Kindness is a special medicine.

Enjoy~

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Chapter 22

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They had made the long journey to what appeared to be a very well off village. It had been spared from the storms for the most part, only minor repairs due to fallen trees. There had been obvious relief for not only Nami, but Zoro as well when they found the village intact.

Sanji had noticed the short sigh that Zoro had given and an ease of some sort of tension from his shoulders. That's what Sanji had noticed first. The tension.

There had been a strange sense of tension coming from Zoro the moment they had set off from the ship. If that wasn't odd, Nami seemed far too perky for a shopping trip. Especially a shopping trip that was something that Zoro had apparently ordered. It was like they were anticipating something that was waiting for them.

Sanji didn't understand, but he went along quietly. He wasn't really in the mood to start questioning things that weren't any of his business. Besides, his feet were proving to be a good distraction. They were sore and throbbed every time he placed them on the ground, but it was tolerable. He took to clenching his hands in the pockets of his black jeans whenever a sharp pain threatened to make him stumble.

He knew he shouldn't hide the fact they were walking too fast, but he was tired of being cooped up and stationary.

However the moment they had stepped on the main street of the village, Zoro had asked Nami a hushed question. Sanji nearly tripped when Zoro abruptly stopped Nami, but he was soon blinking when he was greeted to the sight of a stare off Sanji had never seen before between the two. Zoro's eyes looked hard and beyond irritated, while Nami seemed immediately nervous as she waved her hands quickly in a disarming gesture. Something that Zoro apparently wasn't buying when his expression immediately turned pissed. Tan arms folded over the broad chest as Zoro glared silently at the woman.

Swallowing nervously, Nami turned to the cook and gave a huge smile that almost looked painful. "Sanji-kun! I just remembered that I forgot something back at the ship! I need you to wait here."

Which utterly baffled the cook. "Eh..?" Sanji tilted his head in confusion as he stared at the two in front of him. "You.. Need me to wait here?" he asked slowly.

"Y.. Yeah! Just for a little while!"

Nami looked like she was ready to bolt any second, while Zoro's hard gaze was fixed on her. Sanji could have sworn there was a blush on the tan cheeks, but there was no way that could be...

"So you want me to.. Wait for what exactly..?" Sanji questioned with a suspicious frown. They were up to something...

Nami was trying to give a disarming smile, but it was clear she was trying to avoid the glare that Zoro was trying to burn a hole through her with. "I just need you to wait here with Zoro for a moment while I run back and check on something."

Though he was still confused, Sanji nodded. "Okay, Nami-san... You sure you don't need any he-"

"No! I mean no. No help. Just wait right here. I'll be right back." Nami said quickly before turning on her heel and running back in the direction of port. 'Eeee.. Note to self.. Zoro gets scary when Sanji is concerned..'

Sanji watched the navigator leave with a perplexed frown and scratched the back of his head. "What do you suppose that was all about..?" he asked his companion lightly.

"Her being herself..." Zoro grunted under his breath as he looked away. 'Fuckin beli hoarding hag.. I can't believe she was going to try and con her way out of not paying for the rest of the jacket...' he mentally seethed. Nami was nakama, but she seriously got under his skin.

Zoro wanted this to be special. Wanted this for Sanji. He was already nervous as hell about the blond liking whatever the tailor had produced. He wasn't going to risk the conniving navigator ruining it all by trying to save a few beli.

Still not understanding, Sanji stopped himself from asking when Zoro turned away. He knew that was the swordsman's 'not going to discuss this' stance. Giving up, Sanji sighed and busied himself with lighting a cigarette. He was still technically under a cigarette ban from Chopper, but what the little doctor didn't know wouldn't hurt him this time. It was for the sake of his own sanity and the fact he was chewing on his lower lip again to get some much missed nicotine.

After the first deep drag he let it out on a blissful sigh before nearly melting back against a short stone wall they were waiting near by. "Mmm.. That's better.." he nearly purred.

Though he was set on being pissed at Nami, seeing Sanji relax like that pulled a slight smile to Zoro's lips. "Chopper keeps telling you those are bad for your health." he pointed out.

Sanji let out another long stream of smoke and smirked at the swordsman. "So's being a pirate with Luffy as a captain." he countered easily.

To which Zoro couldn't argue. "Got me there. How are your feet?" He had noticed a faint limp in the blond's walk about half way to the village, but he hadn't said anything. He was trying to trust Sanji to voice his limits instead of having to call him out on it.

The change in subject had Sanji looking down at his bandaged feet clad in a pair of sandals. His feet were still swollen, so he couldn't wear his shoes yet. He knew Zoro probably had seen he had been struggling, so it was pointless to act okay. "They ache, but it's tolerable. As long as I don't have to stand for a long time I'll be okay." To add to the statement he hoisted himself to sit atop the stone wall so he could take the weight off his feet.

Once he settled himself on his perch he let out a soft sigh. "Honestly I'm just glad to be away from the ship for a moment. Being closed in was starting to get to me."

"Heh.. Never woulda noticed if it hadn't been for the constant bitching." Zoro snorted as he leaned against the wall close to the blond. He was silently glad that Sanji was out as well. It meant things were getting closer to normal. Well.. Their kind of normal.

Sanji gave a bland stare and prodded at the back of the green head. "Oi, if you wanna replay of earlier, you better be fuckin nice to me, shitty marimo."

"If I recall.." Zoro reached up and snatched the wrist of the prodding hand. "I think you enjoyed it just as much as I did." he pointed out with a slow smirk.

A slight blush tinted Sanji's cheeks, but he was failing at fighting off his own smirk. "I have more restraint than you do."

"Bull shit."

"Yeah, you are bull shit."

"Dart brow."

"Meat head."

"Missed this."

"Me too."

Just like that they settled into a comfortable silence as they waited. Watching the villagers moving about their day. Zoro leaning lightly against Sanji's knee while the cook had his hand resting on the swordsman's shoulder. This added closeness they shared was still strange, but neither of them questioned it. It felt right to seek out the occasional touch, or lingering contact between them. In fact if they were both honest, they knew that it was something that had been building up for a long time between them. The fights and arguing were just the only ways they knew how to deal with that attraction.

No one seemed to notice them waiting there. That or ignored them. The fact Zoro always seemed to be scowling inspired passers by to give them a wide berth. That gave them a bit of peace.

They had little to worry about now considering most of the marines on the island had been washed away. That was something they found out quickly when they moved Merry back out to sea. The Marines that had been close to discovering them apparently underestimated the storms. All that was left were the scattered remnants of their camp. Luffy and Usopp both had a grand time looting what supplies that had gotten blown up into the trees along the river.

The ships were gone as well. None of them knew if they had been swept away by the storms or if the marines hauled ass as soon as they were able. Though all that really mattered was that it was one less thing they had to worry about. For the first time in 2 weeks they could finally ease off the constant tension they had been under.

Robin had made a comment how it was ironic. The storm took a lot from them in the beginning, but now they seemed to have more than what they had arrived with. Zoro had a feeling that she was referring to more than just the supplies.

Zoro glanced briefly at Sanji. '... I'll know soon.. Just how much more I have...'

The blond was oblivious as he quietly smoked, staring off into the village. As soon as Sanji was back in a shape, meaning that he could return to his duties and be able to defend himself if... When their next conflict occurred, they were setting sail. According to Chopper, that was in about three or four days, depending on Sanji's progress. Secretly, the cook hated being the one that was holding back their adventures, but he had to admit that it was nice to get some time to just relax. He knew the rest of the crew certainly needed the downtime.

"... Think we should look for another inn to spend the rest of our stay at?" Sanji found himself asking.

Zoro glanced back to the blond and gave a sly smirk. "Eager to get some alone time, ero-cook?"

A bland stare was on Sanji's face as he promptly flicked Zoro's ear. "Ass. No, I mean first we were chased out by the storm, then stuck in a cave."

Rubbing his abused ear, Zoro hummed and shook his head. "I doubt Nami will let us spend money on anything for a while. Not after..." he trailed off to keep himself from ruining the surprise.

"Not after what?" Sanji asked with a frown. When Zoro kept quiet, Sanji let out a frustrated sigh. "You are so fuckin annoying, Marimo."

"Give what I get... Ow! Bastard!" Zoro yelped, clutching the ear that had just been bitten.

"Okay! I'm back!"

Nami jogged up to the pair, now carrying her purse, but came to a stop when she saw Zoro glaring at a smug looking Sanji. "... Did I miss something..?" she asked slowly.

"Only the cook turning cannibal." Zoro grumbled.

"I heard Marimos were edible." Sanji countered smoothly.

Nami blinked and glanced between the two. "Okay... Just try to keep the kinky love stuff out of public viewing... If you insist on it, I'll need to charge admission."

The visible blue eye twitched on hearing the woman's words. "Nami-swaaan! You're killing me.." Sanji whined.

"Tch... I reserve that right. I know you're going to drive me crazy." Zoro snorted before looking back at Nami with a stern glare. "I trust you got what you needed.."

"Yes! Yes, I've got everything!" Nami readily answered with a nervous smile, waving her hands a bit defensively.

Sanji tilted his head at the way the pair were acting, but he had to look away as he started to gingerly lower himself from the wall. When he placed weight on his feet he closed his eyes and took a deep breath at the stinging that shot up his legs. It was always painful to place pressure on his feet those first few steps. A warm arm around his waist had his eyes opening and looking up to the concerned gaze focused on him.

"Just lean on me if you need to." Zoro said quietly as he steadied the blond.

Instead of denying the help and getting defensive, Sanji let the strong frame take some of his weight. "Thanks.." he replied with a slight hint of a smile.

As they slowly headed back down the street towards the tailor shop, Nami lagged behind a few steps. Watching the pair with a small smile of her own. 'They really are good together.'

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"Um.. Nami-san..?"

"Yes, Sanji-kun?"

"Why did you blindfold me..?"

Waving her hand over Sanji's eyes to make sure the blond wouldn't see anything, Nami grinned. "If I just told you, the blindfold would be kind of pointless." she pointed out coyly.

Zoro had gone in ahead to talk with the tailor, but before Sanji got to see what kind of shop they were entering, Nami suddenly pulled something over his eyes and guided him into some sort of building. He caught the scent of leather and dyes, but other than that he had no idea what was going on.

"Well, you have a point there, but why would I need a blindfold for Zoro's shopping? He's not going to traumatize me with something, is he?" Sanji asked as he stayed still to keep from tripping.

"I don't think you'll be traumatized." Nami answered easily. "Just humor me, Sanji-kun~"

The added coo made Sanji useless to resist. "Hai, Nami-swan."

Pleased, Nami glanced up when she heard the door to the tailor's office opening. Zoro walked out before the old tailor followed. Carrying a black jacket on a hanger. The sight of the pristine jacket had Nami beaming. 'Sanji's going to be so thrilled!' Though she hated that she had to part with the full amount, she knew that it was for a good cause. 'And Zoro will be in my debt for the rest of his life.'

Zoro watched the tailor carefully take the new jacket to the cloth form and put it on. Once it was on the form, he saw the polished gold buttons shining brightly. It made him smile. As the old tailor was carefully brushing off any dust or lint on the deep black fabric, Zoro glanced back only to blink. "What's with the blindfold?"

"That's what I asked." Sanji commented lightly.

Nami let out a frustrated sigh. "It's the mysterious excitement factor! Come on!"

Zoro raised a brow. "You excited, cook?"

Sanji offered a shrug. "Kinda hungry. Not too exciting standing here in the dark."

"Gah! My effort is wasted on you two!" Nami waved at Zoro. "You take it off him."

At first Zoro approached the cook thinking nothing of the moment, but as he moved behind Sanji.. His heart picked up its pace. He glanced up at the jacket waiting in front of Sanji. He pictured the anguish that Sanji had been in when the original had been ruined. That look of loss as if something important had been taken away from him.

Zoro was hoping to give some of it back.

Holding his breath, he untied the knot in the cloth and pulled it away from the closed blue eyes.

Once the cloth was removed, Sanji's eyes opened. He opened his mouth to ask where they were, but his voice stopped when he saw the old man in a green apron standing next to a tailoring form...

With a pristine black double breasted jacket with bright gold buttons on it...

His mind went blank as he looked at the jacket.

After a long silent moment he blinked and found himself slowly stepping forward. "M... My.. Jacket..?"

The old tailor gave a warm smile at the young blond man. "New and improved version, lad. Don't be shy. It's been waiting quite a while for you." the tailor coaxed the blond forward.

Sanji was still at a loss even as he closed the space between him and the jacket. He watched numbly as the tailor took the jacket off the cloth form and helped him slip it on. The new lining slid on so smoothly against the white dress shirt he was wearing, and the jacket hugged his body as he fastened the buttons in place. "It.. It's lighter..." he whispered as he looked over the rich deep color of the fabric. It was darker than his old one.

"Lighter, sturdier, and will prove to have more flexibility. That jacket will last you for a long time to come, my dear boy." The tailor replied and he turned the astonished youth towards a set of full length mirrors.

When he was looking at himself, Sanji suddenly felt like he finally recognized the man staring back at him. For the longest time he felt like a stranger always faced him, but now... Now he knew the person he was looking at. Where that person belonged.

"I must say, I don't think any alterations will be necessary. Looks like it fits you like a glove." The tailor mused.

"I believe we have a deal then if Sanji-kun likes it." Nami called out. Even she had to admit the jacket made Sanji look like Sanji again. Too long the cook looked lost. This seemed to be a step in the right direction.

"Yes.. It's perfect..." Sanji answered as he continued to look at the person in the mirror.

Nami glanced over towards Zoro, and saw that the swordsman was barely keeping himself in check. His arms were folded tightly over his chest and his jaw was set rigidly. It looked like he was waiting for something. Figuring this was a moment best not observed, Nami moved to the tailor and hooked his arm. "Let's settle the bill then, shall we?"

"Ah yes. Let's return to my office, my dear." the tailor easily agreed. He'd been waiting over a week for his young customers to return. "I am glad you were able to weather the storms successfully."

"It was certainly an experience. Thank you again for the map. It proved very helpful."

As the pair disappeared into the office, Sanji shifted his gaze in the mirror. Soon his eyes settled on the reflection of his nakama. "Zoro..?"

Zoro felt himself tense in anticipation as he met the reflected blue gaze. "Yeah..?"

Slowly turning from the mirror, Sanji faced Zoro fully. So many thoughts were running through his head. He had no idea Zoro had done any of this. He knew Nami usually frustrated the hell out of him, but Zoro had put that aside and gone to her for help with this. Zoro had noticed how much his old jacket meant to him and had gone out of his way to try and make things better.

After everything they had gone through...

Zoro was puzzled at the look he was getting, but he was startled when he saw the blue eyes watching him begin to mist over. "Cook? What's wro-oomph!" The words were knocked out of him when Sanji practically tackled him. He staggered to keep them on their feet, but once he was steady he felt the desperate embrace that he was now locked in. Worried, his arms wrapped around the blond. "Sanji..?"

"Thank you..." Sanji mumbled against Zoro's neck. He tightened his hold on the other man as he tried not to get overwhelmed. "Thank you so much.."

The quiet words made Zoro smile. He held on firm to his nakama and buried his face into the soft blond hair. "You're more than welcome."

After a long moment, Sanji found himself letting out an amused hum. "Nami's gonna own you forever, isn't she?"

"More than likely." Zoro pulled back slightly in order to look into Sanji's eyes. He reached up and gently wiped away the moisture before it had a chance to fall. "But it's proven worth it."

That comment made a blush form on Sanji face, but instead of fighting it, he moved in to catch the dark lips in a slow kiss.

Zoro gave a low hum as he returned the attention in kind.

The rift between them had finally closed.

Things were finally better.

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TBC

A kiss to make it better.

Later~