A/N: Please note this chapter contains spoilers for Sanji's past (manga chapter 812 and beyond). Sort of inevitable considering it's from his POV. I didn't go into too many details though.
[Handwritten on and off 2/23/16 to 9/26/16. Typed and edited 10/5/16 to 2/21/17
Edited 9/3/18]
"Kabu"
Part Four
Sanji was still smiling as he came stepped onto the main deck, Nami watching him with a raised eyebrow. Chopper stood next to her, having tagged along for the errand. Shaking his head as if to say you really had to be there, he headed to the kitchen to retrieve the wine Nami inquired about. He always made sure to keep an ample supply aboard the ship and the rack was almost full. Halfway across the main deck, Sanji glanced at Chopper, crooking his finger.
"Chopper?"
The reindeer trotted up to him casually, his bright gaze focused. "Yeah?"
"Zoro's down in the men's quarters. He won't admit it, but he's got a bad headache. Go take care of it, will you?" Chopper tilted his head, seeming confused, nostrils flaring for a moment. Sanji realized that though he'd been able to change clothes, he hadn't taken a shower and his crewmate could probably smell Zoro on him.
Before he could offer an explanation, Chopper exclaimed, "Fighting again, huh?"
Well, in a way, Sanji thought. He shrugged in a noncommittal manner, confident Chopper would drop the subject. No such luck though, not when you were talking to a doctor about potential injuries. "You didn't kick him in the head, did you?"
Speared by Chopper's suspicious look, Sanji chuckled. "Like I could make a dent in his dumb noggin."
"Okay…" Chopper stopped by the main mast, disappearing down the ladder in seconds. Sanji breathed a sigh of relief, some of his worries alleviated. Given it was Zoro's first time, he tried to be gentle but having free reign with such receptiveness, he'd probably gone overboard despite his best intentions. Zoro hadn't complained so maybe his aggressive manner had been appreciated. He totally could have managed another round of fun easily. Too bad they'd run out of time.
"Sanji-kun?" Turning towards Nami, he held the kitchen door open for her. He perused the wine rack sitting against the far wall, automatically dismissing any wine that was meant for cooking alone. He selected a dark red he thought would complement the earlier meal. He turned, flourishing the wine bottle dramatically.
"Cabernet Sauvignon, a full-bodied flavor with a vanilla note for the lovely ladies," Sanji said, treasuring the happy smile Nami flashed him as she took hold of the bottle.
"Thank you, Sanji-kun." Tucking it into the crook of her arm, Nami exited the kitchen, Sanji following. He could think of nothing better to relish his post-coital experience than another cigarette and a few glasses of wine amidst good company.
Monday
As soon as the sun crested the horizon, Sanji's internal alarm clock kicked in, prodding him awake. He was always the first up among the crew. Sleeping in was a luxury chefs couldn't afford, especially if one served on a ship. Zeff might have favored tough love, but from his years of experience as a sea cook, he understood that anyone who called themselves a chef could not be lazy. You had to constantly be proactive, always thinking in advance about upcoming meals, and sticking to a schedule was a must. Supplies on a ship were always limited and nothing could go to waste.
Barring battles or a crisis that commanded everyone's attention, Sanji strove to be consistent in his daily life. It was a disciple he'd had beaten into him for years and damned if he was going to waver from it. No one could ever call him lazy. His first task after the obligatory shower was making coffee. There was no set time the crew went to bed, and if someone had been on night watch duty, having a caffeinated beverage ready and waiting was most appreciated.
Breakfast was the easiest meal of the day. Even though he had to prepare it for seven people, himself included, Sanji frequently opted for omelets or some variation of toasted bread like French toast, pancakes, or crepes. Of course, bacon and sausage were always popular and went fast once he'd set it on the table. The only issue was quantity when it came to Luffy. With his bottomless stomach, Sanji had to make a big enough serving to satisfy him alone. The others were no problem, their appetites were normal.
Sanji decided to buck the usual routine and set about making frittatas, using up some dinner leftovers that were sitting in the fridge. After cracking eggs, he poured in milk, beating the mixture until it was well integrated. Sanji cubed the leftovers, adding the chopped broccoli, steak, onions, and mushrooms to two cast-iron skillets which he'd left heating on the stove, along with a fistful of herbs and general seasoning, sautéing them.
When the vegetables were sufficiently warmed through, Sanji sprinkled a thick layer of shredded gruyere cheese in each skillet, letting it briefly melt. He poured the eggy blend equally into each pan, tilting until the eggs solidified around the veggies. Sanji let the sides of each frittata brown then transferred them to the oven to finish cooking.
Estimating it would take about fifteen minutes, Sanji took a moment to light a cigarette, leaning against the counter, enjoying the small respite before the kitchen was overrun by his crewmembers. He could hear them moving below deck, getting ready for the day. A certain swordsman was among them and though he didn't know it, Roronoa Zoro was slowly driving Sanji crazy.
No matter how he looked at it, it didn't make sense. Zoro was mostly a walking talking muscle head with occasional glimpses of intelligence, and yet he seemed to anticipate every move Sanji made. He'd seemed like a complete novice in sexual matters, but he was the fastest study Sanji had ever seen. He knew things, intimate things, which should have been beyond his capability. From what little he knew about Zoro's past, he'd done little but train, train, and train some more. Taking time out to pursue women, or even men, didn't fit Zoro's personality, and this was what perplexed Sanji the most.
How the hell did he do it? It was maddening, and something Sanji put far more thought into than he wanted to. It'd been a week since they left Skypiea, and Luffy was intent on adding a shipwright to the crew, which was oddly enough the right of action. Sanji could sure use a larger cooking space, not to mention a fridge that actually locked. Luffy's midnight snack raids were beyond tiresome. If Robin was on night watch duty, Sanji knew his captain would be stymied at every turn.
His cigarette close to dead, Sanji flicked it into the trash, crouching down to peer into the oven's depths. As he hoped, there was some browning on the top of each frittata and it was nearly done. Since there was always some carryover cooking, he pulled both skillets out of the oven, letting them rest on the stovetop. Sanji drew out plates, silverware, and napkins out of the cupboard below the sink and set the table, going back to fetch glasses and cups as well.
Just as he put the last one down, the kitchen door opened, the crew piling into the room. Impeccable timing, as per usual.
"Zoro? I need your assistance in the storeroom." Said crewmember stopped pumping the impossibly large weights midway up, the muscles of his arms showing no strain at all as he lingered near the ship railing, staring at Sanji.
"Why?"
"Just get off your ass already." Reluctantly, Zoro stood up, putting the weights down, taking his sweet time.
Usopp glanced from his seat near to Luffy on the railing, their fishing rods cast into the ocean. "I can help," Usopp offered good-naturedly.
Sanji shook his head. "No need. It's his turn anyway." Get the hint, asshole. Saying nothing, watching Sanji coolly, Zoro followed him below deck, walking into the storage room.
Sanji dumped the clipboard he'd been holding on the floor, abandoning the pretense completely. He caught sight of Zoro's smile before he kissed it off, pushing him against the wall, clutching the back of his crewmate's neck. He tasted like sweat and metal, offering no resistance to Sanji's tongue as it swept the inside of his mouth. Zoro's hands hovered around him for a moment then came to rest on his waist, one pulling Sanji's shirt out of his pants and pressing against the bare skin of his back.
Shivering at the light touch of nails on his spine, Sanji pulled back, his breath uneven. Way too long, he thought, trying to regain some of his lost composure. As always, he loved the effect he had on Zoro, whose usually stoic facade had broken, his face and neck flushed. "I'm not complaining, but if you want this kind of thing," Zoro said, the sound of his voice loud in the silence of the storeroom. "We need a code."
Sanji laughed softly, mostly because he should have been the one to think up the idea, not Zoro. "Given how often we insult each other, maybe we should base it around that."
Zoro's fingers shifted to brush against Sanji's hip, tantalizingly close to his stomach. "You're going to have to think of something else then," Zoro said calmly, even as he worked at unbuttoning Sanji's jacket and shirt.
Sanji forced his mind to work even though his attention was focused elsewhere. "You drink a lot, I've got alco-" Startled when Zoro leaned down and licked his chest, Sanji's breath hitched and Zoro seemed rather amused if the shine in his eyes was any indication.
"You have what now?"
"Bastard," Sanji said softly, not really meaning it, shuddering as Zoro locked his mouth around one of his nipples, biting into it gently. He groaned, his stomach jerking pleasantly, shivers running down his spine when his other nipple was teased. Right, he'd been saying something. What the hell was it again? Zoro snickered, and Sanji frowned, about to ask what was so funny until Zoro plunged a hand into his pants, gripping his cock.
It was a good distraction, Sanji panting as he allowed himself to be led backward, his legs bumping into a barrel and taking a seat on it. Zoro was in charge today and Sanji was just fine with that. With his belt undone and underwear pulled down far enough, Zoro had free access and though he'd hesitated last time in Bengi, he went straight for it, taking Sanji's member into his mouth, using one hand to grip the base of it.
Sanji cried out, glad he was sitting down as he started trembling faintly, his heart pounding. Zoro was still somewhat of a novice, but when he saw something didn't work, he moved on, and when his tongue pierced the slit of his cock, Sanji heard himself make a strangled noise, leaning over Zoro's back, grasping the end of his tank top, fisting it in his clenched fingers. "Keep it down."
"Fuck…you," Sanji rasped, light-headed as Zoro started drawing harder with his mouth, slowly taking more of Sanji's member each time he pulled back before returning. Feeling like Zoro had no business being as good as he was, Sanji let go of coherent thought, fire coiling low in his stomach, getting tighter and tighter. Tensing when he could feel it start to break, Sanji pushed at Zoro's shoulder, silently trying to give warning, frustrated when he was ignored.
His vision going white, Sanji dug fingernails into Zoro's back and shoulder, biting his lower lip to suppress a moan as he remembered the pair wasn't alone on the ship. Enjoying the aftershocks running down his body, Sanji leaned back, letting go of Zoro's shirt, blearily watching Zoro get off his knees to stand. His face was twisted, grimacing, and Sanji chose to focus on lighting a cigarette rather than comment.
If you weren't used to it, he could see the experience being a bit discomforting. Whatever his thoughts on the manner of taste, Sanji could see Zoro hadn't lost his own excitement. "I'll do you," he offered, reaching out for Zoro, intending on following through on his statement. Zoro held up a hand, pointing to the door. Exhaling, the smoke drifting past his shoulder, Sanji sighed at the sound of voices just outside the storeroom, Usopp and Chopper to be exact.
"They've been gone a while, I'm worried."
"They wouldn't kill each other, would they?"
"Nah, but let's not tempt fate."
Readjusting his clothes once he'd stood up, Sanji put a hand on the doorknob. He glanced askew at Zoro, grinning. "If only they knew." As Zoro smirked in response, Sanji picked up the clipboard he'd dropped earlier. He made a few vague marks with a pencil on the paper, winking at Zoro before he left the room.
"He's still alive in there, I swear." Sanji laid his arm over Usopp's shoulders and turned him around.
Chopper stood outside the door, waiting for Zoro to emerge. Sanji had left him unscathed for the most part, beyond a few scratches. Nothing he couldn't explain away. "O-Of course Zoro's fine," Usopp replied, laughing uneasily. "Never doubted you for a second."
"I'm sure," Sanji said, retrieving his arm as they neared the kitchen. He had to start working on lunch pretty soon. If he wasn't thinking ahead to the next meal, time could easily race ahead of him and squash any plans he'd made. A chef's work was never done, not really.
Wiping his brow with his sleeve, Sanji took a step back from the stove, needing a short break. He'd turned the oven on to preheat as well as both burners in preparation for lunch. The heat didn't usually bother him much, but he was sweating heavily. They'd started the day in spring-like weather, but perhaps the ship was nearing a summer island. That would explain the oppressive temperature.
Noting the chicken breasts needed to be turned over, the skin a perfect golden brown once he'd done so, Sanji ignored his discomfort, parking himself in the part of the ship that could be considered his and his alone. Even if he were struck blind, he could have easily navigated the kitchen.
He knew every pan, pot, and cooking utensil like the back of his hand. With the protein nearly finished, Sanji let the skillet do its work. He opened the stove door and carefully took out the cubed bread he'd toasted to make croutons. He put the baking sheet on the far counter, waiting for it to cool down.
Straightening, Sanji's vision blinked out for a second, making him pause. Had it been the blood rush from standing? Putting it out of his mind, Sanji refocused and tended to the rest of the salad. Cutting up the nuts and veggies was easy and in no time at all, Sanji had the side dish finished, the chicken the only thing left to complete. Serving a meal without some kind of meat was tantamount to blasphemy on the ship.
Stuck waiting, Sanji sat down at the table with a glass of water and drained it, his parched throat immediately feeling better. He went to put the empty glass down, confused when his fingers shook around it. The kitchen door opened and Sanji suppressed a smile at the sight of Zoro. His view of the man had changed in the last few weeks, and while Sanji wouldn't say he'd grown to tolerate Zoro, the number of insults he used on him had lessened somewhat.
It was a bit difficult to stay angry at someone when you knew the emotion would be better spent elsewhere if you could only manage ten minutes alone with them. Despite recent events, including their little interlude in the storeroom this morning, Sanji was still amazed that Zoro let him go so far, he'd thought it would be a cold day in hell before Zoro played submissive. He was always so domineering, Sanji had expected his request to dominate to be flatly refused.
Not just stand there and Sanji do as he pleased. If this is some crazy dream, don't let me wake up, Sanji thought, watching a bare-chested sweaty Zoro rehydrate himself. The towel resting on the back of his neck was a clear indicator he'd been working out. Again. Not that he needed to, he was already a damn beast.
"Stop." Sanji raised an eyebrow, wondering when Zoro had turned around to face him. Probably not a good sign that he could be so easily distracted.
"I'm sorry?" Zoro sighed loudly, and immediately Sanji was annoyed with him. If he didn't want to be questioned, why didn't he explain himself better?
"Stop staring at me, it's cree…" The word trailed off as Zoro's severe expression eased and the hard tint in his eyes softened. "Is everything all right?"
If he didn't know better, Sanji would swear Zoro was worried about him. "I'm fine, Marimo. It's just the heat outside that's getting to me."
Zoro stopped moving, leveling a stare at him, the glass in his hand gradually lowering to his side. Sanji was prepared for anything but what came out of Zoro's mouth. "Are you stupid? I came in here to get warm. We're nearing a winter island, Chopper's ecstatic."
A chill ran up his spine as Sanji stood up, knees a tad unsteady, making it to the door nonetheless. The deck was covered in a sheet of light snow with more falling from the sky overhead. Already Luffy was rolling a ball despite the fact it kept falling apart once it reached a certain size. Zoro hadn't been lying. "Why would I lie about it?" Sanji let the door shut, looking at Zoro from the corner of his eye. Sometimes, it was uncanny how close he got to his train of thought, particularly in the last month or so.
"Usopp'll be bringing out the winter gear soon," Zoro said, gaze locked on the scene outside the kitchen porthole. He'd been lifting weights. In a snowstorm. Sanji didn't know if that was stupid or impressive. No, wait, definitely stupid. Zoro's mouth pressed thin and Sanji heard a slight grinding of teeth.
Sanji went back to the stove, covertly wiping at his forehead with a dish towel so as not to alert Zoro he still felt overheated. Well, no wonder. The stove was still powered on. Sanji shut it off, glad the mystery was solved. Once lunch was served, Sanji would join the others on deck, surely then he'd cool down.
They hadn't visited a winter island for quite a while, it would be a nice change. Sensing movement behind him, Sanji stilled, expecting Zoro to brush past him on his way out of the room. Instead, he stopped next to Sanji, turning so his back was against the counter edge. A bead of sweat dripped down his face and Sanji's throat went dry. He wasn't going to try anything, was he?
His pulse quickening, Sanji focused all his attention on moving the chicken onto a serving platter, determined to maintain a cool façade. Sanji preferred Zoro remain oblivious that whenever he got close, his body went on high alert, every sense heightened in anticipation. He moved to the fridge to retrieve the salad greens and vegetables he chopped earlier, glad the croutons were closer to him than Zoro.
"Oi," Sanji said, shoving the bowl of salad into Zoro's chest. "Make yourself useful." He made a face but crossed the room to put the bowl in the center of the table. It was already set, all Sanji had to do was put the meat platter down on one end and call the others for lunch.
Sanji was halfway there when Zoro grabbed one of his wrists, squeezing tightly. Moving the platter to the hand not currently incapacitated, Sanji glared, willing to wait Zoro out until he was released. It'd be his fault if Luffy found cold meat on his plate. "What the hell are you doing?"
Zoro leaned closer, eyes sweeping his face thoroughly. "You're burning hot," he said quietly, after using his free hand to feel Sanji's forehead.
A fine tremor started in the arm holding the platter and Sanji tried to pull away, shocked when his strength gave out. They were always more or less on equal footing, nothing Zoro did in the course of one afternoon could have widened the gap so far. "Let..," Sanji started, faltering when his voice came out raspy. His stomach going cold, he abandoned the complaint, all but tossing the meat platter at Zoro.
He hurriedly snatched it, looking at Sanji in bewilderment. Doubling over as a wave of dizziness and nausea hit him, Sanji felt a distant pain in his legs, realizing he'd fallen to his knees without meaning to. Sanji turned his head upwards, barely able to see Zoro standing above him through his darkening vision. Fuck, he was going to pass out.
"Get Chopper." Zoro didn't need to be told twice. He dropped the platter, his footstep thunderous as he sped past Sanji, shouting loudly. I finished the meal at least, Sanji thought, his eyes closing and mind following after, plunging him into utter darkness.
It was so noisy. Faces slid in and out above him and Sanji couldn't get his eyes to function properly. His stomach lurched and Sanji could feel his head automatically turn to his side, ejecting what he'd had for breakfast. Even though he was wincing internally, he felt a little better for it. Furred fingers brushed his forehead as something metal slipped into his mouth. Right, a thermometer. Shit, it felt like his brain was on fire, even his eyelids felt hot. Sound came roaring back and Sanji winced, struggling to make sense of who was talking.
Chopper's voice was strained as he took the thermometer from Sanji's mouth. "This isn't good." There was a moment of silence then, "Someone fill a bucket with snow and meet me in the bathroom," he said with authority, easily lifting Sanji from the floor in his human form. The movement made Sanji's head spin and the next thing he knew, he was dumped into a full tub of lukewarm water, his clothes soaking wet in a matter of seconds.
Bone-chilling shakes started immediately and blindly, Sanji tried to crawl out of the bathtub. "Is this the only way?" Usopp asked in a concerned tone.
"There's no helping it, his fever's too high. One degree higher and brain damage would have been a factor to consider. Zoro, keep him submerged." Rough hands he knew well held his shoulders and some of Sanji's panic eased. Any other time, Sanji would have shied away from the comfort on principle alone in front of the others, but he found himself leaning into Zoro's touch.
Please don't let go. "I won't." Damn, I hope I didn't say that out loud.
"Usopp, go gather blankets, will you?" Chopper could be devastatingly cute and naïve, but everyone listened to him once he went into doctor mode. Though it was intensely uncomfortable at first, the bath started to feel good. A little of the fire trapped in his head had fizzled out in any case. He was almost asleep when Chopper said, "Okay. That should be long enough."
Why? Let him be. "Let me stay, Zeff." It had been a hot sweltering day, cooped up inside the Baratie restaurant. Spending time in a humid kitchen hadn't helped things. The sky deigned to darken and brought with it sweet cooling rain. Sanji was getting soaked out on deck, but couldn't have cared less.
"Come inside before you're hit by lightning." Sanji shook his head, silently challenging Zeff's authority yet again. "Come back, little eggplant." He hated that nickname, he wasn't a scrawny kid anymore.
"Get the hell back here," Sanji heard a rough voice say before hands grabbed his shoulders, turning him around. The face that met his own wasn't Zeff's and Sanji smiled at Zoro, pleased the dream had shifted in his favor. Zoro was angry for some reason, which was strange. He wasn't ready to mess around at all. Zoro scowled and he slammed Sanji into the ship railing. "Wake up!" The words echoed eerily, Sanji suddenly standing alone. Wake up from what?
"What's wrong with him?" Sanji blinked, Chopper's anxious expression filling his vision. He tried focusing on the small details of the familiar face, but the effort was making him dizzy. He was being carried somewhere, but couldn't muster up the energy to turn his head. "I think it's acute respiratory infection, but I've never seen it this bad before. The way he keeps slipping in and out of consciousness is bad. Really bad."
"Why is he breathing funny?"
The world seized, shuttering in a multitude of colors until his chest tightened as a flash of red and black blinded him. He struggled to move, his limbs feeling unusually heavy. The inky blackness around him closed in, squeezing tightly, pushing against his mouth, attempting to smother him. Sanji held his breath, trying to last as long as he could. Giving in didn't seem like a good idea somehow.
"Still not breathing."
"Push harder, dammit!" Chopper's panicked cry was loud, then Nami's voice trembled as she asked, "Now?"
Small pinpricks of blue light appeared in front of him, breaching the darkness and Sanji grasped at their edges, desperate to escape this place. He tore the holes wider until he could step through, his lungs burning, and vision dimming. He was pushed by an unseen force, flying upwards, moving far too fast. Just as he felt he wouldn't make it in time, he broke the surface into dazzling white light. Sanji gasped, getting his first breath of air in what seemed like forever.
"Oh, thank god."
The night stretched on forever before him and he wondered if everyone else was asleep. The rainfall eased off, the rumbling thunder in the distance indicative of the storm system moving on. His clothes were drenched and Sanji shivered, going back towards the restaurant entrance. He tugged on the doorknob, surprised to find it firm and unyielding in his hand. It was locked. Sanji couldn't believe it, and kicked the bottom of the door, starting to get irritated. "Very funny, guys, now open up!"
If he destroyed it, Zeff would put him on dish duty for who knew how long, and that was something Sanji wanted to avoid if he could. Kicking as hard as he dared, he clenched his fists when there was still no reply from within the restaurant and finally sat down in front of the entrance, the abrupt drop in temperature doing nothing to make him feel better. The weather didn't usually turn to the extreme like this.
Seeing his breath fog up in front of him, he looked up into the dark sky, wondering if it was going to snow. That would be just fucking perfect. Rubbing his arms to facilitate warmth, though his fingers were ice cold, Sanji stood up, intending on breaking down the door if he had to, Zeff's wrath be damned. "Cook."
"Moss head?" Zoro was standing by the railing, his arms crossed, staring him down. "What are you doing here?" This was perfect, he could cut down the doors for Sanji. Blinking when Zoro frowned, striding forward, Sanji froze in shock as Zoro full on hugged him, crushing him tightly against his chest. He was incredibly warm, and Sanji couldn't help pressing himself closer, his arms curling around Zoro's back, the chattering of his teeth slowly easing.
Zoro's mouth touched his ear and Sanji closed his eyes. "You need to listen to me."
Sanji smiled against his shoulder, snug and comfortable, some of the chill in his bones fading. "No problem there," he said sluggishly, fighting to stay awake. Zoro leaned back, taking away some of his body heat, and Sanji resisted the impulse to follow.
Looking straight at him, Zoro squeezed his shoulders firmly, his eyes steel. "Stop doing this, you're freaking out the crew."
Sanji frowned, his arms dropping to his sides, not quite as glad to have the company anymore. "What are you talking about?"
A vein began throbbing in Zoro's forehead, clearly he was frustrated. Sanji wondered why he couldn't just speak normally instead of talking in riddles. "You're so damned stupid. Don't you know something isn't r-?"
"-Ight, let's have it. How bad is it this time?"
Huddling underneath the table, Sanji hugged his knees, ignoring the blood that fell from his nose and the ache in his face from what was fast becoming a black eye. He'd been caught again despite his efforts to blend into the background. Hands appeared in front of him, touching his legs, and Sanji recoiled. "It's okay, it's just me. They're gone, I promise."
"Reiju?" His older sister smiled at him, crawling on her hands and knees to sit next to Sanji.
She put an arm around his shoulder and side hugged him, resting her head atop his own. "I keep telling you, but you never learn." The tears came unbidden and Sanji turned until he could lay on her side, crying in earnest.
"I'm so s-"
"-Orry, I'll really have to kill you if you keep this up."
Sanji stumbled out of Zoro's grip, disoriented, feeling wetness on his cheek. Even though he hadn't thought about Reiju in years, he could still feel her arm on his shoulders. "Zoro, what's going on?"
His crewmate sighed, walking towards Sanji. "I keep trying to tell you, but it's like something keeps interfering. This isn't r-"
"-Eally now, is that how you were taught?" Zeff reached over him, taking the knife from Sanji's small hands. The green pepper on the cutting board was a mess, and he shoved it to the top before putting another pepper in the middle of it. Sanji watched intently as Zeff sliced off the bottom of the pepper, the oddly-shaped vegetable now standing upright by itself.
Zeff handed the knife back to him and Sanji cleared his throat nervously, his fingers a little shaky. He'd wanted to learn, but Zeff wasn't the most patient person in the world. "Cut in the natural dents of it, that way the seeds stay in the middle. Got it?" Sanji nodded quickly, tentatively placing the tip of his knife where Zeff had indicated, and pleased when he got an approving nod, Sanji leaned forward, carving into the pepper's side.
"Like that, right?" Sanji asked, expecting to hear a reply, but his question was met with silence. He turned, expecting to see Zeff glowering at him in half-approval. The kitchen was empty, even the other chefs were gone, their meals unfinished, flames bubbling under pots and pans. "Shit geezer?"
It was almost lunch and the restaurant was full of customers awaiting food. A thread of unease started in him, Sanji going to look out the double doors that led to the main floor of the Baratie, begrudgingly using the stepstool that was left near the door for his use alone. He peeked out cautiously, stunned to see absolutely no one seated at the tables. Biting his lower lip, Sanji stepped down, taking a seat on the stool, trying hard to understand what was going on.
His head tilted upwards when a hissing sound caught his attention. It was close by and he was slow to investigate, already freaked out by everyone's disappearing act. It was too sudden and unnatural as if the world had emptied itself, forgetting him in the process. Sanji jumped when the something sharp was suddenly thrust at him, stopping a half-inch from his face.
Swallowing the hard lump in his throat, Sanji jerked back, stumbling in his haste. He fell on his back, watching in shock as the metal implement that had almost skewered him was joined by two others, all of them hanging in midair, the space around them sparking and shimmering abnormally. This had to be a dream. It couldn't actually be happening, could it? What could only be knives sliced up and down furiously, even going sideways before disappearing entirely.
Fine white lines appeared in the cuts, glowing eerily above him before a hand reached through the opening. It was holding a sword and Sanji crawled backward a bit, fearing his surreal experience was going to get even odder. Another hand then a pair of arms and an entire body fell through the tear in reality, small black threadlike creatures with red eyes and gleaming white teeth crawling on the green-haired man's back. One of them bit into his right leg and he grunted, ripping it off him, the creature dissipating into smoke as it hit the floor.
The other aberrations retreated, running back into the void, probably afraid of suffering the same fate as their fallen comrade. Panting, the man looked up, covered in a sheen of sweat, and bleeding from his leg. Sanji looked beyond him to the dark abyss behind him, amazed at the stark impossibility of its existence. It was glowing around the edges and he approached cautiously, stopping about a foot away from it. The creatures were nowhere to be seen and the interior was a vast maw of nothingness. He could hear a sound though, a faint murmuring, the words indiscernible. Before he could peer closer, the stranger yanked on the collar of his shirt, pulling him backward.
"Don't go out there," he warned, then stared at Sanji with an intensity that was unsettling. "Damn, you were a scrawny bastard." Sanji was pretty sure there was an insult in the statement somewhere but focused more on the implication that they knew each other somehow.
With his swords back in their hilts, the man groaned as he put weight on his injured leg, walking with a slight limp when he looked around. "This is the Baratie, isn't it? Figures you'd come here." Wait, his voice was familiar somehow, especially the aggravating tone contained within it. Sanji squinted, taking in the drawn eyebrows, the rough facial features that made it look like he was permanently scowling. He wasn't sure how it was possible, but…
"Zoro?"
"Took you long enough, Cook. Are you done wallowing in the past?" Sanji crossed his arms, struck by a sense of déjà vu. So his initial suspicion was correct, it was a dream despite the fact it felt very real.
"I don't even know how you got here."
Zoro turned away from Sanji to grab a dish towel, ripping it into two pieces. "It wasn't easy," he said, binding his wound. "Usually, I slip in without effort, but this time your dream fought back. That probably says something about your state of mind."
"My state of mind?"
"Never mind, we have to go." Zoro held out his hand, looking at him expectedly, rolling his eyes when Sanji just stood there. Grabbing his shoulder, Zoro pushed him towards the rift. As a kid, he was at a disadvantage, not having his usual strength to rely on.
"Wait, didn't you say that thing was bad?"
Zoro stopped pushing Sanji, scratching his head in frustration. "I don't know what else to do. Talking to you does nothing and you keep getting yanked elsewhere. This is the only thing I haven't tried yet." Sanji looked up at Zoro, thoroughly confused by all the nonsense he was babbling.
Zoro shook his head, bending down to pick Sanji up, holding him effortlessly under one arm. "No more questions. Let's see what happens, shall we?" Sanji kicked his legs, unsure what Zoro thought he was doing. This was his dream, wasn't it? I should be in control, he thought, yelping when he dropped from Zoro's grip, shifting from a child to an adult in the space of a second.
"That was different," Sanji said to himself, flinching as Zoro came to stand over him, his expression dark.
"Why are you fighting this?"
Standing, Sanji drew on his lit cigarette, falling back into the usual swagger that had defined his life as an adult. "Because I have no fucking idea what you're doing."
"I'm trying to save you, asshole!" Zoro shouted, one of his hands gripping a sword hilt out of habit. Sanji narrowed his brow, fascinated, wondering how Zoro had reached this conclusion. He gestured to their surroundings, ignoring the tear in reality that he had no explanation for.
"From a dream?"
"Not just a dream," Zoro growled, moving towards him. "Outside, in the real world, you're- oh, fuck this." Without warning, he punched Sanji in the gut, making him double over, coughing. "I've had enough of this bullshit." Zoro pulled his arm back, aiming for the throat, smirking when Sanji dropped his head as he saw the punch coming.
Too late, Sanji realized he'd given Zoro the perfect shot, having put his chin in line with Zoro's fist. Laid out flat on his back, reeling from the blow, knowing he was losing consciousness, Sanji felt a hand grip his ankle then the world blacked out entirely, taking him with it.
Thursday
He was wrapped in warmth, at least everywhere but his face, and trying to grip the edge of the blanket so he could pull it over his head, Sanji started when someone gasped next to him.
"Sanji!" Even though he hadn't opened his eyes yet, he identified Usopp by voice alone. He was sniffling as he grabbed Sanji's arm, squeezing it tightly. "You're finally awake…" His throat burned when Sanji attempted to speak, and Usopp lifted his head, his face covered in snot and tears.
Confused at the excess emotion, Sanji tried to sit up, abandoning the motion when it made his stomach lurch uncomfortably. His chest hurt, even breathing in sent a faint flicker of pain along his nerves. Usopp wiped at his nose, smiling at him, unaware he looked quite the picture. He jerked, finally releasing Sanji. "I have to get Chopper, be right back." Usopp raced up the ladder, his voice still thick with emotion as he yelled, "He's awake!"
Luffy whooped noisily, footsteps pounding away until Chopper screeched, sounding as if he was standing next to the main mast. "You can't visit him, not yet. Let me see how he's doing, okay?" Straining to hear anything more when the conversation overhead went faint, Sanji took a moment to look around. Since he'd been sleeping, he assumed he'd be in his hammock, but everything beneath him was soft and solid with plenty of room to stretch should he need it.
It was the couch in the men's quarters. The foldout bed had been pulled out and Sanji seemed to have every blanket on the ship atop him. Despite that fact, he was still cold, huddling deeper into the bed until he noticed Zoro sitting in one of the room's corners, a sword resting on his shoulders. His eyes were shut and Sanji knew he'd snuck down here to nap. Lazy bastard.
Sanji looked down on his lap when his fingers touched wetness. The washcloth was cold as he picked it up, staring at it, struggling to understand why it was here. His head ached like hell and only one of his nostrils was working correctly. Someone started chuckling, Sanji immediately glaring at the source when Zoro laughed harder in his corner.
"Don't you remember, Eyebrow?" he asked, seemingly done with his private joke.
"The hell you.." Sanji's words died when they came out strangled, scarcely audible. Feet came down the ladder and Sanji was relieved to see Chopper, though the pensive look on his face was unsettling. His eyes were slightly wet and Sanji tilted his head, intrigued. What the fuck was going on?
Taking a deep breath, Chopper patted him on the shoulder reassuringly, going straight into doctor mode. Before he could say anything, Chopper shoved a thermometer in his mouth, effectively silencing him. He removed it a moment later, looking much happier.
"He doesn't remember." Chopper peered at Zoro, then back at Sanji.
"Hmm, what's the last thing you remember?" Frowning, feeling uneasy and sick to his stomach, Sanji thought back. He'd been in the kitchen, it was really hot then…nothing. It was a complete blank. "It's okay if you don't. It's unusual, but not unheard of." Sanji stared at Chopper silently, unsure if this was all an elaborate joke or not. Maybe he was still asleep. Dreams within a dream happened, didn't they?
Chopper shook his head. "Before I explain, have you ever been sick?"
"What kind of question is that?"
"Just humor me, please. Chickenpox, mumps, flu?"
Sanji's barely working brain sparked and he suddenly knew why Chopper was asking after his medical history. "No, I've always been pretty healthy." Raised in the Vinsmoke household, where weakness was looked down upon, being tough was the norm.
Chopper hit the palm of his hand, pleased with himself. "I knew it, your reaction was severe enough that only having no immunity explained it."
"You got sick and collapsed, idiot," Zoro translated, probably thinking he was being helpful.
"Basically, but it hit you hard. Your temperature was dangerously high and you've been in and out of consciousness the last three days. Delirious at times as well." Sinking back into the bed, Sanji threw an arm over his eyes, wondering what he'd said when his body had been on autopilot, under constant attack from germs. ~Nothing major, mostly names.~ Small favor then, there were things he'd rather not drudge up from his past.
"Wait," Sanji said, raising his head from the pillow, almost panicked at the possibility that popped up in his head. "Are the girls okay?" The mental image of both taking sick made his insides go cold with dread.
Chopper waved a hand, dismissing the idea outright. "No worries on that front, I've restricted access to those who would be susceptible to the virus." Having seen only Zoro and Usopp thus far, had everyone else been barred?
Thinking of his fellow crewmates raised another concern. "Who's doing the cooking?"
Zoro coughed in the background as Chopper smiled reassuringly. "We've been taking turns. Nami and Usopp do the most meals though." Nami wasn't a surprise. She'd cooked for the crew, albeit for money, before he'd joined up on the ship.
"Tell me Luffy's been kept away from the kitchen."
"Of course," Chopper replied quickly. Sanji tried to keep a healthy balance in his crewmates' diets and picturing Luffy stack mounds of meat on the kitchen table was horrifying. There was more he wanted to know, but the effort of maintaining the conversation any longer was too much. He was so tired, his eyelids weighing a ton. Sanji vaguely saw Chopper turn to Zoro who nodded in response to whatever he'd said. Was he being minded by Zoro now? What a scary thought.
Zoro was suddenly standing over the bed, one of his pant legs stained with red. ~Shut up and sleep, asshole.~ Maybe it was just his muddled frame of mind, but Zoro's mouth hadn't moved at all.
~Oh, he's up.~ Opening an eye, Sanji proceeded to close it again. He'd felt something brushing against his forehead and the washcloth in Zoro's hand silently answered his inquiry. How long had he been out? It felt like mere minutes yet the darkness outside the porthole window told otherwise.
"Have you been here the whole time?"
Zoro finished wringing out the washcloth, moving it towards Sanji after rewetting it. "No, Chopper took over some."
"Why are you here anyway?" It hurt to talk, but Sanji was curious why he hadn't seen anyone else but Usopp so far.
Zoro lowered the washcloth, giving him an incredulous look. "Really? I was in an enclosed room with you two times the day you collapsed. Chopper's essentially put me under quarantine until he's sure I avoided catching the infection."
Recalling the fun he'd had with Zoro in the storeroom, Sanji felt guilty he'd been completely unaware he was coming down with something. He would never have subjected Zoro to such risk if he'd known. "…You're okay though?" Sanji asked quietly, surprised when Zoro smiled slightly.
"Seems so, now stop moving already."
Forcing himself to stay still, Sanji expected him to slap the washcloth on, but Zoro was gentle about it. He couldn't help but think his interest in Zoro was well-founded. He could be a massive brute and bastard, but he wasn't all hard edges. When his guard was down and when it really counted, he was at heart a nice guy. He really did love...
Zoro's face went pale, looking extremely uncomfortable and nervous in his seat next to the bed. Sanji couldn't understand the abrupt change. "What the fuck's the matter with you?" The brief glimpse of vulnerability ended as his features shifted back to his usual neutral expression. Perplexed, Sanji gave a mental shrug. He really did love Zoro's gruff exterior despite all the shit he gave him. Peeling it off layer by layer was entirely too satisfying. Sanji loved a challenge and Zoro provided him that.
Zoro sat back in his chair, relaxed now. Coughing madly to clear his itchy throat, Sanji only heard the last of Zoro's words. He wasn't even looking at Sanji, gaze focused with laser precision on the floor. "…died, you know."
"What?"
Zoro chewed his bottom lip for a moment then looked at Sanji severely. "You died, just for a minute. Chopper avoided mentioning it, but it was close. I think if you'd been under anyone else's care, you would have."
Sanji was dumbfounded, both at the information and the no-nonsense way it had been delivered. "From germs? That's a fucking terrible way to go." He must have worried the crew to death if even Zoro was glad he was still breathing.
"It's not funny."
"How do you expect me to react to that shit? You know me. I'll beat anything, even some sneaky virus."
The fist on Zoro's knee tightened, gaze going sharp. Anger looked good on him. "You need to take better care of yourself," Zoro cautioned, his voice a low rumble. "Think of Nami and Robin." Sanji always did, they were bright angels on an otherwise dark ship. They weren't the only reason he stayed, there was a goal to meet and not only for himself. Zoro himself was becoming…
Again, that yearning, near fearful face on Zoro as if he was waiting expectedly for a physical blow. Somehow, seeing that, Sanji's will to resort to a smart-ass retort lapsed. His throat was tight, not caused by his illness this time. "I'll watch out in the future."
"Good." If only so I don't have to see that expression on your face again.
Friday
Sanji shifted onto his side, suffering a fine headache, and found no relief despite the change in position. It was a pounding hot heat inside his brain, and even his eyes burned when he closed them. Most of it was down to his fever, which spiked and lowered on pure whim. Sanji had been plied with blankets, and even then he still shivered at the occasional chill. He'd ejected everything from his stomach hours ago, and his throat was raw. He had killed one box of tissues and was already halfway through another. In short, Sanji felt terrible.
"I don't wanna!"
"Don't be stupid, Luffy. Mine's just as good."
"Liar! Sanji's food is the best."
Even though he could hardly muster up enough strength to sit up, Sanji valiantly tried to stand. For a moment, he thought he'd succeeded then his legs gave out and Sanji panted, a weak sweating mess on the floor. He'd just started to get up when Chopper chose that moment to enter the room, immediately shifting into his human form.
He easily picked Sanji up, depositing him onto the bed gently. He pushed the covers back on Sanji firmly and stared down disapprovingly. The silent accusation was heavy. Sanji's body chose that moment to betray him, proving Chopper's point as it sent him into a sneezing fit, making his eyes water.
"I heard Luffy outside and thought I'd-"
Chopped tsked, taking a seat. "Cooking's the last thing you should be doing. You need rest," he advised, wringing out the washcloth and reapplying it to Sanji's forehead. The cold compress felt so damn good, Sanji lost the desire to talk back. It wasn't that he didn't trust his friend's instructions, he simply hated feeling useless. He couldn't even walk properly.
"You have to let your body heal. If you don't, you'll be bedridden even longer." Grudgingly, Sanji nodded his agreement. Chopper busied himself taking his pulse and temperature, even listening to his heart. Before he took away his stethoscope, Sanji grabbed Chopper's arm, the furry limb freezing at the contact. He caught the reindeer's gaze and smiled, genuinely grateful he had someone so well-versed in their trade taking care of him.
"Zoro told me," Sanji said simply, Chopper flinching, eyes going wide. He still couldn't remember the apparent near-death experience, but as worn out as his body felt, it was something he couldn't ignore. Especially when his friends had had to pull him out of it. "Thanks for having my back."
Chopper dropped his eyes to the floor, blushing. "I didn't do that damn much."
He still couldn't take a compliment well. Sanji gently squeezed Chopper's arm then released it. "You did enough."
His head pounded, a nonstop rhythm that pulsed with each beat of his heat. His forehead was damp with sweat, body wracked with chills. He was antsy, feeling like his skin had grown too tight around him. It was utter hell and only thing would release him: a cigarette. Chopper had explicitly banned them, stating they would slow the healing process. Logically, Sanji knew he was right, but the knowledge did little to fill the nicotine void. I hate this.
He must have made some kind of noise because Zoro heaved a breath as he stood up, annoyance dripping off the exhalation of air. Zoro opened up the port window, pausing to look up at the ceiling with a look of concentration. He nodded to himself before taking his seat next to the bed again, reaching for the side table drawer. A familiar cellophane square resided within his fingers as he drew his hand back, Sanji automatically trying for it.
The corner of Zoro's mouth quirked upward, gradually popping the top of the case, sliding a cigarette out in slow motion. "I fucking hate you," Sanji hissed, well aware he'd gone from grateful to venomous in an instant.
"Is that any way to talk when I have something you want?" Damn you, Roronoa Zoro.
"What do you want?" Sanji asked, resigned to his fate. The lone cigarette rolled from finger to finger in Zoro's hand, Sanji unable to look away from it.
Zoro's smile grew wider and he loomed over Sanji. "You know that bottle of sake you think you've hidden so well?"
Sanji's brow narrowed in irritation, how long had Zoro known about it? "Pick something else. Any swill will do, won't it?"
"Okay then," Zoro said, starting to put the cigarette back in the pack.
"Wait!" God, his head hurt. Sanji nodded his surrender to the greedy price, Zoro smug as hell as he finally lit the cigarette. Sanji snatched it eagerly, the first few drags euphoric. Within a second, his headache was gone and his eyes closed in pleasure as he savored the absence of the withdrawal symptoms.
As he worked the cylinder down, he hoped the faint breeze outside would sufficiently rid the cabin of the cigarette smoke. Sanji wondered why Zoro had even helped him in the first place. Outside of their trysts, they lived to torment one another. Keeping Sanji in agony was in Zoro's best interest, wasn't it?
"I'm not a sadist," Zoro announced randomly. "You've got enough on your plate without having to deal with tobacco cravings."
Given a sharp look, Zoro glanced at him. "That's what you wanted to ask, right?" He hadn't expected an explanation but supposed it must have shown on his face. Sanji was honestly surprised Zoro spent so much time caring for him without complaint. He was usually short-tempered with next to no patience it came to people's bullshit so glimpsing his softer side was strange. Roronoa Zoro the Nurse.
His throat seized as he contemplated the mental image, doubling over, all too aware that he had to keep his cigarette above the covers. Feeling like his throat was filled with rocks, Sanji finally loosened them up enough that he could breathe normally again.
"The cigarette was a bad idea." Zoro plucked it from Sanji's fingers, chucking it out the port window a second later. Sore and unbelievably tired, Sanji groaned in defeat. I'm definitely not getting any more, am I? Casting his eyes down in a threatening manner, Zoro growled, "Don't tell Chopper. I don't want to hear the lecture."
It would have been funny if Sanji weren't thinking the exact same thing. "Me either."
Saturday
Given the all-clear by Chopper that he wasn't contagious anymore, Sanji found himself invaded by the rest of the crew. Luffy ran straight for him, jumping onto the bed and wrapping his arms again and again around Sanji until he had tangled his limbs, sobbing into Sanji's shoulder.
"You can't die, dammit. I have to eat your food, Nami's been trying to kill us."
A fist struck Luffy's head, Nami glowering at him as she towered over the bed. "I am not! Keep that up and I'll do it directly."
"You can try," Luffy replied, sticking out his tongue, his tears all but gone.
"How ungrateful as you can be?"
"Now, now. I'm sure Cook-san is eager to get back into the kitchen. All in good time though," Robin said from the other side of the bed, using her Devil Fruit ability to fluff up Sanji's pillows.
"Robin-chan." God, he loved the girls on this ship. Strong but sweet and completely irreplaceable in his eyes.
Done squabbling with Luffy, Nami sat down on the bed next to Sanji, ignoring Luffy's groan as she pushed up against him.
"Sanji-kun," she started, regarding him seriously as she put a hand on his cheek. "I'm glad you're feeling better." She smiled kindly, looking downright angelic, and Sanji's pulse raced wildly, sure his face was bright red.
"You're gonna give him a heart attack." Shooting Zoro a glare, who only rolled his eyes in response, Sanji put a hand over Nami's. There was a shadow in the navigator's eyes that wasn't pleasant to see.
"I'd welcome it if you were the cause," he reassured her, happy to see her gaze brighten considerably.
"You're so silly." Nami retrieved her hand, leaning over him to untangle Luffy's arms, careful to keep them from hitting Sanji. Aware he probably didn't look his best and hadn't bathed properly in days, he sank deeper into the covers until Nami had pulled Luffy away from the bed.
"How long until I can go back to the kitchen?" Sanji asked Chopper, who'd been standing next to the bed, seeming happy to watch things unfold.
At his question, Chopper put a hoof under his chin, putting thought into his reply. "I don't think you're up to moving, much less handling food. Three days at the most."
That wasn't the answer Sanji wanted to hear. He held up two fingers, trying his best to look as healthy as he could, likely failing despite his best efforts. "Two days."
Chopper narrowed his eyes. "Two and a half."
"Two," Sanji repeated, more firmly this time. Chopper was probably right, but that didn't mean he couldn't negotiate with him.
Chopper stared Sanji down, looking for weakness, before throwing his hooves up in exasperation. "Fine," he growled. "Two days it is. Just take it easy, all right? I don't want you to relapse." Sanji pumped his fist in the air, elated he'd managed to shave a day off his recovery time. He couldn't wait to get back into the kitchen.
Usopp jumped onto the end of the bed, patting his foot beneath the covers, beaming at Sanji. "If you're worried about boredom, we can help you pass the time." He smiled, glad he had such good friends to keep him company.
Sunday
"I can walk," Sanji said, peeved that Chopper was lurking so close. His legs dangled over the edge of the bed, Sanji pausing before moving further. His head felt muzzy and the room swayed around the edges if he moved too fast. He was tired of being cooped up. Another day stuck in bed, staring at the same four walls, and he'd go nuts.
One step at a time, Sanji told himself, leaning back on his arms and pushing forward. His feet hit the floor successfully, but staying on them proved difficult. Shit, he still had to go up the ladder to breathe fresh air and secure a shower.
"Sanji, maybe tomorrow, yo-"
Sanji held up a hand, shaking his head. "I'm going up top and you can't stop me." I can be so fucking stubborn sometimes. Five long minutes later, Sanji cleared the last ladder rung, thrilled he'd made it this far. The wind picked up, a breeze sweeping the main deck. Some of the internal fuzziness vanished, Sanji sighing happily. What a difference. The crew had tried their best to keep him entertained, but there was only so much reading and card games he could stand.
His true aim in coming up top had been to bathe and Sanji barely took a look at his crewmates before he commandeered the bathroom, stripping off his simple sleepwear. As soon as the hot water hit him, the tension in Sanji's shoulders dissipated, happy to finally wash off all the sweat and dirt from almost a week of bedrest. He'd made due with a water basin and towels, but it was a poor substitute for an actual shower.
Too late, Sanji remembered he'd forgotten another set of clothes and lingered under the shower head, contemplating what to do. Resigning himself to a cold walk in a towel, Sanji stepped out of the bath and was surprised to see someone had snuck in while he'd been occupied, taking his old clothes and leaving a set of familiar black ones atop the toilet. Wishing he knew who to thank, Sanji looked into the mirror and grimaced. His facial hair was a bit wild and though he should have expected it, his face was gaunt and pale.
Expelling food from your system for two days straight did that. His upper chest was marred with garish greenish yellow bruises, which brought home the reality of the situation. If Sanji had been part of a different crew and he'd caught the same virus, he wouldn't be here now. It was a sobering thought, one that made him feel thankful he'd been in the right place at the right time.
Slinging a towel around his waist, Sanji grabbed the can of shaving cream and went to work, his goatee tidy once again. He ran a comb through his hair, briefly styling it with some gel then added a touch of cologne before dressing. The moment he finished putting on his tie, Sanji felt like himself again. He was still a bit shaky, but feeling much better than he was twenty minutes prior.
Leaving the bathroom, Sanji surveyed the snow-covered main deck, going to lay his arms on the ship railing. He put his chin down on clasped hands and closed his eyes. The pirate flag flapped noisily overhead and a seagull cried out as it flew by.
Usopp sneezed, more than once before groaning. He sniffed, "Too much pepper extract."
"Luffy, did you catch anything yet?" Nami asked, her voice coming from the kitchen behind him.
"Of course. Show her what we caught, Zoro." A beat before Nami screeched, a smacking sound capturing Sanji's attention. Curious, he opened an eye and laughed. There was a bucket on Zoro's head, a dozen or so eels twitching on deck amid a large puddle of water.
"I'm not cooking those. No way, no how."
Yeah, eel was difficult, even for those who were familiar with the protein. Not only did the skin and the bones have to be removed, but eel blood was toxic and one could seriously be sick if it was accidentally ingested. There was nothing halfway about the ingredient, it was well done or nothing. Fish were much easier to cook in comparison.
Zoro yanked the bucket off his head, cursing. He stomped back to the railing Luffy was sitting on, fishing, and though his anger was plain to see, said evenly, "She wants us to keep trying." A number of hands spouted from the deck floor, slowly pushing the no doubt disoriented eels back into the ocean. Sanji smiled broadly, waving at Robin, who was sitting in a chair underneath an umbrella, her hands clutching an open book. She nodded back at him, looking content.
If he hadn't been sick, Sanji would have danced to her side, complimenting Robin on her compassionate nature. Women were so much more complex and sophisticated than men, it was pathetic. Their outer shells, the round delicate beauty, hid an inner strength that was downright stunning to view at times. Zoro got on him for treating women better than men, but when you knew they were the superior sex, could Sanji really be blamed for giving them their fair due?
Monday
From his seat at the table, Sanji stared at Zoro's back, his muscles playing against his shirt as he continued chopping on the kitchen counter. As expected, Zoro was impressionably adept with his knife skills, making short work of the potatoes and vegetables that would form the basis of a soup. Though he was feeling considerably better, Sanji was forbidden to cook and forced to play spectator was frustrating.
The only thing keeping him from ignoring Chopper's wishes completely was that he'd been allowed cigarettes again, which kept Sanji in relatively good humor. The other crewmembers had left to explore the winter island, needing to stock up on food after Sanji's unscheduled absence.
In all, he'd lost a whole week. Three days of suffering the worst, which thankfully Sanji didn't remember, then another three days spent recovering from the illness. He was anxious to get back to his normal routine and some of his impatience was directed in Zoro's direction unconsciously.
"You're cubing everything?" Sanji asked worriedly, wishing Zoro would move to the side so he could see the result of his work.
"Yes," Zoro growled, the knife falling harder than necessary against the cutting board. The kitchen was his domain and letting someone else take command of it felt alien and wrong. Try as he might to appear laidback, inside all Sanji wanted to do was shove Zoro aside and assume control.
Zoro was all about destruction while Sanji had always considered himself a creator, constantly inventing with a myriad of elements and flavor profiles. Sweet, sour, bitter, spicy. There were countless ways a dish could come together depending on the chef's intention. In the right hands, the time between a handful of ingredients and a finished plate could be downright sacred. Through him, life carried on unchanging.
The knife suddenly stopped moving as Zoro stood silent. "If it really bugs you that much, you can…supervise." The last word had been mumbled, but Sanji made it out easily due to his close proximity. Rather than question it, Sanji moved his chair closer to the counter, at such an angle that he could see down the length of the wall. So long as the fridge door remained close, that was.
The cuts were perfect, each morsel of food uniform, ensuring that the soup ingredients would cook uniformly. It was galling and at the same time impressive. Unsure of how he felt exactly, Sanji nodded, approving the work and prompting Zoro to continue onward.
At the sight of the large beef shoulder, as it was removed from the fridge, Sanji began to worry in earnest. It had been an expensive buy but was of high quality, the marbled lines exquisite. An almost perfect mix of fat and protein; passing it up had never entered Sanji's mind. "Do I need to leave you two alone?" Glancing up, Sanji saw Zoro grinning, entertained by his reverie.
"No? All right then." Smart-ass. Zoro skimmed off the silver skin, slicing any large masses of hard fat that in all likelihood wouldn't tenderize or cook down. It was exactly what Sanji would have done, which was downright eerie. "What are you so surprised for? I do more than sleep and train. I pay attention even when everyone assumes I'm not. Even to your cooking."
That hadn't been what Sanji anticipated and uncomfortable, he sneered derisively, "Monkey see, monkey do, huh?" Falling into old habits, Sanji immediately regretted he'd even opened his mouth. Zoro had pretty much admitted he found Sanji's cooking skills interesting enough to remember, taking mental notes. It was a high compliment so why couldn't he say anything nice in return?
"Something like that." Zoro's cool reply didn't mesh with the tic pulsing on his forehead, Sanji surmising he was keeping his temper in check so he could finish the meal. Taking a heavy drag on his cigarette, Sanji reminded himself that if Zoro could do it, so could he.
"Cube that as well," Sanji instructed shortly, getting up to collect a skillet and large soup pot, putting them on the stovetop.
On the way back to his chair, he saw Zoro had kept the onions separate from the rest of the vegetables like he'd suggested. He actually listened to me, Sanji thought, a tad stunned. "As if I could shut you out," Zoro muttered quietly, pushing the cubes of beef off the cutting board into a large bowl. Raising a brow, Sanji sat down after moving close enough to the counter so he could lean his elbows onto it. "Now what?" Zoro asked, putting the knife down.
Amused at the knowledge he was controlling Zoro like a puppet, Sanji pointed to the onions and cubed beef shoulder, hoping Zoro could keep up despite the fact the recipe was simple. "Put oil and butter in the skillet and brown both of those. If you overcook the meat, I'll hit you."
"Should the sick person really be threatening the healthy one? I have a knife, you know." Letting out a chuckle, Sanji pointed harder at the stovetop, Zoro finally moving to do as instructed. Figuring Chopper's doctoral advice meant he shouldn't actually touch the main ingredients, Sanji disappeared into the pantry to get spices, measuring out the qualities needed into a bowl. He almost ran into Zoro on the way back, back stepping and silently handing him the bowl.
Zoro shook his head but didn't push the bowl aside upon placing it on the counter. With the meat and onions done, yet not too much so, Sanji had Zoro toss them in the spice mixture, coating it all. Next was the easy part, adding the liquid elements, seasonings, and meat to the soup pot. The flavors needed time to develop correctly. Seeming relieved when Sanji told him they were done for the moment, Zoro took a seat at the kitchen table.
"Tea?" Sanji asked, standing by the counter.
"Yeah, why not?" He kept a variety on hand and ultimately went for Earl Gray. With the back burner on the stovetop free, Sanji filled the teapot with water before placing it over the controlled flame. It wouldn't take too long and he decided to wait it out, leaning against the cabinet behind him, his eyes settling on Zoro.
"You're doing good so far," Sanji said, needing the hot drink to soothe his sore throat and figuring Zoro deserved something for tolerating him. Considering their track record, it was remarkable.
"Great, glad I could impress," Zoro said sarcastically, then added, "It's not so hard." Thinking that statement over, Sanji poured hot water into two mugs and added the tea bags before walking to the table.
"You do realize I made it simple? A gorilla like you couldn't handle anything too complicated," Sanji said, putting the mugs down on the table. He hoped Zoro wouldn't need any sugar or creamer. Coughing into his elbow when his throat tickled, Sanji stubbed the last bit of his cigarette into a plate, unwilling to admit that his energy was flagging and he really wanted a nap. God, I'm turning into Zoro.
"Hmph. Who's Reiju?" Sanji choked on his tea, the hot liquid threatening to invade his sinuses. Taken off guard by the random question, he took his time recovering from the shock, having to blow his nose. Sanji must've mentioned her when he was delirious. The last he'd seen Reiju, she'd told him to never return. He doubted things had changed much since then and likely Sanji wouldn't see her again.
Feeling melancholy, gauging whether or not to tell the truth, Sanji finally looked at Zoro who was waiting expectedly. He wasn't big on gossip or even stories in general so it was probably safe to broach the subject freely. "…My sister."
Astonishment crossed Zoro's expression and he seemed at a loss for words, his mouth hanging open slightly before he closed it. "She helped me out of a tough situation a long time ago."
"In the North Blue?" Sanji narrowed his eyes at Zoro, wondering how he knew that. He tried very hard to keep the past where it belonged, preferring the present instead. "I told you, I pay attention," Zoro reminded him, a playful smile hovering on his lips.
Sanji couldn't help laughing, feeling as if he'd been one-upped somehow. "So you do." He took a sip of his tea, savoring its curative effects. Already, his voice was coming out smoother, not as coarse as before. Zoro leaned over the table, both of his hands around the mug, studying Sanji curiously. "You don't talk about your family a lot."
"There's not much to tell, they're gone."
"Sorry." Sanji chuckled humorlessly. Sadness was not the emotion he felt when it came to his blood relatives. If that was even the right term for them. He'd gone on to find a much better, albeit unusual, adopted family, never regretting the decision to start his life anew. "What about yours?"
Zoro shook his head. "Not in the picture." Not bothering to elaborate on what he'd said, he peered at Sanji over his mug, hiding the lower half of his face. "…Why tell me all this?"
Sanji decided Zoro was too precious for words. "Isn't it obvious?" I trust you. Why the hell else would I get involved with you? When Zoro said nothing, Sanji gestured to the stove, signaling Zoro to return to it, looking sullen as he did so. "Add everything else you cubed earlier as well as the can of tomato paste and corn." Normally, Sanji would make his own tomato sauce, but considering Zoro's skill set, taking the shortcut was understandable. It would yield the same results anyway, even if the taste wouldn't be as full-bodied.
"Thanks for doing this," Sanji said, knocking Zoro's elbow as he sat down so he stirred with the wooden spoon rather than leave it sitting still in the soup pot.
"I know you must have been dying to go with them after being cooped up with me." All that was left now was waiting for the vegetables to soften and the soup to thicken up, then dinner would officially be complete. Zoro shrugged his shoulders, most of his attention on the food, probably glad they were almost done.
"I don't mind. I got to catch up on my sleep," Zoro deadpanned, causing Sanji to laugh, smoke escaping from his mouth since he'd just taken a drag on his cigarette. Turning his head so as not to blow it entirely in his crewmate's face, Sanji thought they were starting to get along better. Case in point: they hadn't come to blows during the cooking lesson. True, he had snarled at Zoro a few times, but that was to be expected.
They fell into a comfortable silence, the only sounds that broke it was the wooden spoon as it scraped the bottom of the soup pot and the sizzle of Sanji's cigarette as he slowly killed it. When twenty minutes had passed, Sanji got up and tasted the soup, using a clean spoon so as to keep any germs to himself. It was delicious, having just the right consistency. Zoro had proven himself a capable student, following nearly every order to the letter.
"We'll make a cook out of you yet," Sanji quipped, patting Zoro on the back on the way to the pantry. He stepped inside, then knelt down on the floor. Sanji swept aside the first row of the canned goods on the bottom shelf, exposing the back row. In the darkest corner sat a wooden box, its seal unbroken.
Heaving a sigh, Sanji grabbed it, ruefully thinking he shouldn't have given into Zoro's price for a cigarette so fast. He returned to the kitchen table, placing it in front of the swordsman. Zoro ripped the lid off and almost reverentially lifted the light blue glass bottle out of the wooden container, his eyes lighting up upon seeing the label.
"Junmai Daiginjo sake, 750 milliliters of citrus overtones with a crisp finish. As promised." Sanji was nothing if not a man of his word. He appreciated Zoro's respectful attitude of the liquor and handed over a shot glass so Zoro could pour himself some. As soon as it passed his lips, Zoro's expression turned downright blissful, a broad smile in place. That something as simple as rice wine could make him so happy said a lot about Zoro's personality.
Though he could be an infuriating nuisance at times, Zoro was a relatively uncomplicated man. He didn't try to hide his flaws and usually came right out and said what everyone was thinking in a crisis, even when no one wanted to hear it. Being so forthright was probably why he got into fights so often. Not everyone wanted the truth all the time. Sanji refilled Zoro's glass once more time before screwing the cap back on, Zoro's features tightening in irritation.
"I didn't say anything about giving it to you all at once, did I?" Scornful, Zoro clutched his glass roughly, near pouting. The kitchen door opened wide, admitting the rest of the crew, laden with packages and bags. Immediately, Sanji went to help Nami and Robin, taking their burdens and quickly sorting out what had to be refrigerated and what belonged in the pantry. Luffy shrugged off his winter coat, leaving it on the floor, oblivious to Sanji's glare. He slid in beside Zoro, who grunted, putting a hand on his right leg, his face pinched.
"Zoro?" Chopper stepped up, going to him and peering at Zoro's leg. "You're bleeding a bit. What happened?"
Looking as if he didn't want to explain, but pressured to do so, Zoro said, "I must've run into a loose nail somewhere." Sanji flashed on the image of Zoro crawling through a hole, a black shape on his leg before the memory shut off, leaving him bewildered. Where had the image come from and how did Sanji know Zoro was lying about his injury?
I hate a mystery, Sanji thought to himself, getting the groceries put away. When he looked towards the table again, Chopper had finished tending to Zoro's wound and was sitting on the other side of the swordsman. With Usopp's assistance, Sanji dished out the soup Zoro had worked so hard on, giving Luffy a particularly hefty serving. Getting to see the effect your food had on others was one of the main reasons Sanji had wanted to be a cook in the first place.
"Seconds, please!" Luffy said seconds later, his bowl already empty, evidence that he approved the dish. Luckily, there was plenty to go around, and he wasn't the only one who asked for more of the soup. Though he didn't say anything himself, Zoro was half-smiling in his seat, seeming self-satisfied. Sanji let him savor the moment, deciding Zoro deserved the praise, even if most of what he'd done was following directions.
Tomorrow, things would go back to normal with Sanji doing what he did best. Capable and efficient once again, where he belonged, cooking in the kitchen. It couldn't come soon enough.
Sanji went to the back of the ship, the opened sake bottle and two ochoko cups in tow. The others remained behind in the kitchen, Luffy and Usopp on dish duty, and the girls chatting about their earlier outing. With Sanji out of the woods health-wise, they would be setting sail soon, likely into warmer waters. Zoro's winter coat was thick and long, stopping just below his knees. With an elbow on the railing, he was looking out at the snow-covered island, white tipped mountain caps visible in the distance. Strikingly beautiful but perilous.
"Wish you could have gone with the others?" Zoro's shoulder twitched and Sanji knew he'd startled him. Not an easy task nowadays.
Zoro turned around, his gaze going straight to the sake bottle and cups, doing the mental math. Smiling wryly, he said, "Chopper won't like you drinking in the cold."
Sanji wiggled the bottle in his hand pointedly. "I heated it up, at this point it's medicinal."
"You sly bastard." Zoro motioned with his hand. "Gimme." Looking skyward for a second, Sanji moved to stand next to Zoro. He placed the cup in his hand and carefully poured the hot sake into it, steam rising in the air, Sanji's gloves protecting his hand. Doing his own afterward, Sanji blew on it until he could stand to sip the liquor safely. It was strong, overwhelming his taste buds until the fruit notes overrode the alcohol, finishing cleanly.
"Goddamn, that's good," Zoro said contentedly, holding out his cup for a refill. Sanji did so before leaning back against the railing.
"How's your leg?" he asked innocently, one eye trained on Zoro to gauge his reaction. His crewmate stilled, glancing at Sanji, something darting in his eyes before disappearing. He was making an effort to play it cool, which confirmed he was hiding something.
"It's fine. Chopper fixed it up nicely."
"I'll bet he did," Sanji replied, noting was Zoro was wearing the same pants as earlier. A blood stain still lingered on the material. "He even managed to save the pants."
Zoro scoffed, staring in his sake cup. "What the hell are you talking about?"
Sanji finished his drink, the sake burning his throat pleasantly. "Usually, you get injured on the leg, the clothing gets torn. Depending on the severity, it might be ruined."
Zoro was glaring at him now. "Your point?" Sanji put his empty cup down next to the sake bottle on the ship railing, the snow crunching loudly.
"I know it wasn't a nail, Zoro. You're being all mysterious and shit and I don't know why."
He reached up and patted Zoro's cheek. "I'm going to find out sooner or later, trust me on that."
Zoro's jaw tensed and his pupils dilated, but he showed no other sign the words had hit the mark. Sanji lowered his hand, starting to turn away when as Zoro suddenly spoke, his brow furrowed in determination. "You can try, Cook."
His interest peaked, knowing a dare when he heard one, Sanji smiled fiercely. "Challenged accepted."
To Be Continued…