Nami broke the sense of camaraderie between the men when she walked up waving money. "This is in case there is a village or shops to restock".
Sanji reached for the cash with his usual bright smile for the lady plastered on his face. That smile faded into a look of confusion as Nami leaned in close whispering, "I put a bit extra in just in case". She then winked and sauntered off to the upper deck where Ussop and chopper were setting out the food from their packs for a picnic lunch.
It seemed only 4 males were headed to shore this trip ashore. It made sense since there was no dock and the mini-merry only held four people max so it would take a few trips back and forth to get everyone there. Even more once the provisions were loaded. The crew, mostly their captain, ate a lot so it may take two trips just to bring the food from shore.
"Ready?" Zoro's deep voice shook him from his thoughts.
Shoving the bills deep into his pocket he lit a fresh smoke, "Yep. Let's do this".
Zoro grinned as he grabbed their one pack and that's when Sanji realized he'd packed their food into only one pack instead of separately like he did with most of the others. Law and Luffy's were packed in one since he knew they would be together exploring. He couldn't help the blush that graced his cheeks when the realization hit him.
Zoro had started heading below deck at a leisurely pace and Sanji was left to follow. Luffy had shot himself and Law across so they had the mini-merry all to themselves for the short crossing. They had just settled in and were leaving the belly of the sunny when he heard Nami's voice from above.
Nami was leaning over the railing saying, "If there isn't any village you know what to do".
"Yes, Nami my sweet," he answered with hearts for eyes.
He'd thought ahead and packed some large bags into they're and Luffy's packs. Law carried a den den mushi with him, Luffy couldn't be trusted with one unless absolutely necessary, so he could contact them with the one in his pocket and let them know they needed to gather supplies. Zoro had one but Sanji doubted he had it on him since he hated the noise and bother most of the time and since they were together it didn't matter. If it came down to manually acquiring supplies he hoped Law could keep Luffy reined in enough to actually not overdo it as he was prone to do. The ship could only hold so much after all.
Shooting a sidelong glance at his fellow passenger Sanji wondered what the day would hold and had a feeling it would hold a competition between the two if they had to hunt for supplies.
"Like what you see shitty cook?"
Sanji blushed and averted his gaze. He hadn't realized he'd been looking at the moss head long enough to be caught out.
"That color suits you", Zoro said with a grin when Sanji didn't respond.
Blush deepening and spreading from just his cheekbones to cover his cheeks Sanji was glad to see they were at the beaches edge and he could put some distance between them. Even in a relaxed position the green haired male had an impressive physique and their shoulders touched at the slightest wave. Sanji wasn't sure when he became so aware of the swordsman but beaching the little boat was like a God send.
Once their feet touched the pale sand of the long narrow beach they had moored the Sunny by Sanji wasted no time getting out and trying to nonchalantly lighting a cigarette. He hoped the calming burn of the smoke down his throat would calm his nerves.
"Damn that moss-for-brains," he muttered while taking a deep drag off his cigarette.
Having slung the pack over one shoulder Zoro looked at him inquisitively, "You say something cook?"
While releasing the lung full of smoke he hadn't realized he'd been holding Sanji turned and headed towards the woods, "Nope."
Zoro shrugged and simply followed the cook deeper into the island, "So do we have a plan or just going to wander around?"
"Of course we have a plan shitty moss-head," was the reply tossed over a shoulder.
Quirking an eyebrow at the blonde, "Mind sharing?"
"First we will find a high vantage point and see what the island has to offer." Looking the muscle bound male over from head to toe as they walked, "That is if you can keep yourself from getting lost."
Looking a bit sheepish the swordsman grunted something incomprehensible and closed the gap between them a bit more.
Thus reassured the other wouldn't wander off, at least not for a while because no one knew what might happen during their time on the island, Sanji stubbed out his now finished smoke and looked around for any incline that might give them a better look at the island. When they'd anchored he was busy making sure his job as ships cook was done and didn't really scope out the island like he should have given that he couldn't count on his directionally challenged companion.
"There's a rise over there," Zoro said pointing to the left.
"And how would you know that?" Sanji asked.
"Saw it when I was raising the mainsail".
Sanji stopped and looked in the direction but headed right instead of left.
"Hey, where are you going?" Zoro asked indignantly.
"I'm heading towards the hill you mentioned seeing." Sanji replied.
"I said it was that way not this," Zoro replied hastily.
Sanji stopped again. He turned to face his crew mate dead on, "I know. I also know you have no sense of direction." Seeing Zoro flinch slightly at the words he eased his posture a bit and continued, "Listen Zoro we all know that if you need to go left you go right and vice versa. We can't be good at everything and while you can handle most things directions are not your forte".
Zoro grinned, "Ok, I'll just enjoy the view."
All Sanji could do was blink at this reaction from his rival. Usually all he had to do was mention being directionally challenged and they were fighting like feral cats and dogs. This was something new and he wasn't sure how to deal with it so he lowered his guard, turned back around and started walking again with the swordsman following closely behind.
The island was good sized but nothing huge so it didn't take long before they reached the summit, if you could call it that, of a hill that allowed them to look over a good portion of the island through the fence like trunks of the scattered trees.
There didn't seem to be any village, or any inhabitants for that matter, and that meant they'd have to gather supplies the hard way… manually. However, it didn't seem like it'd be too difficult as the swordsman pointed out a waterfall not far from them.
"We could go there, have lunch, and maybe swim before we start gathering some supplies for the ship." Zoro pointed to the waterfall.
Sanji could only stare with jaw slightly agape.
"You'd like that wouldn't you?" Zoro asked.
Sanji loved the water and all it entailed such as swimming, fishing, sunbathing, beautiful ladies in bikinis, soft breezes, and above all the quiet. Quiet was something he rarely enjoyed with Luffy for a captain. The boy just couldn't be still or quiet. Even sleeping he was noisy and snored loudly while tossing in his bunk. The waterfall would be perfect for some relaxation but how did Zoro know he'd like that spot in particular?
As if reading the blondes mind, "I'm not stupid nor am I completely unobservant." he said with a blush dusting his cheeks. "You like the water and quiet almost as much, maybe more if you'd be honest about it, than women. Seeing it close by it seemed perfect."
Still gaping Sanji could only give a small nod before being snapped out of it by Zoro's next words.
"Then while you relax it shouldn't be too difficult for me to gather supplies to take back with us," Zorro smiled and his swords clinked when he placed a hand on them.
"Wait just a minute." Sanji started but was cut off when Zoro started walking away, in the wrong direction of course.
Zoro stopped after he dodged the foot the cook swung towards his head, "Oi what the hell cook?"
Sanji couldn't help but grin a little at the look on the others face. It was a combination of emotions flitting across in rapid succession. Not limited to confusion, questioning, irked, and battle ready. Even his hand was tightly gripping the hilt of Wado Ichimonji.
"Come on, shitty moss-head," Sanji started in the direction of the waterfall. "We can fight when we get there regarding your idea that you'll be the only one gathering supplies."
Relaxing his grip Zoro quietly followed Sanji to the waterfall. It was gorgeous. Lush foliage grew not far from the edge of a small sandy patch of sand that might be called a beach, if you could call such a small area a beach. There was also a small, though larger than the beach, area of grass that would be perfect for a picnic and so Sanji strolled over and motioned for the back Zoro still carried.
Sanji noticed Zoro gazing longingly at the falling water and said, "Once we eat we should have some time."
Zoro silently looked at him quirking a brow in question.
"It means you can swim," Sanji wasn't the only water lover, "or meditate or whatever."
Zoro nodded in understanding and turned his attention to the area surrounding the pool of cool water. They wouldn't have any trouble gathering various food items to take back with them. The trees lining the small clearing had branches which were heavy with what looked like fruits. Some he'd never seen before but he'd trust the cook to tell him what was edible and what wasn't when the time came. It wasn't like it was the first time they'd done this sort of thing and the cook was well educated as his profession required.
Sanji felt the swordsman's gaze land on him as he finished unpacking the lunch and placing the last bit of food on the blanket he'd brought for the picnic. Never let it be said he wasn't prepared.
"Lunch is ready," he said without looking up and quickly filling a plate.
It only took a couple steps for Zoro to join him on the blanket and take the plate Sanji held out to him. It was piled high with his favorites.
"All my favorites...thanks cook," he said as he grabbed a fork and started eating before adding. "It's delicious as usual."
Sanji felt his cheeks become warm again and wondered if he'd ever get used to hearing compliments from his rival crew member.
"Glad you like it," he said shyly and popped the cork on a bottle of wine he'd brought.
Zoro looked at the bottle of wine the cook was holding with appreciation before noticing a couple bottles of sake. It was then he smiled widely at the blonde as he grabbed one to wash down the food in front of him.
This time it was his ears he could feel heating up and averted his blue eyes towards the beautiful view before him. Everything was perfect he thought. Clear skies, warm sun, light breeze, cascading and rippling water giving off a hint of spray, and the sound of birds in the surrounding woods adding the perfect background for enjoying good food and wine on a first…
Hold on just one damn minute. Was he thinking… date? No, that couldn't be it... could it?
He was grateful when he choked on his mouthful of wine as the redness it caused covered the raging blush he knew was covering his face, neck, and ears. He really needed to get his shit together.
Meanwhile, Zoro lightly patted his back to help him clear the blockage. He wore a condescendingly concerned look as he waited for the cook to regain his ability to breathe freely.
"You ok?" he asked, barely containing his laughter, once the coughing fit had ceased.
Sanji just nodded. He couldn't trust himself to look at the other man and started rifling through the pack as a distraction from his thoughts.
"You're not packing up already are you?" Zoro cocked his head to one side, "I haven't finished drinking and you haven't eaten anything."
Sanji could see him eyeing the other couple bottles of booze he'd brought along, "No. I'm looking for the den den mushi so I can contact Law and Luffy. They need to help us restock."
Reassured the swordsman went back to eating and drinking while lounging comfortably on the blanket in the sun. Damn if his golden skin didn't glow in this light. It didn't help the cook's frame of mind to see supple muscles sliding under tanned skin.
Get it together dumbass, he thought as he finally located what he was looking for and started the process of contacting the other pair on the island.
Making a simple call should have only taken a matter of a minute or two yet add Luffy into the mix and it turned into a lengthy ordeal. It didn't help that Zoro was laughing his head off during Sanji's struggle to relate the message to the two captains that they'd need to forage supplies while before heading to the ship.
Sanji sat there holding the snail like apparatus in the palm of one hand while cradling his glass of wine in the other the whole time listening to the two at the other end childishly fighting over who was going to talk and what was going to be said.
By the time he was finished with the call he was exhausted and had finished the bottle wine he'd opened. Luckily he'd brought another and promptly opened it and drained a good portion before even considering using the glass in front of him.
Zoro finally calmed down and wiped the tears from his cheeks. Sanji saw this and wondered if he shouldn't make those real tears instead of those from laughing so hard at his dilemma just moments ago. A few good kicks would do the trick, he thought.
Before he could put thought into action Zoro drained what was left of his second bottle of sake, kicked off his boots, and stood. He stretched lazily before peeling off his shirt and started working on slowly disrobing the lower half of his body. It was as if he knew Sanji was watching, and he probably did damn him, with the way he slowly stripped in an unabashed way.
Sanji, realizing he was staring, tried to look away by turning his head to the side. Problem was his eyes didn't follow and stayed glued on the sight before him. It wasn't long before Zoro stood there in naked glory and Sanji felt a nose bleed coming on at the same moment the swordsman tossed a saucy grin over his shoulder along with a wink and walked slowly into the pool of water just a few feet away. Once he was deep enough he dove under the water and that broke the spell for the cook.
Of course he wanted to see the other male break the surface, skin glistening with drops of water, but he'd be damned if he'd let the other know he got under his skin. So he did the most rational thing he could think of… he turned around, away from the water, and downed the last of the wine in his glass muttering, "To hell with that perfect masculine body dammit."