sanji’s voice shouted, “Marimo? Is that you?”

Zoro slid to a stop in front of the cell, and there, still wrapped in the winter gear to fight off the chill from the dungeons, was Sanji.  

Sanji stepped forward, his gloved hands gripping the bars tight, “What are you doing here you stupid idiot?”

“Getting you,” Zoro grunted, “You said you wanted to leave. That still true?”

“What I want is for you to not die,” Sanji growled as he leaned closer, “Do you want to die? Is that why you came here?”

“It's going to take more than fucking Germa has to offer to kill me,” Zoro huffed as he leaned in to, just a hair’s breadth from Sanji’s face, “And you didn't answer my question. Do you want to get out of here or not?”

“What kind of stupid question is that?” Sanji snapped. 

“One you still haven't answered.”

“Zoro,” he stated, his voice pleading, desperate, “You've given me so much already. I can't…” he lowered his head, “My mother already died for me. I can't let you die for me too.”

Soldiers’ footsteps echoed throughout the dungeon, getting closer and closer. Usopp squeaked and threw himself behind Zoro as Luffy cracked his knuckles and prepared to meet them head on. 

“I'll hold them off again,” he said, “Get Sanji out of there.”

“No!” Sanji snapped, looked desperately at Zoro, “Just leave me! I love you too much to stand here and watch you die after everything you've done for me! Any of you!”

“I'm not gonna die, and neither are Luffy and Usopp,” Zoro reached through the bars and cradled his face, “And I'm not leaving without you, not if you want to leave. I already told you, Sanji,” he leaned in and whispered against his lips, “Whatever you want, I'll give to you gladly. Now do you want to get out of here or not.”

The sounds of Luffy’s fighting was bouncing all over the dungeon, drowning out any other noise with its din. 

But when Sanji parted his lips, his soft voice was all Zoro could hear, “I do. I want to leave with you.”

Zoro closed the distance between them, planting a soft, sure kiss on his lips between the bars. When he pulled away, he stepped back, his hand falling to his sword hilts. 

Sanji took a step back away from the bars and gave him a nod, all the encouragement Zoro needed. 

He withdrew Wado in one quick motion, slicing the bars of his cage like butter. With a swipe back in the other direction, the bars clattered to the ground. Sanji stepped out of the cage and right into his open arms. 

“Don't you ever do that again,” Zoro hissed in his ear even as he held him close, “We fight and we fight together from now on. None of this sacrificing yourself and leaving me behind, got it?”

“Got it,” Sanji laughed against his chest, holding him tight. 

“Good.” He turned to Usopp, “Alright, get us out of here.”

“Finally,” Usopp muttered under his breath, running a finger through the air and opening a pathway back to where Nami was. 

Zoro shoved Sanji through immediately, not stopping to hear him squawk as he hit the snow on the other side. Usopp followed quickly after him, and Zoro turned to check on Luffy. 

Most of the soldiers were down, but there were still enough standing to be a problem, “Times up, Luffy. Let's go.”

Luffy let off one final punch before turning with a laugh and jumping through the portal, Zoro following right after him. 

“Close it up,” he said, but Usopp was already on it, zipping the portal up in a quick, neat movement. 

A hard shove at his back sent him toppling face first into the snow. He turned with a growl, prickly thistles sprouting under his hands as he glared at Sanji, “What the hell was that for?”

“Revenge.” He huffed and crossed his arms, the snow melting slightly under his feet as he seethed, "What kind of half-assed rescue involves tossing me in the snow?”

“You're out of there, aren't you?” Zoro grumbled as he stood up and brushed the snow off his pants, “A 'thank you’ would suffice.”

Sanji blinked, the realization coming to him slowly as a smile crossed his face. 

“I'm out…” he said softly as he stared at his gloves hands.

“Just about,” Usopp muttered, quickly turning to open yet another portal to take them back to Merryville, “But you will be soon.”

Once everyone was through and the portal closed again, Zoro took a deep breath and turned to Sanji, “You're out.”

“I’m out,” Sanji grinned, breathing in deep as he spun in a circle, “We’re out! We never have to go back again!”

He laughed as he fell into the snow, arms spread wide as he gazed up at the bright sky above him, “I’m free.”

Zoro watched him for a moment, smiling wide as he basked in the golden sun, then sighed and lay down in the snow next to him.

“Yeah,” Zoro reached out and grabbed his hand, “You are.”

Zoro could feel the heat rolling off of him, saw the steam rising up from the snow melting against him. Sanji turned to look at him, chuckling as he reached out and pulled rose petals out of Zoro’s hair, “You’re blooming.”

Zoro laughed too, then leaned over and kissed him.

Sanji hummed as he kissed him back, turning to pull him even close, his heat warming Zoro from head to toe.

When they finally pulled apart, Zoro stayed close, nudging Sanji’s forehead with his own, “Now that you’re free, what do you want to do?”

Sanji laughed and kissed him again, “Little bit of this. Look for my ocean. Don’t really care what happens next as long as you’re there too.”

Zoro smiled as he did what his prince asked, capturing his lips once more.

This was the start of their new adventure, and Zoro couldn’t wait.