Thank you to the guest that requested this chapter! Enjoy ~

Zoro had spent the first half of dinner stirring it around, then finally managed to force down a few bites, only to spend the rest of the time discreetly dumping his casserole onto Luffy's plate.

As if Sanji, the one that literally devotes precious time and resources into learning his crew's eating habits, wouldn't notice.

That idiot.

That idiot was also trying to slip away with everyone at the end of dinner, most likely to do some more fake sleeping, but Sanji had other plans.

"Oi, Marimo, where do you think you're going?"

Beyond uneager to deal with anymore antics, Zoro tried to wave him off, but Sanji was quick to stand between him and the door.

"How was the casserole?"

Zoro sighed. Of course Sanji would want recognition to feed his already oversized ego. He gave a short nod, hoping that'd be interpreted as praise and thus end this exchange, but Sanji's expression didn't change.

"You'll have to speak up. I can't hear you." Sanji taunted.

Zoro clenched his teeth. So that's what that bastard wanted. With a tired sigh, Zoro placed a hand on a sword. What a pain.

Sanji looked at the scene and rolled his eyes. "Idiot, I know you didn't eat it," His voice adopted a lower tone. "Is that any way to treat the food your own chef took the time to prepare for you?"

Oh. Maybe it was a pride thing. Well, whatever it was, Sanji didn't seem to be letting up so easily, and neither was Zoro. He leaned against the wall and crossed his arms, soaking in the stifling, tense silence.

Sanji, however, seemed to flourish under these conditions. He could draw out whatever scheme he wanted for as long as he'd like, and Zoro was completely helpless to stop him. If only it could always be this way. What a pity he'd eventually get his voice back.

"It's my duty as this ship's cook to make sure everyone eats."

With a raised eyebrow, Zoro watched Sanji turn to take a pot out of the oven and pour a bowl of soup. He set the bowl down at the table and looked back up at Zoro.

"This should be easier on your stomach."

Zoro remained in his position, glaring at Sanji as if he'd just committed a murder.

"You gonna come over and eat it?"

Zoro still didn't budge.

"I didn't poison it, geez. Eat it." Sanji said, agitation biting at his tone.

That stubborn bastard just wouldn't give up, and he showed no signs of doing so soon. Zoro bit his tongue and returned to his seat. He didn't feel up to eating, if dinner was any indication, but if Sanji said it wouldn't upset his stomach…no, Sanji was definitely up to something.

"Whatever you don't eat goes to Luffy. Then I'll have to drop kick you off this damn ship for being wasteful and ungrateful. You either drown, or eat the soup." The words rung off Sanji's tongue harsher than he wanted them to, but then again, this was Zoro he was dealing with.

Sanji watched Zoro pick up the spoon and put it in the bowl. This seemed to satisfy him enough to begin work of cleaning the dishes, leaving Zoro alone with the dish that sat before him.

He reluctantly stirred the soup around before giving it a careful taste. From what he could taste, it was surprisingly quite good. Whatever that damn love cook did was actually useful for once. The broth was at the perfect temperature; not too hot as to scald the inside of his mouth, yet warm enough to be soothing to his destroyed throat. Whatever spices were in it also seemed to be clearing his congestion, if his newfound runny nose was any proof.

It suddenly dawned upon the swordsman. He thought it was odd that Sanji hadn't picked any fights with him at dinner, but now he realized why. It wasn't because he didn't want to, but because he knew he didn't feel well and didn't want a show made of it.

Not to mention the soup itself. Sanji had taken the time to prepare this solely for him, and no one else.

"You're being pretty quiet. How was it?" Sanji said, keeping his back turned away.

Zoro cleared his throat and gave his voice a try. "It wasn't bad." The sentence sounded strained, but at the very least, audible. He would've added more, but succumbed to a pesky tickle in his chest and turned to cough into his shoulder.

"I may not be up to Chopper's level, but Zeff did teach me a few things," This time, Sanji turned around sharply, his expression hardening. "Speaking of Chopper, you better see him if you get any worse."

Zoro leaned back with a smirk.

"I mean it. If you start running a fever, get your ass over to Chopper, or I'll drag you there myself. I know how you are." With that, Sanji turned to face the sink once again, signaling that there would be no arguing against this.

That cook was worried for him.

Zoro allowed himself what almost could've been a small smile. Good thing Sanji's back was still turned, or he'd never hear the end of it.

Sanji heard the sound of muffled coughs, then the door closing. That's when he too allowed himself to let his guard down. He'd definitely have to keep an extra eye on that bastard. Soup could only cure so much.