Zoro couldn't even imagine that his little trip to the kitchen would turn out that badly.
It was just dawn as a swordsman's training came to an end. His muscles were aching slightly, while fresh sweat ran through his bare back and chest, leaving light shone brightly on them under the influence of sunlight. His face had a self-confident smile in it when an uncountable amount of dumbbells were raised and lowed for the thousandth time with an unexpected easiness. He put dumbbells on soft green grass. 'Nothing is better than the cold alcohol and some sleep after a morning work-out'- Zoro thought, slowly raising and wiping sweat from his forehead. 'It means that I need to go to the kitchen. I hope that that jerk won't be in here...but really, why will he? I guess, that bastard-cook is now watching his seventh erotic dream, what other can he do?'.
Everything seemed good and fine until Zoro understood how cruel the reality was. He just started to get accustomed to the new ship's environment. Sunny was a big ship itself, even more so if considering the previous one, Going Marry: there were a lot of rooms, library, kitchen, cabinets...hell, there was even an aquarium with lots of fishes inside! Still, though he did like some renovation and comfort which it gave, there was one important problem - he had no idea where to go despite the fact that he had been traveling on it for a while.
After an unknown period of time (it's better to leave details behind for the reader's safety) swordsman finally reached his destination. He couldn't tell himself how long it had really taken to come in here, but it was hard not to leave a sigh of relief when he saw familiar walls of the kitchen. It was clear that the cook was there and green-haired man would need to deal with him, but Zoro could leave the pride aside for a while, because sake wouldn't drink itself, right?
And, yes, he wasn't mistaken: Sanji stood in his usual place, preparing the ingredients for the future meal. The room was so quiet that only swordsman's arrival, full of small sounds like a noise of the steps, his hard breathing after long training, a light ringing of swords inside the sheaths attract blonde's attention. When Sanji was turning his head, Zoro was thinking about his upcoming insults but received only a formal nod in the end. It would scare green-head if he wasn't so concentrated on the thirst and fatigue.
-Oi, ero-cook, is there any sake left-? - asked Zoro, slowly moving closer to the fridge. He had a hope that a «redhead witch", how he called our sweet navigator, wasn't the one to reach alcohol first.
When swordsman was gazing intently at the fridge, cook started to search for something in his pants' pockets. After all, he found out a small copper key, pained in a light-gray color.
-Take it,- he said to Zoro,- everything you find is yours... - he mumbled sweetly and gave an item. Swordsman stared at him suspiciously but didn't change his tone of voice.
-You are strangely calm. Did you finally swallow your poisoned tongue?
-What do you mean, Zoro-san? I can see how tired you are and don't want to bother you with any conversations. But, if you are in a mood to talk – I am here for you.
...It was the moment when he felt wrong. Green-head didn't know where to start...oh, no, he did: Sanji said his name properly, even using the honorific "-san". It was rather a sadistic joke or he should find a good doctor. Zoro couldn't believe that Sanji was able to speak normally, so he tried to search for a deep meaning. 'Does he need something from me?'
-Also...-Sanji had remembered about something and continued his speech with a grin. -Didn't Chopper-san inform you that drinking alcohol that early in the morning isn't the right thing to do?
-damage received-
...It's bad for your health!
-Critical damage!-
We are friends, I'm worried about you!
-You are dead. Want to try again?-
Zoro was in pain and had a hard time trying to understand what was being said. His survival instincts insisted on running away, but pride was defending his honor. He decided to attack.
-What's with you today, ero-cook? Your politeness is making me sick,- his words were so confident that Zoro himself started to calm down, - If you want to talk with somebody that badly – try to find your dear mellorine!
Blond was a little confused with that statement.
-"M-mellorine"? What does it have to do with an ice cr...,- he was about to finish, but then stopped abruptly. His grin became even bigger,- Ah, I think I get it! Is it like a new slang word? Zoro-san, I didn't know that you're so into this!
After that swordsman was left speechless, and even those words, which sounded like an old man trying to follow trends, weren't that scary to him. If blond himself didn't know his own phrase than there's no way to help anymore.
Now that level of danger was beyond any expectations, Zoro had forgotten about his pride and tried to run away as quickly as possible... but when he tried to, Sanji's hand touched his shoulder.
Scream of horror and confusion could be heard on the different side of the Grand Line.
Luffy was very tired. And no, it wasn't because of hight mental or physical activities – he hadn't even been able to wake up properly and there already were some problems. Captain was worried about the cook, his rubber stomach started to eat itself and the sun had just raised!
Straw hat decided on checking Sanji immediately and ran to the kitchen as fast as a bullet from the gun. Blond was confused and nearly dropped his ladle after the loud opening of the door and unexpected noise coming from it. His eyes... or, more likely, the eye was directed on the young man's face, who came nearer and pull poor Sanji closer by the stylish and tidy sky-blue shirt.
-Sanji! - Luffy screamed with genuine seriousness, without losing his grip. - Zoro said that you are acting strange today. Is it right?!
-Eh... - twirly-brow felt silent for a moment, still looking on his captain's face. Slowly the answer awkwardly flipped from his lips, breaking the uncomfortable pause. It was hard to tell if it was really an answer or a question. -No?
The time stopped moving for a while. Luffy narrowed his bright black eyes, which looked like they could see through your whole body. He didn't move even in an inch. Black-haired captain's face had an image of a clever idea on it. Even so, he said:
-Are you sure?
Sanji nodded uncertainly.
-...
...Ah, then it's okay! I started to worry a little! - he said with an honest relief and finally released the cook from his tough grip.
On the kind, rubber face appeared a happy grin...but the idyll was broken by a hard grumble of Luffy's stomach.
As was being said million times, it was an early morning. Nico Robin, after exiting from her own cabin with Chopper, tried to close the door as quietly as possible (making sure not to wake up still sleeping navigator) using her "additional" hand.
At first they just stayed in here, silent, because Robin still didn't have a proper plan. On the one hand, if she decided on just talking to him, it might show the truth without trying; but on the other one, …what could she do to help him? Cook-san had always had a good impression on her and, even if she sometimes disagreed with some of his 'life positions', his kindness hadn't come unnoticed. She really did want to help her nakama, but what could she possibly do?
...In the end, she decided on understanding the situation first, and then improvise with solving problems.
Historian's long monologue was interrupted by Chopper, who shyly pull the edge of her coat. It was easy to understand the meaning behind this action – 'it's time to go, or something can happen to the cook-san while I am procrastinating'
-At least let me accompany you to the kitchen...,- murmured reindeer, still in fear. Even so, he held a determination in his words. Historian was too kind to tell him otherwise and reject his suggestion because she did know that it might hurt him.
They started to go together with adamant intentions, and it slightly reminded her of a queen at the castle, who had always been accompanied by an honorable, brave guard. Robin followed him with a happy expression but kept silent all that time. She could feel the fire in Chopper's soul rising with new power, new light much brighter than before...
. . . but it quickly extinguished in the air when they had finally arrived.
-W-well, then y-you can go on yourself now...- said reindeer, moving closer to the door knob. His hooves and knees were visibly shaking. All attempts to make a calm face were so bad, even Luffy wouldn't believe in them. -I-if something happens, don't worry, I'm n-not scared, just call m-me...
-Yes, of course...- she answered with an awkward smile and came inside the kitchen. She could tell for sure that she saw that he had crossed his "fingers" by her lateral vision.
When Robin came inside, she saw a familiar profile of cook, who had just recently finished the preparation of ingredients, and now was getting ready to start with the main part of cooking. Then he heard steps behind him. Sanji greeted her in a friendly way, and then returned to do his work. She stood here in pure silence.
'Nothing unusual, it seems...',- historian thought, involuntarily placing her palm on the soft part of her chin,-' I should look attentively, there's no need to rush'.
-Cook-san? - she asked as sweetly as possible to attract his attention. She needed to continue researching.
-...Yes, Robin-san?- he copied her manner of speech and answered as kindly. Nico immediately noticed that he had left usual friendly honorific '-chan' behind, and used more official and strict
'-san' instead. She decided not to mention it, at least for now.
-Could you make me a cup of tea, please?- Robin hid her expecting gaze behind a big smile.
Sanji nodded in agreement and pushed the chair forward for her comfort. She happily accepted that small gesture and sat slowly with honest gratitude. Even if her appearance was happy and calm, her eyes were sharp, like a knife, and they ran suspiciously through the room in search of clues.
While blond was adding fresh, fragrant-smelling tea leaves into the middle-sized kettle, the historian was thinking intently about her research.
'So, what do I have? Firstly, there's no hearts in his eyes anymore, as well as usual compliments, but he didn't forget about his gentleman side after all. His behavior is less, eh, "in love with any woman" like, but more serious and calm. Maybe doctor-san was talking about that? No, it is too early to make a proper conclusion...'
Sanji was acting like a professional butler: he carefully poured boiling water into the small fragile porcelain cup, and, without dropping his soft warm smile, continue looking at her face. Not even one little drop had dripped from the cup and fall on the table's wooden surface; not even one stubborn leaf had run away because of a sea breeze's pressure, didn't leave annoying green debris – everything was ideally clean, like if they were using that table at the first time. Amazing smell of a good-quality drink filled the emptiness of the room while tickling nose with a nice aroma of some juicy berries. She was about to thank him for such a service, but Sanji quickly moved closer to the fridge and took freshly cooked lemon pie, and carefully placed it to the left side of the stove. Cook used an ordinal-looking silver knife to cut a cylinder-like piece of the pie, and, after finding saucer, put that piece in it. Soon white porcelain cup and nice-looking pie were lying together, ready for her to taste them.
-Cook-san!- the woman couldn't help but scream out of amazement. -When did you cook it? Yesterday, if I am not mistaken, you had presented something else... Did you make it at night?
Sanji was not able to hide his happiness, but answered with an unfamiliar shyness:
-No, I finished it about an hour ago. I was worried that if I leave it in here, something might have happened because of the warm weather. You know, that Grand Line's climate...
-When did you wake up then?- it was too hard to hide her curiosity, her eyes were bright with wonder. 'Now it's about 6-7 o'clock. If he had already finished his cooking, then when did he started? At 4? At five? Who is cooking at five o'clock?'
Curly-brow backed away awkwardly, putting left hand on his nape. Sanji's middle was leaning on the clean (excluding some of his preparation materials lying on it) table top.
-Eh... You know, sometimes inspiration comes to people,- he made a little pause, trying to finish that sentence properly,- ...even more so if you have insomnia.
And then he realized that he hadn't given a clear answer to the question, because of what he hastened to correct the situation:
-It was about four, I guess.
Robin didn't know how to react. On the one hand, she could understand him because she also did like to do things at night, and even more, insomnia wasn't that unfamiliar; but, on the other hand, even her maximum could end reading at four, but cooking at that time... Everybody had their own methods, she thought.
-Hah, it looks like you are an early bird...- she finally found words to tell him. Sweet aroma from the tea distracted her a little, but she still was capable of thinking about her main target.
He nodded with a happy grin.
-Cook-san...- she finally decided to attack him. -Do you want to join me? It's still early, everyone is sleeping at this hour.
He looked at the ceiling with uncertainty and, after a little brainstorming, decided to accept.
-...If you don't mind.
Sanji sat close to her, in a hurry pouring himself some tea and taking out a small, less attractive piece of cake. Because he was the one who had prepared it, he did know any flew of his creation and so intently chose the worst part of it. Nico wasn't sure if he did it just because of his today's strange behavior or it was an everyday practice, but she felt guilty nonetheless. She promised herself to be more attentive to the cook after it would be over, but now wasn't the time to think about that. She didn't want to tell him about her concern straightforwardly, but it wasn't good to continue that uncertainty. Robin decided on the golden middle.
-Cook-san, sorry for being rude, but you are way too polite today, even considering gentleman side of yours.
Historian was a little upset that it really was too straightforward, but it was too late to change anything.
Sanji answered with a sigh of surprise and took a slightly cooled drink in his big hands. He, like a cat, touched tea slightly with his tongue and, after understanding that it was still too hot for his likings, returned the cup to the place it belongs to in embarrassment. It was hard not to smile, but Robin was tough enough to resist that urge.
-Do you think so?- he answered with another question, but at this exact moment she wasn't offended by such signs, which were usually considered as bad manners. -In my opinion, I'm acting like always. Eh, but if you think that something is out, I can...
-No-no, please, don't mind me... - she interrupted him, the raven-black haired woman didn't know what was happening anymore. It was really strange, but...
-Robin-san, sorry for my curiosity, but what are you reading now?- the historian was taken aback a little, but quickly regained her composure. 'He is just trying to be nice and keep up the conversation, play along with it'.
-Me? I'm afraid that you will not find anything interesting in this...
He shook his head hard, trying to give her a hint that she should continue.
-...Fine. As you know, I hope, my biggest interest at the moment is an investigation of the Lost century. Ever since my stay with a Crocodile, there were a lot of exotic books left, because, of course, even pseudo-rulers have some power. I can't say that I have already finished reading them, it's just the twelfth volume I'm in, but I can say that they are really helpful with my research.
-Too bad...- said Sanji with a note of nostalgia in his voice while taking a spoon of cake. Robin didn't get it at all, and, after he had noticed her face, full of incomprehension, he did all his best to explain himself. -I just remembered that I had a big library then I was a kid. If I still had that big amount of books, it would help you a lot. Too bad that I don't have an opportunity to share them anymore...
Robin didn't know why, but somehow, even understanding that she knew nothing about him and shouldn't be a spy because of that, she felt so warm inside. Something about his words made her feel happy. Strange desire to know him better appeared in her head, and if historian wanted to know something, there was no way to stop her.
-Cook-san? Could you tell me more about this?
-W-what are you talking about?- he said, copying her previous incomprehension.
-You said that you had a big library in the past, right? Cook-san, you were also interested in reading?- she was worried that it sounded rude as if she had intended it to sound as if she thought that he was stupid, even if he wasn't. He didn't show any signs of offense.
-Yes, but, sadly, it mostly was not the literature you are interested in - she noticed that when he was talking about childhood, his eyes held that bitter flame of a sadness. He did all his best to change the topic so that they would be comfortable with it. -I studied history back then but did not give it such importance as you did. I preferred science and adventure books and then became interested in culinary.
-Adventure novels? It is so romantic...- she said with a playful giggle. Sanji answered her with a sweet smile.
-Yeah, there should be another reason to join this crew except for a childhood's dream,- she became more and more interested in this conversation.
-What was the last book of this genre that you read? - Robin continued her examination while drinking not-that-hot-anymore tea with an incredibly tasting lemon pie, in which you could easily see a hand of a true genius.
-Hmm ...- cook thought about it carefully, eating his own piece. -I recently mentioned this book. If I am not mistaken, it was before our arrival to the Sky island. Do you remember "Norland the liar"?
As strange of a coincidence it might be, it is the last book of this genre I had read... Maybe it's because we had mentioned it not that long ago that it influenced my memory a little, I'm not sure myself.
-Really?- historian's face shined brighter than the one of a happy small kid. -And what about...
...And they had a long discussion. Nico Robin got indescribable satisfaction after finding such an interesting interlocutor. It seemed that not only Nami could keep the conversation going, which made the woman extremely happy. She hadn't thought that the cook was stupid, but he exceeded all her possible expectations with his unexpectedly deep knowledge of different subjects. Sanji wasn't just well-read, it looked like cook was a nobleman, who had a big collection of all kinds of books of completely different thematics and genres, leaving an image of a well-educated, intelligent man. It was so amazing that Robin hadn't noticed that their little banquet was over.
As the last crumb disappeared from a plate, as the last drop of a drink evaporated from a small delicate cup, Sanji, like insane, ran to wash the dishes. But, as he finished, his face shined with a shy and guilty smile.
-Thank for the сonversation, Robin-san. I had known that, without a doubt, you were amazing, but it seems that I did underestimate you,- when she was about to argue with that statement, Sanji continued,- I regret to say that, but, even if I want to, I have a work to do. The dish I am about to prepare takes hours to make... If I am late for breakfast, our rubber captain will eat me.
It was a fun joke, but that wasn't enough to fill that strange emptiness in her soul. She felt so sad that it was time to end the conversation. The woman smiled understandingly and thanked him before returning to her cabin. Robin was completely clueless and didn't know how to react because she was too (pleasantly) amazed by a sudden change of his behavior. And what she supposed to tell Chopper now?