Ode to Sleep

The boys room of the Thousand Sunny is peacful when Zoro roused from sleep. Which is why he is confused to have awoken in the first place. Zoro sleeps like a rock through most nights, only getting up when its his turn for watch.

As Zoro closes his eyes to fall back into the world of dreams, he hears a whimper. Ah, those sounds must be what woke him. Above him, Luffy is snoring loudly, as usual, with Chopper nestled against his chest. Next to them, Usopp is hanging halfway out of his bunk murmuring something about having eight thousand followers. Franky is laying face down in his bunk, hands dangling over the sides, and Brook, the newest addition to the Strawhat crew, is currently on watch. Finally, Zoro's eyes land on Sanji's shaking figure next to him.

Zoro and Sanji aren't exactly close. Sure, they're nakama, and Zoro trusts the other with his life, but the two of them don't really have much more to their relationship beyond that.

Which is why Zoro considers just going back to sleep and forgetting about the sound he heard. Everyone has nightmares, Sanji can handle it on his own. Although that doesn't justify ignoring the suffering of his friend. Not only that, but their bond has been strengthening since the events of Thriller Bark. With a sigh, Zoro emerges from his bed and quietly steps toward the cook. His curly brow is furrowed, hair mussed and face pressed into the pillow. After a moment of hesitation, Zoro reaches out to shake Sanji's shoulder.

Sanji's eyes snap open and focus on Zoro. Sanji takes a second processes what he's seeing before he shoots a defensive glare in the pirate hunter's direction. Over the next few seconds, they simply look at each other, Zoro's hand warm on Sanji's skin. The former watches Sanji's breathing slow and the tension slowly bleed from his muscles. Deeming Sanji okay, Zoro turns to get back to his bunk and sleep away the rest of the night.

However, before he can take a step, Sanji's hand comes to wrap around his wrist. Zoro looks back, searching the blonde's face. Sanji is looking at him with wide eyes, a pleading look twisting his features. Sanji doesn't want to be left alone. Sighing once more, Zoro lifts the corner of the blanket and wordlessly slips into Sanji's space.

"What the hell are you doing?" Sanji whispers loudly, shifting away from Zoro until he's on the edge of his bunk.

"I want to go to sleep, but you won't let me leave, so I'm sleeping here. If you have a problem with that then you can strike it up with me in the morning." With a yawn, Zoro closes his eyes resolutely, marking the end of any argument the blonde may have tried to throw back.

The cook stills, watching Zoro. Growing annoyed with Sanji's stare burning a hole into him, Zoro reaches out and grabs Sanji's hip before dragging him closer until their chests meet. Zoro opens his eyes again to look for any protest, before draping an arm around Sanji's waist and flattening his palm between his shoulder blades, locking him in place against Zoro's sternum.

Time passes before Sanji relaxes into Zoro's hold. He nuzzles into the swordsman's collar bone, arms wrapping around him. As their legs tangle together, Zoro feels Sanji's shivers cease.

"...Baka marimo," Sanji mumbles into his collar bone.

"Aho cook," Zoro replies into Sanji's hair. Only after hearing Sanji's breaths even out does Zoro slip back into the comfort of unconsciousness.