Sanji was annoyed. He had looked everywhere for that damn marimo but to no avail. It was getting dark and it was Zoro’s turn to take watch for the night. He considered asking one of the others if they’d seen him, but they were all in bed and out for the count after their Christmas feast.
Sanji went over the list in his head of places he’d looked when it dawned on him – he hadn’t checked the kitchen. It would be just like Zoro to be in there stealing all the booze. With newfound energy, Sanji turned on his heel and headed to the ship’s kitchen.
He was not prepared for what he saw. The kitchen was coated in flour and there stood Zoro, in Sanji’s apron, kneading dough on the kitchen bench. Zoro jumped when he saw Sanji. “Wh-what are you doing in here?” he said.
“Shouldn’t I be asking you that!” Sanji said. “What the hell are you doing? Besides making a mess of my kitchen!”
Zoro kept his eyes trained on the dough he was kneading. “I’m making bread,” he mumbled.
Sanji was confused. That was his job, not Zoro’s. “Marimo, how drunk are you?”
Zoro had the gall to look offended. “I only had a few drinks!” Sanji raised an eyebrow and continued to stare at him, looking for some sort of explanation. After a few silent moments a blush made its way to Zoro’s cheeks and neck and in one quick breath he said, “It was so you could sleep in!”
Not understanding, Sanji said, “Huh?”
Zoro groaned before elaborating, “Damn cook. I didn’t get you anything for Christmas… yet you always work so hard for us. Thought you could have a sleep in for once.”
It took a few moments for Sanji to process everything Zoro had said, but eventually he started laughing. He approached Zoro from behind and untied his apron. After the apron was off, Sanji gave Zoro’s hip a quick squeeze and pointed to the kitchen door. Zoro sighed and started for the exit. With a final chuckle, Sanji said, “I love you, but I don’t trust your cooking. Stay out of my kitchen.”
Zoro froze midstep to the door and slowly turned to Sanji. “What did you just say?”
Sanji smirked. “You know exactly what I said, I’m not repeating it.”
“Love you too, damn cook.”