For your topic, Monimonika. ;)
Over Drinks
Topic: One-sided love of Sanji
Rating: PG-13
Pairing: Zoro/Sanji
Word Count: 360 (oops…another one that went over…)
Zoro knew two things the day he found Sanji alone, drunk out in the cargo hold, mumbling Nami's name in a way that was less annoying than his usual swooning but infinitely more painful to hear.
One, this wasn't the first time.
And two, it was unlikely to be the last.
He knew he shouldn't be bothered. Just because he dealt with frustration by doing insane amounts of training didn't mean everyone else should as well. Besides, alcohol was a pretty good alternative; in fact, something he himself rather approved of.
But it didn't stop him from noticing how the cook would, every few islands or so, volunteer to stay back to mind the ship. Didn't stop him from returning early, just so he would catch Sanji at it.
Zoro pushed open the door. It was almost becoming a routine now.
"Ah…Zoro, you're early." Half-closed eyes, booze-flushed cheeks, a deceptively cheerful smile. "Want some?"
He nodded, sat down opposite the cook and accepted the glass. By the semi-friendly greeting and the glaze in the blue eyes, he knew Sanji was already drunk.
And Sanji babbled when he was drunk.
About Nami, about his unworthiness, about life, about love, about Nami again, and then some more about Nami… And Zoro listened in silence, noting the painful inflection that accompanied every word.
He looked at him suddenly, with a heartbreakingly sad smile. "Love's a terrible thing, eh Zoro?"
"You're drunk." He said pointedly.
"That's the whole idea isn't it?" Sanji laughed, a broken little sound. But he got unsteadily to his feet and allowed Zoro to help him back to the cabin.
It was, after all, almost routine.
He was almost unconscious, but when Zoro settled him on the couch and drew a blanket over him, he spoke suddenly.
"Take it from me, Zoro," His words were sober despite his slurred speech. "Don't ever fall in love. It can only end in pain."
And with that, he fell asleep.
Zoro watched his sleeping crewmate; a wry little smile touched his lips.
"Too late." He whispered, brushing back a bit of blonde hair to drop a kiss on his forehead. "I already have."