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Sanji loves him, such as the moon loves the ocean, a constant push and pull, a push and pull similar to their bickering and teasing. Never quite committing to one way, but wanting the other in every way there was.
He wants to spend everything with other man, not that it was difficult. The two lived together on a ship after all, but the Cook wanted more. He wanted more of the other
The Swordsman already had the ability to get so many different emotions out of Sanji, emotions Sanji never thought he'd experience, emotions he never even knew he had.
Sanji doubts the Marimo even realizes what effect he has on him. It all just seemed so natural.
Everything with the other was intense, completely new and scary yet so familiar and comforting.
It was easy to fall back into their routine, into their daily bickering that ceased for two years. Once it resumed, it was as if the pause never even happened in the first place. Everything seemed just so right, it felt right to be by Zoro's side, to be on the Thousands Sunny
The Swordsman noticed that the Cook seemed more free in a sense, after these two years. While he didn't know what happened to the Cook over their duration apart, Zoro was glad. Glad that Sanji seems to have found himself
Who knows if the Cook would have even realized his feelings for the shitty Swordsman, weren't it for the few words he uttered to the other that night. That night under the stars barely visible due to the flames surrounding him. The night he was afraid of losing himself. Seconds from fighting the most difficult opponent on his own yet.
Sanji was unsure, he was unsure of so much right now. So many thoughts that he could not bring in order.
Thoughts that he didn't want to think about, thoughts that only brought back horrible memories of the past, a past he long wished to forget. A past that was behind him. That should be behind him.
What a Naïve thought that is.
Sanji doubts he would ever truly get away from Germa, his father. His blood family.
As he stood there, unsure of everything he ever knew, hoped and believed in. Contemplating everything that happened in the past and what might happen in the future. He was sure of one thing. Of what he wants to happen, were he to turn into one of his brothers.
And so, he told Zoro, told the Swordsman what he wants the other to do, what he hoped Zoro would agree to.
"If I lose my mind, you must kill me,"
As he uttered the last word, everything seemed to slow down and accelerate at the same time. Thoughts racing. He would never want to be something like his brothers, something his father wanted him to be. Someone without emotions, empathy. Kindness.
That thought terrified him. More than anything. He'd rather die than lose his humanity. Lose his emotions.
His body already had begun changing, he didnt need to lose his emotions now too.
He didn't need to spiral even more.
That'd be for later, after he defeated Queen, after he hopefully still remained himself, which seemed less and less likely.
He made peace with potentially dieing today under the dulled out night sky, never having seen the All Blue, never being able to say goodbye to the old Geezer, murdered by the hand of the man he loved. One he could not confess his love to.
"Okay, I got it. I'll make sure to kill you myself."
A promise to end Sanji's life. A promise Sanji could die as a human. A promise Sanii could die the way the wanted to.
A promise from Zoro, to kill him if he lost everything that made him himself.
That's when Sanji realized it, he asked his Nakama to kill him. He asked the man whom he love to kill him were he to lose his mind.
Why did he ask Zoro?
Luffy was stronger than both of them, but he would never hurt his Nakama, he'd rather die himself than ever do something to them.
But Zoro would do it, no questions asked. If not because of himself, then to honor Sanji's wish.
Sanji could cry, never would he have thought to die by one of his Nakama's hand, Zoro's hand. The thought of being murdered by the Swordsman slowly creeping up his spine, slowly locking itself into Sanji's mind. Consuming all his thoughts, thinking how Zoror would kill him.
He wouldn't mind to die if it were by Zoro's hand. He decided.
Zoro was confused on why the Cook would even think of asking something like that, and so suddenly as well, but he didn't have time to dwell on it. Still in the middle of fighting King. The Cook out of control wouldn't be good for anyone, while he didn't wish death upon him, Zoro would do what the other man asked him to.
Zoro trusted the shitty Cook, and trusted him and his decision enough to not question the "why" and "how". The Cook didn't disclose any more information, and that was alright with Zoro, he knew enough already. He knew what he had to do. If the Cook would lose his mind, then they'd fight to the death.
With Zoro coming out as the winner.
Both would want that, Zoro's sure.
King wasn't yet attacking him again, so he had some more time to think, as long as he didn't to lose sight of him.
The Swordsman always thought the other was too self-sacrificing, though this time it didn't feel like something such as that. It felt more deep, more personal. If both were to make it out alive tonight, he wants to find out what it is that drove Sanji to ask him such a question.
Zoro wants to know why Sanji thought killing him was the only way.
No matter, right now wasn't the time he should be focusing on the future, and what he'll do after this, on whether or not the Cook will die by his hands.
He needed to win this fight, so that he could keep his promise to Sanji.