Papa Cries

One Piece characters belong to Oda

Awesome Beta reader: Braindeadmaggot

Risa Age: 2

Zoro is lying in bed watching television. He just got out of work a few hours before supper, and decided to rest until then. What he doesn't expect is his small green hair daughter to run, full speed through the bedroom open door and jump onto the bed with him. He doesn't react or say anything at first, she has been known for her hyper behavior, but when he sees her cheeks red, and tears rolling down her face, his protective fatherly instinct kick in.

"What's wrong?" He asks, sitting up in bed and gently pulling her chin in his direction so he can see her red face. His heart is thundering inside his chest-all he wants to do is make her stop crying.

"It's Papa." Zoro's eyes widen when she says that with teary eyes, snot now running down her nose. Taking the end of his shirt, he cleans her nose as he asks, "What's wrong with Sanji?"

She points to where the kitchen should be if he walks out his room. "Papa is...*hic* crying."

The policeman's eyes widen instantly. Last time he saw Sanji, he was in the kitchen, ready to start dinner. That was a few minutes ago when he went to get a soda to drink. Did something happen to him? Did he cut himself? Did he cut his hand?! Zoro can't help but dread that last option - the blonde's hands were his world and he would be devastated if something happened to them.

"Stay here." He orders, not wanting her to see Sanji hurt or crying anymore than she already has. Seeing her nod in agreement, he kisses her before he practically runs out his room.

"Sanji!" He yells, taking the corner only to see Sanji in the kitchen, looking over his shoulder at his direction, most likely from when he called him, one hand pressed to his eye, and from the looks of it, wiping tears.

Zoro doesn't stop his advance and hugs Sanji from behind, thinking the worse. "Risa told me you were crying." Turning Sanji around, Zoro can't help how his voice sounds. "What's wrong?"

Pushing off of Zoro, the blonde looks at Zoro with red, tear filled eyes. "Marimo..."

Taking Sanji's hand into his, Zoro is slightly relieved that the blonde's hands look well taken care of. But that leaves him in square one, he has no idea what could be wrong with Sanji, and from the looks of it, the blonde is not injured, so it might be an emotional pain.

"Cook, you know you can speak to me. I'm listening..."

"What are you talking about, Marimo?" He asks with a questioning expression.

Zoro wipes Sanji's tear. "You're crying."

"Oh! This?" Sanji can't help but laugh. "I was cutting onions before you burst through the kitchen."

"Onion?" Zoro asks, dumbfounded. He feels when a weight is lifted from his shoulders. Feeling someone is looking at them, he looks over his shoulder and sees their little girl peeking at them from behind the wall, eyes still teary. Zoro calls her to come. Once next to them, he bends down, Sanji following not a second after.

"Did Daddy make Papa better?" She asks, biting her finger.

Sanji can't believe she was crying cause he was crying. "Honey, I'm not crying. You see those..." Sanji asks, pointing at the sliced onions. Seeing her nod, he explains to her as simple as possible that opinion, when cut, can make someone cry.

"So Papa, is not sad?"

"Papa is happy." Sanji confirms, smiling at her before looking at Zoro. "Let's eat something to get these salty tears off our faces. What do you say to ice cream?" Risa smiles brightly. "Yes!"

"Can I have some, too?" Zoro ask, already standing up straight so he can open the freezer. "Let's eat." He announces.

Kissing her cheek, the cook picks her up and heads to the dining room as Zoro gets the ice cream. "Not too much, dinner's almost ready." Sanji informs, not wanting to spoil their appetite.