The sun is peeking over the horizon, splashing hues of yellow and orange over the sky. It's not enough to shade light, but it makes the sky look beautiful.
Zoro can't look at the sky. He's face down on the bed, his face buried in his pillow as he tries to stifle the noises he's making. His legs are pressed together, encased by Sanji's. He can feel Sanji's chest pressing into his back, can feel his mouth leaving marks on his shoulders and in the dip of his upper back.
He wants to fist the blankets, pull on them until they rip, but Sanji's hands are over his own, fingers intertwined. He wants to push back against Sanji, but the man's entire weight is pressing him down on the mattress.
"Fucking hell, cook," he growls, trying to buck up into Sanji. "Move!" The order comes a lot more pleading than he intended.
"I told you, you have to ask nicely," Sanji murmurs in his ear, biting down at the sensitive flesh.
"Fuck you," he curses, wincing when another pleasure cry leaves his lips. "Sanji—oh shit!"
He's been on the edge of coming for what feels like ages. But Sanji won't pick up speed. He's just rutting into Zoro, jamming the head of his cock repeatedly and sharply into his prostrate. The roll of his hips is sinful, each aborted thrust torturous to the swordsman.
His own cock is trapped under him, receiving no stimulation but the slight friction of the too-soft blankets.
"If you can't fuck me right, then let me get my dick in you," Zoro mumbles, forcing himself to stop gasping. He really wants to come, and the thought of asking nicely is starting to look less and less daunting.
"What was that? I couldn't hear you," Sanji says, and Zoro can practically feel the man's smirk against his shoulder.
"Fuck me, you useless piece of—ngh, god!" His face is shoved down into the pillow, and he receives a hard thrust, the slap of skin against skin loud.
"You mean like this?"
Fucking shitty cook and his fucking amazing cock. Zoro tries to throw off the cook again, but it's useless. He could have better luck trying to move an eighteen wheeler than to budge Sanji's legs.
"Fuck," Zoro curses when Sanji pulls on his hair and kisses the taut line of his neck.
"C'mon, Zoro," Sanji murmurs soothingly. "Just one little please. Tu peux le faire."
Sanji speaks the words against his cheek. The bastard is completely taking advantage of the few inches he has over Zoro by hooking his chin on Zoro's shoulder and grazing his lips against the tender skin of his cheekbones.
Sanji's hips roll tortuously slow, almost pulling completely out and staying there. Zoro can feel the thick head spreading him wide, the muscles inside his walls flexing around hollow emptiness, and he breaks.
"Please, fuck me," he growls out viciously—but Sanji knows that's all he's ever gonna get. Zoro gasps as Sanji pushes in slowly, but he only pauses for one moment to move his hands to Zoro's hips—his long fingers curling over the swell of Zoro's hips, his thumbs digging into the two dimples that form on his lower back—and then starts to really fuck him.
"Fuck yes!" Zoro gasps, his whole body shuddering as pleasure jets through his veins. He can't grind back into Sanji since the cook's grip on his hips is bruising, but he doesn't need to. Sanji is fucking perfect. Sanji moves until his legs are folded underneath him, sitting on top of Zoro, and increases his pace once more.
He can hear the cook's grunts and moans above him, taking in every cue through the tremors in Sanji's legs, since their chests are no longer touching. Sanji's length is thick and throbbing inside of him, hot where it presses against his walls, blunt as it hits his center. Zoro isn't trying to stop the sounds coming out of his mouth anymore, knowing it's useless to stop them, and lets himself be caught by the wave of blissfulness surging inside of him.
He ruts into the soft blankets, finding minimal friction against his own painful hard cock, but that will probably be enough to get him to come. He doesn't need much when the cook is hitting his hotspot so fucking often.
That is, until Sanji pulls on his waist and moves him away from the blankets.
"Not like that!" Sanji snaps, ignoring Zoro's surprised yelp and pushing him forward into the headboard.
"What the hell, cook?" Zoro gasps angrily, pressing a forearm against the wood frame. "Let me come!" he demands, moving a hand to grip himself—but Sanji grabs both his wrists and pulls on his hands. Zoro falls face-first into the bed, unable to hold himself up with Sanji holding on to him, and his legs slip a little.
His face burns as he realizes his position: face down, ass up, and Sanji fucking him from behind.
"Come!" Sanji demands over the sound of his hips slapping against Zoro's ass. "Fucking come!"
"Let me touch myself!" Zoro yells back, glaring at the cook and tugging uselessly on his hands. "Fuck!" he moans, seeing stars in the back of his eyes when Sanji switches rhythm and starts rutting into him like a fucking dog in heat. Zoro needs to fucking come now!
"Merde, tu m'excites," Sanji growls and finally lets go of him to grip Zoro's hips and fuck in roughly, burying himself to the hilt with each thrust.
Zoro moans loudly, gripping the covers tightly with one hand, the other one moving to the speed of Sanji's thrusts as he touches himself. It doesn't take long, maybe three tugs, before he's spilling all over his hand and bed. It hurts when he squeezes down around Sanji's hard length, but it makes the blonde explode inside him. His hips jerk against Zoro as the tight passage milks him until it spurts out around him and stains Zoro's dark skin.
"Oh, fuck," Sanji whines, rubbing a speck of his come into Zoro's skin. "That was so fucking hot." He pulls out and Zoro feels the other man's eyes on his ass even as he feels Sanji's come trailing out of him.
"Stop that," he growls, rolling over and falling next to the large wet spot where he came. Sanji pulls on the covers until Zoro raises himself a little so the cook can get them off and throw them on the floor. "What the hell was that?" he demands. He's still a little breathless, but he's sure Sanji can hear the irritation in his tone.
"I wanted you to come untouched," Sanji whines, snuggling in close to him.
Zoro sighs and rolls his eyes. Of course it was something stupid like that. "Cook, some people are just more sensitive to certain kinds of stimulations. You get off playing with your ass—deal with it."
"Don't fucking say it like that," Sanji snaps, smacking his chest. "Ugh, fine—but you can't deny you liked it."
"You know, I could have done without the fucking half-hour of edging," Zoro mutters, but he has to agree with Sanji. He did enjoy that—he can still feel traces of his orgasm turning his limbs to putty.
"Hey, I was fine giving you a hand job. You were the one who insisted on full-blown sex."
"Because I thought I'd be fucking you," Zoro snaps. "Whatever. I need to clean your fucking come out of my ass, so move."
"But I'm comfortable," Sanji whines.
"Too bad. You promised Chopper you'd take him shopping today, and Koshiro opens at nine."
"You're not fair," Sanji says, but finally rolls of Zoro. "And here I wanted a second round."
"Don't tempt me," Zoro says, placing a soft kiss to the corner of Sanji's lips. "We could always take a shower together."

The shower takes a little longer than expected, since Zoro manages to convince Sanji to suck him off and receives a hasty hand job in return. Chopper is already in the kitchen when they arrive, eating a bowl of Lucky Charms.
"Are you only eating the marshmallows again, Chopper?" Sanji questions as he enters, followed by Zoro. He should probably make sometime quick and simple, so Zoro can go ahead and leave. He has been talking about returning to the dojo for days now, especially since he'll be able to see Koshiro again. Sanji kind of wants to meet the man, but doesn't want to mention it to Zoro. He doesn't know how the swordsman will feel about Sanji meeting his father.
"No," Chopper answers him, wrapping his arms around the plate.
Sanji rolls his eyes but stars on an easy omelet for Zoro and himself. He and Chopper are going shopping today while Zoro goes to the dojo. Sanji wants to buy Chopper a phone, since the boy has been scraping by borrowing Zoro's phone or Kobato's, and he will need a way to communicate with them now that classes are starting next week. Also, they need to start buying all of the supplies the boy is going to need. He's sure Chopper will use up a lot more notebooks than Sanji ever did in his time.
Zoro leaves as soon as he's done with his breakfast. Sanji stays behind to clean the dishes, then helps Chopper make a list of all of the things they need to purchase. After that, they leave for Sabaody, and Sanji readies himself for a long day of shopping. First things first, he needs to buy Chopper a new phone.
"But why?" Chopper asks as he looks over the rows of phones.
"What do you mean, why?" Sanji snorts. "So you can call us! What if you inherit the shitty moss' sense of direction? A phone is a lifeline! I should probably buy your dad a new phone, too; I can't believe he's still carrying around that flip phone."
"I like this one," Chopper says, pointing at one of the IPhones on display. It's one of their limited editions, the IPhone 6 make with the colors of the IPhone 5c. Sanji has the blue one, and Chopper likes the pink one.
"What do you think your father will like?" Sanji asks, though he can already guess. Chopper only grins and points at the green phone. Sanji does buy the two phones, but also gets Chopper a laptop and a printer despite the boy's complaints.
"But it's so expensive," Chopper whispers.
"Dude, have you seen my house?" Sanji snorts, rolling his eyes. "C'mon, Chopper. It's the least you deserve!"
Chopper reluctantly agrees, but he gets more excited once they enter the large office supply store. Sanji has never seen someone get so excited over paperclips and staples. They end up buying the bulk of their shopping list in that store. It takes a little push from Sanji, but the boy soon starts asking for whatever he wants without worrying about how much they cost.
By the time they stop at an ice cream shop for a light snack, they're loaded with bags.
Sanji buys two large milkshakes—chocolate for Chopper, vanilla for himself—and a slice of apple pie for them to share.
"Thank you for everything Sanji," Chopper says as they take their seats.
"You're welcome, buddy. Now, let's take a picture to use as your dad's screen saver."
Chopper transforms into his chibi form and Sanji hugs him to his chest, taking a quick selfie. It looks like Sanji is holding on to a cute teddy bear, smiling widely at the camera. He quickly sets it as the background in Zoro's phone, leaving the lock screen with the default image.
Since he has to go to work at three because he asked for the morning off at the Baratie, they leave as soon as they finish their milkshake. Sanji drops off Chopper at Usopp's, who has Kaya over. Chopper shows off his phone and quickly gets Usopp and Kaya's number.
He drops off the stuff they bought first, then heads over to the Baratie. He's surprised to see the car Zoro took already parked next to Sanji's parking space.
"Zoro's here?" he asks his father once he's inside the kitchen.
"Upstairs getting changed," Zeff nods.
Sanji finds him in one of the empty rooms, tying his apron. He looks up when he hears the door opening, smiling when he sees Sanji.
"How was it?" Sanji asks, talking about Zoro's visit to the dojo.
"Good. I missed him," Zoro grins, talking about his foster father. "He's gotten more students and bought the place next door. It's getting really popular, so he's actually looking for a new instructor."
"Well, that's good," Sanji smiles. "I got you a present. You can call it our two month anniversary gift."
"Isn't that next week?" Zoro frowns.
"Wow, I didn't—I didn't think you'd actually remember," Sanji says, surprised. "But yes. This is just early."
"I didn't get you anything," Zoro says, and Sanji shrugs.
"You don't have to. Open it." He hands the box to Zoro, who opens it and frowns.
"I already have a phone."
"Yeah, but this one's better," Sanji says. "You see how it doesn't flip open? That means it was made after 1996."
"Those things are stupid," Zoro scoffs. "I just need to talk, and my phones does that fine."
"Well, I already switched your number to this phone," Sanji snaps. "And took like a bunch of pictures on it."
Zoro slides the screen open and smiles when he sees the background picture. He leans in to give Sanji a quick kiss on the side of his mouth, and Sanji hears the sound of the phone camera.
"Nice," Zoro grins, looking at his phone. "Put that one on the outside screen." He hands the phone to Sanji, showing him the picture.
Zoro has his eyes closed, a hint of a knowing smirk on his face as he kisses Sanji, whose eyes are wide in surprise. He smiles and quickly puts it as the lock screen, feeling a strange giddiness at being chosen as the swordsman's lock screen. He himself has a picture of the sleeping marimo with Chopper as his background, a picture of the Baratie as his lock screen.
"C'mon, we'll be late for work," Sanji says, handing Zoro his phone back.
"Ugh. Sometimes I just want to punch some of these people in the face," Zoro groans, but follows Sanji back to the first floor.
"Heh. They're probably just annoying you because of your ugly face."
"I don't think that's it. Some lady pinched my ass as I was walking by, and some old guy handed me his business card with a personal number on the back."
"Maybe he could tell you have a thing for older men," Sanji says, smirking.
"I think it's the grey hair," Zoro replies, laughing when Sanji gasps and touches his head.
"Idiot! I don't have grey hair, bastard!"
Zoro laughs again and kisses him softly before he opens the door leading to the dining room.
Sanji ignores the small ache in his chest and follows him.

Things feel weird when Chopper starts going to class. Instead of dropping him off at Nami's or Usopp's, Zoro now has to take him to New World University. He worries all day during the first day of school, but when he goes to pick up Chopper at two from his last class and sees that he's still alive, he chills out a bit.
The New Year also comes with a change in work schedule. Zeff lets him switch shifts with Jerry so that Zoro can go to the dojo every morning. Sanji, however, stays in the morning shift so they don't get to spend as much time together as before. Maybe that's the reason why Sanji starts acting more affectionate. Not that Zoro minds—he does enjoy when the blonde is in a pampering mood, especially since he stops trying to get Zoro to come without touching his dick.
Apart from work, Sanji is also busy helping Kid and Bonney with their wedding. The happy couple has already set the date for late June and while Bonney has chosen her sister Lola as Maid of Honor, and Kid has chosen his best friend Killer as Best Man, the pair often come to Sanji for help.
Sanji it's only happy to help, and the man does have great taste and plenty of connections.
Because of their new, limited time together, it takes a while for Zoro to notice that something is bothering Sanji.
Zoro isn't exactly sure what, but he can feel it. It's an uncomfortable feeling, the type of feeling he gets when buildings start moving (he would call it getting lost, except he doesn't get lost). He doesn't know what he can do to fix it, but he wants to. He doesn't like the way Sanji hunches down on himself, the way he looks at Zoro like he wants to say something, yet never does.
Sanji is upset because of Zoro, and he doesn't know what to do. And this isn't the same thing as when they fight. Those are silly problems, often blown out of proportion. They fight more because it's fun, than to actually fight. Fighting with Sanji is the best workout, and Zoro loves doing it almost as much as sex, but this is different. Sanji is affectionate, but there's something he isn't telling Zoro.
He hasn't had a chance to talk to him about it in the past days because Robin's birthday is today, and Sanji made himself responsible for the day's catering.
The sound of a car honk startles him out of his thoughts, and he realizes the light is green. Cursing he steps on the gas and takes a left when the GPS says to go right. He's found that if he turns in the opposite direction that she says, he'll get where he wants to go.
Zoro drives until he arrives at New World Banking. He's greeted at the door politely, and offered a water bottle while he waits. He's found that people are nicer to him when they see him driving one of the cook's cars. It doesn't hurt that while his clothes are casual, they're ridiculously expensive.
"Mr. Roronoa?"
He looks up at the tall, dark-haired man that greets him. He's dressed like the cook, except he's a bit shorter and has wider hips.
"My name is Darson, how can I help you today?" he asks politely.
"I opened an account a couple of months ago…I just want to see how much I got in there," Zoro says awkwardly, running a hand through his hair.
Darson follows the movement, then nods. "Of course; right this way, sir." Darson leads him to his office and offers him a seat. He clicks something on his computer, then turns to Zoro.
"May I see your ID?"
Zoro hands it over, and settles more comfortably on the chair as Darson begins pulling up his account.
"Which account would you like to view, Mr. Roronoa?"
"What are you talking about? I only have the one," Zoro frowns.
Darson cocks his head in confusion. "No…I see here you have a joint savings account with a Sanji Black."
Zoro groans, and thumps his forehead with the palm of his hand. "That fucker…how much is in there?"
"Well, there's an automatic monthly deposit of five thousand Beris. It has been open for four months, and the first deposit was of twenty thousand Beris…right now, you have forty thousand Beris on this one."
Four months? Why the fuck would the cook open a savings account four months ago? They weren't even dating back then—shit, four months ago is when he found out Chopper could go to college. The cook probably opened it back then to help him out.
"Check the other account," Zoro says.
"This is a checking account, and it has only been open for about two months. You have ten thousand Beris in this account."
Damn…he hasn't really paid attention, since he has no expenses now thanks to the cook, but he really makes a lot of money working at the Baratie. He still feels a bit uncomfortable every time he think about everything Sanji does for him, but he's learned how to ignore the feeling. Besides, Sanji's birthday is coming up, and Zoro wants to get him something special.
"Okay. Can you deposit these three thousand in the checking account? Also, set up an automatic transfer from this account into the savings account," Zoro says, taking the money out of his pocket.
Darson takes the money and nods. "Very well. How often would you like the transfer to be? And in what amount?"
"Make it 2,000 every month," Zoro says. He doesn't have as much money as Sanji, but he can at least contribute something. Whatever money they save up can be given to Chopper once he turns eighteen.
His phone rings, startling him. Darson gives him a look, but doesn't say anything as Zoro answers the phone.
"Hello?"
"Where are you? Robin's party starts in twenty minutes, marimo!"
"I'm like ten minutes away," Zoro lies, glancing at his phone. New World is about forty minutes away from Water 7. Shit, the cook is gonna be so fucking pissed. "Don't worry, I'll get there."
"Ten minutes? That's like an hour in moss time. You know you're going to get lost."
"I'm don't get lost, shit cook!" Zoro snaps, surprising Darson.
"I know, I know. The buildings move. Whatever, just get your ass here, shitty moss."
"Alright. I'll see you in a few."
He hangs up and Darson hands him back his ID. "There we go. Is there anything else I can help you with, Mr. Roronoa?"
"Nah, that's it. Thanks."
Robin's party is being held at Galley-La, since Frankie is the VP and all, so Zoro sets up the coordinates in the GPS. He finds a route that can take him there in thirty minutes, but the buildings start moving as soon as he crosses state lines, and he wastes twenty-minutes trying to find his way back. When he arrives, the party is in full swing and Sanji is nowhere to be found.
He's not surprised to see some of his friends there, since Koala knows Robin from the Army. The two are actually good friends, and it's not long before Nami, Vivi, and Kaya befriend the raven-haired woman, too. Zoro is pleasantly surprise to see that Nami doesn't seem to hold the same level of distrust towards Robin—or Sanji—anymore.
He doesn't see Sanji anywhere, so he grabs one of the offered beers, and walks to where Ace, Marco, Sabo and Franky are talking.
"Zoro-bro! You made it!" Franky exclaims, patting him in the back.
"Yeah. Though Sanji is still gonna kill me," Zoro says, taking a drag of beer.
"He really went all out," Sabo says, looking around at the multiple tables filled with food so exquisite and delicious-looking that Zoro can get full just looking at them. "This looks even better than the meal he prepared for Ace's birthday."
"That's because we didn't give him much time to prepare, yoi," Marco snorts. "I asked him on Christmas."
"Talking about food, where's Luffy?" Zoro asks, looking around. He's surprised at how quiet the whole building is. There's soft music and the sound of conversation, but nothing indicating the presence of Ace's younger brother.
"Over there, with Chopper," Sabo says, nodding to where Zoro can now see Usopp, Chopper, Law, and Luffy.
Usopp and Luffy are being their usual childish selves, telling some incredible story to Chopper and Law if their wild movements are of any indication. Chopper looks completely in awe like always, while Law has a strange half-exasperated, half-amused look that one can only ever achieve once they spend five minutes talking to the monkey boy.
"I think Luffy has a crush on him," Ace sighs, looking at his brother. "He keeps visiting him at work. He even invited him here."
"Luffy? A crush?" Zoro asks, incredulous. "Are you sure?"
"Yeah," Ace sighs. "Law looks like a good guy, but I'm worried he's gonna hurt Luffy's feelings once he finds out Luffy's ace."
Zoro makes a face, silently agreeing. He still remembers Luffy's first crush, some girl whose name he doesn't even remember anymore. She dated Luffy for a while, but broke up with him as soon as she found out he had no intention of ever sleeping with her. Then there was Boa, who didn't care about Luffy's lack of interest in sex—but Luffy never felt anything but friendship towards her.
"I don't think Luffy is gonna give up either way," Zoro finally says. "I mean, this is the guy who managed to convince me to join that stupid Midsummer Night's Dream play in high school."
"You were a wonderful Puck, Zoro," Ace laughs. "I can't fucking believe I slept through that."
"The woes of a narcoleptic," Zoro shrugs. "I'm gonna go say hi to the birthday girl, then I'm gonna go find my cook."
"Oi, Zoro, try and find out more about that Law guy from Sanji!" Sabo half-yells, half-hisses after him.
Zoro rolls his eyes and waves his hand in acknowledgement. He walks over to where the girls are, talking quietly amongst themselves. Robin catches his eye first, but doesn't say anything as he walks towards her.
"Hey, Robin," Zoro says. He doesn't exactly feel nervous around Robin anymore, but he's still cautious. "Happy birthday."
"Why, thank you, Zoro," she says, smiling. For once, there's nothing hidden in her smile but happiness. "Sanji will be glad to see you make it just in time."
"Where is he, anyway?" Zoro asks, looking round the room. If anybody knows, it's Robin.
"I saw him out in the yard a while ago," Kaya answers. "I don't know if he's still there."
"I saw him go into the kitchen," Vivi says. "You should tell him to join the party, Zoro."
Zoro glances at the kitchen door, frowning.
"Is everything okay, Zoro?" Robin asks curiously, her eyes shining. "You look…nervous."
"What? No, I'm fine," Zoro shrugs, ignoring her penetrating stare. She raises a delicate eyebrow, and Zoro sighs. "I think something's bothering Sanji. He keeps acting all weird."
The four women share a look, and Zoro realizes that they're all very aware of whatever is causing Sanji to be in such a funk.
"You all know," he accuses, glaring at them. "Well, what is it?"
"We're not gonna tell you," Nami scoffs. "It's your own fault for not noticing."
"That's not fair!" Zoro exclaims. "I'm not psychic like you all!"
"We're not psychic, Zoro. We just pay attention," Kaya says, rolling her eyes.
"Oh, we cannot put the blame entirely on Zoro," Robin appeases. "Sanji is a very secretive man. He's able to keep secrets from me, and that's a feat all on its own."
Zoro averts his eyes, realizing Robin is talking about the secret behind Sanji's parents. He glances at her just in time to see curiosity shining in her eyes, which quickly turns to surprise, then amusement. Shit, she knows that he knows what she's talking about.
"Oh my, this is quite the revelation," Robin says, her voice heavily amused. "I take it back. It's entirely your fault that you don't know what's wrong with Sanji."
Zoro splutters and glares at her, indignant. Well, fine! If they want to be that way, he doesn't need their help.
"I'm gonna go look for Sanji," he huffs out, turning his back on them.
"Good luck, Zoro!" Vivi calls after him. Zoro almost smiles until he hears their giggling.
Women.
He finds Sanji in the kitchen like Vivi said, directing the fourteen Galley-La cooks on duty. He looks like a Marine Captain preparing his troops for battle. It's all kinds of hot.
"Hey, cook," he calls, waving when Sanji glances at him.
"Did you just get here, marimo?" he growls, sending him a dark look.
"What? No!" He makes an affronted face, pretending to be insulted. "I was talking to Ace…do you know Luffy has a crush on Law?"
"On Law?" Sanji snorts, easily falling for Zoro's tactic. "And here I thought you and I were an odd couple. But I guess I can see it…if a squint."
"You know Luffy's ace, right? Do you think that'll be a problem?"
Sanji grabs a platter of Devil eggs and walks over to lean on the counter next to Zoro. His eyes follow the cooks still working diligently in front of him. "Nah. Luffy will be good for Law," Sanji finally answers thoughtfully. "And don't think I don't know you just barely arrived," he adds, offering him some eggs.
Zoro shrugs and pops an eggs in his mouth. "Sorry. I was in New World when you called me."
Sanji nods and leans against Zoro, resting his head on Zoro's shoulder. "Hey Zoro…"
"Yeah?" Zoro prompts when Sanji trails off.
There's a pause, then Sanji straightens up. "Do you like them?" he asks, nodding to the food.
Zoro frowns, confused. He wasn't expecting that question. "Yeah, they're fine."
"Good," Sanji says, his eyes on the back of a random cook. He sounds like he doesn't care, but he's not fooling Zoro. Not when Zoro can see the slightly self-deprecating smile and the tight grip he has on the counter. He wants to ask him what's wrong, but part of him knows that Sanji won't give him a straight answer. He sighs, completely stumped.
"Oi, guys…you better come outside; Robin has something to say," Franky calls from the entrance.
"C'mon, marimo. Don't make my beautiful Robin wait," Sanji snaps, but intertwines their fingers together, squeezing his hand softly.
Back in the conference room, Zoro can see that everyone has gathered in front of the small stage at the end of the room. Robin, Franky, Sabo, and Koala are talking quietly to each other in it.
He can see Iceberg, Franky's brother, talking to that curly-haired guy he met during his fight with Sanji. There's also that squared-nose Usopp look-alike he defeated a while back. Ace and Marco are with Luffy and Law, and Nami and Vivi are talking excitedly to Kaya about something that is making Usopp sweat in fear.
"Hey, Dad! I didn't see you come in," Chopper exclaims, bouncing up to them.
"Hey, buddy."
"Hello, everyone!" Franky suddenly calls out loudly, stopping all conversation. "First of all, I would like to thank you all for coming to my wife's super birthday party. A special thanks goes to our good friend Sanji Black who provided the super delicious food you are all eating right now!"
"Whoo, go Sanji!" Luffy yells, causing a ripple of laughter to spread across the room.
"Shut up, moron!" Sanji shouts. "This is Robin's moment!"
"Alright, calm down, Luffy," Sabo says, then nods for Franky to continue.
"Thanks, Sabo-bro. Today, we're not only celebrating my beautiful wife's birthday. We also have super news we would like to share with you all, our friends and family. Robin, would you like to do the honors?"
Robin grabs Koala's hand and takes a step forward, softly touching Franky's arm. No matter how odd a couple they look, the love between the two is clear, even to someone like Zoro.
There is something familiar in the way they stare at each other, like there's no one else in the room but them. He's seen that look before in Sabo and Koala. In Ace and Marco. In Vivi and Nami. It's a look of pure devotion and adoration, the type of feelings he's ever only felt towards Chopper, or Kuina.
And it looks so damn familiar, but he can't quite pinpoint from where.
When Robin turns her gaze towards the crowd, her smile is blinding. For a moment, Zoro finds it more beautiful than the smile Sanji gives him every morning. She looks like she's glowing. She's so happy, Zoro can't help but think she's beautiful.
"Franky and I would very much like to announce that on later on this year, we will be welcoming a new addition to our family," Robin says, her shoulders hunching a little as she smiles.
Before anybody can say anything, Koala leans in close to Robin and says, "And so will we!" and points at her belly.
"I'M GONNA BE AN UNCLE?" Luffy shouts, and before anyone can stop him, he catapults himself to Robin and Koala, hugging both women tightly. "THIS IS THE GREATEST NEWS EVER!"
"Oh my god," Sanji whispers as the whole rooms explodes with calls of congratulations and well-wishes. Franky busts out his guitar, Ace falls asleep in shock, and Marco goes to congratulate Sabo, a snoring Ace in his arms.
Nami drags Luffy off Robin and Koala, and she, Kaya, and Vivi start gushing over the mothers-to-be.
Zoro turns to look at Sanji, but in a flash, Sanji disappears from sight and reappears next to Robin, then proceeds to hug her almost as tightly as Luffy did. Zoro gapes at him.
Did he just—holy shit, Zoro didn't even see him move! How the fuck was Sanji that fast?
"Oi, marimo, get the fuck over here and congratulate these beautiful mothers!" Sanji shouts back at him, voice thick with unshed tears. Chopper is chattering excitedly to Sabo and Koala, looking like a little ball of light.
Shit, that's right. He shakes his head, ignoring the little voice in his head telling him that maybe Sanji really didn't fight him seriously that day in the underground rings.
He reaches Koala and Sabo first. "Congratulations," he says, nodding politely.
"Get over here!" Sabo exclaims and wraps him and Koala in a tight hug.
Zoro laughs and returns the hug. "So this is why you're getting that vacation, huh?"
"Gotta take care of my family first," Sabo nods. Zoro thinks if he grins any wider, Sabo's face will split in two.
"You guys are going to be amazing parents," Zoro says honestly. "And hey, if you guys ever need some tips, just remember I'm the only one in the gang who actually has experience with kids."
"He's really great!" Chopper agrees, pointing at himself.
"I can see that," Sabo laughs.
"Don't even offer, or you'll be in babysitting duty for the rest of your life," Koala grins.
Ace wakes up before Zoro can say anything, and he gets jostled aside as the freckled boy crashes into his brother and sister-in-law, bawling his eyes out. Chopper instantly starts worrying about Koala, fleeting around her to try and make sure Ace isn't too heavy. Zoro rolls his eyes and joins Sanji, who is still hovering over Robin.
"…how far along are you? Have you picked a name? Do you know if it's a girl or a boy? Oh, how I hope it's a girl!"
"Let the poor woman breathe, cook," Zoro snorts, wrapping an arm around Sanji's waist. "Congratulations, Robin. I thought you are looking a little fat."
He receives a kick on the side for his joke, and a slap on the back of the head he's pretty sure came from one of Robin's disembodied hands.
"Don't joke around, you stupid bastard!" Sanji snarls. "Pregnant women are the height of beauty! The way the glow with happiness, their eyes shining with the knowledge of life, their bellies round with the fruits of love! Ah, Robin, votre beauté sera magnifique!"
"Why, thank you Sanji," Robin smiles. "I'm really happy I was able to conceive. It's harder once you hit a certain age, you know."
"But you are so perfect, Robin! You're going to have the most beautiful baby in the world! Unless the poor kid looks like his father," Sanji finishes, glaring at the still-singing Franky.
"Oh, Franky is quite the looker," Robin smiles. "You should've met him when he's still all human." She turns to look at Franky and a hand appears on his lower back to pat him in the ass.
"Wow! This one's for you, baby!" Franky shouts, pointing at Robin, and jumps into another loud and excessive song. "Come dance with me, beautiful Nico Robin!"
Robin laughs and joins her husband. As soon as Luffy sees dancing, he grabs Law's hand and drags him to the dance floor, jumping around like a monkey. Soon, everyone is joining in, more because it's fun than because the music is something you can actually dance to.
Zoro and Sanji are one of the few couples not dancing. Instead, they're leaning against the wall, watching their friends make fool of themselves while Zoro nurses a beer and Sanji smokes a cigarette. Zoro smiles when he sees Kaya start dancing with Chopper, Usopp cheering them on from the side.
"I'm really happy for them," Sanji says quietly. "They really love each other."
Zoro looks at Robin and Koala. The two women are dancing together, Franky is bawling his eyes out to Sabo, and Luffy and Ace are doing some weird shuffle dancing while Marco and Law watch on in horror.
"Yeah," Zoro finally answers, feeling that the answer is inadequate even as he says it. Sanji snorts and leans into him a little.
Zoro sets down his beer, grabs Sanji's hands, and tugs him towards the dance floor to join Chopper. "Come on, cook. Let's show these idiots how to dance."
Sanji laughs and lets himself be dragged forward.
Just being together, laughing and dancing with their friends, is enough for Zoro.