Chapter Text
The pan hissed as the eggs hit the heat. Sanji's grip on the handle tightened as he turned his wrist and swirled the eggs around the pan, watching as the edges crisped up before pushing them to the side, placing a few pieces of bacon into the empty spot. The smell of toasting bread mixing with the rich pork and the salty ocean filled the kitchen with an intoxicating aroma. His chest tightened as his hands worked without hesitation, precise and practiced as he prepared the meal.
A calm breeze rolled through the kitchen, carrying the sound of waves and Luffy's laughter with it. A smile tugged up the corners of Sanji's mouth while he plated the food. His hands swirling around the dishes passionately. Eventually he set the plates around the table before placing a much larger tray, full of miscellaneous proteins, in the center. Sanji wiped his hands on his apron with a satisfied smile. A tune playing on deck that the cook began softly humming to as he finished decorating. His finger tapping his cheek as he double checked the amount of plates and utensils. Annoyance eating away at him as he looked down, a hint of disappointment in his expression.
It's not like those men were gonna use them anyway.
He rubbed his temples, a hand placed on his hip as he admired his decorating work regardless. Something he was sure would go unnoticed like always. Honestly, he didn't even know why he still put so much effort into its presentation. It was probably just some muscle memory he couldn't shake from his time at the Baratie.
Sanji shrugged as he turned, making his way to the door. He couldn't lie though, something about it made him feel calm. There was something about the table being in proper order that, even just for a few moments, relaxed him in a way he couldn't explain.
Sanji let out a slow breath as the cool wind hit his skin. A stark contrast from the hot kitchen. His hand shuffled around in his pocket, pulling a cigarette out and placing it between his lips, lighting it with a practiced flick. He could feel the crew's eyes on him, watching as he took a long drag, the smoke curling lazily from his lips. He took another hit before giving the crew a nod, gesturing towards the door. A smile creeping up his face as everyone excitedly darted to the kitchen. Luffy dragging Zoro, then Nami and Robin, as well as Franky and Usopp who were talking about future ship modifications. Eventually Brook made his way in, still playing his violin while chopper followed closely behind him.
"Are you coming, Sanji."
The question made Sanji's body tense, looking at Jinbei out of the corner of his eye. "Don't need to wait for me." Sanji mumbled. Smoke twisted around him as he inhaled again, sending a calming buzz through his chest.
"I'll be here for a minute." He continued, a puff of smoke leaving him as he gestured with his cigarette. Letting Jinbei get the hint to head in. He took in a deep breath when he believed the door had closed. Sanji ran his fingers through his hair. By all accounts, he should be starving. But the thought of eating barely crossed his mind. His thoughts lost on something else entirely. A subject that plagued his mind every now and then. A collection of memories he wished he could forget.
Sanji leaned forward, resting his forearm against the rail in front of him. His ribs ached from the force of his pulse, but he swallowed down any sign of weakness as he flicked away the cigarette butt. His hand shook lightly as he reached for the pack, tapping another cigarette out and lighting it just as fast. He inhaled deeply, letting the smoke swirl in his chest before releasing it in a slow, measured breath.
"Another one already." A gruff voice teased from behind him, a glint of mocking in his tone. Sanji stiffened, rolling his eyes at the comment and turning to face the man. Zoro stood there, back resting against the wall and arms crossed in front of him, with a hard expression that Sanji couldn't help but chuckle at. The cigarette dangled between his lips as he rested his back against the railing, his elbows on either side.
"Why," he asked, his voice low, a slow stream of smoke escaping his lips and a smirk curling at the edges. "Did you want it." He teased as he flung the cigarette, letting it bounce off of the sword man's chest with a lazy but deliberate flick of his fingers. Zoro raised an eyebrow, stepping it out without a second thought.
"I don't smoke." He grumbled, sliding the crushed cigarette away with his boot.
Sanji leaned his head back, his bangs swaying softly in the breeze as he let out an exasperated sigh, glaring down at Zoro through his lashes. "What a waste..."
Zoro straightened. "What was that, Shitty cook?" Zoro's tone gruff as he reached for one of his swords.
Sanji relaxed his position, stuffing his hands into his pockets. "I was talking about the cigarette," he said, raising his leg, fire cascading up his pants. "But, It could also apply to a brick-head like you."
Zoro's mouth twisted into a grin, a glint of excitement flashing in his eye as he unsheathed his sword with a swish. Sanji's eyes widen for a moment. There was something in Zoro's gaze that put him off, a darkness. It had been far too long since they fought someone, a wait that could only extend further all thanks to Luffy becoming the King of pirates, and the boredom had long since set in. Sanji's eyes flickered between the kitchen door and the man in front of him. He let out an exasperated breath, sending a swift kick Zoro's way. Sanji's leg slammed into the sword, sliding Zoro a good few feet backwards before launching himself over the rail and landing elegantly onto the main deck, looking up at Zoro with a collected expression. He calmly watched the swordsman regain his footing with a small, deep chuckle.
Zoro's eye narrowed on his opponent as he closed the distance, his feet planting onto the grass with a heavy thud. Enma's crackling in his grip, sparking with energy as he swung it, swiftly slicing through the air. In an instant, Sanji curved around the swing. The blade just missing him as he shot his heel up, a blur of movement as he aimed for Zoro's ribs. Zoro's eye flickered, raising his sword just in time. The force of the impact rattled through the hilt as Sanji's kick landed on the flat of the blade. Their foreheads colliding, both struggling against each other's force. Neither one letting up.
Zoro clenched his teeth, letting out a low grunt as he pushed forward. His unwavering gaze burrowed deep, clawing it way into the blonde's mind. Sanji could feel his heart reverberating in his chest, his ribs vibrating with every pulse. The look in Zoro's stare was intense, burning a hole into him and leaving him hot. Sanji's eyes flickered, his attention adverting to Zoro's mouth. His lips curled back in a snarl, his breathing gruff and low. His biceps flexed, small veins bulging in random spots, trailing down his arms and neck. Protruding at his temples too. Sanji's eyebrows furrowed, It was like his whole body was at full strength.
Zoro smirked with the clang of his hilt as he quickly swapped hand positions, a purple hue covering his blade as he spun around. A slice whipping through the air and sending sanji flying back with a strangled cry, his body colliding with the boat's edge as he gripped his chest as pain surged through him. Sanji coughed violently as he double over, his head resting on in the grass as he tried to catch his breath. Sanji's chest rising and falling rapidly, his free digits gripping at the ground as he lifted his head, hesitantly glancing down at his shaking hand. No blood.
Sanji's let out a sigh, mentally cursing himself for getting distracted as he studied his jacket. It was pristine, not a thing out of place. No mark, no slice. Nothing. The cook ran his tongue across the edge of his teeth. To his surprise, Zoro might have thought that though better than Sanji believed he could.
"You're fine,"
Zoro mumbled, sheathing his blade in a swift motion. He loomed over the blonde, casting a shadow across him. "I used the back." Zoro continued, staring at the man clenching at his chest. His eye bored into Sanji's, calm yet suffocating as he towered over him. His presence held heavily in the atmosphere. Sanji swallowed hard.
he was holding back...
He knew Zoro was strong but that, That was ridiculous! Each movement he had made, the were all calculated. Zoro knew exactly how he was going to win from the before the fight even began. "Easy for a muscle head like you to say." Sanji barked, annoyance evident in his tone as he staggered onto his feet.
Zoro's brows scrunched in a scowl, his teeth clamping down on the inside of his cheek as if stopping himself from speaking immediately. He exhaled from his nose, turning his attention to the crows nest.
"Not all of us stay weak."
Sanji's eyes blew wide at that, his breathing coming to a halt. Zoro's words were blunt, his stature unwavering as he made his leave. Not bothering to look back at Sanji once as he disappeared into the background. Sanji's fingers dug into the rail, his eyes locked on the empty space where Zoro once stood. That word flooding his thoughts. The same thing he's heard his whole life. A title he couldn't escape.
Sanji shut the door behind him. A slight wave of relief washing over him as he ran his hand though his hair, gently tugging as he reached the back of his head. His body felt dirty and uncomfortable. The fight left him hot and damp, his clothes sticking lightly to his skin as he peeled them off. Catching a glimpse of himself in the mirror, intensely eyeing the deep purple slash that ran across his torso. It was thick and raised, with lines of blue and red spidering off of it. His body recoiled as he grazed his fingers down it, a jolt of pain rushing through him. The same pain he felt earlier. He clenched his jaw in response, his body tightening as he hastily ripped his hand away.
"I'll kill him if this scars..." He mumbled as he finished undressing. Taking another look at himself before finally entering the shower. A relaxed moan leaving him as the warm water cascaded down his frame. The room was calm, but his thoughts were far from easy. What Zoro said echoing against the walls of his mind. Alongside old memories Sanji wished he could keep buried, now bubbling up with it. No one could change his mind. Working at the Baratie was both the best and worst thing that had ever happened to him.