Archive of Our Own

As his morning schedule demanded, Sanji rolled out of bed, dodging his captains rubbery arm as it tried to reel him back in and slipped into the washroom. He splashed water on his face, brushed his teeth, applied some moisturizer and rubbed it into his hands. (His hands were still shaking, he could feel the shackles enclosed on his wrists please he wants them off—)

No. Sanji splashes another wave of water on his face and grips the sink tightly and takes several gasping breaths to calm himself down. He's okay. He's okay. Sanji is on the Thousand Sunny, all of his nakama were onboard, he wasn't anywhere near his shitty sperm donor.

He was fine, completely and totally fine and now he had to think about breakfast.

What was he making today? He still had some bacon portioned off, and some sausages were catching his eyes.. Hm. Oh and Chopper had requested some more vegetables be added to all the meals so some of the previously vitamin deficient crew members would get the vitamins they needed. Robin-swan was especially a concern, after her childhood of constant movement across the Blues and the Grand Line, as well as Brook. Brook had a different problem however, as while could consume food, due to his devil fruit, his body was only composed of bones.

Thankfully, through Choppers relentless efforts to take care of all of his precious nakama, had figured out that a diet that included an excess amount of calcium would work the best. Due to Brook's soul being the only thing anchored to his body, (his flesh and organs had rotted long ago while he remained in the Florian Triangle), to prevent his body from uselessly removing calcium from his bones to fuel brain signals that would never be sent as he had no brain, his body needed to consume extra calcium to keep his bones in top condition.

So extra milk in his morning smoothie, extra cheese in his omelet, and a yogurt bowl that he knew Luffy wouldn't touch because he was getting bacon and he'd focus on that.

But first, some citrus was the first thing he should collect to make breakfast today, and thankfully for him, Nami-swan had brought wonderful tangerine trees with her which he was allowed to harvest as long as the trees were kept in nice condition.

As he walked out from inside the ships hold, Sanji knew Zoro would be somewhere on the outside of the ship. From above in the crows nest, a swordsman leaned over the side and looked at his cook who was under the leaves of the tangerine leaves.

Also, apparently the presence of his dear captain, being able to transform into a vessel of Nika, means that tangerines would be sweeter then any other tangerine in the world. They made for delicious juices and desserts, or snacks.

Sanji looked out at the wide horizon before him, sky still glittering with stars and the moon illuminating the ocean below him. He smiled softly and plucked a tangerine blossom from the tree. He twisted the stem between two of his fingers and threw the blossom into the wind.

"May the west winds bring this to you mother." He whispers into the night and slips back into the kitchen with his arms full of tangerines.

Sanji started cooking breakfast, cracking and beating eggs, frying sausages, steaming some smaller fish from Usopp's catch the prior evening, and stewing some berries. Chopper had requested pancakes with a berry glaze and a sweet syrup and would oblige happily. Of course, the shitty Marimo requested a high protein breakfast, Franky wanted something with cola, and the only thing his Captain asked was for "Meat!".

Robin and Nami-swan had requested something hearty and warm, and "something sweet with tangerines," respectively. Of course he would be making the ladies some special drinks throughout the day, but Nami had requested some freshly squeezed fruit juice for herself, Robin, and Chopper.

He took out the sausages from the frying pan and layed the bacon in the same oil, and turned away to chop up some chives for garnish while leaving the rest to be added to a vegetable stock.

But he panicked when he smelt his bacon having far too much of a smoky smell and frantically turned off the heat and moved the bacon away.

Sanji pulled back from the stove and leaned back on a counter top, pulling out a cigarette and lit it with shaking hands. Shit. He almost burned the bacon and now his fucking hands wouldn't stop shaking. Not again. He thought he was over this. He thought coming back to his second home would help him, but he couldn't stop shaking.

It was basically every day, his hands couldn't, wouldn't stop shaking. He could only feel the cold embrace of bombs disguised as handcuffs wrapped around the hands his Da— Zeff told him to protect.

It was over. His crew knew he was born a Vinsmoke and didn't care. He was far, far away from Germa. He was far away from his brothers, his sister, and his asshat of a sperm donor. He wasn't going back, he's back home on the Sunny. Every morning he heard Luffy's laughter, every morning he heard the Marimo snore and saw him lift those stupidly massive weights. He heard Franky and Usopp plot together to make their next big creation. Heard Nami-Swan and Robin-Swan's thank yous, Choppers proud cheers whenever he made a new medicine. Heard Franky's gentle rumble of laughter as Luffy swung around him, (think about what stories the crew would like to tell Vivi when they reunited) and sway with Brook's music.

Fuck all he felt was cold even though the stove had just been shut off and the sky was still warm. What was he going to do now? Sanji stumbled out of the kitchen and back onto the deck exhaling rings of smoke into the open air. His hands were still shaking. If he went back into the kitchen he was worried he'd cut off a finger or four. Could he even be of use in a kitchen after loosing that many? He would have to reteach himself how to hold a knife in its entirety.

He would just be a burden (just like before). Just someone who everyone would have to give up what was precious to them just so they could save his useless self. His mother with her life, Zeff with his leg, and his crew had given so much just to rescue him.

"Why am I like this? Why am I such a burden..?" Sanji mumbled, stifling the flame of the cigarette on his legs and sank to his knees.

"Curly brows?" Zoro asked, reaching out for Sanji's shoulder. "You alright?"

"I'm fine okay? Everything is fine!" Sanji snapped.

Zoro quirked an eyebrow and slid down the wall to sit beside Sanji. "You know you're not a burden right?"

"What?"

"You just said that. You said that you're a burden."

"So what? Do you not believe that? It's not like you came anyways?"

"What?" Zoro snorted. "To whole cake or whatever it was called?"

".. shut up."

"No. Why would you think that?"

"Why shouldn't I? You and the others didn't come."

Zoro sighed and wrapped an arm around Sanji. "Don't be an idiot. Just tell me. I'm your Nakama okay? I won't make fun of you alright? So just tell me."

"Fine. But you better listen. Because I'm not saying it again."

Sanji sighed and leaned back into the wall behind him. "When my shitty ass sperm donor took me to force me into marriage with Pudding, it was only Luffy, Nami, Brook, Chopper and technically Jinbei as well came to save me. The East Blue members at the time all worked together to save Nami, all of the crew at the time went to save Robin, but.. but you didn't come. You didn't come, Robin didn't come… "

"I was hurt okay! I was hurt.. It felt like they were the only reason I came home to the Sunny and the rest of you didn't want me home." Sanji admitted softly.

"I trusted you. I trusted you and I wanted you home, and I'm happy you're home now."

Sanji's head shot up and swerved towards Zoro so fast Zoro was worried he'd break his neck.

"What!?"

"I'm fucking godawful at emotional shit so praise be to the Seas if I get this wrong. I trust you Sanji. At the time in Cocoyashi, I didn't trust the witch to actually dig her heels in and be brave. In Enies a lot of fucking shit was going on, and we were in fucking shambles. But I trusted our Captain and I trusted YOU, Sanji."

"I still trust you. I have never stopped trusting you. You are our cook, and Luffy's left hand. I never, ever thought that you would ever turn against us. That's why I agreed to not come to that shitty ass wedding. I knew you would never turn against us. I knew Luffy could handle any big threats, Chopper adores you, so he called dibs on coming to save you, Brook respects you and likes making you smile with his music, and the witch appreciates you."

"I thought that it was a given that you would understand that but apparently all that blood loss on fishman island fucked you up more than me or Chopper thought possible. So I'll continue to spell it out for you. I trust you Sanji. With my back, with my blades, with my soul, my body, everything. You're my dear Nakama."

Zoro pushed up from the floor and held out a hand. "C'mon. I know you want to get back to the kitchen before Luffy smells your bacon cook."

Sanji smiled and wiped his eyes. "Shut up you shitty Marimo."

Zoro smirked at him and rolled his eyes. "That's the flirty cook I know. Now get your fine ass moving."

Sanji walked back into the kitchen to finish breakfast, only stopping to bat Luffy's stretchy limbs away from the crews seperate portion of bacon and asking Jinbei if he'd mind setting the table.

He was happier now, knowing that no matter what, this crew would always be there to bring him home. Even if he used Stealth Black, even if his shitty ass sperm donar kidnapped him again, he'd always be brought right back home to the Sunny where he was loved.

Zoro was right (not something he usually thought but hey miracles happen on the Grand Line). He was loved. He was the Straw Hat Pirates cook and left hand. He had been there since the beginning and watched as his little family got bigger, crewmate by crewmate.

He was going to find the All Blue. He was going to watch his Captain become Pirate King, he was going to cheer when Zoro finally defeated Mihawk, he was going to whip up a celebration dinner that was better than this world had ever seen when Nami finished mapping the Blues. He was going to stay right where he was, he was going to be their precious cook, he was going to achieve his dream and cheer everyone else on when they achieved theirs. He was the kind boy that his mother loved when she was alive.

Now all he could do was continue doing what he loved with the people he loved. Even if one of them was a shitty Marimo.

Sanji rolled his eyes at the thought of his swordsmen and picked up the platters of food and ducking under a roaming rubber leg.

Yup. He was home. Exactly where he was meant to be.

 

***

 

Zoro watched Sanji wave goodbye as he entered the kitchen to finish the breakfast service and get some ingredients ready for today's lunch.

Once he was back in the crows nest, and safely out of earshot of a certain cook Zoro put his head in his hands.

Did he really just do that? Fuck he wasn't built for this. Please tell him that was just an illusion of the Grand Line and he didn't pull any emotional nonsense in front of his crush. FUCK.

Please tell him that if it was real, he didn't say anything about his raging crush on curly brows. That would be embarrassing more than anything else. Fuck. Zoro scanned through the memories that he had of that conversation and sighed with relief when he realized he never said "I love you." He wouldn't call himself a coward, not while his main objective was to fight as many opponents as he could to become the greatest swordsman in the world.

But love? Fuck if he was going to do that. He may be brave in battle but when it came to admitting his feelings he was a fucking moron. Thank fuck no one other than Robin knew about his crush, he was not okay with anyone else knowing. Was even less willing to let the cook know.

Who would ever let him live if they found out that he had a crush on his crews cook since the first time he showed up and flashed that stupid smile of his.

Fuck him though, it was clear that the lovesick cook was only lovesick for women, especially women who were more gentle and kind. While you could argue that the shitty witch was no where near gentle, she was very kind (especially to Chopper).

He had none of those traits. He was a brash, brutish man who had below standard personal hygiene (they were on a ship and it wasn't like he was going to interrupt the girls baths). While he could be gentle, that gentleness was reserved for his Nakama and even then he preferred teasing them. The only one he was truly soft on was Chopper, and that was solely due to his age.

He was most obviously a man, would never hold back against a women if they asked for a fight. He would give them what they asked. He had a penis, (that was fully functioning thank you very much), and was very much uninterested in any such person who wanted to keep him away from his Nakama.

Man, woman, it didn't matter to him. Yet, the only person he had ever fallen in love in, (excluding Luffy but that didn't count all of his Nakama were in love with him in any and all forms), was Black-Leg Sanji, son of Red-leg Zeff, the beloved cook of the Straw Hat Pirates.

"Oh my.. such a passionate confession!" Robin chuckled behind her hand as Zoro groaned in embarrassment. "If only you would say that to our cooks face."

"Fuck off."

"I don't think so little brother. Why would I leave you behind when you've given me such ample material to choose from."

"You're such an asshole, I have no clue why Franky likes you."

"Hmm well I think there are several reasons such as—"

"STOP! I don't want to think about your sex life that's fucking disgusting—"

"Who said I was going to talk about my sex life? I was planning to say that he likes how intelligent I am and how we enjoy telling each other about our respective interests."

Robin smirked at Zoro while he whined at her pitifully. "He's lucky he's cute. My gosh." She thought fondly.

"You know Zoro, you could always just, I don't know.. confess? You did just call his ass fine."

"Fuck no. He'll reject me and then the Sunny will get fucked up because the best case possible is that he completely ignores me and the ship is dysfunctional. Worst case possible.." Zoro grimaced. "Yeah no. My feelings can continue to be hidden away and stay in the closet where they've been tucked away. Maybe in like twenty years I'll be somewhat over it, and when Sanji will obviously marry a women, I'll be fine."

"You mean you'll put on a brave face and when he gets married you'll congratulate him, support him and then you'll go somewhere private get shit-faced drunk and probably cry your eyes out in my arms."

"… I wouldn't cry in your arms." Zoro grumbled quietly.

"You're not denying that you'd drink yourself stupid and cry yourself to exhaustion."

"Well I feel like its already pretty obvious I'm an alcoholic so no wonder why I would want to drink myself stupid."

"Zoro…"

"It's fine Robin. There's no point in trying anyways. The real challenge is making sure no one else realizes."

Robin winced.

"Oh calm down, I already talked to Franky about this. I know its hard for you to keep secrets like this from him."

"Sorry.."

"It's fine. He's going to be my brother in law anyways right? I know you've been looking at ring designs whenever we stop by a village."

"Shush you. This is about your love life, not mine."

"Hmph." Zoro rolls his eyes. "As I was saying, other than Franky I'm really hoping no one will show up. Really the hardest thing thing to do is hiding it from Luffy, because hes weirdly emotionally intelligent."

"Well our Captain does make friends and admirers everywhere he goes, so I'm not surprised at all that he's emotionally intelligent."

"Well for all of his emotional intelligence he would just yell at me to confess until the entire crew knew I wanted to confess to him. Knowing him, he'd probably sniff out the fact that I'm in love with him and spurt that information into the open air."

"That would be something our dear Captain would do, yes."

Robin wiggled her fingers at Zoro and disappeared from the crows nest in a wave of flowering hands, still giggling at Zoro's reddening cheeks.

Zoro lay there trying to rid himself of the obvious blush on his face before breakfast started. He was so fucked. Luffy would probably be distracted by the bacon on the table so he was fine on that part but Nami would definitely realise if he came to breakfast with red cheeks.

The witch would make fun of him but that was fine because he could just make fun of her rampant crush on a certain Princess that Robin used to work with. Thank fuck for that too, without her flailing about lesbianism he'd be in so much (more) debt.

"Breakfast!" Brook called up to him.

"Thanks Brook!" He called back climbing down from the crows nest.

"Zoro!" Chopper cheered, "Look, I made a gummy version of the vitamin pills I was talking about last week. I thought young children would like it more then the pill y'know! I was thinking the next time we find malnourished kids like in Wano, we could give them some so they can get some nutrients in them."

Zoro grinned and gave Chopper some approving head pats. "Good job! Seems like your dream is on the right track huh? Why don't you go show Franky? I think he'd be happy to learn about them. But maybe wait until after breakfast to show him okay?"

Chopper nodded, "Breakfast is the most important meal of the day! We can't skip it just because I want to show something off."

Zoro smiled, picking Chopper up and placing him onto his shoulder as they walked inside from the deck. It was time for another tasty meal from his cook. (re. crush).

Zoro ate is food with gusto, using two sword style with his chopsticks whenever his Captains limbs tried to reach for his plate. He deliberately handed a platter of something he knew Usopp liked towards him, moving the pitcher of tangerine juice towards the witch when she asked for it, and pointed out the hidden plate of cola marinated beef to Franky, who was distracted with wiping Choppers mouth.

After the meal was over he picked up and stacked the dishes so he could get started on dish washing duty before he went to sleep. He was finished with his watch duty for today, and only had to do his chore before finally going to bed.

So bed he would get to, he just had to finish washing the dishes and pans that were used for breakfast and secure them so they wouldn't fall out and break while they continues sailing.

He didn't want to get into more debt with the witch after all, so this had to be done with precise care.

Zoro carefully washed, dried and put away the dishes, making sure that there was padding surrounding the porcelain and the cabinets were secured so nothing would fall out. He stretched out his back, rolled his shoulders, and collapsed into his hammock to sleep.

His crush was a problem he would continue to ignore until it was too late to ever resolve. Whatever. It doesn't matter anyways. (It did). His only goal was to become the greatest swordsman. (That was a lie, he wanted to make sure all of his crew mates dreams came true as well).

Ugh. Whatever. It was time for him to close his eyes and entrust the safety of his crew mates to someone else.

 

***

 

It was late afternoon when Zoro awoke, the sun was just past the apex of the sky and the air was warm and humid. They must've had some Grand Line weather considering the deck was wet and there was some small balls of hail that Jinbei was sweeping off.

The weather always used to interrupt his naps because he'd have to make sure that his swords didn't fall off the deck due to the rocking waves of the ocean. Not to mention the few times it hailed directly onto him. Thanks to Franky he didn't have to deal with that anymore though. Some ridges were added to the edges of the deck so they wouldn't fall of and some places where Zoro could rest or workout without feeling hail hit him in the head.

"Zoro!" Luffy cheered, crashing into him at full force and sending him straight to the floor.

Well. At least he put his hand on the back of Zoro's head so his head wouldn't get hurt. Very sweet of him actually.

"Hi Luffy." Zoro greeted his captain fondly.

"Hi!" Luffy beamed, giggling as he got off of Zoro. "There's a small island close to us apparently. Too small for the log pose to count but according to Nami—"

Zoro nods. "The witch."

"According to Nami," Luffy continued while he swung back and forth on Zoro's outstretched arm, "We are allowed to check it out just in case there's treasure!"

"That's nice Luffy." Zoro said, pulling Luffy into a hug.

"Hm, Zoro feels nice. He's all warm."

"Yeah that makes sense Captain, I just woke up and came outside. Have you decided who is going?"

"Nope!"

"Okay." Zoro laughed.

"Hm? Is this our swordsman hogging our Captain's attention I see?"

Luffy laughed. "Don't be silly Robin, I love all my nakama equally."

"Of course. Why don't you, me, Sanji and Zoro go to the island. We can split into two groups, us," Robin said gesturing at Luffy, "and the boys can go together."

"Okay!" Luffy smiled wide at his crew mates and disappeared towards Nami's map room.

"Robin."

"Yes Zoro~"

"Why the fuck did you just do?"

"I got you a exploring date with your crush. What are you mad about spending more time with him?" She teased.

Zoro just grimaced and held out his middle finger at her. "Yeah, yeah whatever. Thank you I guess."

"Don't you worry your pretty head about it Zoro!" Robin covered her mouth with her hand. "I believe in you and your ability to flirt with our blonde cook."

"I don't believe."

"Well, which one of us managed to avoid the world government arresting us and probably executing us since she was five on nothing but her instincts?"

Zoro rolled his eyes at her again while she reached out to ruffle his hair fondly.

"Maybe spending some quality alone time together will lead to something special~"

Zoro felt his face flare in embarrassment as he untied and tied his bandana on his arm nervously.

"Huh. Isn't that the bandana you used to wear before we got to the New World?"

"Yeah. I found it in the bottom of my bag. Honestly thought I lost it while I was with Mihawk because I haven't seen it in a while. I'm really happy to find it again though." Zoro grinned. "I can't follow the whole hair holds memories because I don't like when my hair touches the back of my neck, but hair accessories should work basically the same right?"

Robin smiled. "Right. Well off you go okay. You have to finish one of the bento's that Sanji made for everyone who missed lunch because they were resting."

"Kay. See ya Robin."

 

***

 

"Why couldn't I have gone with Robin-swan instead of being grouped up with this brute." Sanji bemoaned out loud.

"Oh shut up love cook, Luffy is the one who asked to go with Robin and we both know we don't like telling him no. That's the witches and Usopps job, not ours."

"Calling me love cook huh? What happened to Sanji?" Sanji asked.

"Huh?"

"You called me Sanji while giving me that talk remember? Didn't realise that was only for emotional talks Marimo."

"Right sure. Do you really want me to call you Sanji cook?"

"Eh. Not really. I like the nicknames between us. It's more fun." Sanji laughed. "And according to the gossip I've heard in the markets, it makes the marines think there is exploitable friction between us. I rather them think that they should try to drive a wedge between us to create problems for the crew compared to them trying to hurt Chopper, Usopp or the girls."

"You know all of them can defend themselves right?" Zoro raised his eyebrow in confusion.

Sanji rolled his eyes. "Yes obviously. Our crew members aren't weak in the slightest. Trust goes both ways remember? I trust you to handle anything that threatens our crew, and if they're targeting me and you, then it's similar for you to interfere."

"Huh. Didn't know your brain had anything other then recipes and thoughts about breasts." Zoro snorted.

"Oh fuck right off with that bullshit Marimo. I may mostly think about lovely ladies but some men are attractive as well."

Zoro's walking stuttered for a beat while he processed that. "You like men?"

"Is that really all you got from that brute?" Sanji rolled his eyes again, crouching down to pick herbs from the earth. "Yes I'm into both men and women. I have a clear preference for the lovely ladies of the world but some men are attractive as well."

"Does that mean I actually have a chance? My inner Robin is telling me to ask him what his type of man is but my heart is telling me I might get myself crushed if whatever he says doesn't fit me in the slightest." Zoro thought before asking out loud, "What's your type in men than Sanji?"

"Hm? My type of men?" Sanji looked at Zoro confused while brushing off the dirt on his pants. "I suppose its someone loyal and dedicated to their loved ones. Wouldn't mind if they had some muscle on them as well."

Sanji looked up at the sky and laughed. "Hope they would have a big appetite because I love feeding my loved ones. It's my favourite activity after all. And, I'd hate if they didn't get along with the crew. I'd have to break up with anyone, man or woman if they didn't like my nakama."

"Good." Zoro said, already trying to hide a smile while inwardly fist pumping at the fact he already fit a lot of the criteria that Sanji had set. "If they dared to steal you from the crew I think everyone would throw a fit. Never mind throwing a fit actually I think Nami might smite someone with Zeus if they tried to make her eat Luffy's cooking again."

"Really?"

"Did you already forget how desperate she was after you came back to the Sunny? We had been eating anything we could make. It was genuinely awful." Zoro smiled fondly. "I really think if anything like that happens again Nami might single handily murder anyone in the way of her eating your cooking."

Sanji laughed fondly. "Hey this place has plenty of herbs huh? It's pretty great. I used most of them up trying to recover what you all had destroyed while I was gone and while figuring out what to serve Wano's people. I can grind all of these up and restock."

Zoro plucked up a green leaf from Sanji's basket. "I think I remember you buying some of these. The witch will be happy we saved some money."

"Seasonings like these aren't very expensive but its nice to have some in bulk." Sanji shrugged. "So she probably won't bat an eye considering it won't have much of an effect."

"Right.. so anyways you would date a man?"

"Yeah I suppose so."

"… Cool."

Zoro and Sanji broke into a awkward silence as they continued walking through the forest looking for herbs and ingredients.

"So uh…"

"Yeah…."

They both looked away from each other and felt the silence grow and grow. Both were wishing that Luffy would rocket in with his cheer and noise with Robin in tow and they would be freed from the awkward silence that kept on growing.

They continued taking steady steps through the forest, cutting down the vines that were in their way.

"This place is weird.."

"What do you mean love cook?"

"I mean we haven't seen any large animals. I haven't noticed any evidence of this island having anything larger then a rabbit but the flora on this island is flush enough to mean that there isn't enough small herbivores to decimate it. Which means something larger is keeping the population down."

"Huh." Zoro scratched the back of his head. "You're right. Even with observation haki, I can't feel any large predator like a wolf or big cat."

"So you agree it's weird!"

"Yeah obviously."

Sanji's eyes widened. "Hey what's that fruit? I've never seen that fruit in any recipe Zeff taught me."

He reached out a hand trying to pluck a piece of fruit from the plant. "I wonder if it will go well with a smoothie for the girls—"

Zoro suddenly panicked as he noticed the plant was moving like an animal, seemigly trying to contort and reach out for Sanji'shands?!

Zoro grabbed Sanji and threw him behind him in a panic, trying to save the cooks hands before the plant-monster-thing damaged them.

A sudden bloom of powder rained down on him and made him cough violently feeling himself get dizzy and sluggish.

"Back up!" He yelled.

"What the hell?!" Sanji gasped seeing his teammate crash down on one knee and watched his one functional eye start fluttering in a way that started to worry him. "Zoro?!"

Sanji's head shot up as the plant whipped a vine covered in spikes at him and tried to drag a suddenly limp Zoro away from the vine. "Fucking hell Marimo why the hell did you just go limp? You're fucking heavy."

"Its the tits— I mean the muscle." Zoro responded sluggishly, "I think that powder did something crazy. Do you think you can get us back to Chopper?"

"Get us back to Chopper? Maybe if you were properly conscious, but when you go limp like this its like you weigh more than Kaido! I don't think I can get us back Zoro."

"Mmmm.." Zoro eye fluttered open and close over and over. "Shit I feel awful."

Sanji placed the back of his hand on Zoro's forehead, and swore. "Shit you're burning up. What the hell did it do to you?"

"Mm.. dunno."

"Fuck you mean dunno?! Just tell me your symptoms you buffoon."

"..uh..hm..my head feels awful. I can't think—"

"You can think?"

".shuddup… my head feels woozy. Feels like I just did a drinking contest and had so much alcohol that… that… I can barely think. It's a bit hard to breath too…."

"Wait. The fuck did you say about your breasts?? Heavy???"

Zoro pouted. "I thought you liked large breasts. I'm pretty sure mine… are bigger than.. the witches."

Sanji sputtered, "W-what the hell Marimo? Why are you talking about what I like about your breasts."

Zoro just kept on pouting. "I'm telling you.. I fit your type don't I? But you don't even bat an eye at me…"

"Zoro?"

"I just want… I want you to pay attention.. to me."

"To you?" Sanji asked softly, pulling Zoro into a safe area next to a stream of freshwater.

"…mhm…to me."

"And why's that huh? You jealous of how I treat the ladies or something?"

"Yeah.." Zoro whined from the progressing fever while Sanji splashed some cold water onto his bandana and pressed it onto his head. "That feels nice… mm."

"Not… no.. I just.. I just have a crush on you." Zoro mumbled.

Sanji felt a blush creep onto his cheeks. "Really?"

"Mhmmm.." Zoro mumbled. "You're exactly my type. A good cook, kind to my loved ones, and you're also really hot."

"Heh?!"

Zoro just chuckled faintly. "Yeah.. very hot. You're very attractive… you're strong and dedicated to your dream. You're exactly my type."

Sanji felt his face grow hot and flush as Zoro kept on babbling compliments and curled into his side like a heat seeking cat. He knew Zoro had a crush on someone but he really didn't expect Zoro to have a crush on him! He thought it was on Hiyori or something like that. Or the sword collector girl— But him?! HIM?

Fuck. And the way he was curled into his lap all sweet was making his entire body flush red. Thinking on it, the type of man he was describing earlier basically fit Zoro to a T. His face flushed a deeper red.

Well.

Hopefully Luffy would find them and help him carry Zoro back to Chopper. For now?

Well. It couldn't hurt if he stole a kiss would it?

Sanji leaned down and pressed a chaste kiss to Zoro's forehead. Only pulling away when Zoro began to stir.

"Can I have another one?"

"Hm?"

"Another kiss.." Zoro said. "But this time, can it be on my lips?"

Sanji flushed again. "Sure."

He planted a kiss firmly on Zoros lips, and pulled back to pet his head gently. "Go to bed you moron. I'll bring you home soon. For now just be a cute Marimo and when you wake up later don't forget that we are dating now alright. You can't abandon me now. No leaving my side for the rest of our lives."

Zoro smiled dreamily. "Oh my… lucky me."

"Yes very lucky you." Sanji teased fondly before looking up. "Robins pretty close now and I can hear Luffy laughing from here. We're going home now."

"Kay.."

"Huh." Sanji smiled. "I kind of like this sappy version of you. It's cute."

 

***

 

Zoro woke up in Chopper's infirmary with his head pounding and no memory of anything that happened after he pushed Sanji out of the way of the vine that was threatening the tools Sanji treated so preciously.

"What the hell happened?" He muttered, getting off the bed and stumbling forwards until he was stopped by the sound of Chopper's yelling.

"WAIT!! Zoro you can't start walking already, that's not good for you, I still haven't checked to make sure you're doing fine after your poisoning."

"Hm?"

"So that means, SIT BACK DOWN!" Chopper yelled pushing Zoro back onto the bed as Zoro raised his hands up in acceptance.

"Robin and Luffy got me samples from that plant that drugged you, and I've figured out all that I can from the samples and Sanji's accounts of your symptoms. But I want to make sure you're okay."

"I'm fine Chopper don't you worry." Zoro stretched and smiled at his crewmate. "See? I was just sluggish from waking up. I feel fine now."

Chopper frowned pulling out equipment and doing a few tests on Zoro to make sure he wasn't lying. "Well.. you do seem fine. But I would really prefer if you stayed for at least two hours more for observations."

Zoro sighed fondly and patted Choppers head. "Sure. Whatever you say Doc."

"Im nOT HAPPY AT ALL AT YOU CALLING ME DOC!"

Zoro laughed fondly at his youngest teammate and turned at the sound of the door opening. He saw a smiling Sanji holding two boxes of food in his hands.

"Welcome back to the world of the living you brute." Sanji teased, handing Chopper and Zoro their lunch.

"Who you calling a brute?!"

"You obviously!" Sanji laughed before grabbing Zoro's chin and planting a firm kiss on his lips. "See ya later Zoro!"

"Huh. HUH?!" Zoro exclaimed, face flushing red in an instant.

Robin who had just appeared laughed at his red face openly and loudly. "Do you not remember? You confessed to Sanji while you were under the influence of the powder?"

Zoro felt his heart stutter. "I did what now?" He squeaked out.

Robin rolled her eyes. "You confessed, he confessed that he liked you too and told you that you two were dating now. And then he kissed you." Robin smiled teasingly and held up a camera type Den-den Mushi. "I've even got a picture. Or five." She winked.

"I'll be showing those at your wedding~" Robin sang, dodging Zoros outstreched hand that was trying to steal the Den-Den mushi from her. "Bye now— I've got to get these to Franky so we can print them out for an album of your love!"

Zoro just covered his burning face in his hands and screamed into them.