Law-lee-et: So prompts? Maybe Sanji can't sleep, or he almost falls down the stairs and Zoro gets scared because of Kuina. Or one or both gets hurt. Or they have their first date. Or their reunion after 2 years… (sry im dumb)
You are not dumb you are super cute babe no worries. So many ideas this is wonderful! I chose the fall down the stairs prompt, I feel like it's been done before but I really like it because it has so much potential and bonding opportunities and man angst it's great. Thanks for the prompts!
The crow's nest was silent; a faint warm breeze flew in from the open windows to run through Zoro's hair, moonlight and stars reflected against the perfect shine of Wado's blade in his hands. Zoro could hear the faint sounds of footsteps below, slowly making their way up towards him, but Zoro kept his eyes trained on the sword and blocked out the noise.
The smell of smoke entered the room, Zoro already knew who it was and ignored him. A hand tugged harshly at his shirt, the cook's voice sounding next to him, but he couldn't speak; he couldn't pull his gaze away from the blade.
"Look at me when I'm taking to you, bastard!" Sanji demanded, but Zoro couldn't bring himself to raise his head. The other man sighed and sat down next to Zoro, leaning back against the wall and blowing a cloud of smoke into the air.
"I'm fine, shitty marimo." He murmured. The scene played once again in Zoro's mind, that stupid fucking fight. He couldn't remember who started it, what it was about, but he remembered the outcome. All it had taken was a little push, not paying attention to where they were fighting, one slight misstep, and the cook had been sent tumbling down the stairs.
Zoro could still feel the panic, the moment his heart dropped in his chest and forgot how to beat. The blond had just lain there, crumpled and unmoving on the ground. Zoro couldn't see him breathing. It happened again, and just like the first time it was Zoro's fault.
"I said I'm fine." The other man repeated, louder this time, nudging Zoro with his foot.
"I could have killed you." Zoro managed to pull from his lungs, each word making his chest ache.
"But you didn't. Come on moron, it'll take a lot more than a push down the stairs to kill me."
"I could have killed you." He repeated. Kuina's small, limp body returned to his mind, he could still hear the faint rain in the background from that day. He nearly lost Sanji today, in that same way, falling down the fucking stairs.
Zoro gently placed the katana in front of him, the pit in his stomach growing. He hadn't realized he was shaking until he felt a hand rest on his shoulder. Zoro grabbed the hand and turned his whole body; he threw his arms around the startled blond and pulled him close, the heart beat against his ear was faintly reassuring.
"What the hell marimo?" Sanji snapped, but there was no bite to his words, slowly wrapping unsure arms around the man sprawled against his chest.
"I'm sorry. I'm so fucking sorry." He whispered, squeezing the other man tighter.
"Zoro, I'm okay, I-"
"You could have been very NOT okay, Sanji! I could have killed you! It would be exactly like when I lost her!" He shouted. He could feel the blond freeze, holding his breath. "I could have lost you…"
"Didn't realize I was so important to you, moss head." Sanji mused quietly.
"Of course you're important to me, don't even pretend!"
"You're important to me too, okay?" Sanji muttered, pulling Zoro up to look him in the eyes. "And if you say you're sorry again, I'm gonna kick your fucking ass. It was an accident. I'm fine."
Zoro released a shaky breath before giving a quick nod.
"Good. Now go to bed marimo, you've been worrying the captain." Sanji pushed Zoro up and off of him. Zoro stooped down to grab his favorite sword, sliding her back into her sheath, and walked towards the door. Before he left, he looked back to see Sanji give him an uncertain small smile.
"So, Zoro… We good?"
"Yeah, we're good."