ZoSan: The Flower

Chapter 29 - Zoro

Zoro wasn't exactly the smartest one on the ship, but even he knew he shouldn't have stayed outside the door to eavesdrop. He knew that. But something was wrong with Sanji — had been wrong since lunch — and Zoro wanted answers.

Even with how crazy it was, today had been one of the happiest of Zoro's life. Holding Sanji's hand, kissing him, it had been perfect. He could've filled every day like this, even with the Marines and storm in the way. He'd thought Sanji had felt it, too. But the sweet mood they'd shared before lunch still hadn't returned to the cook.

It hadn't been anger in Sanji's voice as he'd told Zoro to get out of the kitchen. It had almost seemed... desperate. Despondent, even. And that was why Zoro found himself lingering outside of the kitchen, trying to listen to what Sanji was saying.

"Why do things have to change?"

The words broke Zoro's heart almost as much as the tone they were spoken in. Was that what Sanji needed? To go back to how things were?

Zoro absolutely hated the idea. Sure, he'd enjoyed his fights with Sanji. He'd welcomed every opportunity to get close to the other, and if he got to test his own strength while doing so, all the better. But he'd also enjoyed the quiet moments and gentle conversations of the last couple of days. And it had been much more fun to be pressed against the wall and asked for a kiss than to be kicked through said walls.

But if the old normal was what Sanji needed, Zoro could do that for him. Would do that. He swigged from the bottle in his hand and finally walked away from the door. There were only two problems. One of them he could, hopefully, fix. It would take a little help, a little humiliation, but Zoro could withstand that. The other problem... well, he wouldn't let a little thing like feelings be enough to stop him from what he would need to do.

Zoro was quiet through dinner, and went to bed shortly after, but didn't sleep much dreading the morning to come. He faked sleep when the other guys came in and crashed into their respective beds. It wasn't until he was sure everyone was asleep that he dared flip over and look at Sanji, barely making out that beautiful face that was halfway across the room. He watched as those ridiculous curly eyebrows pinched until they were almost touching. Something was distressing Sanji in his sleep.

He wished he was next to the other so he could soothe that distress away. Wished he could hold Sanji and whisper that it would be alright. Kiss that crinkle between his brows until it faded, until Sanji smiled again. But that wasn't his place. Might be someday, if he was lucky. If every star that ever existed aligned in his favor. But it might never be. The next few days would tell.

Zoro had made his choice. It was time to give the blond one.

Even if it meant opening himself up to more pain.

–------

Breakfast was a quiet, awkward meal that day. Zoro and Sanji had barely greeted each other. They made no plans for how to spend their hour that day, and even though they were seated next to each other, they didn't touch or speak unless spoken to, both lost in their own thoughts.

Afterward, Zoro went in for the checkup Chopper had requested. Chopper grinned as he examined today's image.

"It's amazing, Zoro! It's already retreated past the point it was at at the last surgery attempt, and we haven't done much. You're beating it! At this rate, you may not even need the -"

"Call Law. We'll do the surgery."

"But if you don't need it..."

"I can't anymore, Chopper." Zoro couldn't explain it further to the doctor. Couldn't get the words out that he needed Sanji to choose him because Sanji wanted to, not because it might be the only way to save him. "We need to at least try it this way. Get the surgery scheduled. Please."

Chopper looked like he was going to argue, but he just nodded somewhat mournfully at Zoro's rare use of the word, and let the swordsman leave once he'd checked the wound from yesterday.

Though he didn't exactly have the doctor's permission to do so yet, Zoro climbed to the crow's nest to work out.