Primal Instinct (Zosan)

two

Sanji had noticed that, despite the idiot's dismissive words, he still hadn't fully recovered. Almost two weeks had passed since the incident with Kuma back in Thriller Bark, and four days since they had set sail from the island. Perhaps the others weren't as observant, Sanji couldn't be sure, but he wasn't stupid, couldn't be fooled that easily.

It was as obvious as broad daylight that Zoro was straining himself. From the way the man sometimes would struggle to reach over a thousand swings with his weights, the way he slept more than usual during his training. Yet, Zoro denied any of Chopper's concerns and attempts at any kind of check-up.

And in all honesty, it pissed Sanji off. Maybe that was also one of the reasons why he was avoiding him, but it wasn't important. At the end of the day, Zoro would forever remain a brainless, stubborn dumbass and he was sure that Sanji would be the one to scoop up his remains with a spoon.

Therefore, when they anchored to the next, closest island for restocking purposes three days later, Sanji refused to go with Zoro.

"I'm terribly sorry, my sweet angel, but I'll have to refuse," Sanji apologized to Nami, hand placed on his chest as he bowed at her. Usually, Nami would be the one to appoint everyone's post, and while it wasn't the first time that she had partnered him up with Zoro, he had to refuse his sweet angel for once, no matter how much it broke his heart.

His lip twitched as he heard a few gasps and Usopp muttering 'holy shit, he said no to Nami— quick! Call Chopper, he's dying' and straightened back up, offering Nami an apologetic smile.

Nami blinked, gawking at him, "Well, uh...I guess if it really bothers you, I could—"

"No," Zoro butted in, getting up from where he was napping against the wall next to the galley, "I will be going with him, we wouldn't want the princess here to hurt his delicate hands with all the weight he would have to carry." Sanji frowned as Zoro flashed him a smug smirk.

Sanji breathed in the last lungful of smoke from the cigarette dangling between his lips and slowly breathed it out, tossing the stump over the railing and into the sea. "Funny you mention that, marimo-chan," he raised his chin, staring down at Zoro, "I was about to say the same thing."

Zoro's expression hardened, eyes glowering. "What are you implying?" he ordered.

"Oh, I'm not implying anything— I'm stating that you are far too weak to be walking around and carrying all this weight, so why don't you stay here and guard the Sunny like a good boy? I'll even buy you sake as a treat for following orders like a good dog!" he provoked, earning a threatening growl from Zoro.

"Bastard! I'm going to—"

"Whoa, hold it right there!" Franky came between him and Zoro, holding his hands up defensively, "You guys are not about to start fighting on the ship, if you wanna have a go, take this somewhere else!" Then, Franky turned towards him, eyebrows knitted forward into a disapproving frown, "Don't you think you're taking it a bit too far, cook-bro? I get that you two don't get along very well, but this is unnecessary."

Sanji shook his head and jumped up on the railing of the Sunny. "He took it too far when he decided that working himself half to death although he's already on his death bed was appropriate— you know what? Forget about it."

"Sanji."

He glanced over his shoulder, his captain standing there, gazing at him with a closed up, but serious expression.

It was like Luffy was saying; 'You are allowed to go, but afterwards you have some explaining to do.'

He sighed, "Yes, Captain."