Chapter 56

Proof by three

"Ohhhhhh!"

Usopp, Luffy and Brook leaned over the crate that Sanji had just placed at the foot of the table set up on the Sunny's lawn for the occasion. On this sunny morning, the blond had brought back a bunch of tomato varieties from the market and he had offered his friends to help him sort them to come up with recipes. With his mask diffusing the treatment that he had to wear for several hours, the cook could rely even less on his senses and he had decided to include his companions to avoid locking himself in dark thoughts. Three foodies had then volunteered, eager to test new tastes.

"That one is so weird; it looks like a pepper! What is it?" Luffy wanted to know, waving an elongated tomato to examine it better.

"It's a horned tomato," the blond replied, taking it back. "It's a variety that produces pointed and elongated fruits with a dense and firm flesh."

"Can we make a pie with it?" Usopp asked.

"No, they're not very juicy. It's better to use them in coulis or confit them since they don't have seeds. We'll only be able to taste them after cooking."

"I can picture them in Bolognese sauce!" Brook got enthused.

"I wanna taste this tomato!" The captain decided, pointing to an enormous two-tone yellow and red fruit at the bottom of the crate.

"I would have assumed so," his cook said, grabbing it to cut it up. "It's a scarlet pumpkin tomato. It usually tastes great, so we could make a salad or raw vegetables. At worst, it'll be for canning." Luffy tapped his cutlery on his tasting plate and Sanji offered him a large portion before doing the same for Usopp and Brook. The three friends tasted it diligently.

"This tomato is fleshy!" Luffy appreciated, noting its thickness under his tooth.

"It has a tangy side," the musician noted.

"Its skin is a little firm," Usopp added, nodding his head.

"Okay, we'll make them raw with a light sauce," the blond decided as he grabbed his notebook. "They'll be a very good side dish with grilled meat."

"Awesome!" The straw hat boy immediately grabbed a new tomato, examining its black color and small size with curiosity. "It looks like it has been cooked in the oven!" He was surprised.

"It's an old and original variety," Sanji explained, giving each of his friends a handful. "They're good for cocktails, so tell me if they're sweet or sour. I'll serve them as an aperitif."

The skeleton immediately bit into one of them. "It has a very mild taste!" He exclaimed afterwards.

"Very fragrant," the sniper agreed before helping himself again, tempted.

"Okay… With cheese or slices of duck breast then," the cook said. "What do you think, Luffy?" The straw hat boy threw another handful of black tomatoes into his mouth and Sanji hastened to take away the crate he had brought closer to him. "With ham and bacon!" He replied, chewing noisily with a grin.

"Of course," his cook replied, amused.

"This tomato intrigues me!" Brook suddenly said as he pointed to a green fruit.

"There are also the yellow ones that I'd like to try," Usopp noticed. "I've never seen anything like them!"

"Don't panic, you'll taste everything but one by one." The blond dampened their enthusiasm, "Let's start with the yellow one. It usually has a rather fruity taste, it'll allow you to tell the difference with the previous one and if all goes well, I could make a hot cream for the evening when it's cooler…"

From across the deck, Law glanced in the direction of the cook who was slicing new tomatoes under the impatient gazes of his friends. He then resumed sorting the last medicines that the Sunny had with the little reindeer. Chopper had anticipated their needs in view of the surgeon's injuries, but he was running out of stock and the two doctors had already created mixtures to compensate for the lack of plants that helped with healing. Now, bandages were starting to become scarce and they had decided to use sterilized cloths while waiting for the Hearts' submarine to return.

On that note, Law had been happy to hear that his crew would be back in two or three days. Although he had no complaints about the way he was treated on the Straw Hat Pirates' ship, he was eager to be reunited with his companions and go back to his normal routine.

"He seems rather calm despite the events," the Hearts captain finally noted, pointing to the blond. "I didn't expect him to want to cook new ingredients when he can trust his senses even less."

"I was surprised too, but I think it's his way to cope with stress," Chopper replied while annotating a bottle. "After all, getting Luffy to taste food without him devouring it all is an achievement in itself and it keeps him busy."

The surgeon nodded, examining a packet of dried herbs. "That's a good idea," he agreed. "How long will the treatment take?"

"He already wore the mask a bit last night and I recommended three more hours this morning."

"I thought it would be a matter of minutes?" Law was surprised.

The little reindeer nodded at his side, still focused on his sorting. "That was the plan, but the bacteria was still there after our first attempt," he told him. "Franky did his best to replicate the Raid Suit's technology, but it's still possible that the spread is slower."

"I see."

"This is not unusual," Chopper continued, "It probably takes some time for his cells to adapt and expel the bacteria."

"Indeed. The length of the treatment doesn't matter much anyway, but in the meantime, he keeps wearing that mask," the other doctor pointed out.

"I know and I explained the implications to him. He knows that yesterday's treatment didn't work but he wanted to continue and I found him rather realistic. I think Luffy is right. Sanji's strong, he's gonna be okay."

Law looked up again towards the tasting corner, contemplating the cook who was distributing beautiful green tomatoes to his friends.

"How many attempts do you have?" He finally asked.

"If this one doesn't work, we'll have one more attempt. Franky made as much solution as possible from the bacteria we recovered, but he used it all. We don't have anything to make more." The little reindeer's hands suddenly tensed on the last boxes of bandages and he took a deep breath. "The product must take effect within forty-eight hours or Sanji's chances will decrease drastically."

Law said nothing more. He knew it perfectly well.

Sanji examined himself in the full-length mirror in the bathroom, his eyes fixed on his reflection and the mask he still wore despite Chopper's permission to remove it about twenty minutes earlier. Night had fallen for a while already and his friends had gone to bed shortly before. Tomorrow would be a busy day since the shuttle was due to return in the afternoon and the crew couldn't know for sure if it would be a success. Indeed, the devices and controls were working for now but they didn't know what state the shuttle was in or how it would react upon re-entering the atmosphere.

Staring at his own image, Sanji remembered what the little reindeer had told him earlier: their second attempt at treatment had not changed the state of the bacteria in his olfactory bulb. The doctor had then suggested that he give it one last try and the cook had accepted. So he had worn his mask all day and he knew that Franky's solution had completely entered his body by now. He had done everything possible and he was aware of it.

So if he hadn't removed it yet and was still contemplating himself after long minutes, it wasn't so much in the hope that these few additional moments would change the course of his life. He had no control over this treatment and could only wait for the verdict. The rest wasn't up to him.

However, he could influence other factors regardless of the final outcome, and Sanji had had a somewhat crazy idea when he had entered the bathroom to change. Now, he hesitated. In his right hand, the Raid Suit canister shone under the harsh light of the room. The last time he had been in this position, what the mirror had shown had deeply shaken him and the blond did not want to take unnecessary risks.

"What are you doing?"

The cook looked up and saw through the mirror the figure of the swordsman who had just crossed the door. Zoro was visibly recovering from an intensive training given the sweat that was beading on his forehead and he grabbed a towel to dry himself, his gaze fixed on the canister that his companion was still holding. Sanji followed his gaze.

"I wanted to put it on," he admitted.

The swordsman raised an eyebrow before putting down his towel and standing behind the blond. Sanji had not turned around since he was still examining himself carefully and this way, they could still see each other thanks to the mirror in front of them.

"Why?" Zoro asked him.

"I don't really know," the cook said. "Some kind of instinct? I know that it doesn't remind me of the Vinsmokes like it used to, it's more some kind of feeling that I wanna figure out and I think this is the right time. I feel better, it'd be like a test."

"You're already doing this treatment, cook, and Chopper said it'd shake you up quite a bit," his crewmate pointed out.

"I know, but for now, it's not working and there's nothing I can do about it. If I need to get used to my condition, I'll have to take matters into my own hands."

"Did you talk to Chopper?"

"No, I just got the idea," he admitted. Sanji saw Zoro cross his arms over his chest, undecided, and he locked eyes with him through the mirror. "I feel ready, Zoro, it's just… I rather not do it alone."

At these words, the swordsman probed him for a few more seconds before finally nodding and taking a step back. He sensed the cook's determination and this aspect made him rather confident. Moreover, by remaining at his side, he ensured that he could intervene immediately in case Sanji could not bear to see his double.

For his part, the blond looked back at the canister before biting his lips and then seeking the gaze of the swordsman who was silently observing him in the mirror. Sanji took a deep breath and stared straight into his reflection's eyes.

"Here we go…"

He activated the canister and as always, he felt the fabric instantly unfold around his body to envelop him. Sanji closed his eyes as he felt the sunglasses settle on his nose. The transformation was the most delicate moment because from one moment to the next, the cook was literally transforming before his very eyes. It wasn't as if he was putting on an outfit and changing little by little. It was an image that suddenly took the place of another and the impression was all the stranger.

"Cook?"

Sanji realized that he hadn't moved for several seconds and he nodded before cautiously opening his eyes. In front of him, the Raid Suit covered him entirely and he made an effort not to see Stealth Black in the mirror. He ran his hands over his headphones and slowly removed them to place them on the sink in front of him at the same time as his mask. These elements cut him off from the outside world and he needed to feel connected to reality. He then examined his white gloves before his gaze was drawn to his belt. The buckle made him grimace and he looked up. In the mirror, Zoro hadn't moved and he clung to his figure.

"It feels weird," he admitted in a breath.

The swordsman didn't take his eyes off him. "Remember, it's just an outfit. This guy is like an illusion, cook. He doesn't exist in reality."

Sanji nodded, resuming his examination in silence. He ran a hand through his hair and tried to make it return to its usual place but it resisted him. He then touched the collar of his cape and turned slightly until he saw the large number three on his back. The blond froze. He hadn't mattered at all and so he had inherited a number as a first name. At least, it had been the same for his brothers but he was probably the only one who had thought it was important.

"It was definitely fate."

The cook turned back to the mirror to observe the swordsman's gaze on his cape, puzzled. Zoro sensed his silent question and he looked up at him in turn.

"Three has always been my number. Three swords, three earrings. When Luffy decided you'll be part of the crew, I knew right away that my destiny would be tied to you. In some way, for better or worse, it couldn't be otherwise."

"Zoro…"

The swordsman couldn't see his companion's emotion hidden by his sunglasses but he perceived it in his voice and he took a step closer to grab his arm and turn him around. For the first time since entering the bathroom, they faced each other and Zoro examined the man in front of him for a long time.

"If you still have doubts, I can prove it to you," he suddenly said.

"What?"

"I can prove it's you under that outfit," the swordsman repeated. "Is that what you want?"

The blond stared at him. "How?"

In return, Zoro simply placed both of his hands around Sanji's face before closing his eyes and kissing his lips. He felt the cook's surprise against him but did not loosen his grip. He had come a long way too. This outfit had only stolen their crewmate from the Straw Hat Pirates and he himself had hated this Sanji that this avatar had brought out. Stealth Black may have been a good fighter but he had never been half the man the cook was. He possessed neither his passion, nor his emotion, nor his warmth. He was only the reflection of the Vinsmokes world, a cold, flat and twisted world. He was the opposite of the person he had come to know and appreciate so at this moment, Zoro also proved to himself that Stealth Black no longer existed. This man in his arms may have conveyed the image of another, but he knew that under the mask was hidden the one he loved.

He was deeply convinced of it today and that's why he kissed the cook so ardently, to convey his absolute certainty in this regard. He wanted the blond to perceive this fire that the swordsman felt only for him. Only Sanji gave him such a feeling of drunkenness even though alcohol had long since stopped making his head spin. Despite his cape, sunglasses or ridiculous haircut, it was the cook of the Straw Hat crew who held his attention. His exaltation, his ambition, his courage. It was him, and no one else. And especially not this double, this Stealth Black who had almost snatched Sanji away from him.

Zoro suddenly felt the blond's hands grip his forearms and his fingers sink into his bare skin. The swordsman smiled against his companion's trembling lips. This reaction full of hesitation and barely contained desire was typical of Sanji. It had nothing to do with Stealth Black who was quite incapable of understanding the slightest emotion and it was time for the blond to feel it despite the presence of the Raid Suit. This outfit was only a trick that would never replace who he really was, the heart that made the human beat under his chest and filled his head with a palette of emotions.

He wanted the cook to feel this whirlwind of life despite the presence of Stealth Black around him. This bubbling proved that the one he was afraid of seeing disappear was here and in doing so, Zoro was convinced that it would bring the proof that Sanji was looking for. And what more beautiful illustration than that of love could he make him feel? Apart from his cooking, the swordsman was certain that this feeling was the one that Sanji cherished the most. So if he could pass it on through his kisses, Zoro offered it to him with joy. He had always taken responsibility for what he felt for his companion and knowing that it could precisely bring Sanji a little peace also filled him with joy. As he had pointed out to the blond a few minutes earlier, it was necessarily destiny that had brought them together.

After long minutes, Zoro stepped away from the cook's lips to plunge his gaze into his. He ran his thumb over his companion's panting lips, catching his breath as well.

"Is it clearer now?" Sanji just stared at him in silence, his eyes still wide, and Zoro finally placed his index finger on his forehead to make him react. "It's you under that outfit, you idiot. You think I'd kiss someone else?"

"N-No." Sanji finally found his voice again and ran a trembling hand over his face to feel it through his gloves. He traced the outline of his sunglasses and turned back to the mirror to observe himself, noting his still slightly short breath. He frowned and brushed his reddened lips. "Yes, it's me…"

Zoro rolled his eyes. "Obviously. Now take off that stupid thing," he growled, tugging on the collar of his cape. "All your clothes are stupid, but even your usual ones aren't as stupid as this one…"

Sanji couldn't help but burst out laughing at those words and the sound of his own voice left him stunned, letting its echo reverberate in the room for a few seconds. He suddenly paused. How long had it been since he had laughed heartily? How long had it been since he had felt this irrepressible feeling of contentment?

Slightly shocked, he turned back to the swordsman and searched for his words. "C-Come on, mosshead… Don't tell me you only like me for what's hidden under my clothes…"

Zoro smirked but didn't comment. This reply was far from being worthy of the biting repartee of the Straw Hat Pirates' cook but he hadn't missed his burst of sincere laughter and this unexpected event sounded like a victory. He grabbed the blond's arm and turned him around towards him before grabbing Stealth Black's sunglasses and throwing them to better get rid of them. He then leaned towards his companion's lips and stifled another laugh against his mouth. A feeling of pride came over him and he kissed Sanji eagerly. The cook was here, in his arms, and he was winning his fight.

Zoro let his gaze clearly look over the surgeon of death sitting on the other side of the table. There was a bright sun since the day before so they had meals on the deck and at the end of lunch, only the swordsman and Law were still enjoying a last drink while the rest of their companions were scattered on the ship waiting for the shuttle to return.

Nami and Chopper were packing several medicines in case the astronauts needed medical attention while Usopp, Franky and Brook checked their toolbox in case they needed to make repairs on site. For their part, Jinbei and Robin had gone to the library around a new game and in the end, Luffy had jumped on Sanji's back when the blond had approached the tangerine trees to select some fruits for his next recipe.

Slumped back in his chair, Zoro took another sip of sake, deliberately focusing his gaze on the other captain's figure. It was only a matter of time before the man noticed his actions and as expected, Law soon turned his head towards him. Faced with his questioning look, the swordsman tilted his glass to swallow the last drops of his drink.

"What do you want from him?"

The doctor raised an eyebrow, visibly confused, and Zoro put his glass back on the table.

"The cook. You haven't stopped looking at him since yesterday."

"Really? I hadn't noticed," the surgeon finally replied.

Zoro stared back at him. "Spit it out. What is it that you're after?"

Law shook his head, grabbing his own glass of sake. "Relax. I have no bad intentions."

"I asked what you're searching for," the swordsman repeated.

"Why? Are you afraid he won't know how to defend himself? It's a sensitive subject for him, you should moderate your demonstrations on this subject."

"What do you know about what's important to him, Trafalgar?"

The surgeon smirked at those words. "Much more than I thought, mind you. After all, I was his doctor in a way too, and we have a fairly similar past. It forges bonds, naturally."

Zoro snickered, unimpressed. "Your common past won't stop him from kicking your ass if you deserve it. If he doesn't need my protection, he doesn't need yours either."

"You should be relieved then," the captain concluded with a shrug.

"My initial question remains," the swordsman replied, "I wanna know what's your game because your eyes were on Luffy until now."

Law rolled his eyes. "You both really are the same," he mumbled into his glass before swallowing a large gulp. He then put it back on the table and fixed his gaze on that of Zoro who was studying him attentively.

"I'm not stepping on your lines, Roronoa. Even if it turned out that I was interested in Blackleg-ya, which I'm not, I wouldn't venture down that path. He only has eyes for you and to such an extent that it is ridiculous."

Zoro ignored the provocation, just keeping up the pressure of his gaze on that of the surgeon and the latter became annoyed.

"What more do you want me to tell you? I am not interested in your companion and I have even accepted an official relationship with your captain, it cannot be any clearer!"

"Answer my question then, Trafalgar. Why have you been looking at the cook more often than Luffy lately? If you're trying to make him jealous, let me stop you right there. This tactic won't work."

Law stared at him, gaping. "I'm not trying to make him jealous, I-" The surgeon shrank back in his chair, his gaze suddenly shifting, "I don't have to discuss this kind of thing with you."

Zoro shrugged as he poured himself another drink.

"Suit yourself. You look like you want to hang yourself when you look at Luffy and then, you cling to the cook like a lifeline. Since he said you helped him, I wanted to be nice."

Law's eyes widened. "How? By questioning me and sharing your immense knowledge about relationships?! You've been circling each other so much with Blackleg-ya that watching you two was the equivalent of a melodrama worthy of the greatest soap operas!"

Zoro swallowed his drink, not embarrassed in the least. "I'm just saying that I know Luffy and you, you're like the cook. If you think too much, it won't work."

"I'm not like Blackleg-ya!" The surgeon got indignant.

The swordsman glanced at him before finishing his drink. "If you say so." He put his glass down in front of him and crossed his arms over his chest to lean back against his chair and close his eyes. For his part, Law sighed before running a hand over his face. Between his fingers, he saw his own glass still half full and grabbed it to give himself some composure. A second later, the burn of alcohol relaxed him and he slumped against the back of his chair. In front of him, Zoro seemed to have fallen asleep.

"I just wonder… what happened," he finally sighed.

The swordsman opened one eye and Law let his head fall towards the sky, defeated. "His prognosis is not the best regarding his chances of recovering his senses and I've seen his emotional fragility myself a few weeks ago. I would not have thought that he could be so serene today. So I wonder how he could have moved forward while…"

The surgeon glanced at Zoro to see that the man was staring at him calmly and he sighed again.

"... while finding enough mental resources to move your relationship forward despite the fact that he seemed to have given up on it. These are two breakthroughs that are necessarily related, aren't they?"

"Maybe."

The Hearts captain stared at his interlocutor who stared back without blinking. "So?" Law asked impatiently.

Zoro raised an eyebrow before shrugging his shoulders in front of the doctor's obvious expectation. "What? You think I got the answer to your questions? I just wanted to know what's got into you, I can't read minds."

"But you said I was like Blackleg-ya, that I thought too much! I thought you might give me some insight!" The surgeon was indignant. He felt humiliated to have revealed himself for nothing.

"I ain't in his mind, I don't know what happened for him to finally understand what he'd been told for months." The swordsman punctuated his speech with another swig of alcohol straight from the neck of his bottle and Law stood up, brutally annoyed. "Fine. Since you're such a great help, I won't abuse it any longer."

He turned away and Zoro slammed his bottle on the table as he set it down. Just before he walked away, the surgeon heard his voice behind him. "I don't know what happened but I know what he did. He gave himself a chance and he faced what scared him because he knew he wouldn't be alone. He has been brave."

Law didn't slow down and the infirmary door slammed behind him as he locked himself in.

I remember I spent a crazy amount of time writing the scene between Zoro and Sanji…

Next chapter, there'll be a big action sequence!