Later, on the other side of the door, an exhausted Zoro was making his way home from work. He yawned, stepping out of the elevator and holding his gym bag with his swords a little closer. It was a good day but he couldn't help stressing himself out, just knowing Sanji was in his apartment going through all his stuff and seeing his mess.
The Marimo had wanted, really wanted to try and clean up before he came over but after coming back from his second job the previous night, passing out on the couch then having to get up early this morning, it never happened. He was practically imagining what Sanji would say and yell his ear off. He stood outside his door, key in hand for a moment. Even if Sanji was mad at him, he was happy. Today Sanji was moving in with him. They were another step closer to being together and being a family.
Zoro slid the key into the lock and opened the door, surprise meeting his features. Had he walked into the right place? He must've though, since he knew only an expert chief like his cook could create the smells lingering around. His bag slipped off his arm and to the side and the door closed behind him. His apartment was clean. Not just Zoro's version of clean either, when shit just got shifted around, it was actually… Pretty nice looking.
It was when his bag hit the floor with a thump that a noise from the couch got his attention. It was the blond, sitting up from where he'd been laying, and his hair out of place. He seemed somewhat in a daze, probably forgetting where he was, until he glanced over and saw Zoro staring at him. Then he smiled softly, lifting his chin slightly in greeting.
"Welcome home Marimo."
Zoro nearly wanted to tackle him there. The cook, in his apartment, living in his apartment no less, cooking him dinner, greeting him home from work. It was just too much. Still for obvious reasons he couldn't do that. Instead, he couldn't help but grin, gesturing to something on his chin to get Sanji to realize he had something on his face.
The blond flushed slightly before wiping his mouth with the back of his hand, sinking down out of view in the couch again. The cook had eaten first, no doubt because of their growing babies, but Zoro didn't mind that.
He walked into his kitchen in amazement. It almost actually shined. And there was actually kitchen equipment in there! Like the knives and other crap Sanji used. He noticed the plate on the counter next to the drying dishes, covered in foil just for him.
"You made me dinner?" He couldn't help but ask, looking back over towards the couch.
Sanji stretched his arms before throwing his legs over the side, standing up and grabbing his plate. He made his way to the kitchen, sliding past Zoro to place it in the sink, because he was definitely sly enough to already know how everything worked. He gave a half shrug.
"It was that or take out, right?" He replied, nodding slightly to the fridge where the menu had vanished.
Zoro's eyes followed him, a tad confused at first but then he understood. Even so, he didn't have any complaints, the cook's food was much better than any of this crap. He took the cover off his dish and began to dig in, standing there and watching as Sanji filled up and drank himself a glass of water.
"So you bought all this? For us? You didn't spend a lot did you?" Zoro began between bites.
Sanji couldn't help but rest his hip against the counter, staring down into his empty glass and giving a slight chuckle. Who knew the Marimo was such a worrywart.
"Don't worry about it Marimo." He finally replied, setting down the glass in the sink. "The old geezer gave me a house warming present, if you get my drift."
Zoro nodded. Although he had vowed to Zeff to take care of Sanji and their babies, he wasn't going to protest a little support and help from the older man. They would take what they could get. Sanji pressed his lips together a bit, his eyes drifting to Zoro and his hamster cheeks.
"I saw your list." He confessed, an early feeling of warmth returning to his cheeks.
Zoro stopped eating for a moment, slightly freezing before looking up. "Yeah?" He took a big gulp of his drink to wash everything down, just in case he'd need to start explaining himself.
Sanji ruffled his hair quietly and stood back up straight. Dammit he didn't know what he was supposed to say about it. Damn Marimo being a good guy and stuff. It was almost annoying, except it wasn't. He smiled at him tiredly.
"Thanks, Marimo."
Zoro had to avert his eyes and turn his face due to the slight burn over top his cheeks. He hadn't been really expecting that, more so being made fun of about making a stupid list like that or maybe even a discussion of what he did wrong. Hearing thanks off the cook's lips though after the few weeks of up and downs they'd been having was nice enough. He swallowed dryly, looking back at the cook.
"You're welcome." He grumbled under his breath. "Now… You should go sleep you shitty cook." He decided to cover his embarrassment by turning to lecturing. "Who told you to clean all this stuff up? Didn't Chopper want you to rest or something?"
Sanji rolled his eyes. Yes he could recall something like that coming out of their miniature doctor friend's mouth. But honestly, after he'd already been told half the stuff that was to come very soon in his second trimester from the doctor, he tried blocking all of that out. He began walking past the Neanderthal and feeling very brave.
"Fine, you shitty algae. But I expect you in here soon too.. You look like shit."
The blond made his way into the bedroom, unbuttoning his shirt and slipping it off his arms. He'd be lying if he said he hadn't been dying to dive into this thing since he'd washed the sheets. Though he was a little more nervous than he should've been, sleeping in his new bed - not to mention laying down exposed next to the swordsman again. But he trusted Zoro to behave now, he'd grown alot in just the last week and made him start to trust him again.
And it wasn't only his bed, it was the Marimo's, only recently did it become his. He should respect that and take it easy. After taking off his pants he slipped under the covers, letting out a satisfied sigh as he was surrounded by comfort and off his feet, which had ached a little. He'd done so much in one day. Moved to a different house, cleaned said house, went shopping, and cooked dinner. He closed his eyes, furrowing his brow. Damn, he was becoming a house wife.
A little while later his heart began to slightly race, the feeling of some other oaf, a heavy one at that, climbing into bed with him. It was awkward for the both of them. Not because they hadn't done it before, there had been many nights of sleeping after intimacy, but this night would be different. And it was the first since that time. But on a lighter note it was also the first night of them in their apartment together, in their bed. Zoro hesitantly slid in closer to Sanji.
The cook's eyes were still closed, so Zoro wasn't sure if he was asleep yet. Still, he couldn't help but let his arm travel forward and around the cook. One of his favorite things when he'd slept with the cook before was holding him closer like this, feeling his warmth. Sanji might've been feeling the opposite though. He had every reason to not want Zoro's arm around him if he really wanted to protest.
But in actuality, Sanji liked when Zoro held him close around the abdomen because it felt the most normal, but that was before there was really anything to his abdomen. They weren't alone anymore. He felt the Marimo's calloused fingers brush against his flesh and his eyes opened.
Nervously he put his hand over Zoro's and guided it upwards a bit, resting just below his ribs and at the top of the curve. Soon, even if Zoro wanted to, Sanji doubted he'd be able to reach over across his tummy like this. It was better to get him used to the position now. A small shiver ran up his spine as a kiss was placed on the back of his neck.
"Goodnight." Zoro whispered into his ear, and the blond slowly closed his eyes again.
He wasn't sure how he'd was going to sleep with his heart racing so fast after that, but none the less replied.
"Goodnight."
"Oi."
Zoro closed his eyes tighter, holding a pillow he was hugging with more force. Ugh, was it morning already or something? He hadn't heard his alarm though? Why the fuck was he hearing Sanji's voice? He could possibly still be dreaming.
"Oiiii. Marimo. Get the fuck up."
Or wait. Fuck now he remembered, as he should since this was the second day this had happened, just as there was a pressure in his side as some blonde asshole put his foot to his ribs. His eyes opened, glaring up at the shadow of a lover he had just let move in with him. His biggest mistake, seeing he now wasn't allowed to sleep in- ever. Though wait, it was Monday now wasn't it? Shit! He sat up in the bed, his eyes widening now that he got a better look at the blond.
"Shit-" He stopped himself, regretting even saying that.
Sanji took a deep breath, his eyebrow slightly twitching.
"Oh shut up you shitty asshole. Now get the fuck dressed." The cook growled.
Sanji didn't look that bad getting ready in the morning. Shit, even if he did what was Zoro expecting? Maybe he did look a little different from his usual, toothbrush still hanging from inside his mouth, his hair pulled back away from his face because he washed it and was letting it dry, maybe or maybe not slight bags under his eyes from doing shit to make that bastard happy, or because he really needed something caffeine related. It wasn't until Zoro's eyes glanced downward that Sanji really got angry though, kicking him off the other side of the bed, jumping down and heading back towards the rest room. Rude swordsmen weren't allowed to see the exposed baby bump.
Zoro watched him as he left, not sure if he wanted to laugh, though that was kind of already happening, or just keep staring in amusement. Guess there were things you only got to know about a person when you actually got to live with them, not just in those random mornings after a quick fix. Regardless now he was definitely awake and glancing at his alarm clock, at an ideal time. Sheesh, the cook was such an early riser. But he guessed it didn't matter, probably helped him out because now he could also get ready.
He got up from the spot where he landed from the bed and sluggishly wandered to the bathroom. Zoro couldn't help but wrinkle his nose at the already scented bathroom, Sanji already apparently took his shower. The blond, who was now finishing up cleaning his teeth at the sink, glared at the Marimo through the mirror, having caught his changed expression.
"Shut up Marimo." He answered the comment before Zoro even had to say it.
Zoro lifted up a hand in defense, mumbling about how he didn't say anything and began climbing into the shower. Instinctively he began undressing. He stopped what he was doing though to peek his head back out around the curtain, remembering he wasn't alone. He watched as Sanji let down his hair, combing his bang back over one eye. Zoro cleared his throat, grabbing his attention.
"Are you going to…? Um… Stay in here or…?"
Sanji looked at him a long moment then just shook his head. As if it was something he hadn't seen before. He knew the swordsman's body quite well obviously, if his growing tummy had anything to say about it. Still he respected his shitty privacy. He placed his comb back on the side and turned to leave.
"Alright, alright, I'm out. Don't take too long though, I'll make you something." And with that, the cook closed the door behind him.
When Zoro finally finished his shower, probably taking a little longer than he should've but he was in a good mood, he stepped out of the bathroom, his waist covered in nothing but a towel. He glared at the blond who dared to whistle at him.
Sanji was sitting at the kitchen counter, eating what appeared to be some kind of French toast. He finished chewing his bite then smirked at the reddening Marimo.
"Lookin' good, shit head."
Zoro mumbled something under his breath before heading to his room to get dressed. The next time he entered the room, now dressed in his school attire, Sanji was wrapping something on the counter. He barely glanced up when the Marimo passed by for his plate of toast. Sanji slid over the bento box he'd made and wrapped.
"I'm going to head out first." He announced.
Zoro looked down at the bento, slowly chewing at his meal. Another perk of living with the cook. He got bentos now? The cook made him bentos? He looked up at Sanji just as he was about to leave, but grabbed his arm gently.
"Oi wait." He found himself saying, until he leaned forward, lips still covered with traces of cinnamon and pecked the blond. "Stay with Chopper alright?"
Sanji, who was now licking the spice off his lips glowered at the swordsman. Way to ruin a domestic scene by worrying and telling him to go to school and be with Chopper. Like he had any other choice these days, that little physician was brutal. But he knew that today at school would be a little different. Not because he totally gained another pound or so it felt since before the weekend, he thought bitterly, but because their class schedules changed for the semester. Technically they didn't know if they'd be getting any classes together the rest of the year, their senior year, so he understood Zoro's concern that he at least try and be with the doctor while he could if the class change didn't allow him to.
"Only if you don't get lost again." Sanji wagered, pulling away from the swordsman finally and grabbing his bento and then his keys off the counter. "Later."