Author note: my inspiration for this comes from a pet rooster my neighbor has. I hate that thing with a passion.

Anywho

Enjoy~

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Chapter 2
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"So that bird would really try to peck your eyes out when you tried to sleep?"

In the midst of his pushups, Zoro tried to ignore the heel digging into his back. "Yeah.. Fuckin bird scratched me up all to hell on my chest on the first night." he grunted as he kept up the motion of his arms.

Leaning back against the table as he sat on one of the benches, Sanji was peeling the massive pile of potatoes resting behind him on the table. He barely looked at what he was doing with the small sharp knife. He had been doing it nonstop for the past three days that the motion was automatic anymore. Pick up. Peel. Put down. Repeat. Thus why he had cut his hand when the rooster's crow startled him.

Then he had the brilliant idea to add something different to his chore. With his feet casually propped up on Zoro's back, he found peeling potatoes wasn't so bad. Especially since the Swordsman had no choice but to agree. "Did you see Chopper for it? Those kinda scratches can get pretty nasty if they're not looked after." He couldn't recall all the cuts and gashes that got infected after the Baratie got any fresh poultry shipments.

"Eh.. I treated them myself. They aren't bad. It doesn't do me any good to see Chopper when he's as hung up on that stupid bird as the rest of them." Zoro mumbled. He sounded quite dejected over it.

Chucking the peeled potato in a bin on the table, and the peel in a different bin on the floor near the green head, Sanji frowned as he reached for another. "That's just weird... Why don't they believe you? You don't lie."

Zoro paused, his arms extended fully as he glanced up at the cook. "So you do believe me...?" His surprise was apparent in his eyes.

"Tch.. Of course. Like I said, you don't lie." Sanji chucked part of a peel on the green head. "I haven't even seen the shitty bird and I already hate it. I told Usopp that if it was anywhere near me I'd fry it for dinner."

The peel that was thrown on his head irritated him, but still Zoro managed to smirk. "That's a dinner I'd like to attend..."

"Heh, if it's as fast as you said, we may hafta do some planning. Just leave it to me, Marimo. I'll figure out what to do about that shitty bird." The blonde mused aloud, tossing more potato peels at the figure under his feet.

One smacked him in his face, but Zoro tried to keep his temper in check. "Hn.. You sound awfully confident..." he grumbled before returning to his pushups. He had found that it was proving to be a challenge to keep count while being forced to play footstool. He was considering it as focus and discipline training. "I couldn't get him. What makes you think you can? Oomph!" He grunted sharply when a heel dug into his spine.

"For one thing, I'm smarter than you, meat head." Sanji was tempted to throw a whole potato at him, but he hated wasting food. "And I'm faster than you. Just be patient. I'll deal with that bird eventually."

"Hn.. Why not now, if you're that awesome?"

"And have that bird after me? No thank you." He knocked his heel down harder against the strong back. Just to hear the angered growl it pulled out. "No, you're going to be the decoy, sword boy. While it's fixated on you I'll be able to do what I need to. It'll work out eventually. Until then you're welcome to keep your new station. You make a decent footstool."

Zoro growled dangerously, but kept his place. "You best be grateful I hate that bird more than you right now..."

Sanji smirked and reached for his cigarettes. "You best be grateful that I'm being this nice to you. If you hadn't been the only one that didn't take advantage of my kitchen, I woulda let you suffer."

Smelling the fresh smoke filling the air, Zoro found himself curious. "Why has it made you so angry?"

He hadn't expected the question, but after a deep inhale Sanji decided to answer. "Taking advantage of a chef's kitchen without permission is about the same as someone using your precious swords to unclog a toilet."

The fact the cook even came up with the comparison was enough to make Zoro jerk out from under the feet on his back. He got to his knee and glared at the impudent cook. "How the hell is that anywhere near the same?! I should gut you for even suggesting it." he snarled, baring his teeth. Literally.

Hardly fazed by the display, Sanji calmly crossed his legs and kept peeling. "Now you know how I feel." He paused for a moment and pointed the knife he was using straight at the shirtless Zoro. "The kitchen is a chef's life. They keep it organized and maintained in a very specific way. Their heart and soul are poured into every detail to maximize their fullest potential...." Sanji's eyes suddenly narrowed and with a fling of his wrist he sent the small knife flying towards Zoro.

The knife traveled at an alarming rate that Zoro found himself unable to dodge before it struck. A thunking sound of metal hitting wood sounded loud in the quiet galley. The first thing Zoro noticed was that he wasn't hit. His eyes shot down to see the knife embedded in the floor. Pinning a small black fly to the wood by its wings. Zoro felt his jaw drop at the sight of the still squirming insect trapped by the blade.

"How did.."

A loud snort left the cook as he stood from the chair. "You think you're the only one that knows how to handle a sharp edge?" He bent over to pull the knife free and crushed the insect under his foot. "I grew up my entire life around knives and pirates. Put two and two together, idiot."

Zoro's eyes widened when he realized what was just confessed. "You can use edged weapons.."

"Bingo." Sanji calmly moved over to the sink and began washing off his knife. "A knife is the most important tool... Back at the Baratie, if you disrespected a knife you got your head kicked in." His right hand lifted to trace a barely visible scar that traveled the length of his jaw. "I only disrespected a knife once.. Zeff almost killed me for it." He turned off the water and dried the knife carefully with a towel. "You take care of your knives and your hands..."

"Makes sense..." Zoro muttered. "So you could use an edge weapon if you wanted to, but it exposes your hands too much..."

"Yup." Sanji replaced the knife in the empty slot of the block closest to the sink. "That's what finally set me off..."

"What? You mean three days ago..?"

The cook didn't answer for a moment as he traced a long crack that was in the wooden knife block with his finger. Looking at the crack made his temper flare slightly. "When I came in that morning... My knives had been knocked over and scattered all over the floor.. And one of my paring knives had the tip broken off from where one of them used it to pick the locks..." he muttered while pulling out the small knife that had the tip missing.

Zoro studied the look of anger and frustration that was trying to pull over the man's pale face. For perhaps the first time, Zoro understood what the cook was going through. Not only understood, but sympathized. 'That's what I felt when my swords were destroyed by Mihawk...' If that was the case, then there was a chance that Sanji had understood him in that moment as well.

He was broken from his thoughts when the bin of potato peelings next to him was picked up. Zoro watched curiously as the cook carried them to the sink and began washing them. "What are you doing?"

Filling the bin with water, Sanji sifted through the peelings. "I'm gonna make a snack out of the peelings. Little butter, salt and pepper with some garlic. You can bake them or fry them depending on how crispy you like them. They're good for munchin on.. I think my footstool will like it."

The not so subtle considerate offer made a faint smirk twitch onto Zoro's face. "Well hurry the fuck up. This footstool's hungry." The light chuckle he heard made his smirk widen. Without another word Zoro returned to his workout.

'Maybe this arrangement isn't so bad after all..'

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"How come Zoro gets to spend so much time in here and you won't let us?!" Luffy demanded at his place at the table.

Sanji calmly walked around the table passing around the bowls of potato soup that were balanced on his arms. "I'm bribing him with extra snacks to guard the kitchen for when I have to step out." He patted the green head with an evil grin as he passed. "He has instructions to decapitate anyone that sneaks in."

It annoyed him that he was being treated like a guard dog, but he wasn't about to lose his food and his safe haven. So Zoro nodded. "It's a pretty decent set up. I get fed whether I have to do anything or not." he commented lightly as he took the bowl that was placed in front of him.

"This is mutiny!" Nami cried out while trying to give her best pout to the mean cook.

"It is?!" both Usopp and Chopper cried out before ducking under the table. "Our two strongest fighters turning against us! We're doomed!"

Sanji quirked up an eyebrow and lightly kicked Usopp's quivering backside . "Oi! I just cleaned the floor. I don't need you pissin yourself all over it." he grunted as he sat down the last two bowls.

Robin wanted to be amused, but she felt a tad of guilt for being part of the reason that started this. When he glanced in her direction she bowed her head slightly. "Thank you, Chef-san. It smells delicious." she said quietly before taking up her spoon.

Sanji quirked up his visible brow again, but he was soon smiling slightly. He didn't respond to her, but when he retrieved a basket of fresh bread sticks he went to her place at the table first and gently placed his hand on her shoulder while offering her first pick. The grateful smile that pulled over her elegant features as she took the warm bread sticks and the calm upward twitch of his lips spoke volumes as the rest were too occupied with dinner.

Zoro noticed all of this take place from his seat opposite of Robin. He knew body language well enough. 'She's apologized.. And Sanji's forgiven her... I'm impressed.. No frilly hearts or anything...' It made him wonder if perhaps he didn't know the pervy love cook as well as he thought.

Dinner went somewhat smoothly after that. Luffy still complained about there being no meat, but, other than that, they still enjoyed the soup Sanji had carefully prepared.

"Well! I think I'll go tinker some more with my latest invention!" Usopp declared with an over dramatic yawn as he tried to head for the door. He was about to pull open the door when a heavy black shoe planted on it dead center. Causing it to slam back closed. The loud crash the door made startled everyone and nearly caused Usopp to bite his tongue. His wide eyes glanced hesitantly to see the menacing single eyed scowl the cook had placed on him. "He-hey, S-sanji..." he squeaked nervously.

That single blue eye narrowed dangerously. "Empty your pockets..." he stated flatly.

Usopp swallowed hard and tried to glance at where the others were still seated watching in alarm. However the moment he tried he found his nose caught tightly between Sanji's thumb and index finger. "Ow ow ow ow! Sanji! Leggo!"

Ignoring the flailing hands and blank stares, Sanji pulled harder on the long nose. "I'm talking to you, dammit. Don't look away from me. Now empty your fuckin pockets or I'm using you as fish bait."

His eyes were starting to water at the painful grip on his nose, so Usopp quickly shoved his hands into his pockets and pulled out four bread sticks that he had snuck out of the basket during dinner. "I'm sorry! They're for Chibi Captain Usopp!" he yelped in fear.

"Tch..." was Sanji's first response before glaring hard at the sniper. "It's shit like this that started this little situation we have here... Now.. If you wanted some extra bread to feed that shitty little bird, you could have just fuckin ASKED ME!" he snapped loudly right into Usopp's ear.

"WAHH! I'm sorry! I'm sorry!" Usopp clasped his hands together and closed his eyes tightly. "Please may I have some extra bread to feed Chibi Captain Usopp?!"

To everyone's surprise, Sanji released his hold on Usopp's nose and took his foot off the door. "Yes, you may."

The shock was clear on Usopp's face as he blinked for a moment. "I.. I may..?"

Sanji smoothly pulled out one of his cigarettes and nodded. "No one goes hungry around me. That includes shitty little Usopp birds. Just keep the thing away from me." He took a match and gave one quick swipe against a rough part on Usopp's goggles. He held the now lit match dangerously close to the sniper's face. "Got it..?"

Feeling the heat from the flame against his face, Usopp gave a choked whimper. "Got it!"

"Good." Sanji opened the door and gestured out it as he lit his cigarette. "Now get out of here before I have Marimo fillet you."

Usopp's eyes snapped towards the swordsman and the blood drained from his face when Zoro got a rather predatory look as he slowly stood from the table. "WAHH! Run away!" he cried out while dashing away as fast as his legs could take him.

The moment the sniper disappeared, Sanji looked back at his crew still at the table. He took a long drag and let it out slowly before settling a bland stare on all of them. "Alright, come clean. Who else was going to swipe food for that shitty bird?" he asked with a tone of weakening patience.

Zoro wasn't surprised when Luffy and Nami placed the bread they had taken on the table, but he was surprised when a teary eyed Chopper removed a bread stick from under his hat. His gaze shot towards the cook and he immediately saw the disappointed frown that was focused on the little doctor. At that moment he didn't know who he felt more sorry for. Chopper or Sanji.

Sanji bowed his head and let out a long stream of smoke slowly. He then pinched the bridge of his nose tightly and pointed to the opened door with a jerk of his thumb. "Whatever.. Just take it and get out..." he grunted in exasperation.

Although hesitant, Nami and Luffy took the bread sticks and quickly left the kitchen before the cook snapped again.

Chopper looked at Sanji with wide fearful eyes, but the look of defeat in the normally brazen cook's posture stung more than any scolding. He sniffled softly and looked at the bread stick he was going to steal for a moment. Shaking his head, his tiny hooves placed it back on the table and pushed it away from him. The little doctor slid off his seat and slowly walked towards the galley door. He paused for a moment at the door and bowed his head in shame. "I'm sorry, Sanji..." Chopper whispered then trudged out of the galley.

Zoro found himself glancing towards the still seated Robin and saw the worried expression on her calm face. Neither of them said a word as they kept their eyes on the clearly irritated chef. When Sanji only leaned heavily against the door frame in a clearly pensive stance, Robin looked to the table and stood. Without a word she began clearing off the table and carrying the dirty dishes to the sink.

Catching on, Zoro stood as well and helped her. Once the table was cleared and Robin was busying herself washing up the dishes, Zoro moved to the cook and tugged on the rolled up sleeve of his dark blue shirt. "Go sit down. We'll clean up."

Sanji lifted his head and looked at the swordsman briefly with a questioning gaze, but he soon nodded and wordlessly moved to sit at the table.

The fact that the blonde did as he was told without so much as a snide remark troubled Zoro greatly. 'Shit.. This really is bothering him...' Although he could hardly blame the cook after that entire episode that just took place. All of them knew that Sanji refused to let even his enemies go hungry, yet they felt the need to steal from him. The look on Sanji's face as he quietly smoked at the table was one of barely contained betrayal.

He knew Sanji probably wanted to swear and kick the walls until his face turned blue, but as long as Robin was trying to help he would keep calm. 'Has more restraint than I do...' he thought as he moved to the sink to start drying the dishes and putting them away.

Robin saw the concerned expression on the swordsman's face out of the corner of her eye. It was unusual, but it made her hum quietly in intrigue. 'Looks as if Swordsman-san is worried for cook-san... Wonder what has happened between the two of them...' she thought to herself as she and a few extra hands scrubbed at the bowls. "I had no intention to contribute to something that would upset him this much..." she whispered to Zoro as one of her spare hands passed over a newly washed bowl.

"He's already forgiven you. Probably Chopper too since he apologized... He's just pissed right now. It'll blow over once we're able to resupply." Zoro muttered back as he ran the faded red dish towel over the bowl.

A faint frown formed over Robin's brow. "The next island is still a few days away... I hope the others will not try anything else like this..."

Zoro smirked despite the dour mood and found himself chuckling. "If Usopp does anything else I have no doubt that he will chop him up and serve him with a side of potato cakes."

"I was thinking more of along the lines of mincing him up and making a Shepard's pie."

The lighter voice had the pair at the sink glance back at the table and focus on the chef who was watching them with his chin propped on his fist. There was the beginnings of a smirk on his pale face, which Zoro quickly mirrored. "That sounds like it might be good. I still want my Usopp jerky, though."

"And I am still curious about how brains taste." Robin added casually, glad to see the mirth back in the cook's eye.

Sanji flicked the ashes off his cigarette into a cup still resting on the table and gave his most charming smile to the woman. "I just so happen to know a few recipes... Alas, I need more spices than I currently have stocked. With Usopp providing the main ingredient I'm afraid it'll be a single serving dish, but more than worth it for my lovely Robin-chan~." he purred, a few hearts floating around his head.

A brilliant smile covered the woman's face now that she was back in the cook's good graces. "I'm certain whatever you can manage will be nothing short of perfection. As always, Chef-san."

Right on cue, Zoro watched as the idiot cook seemed to melt onto the table at the praise from the beautiful archeologist. 'At least he's not brooding. I'd rather him be annoying than depressed like a minute ago.'

The blonde suddenly snapped his fingers as he recalled something. "Oh! I nearly forgot about the special dessert I prepared!" he said in his dramatic style before practically dashing to the fridge.

"Dessert?" Zoro repeated in confusion. "I only saw you working with potatoes today."

A slight snort left the chef as he pulled out a large glass baking pan from the fridge. "There are desserts that use potatoes as the main ingredient. Most of them are fairly simple like this one." He placed the glass pan on the wooden counter next to one of his knife blocks and pulled out a small knife.

Robin looked over his shoulder as he began cutting the thick light brown substance in the pan into small squares. "What is it?"

Not answering at first, Sanji sat the knife aside and opened a close by drawer to pull out a fork. He had one of the small squares pierced onto the fork and offered it to her. "Potato fudge." he stated with a smile.

A bit perplexed, Robin took the offered fork and eyed the candy for a moment. She could smell the sugary scent that came from it and finally lifted the fork to her lips. The second her tongue came in contact her eyes widened at the rich creamy flavor that instantly overwhelmed her. "This.. Is amazing... It's so decadent..." she said in clear astonishment.

Sanji grinned brightly at her before going to a cabinet to retrieve an empty tin box and a roll of parchment paper. "I know. It's ridiculously rich. It was one of my favorite candy recipes when I was first starting out as a chef. It's more of an occasional treat than a real dessert, but I like to indulge a sweet tooth every now and then." he chuckled as he began filling the tin box with the fudge. The moment the box was filled he closed the lid and held it out to Robin. "Here. If you don't mind, could you please take some of it to Chopper? I had made this with him in mind to begin with."

Her own smile returning, Robin nodded as she took hold of the box. "Should I tell him anything specific?"

"Tell him I need to discuss possibly having everyone take vitamin supplements until we can resupply properly. I may still be pissed at everyone, but it's no reason for everyone to get ill without the right nutrition."

"That's very considerate of you." Robin moved a bit closer and smoothly placed a gentle kiss to his cheek. "Thank you, Chef-san. Dinner was lovely."

The frilly pink hearts returned full force as a wide shit eating grin split Sanji's face. "It was entirely my pleasure, my dearest Robin-chan~! You've sent my heart soaring with your generous words! Oh, my face has been set ablaze by the warmth of those stunning lips!" he exclaimed, swooning back against the counter.

"Here, let me help you cool down then." Zoro promptly threw the wet dish towel at the cook's face. Just to hear the growl that immediately followed.

Sanji pulled the damp towel off his face and glared hard at the swordsman smirking at him. "You're pushin it, kelp head! I will kick your ass outta here."

Although it was a threat that made his eye want to twitch, Zoro folded his arms over his chest and snorted. "And lose your guard dog?" he asked sarcastically.

The cook wanted to snap, but a smirk curled his lips. "Actually I enjoy my footstool more than my guard dog..."

"Footstool?" Robin repeated curiously, confused by the strange choking expression on Zoro's face.

Zoro balked at the thought of anyone knowing about the degrading position he was forced under duress to take on. He knew that Luffy and Usopp would never let him hear the end of it, but he was somewhat surprised that Sanji had yet to mention it before now. "Don't ask, Robin... Just.. Don't ask..." he muttered before returning to putting away the dishes.

A black brow quirked up at the strange behavior, but once she saw the beyond pleased expression on the blonde cook's face she found herself even more curious. But it was a mystery she was willing to wait to solve. "I believe I shall take these to Doctor-san now. Thank you again for dinner and the sweets." she called out with a respectful bow.

"Any time, my beloved!" Sanji cooed as the woman left the galley.

The moment she disappeared and the door was closed Sanji let out a deep sigh and leaned heavily on the counter. "Well.. That was an eventful dinner..." he murmured loudly while rubbing at his tired eyes.

The swordsman glanced at the blonde for a moment and instantly noticed the exhaustion. "You're stressing over this too much."

"No, I'm holding back too much.." Sanji corrected flatly. He turned his attention back to the half pan of fudge on the counter next to him and stabbed another piece with the fork. His eyes took in the texture and the consistency of the rich candy with a bit of nostalgia. "Back on the Baratie.. Stealing food was high treason. Ruining kitchen utensils was worse than murder... Anyone that got caught we made them wish they were rotting in hell."

Now understanding, Zoro frowned deeply and turned to face the cook. "You're angrier than you're letting on... You're holding back because they're nakama."

"I wanted to crack Usopp's fuckin skull open... I wanted to nail Luffy's hands to the keel..."

"And Nami?"

Sanji set his jaw rigidly, but shook his head. "I will never hurt a woman no matter what..." he stated with all of his conviction.

Zoro had heard this from him several times before, and personally found it pointless. "Even if said woman was about to destroy everything important to you?" he challenged with a glare.

But that blonde head still shook. "I will never harm a woman... I'd rather die than break that vow..."

"And give up on all you've worked for? Your dream of that All Blue you always talk about?" The moment he asked, Zoro was puzzled by the way Sanji's free hand reached up and acted like he wanted to touch his left eye. His pale fingers hesitated an inch away from the fall of blonde hair that permanently covered the eye. 'What the... What is he doing..?' Zoro wondered with a raised brow.

Sanji ended up clenching his hand into a fist and forcing it stiffly down to his side. "I don't care... That is the one rule that I will not bend for..." He looked to the moss head and pointed the fork at him. "Here, try it."

Blinking at the redirection, Zoro looked at the piece of fudge warily. "I don't have much of a sweet tooth."

"Eat it or I won't give you your reward for being a good moss headed guard dog."

Zoro tilted his head in confusion. "Rewa-mmph!" He was cut off when the candy was shoved into his open mouth. It almost choked him, but soon he was chewing on the sugary confection. He swallowed hard and grimaced slightly. "What the fuck.. Is that entirely made of sugar?" he asked, opening his mouth and scraping his tongue against his teeth in a weak attempt to scrape the taste off.

A mildly interested expression fell over the cook's features as he looked to the pan of fudge. "Hm.. Guess it's an acquired taste..." he mused to himself before taking a piece for himself. Instead of chewing, Sanji let the fudge rest on his tongue and allowed it to melt a bit. His eye closed while a soft hum of pleasure left him. The creamy sweetness calmed him almost as much as one of his precious cigarettes. Suddenly his troubles felt muted. "Mm... Perfection... Used to use this recipe a lot... Very effective in making certain activities more.. Tasty." he said mainly to himself as pleasing memories filled his mind.

A skeptical look was etched on Zoro's face as he hesitantly tried to sort through the different meanings to that phrase. Eventually he snorted and rolled his eyes. "Sure. This coming from the guy that turns into a gooey puddle at the whiff of any girly perfume."

Sanji smirked and got another piece of the fudge. "If I really wanted someone I'd get them. I just like playing..." He let his tongue slowly trail along the edges of the fudge square before taking it into his mouth. "Haven't you ever heard the expression good food is better than sex? Try combining the two. It can be very... Enthralling." he pieced together on a low chuckle.

Zoro's eyebrow hitched up high at the strange expression on the cook's face. "So what? You're just playing with Nami and Robin?"

"Of course. Nami's got too many anger issues, and Robin could kill me if I pissed her off. Which usually happens when I love em then leave em."

That admission had Zoro frowning in a mixture of mild disgust and exasperation. "You really are a perverted bastard..."

To which Sanji nodded readily. "That I am. But this perverted bastard is the only thing keeping you from starving out here, oh shitty Marimo. Which brings me back to your reward."

"What reward?" Zoro asked as he watched the cook return to the fridge.

The chef began moving several things around in the fridge before pulling out a covered platter. Closing the fridge door with his hip, Sanji took the platter to the table and sat it down. He then looked over at the swordsman, pointed at the bench and smirked. "Sit, Guard dog."

He wanted to smack the look off that pale face, but he decided to at least see this 'reward' first. He moved cautiously to the bench seat and sat down. The moment he did a pale hand removed the cover to show several sandwiches stacked high and filled with...

"Meat?" Zoro blinked in surprise and shot his attention to the smirking cook. "But I thought you said we were out..."

Sanji nodded, but gave a sly look. "I lied. Hid some smoked salmon behind a pile of asparagus. Luffy won't go near the stuff."

Now feeling like he had been tricked, Zoro was conflicted on whether to be pissed or not. "Apparently I won't either... That's evil. Hiding good meat behind green shit."

That comment pulled a loud bark of laughter from the blonde. "You're a fine one to talk about hiding behind green shit, Moss head!" He roughly messed up the short green hair to hear the growl it provoked. "I was saving it for an elegant brunch platter for the ladies, but I didn't want my guard dog's energy to give out. Now be a good doggy and eat."

The smack that was delivered to the back of his head irritated him, but Zoro wasn't one to bite the hand that fed him. He took up one of the sandwiches and was slightly puzzled how they seemed to fit perfectly into his large hands. The salty smell of the salmon made his stomach growl impatiently, so he took an experimental bite. "Fuckin hell.. That's more like it..." he groaned the moment the flavors of the fish and other ingredients took over his mouth.

"Don't talk with your mouth full, ya uncultured ape." Sanji chided, kneeing the swordsman in the side lightly.

However 'lightly' from Sanji was still enough to almost make Zoro choke mid swallow. He placed a dark glare on the haughty blonde, but kept himself seated. "If you weren't so damn good at cooking I woulda killed you by now." he grumbled before tearing back into his sandwich.

Although it was meant as another jab in their constant battle of egos, Sanji's expression became somber. "If I wasn't so damn good at cooking I woulda died a long time ago..." he mumbled before turning away.

The strange tone had Zoro looking back where the cook was washing out the sink. That defeated stance was back in the blonde's slim shoulders, and it had Zoro's frown returning. 'What's up with him..?' He wasn't sure how to deal with the broody cook. Somehow punching him in the back of the head didn't seem like the productive thing to do, so he decided to just leave it be. 'If he feels like talking he will... But I'm curious about the way he hesitated touching his eye...'

That question could wait though.

His mind had already shut off into food mode.

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TBC

Later~