As they continued their journey and spent more time together in the kitchen, Sanji began to find himself thinking of the tall man more often, even when he was supposed to be focusing on other things. He noticed his lack of enthusiasm when serving the crew's lovely ladies, and they no doubt noticed it too.
Sanji was confused by his feelings, he had never been attracted to a man before, but he couldn't deny the way his heart raced whenever his hands graced Zulu's in the kitchen or how at home he felt in his presence. There was no need to impress the way he felt he had to for Nami, or to be suave like with Robin, he could just be his snarky self. He struggled with these emotions, not knowing how to express them.
It didn't help that the Newkama had picked up the habit of doing his noon yoga routine right out front on deck. Bending and stretching a way that that sent blushes rushing up Sanji's neck as he served his girls their snacks. He didn't even notice Nami's yell of annoyance as he spilled her sweet tea into her lap. There was something about Zulu's strength and beauty that drew him in. It wasn't until he heard a snort from Zoro that he snapped back into attention and apologized profusely to Nami. He turned away and tried to push his thoughts of Zulu half-dressed; and contorting; aside and focus on his duties as the crew's chef. But as he retreated into the kitchen the thoughts of Zulu's tan body kept creeping back into his mind.
As He was finishing up cleaning in the kitchen Nami walked in and approached the counter. "Sanji, can I talk with you for a second?" she asked.
"Oh course Nami! What do you want to talk about my sweet tangerine of the sea?" He tried to swoon out, and was disappointed by the lack of enthusiasm in his own voice.
"What's been going on with you? You've been acting really strange lately," She said, folding her arms across her chest.
"What do you mean, Nami-swan? I've just been busy in the kitchen lately, that's all." Sanji replied trying to play it cool.
Nami raised an unconvinced eyebrow, "Uh huh, and you coming out to watch Zulu exercise every day, forgetting snacks, and spilling drinks is nothing at all huh? If I didn't know better, I'd say Ussop is telling the truth for once and you really do have a crush on him."
A chill ran down his spine, he quickly replaced it with irritation. "What the hell does he know?! It's NOT a crush, it's admiration for a fellow warrior."
An evil grin spread across her face. "Is that so? I WAS going to let your little incident today pass because I pitied you, but I suppose I was wrong." She turned to walk away, but as she exited the door she looked back over and her eyes gleamed. "You owe me a couple hundred Berri's to replace my skirt by the way."
Once the door closed behind her Sanji put down the rag in his grip and placed his face in the palm of his hands in shame and embarrassment. He couldn't deny that his complicated feelings for Zulu were starting to affect his actions with the rest of the crew. He wondered if he should talk to him about these emotions, but he was afraid of ruining their friendship. It had been hard earned, and he wasn't exactly overly kind or accepting of Zulu when he a first joined. With a sigh, he pinched his nose and got back to work, trying not to think of the enigmatic Newkama.
That afternoon Zulu and Brook sat together, sipping tea and sharing memories. Brook regaled him with tales of the Rumbar Pirates and his adventures with them. "It was wonderful, playing for so many peoples, traveling the world, Laboon… I do miss it sometimes."
"I can imagine," Zulu nodded in understanding. "It sounds like they were a wonderful Crew, I'd say I wish I got the chance to meet hem, but I suppose I wouldn't have gotten to meet you then, would I?"
"Who knows," The skeleton replied. "With my Soul Soul fruit I could have spent a happy long life with them and still been here after. But then I wouldn't have been lost at sea for the crew to find me. and then I'd be missing out on all my new friendships, YOHOOOOHOOhOOOhOOOO!"
As Brook laughed, Zulu couldn't help but feel grateful for Brooks easygoing and jovial personality. It put him at ease to be around someone who had lost just as much, if not more, than him, and he found himself opening up more than he expected.
"Understandable, I never thought I would find such good friends among pirates," He said, taking a sip of tea.
Brook chuckled. "Ohohoho, we may be pirates, but we're not all bad. And more than just friends, we're Nakama. Family."
Zulu found himself smiling at the term. "Nakama…I like the sound of that."
Brook grinned. "It's a term Luffy likes to use. He has a talent for collecting oddballs and making them feel like they belong."
"Luffy.. he's really something special isn't he?" Zulu mused.
Nodding Brook continued "He certainly is. Thou I sure you've noticed everyone on the crew is exceptional in their own ways, especially our cook." And if he had eyes Zulu knew that they would be flashing with expectation.
"You've been gossiping with Ussop lately haven't you?" He huffed out exasperated.
The only response he got was another long laughing Yohohohohohoho.
Finishing up his tea Zulu bid Brook a good evening and headed off to his room to rest and think. Laying in bed he found it hard to relax. There's no way he though, They couldn't know, could they?
He had found himself thinking of Sanji more and more, he couldn't shake the feeling that there was something between them, something more than just friendship. Everyone on the ship knew better than to take Ussop's ramblings at face value, but he had noticed how the cooks fingers lingered when they brushed together or the blushes he'd been getting from his yoga routines.
He also knew that Sanji had always been attracted to women, it was hard to miss the way he'd swoon and coo when a pretty lady walked by. And the man had made it very clear at their first meeting that he wasn't a fan of Zulu's way of life.
Still his thoughts lingered to the kindness he had grown used to the cook showing him. The gentleness of his hand as he treated the cut on his cheek, the protectiveness he displayed during the bar fight. How he was the only Straw hat to seek him out on that disaster of his Birthday, bringing him his favorite tea to sooth his pain.
He had already seen the cook grow so much since he started to travel with them, and he knew he could call him a true friend. He didn't want to ruin it with an awkward and unrequited confession. He had found a family here, people who accepted him for who he was, quirks and all. For now, he would be content to push his feelings away and just enjoy the warmth of Sanji's company and the feeling of safety and belonging that he and crew provided.