ZoSan: The Flower

Chapter 23 - Zoro

He was honestly surprised he wasn't bleeding like Sanji had over the mermaids, at this point. First, Sanji had given him permission — asked him, even — to touch his neck and shoulders, which Zoro had wanted to do for entirely too long. Then he'd leaned against him, and now he was holding his hand?

Zoro's brain was short circuiting, and he wasn't entirely sure he was still breathing. "So this is okay?" He managed to get out, looking at their joined hands. "Or like, only on special occasions?" Please don't ever make me let go.

"Yeah, this is ok. Maybe even around others, but that will take some getting used to."

Yep. This beautiful blond was going to be the death of him.

"As for the other stuff... maybe not until I ask? I think I can get there eventually, but..."

"That's okay," Zoro managed, somewhat surprised at his own coherency. "I said I'd go at your pace. I meant it." Besides, just holding his hand was proving too much. The calluses on the cook's hand were different from his own. Smaller, small enough to be barely noticeable, and in different places. The differences between wielding swords and cooking knives. And between and around the slight calluses was soft, carefully cared-for skin like Zoro had never been graced with.

Zoro realized he was staring at their hands and made the effort to look up.

"You look at them like they're some miracle," Sanji stated matter-of-factly, his inscrutable gaze steady on Zoro's face.

"I really think it might be," Zoro responded. "That you're giving me a chance, that you don't hate me for the way I feel about you.... And yes, holding your hand like this right now... it feels like a big damn miracle."

Sanji didn't answer, except to give a slight squeeze to his hand.

They stayed like that, silently enjoying each other's company until they heard the cannonfire. Zoro made it out the door first, swords in hand, but Sanji beat him down to the deck by using his skywalk technique.

"What have we got?" Zoro asked.

"Marines. Fifteen ships," answered Franky, pointing to the port side of the ship. "Came in with the fog, so they snuck up on us. Luffy's already over there."

Zoro grinned the smile that made people call him the Demon of the East. "Sounds fun. Hey, shit-cook, wanna kick me over there, since I missed the slingshot?"

Sanji smirked around the cigarette that was already in his mouth. "Gotcha."

Zoro backed up, giving himself a running start before he jumped, Sanji's spinning kick giving him just the boost he needed to grab the railing of the nearest ship. He started slicing, cutting through cannons and ships and marines in easy blows. He could hear Luffy expanding and punching on some of the other ships, which were starting to go down.

He looked back, once, to see a black blur above the Sunny, deflecting and destroying the cannonballs before they could hit, and his grin took on a little bit of something new, something like pride. But in looking back he let his guard down and a marine got in a lucky slash to his side.

Dammit.

The marine went down easily once Zoro refocused, as did the last ship. Now he just had to get back to the Sunny. He examined the distance — just a little further than he could jump right now. Which meant he was going to have to swim it. If it weren't for the gash in his side, that wouldn't be a problem, but as it was...

He braced himself for the sting of saltwater in an open wound and jumped in.

It was only a couple of minutes of swimming at most, but Zoro had to work for it. The gash in his side seemed to steam and fizz against the chilly water, and it impeded his usual easy movements. Still, he made it to the lowered rope and pulled himself halfway up.

"Grab on, dumbass. I'll get you up." Sanji was there, bouncing in place next to him, holding out a hand. Zoro took it, only to have his arm pulled over the other's shoulder. Then they bounced a couple of steps higher and landed softly on the deck, separating too quickly for Zoro's taste. Luffy was back, too, barely panting from the exercise.

"Zoro, you're hurt! Chopper!" Luffy hollered, and Chopper ran over obediently.