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The first time Zoro and Sanji kissed was right after Thriller Bark. A spur in the moment kiss full of worry and love.
“So… what does this mean for us?” Sanji asked, looking at Zoro’s flushed face with admiration.
“I want you, I have wanted you ever since Baratie,” Zoro said, kissing Sanji’s hand.
“If we become… lovers… you have to promise me one thing,” Sanji glared, turning serious. “No more self-sacrificial bullshit, don't sacrifice your life and wellbeing to save mine.”
“Deal.”
They kissed a second time, Sanji being more careful of Zoro’s bandages.
The next time they kissed was two years later. Kuma and the Pacifistas separated them. Luffy’s message to his nakama only made the wait hurt more. Everyone wished to comfort their captain at one of the worst times of his life.
--
“Zoro, you seem distracted,” Mihawk said during one of their sparring session breaks.
“Have you ever been in love?” Zoro asks, wiping his sweat with his bandana.
“Where is this going?”
“I know I have to use these two years to the best of my abilities, to train stronger in order to stay alive in the New World, but I really wish I could be with my coo- my nakama,” Zoro continued.
“So you understand why it's not good to have lingering feelings like this. Get it out of your system today, or it could cost you your life,” Mihawk responded.
--
Sanji hated Momoiro Island. Running all day, sleeping in bushes, and hiding from the women of the island got annoying the first day he crash landed. Thrice, he saw the crater he created when he crashed, which meant that in the span of a week he circled the island three times. How annoying.
“I don't want to wear that ugly dress!” Sanji yelled.
After being alone for five days on the island, he started to contemplate why he hated it so much. It wasn't the act of wearing a dress that had Sanji gagging, but the fact that the dress they presented him with was horrendous.
“Who's in charge here? I need to speak with them!” Sanji could cry.
“I am!” A man with a giant head spoke. When did he get there?
“You need to tell your friends that I refuse to wear this horrendous dress,” Sanji put his hands on his hips, which only showcased the silhouette of his waist even more.
The man squinted, then laughed. “They call me Ivankov, or Iva, or the Queen of Kamabakka Kingdom!”
“Sanji.”
Without any more words, Ivankov left. He came back with a different dress, a simple black one with a slit that went up to his mid thigh.
Sanji tried it on, glaring at the people looking at him. Surprisingly, it felt fine on him.
What would Zoro and the others think of me now? That was Sanji's first thought, the potential judgement of his crew. Of course they wouldn't care. They have a skeleton, a reindeer, and a cyborg as their nakama, Sanji in a dress would be tame compared to them.
Months passed, and Sanji decided to stay on the island for the whole two years. Seeing Ace’s death in the paper and Luffy’s message only made the drive to become better stronger.
Now, two years later, Sanji was ready to face his nakama again. Ninety-nine amazing recipes were under his arsenal, along with the ability to walk on air and light his leg on fire.
--
The second time Zoro and Sanji kissed was at Sabaody, after two years apart.
Two long years. Zoro couldn't wait to see his nakama again, especially Sanji. As he strolled through the port, he wondered when Sanji would arrive. So far, including him, six of his crew showed up at Shakky’s Bar. Every day he checks in with her, seeing the progress of the Strawhat’s arrival. He even left Mihawk two months in advance, even with an eternal pose to Sabaody.
A blonde woman sat at the entrance to the bar, smoking a cigarette. She reminded Zoro of Sanji, which only made him sadder. When she looked up, the pain only intensified when she heard Zoro’s footsteps. She gazed at Zoro with the same sky blue eyes as Sanji, even the same swirly eyebrow, only to a different side. Wait…
“Curls?” Zoro asked.
“Moss?”
The cigarette in Sanji’s mouth fell out.
“Why are you a girl?”
“Cause I want to, got a problem?” Sanji looked scared for a second.
Zoro walked over and sat next to Sanji.
“Do you still want to be Sanji? Or… be referred to as a guy? I don't know how this works,” Zoro awkwardly shuffled.
“Sanji is fine, and she/her when I’m a girl, he/him when I’m not. I can tell you guys what I feel,” Sanji suggested, but was stopped by Zoro kissing her.
It was a soft kiss, barely there. Zoro pulled away to look at her. It was the same blue eyes and hair stubbornly swept to the side. Zoro touched the hair, memorizing the blonde locks.
Sanji was the one to kiss Zoro next, a more passionate kiss. The two stumbled on the pavement, laughing.
“I love you, stupid cook.”
“I love you too.”
--
The third time Sanji and Zoro kissed, it was almost immediately interrupted by Luffy. They were on the Sunny, on the way to Fishman Island.
“I’ve always loved watching you cook, princess,” Zoro softly said.
“So that's a new nickname, Moss?”
“It's true, you're like a princess,” Zoro shrugged.
“I will beat you to death with this pot, don't stain Sunny’s kitchen with the mold on your head,” Sanji shouted.
Zoro walked up to Sanji, kissing her on the neck. Sanji quickly turned off the fire to what she was making, some dessert. She kissed him squarely on the mouth, shutting him up from whatever he was mumbling about. Zoro’s kisses almost reached her collarbone when a crash was heard right outside the kitchen.
“Sanji, I smell food! Gimme! Gimme!” Luffy stretched himself to peek inside of the kitchen.
“Why does Zoro get to be in the kitchen when you cook but I can't?” Luffy frowned.
“Zoro doesn't eat the entire stock,” she shrugged.
“We’ll continue this tonight, princess,” Zoro whispered, making her blush and kick the mosshead.
--
The fourth time Zoro and Sanji kissed wasn't actually a kiss. They were about to kiss, when Luffy somehow interrupted them again.
The Strawhat’s got through Fishman Island and were officially in the New World.
That night, Sanji promised Zoro to meet him in the crows nest, away from the prying eyes of the crew. To be extra safe, they decided to meet up at two in the morning. Even though the couple knew that the Strawhat's would be supportive of their relationship, they were still scared of the possible reactions.
Because of that, on a good day, Sanji and Zoro were able to rent a motel for a night and go clubbing together. Mostly, though, they spent their nights together either in the crows nest or in the kitchen.
They started their nights off with a quick sparring match, to release pent up energy from the day. Throughout their relationship, the two figured that was one of the best ways to vent their emotions. Recently, the sparring sessions only go for a few minutes before turning into something more.
“Hey, mosshead,” Sanji called, sweaty from the previous session. “Thank you for being here, for existing.”
“What's this about? Are you leaving?” Zoro questioned.
“Can't a guy be sentimental for one night? I just really love you and want you to know that.”
Before Zoro could kiss him, a knock at the crow’s nest door made the two jump.
“Is Sanji up here?” Luffy whined, he sounded half asleep. “I’m hungry and he’s not in the kitchen like usual.”
Sanji sighed, Zoro will have to wait another night before being able to kiss him. He opened the door, yelling at Luffy for interrupting his night.
Sanji insisted on making three servings, two for Luffy and one for Zoro. He delivered the food up to the crow’s nest where Zoro was still waiting.
“Idiot,” Sanji smiled as he slid the plate over to Zoro. “Put the dish in the sink when you're done, I’m tired.”
“Love you too, cook. Goodnight.”
--
The fifth time Sanji and Zoro kissed was all because of Luffy’s interruption. It was expected, giving their captain's magnet to troubles.
Some time after Punk Hazard, right before arriving at Dressrosa, Sanji and Zoro were in the kitchen.
“No, idiot, you're gripping the knife like you are trying to kill a man. You are cutting potatoes, not people,” Sanji corrected Zoro’s knife grip.
One day, Zoro decided to storm into the kitchen, demanding the cook to teach him how to cook.
“This was one of the first stews I made. If a ten year old can make it, so can you,” Sanji chided.
“The potatoes move!” Zoro tried to debate.
“Cause you aren't holding them right! I swear, everything moves for you. The trees in a forest move, now the potatoes?” Sanji bickered with Zoro, even though there was no real bite behind the words.
“Maybe I should stick with blades meant to kill people, not various root vegetables,” Zoro joked.
“I’m banning you from the kitchen, just like Luffy,” Sanji laughed, leaning into Zoro’s shoulder.
“Speaking of Luffy, the food’s almost done but I haven't heard of him?”
“I put snacks out to delay him.”
Zoro and Sanji were about to kiss once more, when the door opened. Usually, when people are about to kiss but don't want to be caught, they jump back. The two only leaned in closer, kissing on the mouth as Luffy barged in.
Sanji jumped back when he heard Luffy, straightening his clothes.
“Usopp and Chopper ate my snacks, but I smell food that is ready, why isn't it on the table and in my mouth?” Luffy pouted.
“It will be out in a second, fiend. And please don't tell anyone about me and Zoro,” Sanji said.
“I don't care, as long as you give me food I’m happy,” Luffy grinned, skipping out of the kitchen.
--
The next time Zoro and Sanji kissed was a day after the Raid on Onigashima, the crew sailing towards a new island.
“I missed you, Curly,” Zoro quietly said one night.
The couple looked at the stars together, enjoying the other's presence after so long apart. Sanji was currently between Zoro’s legs, his back on Zoro’s chest. Zoro lightly curled Sanji’s hair around his finger.
“I want to tell the others about us,” Sanji whispered.
“We’ve been together for what, two years? I think they should know,” Zoro agreed.
“Tomorrow,” Sanji yawned, falling asleep on Zoro’s chest.
The next morning, Sanji found himself still on Zoro’s chest. He jumped up to do the breakfast prep. As breakfast was closer to being completed, more of his nakama trailed into the dining area. The food was quickly dished out, Sanji plating his food last.
A few minutes later, Sanji cleared his throat. “Uh, me and the moss are dating, by the way. Since Thriller Bark.”
Sanji stared in disbelief at Nami and Usopp trading money. Nami, for once, had to give money to Usopp.
“Forgive me for asking, but were you two not already romantically involved during the events of Skypiea?” Robin asked.
“Was it not after Alabasta? I don't know how human relationships work,” Chopper apologized.
“So are me and Usopp the only ones who didn't know?” Nami pouted.
“I think Franky, Luffy, Brook, and Jinbe didn't know as well,” Usopp mused.
“Don't add me, since Fishman Island I thought you two were a thing,” Jinbe retorted.
“No, I saw them kissing one time, the day you and Chopper ate my snacks, I think it was right before Dressroba” Luffy giggled, mouth full of food.
“Were we that obvious?” Sanji asked.
Nods around the table made Sanji plop his head in his hands, groaning. Zoro laughed, putting his empty plate on top of Sanji’s. He kissed his lips, making Sanji blush. The blush only worsened what he heard the mocking cooing of his friends.
“Shut up! Not a word! Or a noise!” Sanji tried to yell, but kept smiling instead.