Work Text:
Sanji sat down at his table outside the back of his All Blue Restaurant, book in one hand, coffee in the other. He sat the book down on the table and looked over the great All Blue Sea. His long hair blew behind him as a breeze passed by.
“So. Are you finally going to explain your relationship with Zoro to me?”
Sanji smiled as he looked across the table to see Luniju. Her light blue hair cut into a bob, and a baby rocker with her newborn daughter next to her. He was glad to see his niece, but it made him run his hand over the cover of the book. “Yea. I think I'm finally ready.” He stated, taking a sip from his coffee.
Sanji looked down at the book, a smile on his face. “Those were the easy days, right?” He opened the book, smiling as he flipped through the pages. “When we weren't scattered across the seas.” he flipped another page. “Going on adventures. Doing dumb shit.” He stopped at a page with a picture of him and Zoro. “Because then… we still had each other.”
Luniju smiled as she took a sip of her coffee. She could already see the love in her brother's eyes. Made her think about her and her husband's journey. But that's for a different story.
“Back then. We had each other's backs in a fight. Fighting the enemies with our backs together. Still arguing a lot. Though I didn't mind. I loved fighting enemies alongside you. Even if we bickered constantly.” Sanji reminisced. Smiling to himself, remembering those times.
*FlashyBack*
19 year old Zoro and Sanji, fighting Arlong's army. The two end up almost flush against each other's back. Sanji kicks a fishman away as Zoro blocks a fishman's blow with Wado.
“Need some help, cook?” Zoro asked, peeking behind him at Sanji.
“As if!” Sanji replied, kicking another fishman away. “get back to where you came from, these assholes are mine!”
Zoro smirked, “Just wanted to check because you're getting swarmed.”
Sanji looked back at Zoro, annoyance clear in his voice as he spoke, “I'm not! Fuck off!”
Zoro chuckled. “Alright.” Before swiftly pushing a fishman back with Wado.
Sanji looked back and smiled. Glad to see Zoro cared about him. He kicked away a fishman in the face before he could be touched.
*end flashyback*
Sanji looked back down at the picture, chuckling a little. Luniju tilted her head in curiosity, showing off the scar that caused her left eye to go blind when she was a toddler, before the Quadruplets were born. “What's got you chuckling?”
“Oh, just another memory. Do you remember when Zoro got hit on the head? Like way back in the early days of traveling with Luffy and them?” Sanji asked, setting the book down, open to the page he was on, as he picked up his coffee cup and took a sip.
“Yea. Wasn't it from that fight at Whiskey Peak? Ya know where we picked up Vivi from.” Luniju asked, remembering the good old days.
“Exactly. Well I had asked him how his head was. And do you wanna know how he responded?” Sanji asked, smirking.
“Please tell me he didn't say what I think he said.” Luniju sighed, knowing exactly where this was going.
“He said and I quote. ‘Haven't had any complaints yet.’ Like why was that his first thought.” Sanji explained before laughing a bit at the memory.
*Flashyback take 2*
Sanji pulled his cigarette out of his mouth, blowing the spoke up towards the sky before looking down at the swordsman. Zoro was sitting, his chest bandaged as he held an ice pack to his head.
“How's your head?” Sanji asked, just trying to make conversation, for no other reasons.
“Haven't had any complaints yet.” Zoro responded with a smirk, looking up at the blonde.
Sanji blinked a couple of times, trying to process what he just heard. “Wh- you!” He exclaimed, kicking at Zoro.
Zoro blocked the kick with his arm as he chuckled. “Oi! You asked. I just answered!”
Sanji sighed and rolled his eyes. “I meant your injury, you big oaf!”
Zoro pressed his lips into a thin line before looking back up at Sanji, still holding the ice pack to his head. “Then say so, cook!”
Sanji rolled his eyes again as he looked down at Zoro. “I did! It's you who has his mind in the gutter every minute of the day!”
Zoro gave him a fond smile. “Only when it comes to you…” Zoro placed the icepack next to him on the floor before reaching his hand out tentatively to gently grab Sanji's ankle. (Scandalous! His ankle is showing! That whore!)
Sanji pulled his leg back, looking around clearly to see if anyone saw. “Stop that. They'll see..” Sanji stated, looking back down at Zoro.
Zoro looked up at him with so much love in his eyes, and said, “Let them.”
He gently grabbed Sanji's ankle again (SANJI U WHORE! COVER THOSE ANKLES!) and began to gently rub up and down the lower part of Sanji’s lower leg and over his ankle. (Oh now his lower leg is showing too?! Man Sanji. Be glad you didn't live in the 1920s you would be slut shamed so much for showing that much skin… or was it in the 1800s?) Sanji sighed and looked away from Zoro. “You know I can't.” Sanji stated before turning and walking away.
*end flashyback take 2*
“Sani? Hello??”
Sanji blinked and shook his head, looking over at his sister who was giving him a puzzled look. “Sorry. Got lost in the memories.”
“It's ok. But, I know for a long time you never considered yourself someone who liked men. So…” Luniju drifted off, taking a sip of her coffee.
Sanji looked down at one of the photos, “I left you hanging for so long, didn't I?” Sanji said quietly, looking at the 19 year old Zoro in the photo. “I wish I could turn back time.” Sanji chuckled, “but I know I wouldn't change anything. I was too afraid then, too afraid of losing you. So I pushed you away, until you almost died.”
Luniju frowned, remembering how upset Sanji had been after finding Zoro on Thriller Bark. She didn't know the full story, but she didn't need to.
*flashyback take très*
Sanji bunched up the towel in his hand and threw it at Zoro, “You almost died, You shithead!” He exclaimed, frustrated from Zoro's lack of care.
Zoro chuckled as he caught the towel. “But I didn't!”
Sanji grabbed his right elbow, rubbing circles into it with his thumb. “But you could have!” He stated, taking a moment to try to compose himself, “You…. You were ready to sacrifice yourself for all of us.” He crossed his arms over his chest, almost in an act of hugging himself.
Zoro looked down at the ground before looking back at Sanji. “And you weren't?” He asked.
“That's different!” Sanji stated.
“How?!” Zoro asked, throwing the towel onto the floor. “How the fuck is that different?!”
“I'm just the cook, okay? I'm replaceable! (Oh Sanji baby. No you're a whore not replaceable.) You can find someone like me on every goddamn island!” Sanji exclaimed, pointing out towards Thriller Bark as it disappeared behind them.
Zoro shoved his hand against Sanji's mouth. “Shut your goddamn mouth!”
Sanji grabbed at Zoro's hand, trying to pull it off. He looked at Zoro and stopped, just holding onto Zoro's hand.
“Do you actually think we want a different cook?! Do you really think a part of our nakama is that easily replaceable? You're a goddamn idiot.” Zoro exclaimed, before finally removing his hand from Sanji's mouth.
Sanji took a breath, “I mean you could if you have to. Your part of this crew is far more important and a lot harder than…than what I do… I-I only cook the food.” Sanji explained. His eyes almost screamed how he felt.
“And you fight like a maniac every time! We couldn't even replace you if we wanted to. First and foremost, you're our friend! And you don't just replace friends!” Zoro explained, not noticing the blood seeping through his bandages.
Sanji gasped and reached out towards Zoro, “Zoro! Your stitches!”
Zoro frowned, “What about them? Don't try to distract me!”
Sanji shook his head. “No your stitches… I think they popped! You're bleeding!”
Zoro's arm swung back to his side as he looked down to see blood beginning to bleed through his shirt, he placed his hand on the spot. “Shit.” He pulled his hand away, seeing blood on his palm. “Chopper won't be happy about that…” As soon as the words left his mouth he fell forward onto Sanji's shoulder.
Sanji sighed as he caught Zoro. “You're an idiot, you know that?”
Zoro lifted his head up a bit, “Yeah, you too…” Zoro then passed out.
*End flashyback take très*
Sanji chuckled at the memory. “Oh we were so often at each other's throats, that it felt unnatural not to do it…” Sanji chuckled.
Luniju smiled. “Yea. Would've thought the Kamabakka kingdom would've changed some of your ways.”
Sanji rolled his eyes. “In some ways it did. But in other ways it didn't. Coming back from those two years was surprising.”
*flashyback numero quatro*
Sanji walked over to the cliffside on Sabaody Archipelago. Having separated from his sister long enough to have found the green haired swordsman. Seeing him for the first time in 2 years though? That hit him hard.
“Mosshead?”
Zoro chuckled, crossing his arms across his chest. “Curly.” He looked Sanji up and down. “Those two years did you well!”
Sanji gave a fake smile before saying, “Don't…. They didn't…”
Zoro chuckled again, looking to where Sanji came from and seeing a lot of women waving Sanji goodbye, though it looks like Luniju was talking to one of them. “But look at all those women waving you goodbye!” Zoro gave a two-fingered salute as the women cheered.
“Oi! Big guy!”
“Over here!”
“Can we take you home?” Zoro laughed a little at that one.
“Would you look at that hottie!” Zoro bowed a little, with a little bit of dramatics too.
“Sanji! Sweetheart, lock him away, or he'll be taken from you!”
Sanji looked towards the women before glaring at Zoro. “Can you NOT encourage them, please!”
“Why not? They look fun to be around.” Zoro explained, smiling a bit.
Sanji shook his head. “They aren't!”
Zoro tipped his head a bit to the side as he looked back towards the women. “Well, if you say so.” Zoro waved goodbye to the women before walking away.
“Bye!!💕”
“Take care!” One said, blowing a kiss.
“Come to our island sometime!” Another winked at Zoro.
Sanji followed Zoro. Sitting next to him, their backs pressed up against a building.
Zoro looked over at him. “So, how were your two years?”
Sanji ran his hand through his hair. “Horrible. The worst.” Sanji rolled his eyes. “You can't even imagine how bad they were.”
Zoro chuckles a bit. “You're exaggerating.”
Sanji looked at him in disbelief. “I'm not.”
Zoro turned to face Sanji. “Sure…” Not believing him.
“No, I'm not!” Sanji exclaimed, slightly frustrated.
Zoro reached out his hand to touch Sanji's cheek. Sanji moved back a bit, confused by the action. “What are you…”
Zoro placed his thumb on Sanji's lip, while his palm and fingers caressed his cheek. He smiled, “I missed you.” and with that he used that hand to reach towards the back of Sanji's head and pulled him into a kiss.
Sanji kissing him back was euphoric for Zoro. And when they broke apart, Sanji placed a hand on Zoro's wrist, rubbing it gently. “I missed you too.”
Zoro smiled and pulled Sanji into his lap, looking up at him. Sanji looked around, a bit nervous. “They'll see..”
Zoro frowned, “okay.” He moved Sanji off of his lap and got up and walked away, leaving Sanji bewildered.
Sanji watched Zoro's back as he walked away, trying to process what happened. He eventually got up and ran after him to drag him to the correct direction of the Sunny.
*end flashyback numero quatro*
Sanji sighed, “How often he had to put up with my crap.”
“You mean everytime you guys fought?” Luniju asked.
“No, it was all because I couldn't get rid of my thoughts that it was wrong what he and I were doing.” Sanji explained, looking up at the blue sky for a moment.
*anotha flashy back*
Sanji chased after Zoro. “Come back, Zoro!”
Zoro just kept walking away. “No!”
Sanji pinched the bridge of his nose, “I'm sorry, ok? Please!”
Zoro, who was still walking, looked back at Sanji. “You say that all the time!”
Sanji managed to catch up to Zoro and grabbed his hand. “I really am okay! I'm… I don't know why I keep doing it…”
Zoro swallowed the lump in his throat as he stopped moving. “It's tiring…” he looked back at Sanji suddenly. “Just tell me if I shouldn't touch you. I won't do it anymore, I promise!”
Sanji rolled his eyes a bit. “That's not what I want and you know that.” Sanji explained, only to see Zoro's insecurity in his eyes.
“I actually don't know it.” Zoro admitted.
“I don't hate it. I just can't…. I just don't know how to handle it, okay?” Sanji admitted, hoping for a flicker of something from Zoro.
Instead Zoro stated, “All I know is that it feels like I'm forcing myself onto you every time. And I hate that.”
Sanji crossed his arms over his chest. “That's not what…” he uncrossed his arms, “Listen! You don't force yourself onto me, okay? Do you understand?”
Zoro reached out to Sanji's face, trying to caress it. Sanji flinched back slightly before realizing what he did. Zoro pulled his hand back, a look of disgust on his face.
“Still fucking feels like it…” Then Zoro turned and walked away.
Sanji covered his face with his hand, realizing how horrible his reaction was.
*end of anotha flashy back*
Sanji took a sip of his coffee. “I was the worst, wasn't I?” He took another sip of his coffee. “But he played his part too.”
“Luni!” A voice called from the restaurant.
“Coming! Sorry Sani. Law's back from his trip. Please call if you need anything ok? Im one den den mushi call away. Love you.” Luniju explained, getting up and walking over to Sanji, carrying her newborn in her arms.
Law stepped out back. Giving Sanji a nod as he packed away the rocker. The two, Luniju and Law, plus Baby, left. Sanji stayed sitting for a few more minutes before he went inside. Heading up to the living quarters and opened the door to his bedroom.
“Now where was I? Oh right, you played your part too didn't you?”
*flashy backy #?*
The crew was docked on some random island and Sanji found himself in a random bar with Zoro. “You're drunk.”
Zoro paused mid drink, looking over at Sanji. “I mean… maybe.” He started leaning his body towards Sanji, clearly wanting affection.
Sanji pushed him off. “Stop it!”
Zoro frowned as he straightened up, rubbing his eye. “Why? Cause they'll see?” Zoro asked, hugging Sanji from behind and putting his head on Sanji's shoulder.
Sanji rolled his eyes and sighed. “You know it….just stop. You know I don't like it.”
Zoro, clearly drunk (or at least tipsy), blurted out. “You seemed to like it last night in the pantry. And two nights before that in the crow's nest. And four nights before that on that little island.” During this Zoro seemed to keep cuddling Sanji's shoulder.
Sanji's eyes widened. “Zoro!”
Zoro looked at Sanji “what …. What?! Tell me you didn't like it.”
Sanji shook his head. “You ARE drunk!”
Zoro took a step away from Sanji, keeping his hand on Sanji's shoulder. “I'm very much sober, Curls. You know that bit of alcohol doesn't have an effect on me”
Sanji crossed his arms over his chest. “Great! So you're an asshole on purpose!”
Zoro also had his arms crossed over his chest. “Why? Because I will tell the world that Blackleg Sanji actually really likes guys!”
Sanji, shocked by what Zoro just said, backhandedly slapped Zoro across the face. Sanji then proceeded to walk away and out of the bar.
“Fuck!” Zoro muttered, realizing how much he fucked up. He ran after Sanii.
“Sanji, wait! I'm sorry, I…” Zoro stopped mid sentence, seeing how angry Sanji is.
Sanji turned to face him, pointing a finger at him. “Don't you fucking touch me! Leave me alone you big fucking asshole! And don't go after me!” Sanji stated, before walking off, leaving Zoro just standing there.
“Fuck!”
*end flashy backy #?*
Sanji ran a hand through his long blonde hair. “But then I left. And I don't know how you felt about that. But all I wanted was to come back and talk it out with you and be with you and our Nakama…”
*quick flashy backy*
Sanji, in his Vinsmoke royalty attire, gently fiddled with his explosive cuffs before letting his head fall in his hands as he thought of one thing. ‘I love you.’
*end quick flashy backy*
*again? Another flashy backy? Yes*
Sanji walked up to Zoro after they won against Kaido. “I'm sorry I left. I didn't really want to… but I also didn't really have a choice.”
Zoro sat on the floor of the Sunny as he cleaned his swords. “You don't have to explain it to me. It's fine.” Zoro stated, not looking up at Sanji even once.
Sanji crossed his arms over his chest. “You don't look like it's fine.”
Zoro continued cleaning his blade, not looking up at Sanji. “I know that you sooner or later would fuck off to marry some random woman. I don't really care.” Zoro stated, slowly stopping his cleaning.
Sanji shook his head a little. “I didn't… I…" Sanji pinched the bridge of his nose. “I didn't want to do that. I had to… they…”
“I said you don't have to explain it. I don't care!” Zoro stated, seeming to be frustrated.
“They forced me, okay? They…” Sanji rubbed at his wrists. “They put explosives on my wrists to blow my hands off when I disobey. They had Zeff, and they threatened all of you.” Sanji admitted, still rubbing at his wrists.
Zoro stopped cleaning his sword entirely as he finally looked over at Sanji. “What?”
“You don't know how often I was about to just saying fuck it and run. I… I could have lived with my hands blown off if that meant I'd be with you again. But I couldn't live with the knowledge of being a reason Zeff or any of you died.”
Sanji hugged himself as he spoke. “I wanted to come back… I wanted to be with you… I wanted to be with our Nakama. But if I would have done that, every one of you would have died.”
Zoro sighed “Sanji.” Before he reached out and caressed Sanji's cheek.
Sanji placed his hand over Zoro's. “You all would have…” Sanji sniffled before he buried his face in Zoro's chest.
Zoro held him close. Comforting him the best he can.
“I didn't want to leave..” Sanji repeated. “I didn't want to marry… Not Pudding. She's lovely, but she isn't you.”
*end of this sudden flashy backy*
Sanji sighed, looking down at his coffee. “After that, we got better, right?”
Sanji looked down at the bed. “I got more confident in us and you. You started to understand my actions and why I was the way I was.”
Sanji thought about Zoro, “I still treasure your smile when we told the crew we're together. I loved all the ways you only let me touch you. All the different times you said my name. And all the times you couldn't even mutter it. *🔞* I still treasure every single ‘I love you’ from your lips. But when Luffy became King of the Pirates and we found the All Blue.. you left to fight for a title that could mean your death. Aside from the newspapers, I never heard from you again for 10 years.”
Sanji sighed. “I was angry at first. I didn't understand why you had to leave. Why the title was worth more than what we've built?” Sanji crossed his arms over his chest. “I hated you for it. For leaving me at the All Blue and going to travel the world. Without even asking me if I would come with you. Stupid Swordsman!” Sanji uncrossed his arms and looked down at the figure in the bed. “Just open your god damn eyes!”
Zoro lay unconscious on the bed. Bandages wrapped around his mid section and wrapped around his hands.
*Later that night*
Zoro startled awake, sitting up slightly as he panted. He looked down at the foot of the bed and saw Sanji asleep with his upper half on the bed. Zoro sighed in relief as he took in his surroundings. He took in a few breaths before he looked at the bandages on his hand, arm and torso. He covered his face with his hands before dragging them up into his hair.
He leaned forward again to see if Sanji was awake yet. He wasn't. Zoro laid back down and covered his mouth with his hand, still processing where he was.
*the next morning*
Sanji slowly opened his eyes. He looked around a bit before sitting up, stretching his arms as he began to fully wake up.
“Shit… I need to make breakfast.” Sanji stated tiredly. He looked around a little, “What time is it?” He pinched the bridge of his nose.
Zoro lifted his head up a little to look over at Sanji. “It's way too early to stress that much.”
Sanji blinked a few times. Removing his hand from his face as Zoro's voice finally registered in his head, his eyes widening. Sanji almost gave himself whiplash from how fast he whipped his head to look at Zoro.
Zoro chuckled. “Hi curly…”
Sanji ran his hand through his hair. “Oh my god! You dickhead! You overgrown moss idiot!” Sanji exclaimed before getting up and falling onto Zoro in a hug.
Zoro winced a little as Sanji buried his head in Zoro's chest and wrapped an arm around his neck. “Missed you too Curly.”
Sanji moved his hair out of his face. “I didn't miss you.” He said before burying his face back into Zoro's chest.
Zoro rolled his eye. “Sure you didn't.”
After a moment Sanji was back sitting next to the bed. “Care to explain to me what happened, you stupid mossbrain?”
Zoro, who is now laying on his side. (I almost wrote zide xD) “Well there was this girl,” he rubbed his eye before continuing, “she challenged me, wants to become the greatest swordsman ever. She was strong, and fast. She put up an awesome fight, to be honest.”
Sanji smiled. “Aw, are you getting soft, mossy?”
Zoro adjusted himself on the bed. “I didn't go easy on her if that's what you're trying to say.”
Sanji placed his hand over Zoro's. “Girls with good swordskills were always a soft spot, right?”
Zoro chuckled. “Yeah..”
Sanji thought for a moment. “She's still alive, right?”
“Oh, she is. And I can't wait to battle her again.” Zoro smiled, running a hand through his hair. “I mean, I finally understand why Mihawk didn't kill me that time at the Baratie.” Zoro adjusted himself again, leaning on his left arm. “I know I'm going to lose my title one day but I'm going to make damn sure I lose to her and no one else.”
Sanji moved his hair over his shoulder. “Wow, I think you've grown a lot since we last saw each other.” Sanji said, his smile slowly falling. “When… When are you planning to leave again? Your wounds aren't that bad anymore.” Sanji swallowed, avoiding eye contact with Zoro. “Two days max for you to be back to normal.”
Zoro frowned. “So… two days? Alright…”
Sanji nodded, taking his words as confirmation. “Okay.” He held his stomach for a second before standing up. “I'm going to start dinner! Any wishes?”
Zoro sighed, “Just…. Just your food. It's the best!”
*Later that night, after dinner*
Zoro was clearly having a nightmare, tossing and turning a bit in his sleep before sitting up straight in a panic. Sweat dripped down his face as he looked around in a panic. He ran his hand through his hair as he looked down at Sanji who was asleep on the floor using a duvet and pillow. Zoro rolled his eyes. “Doesn't that idiot own a couch?” He whispered to himself. He grabbed his robe off the bed and gently tossed it over Sanji, making sure it fully covered him. “Ah, fuck.”
*morning*
Sanji slowly started waking up. Noticing Zoro's robe was over him. That's when he noticed Zoro standing at his feet, causing him to jump. “God.”
Zoro, holding two bowls of food. “Breakfast is ready.” He said, handing Sanji one of the bowls.
Sanji sat up as he took the bowl. “What time is it?”
Zoro, who is now wearing a button up shirt (minus the buttons being buttoned up). “Calm down. It's early enough. The sun just barely crept over the horizon. You're good.”
Sanji blinked. “And you're up and about making breakfast… Why?”
“Least I can do for making you trouble and keeping you from working in your restaurant, right?” Zoro explained, he then gestured to the shirt he was wearing. “Also… sorry, I went through your closet. I didn't know if you had someone over. And I didn't want to wander the house half naked.”
*later*
Sanji was pulling his long hair into a pony tail. “Where will you go?” He asked Zoro.
Zoro, who was back in his robes, cleaning his swords, seemed a bit surprised by that but kept cleaning. “What do you mean?”
Sanji poured water into a pot. “You're going to leave, right? So where will you go?” Sanji sat the kettle back down. “I bet you have a special place you want to go back to… somewhere to stay… someone you want to return to. I mean the greatest swordsman surely has someone… someone special that waits for him. Right?” Sanji asked, now facing Zoro.
Zoro stopped cleaning, setting Wado down as he looked up at Sanji.
“what…. What is he or she like?” Sanji asked, clearly feeling some self-worth issues.
“He. He is dumb as shit.” Zoro stated.
Sanji shook his head a little. “Don't say that about your partner! That's not nice…”
Zoro chuckled. “But he is!”
“You could really use some manners, you know?” Sanji sighed, turning back to the stove.
Zoro got up and walked over to Sanji, pushing him against the wall. “You are dumb as shit, curly.”
Sanji looked confused. “W…What?”
Zoro laughed. “Just proves my point.”
Zoro sighed. “Okay, listen. There's only one home I want to return to. One special someone I want to be with, if he wants me, too. I got my title to finally settle down with him! And… It took me almost 10 years to come back because… I admit I got lost. But I also had to help friends and family. And I got lost in wars so many times.”
Sanji tried to move away from the wall but Zoro pushed him back. “Then go home! And live your happy life! I won't stop you.” Sanji looked down.
Zoro rolled his eyes. “I am, Sanji, I am home! Here, right now. And..” he gently lifted Sanji's head up to look at him. “I am with the person.” He caressed Sanji's face. “I want to settle down, if you want me too.”
“Can I Kiss you?” Zoro asked.
Sanji didn't bother answering, surging forward to meet Zoro's lips with his. Deepening the kiss, Sanji wrapped his arms around Zoro's neck, gripping the hair on the back of his head. Zoro in turn wrapped his arms around Sanji's waist, pulling him in close.
Soon enough they broke apart for air. And the first words out of Zoro's mouth were, “I love you!”
Sanji smiled up at him. “I love you too.”
Sanji leaned back against the wall, a smirk on his face. “So you actually got lost for 10 years?”
Zoro chuckled and crossed his arms over his chest. “Oh, shut up!”
Sanji suddenly felt bold. “Make me..”
Zoro pulled him into another kiss. As soon as they broke apart, Zoro smirked. “I think I'm going to make you scream instead.”
Zoro began to wrap his fingers around Sanji's neck as Sanji spoke. “In your condition? I'd like to see you try.” Sanji smirked.
*after they have the smacky smacky lovey lovey time*
Zoro panted as he flopped back onto the bed. He smiled up at Sanji. “Kept my promise, didn't I?”
Sanji pushed his hair behind his ear. “Shut up, Marimo.” Sanji placed his hand on Zoro's chest.
Zoro chuckled and placed his hand on top of Sanji's. “Fine.” He kissed Sanji's palm.
Sanji smiled a little. “Did you really get lost?” Sanji asked, a hint of worry in his voice.
“In the beginning, yeah. Then I stumbled from one fight to another. Some tried to challenge me for my title. Then I got lost in fights like we had on our adventures. I helped some islands that rebelled against their Kings and Queens. Against the system that was forced on them.” Zoro explained.
Sanji shook his head. “My honorable Moss.” Sanji caressed Zoro's face. Zoro in turn ran his hand up and down Sanji's arm.
“I also got put in prison for 2 years. Which was totally my fault. And kind of stupid to be honest.” Zoro adjusted himself, using his left arm as a pillow. “But, I helped a lot of good people get out of that shit hole eventually.”
Sanji frowned. “What did you do to get there in the first place?”
Zoro gestured with his hand as he spoke. “I may have insulted a king for being too harsh with his people and he got a devil fruit user that could make you unable to move with a glance, so. Yeah. And they had those collar things from the Celestial bitches from Marijoa. I practically had to obey until the point where a prison guard… um agreed to help me and the rebels from the prison. So, we overthrew the residing king. Yeah.”
Sanji's eyes widened in realization. “That was you?! The papers said something about a kingdom in the south getting overrun by prisoners and guards of the prison and that it got a new king!” Sanji chuckled. “It was all over the place!”
Zoro stretched his arms above his head. “Yeah, I played my part. But they actually got a queen not a king. Oliva. She was the rightful king's daughter and got thrown in prison by his advisor after the king died. She's a kind queen with an iron fist and a heart of gold.”
Sanji frowned and looked down. “And… you want to throw all those adventures into the wind just to stay here?”
Zoro sat up fully, a smile on his face. “Yeah, I mean I finally feel worthy enough to stay at your side. I never want to leave it again!”
Sanji smiled. “You were always worth staying by my side, stupid.”
Zoro hugged himself. “Maybe in your eyes! But I had to prove it to myself. I had to get stronger and fulfill my dream. For me, for Kuina… for our Nakama. I mean what kind of dreamer would I have been if I had just dropped it after we found your dream? I feared if I would stay and not chase my dream until the end that I would be weak in all of your eyes.”
Sanji smiled, “I didn't know you could think that much.” He leaned in and kissed Zoro, wrapping his arms around his neck.
After a moment
Zoro smiled. “But now I'm staying. And everyone coming for my title will have to find this place first.”
Sanji also smiled. “What about that girl? Did you tell her?”
Zoro gave a small laugh. “No, where's the fun in that? She needs her adventures the same way we needed ours to grow.”
Sanji chuckled. “Look at you getting wise with age.”
“Oh, quit teasing!” Zoro exclaimed, pushing Sanji down on the bed.
“Never.” Sanji replied.
Zoro hovered over Sanji. Leaning his head on his hand. “Thought so. And I wouldn't have it any other way!”
The end