{"id":299,"date":"2023-07-13T16:34:34","date_gmt":"2023-07-13T08:34:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cloverso.me\/fic\/?p=299"},"modified":"2023-08-04T16:38:03","modified_gmt":"2023-08-04T08:38:03","slug":"dont-let-it-break-you","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cloverso.me\/fic\/299\/","title":{"rendered":"don’t let it break you"},"content":{"rendered":"
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It had only been two days since the Straw Hat crew had left Wano and already they had re-familiarised themselves with the Sunny and one another; it had been a while since they\u2019d all had some downtime together. It was nice, really nice, to have everyone together again. Even the marimo\u2019s presence couldn\u2019t bring Sanji\u2019s jovial mood down.<\/p>\n

Or so that\u2019s what he thought\u2026<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat the fuck are you doing in my kitchen?\u201d Sanji said upon entry into said room.<\/p>\n

Zoro jumped, the knife in his hand falling with a clang to the counter.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd touching my good knives!?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDamn it, cook. Give a man a warning first,\u201d Zoro said.<\/p>\n

But Sanji just saw red. \u201cGive a man a warning!? What the hell are you doing in my kitchen and with my knives!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m just sharpening them for you, jeez. Don\u2019t get your knickers in a twist.\u201d<\/p>\n

He was telling the truth; Sanji spotted the sharpening stone by Zoro\u2019s other hand. Still, it was unnecessary. He walked right up to Zoro and snatched the stone and knife.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t need you to do that,\u201d Sanji said, eyeing Zoro suspiciously. \u201cWhy would you anyway\u2026?\u201d<\/p>\n

Zoro shrugged. \u201cBored.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sanji\u2019s eyes narrowed on him. \u201cBullshit,\u201d he said. Though, he couldn\u2019t think of any plausible explanation for the behaviour.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhatever. Believe what you want,\u201d Zoro said, as he left the kitchen so casually as if he hadn\u2019t just been doing something out of the norm. Sanji lifted his knife to inspect it. It appeared in good nick. Sanji supposed he shouldn\u2019t be surprised; Zoro had plenty of experience sharpening his swords, after all.<\/p>\n

He put the knife back into its block and out of curiosity, pulled out a different one. He held it up for inspection; it didn\u2019t look any different, however, when he tested it out on an apple\u2014he was planning on making fruit salad for Nami and Robin\u2014it was obviously freshly sharpened.<\/p>\n

Sanji repeated this process for all his knives, only to discover they were all in good nick and had all been sharpened for him.<\/p>\n

Huh. What the hell? What was the marimo thinking? What were his real intentions? Was it a prank of some description? A pretty weird prank, if so\u2026 He turned and gazed around the room. Was there a visual den den mushi set up to record him? Sanji looked through all of the spots where one could potentially hide, but came up with nothing.<\/p>\n

He sighed as he leaned against the counter. Maybe the swordsman was just trying to be nice?<\/p>\n

Sanji chuckled at the thought. No. That definitely wasn\u2019t it.<\/p>\n

\u2014 \u2014<\/p>\n

Zoro grumbled to himself about stupid cooks as he exited the kitchen to the deck. It was true, he had sharpened all Sanji\u2019s knives, but it wasn\u2019t without reason.<\/p>\n

Something had been off. Not with Zoro, no. But with the cook. It had started at Whole Cake Island, continued to Wano, and still lingered now. Zoro wasn\u2019t sure how to describe it, but he just knew that it unsettled him.<\/p>\n

There were little things Zoro had noticed. A forced smile when Sanji interacted with Nami or Robin (that was unheard of). On edge body language like the man was ready to fight at a moment\u2019s notice; a restless tremble in his usually steady hands when he had nothing to fidget with; increased standoffishness and not just with Zoro; and more smoking. (Not that Zoro was judging. It was merely an observation.)<\/p>\n

And that wasn\u2019t even getting into that whole \u2018kill me if necessary\u2019 moment they\u2019d had. No. There was a lot going on.<\/p>\n

The thing was though, it was as if Sanji didn\u2019t even acknowledge these things himself. He seemed happy to be back with the crew, but there was obviously other shit going on too, beyond the surface.<\/p>\n

Zoro wouldn\u2019t usually make it his business but seeing the cook like this was distracting. Something had kept nagging at Zoro, saying \u2018help him. He\u2019s nakama, isn\u2019t he?\u2019 And well as much as it pained Zoro to put aside his pride, the nagging voice was right. Sanji was nakama. And Zoro would admit, begrudgingly, he did care. He cared deeper than Sanji or the rest of the crew were aware, if he were to be honest.<\/p>\n

So, Zoro\u2019s plan? It was nothing extravagant. He just thought he would do some little things to help the damn cook. Little things that he hoped informed the cook that he had a family right here too, with him on the Sunny. Because Zoro had some sneaking suspicions about what was the source of Sanji\u2019s troubles, and it wasn\u2019t his Straw Hat nakama.<\/p>\n

For dinner that evening, Zoro set the table and borrowed a vase of flowers from Robin, placing it in the middle of the table. Robin had raised an eyebrow, curiously, but remained quiet as she handed it over. Zoro didn\u2019t see what the big deal about flowers was, but he knew the cook loved pretty things like that.<\/p>\n

It was worth it, too, once Zoro saw the genuine moment of delight light up Sanji\u2019s face. Sanji lifted the flowers to his face, taking in the smell.<\/p>\n

\u201cRobin-chan, you shouldn\u2019t have!\u201d he said, twirling his way over to said woman.<\/p>\n

Robin smiled. \u201cAnd I didn\u2019t. I can\u2019t take credit as it wasn\u2019t my idea.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sanji frowned a little. \u201cWhose idea then? Nami-san\u2019s?\u201d<\/p>\n

Robin hummed, her fingers tapping along the dining table. \u201cWhose indeed.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sanji nodded slowly at the cryptic reply. \u201cWell, in any case we know who it wasn\u2019t,\u201d he said, before his eyes roamed over to Zoro\u2019s half of the table, where Zoro was joined by Luffy, Franky, and Brook. Zoro just rolled his eye before taking a swig from his bottle. Whatever. The flowers had had the intended outcome.<\/p>\n

Throughout the rest of their meal, Zoro noticed Sanji\u2019s eyes landing on the flowers several times; a small smile appeared on his face each time. Zoro grinned knowingly to himself. Whoever knew such a small gesture could warm Zoro himself up from the inside too.<\/p>\n

He was glad it worked.<\/p>\n

\u2014 \u2014<\/p>\n

Organising postal delivery while sailing the waters of the New World was not the easiest of things. In fact, Zoro would say it was a giant pain in the ass. To start, Zoro had to borrow Nami\u2019s den den mushi (which in itself cost him practically an arm and a leg) to organise a carrier pigeon. The ordinary news coo gulls wouldn\u2019t cut it for the distance he was mailing from. Secondly, he had to think of how he wanted to word his letter\u2014he had never been the most eloquent, preferring actions over words. Fortunately for him, Robin helped without question\u2014merely gave him one of her signature curious looks. And finally, he had to pay for the actual carrier pigeon (though that turned out cheaper than Nami\u2019s den den mushi fare).<\/p>\n

It was a costly venture that Zoro hoped paid off.<\/p>\n

When the carrier pigeon returned a week later, Zoro reached into the bag the pigeon carried and withdrew an envelope addressed to \u2018Little Eggplant\u2019. Zoro chuckled and pocketed it. But there was something else in the bag too; it was a little pouch with seeds in it, with \u2018for the pigeon\u2019<\/em> written on it. Zoro shook his head. It was hardly surprising\u2014Zeff and Sanji both would never see a soul starve\u2014but it still left Zoro awestruck and reassured him he had done the right thing, writing to Zeff.<\/p>\n

Withdrawing the pouch, Zoro poured the seeds onto the palm of his hand and let the pigeon feed on the seeds. He would get the bird some water too. Then he would decide how to deliver the letter that felt like it was burning a hole in his pocket.<\/p>\n

\u2014 \u2014<\/p>\n

Sanji was having a bad day. Worse than normal. He\u2019d had a good spell lately, just being back on board the Sunny and around the crew, the people he cared for. However, even in their presence there wasn\u2019t much he could do to prevent the nightmares that plagued his sleep. It had gotten so bad that he\u2019d given in and asked Chopper if there were any remedies he could give him for it. Chopper gave him some kind of herbal medicine and it had helped a decent amount, but not all the time. Chopper had also asked if Sanji wanted to talk about it; that some kind of talk therapy could be helpful. Sanji had immediately rejected that offer. Chopper had merely watched him, sadness in his eyes, prompting a quick exit from Sanji.<\/p>\n

No, he didn\u2019t need to talk <\/em>about anything. Yeah, he had nightmares, but he could handle them. It wasn\u2019t like the Vinsmokes posed a real threat outside of the confines of his mind. No, Sanji had proven that much. He was strong. Stronger than the Vinsmokes had anticipated. And it had been a validating, vindicating moment to look down at the wretched man known to many as his father, Vinsmoke Judge.<\/p>\n

But then why\u2026 Why did Sanji dread going to sleep every night?<\/p>\n

Once, he overheard Chopper talking about trauma to Robin. He\u2019d been reading a new medical textbook on the subject Robin had brought him. Chopper had said something like, \u201cYou can\u2019t change the past but there are ways you can learn to cope with it and mitigate the amount of control it has over your current life.\u201d Robin had simply nodded for him to continue.<\/p>\n

Sanji recalled serving Chopper and Robin their smoothies and leaving in a hurry. Because he\u2019d blocked out the pain, repressed it all these years.<\/p>\n

That was how he coped.<\/p>\n

Only, it had never been an effective coping technique. The longer and longer it festered, undealt with, the worse it got. And after the events with Big Mom at Whole Cake Island, well, it was one teaspoon away from boiling over the pot.<\/p>\n

It was a precarious situation. One that Sanji could no longer just pop a wooden spoon over to prevent the bubbles from spilling over. That technique wasn\u2019t a solution if more water was being added; it was just a delay tactic, but even that could only delay for so long.<\/p>\n

Avoidance and distraction were valid ways of coping with moments of high distress, but at some point the problem causing the distress needed to be addressed. Or that\u2019s what Chopper had told him when he\u2019d consulted him briefly about the nightmares. Sanji knew Chopper was right, but knowing something and implementing something were two completely different beasts.<\/p>\n

Sanji sighed as he stirred the butternut pumpkin soup he was making. He was grateful for having the kitchen to himself. It was his<\/em> space and he appreciated it immensely. Cooking nourished him. Kept him focused and clear-minded. One couldn\u2019t afford to be distracted while cooking\u2014well, Sanji would probably be fine, it was second nature to him, but he\u2019d seen one too many incidents on the Baratie that happened to distracted cooks in training. Not good didn\u2019t even begin to cover it.<\/p>\n

The door to the kitchen opened and in came Zoro.<\/p>\n

\u201cLunch isn\u2019t ready yet,\u201d Sanji said, hoping he didn\u2019t get another marimo-induced headache.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot here for lunch,\u201d Zoro said.<\/p>\n

Sanji sighed and turned his attention back to the stove. \u201cYou\u2019re not getting any more beer either. We\u2019re running low as it is.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, yeah. Nami told me to pass this onto you,\u201d Zoro said, flashing an envelope before placing it on the dining table. \u201cProbably billing you for your annoying behaviour.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sanji twitched. \u201cFuck you too.\u201d<\/p>\n

Zoro just flashed him a smirk before leaving the area.<\/p>\n

Curiosity getting the best of him, Sanji quickly grabbed the envelope from the table.<\/p>\n

A grin emerged on his face as he read the words \u2018Little Eggplant\u2019 on the envelope. There was only one person that could be from. Sanji quickly flipped it over and opened the flap.<\/p>\n

Old man Zeff at the Baratie huh? Now there was a welcome thought. How was the old man doing anyway? Were the new hires still causing trouble? Well, they couldn\u2019t do a worse job than Luffy did, Sanji reasoned. The memory of Luffy breaking all the dishes there brought a chuckle to Sanji\u2019s lips.<\/p>\n

The first item Sanji withdrew from the envelope turned out to be a photograph. At the centre was Zeff with his arms around Patty and Carne on either side of him. A few other staff members Sanji vaguely recognised stood with them too. They were all standing in the kitchen\u2014it looked like it hadn\u2019t changed much since his departure.<\/p>\n

Even Zeff looked the same, save for some extra wrinkles around his eyes, but he was actually smiling in this photo. Sanji wondered how the hell the Baratie crew managed that.<\/p>\n

Sanji placed the photo on the dining table; he planned to stick it up somewhere in the kitchen. Turning his attention back to the envelope, he realised there was still a letter inside. He pulled it out.<\/p>\n

Dear Little Eggplant,<\/em><\/p>\n

Enjoy this recipe.<\/em><\/p>\n

Zeff<\/em><\/p>\n

P.S. Your friend is a good mosshead.<\/em><\/p>\n

Sanji quirked an eyebrow at the last sentence, but quickly dismissed it to look at the recipe on the other side of the paper. Sanji recognised it immediately and a grin broke out on his face. It was Zeff\u2019s signature spicy pasta dish that Sanji loved but had never been taught to make.<\/p>\n

Scanning over the recipe, he was surprised to find it was easier than he had ever thought. But that raised a few questions. Why had Zeff held off teaching him it? And why now was he finally passing on the recipe? Sanji\u2019s stomach plummeted. Zeff wasn\u2019t unwell was he?<\/p>\n

Reading through it properly, Sanji located a comment right at the bottom of the page.<\/p>\n

I planned to share this with you once you found the All Blue. However, Patty made a good point about how good food should be shared with friends, and well, I think your friends are pretty deserving. Enjoy.<\/em><\/p>\n

Sanji knew what he would be making for dinner that evening.<\/p>\n

\u2014 \u2014<\/p>\n

Zoro was smug. Maybe smug was the wrong word; it was too self-serving. No, Zoro was content. After dropping Zeff\u2019s letter off to Sanji just before lunch time, he hadn\u2019t seen the smile disappear off Sanji\u2019s face all day. He appeared very cheerful, even humming while he was serving up their dinner plates. It made something in Zoro\u2019s chest blossom.<\/p>\n

It wasn\u2019t that Zoro wanted to change Sanji or invalidate his trauma. It was simply that Zoro wanted Sanji to be comfortable; to know that he was safe and had support from his nakama current and former.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo, this is a new recipe I just learned today,\u201d Sanji declared after placing the last plate (Luffy\u2019s) on the dining table. \u201cIt\u2019s a spicy pasta dish, but I made a mild version as well,\u201d he said, looking at Chopper. Chopper smiled and lifted his fork. \u201cEnjoy!\u201d Sanji said before sitting down at his spot at the table.<\/p>\n

The crew devoured their dinner, but Zoro watched Sanji the whole time, his eye only glancing away when he thought he was caught. Sanji made the most interesting expressions when eating, especially if it was something new, or in this case something he hadn\u2019t had in a long time. The way his lips quirked up in delight; the way his eyebrows shot up in surprise; it was very endearing.<\/p>\n

Zoro felt a pair of his eyes on him, though, and glanced up to see Nami watching him.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo, Sanji-kun,\u201d she said, her voice going that deliberately sweet way that meant trouble. She didn’t take her eyes off Zoro. \u201cWhere did you learn this recipe?\u201d<\/p>\n

Sanji chuckled. \u201cAs if you wouldn\u2019t know, my beautiful Nami-san! It arrived in the letter from Zeff.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nami turned to Sanji. \u201cWhat letter from Zeff?\u201d<\/p>\n

Zoro choked on his pasta. He gave Nami\u2019s foot a nudge under the table, but she didn\u2019t react.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe one you had mosshead over there deliver to me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Zoro could feel all eyes on him while he remained focused on studying his dinner plate.<\/p>\n

Everyone was waiting for Zoro to respond, but instead he froze.<\/p>\n

When he finally, slowly, looked across to Sanji and their eyes connected, all he saw was the transformation of the cook\u2019s facial features. The curve of a smile turned upside down, while his eyes transitioned through a myriad of emotions: surprise, confusion, hurt, before finally settling on anger.<\/p>\n

\u201cOutside. Now, marimo,\u201d Sanji said, his voice leaving no room for argument as he stormed out the door.<\/p>\n

Zoro glared at Nami. \u201cWhat the hell!?\u201d<\/p>\n

Nami winked at him. \u201cYou can thank me later.\u201d<\/p>\n

That was one thing he most definitely would not be doing. He got up and followed Sanji outside.<\/p>\n

Things had not gone as planned.<\/p>\n

\u2014 \u2014<\/p>\n

To say Sanji was angry would be the understatement of the century. But it wasn\u2019t just anger. He was confused; why would Zoro write to Zeff? Embarrassed; was this just some prank? And hurt; if not a prank, why would Zoro not talk to him first?<\/p>\n

As soon as Zoro walked out the door leading to the deck, Sanji launched a kick directly at him. Zoro managed to grab two of his swords and deflect the attack just in time.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat the hell, marimo?\u201d Sanji said, swinging his leg for another attack.<\/p>\n

Zoro guarded himself with his swords. \u201cWhat do you mean what the hell! Someone does something nice for you and you can\u2019t accept it unless it\u2019s Nami or Robin?\u201d<\/p>\n

Sanji ducked low and swung his leg underneath Zoro, taking him out by the feet. Zoro landed on his butt.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou know it\u2019s not the same! I don\u2019t need your pity!\u201d he said, towering over Zoro.<\/p>\n

\u201cGood!\u201d Zoro said, pushing Sanji back as he got to his feet. \u201cBecause I\u2019m not giving it! I never was!\u201d<\/p>\n

Sanji backed off; he could feel a headache coming on. \u201cThen why the hell would you do that!? I don\u2019t understand.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIs it really that hard to understand?\u201d Zoro sheathed his swords and turned away. \u201cWe\u2019re nakama,\u201d he said, as if that explained everything. He left the deck and headed up to the crow\u2019s nest.<\/p>\n

Sanji wanted to kick something. Hard. Instead he fumbled for a cigarette from his pocket and lit it as he walked over to the railing. He clenched and unclenched his fists. Stupid green haired mossheads, he thought.<\/p>\n

He didn\u2019t get it. Yeah, sure, it was as Zoro said\u2014they were nakama. But what was Zoro thinking? For him to orchestrate something like this\u2014it just seemed out of character. Maybe Zoro was changing? Or maybe\u2026 Maybe Sanji didn\u2019t know Zoro as well as he thought he did, and well, wasn\u2019t that a thought. They\u2019d been through so much together, but maybe Sanji just had the wrong idea about him all along. The thought left him feeling like something was crawling up his throat. It was kind of suffocating.<\/p>\n

Sanji had to take the smoke from his mouth to recover from the sudden coughing fit. Breathe, he told himself. After a few attempts at clearing his throat, he sighed. He could feel his hand trembling as he placed the cigarette back in his mouth. Fuck. He thought he was getting control of that. Obviously not.<\/p>\n

He jumped on the spot when he felt a hand on his shoulder.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s just me,\u201d Nami said. \u201cYou okay?\u201d When the heck did she get there?<\/p>\n

Sanji forced a smile. \u201cYeah, fine, my lovely Nami-san.\u201d But it sounded false even to his ears.<\/p>\n

Nami\u2019s eyebrows slightly fell. \u201cYou don\u2019t have to pretend to be fine all the time, Sanji.\u201d<\/p>\n

Looking out at the calm ocean, Sanji took a puff from his smoke. \u201cThat obvious, huh?\u201d And that\u2019s when it clicked. \u201cEven the mosshead is noticing?\u201d<\/p>\n

And that\u2019s what frightened him the most. He could kind of deal with stupid nightmares about his equally stupid dad and siblings, but he couldn\u2019t deal with being pitied by the swordsman. It didn\u2019t make sense. But then again, irrational fears never did.<\/p>\n

Nami gazed out to the sea too. \u201cYeah. He\u2019s noticed for a while. We all have.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGuess I need to get my shit together then.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSanji\u2014No. It\u2019s not like that. Not at all.\u201d He could feel Nami\u2019s gaze on him. \u201cBut I think being more honest with Chopper could be of help, even if just for your physical symptoms.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sanji let his head drop, gazing into his hands placed on the railing. \u201cYeah, you\u2019re probably right.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m always right.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sanji just chuckled.<\/p>\n

Nami stood up straight. \u201cGo easy on Zoro. Courier pigeons to this part of the New World aren\u2019t the cheapest, you know. He cares. A lot more than you think.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sanji turned to Nami, eyebrows furrowed. \u201cExactly how much did he spend?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cEnough to be in my debt eternally.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sanji\u2019s eyes widened. \u201cThat idiot,\u201d he said, but it sounded fond, even from his lips.<\/p>\n

Nami just grinned and patted Sanji on the shoulder. \u201cThe things we do for love.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sanji spluttered, choking on his cigarette once again. \u201cLove!?\u201d<\/p>\n

Nami rolled her eyes. \u201cLove comes in many forms, Sanji. You should know that.\u201d And with that cryptic reply, she walked off.<\/p>\n

Sanji looked up at the sky. The sun was setting, and the orange and red hues were slowly turning into something darker. Sanji always loved this time of evening.<\/p>\n

Finishing his smoke, Sanji took a deep breath.<\/p>\n

It was time to visit a mosshead.<\/p>\n

\u2014 \u2014<\/p>\n

Zoro was in the middle of a set when he spotted a flash of blond hair pop into the crow\u2019s nest. He tore his eye away and finished his set, feeling Sanji\u2019s eyes on him the whole time.<\/p>\n

After finishing, he placed the weight down and grabbed his bottle of water. He sat on the bench to take a drink. What he wasn\u2019t expecting was a certain blond-haired cook to sit next to him, only a foot separating them.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m uh. Sorry\u2026 for worrying you,\u201d Sanji eventually said, once the silence got too much.<\/p>\n

Zoro turned to stare at Sanji, unsure of what he heard. It was like he had spoken in a different language. \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t make me repeat myself.\u201d<\/p>\n

Zoro grunted as he wiped his forehead with his gym towel. \u201cYou don\u2019t need to say sorry.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHuh. Okay.\u201d<\/p>\n

An awkward silence lingered in the air between them.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not sorry,\u201d Zoro said. And he really wasn\u2019t. He wrote to Zeff for a very good reason, and with Robin\u2019s help his letter had been succinct and had not revealed anything that wasn\u2019t already public knowledge.<\/p>\n

Sanji tapped his fingers along the bench. \u201cHm. I figured as much. So what exactly did you write to Zeff saying?\u201d<\/p>\n

Zoro exhaled, resting his back against the wall. \u201cJust asked for a photo. Never asked for the recipe or whatever.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sanji quirked an eyebrow. \u201cAnd he just agreed like that?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOut with it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Zoro smirked. \u201cTold him it\u2019d keep Luffy out of his hair for longer.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sanji laughed lightly and Zoro found himself joining in. \u201cAnything to keep Luffy from putting another hole through the restaurant,\u201d Sanji said. Zoro hummed in agreement.<\/p>\n

With a sigh, Sanji turned his gaze on Zoro. \u201cYou really went all out for me, huh, shitty marimo? First the knife sharpening, then the flowers. Now Zeff.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re nakama,\u201d Zoro said, meeting his gaze. He would repeat it as many times as necessary to get it through the cook\u2019s head.<\/p>\n

Sanji withdrew a new cigarette from his pocket. \u201cSo you keep saying.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBecause it\u2019s true.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sanji hummed, twiddling the cigarette between his finger and thumb. \u201cCould give a guy the wrong idea, you know?\u201d Sanji\u2019s gaze shifted back to Zoro and Zoro immediately turned away.<\/p>\n

Zoro could feel his cheeks heating up and his heartbeat accelerating. Keep cool, he told himself. But his body in fact did not keep cool. It apparently did not know how to when the cook was involved. But this wasn\u2019t new. Not at all. Yeah, Zoro may have spent a lot of time and effort trying to ignore it, but that had been a losing battle. The heart wants what it wants, after all.<\/p>\n

Zoro put his face into his hands. He was even thinking like the damn cook now! \u2018The heart wants what it wants\u2019? What in the world?<\/p>\n

Sanji\u2019s chuckles brought Zoro out of his self-inflicted exasperation.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was only teasing, marimo. Don\u2019t have an internal crisis over me,\u201d Sanji said, but there was a small waver in his voice. A waver that Zoro couldn\u2019t stand for.<\/p>\n

Without a moment of hesitation, Zoro grabbed hold of Sanji\u2019s hand and looked him square in the eyes. \u201cGoddamnit, Sanji. I like you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sanji\u2019s eyes widened and he blinked several times. His mouth opened once, then twice, but no words came out.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s fine,\u201d Zoro said. \u201cI know you like women. But I just wanted you to know. That you\u2019re kinda special\u2026 to me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Lifting their joint hands up, Sanji pressed a kiss to the back of Zoro\u2019s hand. \u201cYou know bisexuality exists, right?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cEr. Yes?\u201d Zoro said, perplexed.<\/p>\n

Sanji rolled his eyes and let go of Zoro\u2019s hand. He wrapped his arms around Zoro\u2019s shoulders instead and leaned in, pressing a kiss to Zoro\u2019s lips.<\/p>\n

Zoro, not one to idly sit back, quickly got the memo and kissed back.<\/p>\n

When they parted, Sanji\u2019s cheeks were a lovely shade of red. Zoro was sure his matched.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou know what I was going to do for you next?\u201d Zoro asked.<\/p>\n

Sanji quirked an eyebrow. \u201cNo. Tell me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI was gonna make you a meal I grew up with.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sanji did a double-take. \u201cYou know how to cook?\u201d<\/p>\n

Zoro rubbed the back of his head. \u201cWell\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Sanji gestured for Zoro to continue.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo. Not really.\u201d<\/p>\n

Laughing, Sanji rested his forehead on Zoro\u2019s shoulder. \u201cWhat dish did you have in mind? I could make it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOkonomiyaki,\u201d Zoro said, slipping his hands around Sanji\u2019s back. They felt good there; the position fit just right. Almost like they were made for one another.<\/p>\n

\u2014 \u2014<\/p>\n

Ever since Sanji and Zoro\u2019s little altercation a few weeks ago, Nami had noticed that Sanji was doing better. Not perfect of course, but who was these days? The fact that he was getting help from Chopper and letting his nakama support him was what made all the difference.<\/p>\n

She\u2019d also noticed the dynamic between Sanji and Zoro had changed somewhat. They were still hot-headed rivals getting into petty fights over booze or whatever, but there appeared to be an undercurrent of something else. Something deeper. Nami was pretty sure she knew what it was, if the hickeys on Zoro\u2019s neck were anything to go by.<\/p>\n

For dinner that evening, each of the Straw Hats were served up a plate of something that looked rather unappetising, if Nami was being honest.<\/p>\n

\u201cUm, Sanji. What is this we\u2019re having tonight?\u201d she asked, carefully.<\/p>\n

\u201cOkonomiyaki,\u201d Zoro answered. \u201cI made it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHis presentation needs work but don\u2019t worry, it tastes great,\u201d Sanji said, as he slid into the seat next to Zoro.<\/p>\n

If the meal received Sanji\u2019s approval, then that was good enough for Nami. She took a hesitant bite only to be surprised by the flavours. Given its not so great presentation, she hadn\u2019t known what she was in for.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt tastes great, Zoro!\u201d Luffy said. \u201cMaybe you should be a chef like Sanji!\u201d<\/p>\n

Sanji chuckled at that. \u201cYou should\u2019ve tried it before I started helping.\u201d<\/p>\n

But Zoro didn\u2019t react. He ignored the interaction, in favour of almost inhaling his food.<\/p>\n

After dinner, most of the crew had left the dining table. Sanji left for a smoke and Nami spotted the way his hand dragged across Zoro\u2019s back as he passed him. Very interesting.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo, Zoro,\u201d Nami said, as she crossed her arms from across the table.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d Zoro said, his eye narrowing in on her.<\/p>\n

\u201cTssk. Always so untrusting. I was just going to say\u2026 Are you ready to thank me yet?\u201d<\/p>\n

Zoro frowned. \u201cFor what? Being a pain in the ass?\u201d<\/p>\n

Oh, this was just too easy. \u201cNo. I mean for helping Sanji be a pain in your ass.\u201d<\/p>\n

Zoro\u2019s face lit up bright red; Nami had never seen him so flustered. The usually stoic and unfriendly, sometimes resting bitch face he adorned was long gone. It was kind of cute knowing he had a larger range of expressions if given the right circumstances.<\/p>\n

Instead of responding, Zoro grumbled something to himself and stood up, and started collecting some of the empty dishes.<\/p>\n

Nami got up and carried the remaining dishes over to the sink with him. She cleared her throat, causing Zoro to shoot her a sceptical look.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn an act of kindness by yours truly, I am reducing your debt by 0.05 percent,\u201d Nami said.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow kind,\u201d Zoro said as he started cleaning the dishes, but his sarcastic tone wasn\u2019t lost on Nami.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s kind?\u201d Sanji asked, joining them in the kitchen. He hip-checked Zoro out of the way of the sink and handed him the dish towel instead. Zoro took it without complaint and started drying the dishes. They were a natural team. Had been since the beginning, really, even if they tried to deny it.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, nothing really. I was just telling Zoro I\u2019ve reduced his debt by 0.05%,\u201d Nami said.<\/p>\n

\u201cWow, that\u2019s so kind, Nami-san,\u201d Sanji said, grinning at her.<\/p>\n

Nami hummed in agreement before grabbing her unfinished drink and headed to the door. \u201cThanks for dinner, Sanji, Zoro.\u201d<\/p>\n

As Nami exited the kitchen, she found herself grinning. Who would\u2019ve guessed the two of them would actually end up together. The tension had always been there, but usually they were too stupid to realise it.<\/p>\n

It was nice though. Maybe she could send Zeff a little letter herself, with a photo of the crew included. She drafted it in her head.<\/p>\n

To Zeff,<\/em><\/p>\n

Your little eggplant is thriving and is surprisingly compatible with a mosshead. Who would\u2019ve thought, right? Enjoy the photo.<\/em><\/p>\n

All the best,<\/em><\/p>\n

Nami and the Straw Hat Pirates.<\/em><\/p>\n

P.S.: Oh, I told the courier company you would pay the bill for this. Thanks!\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

P.P.S.: If you\u2019re really mad I can send Luffy over to pay it back in the way of chores, like he did those years ago. Just let me know.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Sanji hasn’t been the same since Whole Cake Island. When the crew finally gets some downtime after Wano, Zoro takes matters into his own hands.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[10],"tags":[23,62,71],"fandom":[13],"rating":[3],"ship":[58],"class_list":["post-299","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-m-m","tag-canon-divergence","tag-fandom5k-exchange","tag-post-wano","fandom-one-piece","rating-teen","ship-zosan","wpautop"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/cloverso.me\/fic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/299","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/cloverso.me\/fic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/cloverso.me\/fic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cloverso.me\/fic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cloverso.me\/fic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=299"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/cloverso.me\/fic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/299\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":301,"href":"https:\/\/cloverso.me\/fic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/299\/revisions\/301"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/cloverso.me\/fic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=299"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cloverso.me\/fic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=299"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cloverso.me\/fic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=299"},{"taxonomy":"fandom","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cloverso.me\/fic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/fandom?post=299"},{"taxonomy":"rating","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cloverso.me\/fic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/rating?post=299"},{"taxonomy":"ship","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cloverso.me\/fic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/ship?post=299"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}