#and sanji sees that and he doesn't know if to feel frustrated bc he wants to save hiyori or if he should make fun of zoro | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

beanghostprincess · 3 months

Note

Anon who suggested Hiyori×Kuina here.

I was elaborating on the whole "Kuina is alive and training in Wano" what if and something occured to me: imagine Kuina meeting Ace and instantly becoming best friends with him

They could have a similar first meeting to Ace and Yamato. They chill out one night, talk with each other sharing their dreams and ambitions, and they learn that they are both very similar actually.

If you think about it, Ace and Kuina were both oppressed by a society that hated them due to the circumstances of their births. Ace being the son of a criminal, and Kuina doing something in a male dominated field. Both struggled with self hatred but eventually found people who loved and supported them. They would both end up respecting each other a whole lot as well. And they would defenetely end up sharing stories about their younger siblings, Ace would warn her about Luffy emerging in a few yeats and Kuina would then tell him about Zoro likely doing the same as well.

But eventually Ace leaves, not before exchanging vivre cards tho. Kuina would keep herself updated on what happenes outside of Wano of course, so she woukd learn about Zoro and Luffy being on the same crew. She is surprised about this coincidence but also extited about the possibility of her and Ace meeting them again and the four of them hanging out togheter. After all they will have catching up to do, she wants to meet Luffy and Zoro has to meet Ace.

Except that never happens. Kuina would helplessly watch as Ace's vivre card disintegrates in her hands, becoming smaller and smaller until it ceases to exist, and the news about Marineford arrive shortly afterwards. Suddentely everything is just awful. One of her best friends in gone and his beloved brother that she hoped she would one day meet has been severely injured and has dissapeared. She can't stop thinking about them, and Zoro. Just how badly he must feel about not being with his captain in that moment. Kuina knows him very well, how hard he can be on hinself. She knows full well how he is hurting just as much as her.

But she made a promise. One with Zoro, and another one with Ace about one day meeting Luffy. So she keeps training, harder than before. She wants to be strong, the strongest swordsman and the strongest person ever for the people that believed in her, but also for herself.

Once Luffy finally arrives at Wano, she embraces him in a hug, being finally able to see the great man she was told about in person. They have a lot of cathing up ti do.

But on a more humorous note (cause this ask got pretty depressing) Ace and Kuina both pulled some fine bitches from this great country of Wano.

HELLO ANON I'VE BEEN THINKING ABOUT YOU ALL DAY I AM SO GLAD YOU CAME BACK BECAUSE MY MIND HAS BEEN FILLED WITH HIYOKU ALL DAY (yes that's their shipname now) AND I NEEDED YOU BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!! HEY HEY HEY <333333

I mean, if you take into consideration that Kuina probably moved to Wano the second she was old enough (meaning, idk, say 17) to train (while Zoro went on his own journey too and followed what happens in canon, but his ambition is basically wanting to be the greatest swordsman by having this competition with Kuina yadda yadda) then it sort of makes sense that she and Ace met. I mean, you could easily just say that when Ace arrives she's there too and she's the one trying to protect Tama and the other citizens from Ace. And then it's when Ace shows he's the nicest person ever and they start talking and becoming friends.

Side note -> 17 y/o Kuina moving to Wano and meeting a 21 y/o Hiyori (I think she's 4 years older? I'm awful with numbers maybe not. Because she's technically one year older than Zoro and Zoro's 21 so she'd be 22 now? And Hiyori is 26, right? So 4 years) and having a crush on her and wanting to protect her because she sees the kindness and pain in her that nobody else does?? And she becomes extremely devoted to her and her protection while she trains. It makes me melt. However, I don't know if I want Kuina to know about Hiyori's identity because she told her at some point and Kuina kept it secret and protected her alongside Denjiro or if it's better that Hiyori kept it from her to protect her too and then the whole Wano drama happens and when Kuina finds out, Hiyori feels all guilty for lying to her but she doesn't care because she knows that even if her name was a lie, she has always been honest about her heart to her. (<- poetic devoted lesbian can't let go of her princess). Anyway, getting too carried away with the girls, I'm sorry.

And I- I absolutely love this. I'm sure Kuina would love Ace, and Ace wouldn't stop talking about Luffy to her. And tbh she would be the same about Zoro. They just wouldn't stop saying how bad they want to see them again and how proud they are of them. They'd talk about their dreams and Ace would believe in Kuina's wholeheartedly. He'd say he's waiting for the time in which she becomes the world's greatest swordsman impatiently. He's dying to see it. They both feel a bit left out in the world because of their different situations and they'd get each other so well!! And I can't stop thinking about Ace being like "Oh, yes, I almost died a couple of times. Being a kid in the woods is fun but, uh, fucking hard sometimes" and she's like "Well, at least you didn't fall down some stairs and almost died. That happened to me and Zoro wouldn't stop reminding me it would've been such a ridiculous death for me". Because I just find it funny that she actually almost died but didn't. Funny story to tell.

Then Ace dies, and her hopes of meeting him again are ruined. It's awful. She doesn't want to tell Tama because she keeps waiting for him and it would destroy her. So she keeps it to herself but Hiyori knows something is wrong. She doesn't want to insist if Kuina doesn't want to talk. But it's alright, because Kuina keeps saying things are going to change for the good in a few years, and Hiyori trusts her (swordsman's) words.

Side note² -> I just know they both take care of Toko. Those are her moms. I just know.

#okay so they've been consuming my brain a lot #i will keep posting about them they make me go shjfwekfbkewjbfjkwbf #i love devoted lesbians they mean the world to me thank you #ace and kuina literally dating the hottest people in wano #and i also can't stop thinking about zoro meeting hiyori and the story is the same and she admires him #except that kuina is there saving her for him and stealing his spotlight all the time and it's a running joke #and sanji sees that and he doesn't know if to feel frustrated bc he wants to save hiyori or if he should make fun of zoro #anyway anon i think we're soulmates and i think we should platonically hold hands and share braincells #one piece #kozuki hiyori #shimotsuki kuina #hiyoku #between this crackship and sabosan i literally am digging my own grave #'why don't i have content' I WONDER WHY

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lazyfox411 · 2 months

Text

Summary: Sanji glances over at Zoro, who's been awfully quiet, even for him. He finds the swordsman staring at the rest of the group with a dejected set to his shoulders, and Sanji's about to kick him and tell him to haul the stick out of his ass until he sees Zoro absentmindedly reach up to trace his fingers along the scar over his left eye.

Oh.

((The crew dock at an island just in time to enjoy a festival. Everyone gets their eye makeup done whether they like it or not, sanji has a little too much to drink while denying his feelings, and zoro has some feelings of his own while being an excellent caretaker)

Length: 4979 words

Fandom: One Piece

Relationship: Zoro/Sanji

Rating: T

Additional Tags: hurt/comfort, crew as family, drinking, alcohol, drunk sanji, vomiting, self-esteem issues, pre-relationship, pre-slash, mutual pining, denial of feelings, makeup, everybody gets eye makeup bc its fun and i said so, not beta read, post-time skip

Ao3 link above or read under cut :)

“If everything goes to plan, we’ll hit the next island before sundown,” Nami says, earning a chorus of cheers from the crew.

Stretching their legs on land will be a nice change. They’ve grown restless, cooped up on the ship for too long. Sanji is feeling particularly pent up this time around; he’s been picking fights with Zoro nonstop over anything and everything, from getting in the way while he’s cooking to simply just existing, all to try and release some frustrated energy.

It’s not like he wants to be picking these fights, he just can’t seem to help it. Honestly, things with Zoro have been good, lately. Different, but not in a bad way. When they’re not fighting, they enjoy each other’s company, sitting quietly on the deck or doing the dishes together in the galley.

It's always easier when it's just the two of them, Sanji muses, less hostile, less explosive, neither trying to outdo the other with no one around to impress. They're equally guilty of trying to antagonize each other, but they have quiet, calm moments too.

Sanji's finding he likes these moments more and more lately. Zoro knows him, knows what he's capable of after them trying to beat the shit out of each other so many times, and so Sanji doesn't have to try so hard in these moments, when it's just the two of them. There's nothing to prove to Zoro. Maybe there was, in the beginning, but not anymore, not after so long. He hates Zoro's company a lot less than he used to think he did.

He thinks about it idly as he finishes cleaning up from lunch and starts dinner prep. Until he hears commotion from out on deck and pokes his head out of the kitchen to investigate.

“I see it!” Usopp exclaims, pointing in the distance to the vague outline of the approaching island.

“Good eye, Usopp!” Luffy praises, practically vibrating with excitement.

“It’s a fall island,” Nami informs them. “Judging by the weather right now, I’d say it’s the fall season, too. Dress warm, guys, I bet the temperature will drop once the sun sets.”

The Straw Hats are buzzing with anticipation as the island grows nearer, shifting from a distant shape into a stretch of vegetated land, leaves changing color for the season.

There’s a small port waiting for them, and Luffy is the first one off the ship, slingshotting himself over the railing with a rubbery snap before they're even fully docked. He disappears in pursuit of adventure or meat, whichever he stumbles upon first, followed by Usopp who witheringly promises the rest of the crew he'll try to keep their captain in check.

Nami is next to disembark with Robin in tow, eyes bright as she anticipates what sort of clothing shops the island may offer. Chopper and Brook follow close behind, chattering excitedly, and Zoro and Jimbei trudge after them.

Sanji opts to stay and help Franky finish mooring the Sunny. He tosses the thick ropes over the side of the ship, where Franky ties them to the dock with expert hands. They double check the anchor is lowered, and then they're off to see what havoc the rest of the crew is wreaking.

As he steps off the pier and onto solid ground, Sanji notices a flash of green off in the distance. The rest of the crew have already disappeared inland, but Zoro is by himself, headed in completely the wrong direction.

"Oi! Marimo!" he shouts, waving an arm in the air to get Zoro's attention. "Town's this way!"

Zoro's head turns, and although he's a little too far away to see, Sanji's sure he's scowling.

"Go on ahead, Franky," Sanji tells his companion, "I'll wait for the moss head."

And Sanji does wait, lest Zoro get lost again. He sticks out amongst the reds, oranges, and yellows of the foliage that lines the coast, brightly colored leaves fluttering from the trees and into the air around them as he finally catches up.

"I knew where I was going," Zoro mutters once he's within earshot.

Sanji scoffs. "Sure, mossy. Whatever you say."

The town is just a minuscule walk away, shrouded with more colorful trees shedding their leaves. The tips of Sunny's masts are just visible over the treetops, flags waving in the warm breeze.

The swordsman and the cook walk in companionable silence until the worn path gives way to cobbled streets dotted with buildings and vendors. The market is bustling, humming with excitement, and Sanji finds it washing over him, putting a smile on his face and a skip in his step as he flits through the market stalls.

Zoro follows him without much interest, probably just on the lookout for a bar, Sanji suspects. He keeps an eye on the moss-brained idiot to avoid losing him in the crowd, and is rewarded when Zoro is still by his side as they come upon the town square.

It's a flurry of activity. People are hanging lights and banners on every available lamppost, tree, and awning, while others arrange tables and chairs, and musicians warm up and tune their instruments. Sanji can smell spices of something cooking, curry and turmeric, maybe, and Zoro finally perks up when several barrels of alcohol are rolled by.

"What do you s'pose is going on?" Zoro asks him.

Sanji shrugs. "No idea. Let's ask somebody."

The place is scattered with large pumpkins and bundles of corn stalks, and the next person they pass is balancing on a stack of hay bales while he hangs a string of lights.

"Excuse me, sir?" Sanji asks politely. "What's everyone doing?"

"You're not from around here, are you?" The man smiles at them. "We're preparing for the fall festival tonight! Everybody's been looking forward to it all year! You're more than welcome to join in the festivities with us!"

"Seems like we arrived at a good time, then," Sanji says to Zoro as the man returns to his decorating. "It sounds like fun."

"Hm," Zoro eyes the preparations critically. "As long as there's booze."

Sanji rolls his eyes and elbows him good-naturedly. "Of course that's what gets you excited."

Zoro's retaliation is drowned out by their captain's shouting.

"Zorooooo!!!!! Sanjiiiiiii!!!"

Luffy is gathered with the rest of the crew on the other side of the square, waving wildly at them. He bounces up and down as they approach and points at a nearby table.

"Look! We're gonna get our faces painted! Isn't it cool?"

Sanji grins at his enthusiasm and looks over the array of palettes and brushes set out on the table. He notes many of the locals milling around the area are already sporting various colors and designs, all strategically painted to accentuate their eyes.

Nami bargains with the young man doing the face painting, stating they should get a discount because they're such a large group. After the berries are handed over, Luffy has his turn first, too active in the stool he's asked to sit in and making the artist almost smear makeup all over his face because he won't stay still.

The end result is still stunning. Despite his squirming, shimmering shades of scarlet dance around Luffy's eyes like flames. He cackles with glee looking in the small mirror he's provided, then waits impatiently for the rest of the crew to have theirs done.

Nami is next, her eyes veiled in glimmering turquoise that looks like the sky reflecting off the ocean.

Then Usopp, with shining greens and warm browns reminiscent of a forest canopy. Luffy gives him a high five as they admire their new looks.

Robin gets sparkling purple and black, enchanting as a night sky, and Sanji is sure to tell her as much, complimenting Nami as well.

Brook is done up in glittering gold, then Jimbei in vibrant silver, looking a little unsure of himself but pleased nonetheless. Franky follows in brilliant blue and yellow.

Chopper hops up next. The makeup won't stick to his fur, and he's utterly devastated until the artist suggests painting on his antlers instead, and he squeals with delight as his horns are made pink and sparkly.

Sanji glances over at Zoro, who's been awfully quiet, even for him. He finds the swordsman staring at the rest of the group with a dejected set to his shoulders, and Sanji's about to kick him and tell him to haul the stick out of his ass until he sees Zoro absentmindedly reach up to trace his fingers along the scar over his left eye.

Oh.

Sanji's heart clenches at the sight. He doesn't know what happened to Zoro's eye, isn't really sure if he wants to know, but he does know how hard it must have been to adjust with an injury like that. It hasn't slowed Zoro down in the slightest, he's come out the other side stronger than ever, but seeing the forlorn look on Zoro's face as he watches the crew having fun, Sanji wonders if maybe the damage wasn't just physical.

Either way, Sanji will be damned if he lets the idiot feel embarrassed and left out because of a stupid scar.

"C'mon," he tugs on Zoro's sleeve, "your turn next."

"Hm?" Zoro shakes himself from his thoughts to glance at Sanji, then to where Chopper is having the finishing touches put on his antlers. "Oh. It's okay, you go ahead. I don't need–"

"Nuh-uh," Sanji crosses his arms, "you're doing it. You know Luffy will be upset if we don't all do it, and Nami-san already paid for us all."

Zoro scuffs the toe of his boot against the ground, head down. "Nah, I'm good."

Sanji frowns. He has one more trick to get Zoro to do his bidding, though he'd been hoping not to have to use it.

"What, you scared or something? Need me to hold your hand, Mossy?"

Zoro's head snaps up and he levels Sanji with a one-eyed glare. "I am not scared."

Sanji smirks. "Prove it."

And prove it he does. Zoro stalks over to the table and plops his ass down, still glaring daggers. Sanji flips him off and then turns to the rest of the crew to avoid his steely gaze. They're all in good spirits, and Luffy is positively ecstatic about the festival and the food that will accompany it.

"Your turn, cook."

Sanji jumps and spins to face Zoro, who's snuck up behind him while he was talking.

"Wow," Sanji blurts, "you...it looks great."

The other strawhats have been made up with glitter and shine, but Zoro's been given matte colors, dark green and burgundy that pair well with his hair and earrings. The scar has been left untouched, as if it weren't even there. His lashes are lined with sharp black wings that make his face look more severe, eyes sharp and fierce.

It's a little offset, though, by the flush creeping up on his cheeks.

"Shut up," Zoro mutters, "I'll cut you."

"You'll try," Sanji smirks, before taking his place at the table.

"What color would you like, honey?" the artist asks.

Sanji thinks for a moment. "Blue, please."

The man sweeps Sanji's bangs out of his face, which. Ah. That's not something he considered having to do to get his face painted. At least he doesn't make any snide comments about the eyebrows. Sanji closes his eyes to let him work, his grip strong on Sanji's chin as he tilts his head this way and that, deft fingers sliding the brushes over his closed lids.

"Almost done," the young man tells him. "I'm sure your partner over there is going to love it."

Sanji opens his eyes to see where he's pointing, prepared to tell him that unfortunately, despite his best efforts, he and Nami still remain firmly in friendship territory.

Except he's not pointing at Nami.

He's pointing, at Zoro.

"Wha–" Sanji sputters, before lowering his voice, because god forbid anyone hear them, "he is not my partner!"

The man blinks at him. He looks at Zoro, then back to Sanji again.

"Oh, honey," he says simply. "Whatever you say."

As soon as the last stroke of the brush is done, Sanji bolts like a feral cat.

Zoro catches his eye and raises his eyebrows. "You look–"

"Shut up," Sanji growls, "I'll kick you."

He joins Luffy at the front of the group, leaving Zoro behind and bewildered.

The festival gets into full swing as the sun sets. The square is lit up, struck with lively music and cheerful crowds.

Luffy immediately makes for the buffet table, and Zoro for the drinks. Of course.

Sanji, still a little frazzled–because how could anyone think–Zoro–euck– sticks to Jimbei, who is more than happy to be quiet company.

Until they're joined by one moss-headed swordsman.

"What do you want," Sanji snaps.

"Brought you a drink, idiot," Zoro says, handing him a mug. "Looks like you need it, geez."

Sanji takes it wordlessly and takes a sip. It's a strong, sweet mead, honey coating his tongue and warming his throat.

This is something he and Zoro have done for a long time now, since Cocoyashi. Whoever gets the first drink of the night gets the other one as well. Sanji isn't really sure why he started it, he just knows it's entertaining to see Zoro's face light up when a drink is placed in his hands.

After Zoro leaves, Sanji chugs the rest of his mug and searches for a refill right away. Jimbei gives him a questioning look but doesn't pry.

Really, though. Zoro? No way. Sanji wouldn’t go for the mosshead, not in a million years. Never mind how good he looks when he’s swinging those damn swords around or how strong his hands are when they brush up against Sanji’s while they’re drying dishes–

Okay, yeah, he’s going to need that refill. Sooner rather than later. Enjoying Zoro’s company is one thing, but these are things he’s not quite ready to be thinking about yet.

The drinks help him unwind, and he loses track of how many times his cup is refilled. Mood considerably lightened and forgetting why he was stressed in the first place, Sanji talks and laughs with Usopp, dances with Chopper, even sings a little with Luffy. The atmosphere is wonderful and the locals are friendly, and Sanji mingles with them under the falling autumn leaves.

Nami offers to buy him another drink, and Sanji agrees because he'd sooner chop his legs off than say no to Nami. He downs it and stumbles into a chair, not realizing how drunk he is until Chopper appears in his face, telling him maybe he should slow down and have some water.

"M'fine," Sanji waves him off with a hand that feels much too heavy, words sticking to his teeth.

"Sanji," Chopper whines, "you've had a lot to drink. I don't want you to get sick."

"M'not–hic–gonna..." Sanji trails off as he tilts to the side.

Chopper catches him before he tumbles out of his chair, the sudden stop making his guts lurch.

"M'kay," Sanji admits, bracing his hands on the table to steady himself. "You're right. M'gonna...go'n sober up a bit."

He staggers to his feet, Chopper hovering nervously until he gets his balance.

"Do you want me to come with you?" Chopper asks.

"Nah, s'alright," Sanji pats him on the head.

He makes his way through the buzzing crowd, intent on finding somewhere quieter to sit and suck in some fresh air, but he's stopped by Nami draping herself over him. Sanji's too far gone himself to even freak out about it.

"Sanji," she singsongs, her cheeks flushed and words slurring. "I drank too much. Finish this for me, would you? I don't want it to go to waste." She thrusts her mug into his hand.

Give it to Zoro, Sanji wants to say, but Nami is already gone and the swordsman is nowhere to be found. He stares down at the swirling liquid in the half full mug. It would be a shame to waste it, and Sanji doesn't waste things.

Sorry, Chopper, he thinks, gulping it down.

Bad idea. Bad idea, bad idea, bad idea. He drags himself away from the crowd as his steps become more wobbly, limbs floaty and uncoordinated, lights and falling leaves blurring together and making him lightheaded.

He drops gracelessly onto a bench on some side street, leaning back all the way and taking deep breaths, praying for the world to stop spinning. He's not sure how long he sits there, body lax, staring up at the full moon through the trees. The festival is white noise in the distance.

"There you are," Zoro's voice permeates his dulled senses. "Been looking everywhere for you. Everybody wants to watch the fireworks together, come on."

Sanji snorts, his head still reeling. "So they sent you to find me?"

Zoro squints at him, stepping closer. "Are you drunk?"

"No," Sanji replies automatically. It's punctuated by another involuntary hiccup. "Maybe," he amends.

Zoro chuckles and moves to sit next to him, lowering himself onto the bench with a satisfied groan.

"Are you?" Sanji asks. "Drunk?"

Zoro shrugs. "Nah. The booze here's a little sweet for me. Besides," he smirks, "somebody's gotta look out for your sorry ass."

Sanji huffs, but doesn't argue.

"You alright? You've been...weird, tonight." Zoro frowns. "Curls?"

"Yeah," Sanji sighs. "It's just..."

He tilts his head lazily to look at Zoro. Zoro's looking patiently back at him, elbows resting on the back of the bench. For as quick to anger as they are with each other, Zoro is always patient when it counts. Sanji is trying to be more patient in return.

"I don't know," he finishes lamely.

He's still staring at Zoro, and Zoro doesn't shy away. The eye makeup looks more dramatic in the darkness, painting him some sort of ethereal being, cut from the night sky–

Okay, no. Sanji slams the brakes to that train of thought. Where the hell did that poetic bullshit come from? This is Zoro, for crying out loud.

"You cold?" Zoro asks him suddenly.

Sanji pauses to try and take stock of himself. He's warm on the inside, fueled by alcohol, but on the outside he's shivering.

"Dunno," he replies. He vaguely recalls Nami telling them all to dress warmly before they arrived here, and he wishes now he had better listened; he's only dressed in a light shirt.

"Here," Zoro says. He shrugs off his thick green coat, and carefully wraps it around Sanji's shoulders.

Sanji grasps at it, pulling it tighter around himself. The residual body heat Zoro left behind envelops him and he sighs contentedly.

"Better?" Zoro asks.

"Mm," Sanji nods. The motion makes him dizzy again, and he presses a hand to his temple.

"I think we should get you back to the ship," Zoro suggests. "Can you walk?"

"Yes," Sanji says indignantly. He pushes himself to his feet, only for his body to protest. He sways and the dizziness comes back in full force. "Shit."

Zoro catches him before he can topple over, holding him up like he weighs no more than a sack of flour.

"I'll take that as a no, then," he snickers. "C'mere, Curls, hang on to me."

He arranges Sanji's arms around his neck, and lifts him so they're pressed chest to chest, Sanji's thighs curled around his waist.

"This is so fucking embarrassing," Sanji mutters, too drunk to really protest. "Don't you dare tell anyone about this, shithead, or I'll kill you."

"Yeah, yeah," Zoro placates, insincere. He adjusts the coat around Sanji's shoulders and they set off.

Resigned to his fate, Sanji instead focuses his efforts on correcting Zoro's course to make sure they stay headed towards the ship. The fireworks start, loud booms thundering across the night air, and Zoro trudges along, unbothered, his hold unwavering.

Sanji glances up through the trees to look at the fireworks, but the bright lights and colors only serve to make his head spin more.

Eyes screwed shut, he hides his face in Zoro's shoulder with a miserable groan.

Zoro's grip tightens near imperceptibly. "I've got you," he murmurs, his voice a gentle reassurance warming Sanji's ear.

I know, Sanji thinks. He trusts Zoro implicitly to keep him safe when he's vulnerable like this. Zoro always keeps the crew safe.

Zoro continues to march them towards the ship, and Sanji continues to take measured breaths in through his nose, trying to ignore the pounding in his head and the churning in his stomach.

It's a losing battle, and he urgently taps Zoro on the back. "Put me down."

"Tch. You can't walk, cook. Don't worry, there's nobody around to see you getting carried like a baby."

"Put me down now, or m'gonna puke on you."

Zoro takes the hint and quickly sets him down. Sanji crashes awkwardly to his hands and knees and proceeds to hurl his guts up.

He tries to aim for the bushes so he doesn't make a mess of the picturesque street. Zoro's coat slips from his shoulders and he trembles in the cold night air, eyes watering with the force of his retching.

Zoro kneels beside him calmly, wrapping an arm around him to keep him from nosediving into the pool of his own sick. He cards Sanji's hair away from his face, even though it's not quite long enough to really be in the way.

"I've got you," he repeats.

Sanji groans and curses himself. He doesn't usually drink like this, and here lies the reason why. He almost always ends up making a damn fool of himself, and this time it's in front of Zoro, of all people.

When he's finished defiling the shrubbery, Zoro guides him to lean back, and Sanji lets him, placing all his weight on Zoro while he tries to catch his breath.

"Done?" Zoro asks.

"Think so," Sanji gasps, wiping his mouth on his sleeve. He's way too fucking drunk to care about propriety, and his dignity is lying in a puddle in the bushes.

"Let's get you home."

He's bundled in Zoro's coat once again and lifted into strong arms. He feels a little better after throwing up, just exhausted now, and Sanji lets his eyes slip shut and rests his head on Zoro's shoulder.

The rest of the short journey is a blur, and Sanji comes to as he's being lowered to sit on the edge of his bunk.

"You're really fucked up, huh?" Zoro snickers at him when he starts to list sideways again.

"Shuddup," Sanji grumbles, shoving at him with clumsy hands as Zoro props him up.

Zoro's steady hands move from his shoulders to his neck, unbuttoning the first button of his shirt to make him more comfortable and removing his tie with deft fingers.

Sanji looks at him sleepily. "How come you're doin' all this?" he asks. Surely, Zoro would much rather return to the crew and the party, not be stuck here with a miserable cook who can't hold his liquor. He's surprised Zoro didn't just dump him in his bunk and leave.

"We're crew," Zoro says simply, bending down to untie Sanji's shoes and setting them aside. "We take care of each other."

Sanji stifles a yawn and lets it happen, too tired to argue. He rubs a hand over his drooping eyes, only to find it comes back smeared with blue glitter.

"Shit," he mumbles.

He'd completely forgotten about the face painting, hasn't even looked at himself in the mirror since getting it. While it probably did look nice, Sanji's sure he looks like a wreck now, shades of sparkly blue streaked and smudged all over his face. He flops over onto his bunk in defeat.

Zoro smirks down at him, his own eye makeup impeccable. "Wait here."

"M'not goin' anywhere," Sanji promises. He's become one with his bed, sprawled on his back like a starfish, blanketed by Zoro's coat. He tries to pretend the sensation of being tossed back and forth is from the ship rocking on the waves and not his own poor choices.

Zoro returns after an indeterminable amount of time, a glass of water in one hand and a wet cloth in the other. He sets the water aside and sits on the edge of the bunk. He reaches out, cupping a gentle hand under Sanji's jaw, and lightly angles his face to wipe off the glitter.

The cloth is blessedly cool on his flushed cheeks, and Sanji leans into the touch. He watches Zoro through half lidded eyes, warm and safe under his sure, calm hands.

Zoro wipes the last of the makeup from his face, brow furrowed in concentration.

"The blue looked nice on you," he comments absently. "Matches your eyes."

Sanji looks up at him dumbly, not quite sure what to make of that. "Huh?"

Zoro's eye widens as if he's only just realized what he'd said. He stands quickly and backtracks across the room, ears turning red.

"Wait," Sanji calls after him, reaching out blindly. He didn't mean to chase him away. He'd been surprised, that's all. People don't usually compliment him. Zoro doesn't usually compliment him.

Zoro crosses his arms and looks at him from the corner of his eye, cheeks still tinted pink. "What, cook?"

"Nothing," Sanji says. "Just...thanks."

Zoro nods. "You need anything else? I brought you water."

Sanji shakes his head. "Mn-mm."

"Warm enough?"

"Mmhm."

"Alright then," Zoro heads for the door, "go to sleep. There's more festival stuff going on tomorrow morning. The rest of us will get breakfast in town so you can sleep in."

It's thoughtful. Sanji's chest feels full.

"G'night, Zoro."

"Night, cook."

The door clicks shut. Sanji snuggles into his bunk and promptly passes the fuck out.

----

The morning brings him a mouthful of dry cotton and a splitting headache.

Sanji hisses when sunlight hits his eyes, streaming in from the porthole window. He rolls over in his bunk, guts rolling dangerously with him, and before he has time to think his instincts have him on his feet and staggering outside to gag over the side of the ship.

"Sorry, Sunny," Sanji mumbles, patting the ship's railing apologetically.

He shivers in a cold sweat, still feeling sick and shaky and in desperate need of a smoke. He's awarded a small miracle when he finds his cigarettes still in his pocket from last night. They're a little squished from being slept on, but they'll certainly do the trick.

He leans heavily on the railing as he lights up, face scrunched in defense of the bright sun. He estimates it to be late morning, which means he's really slept in. The ship is uncharacteristically quiet, and Sanji vaguely remembers Zoro telling him the crew would be in town for the morning.

He's grateful for the break. A hot shower is in order, and he really needs to brush his teeth as well. Plan made, he grabs a comfy change of clothes and heads for the showers.

Much later, Sanji reemerges, still exhausted and with a killer headache, but feeling considerably less gross. He makes for the kitchen and the familiar safe haven it provides.

Only to find it already occupied.

Zoro is by himself, leaning casually against the counter and sipping from a steaming mug.

"Marimo," Sanji grunts in greeting.

"Cook," Zoro nods, hiding a smug grin behind the rim of his drink. "You're alive."

Sanji sinks into one of the stools on the opposite side of the counter and shoots him a withering glare, head pillowed on his arms.

"You are not to speak a word of last night to anyone," Sanji warns. It doesn't come out as menacing as he intends, because as he says it he remembers–mostly remembers, the fine details are a little fuzzy– just how pathetic he'd been, and how Zoro had gone above and beyond to make sure he got home safe and sound.

Zoro's face has been cleaned of makeup, but Sanji remembers how striking it had looked, accentuating his sharp eye and jaw. He remembers how Zoro had been reluctant to participate, how he'd hesitated and touched the scar marring the side of his face. He'd held Sanji with those same hands, but with confidence and reassurance rather than hesitation.

He hears Zoro puttering around, opening cupboards, and Sanji lets him, lacking the energy to stop him from messing with his kitchen.

He trusts Zoro, anyway, he thinks, not to make too much of a disaster.

A second mug is placed inches away from Sanji's nose. He sniffs at it and looks at Zoro questioningly.

"Coffee," Zoro says. "I didn't poison it."

"A feat," Sanji teases, "for you in the kitchen. I'm surprised your algae brain can even figure out how to turn on the coffee machine."

Zoro rolls his eye, smiling fondly. "I'm not as helpless as you think."

This is the part where they start arguing, Sanji thinks. But the longer the moment stretches, and the more he drinks from his coffee, made perfectly to his liking, the less he wants to kick Zoro's brains out and the more he wants to just...

Just what, he's not sure. But it's quiet, and comfortable, and the midday sun is shining through Zoro's hair and glinting off his earrings and if Sanji were to suddenly get stuck in a time loop, this wouldn't be a bad moment to have to relive.

This is the different he's been feeling lately, creeping up on him again.

"Thank you," Sanji says, deciding to indulge the feeling for a change. "For last night."

Zoro's cheeks and the tips of his ears become dusted with pink. "Don't mention it."

And, yeah, okay. Definitely not a bad different.

Not when Zoro smiles at him like that.

#zosan #one piece #one piece fanfiction #roronoa zoro #black leg sanji #zoro x sanji #my writing #hurt/comfort #alcohol

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