Things That Make It Warm

chapter 1

Most often, Sanji found himself in charge of the men's laundry. Luffy wasn't trusted with the task, Chopper's hooves and Brooke's lack of flesh made it difficult for them, and Franky and Usopp were always busy with the ship or inventing new trinkets that could benefit the crew. Zoro was always napping or training.

This was the case one peaceful evening on the Sunny after dinner. Franky had made a machine for laundry washing that made things easier, but Sanji liked to take the extra step of removing stains from everyone's clothing. After a particularly difficult stain from who knows what on Luffy's shorts, Sanji went to continue putting garments in the machine.

Normally, Sanji disregarded underwear and just tossed it in. However, he noticed a dark splotch on Zoro's boxers. Hoping it's not a shitstain, Sanji took a closer look, only to find... blood? Was the swordsman okay? Sanji sprayed the cloth with stain remover and decided he would confront him later.

-----

Finding Zoro was easy, seeing as he unfailingly always retired to the crow's nest for a nap after dinner. He was sat on the floor, back resting against the seats underneath the windows. With a kick, Zoro grumbled and looked up, narrowing his eye as it landed on Sanji.

"You know, if you're injured, you should go see Chopper," Sanji sneered.

"What are you talking about? I'm perfectly fine, shit cook," Zoro shot back, stretching and getting up to stand eye level with Sanji.

"I saw bloodstains in your boxers. That could be serious, marimo."

Zoro visibly paled at that. He isn't often very expressive, which is why Sanji was confused to see him look as if Luffy had suddenly hated meat.

"Don't worry about it. It probably came from an enemy or something." Zoro looked very interested in the window beside them.

"There's no way blood would splash there by accident. Clearly, something is wrong. You don't have to tell anyone about it, but at least get checked out by our doctor."

Zoro bared his teeth. "Damnit, cook, nothings wrong! Just forget about it."

"If nothings wrong, then why are you bleeding into your underwear?"

Zoro paused and crossed his arms over his chest. Once again, he avoided eye contact with Sanji. The blonde gritted his teeth. What condition was he in that was so bad that it had him looking sheepish when he was otherwise blunt and uncaring about everything else?

He opened his mouth and closed it again, in a clear imitation of a fish. His brow furrowed before he stuttered, "I'm-... It's- a period. I'm on my period."

A period? As in bleeding once a month? But... "Only women have those, marimo. The hell are you talking about?"

Zoro looked at him, deadpan but still slightly nervous.

Oh.

"Oh."

Sanji knew there were people like that. Transgender, or transsexual, he'd heard and seen it in Kamabakka Kingdom multiple times. But, Zoro? He's so big and manly... Sanji never would have guessed. Often, the crew had seen him training with his shirt off. His chest was flat, save for the pectoral muscles that rippled under his skin. Although, Sanji had seen faint scars that he hadn't actually actually seen Zoro obtain...

"My eyes are up here, asshole." Zoro's sudden aggression snapped Sanji out of his reverie.

"Sorry, sorry," the cook hadn't noticed his eyes drifting. "I just can't believe you..." he trailed off.

"What? Do you have a problem with it, ero-cook?"

"No! No, of course not, I've met people like you before. I know that you're as much of a man as I am," Sanji fumbled. He didn't want to offend Zoro and have a falling out with his nakama over this. They fought a lot, but his insults were never serious.

"Good," Zoro nodded. His shoulders relaxed a little and his scowl smoothed out, but Sanji could tell he was still defensive.

Sanji hesitated. He could just leave and pretend this conversation never happened, but that would really sit right with him. He doubted it would make Zoro feel very happy, either. "Is there anything I can do to help?"

"What?" Zoro bristled again. Oops.

"You know... I can get you something, or make you a snack. Is there something I could do to make you feel better?" Sanji didn't know much about the menstrual cycle, other than that it hurt and happened once a month for a few days.

Zoro looked at him like he'd grown two heads. Better than swinging his swords at him, at least.

"I guess... something hot could help with the pain. I don't know if there's a food for that kind of thing, though." Zoro replied, his shoulders slumping and ears turning pink.

"Right away, mossy," Sanji turned back towards the trapdoor to see if Nami or Robin had anything that could help Zoro. Maybe Chopper knows more about helpful foods.

Zoro grunted and settled back onto the bench, closing his eye.

Sanji lifted the trapdoor and stepped down. Before he closed it, "Oh, and..."

Zoro looked at him.

Sanji offered a warm smile. "Thanks for telling me." With that, he descended the ladder, leaving behind an abashed moss ball.