"Fucking hell," Zoro cursed with a grim wince. Chopper scolded him various times for fidgeting so much, having to re-stitch the gash along side his throat repeatedly. Luffy and Sanji (the most injured at this point) sat across the two, quietly smoking an unfinished cancer stick and staring off dimly into space. The soldiers really did a number on the love cook; he didn't even realize the multiple cuts, bruises, and internal bleeding he was suffering at the moment. Could he blame it on adrenaline? Or perhaps...idiocy?

"Please, Zoro, flinching every time the needle goes in isn't going to speed this up," the little doctor explained. Sanji chuckled lightly, but it only succeeded in startling a terrible fit of harsh coughs.

Zoro gave a hoarse laugh; his voice was completely stale, "You're too fucked up to make fun of me."

"Ne, you can't even speak!" Luffy chipped in, giving one of his own unique giggles. Chopper would have smiled at their behavior if he weren't so pissed off. His poor infirmary was in shambles! His research papers were scattered all over the floor, along with everyone's medical files. The medicine cabinet was nothing more than a pile of sharp glass, rigid wood planks, liquids, gels, powders, and Chopper's disappointment. It was a hassle to simply find the needle and thread; how the hell could he prepare a healing salve in such a disorganized mess?

The deck emitted the most omnious sound the cook had ever heard on this ship: deadly silence. The girls were probably patching each other up in privacy in the galley, and Usopp took on the liberty of watch while everyone was busy. Luffy couldn't stop twiddling his thumbs with a somber look towards the floor; it was strange not to see a dopey smile on the boy's face. But Sanji knew this wasn't the time to smile of all things. The entire crew was all in their own separate little worlds, silenced by the very silence that consumed them.

Sanji hesitantly opted for putting out the cigarette, since his lungs were beginning to burn. He couldn't help but observe the swordsman's twitching features from the mild pain he was in as he did so, and think "This is the old Zoro. This is the old Zoro." He seemed less stoic and emotionally concealed. Normally, he would be hiding the fact that he was in agonizing pain with only a few grunts and clenched teeth, but it appeared that he was not only about to shed a tear, but also tell Chopper to...stop? Slow down, maybe?

"What is it?" Luffy whispered softly, sudden concern entering his tone. Sanji was surprised that the captain even noticed something was wrong with him, as if he could feel his nervousness too. Damn, was it that overt for Luffy to see through him? Regardless, the blonde shook his head, returning his attention back to the swordsman.

"You did change him, if that's what I think you're thinking," Luffy continues lowly. Sanji wasn't going to be rude; he still listened to what the boy had to say, even though his eyes were focused solely on Zoro. "I'd like to think what Zoro went through ususally changes a lot of people. For the better or worse; there's no way of telling yet. Ne, I don't doubt that he won't be fine physically. Everyone's wounds heal over any given period of time. But emotionally...Sanji, you know what you did, so I wouldn't unnecessarily bring it up. Zoro's just a regular person; it would affect him the same as the rest of us. I don't know all the..." Luffy flashed an uncomfortable look, "details, but details or not, Zoro's definitely scarred on his soul. It's plain to see from the way he acts around you, and I think you know that, too. Well, that's what I think is wrong. Any...objections?"

The cook's head was angled downward, making it unable to see his expression. Luffy waited patiently, however, and eventually the blonde sat up straight. His dried, bloodly cheeks were moist from relentless tears running from his closed eyes. Sanji whipped around to face him fully, the quick motion startling the doctor and swordsman only inching away. "Damn it, Luffy, I know. I fucking know there will probably never be a way to make this sort of shitty thing up, but give me a break? I'm trying the best I can," he whispered back.

"Your best isn't going to be enough, Sanji. Don't you get it?" Luffy scowled, "There's absolutely nothing you can do! So stop torturing yourself over this. We forgave you, and Zoro has, too. So why can't you forgive you?!"

"Is…everything alright?" Chopper asked meekly, ceasing his work on Zoro's neck much to the swordsman's relief. They both waited for an explanation, but received nothing more than an unconvincing grunt. Reluctantly, the little doctor went back to finishing the stitching, leaving the captain and cook to whatever they were conversing about previously. Zoro gave a worried look, but otherwise didn't want to know that badly.

Luffy returned to a stern yet reassuring octave as he placed a hand on Sanji's shoulder, "Look, I've seen how fidgety you both have been. What I'm saying is that if you love each other, you need to reestablish the trust between you guys. It might not be easy, but the first step is letting the past stay in the past."

Zoro's eyes darted over to the captain's at that moment, but he couldn't move until Chopper was officially done. There might have been blood in his ears, but he definitely could make out what was being said. The young reindeer gave him a "don't you dare move/I know, just listen" glare as the needle protruded out of his skin once more. It seems like he was interested, too. But surely, Chopper's hearing was superior, so Zoro really could do nothing but watch and carefully listen.

"That's the thing; I...can't just leave it alone. I want to make it up to him, I need to. I should have never done it in the first place. How, Luffy?" Sanji choked on a low sob, trying not to alert the swordsman and doctor, "How the fuck can I fix this? What would Zoro want me to do?"

Luffy remained silent. He just gave the other an apologetic, slow shrug, and went back to the focus of his aching fingers.

:~:

Nami and Robin had taken the liberty of preparing a late night snack for the crew, considering Sanji was preoccupied at the moment and everyone was more famished instead of sleepy. Usopp wasn't as mortally wounded as the rest of them, so he mostly helped with mincing vegetables and boiling them in a steel pot. The unusually quiet captain had already been stitched up from minor injuries and sat at the table with his head down. It was strange; he wasn't the one on the verge of death for once. He honestly had no idea what kept Sanji standing, let alone breathing, but he didn't dwell on it. He was just glad that whatever did, did. As for his first mate, Zoro's body was in pretty bad shape as well. Granted, the cook probably suffered the worst out of all of them, but the swordsman's pain definitely had to match it.

Zoro and Sanji were still being fussed over by the little reindeer; about an hour passed the Straw Hats by without them knowing it. Nami fiddled with her Brussel sprouts with a dull, somewhat solemn expression. Robin had gotten the energy to eat a few carrots, but eventually stopped on account of her sudden lack of appetite.

"This is stupid," the sharpshooter announced, flopping down on the bench across from Luffy, "We shouldn't be so worried. Those guys are monsters! They've been through worse, you know."

"That isn't the entire reason, Usopp," Luffy said, "I'm worried about the witch army. They might find us again at some point, and they'll more than likely want Zoro's head for killing their leader. And then, there's Azami, where ever she is. I mean, was it really our fault that she got captured? What's happening to her right now? How can we help?"

Nami stared at Luffy's distant eyes as a sense of misery stung her chest. "Luffy…" she said softly. She had never heard him sound so defeated and unhappy when up against an enemy. This was really getting to him, to all of them. Robin opened her mouth, but nothing came out. So she closed it without another thought.

The galley door already wide open, Chopper came shuffling inside the room, exhausted and sluggish. Everyone's eyes fell on his tiny form, awaiting his response to their mutual, obvious question.

"I've finished Sanji's treatment," the doctor said shakily, "but he's unconscious. I guess the stress and pain finally got to him. Anyway, his abdomen wasn't stabbed deep enough to cause anything traumatic or fatal, meaning he should be fine once given the proper rest he needs. For Zoro, he refuses to go to sleep, so he's up now if you guys wanna talk to him."

He's in this state because of me, Zoro thought as he studied Sanji's shallowly breathing form on his side. He did so much to protect me, but not even five days ago the bastard would have tried to kill me if I told a single soul about... He sighed, knowing fully well that the cook was completely knocked out, and began to speak after a short cough.

"Listen…Sanji," he said, "I know you can hear me even while you're like this. Hell knows how many times I've passed out and still heard you insulting me. I always thought of it as your way of showing concern. Anyway, this isn't what I wanted to talk about. I, uh, know you've still been torturing yourself over what you did, and if everything wasn't throbbing right now, I'd get up and smack you." The swordsman chuckled to himself, carefully shifting onto his side to face the cook's body. "I would've waited until you were awake to talk about this, but I can get my point across faster this way without you arguing. Now, whatever you're feeling about hurting me; anger, depression, confused, pity. I want all of it to stop, shitty cook. I forgave you, Luffy forgave you," Zoro thought about the captain's earlier response, "why can't you forgive you? You want to make it up to me; I know, cook. But you can start by letting it go for…our sake. I hope you remember this when you wake up. I really don't feel like saying this mushy shit again."

Nothing. Sanji remained perfectly still like a stone statue, occasionally breathing a bit heavier than normal. The swordsman, pretty sure that his speech was acknowledged, rested his head onto the bare mattress on the floor (the support beams were nothing but splinters waiting to happen) and closed his eyes. The only thing he wasn't so sure of was the telltale sound of a lighter sparking, desperately attempting to ignite as he drifted off to sleep.

"You always take such good care of us, Doctor-san. We're lucky to have you,"
Robin chuckled as she mixed a scoop of sugar into her tea. Chopper bashfully danced as per usual, blushing madly as he exited the kitchen. Nami finally took a spoonful of rice, having felt the wave of worry evaporate from her shoulders and stomach. It was a relief to hear that Sanji wouldn't die, or never be able to walk again, or something equally horrifying and terrible. She noticed Luffy had started shoving his large quantities of portions savagely into his mouth, munching, crunching, and generally making a mess they'd have to clean up before the ship's cook returned to his domain.

The captain's hand snuck across the table and above her own half empty plate, aiming for the rather juicy steak she had yet to taste. Nami hadn't noticed him until he accidentally brushed against her arm. "OI! GREEDY IDIOT!" she yelled loudly.

"Keep away from Nami-swan's food, shitty gomu."

The navigator paused in the midst of bashing in Luffy's head. Everyone's eyes quickly darted over to the cook, who was obviously still woozy and tired as he lit a cigarette.

"Cook-san, why aren't you in bed? Doctor-san said you were unconscious," Robin gasped, setting down her cold tea cup. Sanji only smiled weakly at her as he rolled up his tattered sleeves, and strode over to the fridge.

"My dear Robin-chan, how can I rest at a time like this?" he made direct eye contact with the worried captain, nodded, and widened his smile, "I've got cooking to do."

Luffy blinked. He held a dumbfounded and dopey expression for a long moment of silence before realization made his mouth drop and form a clear "O." Everyone else was lost in the dark, though, as their captain went back to shoving food down his gullet. They obviously had some kind of secret no one else knew, but would they provide a good reason if someone asked about it?

It wasn't long before vigorous clomps of hooves were heard in the hall, and a certain reindeer stood angrily in the galley's threshold. Sanji paid him no mind as he gathered his desired ingredients for something still unknown to everyone. "Sanji-kun," Nami insisted, "you really should be resting. We did sort of just get our asses kicked."

"Nami-swan, I'm honored you care so much about my health, but I can't. I need to do this."

"What you need is to go back to bed! You might irritate your stitches," Chopper frantically scolded, tugging on the cook's dress pants. He transformed in the blink of an eye into Heavy Point, and carefully threw Sanji over his shoulder, regardless of the blonde's weakened kicks and curses.

"Wait, Chopper," Luffy, officially done with his plate, suddenly became very stern towards the giant doctor. Chopper paused in his descent to face the captain, confused but obedient. "Let him go. He promises to rest after he's done doing what he has to," Luffy said.

"But—"

"If you wanna help him," Luffy explained softly, standing from the table, "let him do what he wants for a while. I'll stay in case he burns something."

Sanji frowned around his cigarette. He's never burned himself or food in his entire life! "Oi!"

"Shishishi!"

Chopper seemed to be distraught over the thought of that, but set the cook down back by his beloved counter. Usopp yawned loudly, accidentally starting a chain of the contagion. Robin was the first to stand, suggesting that they should sleep for a few more hours, and then left the room with Nami following tiredly behind. Usopp silently agreed. He told the now tiny doctor they would finish their art project later of he still wanted to, which of course Chopper didn't turn down. However, he voiced he'd rather stay in the infirmary to keep Zoro company.

"Mosshead fell asleep," Sanji provided dully, "You should clock out, too. You can get a little grouchy when you stay up to late." The reindeer stuck out his tongue childishly as he headed for the door, disappearing a second later with only the sounds of his exhausted feet telling his distance. Luffy grinned like a madman at the blonde's efforts; almost every sweet spice and pan lay across his workstation in a jumbled mess as Sanji mixed various things Luffy was positive he couldn't pronounce in a single bowl. The cook noticed the stupidly annoying look and spat without stopping his preparations, "Don't say anything."

"San-chan~! What you're doing is so cute—"

"Shut up, shitty gomu."

"—it's like what Robin was telling me about...ne, what did she say again?" Luffy thought hard, scratching the top of his hat, "Romance! Sanji's a romance~!"

The cook groaned, mostly from Luffy's continuous, incorrect use of the word, taunting, but partly from the stinging pain in his stomach. Maybe he should take it easy; the wound was beginning to burn badly. The captain's goodhearted laughs at his own jokes died down far too quickly than usual, causing Sanji to raise an eyebrow and carefully look over at him. The boy was just staring blankly at him, emotionless and still. Sanji would have thought he was just lost in his own crazy thoughts if not for the deeply concerned, slow tone he used as he blatantly stated, "You're in a lot of pain."

"Yeah," the cook confirmed, "but it's no big deal."

Luffy smiled, ""Tough it out," right?"

Sanji grunted.

:~:

All he saw was deepening darkness. Not an ounce of light shone through the porthole. There were no stars tonight, and from the looks of it, there was no moon either. Zoro still lay trapped under aching muscles and bandages in the infirmary, apparently alone. Sanji's bed, or rather, mattress was empty and the blankets were left a mess. The cook was conscious already? More importantly, he could walk? Zoro breathed a heavy sigh as he sat up stiffly, pulling off the covers in the process. It was oddly way too hot in the room.

The swordsman wasn't sure if it were still the same day or the next, considering the sea witch attack happened right before bed. He threw his legs over the edge, coming to a wobbly stand, and headed directly to the galley. Yes, he had hopes of the cook being there, but the crave for something edible was greater.

Zoro noticed the door was already open down the hall, spewing lantern light, and voices were holding a quiet conversation. The closer he got, the more recognizable the voices became. Of course one of them was Sanji, but Zoro hardly expected the other to be the captain. Luffy would have usually been knocked out after such a fight (that is, if it were still even the same day). Nevertheless, Zoro stayed out of sight, thinking it was better not to interrupt.

"Zoro's gonna love this," Luffy exclaimed happily, lifting his arms in the air. The first mate stopped in his tracks and inched back to the threshold, leaning in enough not to be seen. He felt a guilt bubbling in his stomach from technically spying, but what harm could it possibly do? Besides, he wasn't tired anymore. This just so happened to be something to preoccupy him temporarily.

Sanji chuckled, wiping sweat off his forehead before it could slip into his eye, "That's what I'm going for. Food always solves people's troubles."

"Can I have some~?"

"If Zoro lets you," the blonde almost busted a gut laughing at the rubber captain's immediate pouty face, leaving what was in the oven to rise for a couple of minutes.

The swordsman raised an eyebrow. He smelled something unbearably sweet, but it definitely could not be an ordinary cake. Nor was it brownies, doughnuts, or even cookies! Zoro just couldn't put his finger on that unfamiliar, delicious smell emanating from inside the room. What the fuck was the cook making for him? Why?

Both Sanji and Luffy paused when a sudden loud stomach rumble came from the entrance. Zoro flushed darkly as he appeared around the corner, pitching a fake yawn to make it seem as if he had just woken up more believable. Needless to say, the cook didn't buy it. He only took off his pink apron and sat across from the captain, who was getting ready to leave the two to their own business. Zoro frowned, "What's going on?"

Once Luffy disappeared off to the men's quarters, Sanji patted the seat beside him, beckoning the first mate over. Though confused and slightly suspicious, Zoro obliged.

"I heard you," the cook said quietly, fiddling with the white table cloth, "I heard every word. It was…unbelievably muffled, but I heard. You really, uh, got through to me." He chuckled, reaching for the other's hand hesitantly. Zoro met him halfway. "So I…I did the only thing I could to forgive myself. I cooked for you, marimo."

The swordsman smiled lightly. If it helped Sanji sort out his self-hate, he'd eat anything. "What'd you make?"

Sanji grinned brightly, beaming with utter joy and childlike innocence. It was hard to believe this was the shitty cook he'd known for so long. He squeezed his fingers around Zoro's knuckles as he proudly declared, "Dango!"

Zoro laughed at his clear excitement. He wasn't much of a sweets person, but dumplings couldn't be that bad, especially if they were made by the lovecook. He wanted to ask why this specific choice of treat when Sanji took them out of the oven, but the blonde began to speak, low and heartbreaking. "That old geezer used to make them for me to keep my mind off my parents. After a while, I started making them myself. This is my comfortfood, and I want it to be yours, too. Zoro?" Sanji slipped off his oven mitts quickly and placed a still hand on Zoro's head, raking fingers through tangled curls. "You okay?"

The swordsman turned away, "I'm fine, cook! Nothing's wrong."

"It's alright to cry, Zoro-kun."

"I'm not crying, idiot!" Zoro sniffled into the back of his hand, wiping stray tears in the process. Why'd the cook have to be such a kind, thoughtful, sentimental asshole?

Sanji pulled the pan of dango closer to them, and took one coated in thick, sweet soy sauce. He offered the kabob to Zoro, who took it gratefully for his starving stomach. They ate in a comforting silence, finishing majority of the dango and leaving one for the captain when he awoke later. Sanji smiled as he cleaned the dirtied dishes he had used. "I feel…better," he claimed.

Zoro gave a wide grin, popping up beside the blonde and grabbing the sides of his head softly. Sanji's eyes widened slightly before he melted into the grateful, aggressive motion of Zoro's lips against his own. For once there was no tension from either of them. There wasn't any hesitance, nervousness, or fear. It was…the most at peace Sanji had felt in a long time. The swordsman pressed their foreheads together gingerly, using his thumbs to stroke the cook's temples in lazy circles. "Cook," he said plainly.

Sanji raised an eyebrow, "Yeah?"

"Can we go the hell to sleep now without getting attacked by women?" Zoro yawned loudly, flopping his limp head onto Sanji's shoulder. With a quick nod and after drying his hands, the blonde tried to step away, but it was fairly obviously that the marimo would fall flat on his face if he did. "Oi, use your own feet," he spat.

Zoro responded into his shirt, making the words muffled and jumbled. Sanji frowned and tugged at his hair, "What?"

"…ry me…"

Sanji was appalled, "'Carry you'? Hell no!"

"…ease…?"

"I don't care if you say please. I can't carry your weight while I'm like this, kelphead!"

Zoro started making groans of disappointment and annoyance beside his ear, accepting what was inevitable and stood up by himself. Sanji chuckled a little, and led him towards the hall, blowing out the lantern once they passed it by. He promised Chopper that he would rest properly after so much movement, so heading to the bunkers wasn't an option, enough though he longed to sleep in his comfy hammock for the rest of the early morning.

The infirmary always had that medical/antibiotic smell when first entered, but it was surprisingly not as bothersome right now. Sanji smelled Zoro more than anything, who clung to his back with arms wrapped securely around his torso. "I wanna sleep next to you," Zoro said gruffly, yawning between his shoulder blades.

"Chopper would kill us."

"Screw all that "space to heal" shit, swirly-brow. Let's sleep together."

The cook paused at his mattress to think, staring blankly into the ceiling's untouched, wooden boards as Zoro towered above him. "We could," he debated, "then again, I don't want to face up with algae on my face."

"Scoot," Zoro growled, earning an honest-to-god laugh from the other. He slid under the thick blanket Chopper always kept at an arm's reach as Sanji waited patiently for him to get settled. Once awkward squirming and huff of air ceased, the blonde nonchalantly threw an arm over the swordsman's neck, accidentally gaining a choked yelp.

"This isn't comfortable, bastard," Zoro bit out, tugging at the cook's long forearm. But he ended up falling asleep crushed in the loving embrace anyway; snoring peacefully and both of them vaguely unaware of their aching wounds. For now, being beside one another was their only priority.

Me: I hope you all enjoyed the story! Next and last chapter: the epilogue!