Zoro's idea of a gift was something someone didn't have. From him at least. He knew Sanji loved validation and he couldn't get enough when Luffy complimented his amazing food over and over again.

Of course, the captain was completely overbearing with his praising, which honestly was unnecessary, because it made that idiot cook's ego grow the size of an elephant. More so, it made Zoro kind of bothered by it. The way Sanji would smile like an angel and even pet Luffy on the head. For some reason, he didn't like that.

Not like he was jealous or something, he couldn't care less. And he certainly didn't want to be pet on the head like that. It was just too ridiculous, that's all. And even so...he thought he might try it. Since it was Sanjis birthday, he could give him something he never gave before. It should be easy enough.

Except... it wasn't.

"Hey, cook."

"What, marimo."

"The food. "

"What about it?"

"It's not bad."

"Gee, what a relief." Sanji replied sarcastically.

"I mean. S'nice"

"Okay..."

"The taste, you know. Good."

"Are you... Trying to compliment my cooking?"

"No. Pft. Of course not." Zoro said automatically, almost forgetting he was supposedly trying to be honest. "Well... Yeah."

"Oh..." Zoro could swear he could see a blush grow all the way from Sanji's neck to his ears.

That was odd. Sanji certainly got very happy everytime the captain praised him, or anyone else for that matter. If the compliment came from the girls he would swoon around like an idiot with that stupid lovestruck face of his. But Zoro's never seen the cook flushed because of it before.

The blonde didn't thank him or anything, and Zoro didn't expect him too. But he poured an extra glass of sake for him, and Zoro just took it as his way of thanking him.

Well, maybe he should compliment Sanji more often. For the sake of course. It's not like he wanted to see more of his milky skin get flushed so beautifully because of him. Not at all.

Even so, he remained silly satisfied for the rest of that day. It was Sanji's birthday, but in the end Zoro got the best gift.