Sanji had spent the morning preparing the usual huge lunch for the crew. He loved to see the way they enjoyed his cooking and today was no exception. Putting the finishing touches on the plates of food reserved for the girl's he decided his job was done, for the time being, and he called everyone to eat. Of course, Luffy was the first to arrive yelling the entire time for meat. The rest of the crew filed in led by the sniper, followed by the doctor, then the girls, and finally the moss head and rest of the crew.
The meal went as it usually did being loud and chaotic thanks to their rambunctious captain. The small rubber man seemingly couldn't stop himself from stealing food from the others, though the cook had taken it upon himself to try and keep him from stealing food from the girl's plates. It was a never ending battle but the beautiful females were worth it and he figured the males could fend for themselves or go hungry. They complained it wasn't fair but the cook felt he was solely on the planet to defend and protect the fairer sex and ignored them. They were, after all, sailing in the New World and if they couldn't keep their food safe from their overly hungry captain, how they'd survive these unpredictable waters was beyond him.
When every last morsel of food was gone people started leaving the galley in pursuit of their own interests. Usopp and Frankie would likely head to the workshop below deck, Robin to the library, Luffy would sit in his favorite seat or fish, Nami to work on her maps, leaving Zoro to find some place to nap in the sun. It was then that Sanji received a shock of the lifetime, so much so he had to lean against the counter for support as he blinked in disbelief.
Zoro stood while saying; nonchalantly, "Food was good, shitty-cook."
Gathering his wits from the unexpected compliment Sanji retorted, "I'm not giving you any booze moss-for-brains."
Waving a tanned hand in the air casually he moved towards the door, "Wasn't expecting you too."
Sanji had to focus on closing his mouth; his jaw had dropped open at receiving a compliment from his enemy of a shipmate. Even Brooke and Chopper seemed stunned at the exchange between the two. The blonde swore the skeleton's eyes would have popped from his skull, mimicking the reindeer's current expression, if he had eyes instead of empty black sockets in his head.
Mumbling to himself, "What is he thinking?" while lighting a cigarette to help calm his nerves and kicking a chair back into place around the table.
Turning to see the two still stunned crewmen staring at the space recently vacated by the swordsman; Sanji threatened to kick them through the kitchen window, past the deck rail, and into the sea if they didn't get at the dishes. He smiled maniacally as they quickly turned and started doing the job tasked to them.
After taking a quick look and verifying that all locks were locked, it didn't pay to underestimate Luffy, Sanji walked out onto the brightly lit grass covered deck of the Sunny. It was a warm sunny day with hardly a cloud in the sky and it didn't take him long to spot both of the female crewmembers sitting on the upper deck. Nami had opted for basking in the sun on a lounge chair while Robin sat reading a book in the shade of the orange trees.
Knowing the girls were safe and content Sanji made his way over to the bench surrounding the main mast, making a mental note to make the girls something cool to drink later, and sat down lighting a fresh cigarette. It wasn't long before Luffy, who was sitting on the rail fishing, was pestering him to see when dinner was going to be ready.
Exhaling a cloud of smoke he calmly told his Captain, "If you catch something large enough I'll prepare it for you as a snack."
"Right, I'll catch the biggest fish you've ever seen!" Luffy exclaimed with renewed vigor, casting his line again.
Sanji smiled around his cigarette before feeling a one eyed gaze resting upon him. A quick look around was all it took to spot the bright green head of hair attached to the muscular body lounging under the large tree on deck. It was the owner of this tanned frame who was staring intently at the blonde. Sanji could feel the gaze intensify as it raked his body from head to toe causing a slight blush to grace his high cheekbones.
"What the hell stupid marimo?" Sanji snapped through clenched teeth, glaring at the reclining figure with his one visible eye.
Zoro's only response was a slight twitch of his lips while he closed his eye, got comfortable, and settled down for his nap.
Seeing the twitch Sanji got up and walked over to the prone swordsman, ready to kick him to the other side of the ship. Once he got into range he lifted his leg, ready to kick the other male harder than he's ever kicked anyone before, only to be stopped by the other man's words.
"Your hair is beautiful in the sunlight." Zoro spoke softly.
Sanji was completely flabbergasted; he couldn't believe he'd heard correctly, and could only stare wide-eyed at the proposed figure.
"Uh... Um... Wha… Oh, the hell. Are you feeling okay?" Sanji stuttered, "Never mind, I don't want to know."
The swordsman didn't need to look at the cook to feel the emotions running through the blonde. He could sense a mixture of panic, confusion, frustration, shock, and lastly curiosity flowing through the lithe form before it departed back into the galley. If the other was honest, and the swordsman knew it would never be admitted openly, he would confess to feeling flattered, too.
Shoving his hands deep into the pockets of his slacks Sanji moodily slouched his way back to the kitchen. He had no idea what was going on with the swordsman but he sure as hell was going to have Chopper give him a good going over. After all, they'd been shipmate enemies for a couple of years at least and Zoro rarely- had there ever been a time? Sanji didn't think so.-had anything nice to say to the cook.
Shipmate enemies? That's what the two were…right? They never got along, were always bickering, since the first time they met they've fought. Entering his domain, he noticed the two at the sink jump in surprise at seeing him, and he felt a little pang of guilt. It wasn't their fault the swordsman was making him act weird. He stabbed out his cigarette in a nearby ashtray and moved to see how far the two had gotten. Noticing they were almost done Sanji moved to the refrigerator to get the ingredients he would need to make cool drinks for the girls. Of course he would grumble but he always made enough for the whole crew, he just put extra touches on the ones for the lovely ladies.
By the time he was finished concocting, separating on trays, and fussing over specific glasses on one tray Brooke and Chopper were done with the dishes. Before they could leave he offered them each a drink mentioning to Chopper that he might want to take a look at their residence moss head. Once that was out of the way he expertly balanced a tray on each hand and made his way on deck. Luffy was still fishing but stretched arm to grab a drink even before Sanji had said he'd made him one. The blonde was just glad he hadn't tried to snatch one of the two from the tray in his left hand.
Setting the tray he had balanced on his right hand down on the bench seat around the mast he stated loudly, "There is one per person,' staring directly at his captain,' so don't think of taking someone else's."
Noticing his captain pout, and knowing this was a sign that the other drinks were safe; at least for the moment, he headed to the stairs to the upper deck where the ladies were waiting for him. He fussed, crooned, and wiggled around the girls, being an utter nuisance, until Nami finally had to threaten him in order to make him leave them alone.
His long legs slowly carried him slowly down the steps and back to the grassy deck where the males of the crew were enjoying the cool drinks and chatting amongst themselves, except for the swordsman that is. He was still lounging in the shade under the tree.
At first glance he seemed to be napping but once the blonde got closer he noticed the ships doctor off to the side of the muscular male trying his best to do an examination.
"What do you mean curly-brow said I was sick?" Zoro glared at the blonde as he stepped into view.
"Yep, he said you needed an exam 'cause something was definitely wrong with you and what kind of doctor would let his shipmates suffer so say "ahhh", Chopper held up a thin wooden stick to Zoro's pursed lips.
Knowing there was no way out of it Zoro did as he was asked while continuing to glare at the cook who was now a bit closer and smirking. Seeing the smirk the green haired male stopped his glare and let his gaze rake over the others body heatedly, making sure it lingered on the blonde's tight ass.
Sanji didn't miss the once over he received nor did he miss the green brow raised in appreciation while ogling his behind. Damn, even with his tongue out and a stick down his throat that stupid marimo could pull off a smoldering look like that? Who'd have thought? Who'd have thought such a look would be directed at him, too?
Blushing lightly he thought, He must be playing with me. Throwing a glance back in that direction he noticed the eye hadn't left his ass and he blushed a deeper red.
Chopper finished his examination and declared Zoro fit as he put his instruments back into their case so he could finish his drink in the company of the other two idiots in the crew… Luffy and Usopp. This brought on laughter, games, and a lot of ruckus in the matter of seconds.
Out of the corner of his eye Sanji saw the grace in how Zoro stood up and leisurely made his way over to his glass still on the tray. Luffy had started eyeing it but had yet to make a grab for it. That meant their captain had to be using every ounce of will power, or he didn't like the treat and Sanji knew that couldn't be it, to not take his first mates share.
Watching the tanned hand bring the glass to the set of lips, slightly parted in anticipation, the cook swore he saw the swordsman wink at him. WINK! How is that even possible with one eye? It would be a blink and not a wink but he was positive it was a wink and in his direction, too.
It was well known that Sanji was a ladies man and he had never made any secret of the fact. So why was he finding this attention from the moss-head so attractive? Hell, he was starting to think he might find the actual tanned embodiment of their first mate attractive. He even found himself averting his gaze from the bobbing Adams apple as Zoro drank his drink in one go, the stream of liquid slipping down his chin from the corners of his mouth wasn't helping either.
Swallowing thickly the blonde hurriedly went to gather the empty glasses and take them into the kitchen. It was while bending over to retrieve the last one that he heard a sultry voice say, "Nice view." Causing him to blush scarlet and make a dash for the sanctuary of the galley. As he moved he noticed that none of the other crew seemed to have heard the comment and were continuing with whatever they had been doing at the time.
"What the hell is going on?" He muttered out loud to no one in particular.
"Even when you are flustered you are graceful." Zoro said softly causing the cook to jump and almost drop a glass.
Gently setting the glass on the counter Sanji turned around quickly, raising his leg to kick the intruder, only to be blocked effortlessly. He lowered it just as quickly feeling his flesh tingle at the sight of contact.
"What the HELL are you on about mold-for-brains? This joke has gone on long enough so stop with all the sicken-sweet falsities." The blond spat at the tanned male, turning around to wash the glasses and start prep for the next meal.
A green brow raised in response. "Sicken-sweet? Ok, maybe, but nothing false about it."
The cook colored a deep red from the base of his neck to the tip of his head and could only growl in response disapprovingly.
Grinning at the practically glowing male Zoro shrugged as he turned to leave. "Just saying it like it is Ero-cook. You have a lot going for you. Gorgeous, graceful, strong…" His voice trailed off as the door closed behind him as he left.
Sanji sunk to his knees with his forehead resting against the cool cabinet front. Pulling out a fresh smoke and lighting it with a shaking hand he thought about what had happened so far that day. It had started like any day aboard the Sunny.
He'd made breakfast while shouting at Luffy that it wasn't ready yet before cleaning up and starting prep for lunch. It was a lot of work being the Strawhat's cook. The amount of food Luffy and the others could eat meant hours in the kitchen prepping. Then there was the extra effort he always put in attending to the women of the crew's food and comfort. Orange drinks for Nami, coffee for Robin, and the occasional dessert to tide them over till the next mealtime. The morning had gone the same as any other morning and lunch had been the same riotous affair it always was. So what had changed today compared to every other day they sailed the seas?
Biting down roughly on the butt between his teeth, "That shitty-moss-headed-marimo is what changed!" he muttered.
One compliment at lunch about the food and this is what happens. One break of character is all it takes to throw the chef off balance. Well, he's not having any of it. Nope… not a minute of it dammit. If that crappy-sword-wielding-mildew-for-brains-jack-ass wanted to play games he could play them, too.
With renewed determination Sanji picked himself up and got about his duties and stared prep for supper thinking, If he thought lunch was tasty just wait till he experiences supper.