What's Not To Love

Ch 37

Sanji slammed the last plate on the table a little harder than he intended to. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath before stepping back from the table. He opened his eyes and looked at the setup. It wasn’t anything special but he had moved his seat for the time being to right across from Zoro. He was happy that he waited to eat. 

A smile appeared on Sanji’s face as he walked towards the gallery door. It fell a moment later when he stopped after digging in his pocket. He glanced behind him before sighing. “Right, No smoking, Sanj.”

Turning back around, Sanji exited the gallery and searched for Zoro from where he was. He spotted him checking on the twins and playing with them. Sanji leaned against the rail and watched him. Zoro was making faces at the kids, making them laugh. He kept kissing them on their faces as they reached for his earrings and hair, of course missing each time. A smile graced Sanji’s lips as he watched. Looking at the twins, he thought of how adorable they were and how much calmer they were compared to other kids. It was a quality they obviously got from Zoro. Letting his eyes wander to Zoro, Sanj’s mind went blank. His mind was at ease with just his image in front of him. He didn’t even notice his urge for a cigarette leave his mind completely.

He saw Nami notice him below deck before she said something to Zoro. When Zoro looked around and let his eyes land on Sanji, the cook felt his breathing stop. He swallowed  hard and stood straighter. He never let his eyes wander from Zoro’s body as he pouted , cutely if I could add, as he gave each girl a kid. He watched Zoro walk towards the steps leading to the gallery, making Sanj turn away quickly but never leaving his spot.

“Sanji?” 

Zoro’s voice was rough as usual but it was beautiful to Sanji. He cleared his voice before opening the door for Zoro. He couldn’t bring himself to say anything quite yet and decided to just gesture for him to enter instead.

Zoro stared at him for a moment before shrugging his shoulders and walking into the room. He froze,however, when he saw that Sanji would be sitting across from him. It wasn’t like they hadn’t sat like this before but something felt different. Zoro turned around just in time to see Sanji come through the door  and walk to his seat. After a moment, Zoro did the same.

Sanji watched Zoro as he started eating. Picking up his own fork, Sanji more or less nibbled at his food. He felt….awkward for some reason. Taking a breath, Sanji put his fork down quietly. Looking at Zoro, he spoke.

“How is it?”

Zoro glanced up at Sanji. He continued to chew for a moment. When he was done, he answered, “It’s really good.” Using his fork he pointed at the casserole. “I really like this.  Don’t think you’ve made it for us before”

Sanji smiled at his plate. “ It's a new addition. I’m glad you like it.” The awkward feeling subsided and Sanji finally started to eat.

Zoro stared at Sanji and then back at his plate. Not taking his eyes off the plate , he said, “ Sorry about earlier.”

Both men looked across at the other. Zoro took another forkful and continued. “I mean for almost throwing it up…..and making you worry so much.”

Sanji’s chewing slowed as he stared at the green man before him. The girl's words from earlier echoed in his mind suddenly. He loves you. Looking back at his plate, Sanji couldn’t help the smile that took over his face. “No worries.” 

Zoro blushed a little when he noticed Sanji’s smile and how he tried to hide it. Clearing his throat, he said. “ Also, sorry for what happened below deck earlier. I really didn’t mean it.”

A chuckle escaped through Sanji’s lips and he placed his fork on his plate. He rested his chin on his hand as he let his eyes meet gold ones. “How’d this turn into an apology session?”

A blush covered Zoro’s face in seconds. “Ah, sor- I mean, I just wanted to clear the air.”

Sanji kept his gaze on Zoro. Without thinking, he blurted out, “You make me happy.”

Zoro froze before looking at Sanji who also looked surprised. The blonde man straightened his posture real quick.

“I mean...Of course the crew makes me happy but I mean, you know, the kids and you... it's a different type of - just forget it”

Sanji ignored the heat on his face as  he forced himself to focus on eating. He hadn’t noticed that Zoro kept his gaze on him. The green haired man couldn’t help but wonder how Sanji was able to be so...honest these days. It gave him an awkward feeling, but a good one at the same time. A chuckle escaped his lips as he too decided to just eat.

The only thing that could be heard in the gallery was the clinking of dishes. The two men occupying the room sat in a pleasant silence, both in their own thoughts. At times, they would take a glance at the other. It was, by far, the calmest that they had been near each other in a long while and they couldn’t help but crave it more silently, without letting the other know.

Out on the deck, Nami stood at the head of the ship, staring out into the distance. On the ground near her were the twins with Robin who had just given them a new toy to play with. As the twins played with each other, Robin walked to stand beside the navigator. She kept her back to the rail to keep her eyes on Dai and Kai. 

The raven haired female glanced at Nami. Her brows were downturned, leaving a crease on her forehead. Turning away from her, Robin spoke.

“Is there something on your mind?”

Nami stayed silent. Robin wondered if the orange haired female had heard her. 

“Nami?”

Nami scrunched up her face before letting her head fall with a sigh. A moment later, she looked back out at the sea.

“The clouds are starting to gather.”

Robin stared at the ship's navigator before turning slightly to look out in the distance with her.

“I’m not sure how bad this storm is or could end up.” Looking at her wrist, she watched the log pose’s arrows shake. Another sigh left her lips. “Either way, we should arrive by morning or noon tomorrow.”

Robin nodded her head. “It will be fine.”

Nami finally looked at the archeologist. She stared at her for a moment and then turned back around letting out a big breath. Pushing against the rails, she sprung up with a smile. “We will be, right?” Looking back at the twins, she smiled widely with closed eyes. “We have to be.”

Robin chuckled at Nami as she began to coo at the twins. Letting her mind wander, she glanced at the sky for a moment. A moment later she looked back at the woman.

“Do you have everyone paired up for when we go?”

Frowning, Nami shook her head. With squirted eyes, she spoke. “Why?”

“Nothing.” Robin turned away with a slight smile, staring at the rest of the ship. “I just thought it would be a good chance to stick with Luffy.”

“What?!” Nami yelled, quickly covering her mouth a second later and waving off the other crewmates that glanced towards them. Turning back to Robin, she pouted. “Why would  I pair up with him? He causes enough trouble by himself.”

“Which is exactly why you should go with him. Besides…” patting Nami’s shoulder, she continued. “Your
feelings are getting more obvious.”

Nami blushed, remembering when they had spoken as a group earlier. She thought Franky had been the only one to catch her slip up. Clearing her throat, she walked to the twins and crouched to their level. Lowly, she said, “ We’ll...see what happens.”

Robin smiled and observed Nami’s expression. She was pouting as she picked at the deck. Glancing out, Robin watched Luffy run across the deck with Usopp and Chopper behind him. His smiling face made her smile more. Following Nami’s pose, Robin ruffled Dai’s hair. We will see indeed.