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11/26/22: Thanks to KumaZura for proof reading this chapter.

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Chapter 33

Gentleman

The next morning, Sanji slowly opened his eyes. He noticed he was back in his room although he remembered being on the aquarium's huge couch the day before. He suspected alcohol and fatigue had something to do with it. At his side, the swordsman was still sleeping and the sun was visibly already high outside. For once, he had enjoyed sleeping late. Delighted, he stretched pleasantly.

The cook turned to the peacefully sleepy fencer who was facing him and watched him thoughtfully for several minutes. The days following their decision about their new relationship had been chaotic and he hadn't had time to think about the concrete implications of their choice. And so, he was only now becoming aware of the thousand questions that came with it. Just this morning, in this bed, he didn't know how to behave towards the swordsman.

Admitting a mutual attachment was one thing, living it on a daily basis was another one. All the expectations of an ordinary relationship seemed incongruous when he imagined realizing them with Zoro. Offering small gifts? The blond didn't see himself bringing flowers to the fencer or even receiving them from him. Holding hands? The swordsman had been clear and he didn't want to hear about it. Kissing in front of their crewmates? At best, he would be entitled to a kiss on the sly. Finding him a less malicious nickname than those he was currently using? No way, he liked insulting Zoro too much!

Sanji sighed. How would they live their relationship if nothing changed between them, except for the words they had exchanged?

Finally, he thought about what he knew best: cooking. At mealtimes, he could still strive to show him particular attention. This idea seemed a good start and, excited, he gently shook the swordsman in front of him. "What do you want for breakfast, marimo-kun?"

The blond watched out for the fencer's reaction. It was just the two of them this morning so he could prepare whatever he wanted and enjoy it alone together. It was a rare enough occasion for him to seize it immediately. Unfortunately, Zoro mumbled something incomprehensible in his pillow before snoring heavily again.

Disappointed, Sanji shook him hard. "Tell me what you wanna eat or I'm gonna make you swallow your swords, idiot!" He then thought that threat may not be the best way to bring out an atmosphere suitable for the expression of their feelings. At the same time, talking to Zoro in this tone was natural to him and didn't seem abnormal.

"Don't care, do what you want," The man grunted, showing him he was right not to worry about it.

The cook narrowed his eyes for a moment before getting up. "You better be in the galley in twenty minutes 'cause I'm gonna make you the best breakfast of your life, mosshead."

It seemed that the swordsman had slightly straightened with his words, but he paid no more attention to it and went to the door as soon as he grabbed his clothes.

Sanji firmly stared at the fencer as Zoro walked through the galley door on time. He was ready and waiting for him. He had worked out a precise tactic and he had motivated himself to the prospect of this new challenge. He had planned everything to the last detail for the meal to send the swordsman over the moon.

Proud of his strategy, he removed the cigarette butt from his mouth and waved at him to sit down with a confident smile. "Rice balls, omelet and vegetable broth." Zoro's eyes widened as he took place at the table and he eagerly grabbed the first dish Sanji handed him. The blond then brought the other plates and finally sat down facing him to nibble a little.

After a few moments of silence, the cook glanced at the fencer, who was much too busy swallowing the contents of his plate to look him back. Disregarding his terrible manners, the blond cleared his throat. "So... you slept well?"

Sanji held back a sigh at the emptiness of his own question but Zoro didn't seem to mind. "Yeah. You didn't have to wake me up so early though."

"So early? It's past ten o'clock!" The cook got indignant.

The swordsman shrugged and greedily continued swallowing the rest of his perfectly cooked rice balls.

"You like it?" His crewmate dared to ask.

"It ain't bad. You used your magic salt?"

"No, not this time. I don't use it all the time; it's for special occasions."

"Too bad. Would have been better."

The cook frowned and considered giving a well-deserved clout to the reckless swordsman. Yet he was beaten by his next question.

"What's this feast for, cook? It ain't my birthday."

The blond rolled his eyes. He should have known the fencer wouldn't understand. He had noticed the meal was different but he wasn't able to make the slightest connection in his empty mosshead.

"What you think?" He ground, "Am I not allowed to treat you for once?"

Zoro warily looked at him for a moment before putting a huge amount of omelet in his mouth. "You are but knowing you, must be something behind it."

Trying his luck, the cook stared into the fencer's eyes as if to encourage him to continue his thinking and make him guess his true intention. Unfortunately, that didn't happen.

"Well, I don't know what's going on in a swirly eyebrows head. Must be something totally useless again," Zoro concluded, shrugging.

This time, Sanji was furious. "You bastard, I'm doing this for you, can't you see that?! You could at least say thank you!"

Zoro swallowed his mouthful of rice and watered it with a sip of broth. "Okay. Thank you." The fencer went back to his meal without paying him any more attention and Sanji blankly stared at him. This attempt at conversation was quite simply pathetic. Zoro and he were miles away from enjoying each other's company, let alone romantically.

The plates just emptied, the swordsman pushed them away and got up. Sanji then watched him leave the room, looking off and cursing his own propensity to go to a lot of trouble for those who didn't deserve it. However, the door barely closed, the fencer quickly reopened it and poked his head inside, causing Sanji a glimmer of hope.

"You got a bottle for me? I'm gonna train and it's gonna be hot."

Zoro didn't understand why he got the bottle in his face, or why the cook suddenly looked so furious.

As expected, the rest of the crew came back shortly afterwards in a merry hubbub. Immediately, the usual agitation took its course and the swordsman stopped his training for a moment so as not to bump into Luffy, Usopp and Brook who were running everywhere. He grabbed his swords and began to clean them carefully at the foot of the mast.

Robin, Franky and Chopper left to examine the little doctor's plants and especially the carnivorous plant that had had nothing to eat for two days. As for Nami, she wanted to settle down to read the newspaper when a blond tornado rushed towards her.

"Nami-san, you're absolutely radiant! May I offer you something to drink?!"

"It's true that I feel particularly in a good mood!" The navigator agreed with a dazzling smile. "Winning this contest and Zoro paying for the evening yesterday really cheered me up!" She then looked up for the swordsman and waved delightfully at him as he was clenching his teeth, keeping his eyes stubbornly on his blades. "I'd like a tangerine juice, please," She went on in the cook's direction.

"Right away, my princess!"

"Zoro, can I ask you something?" Usopp had left his two friends, who were laughing like madmen a little farther, and had walked towards the fencer still focused on his swords.

The man shrugged without looking at him. "Sure."

"Why are you letting your boyfriend coo at Nami's feet?"

"My what?" Zoro snarled, fixing a murderous gaze on him.

The sniper took a step back, immediately regretting his words. "Sanji. Why do you let Sanji swoon over her?" He cautiously rephrased.

"I don't care."

"It's weird," Usopp continued, watching the cook dance around the navigator.

"What you want me to say? Manipulation is in her genetics and this moron believes she really likes him."

"Yeah but still... Aren't you jealous?"

"And why would I be?" The swordsman got annoyed.

"I thought that... Well, that you..."

"I don't know what you were thinking but clearly, you were wrong," The fencer cut him short.

"Ah... It's a free relationship, is that it?"

Zoro frowned. What a silly question! Of course he was free in his relationship with the cook or elsewhere; he had always been, and that would never change. "Of course," He then replied confidently.

"Makes sense," The sniper mused. "But I didn't think Luffy and Nami were in the same situation. We think we know people and..." He walked away and Zoro shrugged again. He hadn't understood his last remark but he didn't care.

Before continuing to clean up, he glanced at Nami and Sanji, and realized why Usopp had called out to him. The blond was spinning around the navigator, setting a cushion down on her chair and giving her a drink, showing her the newspaper and urging her to sit down before asking what else she wanted with loud cries of love and pink hearts all over the place.

Zoro winced. It was disgusting. And to tell the truth, it was weird. The cook was always behaving this way with all the women they bumped into, and especially with Nami even more than with Robin because she, at least, had the decency not to take advantage of it too much. Why was the cook clinging to that harpy so hard? Zoro had never considered this effervescence with the crew women despite his decision regarding their new relationship. He knew Robin and Nami and they rebuffed the cook whenever necessary. Nevertheless, Sanji's attitude was puzzling him at this moment. He should ask him the question at least...

The midday meal went as usual in the midst of shouts of bewilderment due to thefts of food and cheerful conversations. Sanji hadn't used his new spice yet and although he was dying to, he was ready to sacrifice it if Nami decided to sell it. For her happiness, absolutely nothing would prevent him from doing everything she thought necessary.

Since the Log-Pose was going to finish loading at the end of the day, it was decided to use the time they had left to stock up. Zoro was assigned to accompany Franky to get some cola, Brook and Sanji to go shopping for food, and Chopper, Luffy and Usopp wanted to search for insects for the hungry carnivorous plant. For their part, Nami and Robin decided to stay on the Sunny for the navigator to make the accounts.

As the crew had left the table and Sanji was going to start the dishes, the swordsman crossed the galley doorstep again. "Franky wants to finish a repair before leaving; I got time for a drink."

Sanji was about to kick him out because he was still angry about his casual attitude in the morning but then he changed his mind. On the one hand, he didn't want the fencer to know that he had tried so hard for him and on the other hand, seeing Nami's radiant face since her return to the Sunny was warming his heart. So he shrugged and nodded to him to help himself.

Zoro grabbed a drink and sat down at the table while the blond was searching his reserve. "Tell me, cook, we were wondering about something with Usopp this morning," The fencer nonchalantly said.

"What?" Sanji asked, handing him his bottle.

"Why do you need to crawl at the feet of all the chicks who pass by? Don't you have any pride?"

In spite of all his good will not to start a fight, the cook felt his heart skip a beat and he tried to kick the head of the swordsman who easily dodged, smiling.

"Looks like a sensitive subject," Zoro sneered.

"Why do you need to disrespect them?" Sanji was annoyed, glaring at him.

"I don't disrespect them, on the contrary. I treat them like the others because precisely, they don't need your pity," The swordsman calmly explained.

"I don't consider them inferior," The blond pointed out. "Look at Nami-san! So beautiful when she's in such a good mood! And Robin-chan, so strong her bounty exceeds that of most men!"

Zoro rolled his eyes in front of so much enthusiasm. "So what's your deal?"

"Isn't it obvious, mosshead?" Sanji got impatient. "Women are sophisticated human beings, they shouldn't have to suffer from hunger or heat! They're made to be worshiped and I'm here to serve them. Period."

"That's insane," Zoro summed up, totally jaded.

"I'm not asking you for your opinion. It'd have surprised me if you understood anything about it anyway," The blond swept, looking for a cigarette.

"And it'd have surprised me that you figured out you're being ridiculous and they take advantage of you," The swordsman grunted, folding his arms.

"I don't mind," The cook said, shrugging. "Real women worthy of the name recognize my values and my principles."

"That's not the case with Nami..."

"Don't be ridiculous!" Sanji barked, perfectly furious. "Nami-san is one of the smartest women on the Grand Line!"

The fencer loudly sighed. This conversation was fruitless. "So even if you have nothing in return, you'll continue to bend over backwards to each one of their wishes?"

"Exactly," The cook approved, lighting his cigarette. "You got a problem with it?"

"No. That's just stupid."

The cook shook his head, saddened. "Maybe you'd like me to treat you like them, is that it?" He then provoked him. "You're jealous?"

"If you do that, I'll cut you in half," Zoro seriously threatened him.

"So what are you complaining about?" The blond sneered, looking him up and down. "Come on, don't worry. You're still my favorite," He added with provocation.

"I ain't worried!" The fencer immediately got angry.

"Yeah, sure," Sanji laughed at him.

"I'm telling you I'm not worr-"

"Fine, I believe you, now get out!" Sanji abruptly cut him short. "I have cocktails for Nami-san and Robin-chan to prepare before going shopping!"

"Fucking lunatic," The swordsman mumbled, taking the bottle with him.

Sanji watched him leave, diligently taking a drag on his cigarette. The fact that Zoro had replied so strongly showed him the man wasn't ready to admit his feelings. Never mind, the cook still had fun provoking him.

Zoro yawned. He was far from his mandatory daily sleep quota and his body was a cruel reminder. He hadn't been able to take a nap after his morning workout or after lunch when the digestion was heavily felt. The cyborg had quickly finished his repair and he had to swallow the rest of his bottle in a rush while he was being dragged to the city.

Looking through the shop window, the fencer saw Franky negotiating the cola barrels price. He felt his eyelids getting a little heavier and he congratulated himself for staying outside. Not only the fresh air did him some good, but also he had no desire to chat with the merchant in his narrow shop. As Franky still seemed in the middle of a discussion, he decided to sit against the wall of the shop and close his eyes.

"Hey, sleepy head, I suspect you were quite busy during the night but we have to move."

Zoro opened a grouchy eye and saw the cyborg was now out of the store. Yet, he would have sworn to have closed his eyes only for a few seconds… "Can't you handle it alone?" He mumbled, stretching.

"I'd like to but if I lost you, it'll delay us and cola doesn't wait. Can't let it stay warm for too long."

The swordsman stood up, cursing, and Franky winked as he grabbed the barrels at his side. "Come on, I know what it's like to be in love! You always want to be with the other and he must exhaust you at night, the little cook, but you still have to be operational during the day!"

Zoro froze, fingers a few inches from his barrels. He gazed with astonishment at the shipwright's mocking face and felt his cheeks burn. "I don't wanna be stuck to this idiot all the time!" He took offense. "And just so you know, I've always slept a lot! Were you here or your brain has fried, scrap head?!"

Losing his smile, Franky stared at him before sighing. "Someone's testy today... Did you guys fight again or what?"

The fencer ignored him to avoid wanting to punch him and grabbed four barrels before sinking into the crowd. The cyborg shook his head and muttered something about overly-touchy couples. He then hastened to join the swordsman who was already threatening to get lost.

When Sanji went back on deck to put his last bags away, he noticed that Franky and Usopp were loading the cola into the engine room and he went over to lend them a hand. The weight of the barrels was visibly hurting the sniper and when the cook took hold of it, he sighed with relief.

"By the way, did the temperamental boy go back to sleep?" Franky asked him, firmly steadying the barrels in their place.

"Who's that?" Sanji inquired, helping Usopp to move two others.

"The dude you call your man. Damn, he was furious earlier! I just made a joke about you two and he lost it!"

"Oh?"

"I bet he did," Usopp grumbled. "This morning, he downright sent me a death stare because I called you his boyfriend."

"It doesn't work out for him to be in love," The cyborg noted, shaking his head. "It's a shame, really..."

"Meh, you never know what's going on in his mosshead," Sanji summed up, shrugging.

"Luffy's the same," The gunner sighed. "He doesn't stop harassing Nami to show her the insects we caught for the plant. He doesn't get she's scared..."

"Oh, my God," Sanji ground. "I hate insects..."

"Really, he's not gonna get credit with her like this," Franky agreed. "She downright threatened to push him into the water if he continued and I think she'll do it. This girl isn't kidding."

The sniper shook his head at the stupidity of some of his friends and the boys finished setting the huge barrels down before getting ready to weigh anchor.

The crew had gone to sea again after dinner. Luffy had also fed his plant and had locked the rest of his insects in a box in front of Nami's growing hysteria. He had nevertheless decided to keep his new friends in the boy's quarter and Sanji had never been so happy to have his own room.

So when he entered the room a little later, Zoro was already dozing on the bed, wearing only his pants. The swordsman had been grumpy all evening, and the blond suspected that the lack of sleep had something to do with it. Indeed, the fencer couldn't recover after the cola purchases since Luffy had made the navigator scream at regular intervals, waking the first mate on the verge of a heart attack each time.

The cook took off his jacket and his pack of cigarettes slipped to the floor. He then picked it up to contemplate it absentmindedly. Strangely, this was his first commitment with the mosshead. No more smoking in their room. A first step towards cohabitation and mutual recognition of a space to share. Here, it wasn't about words, but the meaning was nonetheless strong on his part given his nicotine addiction.

Sanji turned to the swordsman. He had thought about the words of Franky and Usopp again and about his own questions. He was now wondering how much Zoro was taking responsibility for their new relationship and whether they would manage to make it live this way. He sat down on the bed and stared at the fencer.

"Is it gonna be our life now, mossman?"

The swordsman grunted and opened his eyes. "Huh?"

"I was asking you if this is gonna be our life now."

Zoro blinked several times, totally lost. He didn't understand the cook's question. The only thought that crossed his mind was that he had to be cursed for fate to persist in keeping him awake at all costs. He ran a tired hand on his face and sighed. "What are you talking about now..."

"Just today, you threatened Usopp and assaulted Franky when they talked about our relationship," The blond explained to him, "So I wonder if we'll spend the rest of our lives denying what we're feeling for each other in front of others and even when we're alone."

Zoro rolled his eyes. Those two poor little ones had come crying to the cook and now, it triggered a new existential crisis. Great.

"Don't be so dramatic. I don't like it when they imply we're frolicking like lovebirds is all," He grumbled. "It's just... degrading."

"Using the word "boyfriend" is frolicking and degrading according to you?" Sanji stressed, puzzled.

"It is," The swordsman firmly replied.

"So if the crew knows we fuck in every corner, it doesn't bother you but if one of them refers to our feelings, it makes you feel uncomfortable?" The cook summed up.

The fencer took a moment to think before slowly nodding. Indeed, said like that, Sanji could have doubts about their relationship's quality. Yet he had never been so exposed to anyone and he hoped the cook wouldn't be too mad because he couldn't do anything about it. He was already walking on the tightrope regarding his commitment and he was learning to handle it day by day.

"I don't know how to interpret all of that," His crewmate sighed. "I mean, we're supposed to have moved on to another step but in reality, nothing has changed. And I tried to make things happen in my own way this morning but I could see it didn't go very well..."

"This morning?" The swordsman wondered.

"Yeah. Breakfast."

Zoro turned his head to stare at him. So that was the hidden reason for this morning feast? Sanji had wanted to make him happy to show him that he cared about their relationship? Damn, that sort of thing was totally out of his reach. In addition, he was willing to bet that Sanji had put his whole soul into this attention. Was the blond going to wait for such acts from him? Was he only able to do it?

"Stop panicking, you idiot," Sanji chimed in, pulling him out of his thoughts. "I just thought the two of us could share a quiet moment, that's all. Nothing to worry about, it's no big deal."

"Of course it is," The fencer replied. "I know it's important for you."

Sanji gave him a small smile before slowly shaking his head. At least, the swordsman had understood something. He then realized his own attitude was the result of this unlikely relationship: he wanted to feel reassured. Yet he also knew Zoro wasn't comfortable with displays of affection, and obviously, it even applied to terms describing their relationship.

In the end, he put his head on the fencer's chest and felt him tense. However, the cook remained silent, giving Zoro time to get used to his touch. He trusted the man and Zoro had clearly moved into uncharted territory for him so Sanji needed to be patient. They needed to give themselves time to create new habits. They needed to let things slowly evolve. Clumsy conversations and overly thoughtful behavior didn't suit them, so they would move forward in their own way and find the best path. Their path.

"I don't care what other people think; we'll do it at our own pace," The cook whispered as he kissed the swordsman's scar.

Zoro gradually released his breath and finally put his right hand on the cook's hair who had settled down against his chest again. He didn't know what was going on in the blond head most of the time, but tonight he knew the cook was stepping aside to give him the space he needed and he was grateful.

Without thinking, he then ran his hand through the locks that slipped between his fingers. His feelings were still fleeting and fuzzy, but in those moments he felt they were getting stronger and he was learning more and more to enjoy them.

Each step can be an obstacle, and I truly believe it!

Don't worry they'll - probably - make it ;)