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Sanji falls in love at Thriller Bark.
He realizes it pretty quickly because he is not completely incompetent in the love department, he just gets distracted when beautiful women are in view, which is different thank you very much.
It is after their fight with Zombie-Luffy, once everyone but Zoro has been given the green light by Chopper and the swordsman is still unconscious. Sanji volunteered himself to watch their green idiot so the little doctor could get a well-earned rest and awaits beside the bed, his eyes fixed on Zoro.
Sanji is not dumb enough to try to convince himself that he hated Zoro at some point; for much the other man infuriates him Zoro is his crewmate and his friend, and the blonde actually enjoys working with him, and the fights, and the face Zoro does when Sanji talks about the one-hundred ways his hair looks like plant life.
But it’s not until the fight with Kuma that Sanji realizes just how loyal Zoro is to fulfil Luffy’s dream, how dedicated he is to protect their crew and how fucking much Sanji cares for him, how devastated he would be if the idiot had managed to get himself killed.
It scares Sanji to the bone.
“Stupid, shitty Marimo” he murmurs, stroking his hair with care “don’t you dare to die before me”
When they leave the damn ship they do it with a new crewmate, a new adventure on the horizon and a new feeling Sanji decides to keep a secret from everyone. Because he might be in love with Zoro, but Zoro would never look at Sanji that way.
And Sanji preferred to eat his own hands than let the stupid swordsman break his heart.
*
Zoro has been in love since before they came back from Skypiea.
Luffy wants another party to celebrate their safe return and they obliged because why not, and he ends having a drinking contest with Nami that she wins. She cheated, Zoro is sure about that, but he is drunk and happy and Sanji is trying to teach Luffy how to dance with really poor results.
But Sanji is laughing and Luffy is laughing and Chopper is adorably trying to copy the movements as he dances with Robin, and Zoro feels warm in his chest at the scene.
“They’re a bunch of idiots” Nami says with a smile, sitting at his side in Merry’s deck. She’s as drunk as he is but composed enough to kept Usopp’s head at her lap, so wasted he couldn’t even go to their room to sleep “except Robin, of course”
“Of course” Zoro laughs as she rest her head on his shoulder.
His eyes travel to Sanji’s face instantly. The blonde is blushing and visibly drunk, and his smile turns even bigger as Robin sends Chopper to him, taking their also very drunk captain on her arms. Zoro finds himself unable to look away.
“Sanji-kun’s a pretty good dancer” the red head talks again and Zoro agrees with a sound “pretty strong too, you know he and Usopp were electrocuted several times by that idiot Enel?”
“They were?”
“Fuck yeah” Nami laughs “it’s a true miracle that he can walk you know? Let alone fucking dance”
Zoro’s eyes came back to their cook. He knew the blonde was strong since the very first time he kicked him, and maybe if strong was the only thing that Sanji was Zoro would have let it go easily.
But Sanji is also kind and fun, always ready to help any crewmate that needed him or thinking about some weird food combinations that turned to be delicious. He also knows everybody’s favorite food by heart, and it was not weird for Zoro to find a plate of perfectly made onigiri on the crow’s nest waiting for him on watch nights and Zoro feels like he could fell in love with him for it.
Maybe he already loves him, his traitor mind says, as he observes how the man dances in circles with their doctor, listening to any weird thing Chopper is talking about. Then Luffy takes Chopper from Sanji’s arms and the cook goes to face Robin, who lets him take her waist and swing, their bodies close to each other. And Zoro has to look away.
Because the cook only has eyes for beautiful women and as a fighter, Zoro knew there are some fights you can never win.
*
Zoro is in love with Luffy.
Sanji is sure about that, and the worst thing is that he could not blame the man for it. Luffy is so easy to love, so open and caring, and Sanji is sure that everyone on the crew is a little bit in love with him as well, himself included.
If only that could be enough to kept Sanji from the ugly feeling he has every time Zoro smiles at their captain.
“What are you doing?” Usopp questions him one day, when Zoro is forced to play with Luffy and Chopper on Sunny’s deck. Sanji is at the kitchen door, eyes fixed on the easy smile Zoro always has for his captain and never for him.
“Nothing” Sanji says as he looks for another cigar on his pocket, finding it empty. He’ll need to buy more on the next island “why are you not playing with them?”
“I was actually hoping you could help me” he says, exited. He looks a lot like a kid with a new toy and Sanji finds it totally endearing “I have an idea for a new weapon! And wanted to ask you about some spices that…”
Sanji feels his smile grew bigger, forgetting his need for a smoke and his jealousy in favor of Usopp’s happy ranting as they walk into the kitchen lost in their own world.
Neither of them notice the swordsman’s grey eyes following them, nor the way the smile disappears from his face.
*
Sanji is in love with Nami.
Or at least Zoro thinks he is, after he spend several awful days observing the blonde’s attitude towards their navigator.
The cook dotes to every woman that he sees, but Zoro believes Nami receives a preferential treatment above any other, Robin included, even when she clearly doesn’t reciprocate the affection. It hurts more than Zoro had foreseen.
“Is Zoro angry at Nami?” Luffy asks with curious eyes and his face too close to Zoro’s. The swordsman, who was until then just trying to sleep beside their tree, blinks a couple times at the question.
“No?”
“You look at Nami a lot recently” his captain explains “you also look at Sanji a lot, but that’s normal. You have never looked that much at Nami before, she complains about it, is annoying”
Zoro feels his cheeks blush. Not only because of his lack of subtlety observations, but because Luffy seems to be perfectly aware of his feelings for the blonde. Not that it is something strange; Luffy knows everything, especially those things Zoro wish he doesn’t.
He also feels a pang of guilt in his gut. It’s not Nami’s fault that Sanji is in love with her just like is not Usopp’s fault the endearing way Sanji looks at him when he’s telling him one of his stories, or Luffy’s fault that the cook blushes when their captain happily hugs him while complimenting his food.
She’s also not the one to blame for Zoro’s jealousy, and it would be really unfair of him to treat her poorly over that.
“I’ll stop bothering Nami” he promises to Luffy and the boy smiles “don’t worry about it”
“Sanji looks at Zoro a lot too” Luffy says suddenly “you should just talk instead of looking at each other all the time, okay?”
Zoro’s blush became deeper, to the point his red face draws Robin and Chopper’s attention. As the little doctor fuss over him, the swordsman misses the way the cook’s blue eyes follow his reactions, his knuckles white from the force he grabs the tray with.
*
Sanji has never liked dealing with Marines.
Fighting a rival pirate crew is a normal occurrence with Straw-Hats as it was at the Baratie, but fighting Marines is a lot more annoying.
He knows they aren’t all bad, like that Smoker dude or that little friend Luffy talks about from time to time, but most of them are just really rude, attacking at unholy hours like dinner time.
Luffy’s the first one to attack. Then Zoro launches himself with a feral grin that makes weird things to Sanji’s heart as he jumps to action with Franky, Usopp and Brook staying behind to protect the girls and Chopper.
They are not really good fighters and rely too much in guns, so Sanji feels really bored after a while of kicking marines, thinking about the food getting cold at the galley. But Luffy seems happy, screaming and laughing in a way that warms Sanji’s cold body, so he keeps doing his part with a smile on his face.
The sound of a loaded gun gets Sanji’s attention from behind and he turns just in time to see one of those bastards shot at Luffy’s back, too far from him to stop it. He loses his breath as he recognizes the shine of seastone.
“Straw-Hat watch out!” Franky screams, but is too late. The bullet flies directly to Luffy’s back but Sanji’s too out of air to scream, having just run to kick the marine bastard out with the fear growing in his chest.
Just before it reaches its destiny a big, muscle body intercedes with the bullet’s way, and Sanji lets out an entirely different name.
“Zoro!”
Zoro’s body falls loudly on the deck, a dark pool of blood already forming under him. Luffy’s head turns to see his first mate’s body and he sees red, furiously screaming and attacking, all the previous amusement forgotten.
As hell breaks loose on the bastards in form of his very angry captain Sanji goes to Zoro, Franky already running to alert Chopper. Screams of fear are the last thing he hears as he took the man in his arms, Zoro’s body unexpectedly cold as they run back to the Sunny.
*
Zoro has never liked the infirmary.
Is too white, too sterile, as much as Chopper’s books and hidden candies gave it a pinch of color. It’s been two days since the marine’s bullet broke through Zoro’s chest, too fucking close to the lungs for Chopper to let him go like any other day.
But Zoro’s bored, and not even his nakama’s daily visits are enough to less his frustrations. All the crew but one, the swordsman thinks bitterly, because Sanji has not came once since he’s there.
He sends Zoro’s favorite foods, previously approved by Chopper, and sometimes Zoro hears his voice at the door asking for him, but never enters. Is not until the third night of his forced stay that he catches a glimpse of Sanji sleeping at the side of his bed.
The blonde looks pale with baggy eyes, and one of his hands is grasping Zoro’s, hard. It makes his heart beat loudly, apparently loudly enough to wake him up.
“Zoro” he says in awe and Zoro feels his mouth dry.
“You look like shit, Curly” he says without thinking and Sanji frowns “did that really do a number on you? They were just weaklings”
“On me!?” Sanji had a full scowl on his face, visibly angry and so beautiful that Zoro wasn’t really thinking straight anymore “they almost managed to kill you, you idiot houseplant!”
“Just a lucky shot” Zoro dismisses “not important”
“Not…?” the cook’s hands turned to fists as they took Zoro’s white shirt, furious blue eyes against his own “they almost got your fucking lungs Zoro! You could have been killed! By a bunch of stupid, weakling marines! And why? Because of a bullet that would have done nothing to Luffy!”
“It looked like a seastone bullet!” he argued back, getting angry as well. Sanji’s reaction was too fucking much for what had happened “and I didn’t die! Did I?”
“You could have!”
“But I didn’t!” Zoro insists, getting closer to the blonde’s face “It was to protect Luffy! Is my fucking job! Why are you bitching about it? It doesn’t matter if we die to protect Luffy, we both know that”
“When it’s worth it! Not in a stupid fight with stupid marines!”
Zoro stares back at his crewmate, feelings of anger and confusion taking all over him. Of all his nakama Sanji was always the one to understand Zoro the best, only behind Luffy. It’s Zoro’s job to protect the crew with his own life if necessary, and until today he was sure Sanji understood.
“It doesn’t matter what happens to me as long as Luffy’s alive” he says slowly, grey eyes on the blue ones “I would give my life any day to protect him, you should know it”
“Yes! Yes I fucking know!” there was something in Sanji’s tone, something bitter. It sound a lot like hurt, like resentment, and Zoro didn’t like it “Just for Luffy, isn’t it? Always for Luffy”
Sanji is not looking at him anymore and it is driving Zoro crazy. He’s familiar with Sanji being angry at him, but not with the blonde avoiding his gaze.
“Cook…?”
“It matters to me, you fucking bastard” Sanji storms off from the infirmary, not even a look at the swordsman’s direction.
Zoro stares at the door, feeling his heart hurting more than the fucking wounds.
*
Zoro is stubborn.
Sanji learnt that the same day he meet the man, but it becomes even more evident after he is discharged from infirmary.
He is not there when it happens, too coward to face Zoro after their little fight, but listens to Nami’s complains about him hours later at the galley because apparently Zoro’s first instinct after his almost death was to go back to his training routine and gave Chopper a heart attack.
The blonde fakes a smile for her and insults Zoro’s idiotic nature, which seems enough for her, but Sanji’s sure is not going to last.
Not when he can feel Luffy’s stare at his back and Usopp already tried to speak with him three times before dinner, but he manages to escape all of them until sleeping time. Sanji should have known it had been too fucking easy to be true.
“Are you done ignoring me, Cook?” Zoro’s voice asks from behind and Sanji becomes pale, consciously not turning around. That does nothing to stop Zoro to come closer.
“If you want booze better forget about it” he warns “Chopper says is prohibited”
“You know I didn’t came for that” Zoro’s at his back and Sanji’s breathing became agitated “we need to talk about last night”
“There’s nothing we need to…”
“You said it mattered to you, if I die” he interrupts and Sanji flinch “you also seemed angry about something, and I want to know why”
Sanji breaths, trying his best to relax with Zoro’s heat at his back. He’s not ashamed of his anger at Zoro’s apparently inability to value his own life, but he regrets screaming at him back at the infirmary. Is not Zoro’s fault if he can’t understand how important his life is to Sanji.
“I shouldn’t have screamed at you” he turns to Zoro, eyes not reaching his “but you really need to stop almost dying anytime we have a fight”
Zoro seems shocked for a moment. Not that Sanji can look at his face right now, his heart slamming against his chest in a too loud way that makes him nervous. They are alone in the barely illuminated galley and Zoro always stands too close, close enough Sanji fears he can read his feelings in his face.
“I told you already, this is…”
“Your job is to protect the crew, yes, not use your body as a fucking shield” he finally looks at his face and Zoro is taken back “look, Zoro, I…”
He breathes, closing his eyes. Sanji always knew the time to talk about this will come eventually, but he had hoped to be over his feelings before.
“I know you are in love with Luffy” Sanji’s fists clench. He tries his best to keep his voice firm, but it still sounds weak “but you really have to take a little more care of yourself, Chopper…”
“I… what?” Zoro looks confused, eyes big and mouth open, a little blush on his cheeks and ears. It's a pretty sight, one that Sanji would enjoy if he didn't feel like his heart was breaking.
“You’re in love with Luffy” his voice falters “it's okay, I don’t know why you never told me, we’re supposed to be friends, shitty Marimo” Sanji tries to smile but fails, he looks at the wooden floor instead “but you’re not going to do any good just dying, and we actually need your brute force here, so…”
“I’m not in love with Luffy” Zoro interrupts and Sanji raises his eyes to him “what the fuck are you…?”
The swordsman’s head hits against the wall, Sanji couldn’t care less. Rage grows in his chest as he takes Zoro by the open shirt, his face close enough to breathe the same air as him. He can understand if Zoro wants to keep his love a secret, but the lie feels like a slap on his face.
Sanji feels something wet on his cheeks, but he’s too angry to care.
Zoro stays still, astonished.
*
Sanji is too easy to anger.
Zoro has known that since the beginning, and has not subtly taken advantage of it on multiple occasions he wanted to keep the cook’s attention only on himself.
This time Zoro can’t understand what he did to earn Sanji’s anger. He also can’t understand why the blonde seems to think he is in love with fucking Luffy.
“You don’t fucking lie to me, bastard!” the blonde screams, face too close and eyes shining in rage and murder intentions. Zoro finds it unfairly beautiful.
Zoro loves everything about Sanji, but his rage has always been something else. It’s the passion on his eyes, the way one look could get the swordsman bothered and hot, yearning for a single touch, even a violent one. But this time? This time Zoro can spot something else in his favorite blue eyes.
And by all the Gods in whose he can’t believe, it gives him hope.
“I’m not fucking lying!” he speaks again, his eyes roaming Sanji’s face for a reaction. The blonde presses him more against the wall, his look hardening with hatred.
“Bullshit”
“Is that what you are angry about?” Zoro asks, amazed by the range of emotions he can see in Sanji’s eyes “you think I’ll die for Luffy because I’m in love with him?”
That makes Sanji hesitate; is not enough to release Zoro, but his grip loose. He looks confused and agitated, and the swordsman finally identifies the spot for what it really is: Sanji’s jealous. Of him, he hopes. Zoro is not sure he can stay with the crew if the blonde turns out to be in love with Luffy.
“I'd do it for any of you” he says, gray eyes locked on blue ones “dying, I mean. If I have to die to protect any of you I’ll die”
“Are you stupid?” the blonde asks, shocked “what about your dream? Are you going to fucking throw it away just like that?”
“I’ve never dream of living, Cook” they are even closer now, close enough for Zoro to smell the smoke in Sanji’s breath. Sanji takes a step back, visibly troubled by the turn of events, and Zoro’s arms rush to his waist to keep him close “I'll live enough to be the greatest swordsman, to make Luffy King of Pirates, but after that? I could die at any time, no regrets”
“Zoro...”
He has never been good at feelings, but Zoro was not a coward. So he comes closer to the cook, one arm still surrounding his waist as the other goes to cup Sanji’s face.
“But I'll live if you want” he continues, caressing with his fingers Sanji’s cheek in a move so tender Zoro didn’t believe himself capable before “after all is done, after Luffy became Pirate King and you find your All Blue”
Sanji seems like he lost his breath, his eyes big and fixed in Zoro as he talks. He lost his grip at Zoro’s shirt at some point, resting both his precious hands against the swordsman’s chest.
“If you ask me to live I’ll live” he insist, hoping his voice and eyes can transmit everything he can’t put on words “Sanji”
They’re as close as one can be on the lonely galley, no sound other than their breathing and the loud beating of Zoro’s heart in his chest. He wonders if Sanji can heard it, if the blonde can understand what it means.
Sanji’s answer came after the longest minute of Zoro’s life, as both of the blonde’s arms came to his neck, getting impossibly close. He has the most amazing smile Zoro has ever seen on his face before.
“Then live, you bastard” Sanji’s eyes are shining again, wet and so beautiful “after Luffy becomes King and Nami draws her map of the world, after Usopp becomes a Brave Warrior of the Sea” his forehead rests against Zoro’s, their breath blending “I want you to live, Zoro”
Still not fully believing the way Sanji is looking at him, Zoro has no other option than close his face to the cook’s, reaching for those pretty lips that he had wanted to taste since so long.
Sanji, as always, finds him halfway.
*
Sanji and Zoro are idiots.
That’s the only thing on Luffy’s mind as his first mate and chef speak to all of them, hands intertwined and pink cheeks. They look so dumb and happy with each other Luffy wants to laugh, but he can’t understand why they are announcing this like if all of them didn’t already know.
“So, yeah, that’s it” Sanji finishes, nervous “we are together, Marimo and I”
“Yes, we know” Usopp’s the first one to speak, confused “I mean, congratulations. But weren’t you already together? Like, didn’t Sanji confessed at Thriller Bark?”
“I was sure you were a thing since before we left Water 7” Franky adds, looking at Robin for support. The woman nods with a little smile and that spark on her eyes Luffy always sees when she’s having fun “although good for you, bros! Being in love is suuuper!”
“Ah! Young love” Brook sighs, dreamily.
Luffy can only laugh at how red Sanji and Zoro’s faces are before the blonde began screaming and kicking everyone minus Robin.
Then Zoro says something dumb and Sanji is screaming at him too, and before anyone can stop them they are fighting again. Stupid Zoro, the captain thinks to himself, always so greedy for Sanji’s attention he can’t even share with his nakama.
It brings a warm feeling in Luffy’s belly looking at them so happy, lost in their own little world.
“They are so stupid” Nami says as Luffy grins at her. She’s smiling too, trying to hide the tears in her eyes.
“I never thought about them in this kind of relationship” Chopper admits on Nami’s arms “but I’m happy for them, I think they’re good for each other”
“Of course they are! They’re Sanji and Zoro” Luffy’s smile gets even bigger and Nami laughs, too happy to do anything more than hug Chopper closer to her chest and agree with her captain.
As the sound of his nakama’s laughs and fights get louder, Luffy’s attention shifts to the large blue ocean beside them. They’re getting closer to the Red Line, excitement bubbled inside him as he walks closer to the Sunny’s head, calling everyone’s attention.
He can almost feel it, the electricity of a new adventure.
“Guys!” Luffy screams as he look back, everyone looking back at him with a smile on their faces. His friends, his family, his nakama. His grin so big he almost hurt his cheeks “Let’s go to Fishman Island!”
“To Fishman Island!”
Unfortunately, they wouldn't be able to reach Fishman Island in a long, long time.