Sanji falls asleep first. They continue talking after the blond pours his heart out, and by the time they have moved up to lighter topics, Sanji is slurring his words and talking with his eyes closed. It only takes a few minutes of combing through his hair with his fingers for Zoro to put him to sleep.
He snickers and decides not to tell the blond he used to do that to Chopper when he was younger.
It's already three in the morning, but he's not going to be able to sleep at all. It's a bit creepy, but he finds himself lying next to Sanji, just watching him sleep.
Zoro is still a bit shocked by Sanji's revelations. Growing up with Luffy—and consecutively Sabo—Zoro knows more than the common citizen about the horrors of Mariejois. Oh, most people hate them, but that's a carried hatred. A word-of-mouth kind of thing. Very few have gone to the auction houses, or met former-slaves.
He still remembers Hachi crying and begging Luffy not to touch the bastard who shot him. Thankfully, Sabo had been there and taken the fault for the punch Luffy delivered. Luffy was pissed as hell, but Nami and Zoro had managed to talk him down.
He's never heard of a World Noble renouncing their heritage. He knows Sabo was born a noble, though his family never had the same power as the Celestial Dragons. Vivi does carry the blood of one of the first twenty kings, but since her family decided to stay in Alabasta, she was never born into that hateful society.
So Sanji is the same. He may have been pampered in his youth—and Zoro can still see signs of it, especially in the way he dresses and talks—but he grew up in the dirt and grit like Zoro. Sanji is as much a World Noble as Zoro is—which is to say, not one at all.
Zoro does feel guilty for making Sanji relive the death of his parents. The Orbit's demise was a well-documented event, especially since seventy-eight World Nobles had died in that ship—well, eighty-one if you count Sanji's family. There was a whole section on it during his senior year of high school, and he remembers whining at Usopp about it. Of course, nobody knew of the actual horror of it, and the textbooks only went on and on about how sad it was that all of those World Nobles had died. Zoro isn't even sure if the textbook talked about a Sea King attack.
He has a new-found respect for the cook. He's sure not many people would have survived an experience like that. Not only the physical pain of hunger—a feeling he knows all too well—but also the emotional drain of facing such a daunting fate immediately after watching your family be eaten alive by a fucking Sea King. Sanji is strong as fuck for having survived something like that, and he feels immensely proud to be called Sanji's friend, let alone his lover. He's glad that he knows more about the cook, and he feels closer to Sanji because of it, but he's upset that Sanji had to go through something like that at all.
Sanji makes a soft sound, and Zoro looks down just in time to see him scrunch up his nose, mutter "I took out the giblets, shitty geezer", and nudge closer to Zoro.
He snorts. Even when sleeping, the cook is fighting with someone. Zeff, by the sound of it. He glances at the bedside clock and when he sees that it reads 6:08 already, decides it's time to go pick up Chopper. He slowly disentangles himself from the cook's arms, writes down a quick note telling him where he's going, and grabs the keys to Sanji's Mustang.
Nami is already awake and getting ready to go to work when Zoro arrives. Chopper is asleep on their sofa-bed, on top of a large pile of fluffy blankets and about six pillows. Vivi is still dressed in her sleeping clothes, a pair of yoga shorts and a white muscle shirt, while Nami is in her gray pencil skirt.
"When did he fall asleep?" Zoro asks, accepting the coffee Vivi offers.
"Around midnight," Vivi smiles. "He's doing okay."
"I have to thank Igaram for that," Zoro nods. After Sanji had left, Robin had approached them to let them know about Chopper's kidnapping. She explained Bon's work in tricking Sanji away from them, and how Igaram had offered to kidnap Chopper to make sure the boy wasn't harmed during the process. Igaram had planned on standing guard over Chopper to try and help them get closer to the boy, but Crocodile had replaced him with Mr. 1's partner.
Still, Chopper wasn't physically harmed at all—Sanji had rescued him just in time.
"How did things go with Sanji?" Nami asks. Nami works as a banker in East Blue Bank, and she brings in enough revenue that her manager cuts her some slack when she's late. Despite hating her job, Nami is good at it, and it provides a steady income. Just like Zoro, Nami works hard on proving that she's not a liability to Vivi, even though the blue-haired girl often assures her that she's not—just like Sanji does to Zoro.
"We're fine," Zoro answers. "We talked things out."
"Hmm. So did he tell you just exactly how is he involved with that Robin chick?" Nami demands.
"He did," Zoro says, glaring at her. She still hasn't gotten over the way Robin subdued her. Not to mention she warned Zoro from the beginning that Sanji was hiding something. Of course she was right—Nami always is—but he's not about to tell her just exactly what that something is. "He explained everything—and we worked things out."
"Nami, it's getting late," Vivi cuts in softly, ever the diplomat. Nami makes a face, but she knows when to hold back. She finishes the last of her coffee, kisses Vivi goodbye, and leaves. "She's just worried. We are all," Vivi murmurs once the sounds of Nami's car fades.
"There's nothing to worry about," Zoro says firmly. "Crocodile is on his way to Impel Down and Chopper is safe and sound. We're fine."
"Do you want to stay for breakfast?"
Zoro is thankful for the change in topic, though he turns down Vivi's offer. He's sure Sanji will want to cook for them once they get home. He picks up Chopper—years of practice letting him do so without waking up the kid—and drives them back to the cook's apartment.
Chopper wakes up in the elevator ride and Sanji is already awake and whipping up some pancakes. Chopper immediately rushes to hug the blond, chastising him when he sees all of the small wounds.
"You should've gone to Law!" Chopper exclaims, tugging on a few bandages to make sure they're on correctly. "I swear, you're just as bad as Dad!"
"I'm okay, Chopper," Sanji assures him, patting the boy's head. "It's just a few scratches."
"That's what Dad says, too! And it's never just a few scratches. I need to check them and make sure they're healing nicely."
"Alright, but how about we eat first?"
The promise of pancakes layered with syrup and butter is too much for the young boy, and soon they're all eating pancakes. And Chopper doesn't even have to give Sanji the puppy eyes before the cook brings out the chocolate syrup.
Zoro grins; and they say he's the one that's whipped.
Zoro never likes admitting that Sanji is right. It's just something in him that likes to contradict the cook at every turn. Maybe it's the fact that Sanji looks hot as fuck when he's angry. But when it comes to the blond's bed, Zoro has to admit that Sanji was spot on: this bed is the most comfortable bed in the entire fucking world.
Zoro has always been a light sleeper, but he's practically dead to the world in this bed. That, however, doesn't stop him from being woken up by his squealing son, who thinks the best way to portray his excitement is by jumping on top of Zoro, kneeing him on the balls accidentally.
"Fuck!" he curses, curling on himself. "Chopper! Watch out for the nads!"
"It's my birthday, Dad!" Chopper yells in excitement, ignoring his pain. "I'm eight! It's my birthday, my birthday! Sanji is gonna bake me a cake, and I'm gonna get presents! Dad, it's my birthday!"
"I know, buddy," Zoro smiles. The pain on his sack is starting to lessen, so he wraps his arms around Chopper and flops back on the bed. Chopper flails around and starts giggling when Zoro runs his fingers down his side. "You're all grown up now, huh? Growing up to be a man, just like your father."
"Dad!" Chopper giggles. "Stop tickling me! Dad, please! Ha-ha, no!"
Zoro sits up with Chopper on his lap and tries to fix the mess that is his hair. "Alright, Chopper. What's the game plan for today?"
"Well, Sanji is downstairs still working on tonight's dinner. He said that the others won't get here until maybe four or five, so we have all morning to ourselves."
"Hey, do you think we should let the cook know about our super-secret Christmas tradition?" Zoro whispers, leaning in close to Chopper as if afraid someone will hear him.
Chopper's eyes go wide, and a huge grin spreads across his face as he nods excitedly. "Yes!"
"Are you sure? Because that's our special tradition. I won't say anything if you don't want to," Zoro assures him.
"No, we can tell him," Chopper says firmly.
"Alright," Zoro says, grinning. "I'm going to take a quick shower, then I'll go downstairs. Why don't you tell Sanji to start making the hot chocolate, then take all the blankets you can find down to the living room for the fort?"
"Okay! And don't forget you have to wear the—."
"I won't forget," Zoro interrupts, rolling his eyes. "Now go, before I tickle you so hard you pee your pants."
"No!" Chopper shouts, giggling, and rushes out.
He takes a quick shower, then changes into a pair of pajamas he bought when he and Chopper went shopping with the cook. He had managed to keep them hidden this long, but now he's going to have to wear them in front of Sanji.
At least Sanji will have to wear them, too.
He manages to find the living room quickly, where Chopper is already busy building the fort. He's already taken all of the seats from the sofas and put them on the ground, covering them with a couple of blankets and comforters. He has taken the pillows from his room and Sanji's room, and has them all around him. He also brought a few chairs over from the dining room, using the tall backs to hold up the blankets and form the tent. Chopper wants to light up the fort, so Zoro finds some of the leftover lights from the tree and hangs them inside.
"So this is the super-secret Christmas tradition?" Sanji's voice asks, and Zoro jumps, his hands automatically going up to cover up what he's wearing.
"Sanji, they're perfect!" Chopper squeals, and that's when Zoro realizes Sanji is holding a tray with three mugs of hot chocolate and a plate of cookies.
Usually, when Zoro makes hot chocolate, he heats up some water, throws in a bit of chocolate powder and marshmallows, and that's it.
These three mugs, however, don't look like they've received the same treatment. There's dark chocolate dripping from the rim, hardened to take the mugs' shape. Sanji's has topped the hot chocolate with whip cream and three large marshmallows. There's a little of what looks like cinnamon powder dusted on top of the marshmallows in shapes of snowflakes, and two cookie sticks sticking out from each mug.
"What are you wearing?" the cook snorts, and Zoro is brought back to his embarrassing outfit.
"Footie pajamas!" Chopper exclaims. "I'm a reindeer, Dad's a shark, and we got a duck for you!"
"For me?!" Sanji recoils. "I'm not wearing footie pajamas!"
"It's tradition, shit cook," Zoro grins. "We wear footie pajamas, drink hot chocolate, and watch The Nightmare Before Christmas under a fort. It's a super-secret tradition because if any of the others find out, I will personally cut you into tiny pieces."
"Please, Sanji," Chopper begs. "You have to wear it!"
Sanji sighs and rubs the bridge of his nose. "Super-secret?"
"Super, ultra-secret," Zoro nods.
"Give me that," Sanji snaps, putting down the tray to snatch the yellow duck pajamas from Zoro. "Go inside the tent while I change, pervert."
"Who wants to see your skinny ass?" Zoro mutters. Sanji raises an eyebrow, and Zoro knows he's going to regret saying that. Shit.
He and Chopper go inside the tent, and Chopper grabs a blanket to snuggle in while Zoro browses Netflix on Sanji's tablet until he finds the movie. He grabs a pillow to support the tablet, then joins Chopper.
The flap opens and Sanji ducks in, looking really adorable with his bright yellow duck footie pajamas. It fits a little big, so he's gripping the extra fabric with one hand, the other holding the tray.
Zoro's actually impressed at how gracefully the cook manages to settle next to him, all the while holding the tray of drinks and cookies with one hand, the other holding the folds of his pajamas.
"You know, we have a huge, 105 inch TV right outside," Sanji says. "And it's smart, so it can play Netflix."
"It has to fit inside the tent, cook," Zoro replies, rolling his eyes. He takes the mug Sanji hands him, smiling when the taste is not too sweet. He can taste a hint of mint, and the cinnamon adds a little kick. The cookies are plain vanilla, but have a tangy, raspberry filling, which compliments the hot chocolate perfectly.
"I've never seen this movie," Sanji whispers as the movie starts. "What is it about?"
"You have to watch it," Chopper whispers back.
"He means shut up, but he's too nice to say it," Zoro mutters, wincing when Sanji pinches his side. The cook snuggles up closer to him, resting his head on Zoro's shoulder, a blanket wrapped around his shoulders. Chopper is almost sitting on his lap, watching the movie with wide eyes, his lips never leaving the rim of the mug.
Sanji seems to be enjoying the movie. He hums along to all of the songs, and spends almost five minutes ranting about Sally's beauty.
"That is so not the Christmas spirit," Sanji mutters as he watches Lock, Shock, and Barrel kidnap Santa.
"Be quiet, cook," Zoro grins, sneaking a quick kiss to his temple.
Sanji grumbles, but only snuggles closer, so much so that Zoro feels like he's sitting on Sanji's lap. The cook spreads his legs, dragging Zoro back until he can lean against his chest, and Chopper does the same on Zoro's lap. Sanji's chin digs into his shoulder a bit painfully, but Zoro is too comfortable to complain.
When the movie ends, Sanji confesses that this is his first Christmas movie ever, so father and child force him to stay and watch How the Grinch Stole Christmas (he punches Zoro when the swordsman notices how the Grinch's hair can curl up to look like Sanji's eyebrow), It's a Wonderful Life(Sanji cries, though he swears something got in his eye), and Bad Santa (Sanji stops that one pretty quick, kicking Zoro upside the head for letting Chopper watch something like that).
"He's seen it a hundred times," Zoro rolls his eyes, wrapping his hands around Sanji's middle to thrown him down on the blankets. The movement dislodges Chopper from his lap.
"Such a bad influence, idiot marimo," Sanji says, rolling his eyes when Zoro straddles him. "Chopper is such an innocent, naïve little boy that embodies everything that is good and pure in the world."
"I'm a man!" Chopper squeals in indignation. "Like my dad."
"Corruption!" Sanji exclaims.
"See, he's a man!" Zoro grins, running his fingers up and down Sanji's side.
"Stop that," Sanji murmurs, his mouth twitching. "Zoro, stop!" he exclaims much louder, but Zoro keeps doing it, especially when Sanji lets out a snort of laughter. "Chopper, help me!"
Chopper tackles Zoro from behind, but Zoro easily drags him down, too, and starts tickling him along with Sanji. The cook manages to sneak a foot between their chests, and kicks Zoro off. Before he can sit up, Sanji and Chopper jump on him.
"Wait, no, no!" he cries in laughter, trying to get away from their hands. "Uncle! Uncle! God, please!"
"Say I'm better than you," Sanji says, letting up a little.
"Say I'm manlier than you!" Chopper adds.
"Fine, fine," Zoro gives in. "Stop tickling me!"
"Say it!"
"Cook, you're better than me!"
"Aha, now Chopper."
"Chopper is the manliest man to ever man." Zoro's breath is coming out in gasps and there are tears in his eyes from where he's laughing so hard.
Sanji finally lets him go and check the time on his tablet. "Shit! It's two already! You two numbskulls clean this place up and get changed. I need to get started on the drinks!"
Sanji rushes back to the kitchen, almost tripping on the stupid footie pajamas. He has two hours to whip up vanilla-rosemary lemonade, finish the dulce de leche layer cake, add the garnish to a couple of his main meals—shit, he needs to finish icing the top cake on Chopper's birthday cake!
He works hurriedly but perfectly, moving around the kitchen with the practiced eased of years of training.
"Sanji! Usopp and Kaya are here!" he hears Chopper yell.
"What? It's only—shit!" It's already four and he still needs to get changed! "Take them to the living room!" he yells, rushing out of the kitchen.
He wants to look good, especially next to the feast he just prepared. He's sure to impress Zoro's friends with his D&G vicuña wool, pewter double-breasted pinstripe suit. He decides to pair it with a sky blue silk shirt that brings out his eyes, a burgundy, matte tie, and matching derby wingtips.
Not too formal, just the right splash of color, and the cut of the suit follows the line of his body perfectly, accentuating his wide shoulders, the curve of his back, and his long legs. He looks good.
"Oi, cook, stop gawking at yourself and come say hi to the others!" Zoro yells from the living room.
Sanji scoffs and hurries just in time to greet Vivi and Nami. Their hands are laden with presents, which Sanji quickly takes.
"Let me help you with those, my lovelies," he says, easily balancing the stack of gifts in one hand. "You both look beautiful today. Nami, like the first rays of sunshine. Vivi, like the beautiful ocean after a heavy storm."
Vivi blushes softly and smiles. "Thank you, Sanji. You look very handsome yourself."
"Thanks, Sanji," Nami says, too, though her smile is a bit smaller, and she glances quickly at Zoro before looking down at the floor.
"Stop glaring at the beautiful ladies, you useless swordsman," Sanji snaps, kicking him on the shin softly. "Vivi, Nami, let me lead you lovely ladies to the living room."
Usopp and Kaya are seated close together on the love seat, talking to Ace and Marco. Chopper and Luffy are counting the presents under the trees, smiles growing wider as the number increases.
"Here, I have more," Sanji says, placing the gifts Nami brought under the tree.
"There's so many!" Chopper exclaims happily.
"Sanji, I want meat!" Luffy says. "I can smell it, but Ace won't let me have any!"
"Not yet, Luffy," Sanji says firmly.
"Oi, Sanji, come say hi to my brother!" Ace calls from across the room.
Surprised that he didn't notice the new couple, Sanji goes to greet them. Ace introduces them as Sabo and his wife, Koala. Sabo is older than Luffy but around the same age as Ace. He has blond hair a shade lighter than Sanji and a burn scar on his left eye. His wife Koala, has short brown hair and a wide smile.
"Ah, but what a beautiful lady," Sanji praises, bowing to kiss her hand. "It's my great pleasure to make your acquaintance."
"Well, they told me you were a gentleman, but I'm surprised," Koala giggles. "How did Zoro land someone like you?"
"With a lot of luck," Sanji smirks.
"Oi, Sanji, look who's here," Zoro voice's calls from behind him, and Sanji turns around, surprised to see Law and his foster father, Rocinante.
"Law?! What are you doing here?" Sanji exclaims, but can't help but smile a bit. It's always good to see Law, especially when Roci is there to bring out his personality.
"Zoro invited us," Roci says, smiling brightly. "I hope you don't mind."
"They invited us," Law drawls. "Of course they don't."
"Don't be rude, Law," Roci snaps, smacking him on the back of the head. "He's just grumpy because he's hungry," he adds to Sanji, smiling fondly at his foster son.
"Roci," Law hisses, blushing.
"Dude, your tattoos are so cool!" Luffy exclaims suddenly, grabbing Law's arm to stare at the various designs. "Wow!"
"Uh…thank you?" Law frowns, confused by Luffy's bubbly personality. "Who are you?"
"Oh, sorry," Sanji says, remembering to introduce his friend. "This is Luffy. That's Ace and his boyfriend, Marco. Sabo and his wife Koala. Long-nose over here is named Usopp, and miss lovely Kaya. And these two beautiful goddesses are Nami and Vivi. Guys, this is Law, an old friend of college, and his father, Rocinante."
"You're his Dad?" Chopper gasp, looking at Roci. "But you're so young!"
"I adopted Law a few years ago," Roci smiles. "And I'm not that young!"
"You're younger than me, Roci."
"Robin! Franky! Did Zoro invite you guys too?" Sanji asks, surprised. Did the marimo invite all of his friends? Why? Not that he isn't happy to see them, he just didn't expect them to come. Usually, they all have their own things to do, and Sanji simply spends Christmas Eve in the Baratie, working.
"He came yesterday," Robin nods. "Of course, we couldn't pass up the chance to spend such a wonderful holiday with you, Sanji."
"Ah, Robin! I don't deserve your words," Sanji cries happily.
Kid and Bonney are the last to arrive, and they all spent a good half-hour praising the couple for their engagement. Nami admires the large rock on the ring, while Robin kindly reminds them that most relationships end during the engaged stage. Soon, everyone bonds over wedding talk so there's no awkwardness around the dinner table. Everyone gets along quite well—Robin and Koala actually know each other since Koala and Sabo are also in the Army—so the dinner table is lively.
"God damn, Sanji. This is amazing!" Usopp exclaims as he stuffs his mouth with grilled salmon.
"It's delicious meat!" Luffy cries and latches on to a giant slab of Sea King meat. Bonney curses and joins him, and everyone else hurries in before all the food is gone.
Sanji did go all out, if he admits it. Chile-brine ham and coffee-crusted beef tenderloin. Boeuf en croute and herbed couscous. Shepard's pie and rosemary pepper beef rib roast with porcini jus. There's a bunch of other dishes, each one more delicious than the next. Each one is presented perfectly, fit to grace the tables of kings and emperors.
"It's a giant cookie!" Luffy cheers, holding the large skillet above his head. "Amazing!"
"It's supposed to be for everyone, Luffy!" Nami exclaims, but the cookie is already gone.
"Sanji, this is delicious," Koala praises, cutting a second piece of cake. "What is it?"
"It's called baked Alaska," Sanji smiles. "I actually experimented a little with the recipe on that one. Are you sure it's fine?"
"It's amazing!" Sabo says, stealing a bite from his wife's plate. "You can be honest with me…did Zoro kidnap you?"
"Oi!"
Sanji laughs. "Nah," he shrugs. "Like the shitty swordsman could ever beat me."
"If I remember correctly, I did beat you," Zoro smirks. "Right, Robin?"
"Zoro does seem to have won that battle," Robin says delicately.
"What? I was going easy on you!" Sanji exclaims, indignant.
"Eh? You were out of your depth, admit it!"
"No. I just felt sorry for you because you keep trying to catch me and couldn't," Sanji scoffs. "And then your marimo ass sat on me."
"And you liked it."
"As if!"
"Oh yeah? 'Cause I distinctly remember this sexy little gasp you let out. Kind of like—."
"Alright, we get it," Sanji cuts off, blushing. "I'm gonna go get Chopper's cake."
"My cake?" Chopper asks, looking up from the bowl of ice cream he's finishing off.
"Of course," Sanji smiles. "A birthday cake for the birthday boy."
"Yay! Is it a chocolate cake?"
"Just wait and see," Sanji says, and leaves for the kitchen. He adds a few finishing touches to the cake and fills seventeen glasses with milk. He picks up the cake first, which is much larger and heavier, then the tray of glasses. Making sure the cake is balanced correctly, he heads back to the dining room.
"Oh my god!" Chopper yells in excitement, eyes wide as saucers as he stares at the cake Sanji prepared. "It's a cotton candy cake!"
"Your favorite candy, isn't it?" Sanji smiles, placing the cake in the middle of the table. It's a three tower vanilla cake covered in blue, buttercream fondant. The cake itself is pretty simple, since Sanji wants to draw attention to the fact that the three cakes are resting on clouds of pink cotton candy.
"Shit, Sanji, how did you manage to do that?" Ace asks, and he sounds impressed.
"It looks beautiful, Sanji," Robin praises.
"Yeah, yeah, but does it taste good?" Bonney gripes.
"We're talking about Sanji-bro here. It's bound to taste super," Franky grins.
"Can I have the first piece?" Chopper begs, his lower lip trembling a little.
"Of course, Chopper," Sanji smiles. "But first, we need to sing you happy birthday."
They sing happy birthday loudly and off beat. Sanji bursts out laughing midway at the sight of Law mumbling the words, Roci loudly yelling them offbeat next to him. Luffy is hanging off the moody doctor, singing the words loudly and slowly in his ear, as if trying to teach him the words.
"Cake! Cake! Cake!" Chopper, Luffy, and Usopp cheer as Sanji begins to cut the cake into sections. The cake is a bit too sweet for Zoro, and Law doesn't really like bread, so he gives them the smallest pieces.
He doesn't have to worry about any of the food going to waste, even though he made enough to feed a small army, because Bonney, Luffy, and even Ace put away most of it.
As the meal begins to end and his guests start moving to the living room, Sanji and Robin stay behind to wash the dishes. It's slow work, but it gives them a chance to talk. He hasn't talked as a friend with the raven-haired woman for a while, so he listens attentively as Robin tells him about how Franky gave her the perfect anniversary gift, then she returns the favor when Sanji recalls this morning's events (without telling her about the duck pajamas, of course).
"It sounds like things are going well with you two," Robin notices.
"Yeah," Sanji sighs, smiling. He thought things would be weird after his confession, but everything has gone back to normal. "You know, I do have to thank you for this," Sanji adds, smiling at Robin. "You've helped us out a lot."
"You two are rather an unusual sight," Robin says softly. "But I can see how much you care for him. He makes you happy."
Sanji blushes but and decides to only pay attention to the first part. "What's so confusing about us?" he asks, confused. "Do we really don't seem to fit?"
"Not at all," Robin laughs. "But then again, look at Franky and me. There were many that thought little of our relationship. But if you love Zoro, then it doesn't matter how other people look at you."
Sanji stops and looks at the surface of the plate he's cleaning. The suds are being washed away by the hot water, leaving the surface clean and smooth.
If he loves Zoro…it's a thought that has crossed his mind. Fleetingly, but constantly. There was a part of him that thought the words when he thought Zoro had cheated on him. There had been a whisper of it when Zoro held him while he poured his heart out. The words had easily come to mind when he woke up this morning and spent ten minutes just studying Zoro's sleeping face.
The words had touched the tip of his tongue just hours ago, when he saw Zoro dressed in footie pajamas to match with Chopper.
Does he love Zoro? He's a man used to falling in love easily. He has professed his love to women countless of times, often at first sight. His heart beats a thousand times per second, his skin tingles with the need to touch, every moment is filled with brightness and joy—he's experienced that, and more, with Zoro.
But it's different with Zoro, too.
He gets to enjoy moments of silence. There are times when they scream at each other until their throats are raw and punches (and kicks) have been thrown. He gets moments of tenderness, like when Zoro joins Chopper in bed after a bad dream.
"Do you love him, Sanji?" Robin asks gently
"I…I don't know," he whispers. Is it love? It feels so different from what he's used to. Never before has he been able to share his fears, his hopes, his dreams with anyone like he does with Zoro. He wants to be with him, of that he's sure. He really wants to be with him.
But is it really love?
"Perhaps you just need a sign," Robin smiles. "That little thing that makes you think 'I love him'."
"I'm not—."
"Oi, Sanji, Robin…we're waiting on you guys," Franky calls from the kitchen door. "Are you almost done?"
"I'm sure I can finish off here," Robin says as eight disembodied hands appear and take over the washing and drying. "Let's go, Sanji."
The others have already taken the gifts from underneath the tree and moved them over to the sofas. Zoro has a neat little pile in front of him, and a second one that belongs to Sanji next to his.
"It's not midnight yet," Robin says, taking a seat next to Franky.
"Who cares?" Luffy shrugs. "Let's open them now!"
"Okay," Nami rolls her eyes. "Let's just open them all at once, okay?"
Chopper is the one who ends up receiving the most presents since even Sanji's friends brought him at least one gift.
He absolutely loves the hat Zoro bought him, and goes crazy over all of the books Robin got him. He gushes excitedly at Sanji's stethoscope, and receives all of the other gifts with childish glee.
But his favorite, by far, is obviously Law's gift.
"Tickets to Vegapunk's conference?" the boy whispers, staring at the two tickets on his hand.
"He's an old acquaintance," Law shrugs. "I know you've been interested in the limitations of your Devil's Fruit, and Vegapunk-ya has worked for a long time in their study. I thought you might like it."
"I love it!" Chopper shrills. "These are amazing! Oh my god, thank you so much, Law!"
"Good job, Tra-guy," Luffy grins, patting the doctor on the back hard enough to make him stumble forward a little. "You're a nice guy!"
"Oi, watch out, Law," Zoro smirks. "Once Luffy deems you a nice guy, you'll never see the end of it."
Law stares horrified at Zoro, then glances at Luffy, who's beaming. He looks back down at the floor, horrified expression turning to gloom acceptance.
"Aw, Law made a new friend! I'm so proud of you, Law!" Roci exclaims, pinching Law's cheek.
"Roci!" Law hisses mortified. "Oh my god."
After Chopper, the rest of the group starts opening their presents. Nami absolutely falls in love with the dress Sanji got her, Luffy loves the packet of rare meats Usopp gave him, and Koala almost starts crying when Sabo gets her a charm bracelet she had mentioned liking almost a year ago.
"Cook, these are great!" Zoro says when he opens the gift Sanji got for him. He takes out the three golden, dangling earrings and replaces his silver studs with them. The gold is a stark contrast to his tan skin, giving him an exotic appearance. With the earrings, he looks more refined, almost regal.
"They fit you really great, Zoro," Vivi smiles. "Sanji really knows what looks great on you."
"Of course, my princess," Sanji grins. "What did you get me, marimo?" He picks up the two hastily wrapped presents that Zoro got for him. They're both flat and thin, though one is much larger and hard. Sanji unwraps that one first, smiling when he sees the monogrammed cutting board. It's bamboo, is favorite, and he knows Zoro got it from the kitchen supply store he likes on Sabaody.
"Thanks, marimo," he says, smiling. He reaches for the second one, frowning when it bends a little.
"Shit, not that one," Zoro exclaims suddenly, yanking the gift from Sanji.
"Eh? What the hell, Zoro?!" Sanji snaps, reaching to take his present back. "Give it back!"
"No, forget about this one," Zoro says quickly, leaning away from Sanji's grasping hands. "Get off, shit cook!"
"Like hell, shitty moss! It's my present," Sanji growls, straddling Zoro to reach the gift. Zoro leans as far as he can, but curls a little when Sanji jams his knee in his stomach.
"Shit," he curses.
Sanji gets his hands on the present, but Zoro stretches out again to try and get it back, so Sanji has to unwrap it quickly.
"Cook, stop! Don't—fuck."
Sanji gets the wrapping completely off and stares at the navy blue Tupperware lid in his hands. Zoro has stopped trying to get it off his hands, so he's able to sit down on Zoro's lap, the lid between them.
"I, uh—I saw it, and…well, it made me think of the day we met," Zoro shrugs, but he's blushing bright red. "Because, you know, I never gave you the missing lid."
Sanji stares at the lid. It seems like almost yesterday when Sanji found Zoro almost fainting from hunger outside of the Baratie that night in May. Then, he thinks of the night he confronted Zoro, remembers Zoro handing him the stack of containers and saying he was missing a lid—it was such a long time ago, he's surprised Zoro remembers it so clearly.
"It was a spur of the moment thing," Zoro mumbles. "It doesn't—."
Sanji stops him with a kiss, a kiss that stops the jumble of words Zoro is nervously about to say. A kiss that stops the three little words Sanji so desperately wants to shout. Even when they stop kissing, Sanji doesn't let go, nuzzling Zoro's neck.
"I can't fucking believe you are more romantic than me, marimo," Sanji mutters and Zoro laughs, loud and happy.
Sanji squeezes his eyes and bites at his lower lip. He opens them again when Zoro rubs his back, and sees Robin staring at him expectantly.
He nods, and she smiles widely.
He's in love.