They were both morons. Both the shitty old geezer and the damn marimo were extremely embarrassing morons. Of course, this wasn't new information to Sanji. After all, he had spent most of his adolescent years with Zeff on the Baratie and several years in close quarters with Zoro (and the relationship that eventually developed between him and the swordsman only further proved the fact that Zoro did indeed have more muscle than brains). But the blonde cook had learned over the years how to tolerate their more annoying quirks and characteristics.
But that had been separately and now the two of them were together, standing toe to toe, glaring at each other with an intensity that promised a fight. Sanji wanted to rip his hair out in frustration.
"Oi, crap geezer, what's with the warm welcome?" Sanji complained in an attempt to lure the older man's glare away from the swordsman. "You see me for the first time in years and the first thing you do is try and pick a fight with the moss head?"
But Zeff ignored Sanji completely, instead narrowing his eyes at Zoro. "So you're the one who the little brat's been messing around with," It wasn't so much of a question as it was an accusation.
Zoro stayed firm, "Yeah,"
The older chef studied the man across from him for a moment before speaking again, "You're the type who doesn't think much before you try to cut something up, am I right?"
Hole in one, Sanji thought as he lit a cigarette to try and calm his nerves. What were the two trying to prove to each other?
Zoro nodded, "And you're the old man who saved Sanji's life years ago,"
The remark was not one that Sanji had been expecting. He had told Zoro the story of when him and Zeff had been stuck on that rock together, the feeling of immense hunger that they both experienced, how the old man had saved the little boy that he didn't even know, years ago and it never really come up since. But to bring it up now of all times…why?
Sanji was suddenly pulled out his thoughts as Zoro's hand wrapped itself around his wrist to pull him closer. The cook let out a yelp of surprise when he met with the swordsman's chest and felt his face burn in embarrassment as he stood before Zeff with Zoro's arms circled tightly around his midsection. The green haired man laid his chin on the cook's shoulder but never broke eye contact with the ex-pirate.
"Thanks to you, the cook was able to survive and live the rest of his life learning to do what he loves," Zoro's breathe tickled Sanji's ear and he fought back the urge to shiver at the feeling. "You also helped to push him into joining with Luffy to fulfill his dream."
One of Zoro's hands removed itself from the embrace to catch ahold of one of Sanji's hands and intertwine their fingers. Sanji was sure his face was as deep a red as it could get but Zeff seemed unaffected by the whole display of affection. The swordsman continued,
"So, it should only be appropriate that I ask you if the curly-brow can spend the rest of his life by my side."
There was a brief moment where everyone in the room was stock still, slowly processing the words that came from the swordsman's mouth. Sanji's breathe was caught in his throat, his red face was practically on fire, and the close contact with Zoro only seemed to make things worse. Did the marimo just do the equivalent of asking a father for his daughter's hand in marriage?
"Screw that!" Sanji screeched, twisting himself from Zoro's grasp to swing a kick to his head. The other man ducked in time, alarmed at the cook's sudden violent reaction. "I'm not a woman that needs this shitty old man's permission to spend my life with someone, stupid swordsman!"
Zeff's voice rose above the curses that spewed from Sanji's mouth. "If you want him, that's fine. He's your problem now." There was a sudden cold chill in the room when Zeff sent another heated glare toward Zoro. "Just make sure I never have to get involved."
Did the old chef just do the equivalent of the "hurt her, and I'll kill you" line?
Sanji seethed.
"Damnit! Both of you stop treating me like I'm some little girl!"