"⏤mmh...it's... ⏤kay, baby... Daddy is... h-ere...." Sanji mumbled in his sleep and nuzzled even closer to the warm body beneath him. He stirred, his eyes fluttering open, and found himself snuggled up against a solid, toasty chest.
"Uuughh!!" Sanji practically launched himself off the swordsman's chest. In his haste, he wiped away a wayward strand of drool from the side of his mouth, berating himself for letting things get this absurd.
Zoro, who had been enjoying his peaceful slumber, grunted and stirred in response to the sudden disruption. He cracked one eye open and shot a less-than-amused glare in Sanji's direction. "Mmfff... come back here," he grumbled, sounding like a reluctant teddy bear trying to reclaim its cuddle buddy.
Sanji stammered, "I... I need to get up, idiot. Who's going to prepare breakfast?"
"Five more minutes." Zoro swiftly yanked Sanji back into his embrace, locking his muscular legs around the cook.
"No! Let go before anyone wakes up and sees this!" Sanji struggled for a moment, but Zoro's cuddle held him tight. In the end, he couldn't help but sigh and begrudgingly accept the warm and surprisingly cozy fate that had befallen him.
Zoro let out a contented sigh, his grip relaxing just enough to make Sanji feel comfortable but not enough to let him escape. "See? It's not so bad," he mumbled, his voice husky with sleep. "You're mine for the next five minutes, and no one's here to see."
Sanji couldn't help but snort softly at Zoro's words. "You're annoying," he whispered, his annoyance melting away into a soft smile. He buried his face in the crook of Zoro's neck and inhaled the familiar scent of the swordsman. The blend of sweat, musk, and a hint of sandalwood was oddly comforting. As the minutes passed, they drifted back into a peaceful slumber.
─ ・┈ ・ ─ ・┈ ─ ・┈ ─ ・┈
"⏤EEEK!!" Sanji's eyes shot open in alarm, and his heart raced as he felt himself being abruptly lifted, only to crash down unceremoniously onto the hard wooden floor.
"WHAT THE HELL YOU DUMB OAF??!!" Pain surged through Sanji's body from the impact, but he pushed the pain aside and scrambled to his feet, his heart pounding in his chest.
"Cook! The baby! Where is he?" Zoro's voice was a frantic roar as he tossed aside blankets, pillows, and anything in his way with a desperate fervor. Panic gripped Sanji as he too started searching. The room was in chaos as Zoro flipped over furniture, searching every nook and cranny, his face etched with worry.
"Baby! Where are you?!" Zoro's voice wavered as he tore through their quarters, desperation etched into every line of his face. Sanji's mind raced, his fear growing by the second. His heart clenched with terror as he thought about the possibilities. Had he fallen out of bed? Crawled away?
Zoro rushed out of the room, and there, in the capable and loving arms of Robin, was his baby, giggling and cooing as he was doted on by the two ladies.
Relief washed over the cook as he followed Zoro. He couldn't help but smile as he saw the baby safe and content in the arms of their friends. "Thank you~♡, Robin-chwan, Nami-swan," he said, his voice filled with gratitude.
Zoro leaned down and placed a loving kiss on the baby's head, his earlier panic giving way to an overwhelming wave of tenderness. "Found you, baby. Don't scare me like that again," he murmured. The baby cooed and giggled, seemingly unfazed by the ordeal.
Nami and Robin exchanged surprised glances at Zoro's unexpected tenderness and how Sanji stood there in his pajamas, his usually impeccable hair disheveled and his face etched with worry. It was a sight they had never seen before.
Robin, still holding the baby, couldn't help but chuckle as she said, "And by the way, Cook-san, you'll be delighted to know that Ussop took over the breakfast duties today."
Sanji's eyebrows shot up in a mix of disbelief and amusement. "Ussop cooked breakfast? Are you sure the kitchen is still standing?"
Robin nodded. "Indeed, it is. In fact, breakfast smells quite delicious. We all helped him, of course, so it should be a delightful surprise."
Sanji couldn't help but smile. "Oh, Robin, my dear~♡ how thoughtful!"
After breakfast, Zoro decided to take on the responsibility of washing the baby's onesie while Nami and Robin babysat. He grabbed the soiled garment and made his way to the ship's wash area.
With a determined expression, he carefully placed the tiny onesie into the basin, filling it with water and a bit of soap. He looked at the garment, his usual seriousness momentarily softening as he contemplated the task.
As he began to wash the onesie, his strong and calloused hands gently worked the fabric. He was surprisingly delicate, as if the small piece of clothing was the most precious treasure he'd ever handled. Once he was satisfied with the washing, he rinsed the onesie thoroughly, ensuring there was no soap residue left behind. Zoro then wrung it out gently, making sure not to damage the delicate fabric.
Sanji stepped out of their quarters, fully dressed and ready to face the day, his usual air of elegance restored. As he made his way down the hallway, he couldn't help but notice the unusual sight of Zoro tending to the baby's laundry.
Sanji paused for a moment, his eyebrows raised in surprise. He watched as Zoro adjusted the onesie, ensuring it hung perfectly for maximum drying efficiency. The cook's lips curled into a smile. "BWAHAHAHA! Oi Marimo! What are you doing?!" Sanji burst out, almost falling to his knees.
Zoro glanced up from his task, his usual stoic expression giving way to a hint of embarrassment. "SHUT UP!!"
Sanji couldn't help but feel a rush of affection for the swordsman. It was moments like these that revealed a different side of Zoro, a side that was surprisingly gentle and nurturing. Zoro scuffed, his gaze returning to the onesie.
"You know, Marimo, I never thought I'd see the day when you'd be doing laundry, let alone a baby's laundry. It's almost cute... in a ridiculous sort of way."
Zoro's face turned a shade of red, and he shot a glare at Sanji. "I'm just making sure it's done right, alright? I don't want the brat to get rashes or something."
Sanji chuckled, unable to contain his amusement. "Oh, I get it. You're secretly a softie, aren't you? Taking care of the baby's laundry with such dedication It's almost as if you're worried about him."
Zoro grumbled something incoherent under his breath, and despite his attempts to hide it, there was a fondness in his eyes as he watched the small garment sway gently in the breeze.
"Hey, guys! We're stopping at the nearest island! Get ready!" Nami announced.
"YAAAAAAHOOOOO!! SANJI, DON'T FORGET TO BUY EXTRA MEAT THIS TIME!!!" Luffy yelled in excitement.
Sanji shook his head at his captain, then leaned closer to Zoro and spoke in hushed tones. "Matcha Mocha, you need to make a list of all the baby supplies we'll need to gather on the island. Diapers, baby food, clothes, and all that stuff. It's essential that you stock up."
Zoro nodded, his brows furrowed in concentration. "Yeah, you're right, Cook. We can't be unprepared. I'll make sure to prioritize the supplies."
"And don't forget to get some baby formula as well. It's crucial for the baby's nutrition." Sanji added.
Zoro, ever the practical one, began mentally listing the items. "Diapers, baby food, formula, clothes, baby wipes, bottles... What else, Cook?"
Sanji tapped his chin in thought. "Blankets, a crib or something portable for the baby to sleep in, and maybe some toys to keep him entertained."
Zoro added those items to his mental checklist. "Right, blankets, sleeping stuff, and toys. I'll try to find a toy sword."
"Then, I'll be getting him squishy food items that are actually safe for babies." Sanji challenged.
As the two Straw Hat crew members prepared for the island visit, their camaraderie and determination shone through, proving that they were not only dedicated to their pirate dreams but also to the newest member of their family.
