Chapter Text
Sanji moved his hands to Zoro’s hair, still smiling in his post-orgasm haze, “You won your little bet, didn’t you?”
“How did you know about that?” Zoro asked, still in shock.
“You’re so fucking stupid,” he said, a little two fond for what their relationship was, “You were on live radio when you made it.”
“Yeah, on a show no one listens to.”
“I listen to it, you asshole!”
Zoro’s face scrunched adorably in confusion, “Why?”
“It’s entertaining and an easy way to fill a quiet morning. Now, will you come back here? It’s cold,” Sanji said, pulling on Zoro’s shoulders.
The other man just chuckled as he lowered himself back down to cuddle, “Is that why you were avoiding me all night?”
“Yes. I don’t know how I’ll ever forgive myself knowing that I lost Hiyori twenty dollars to the likes of you.”
“You liked it.”
Sanji just hummed, nuzzling his nose into Zoro’s hair, “There's a bathroom across the hall and I feel filthy. Go make sure that no one will see us.”
Zoro rolled his eyes as he moved to stand, “Priss.”
“Guess you don’t want to go another round in the shower,” Sanji quipped, causing Zoro to move with far more urgency.
~~~
Sanji woke up the day after the marathon sex feeling great. It took a while for both of them to tire out. By the time they had Zoro was insisting that Sanji stay the night. He promised that Nami wouldn’t mind, but Sanji only agreed after a confirmation text from the hostess herself.
Now Sanji was standing in a near stranger’s kitchen at around eight in the morning, not another person in sight. When he’d woken nearly an hour ago he had tried to wait for Zoro before getting up. After about thirty minutes it had become clear that if he did that then he’d be trapped for far longer than he’d like. Sanji had begun to get antsy so he’d gotten up to find and greet his host.
A quick walk through revealed that he was the only one awake. He also came to what felt like the safe conclusion that he and Zoro might be the only people here who wouldn’t be horribly hungover. There were mostly empty cups and bottles scattered everywhere, several used but empty plates, and other pieces of evidence left by drunken shenanigans. Sanji felt the barely ever dormant urge to feed and care for people rise to the surface the more he looked around. Soon, he was unable to fight it and began to pick up the cups and plates to wash in the kitchen.
Once he felt enough of the mess was cleared he began to root through the fridge, making a mental note to pay Nami for whatever he grabbed. He ended up frying eggs and sauteing some vegetables while coffee brewed and bread toasted. He was so focused on the stove in front of him that he nearly jumped out of his skin when he finally heard a voice behind him.
“You sure made yourself at home, didn’t you?” Nami asked, making her way over to the coffee pot.
“Good morning!” Sanji said, louder than necessary, causing Nami to wince, “Oh, right, I’m so sorry for the noise. Also I hope you don’t mind me using your kitchen. I woke up a while ago and figured that anyone who ended up staying the night might appreciate breakfast.”
Nami took a deep drink from her mug before returning her attention to Sanji, “Oh, we most certainly do.”
Sanji smiled before turning back to the still active burners behind him. He was now present enough that he noticed when Vivi entered the kitchen a little later. She looked just as sleep rumpled as Nami did and was wearing a pajamas that Sanji could only assume were borrowed given the off fit of them. He couldn’t suppress a smile as Vivi sidled up to where Nami was still leaning by the coffee. Nami immediately placed a kiss in her blue hair before passing her a new mug of coffee.
“Your friend is making us breakfast,” Nami said, voice low and soft.
Vivi just hummed, “He can’t help himself. And he’s your friend, too, now.”
“I suppose so,” Nami said, before burying her nose in Vivi’s hair.
“Well, isn’t that cosy,” a low voice teased from the doorway.
Nami flipped Zoro off as he made his way over to Sanji. He wrapped his arms around the cook’s waist, resting his chin on his shoulder to see the stove. Sanji felt himself blush at the intimate display. If there were any questions about what he and Zoro had done the night before they were answered by the way the two were basically cuddling. But Sanji couldn’t really find it in himself to push the green bastard off. Zoro was like a heated blanket.
“You’re such a fucking hypocrit. Let him work!” Nami shouted, seeming to forget her hangover.
“At least I don’t have to listen to your pathetic pining anymore. Her hair’s like sapphire, Zoro. I bet it’s soft as silk,” Zoro added in a high pitched voice, clearly mocking a now blushing Nami.
Vivi kissed Nami’s cheek, effectively distracting her from retaliating, “You’re up early, Zoro. You usually sleep until closer to noon if you don’t have work, right?”
Zoro tensed at that, pulling Sanji closer before muttering, “The bed was cold.”
Sanji froze for only a moment at the soft confession, before he broke away from Zoro to start making plates of the finished breakfast. As he was about to move to the dining room table Vivi blocked his path, taking the plates from him.
“Nami and I can eat upstairs,” she explained with a gentle smile, “We have some private things to discuss and it looks like you do, too.”
Nami gave a scheming smile as she followed Vivi upstairs with their coffee, leaving Sanji alone with Zoro. Sanji was frozen where he stood. He did think he and Zoro had to talk, but that was a more jarring transition than he’d have preferred. It gave him no time to mentally prepare to talk about feelings. He also had no idea where to start. He wasn’t even totally sure what he wanted out of this!
He was broken out of his spiraling thoughts by a gentle hand on his back and a coffee mug being pressed into his hands, “Didn’t know how you liked it, but the cream and sugar are over there if you want them.”
Sanji looked up to see what he could only assume was a nervous Zoro. He thanked him as he took the mug, putting his preference of cream and sugar in. He noted that Zoro liked his coffee black. Sanji filled two plates with breakfast and passed one to Zoro. The two silently moved to the dining room and began to eat.
Sanji watched Zoro take his first bite. How people enjoyed his food was always a key factor in whether he let them stick around. Apparently, he wanted Zoro to stick around as he was a little nervous himself. Thankfully, after a careful bite of the vegetables Zoro began to eat with fervor. He got some points off for his terrible manors, but he was clearly enjoying the food. It seemed like that was good enough for Sanji who was finally tucking into his own meal.
Zoro had three more plates of food after that. Vivi and Nami had even come down for seconds, stopping to give their compliments to the chef. They didn’t stick around long, though. It was clear they were enjoying their alone time and doing their best to give the boys some of their own. How disappointed would they be if they knew that the dining room had been silent save for the noises of a meal well enjoyed this whole time?
Finally, Sanji spoke, looking into his second cup of coffee, “My girlfriend broke up with me about a month or so ago.”
Zoro paused the bite he was about to take, “You were together for a few years, right?”
“Three years in November,” Sanji nodded, before he looked solemnly at Zoro, “I loved her.”
Zoro placed his fork down, “Past tense.”
“Past tense. But it wasn’t very long ago that it was present.”
“You’re not over her?”
“The relationship was over long before it officially ended, so I’ve had plenty of time, really. I’m as over her as I probably ever will be. I don’t know how over the relationship I am, though.”
Zoro groaned and leaned back in his chair, “You seem the type to complicate things.”
Sanji kicked him under the table, “I’m saying that I don’t wanna date just for the security of being in a relationship, dumbass.”
“Then don’t,” Zoro countered, kicking him back.
Sanji wordlessly kicked back and soon the conversation devolved into the two pettily kicking each other repetitively. Eventually, Sanji got fed up and left to clean up the breakfast. Zoro had followed after him, pestering Sanji the whole time. The two managed to clean everything rather quickly considering that they were bickering the entire time. They bickered all the way to the couch in the living room they sat at opposite ends of.
Sanji turned to face Zoro, “What do you want out of . . . this?”
Zoro thought a moment before shrugging, “You’re pretty fun to hang out with, I guess. Date or not, I’d like to see you again.”
His face broke into a viscous grin.
“The sex was pretty good, too.”
Sanji threw a throw pillow squarely in his face, “You’re disgusting!”
Zoro just laughed and tossed the pillow back, reminding Sanji of a moment last night. Before they’d ever made it upstairs Zoro had laughed the same way. Despite the lack of alcohol in his system, Sanji thought he looked just as beautiful now. Zoro had a very serious face and based on what his friends had said he also had a serious personality. It made his laugh feel rare and special. It made Sanji’s heart stutter and his breath turn shallow.
“Friends with benefits?” Sanji suggested.
Zoro seemed taken aback by that but quickly recovered with a smirk, “Do the benefits begin now?”
Sanji rolled his eyes, “God, no. I don’t think I have anything left in me. I couldn’t get hard if I tried.”
“Should we test that?” Zoro was starting to crawl across the couch.
His progress was stopped by Sanji’s foot and the accompanying glare, “How about we test if we can even manage the ‘friends' part, first?”
Zoro groaned, but flopped back to his side of the couch.
~~~
The two talked for much of the remaining morning. They talked about work. Sanji complained about Patty and Carne. They practically raised him alongside Zeff, but they couldn’t cook for shit. Zoro talked about teaching kendo. He taught all ages, but his favorite students were the kids. They haven’t lost their passion, yet. They would never lose it if Zoro had any say in the matter, but life happens. Sanji explained his training in judo and other forms of martial arts. Zoro was mainly a kendo fighter, but he incorporated other aspects of different types of sword-fighting in his personal style. Sanji had basically inherited Zeff’s very unique fighting style, but had tweaked certain things to make it his own. They were both intrigued by this new information and decided they had to spar some day.
Sanji talked about Pudding and Zoro shared that he hasn’t really dated anyone for more than a few weeks at a time. Zoro had an older sister who took after their father no matter how adamantly she denied it. His father was a goth kendo gold medalist which was just as strange as it sounded. Sanji explained that he’d been adopted and basically raised in a kitchen. They talked about college and their first gay experiences. They talked about the radio show and what that was like for each of them. Sanji lectured a very unresponsive Zoro for his treatment of Hiyori.
They had inched closer to each other throughout their conversation. By the time Nami and Vivi made it back downstairs, they were basically cuddling, which seemed to delight Nami to no end. Zoro and Sanji quickly jumped apart when she pointedly cleared her throat. The four ended up talking for a few hours more. Nami and Vivi explained that they’d had their own drunken hook up that had successfully ended the night, prompting everyone else to leave. The only reason Nami had managed to text Zoro the night before was because she had been up getting Vivi some snacks and kicking everyone out. The two had been pining for quite some time by this point so the boys were happy to hear they were dating now, despite their different ways of showing it.
~~~
Apparently, Luffy couldn’t go very long without a party as evidenced by the text invite Sanji received only a few days after Nami’s party. This one was set to take place in an apartment that weekend. Now that everyone knew Sanji was a professional chef Luffy had requested he cater. Many others in the new group chat, namely Nami, objected strongly on his behalf, but he happily agreed. It sounded like fun, cooking for all his friends. It was a lot of food though, and Sanji found himself getting a little overwhelmed. He ended up texting Zoro, who he’d been talking to quite a bit lately, to complain about all the food he had to make.
I basically have to make enough for a hundred people. You all eat like animals!
Zoro was quick to respond, already having closed the dojo for the evening.
need help?
Sanji stared at his phone for a while. It seemed like such an odd thing to offer. How would Zoro even help? He was all brawn and no brain. Letting him help in a kitchen would be like setting loose a bull in a china shop. Even still, Sanji didn’t really know how to respond. People didn’t really offer him help often.
How do you think you can help? Do you even know how to cook?
I could mix or move something idk
Sanji huffed a laugh. What a classic marimo answer. He was planning a witty and teasing response when his phone pinged again.
or I could just hang out
itd be nice to see you
Sanji’s whole face was red as he looked at the texts. It almost sounded like Zoro missed him. Which was a ridiculous thought. One that Sanji wouldn’t let into his mind. If he did then the thought would take root and quickly grow completely out of his control. Regardless, he sent Zoro his address, saying he can come over two hours before the party on Friday. To help.
~~~
Sanji was far too nervous to see Zoro. He’d started to get ready two hours before Zoro had said he’d show up. Most of that time had been spent trying on every piece of clothing that he owned, trying to find an appropriate outfit. Eventually he settled on black leggings that made his legs look longer than they already were and a baggy blue cable knit sweater that hung low on his neck, revealing some of the still fading hickies that Zoro had left. The move was a little tasteless for a party with friends, but it would be fine for the two hours Zoro would spend at the apartment. Sanji could always change. He’d also styled his hair to keep his gentle waves in place while giving him a windswept look. Casual enough for the occasion, but he still looked hot.
Sanji decided to work on some of the food while he waited for Zoro. It didn’t take long, however, and soon enough there was a knocking at his door. Sanji rushed over to answer, but sort of froze once he’d opened the door. Zoro was wearing a white t-shirt that was definitely too small for his wide frame and a dark denim jacket. His hair was slightly damp as if he’d showered right before he left. All things considered he didn’t look that different from the last time they saw each other, but that didn’t make him any less hot.
Zoro thumbed at Sanji’s neck with a satisfied smirk, “Hey, Curly.”
Sanji tried to ignore his increasing heart beat as he stepped aside, “Come on in, Mosshead.”
~~~
Despite the heated greeting, the rest of the visit was relatively innocent. Zoro sat at the kitchen island and sipped on beer he’d bought for himself while Sanji cooked. They talked and teased the whole time. Sooner than he expected, Sanji was slipping a white button-up under his sweater to hide the bruises. Zoro lamented the shirt as Sanji loaded all the food into tupperware. Zoro helped him move everything to his car downstairs before the two left for the party.
Soon they were standing outside the door on the address Sanji had been sent, their hands full of food. Sanji was moving things around to try and knock when Zoro opened the door and walked right inside. Sanji stood, stunned for a moment, before scrambling to follow him inside.
“You can’t just walk in like you own the place! You have to knock, you neanderthal!” Sanji chided.
Zoro set the tupperware on the kitchen counter before looking at Sanji like he was crazy, “But I do own the place. This is me and Luffy’s apartment.”
That’s embarrassing.
“Oh,” was all Sanji managed as he moved to unpack all the food.
It seemed that action had summoned their other host as soon the walls were ringing with a cry of, “Sanji!”
The next thing he knew, Sanji was being strangled by Luffy’s gangly arms, “Luffy! I can’t breathe!”
“Oops! Sorry!” Luffy shouted as he dismounted, “You brought food!”
Luffy reached for the tupperware, but before he could do any real damage he was being dragged away by his roommate, “The cook spent hours on this, Luf. At least wait until everyone else is here.”
Luffy whined and complained loudly, but let himself be pulled toward the living room for video games.