#i'll put a link to an english cover in the replies since some people are allergic to vocaloids

[maukuja]

heat abnormal

first version because the animation looks smoother and I'm proud that it only took me listening to the song 40 times to make this

[sanjis-moulinrouge]

Until Dawn: The Chat

Zoro x Sanji

Summary: The Strawhats have a costume party at an island, Zoro and Sanji finally have the chance to share things that seemed impossible.

a/n: Fluff for part one. English is not my first language, so my apologies if something sounds weird.

AO3 link

Zoro contemplated how the crew moved agitatedly from one room to another looking for accessories and appropriate clothing for the costume event on the island. Robin and Nami were almost ready, they were helping each other with some details, fastening and arranging the folds of fabrics. Robin was wearing a hooded purple cloak making her look like an ancient death divinity, Nami was a sorceress in a white dress covered by a long velvet cape, and Chopper was their mysterious companion.

"It's been a long time since we've done something like this... it makes me a little anxious, I’m starting to feel sick. Who’s going to be checkin’ Merry?" Usopp said while the doctor tried to calm his insecurities.

“Chill-out, Usopp. We’re safe here, the villagers are very nice” replied Nami. “And trust me, I guess Zoro will be watching it.”

Sanji walked down the corridor, leaving behind the aroma of cigarettes. He put on elegant patent leather shoes, wearing a sober, completely black outfit.

“Wooa, Sanji, are you going as a detective?" Luffy asked as he saw him putting on a long scarlet coat.

"No, I'll make sure to go as a vampire… maybe I got the chance to surprise ladies…”

Robin approached Sanji, put a top hat on him, part of her collection, and lifted the collar of his coat. "Now you look more mysterious, cook," she giggled. 

"ROBIN-CHAAAAAN, SO SWEET" 

Zoro was about to fall asleep when suddenly he saw Sanji's figure kneeling in front of him.  

“Marimo, are you coming with us?”

He nodded yawning. 

“Oeee Zoroooo, I don't see your costume?” Luffy shouted while wearing the famous afro wig and Usopp had already entered character to act as his representative.

“I will go as a swordsman” 

“Whaaaat” the whole crew exclaimed.

“At least change the outfit, loser?” Nami sighed as she stood Zoro up, she quickly led him to his room. “You have a kimono, be creative... we leave in 10 minutes.”

He left the ship following the crew. He decided to wear the nagagi and haori in a semi formal way, but it felt much more comfortable. His figure was elegant. He walked slower than other times, he didn’t want to receive any comment from the nakamas.

Sanji turned around rapidly while smoking. As soon as he detected Zoro, he felt a little dazed, in his mind he tried to remember other occasions where Marimo looked refined but couldn’t recall. He also didn't want to think about it so much, after all it was just a new Zoro’s image on his brain, he would get used to it later.

The cook’s footsteps were heard all the way to the tavern. The place was giant, it was divided into a bar with different types of liquor, live music, and a restaurant. 

“Guys, this place is extremely crowded. Let’s stay in the groups we’ve planned” Nami affirmed.

As the group spreads, Sanji and Zoro reluctantly got together.

“I don’t see many ladies around, Cook”

“Oh shut up or i’ll kick you”

“I’ll be at the bar”

“Gonna check what they have on the menu, but don’t move from the bar, mosshead” 

“Don’t tell me what to do” Zoro barked as he drank sake.

The lighting switched, a new band was performing and people gathered to dance. After a while, Zoro decided to go out and walk around the hall, glancing at some aisles, he was reassured to see Luffy and Usopp eating and laughing at tables in the corner.

The restaurant had a wide variety of menus, he saw Sanji in the background, talking passionately to what appeared to be the kitchen staff, his genuine smile made his blue eyes sparkle, Zoro couldn’t deny his gentle beauty, the smoothness of his costume accentuated his features and his gestures of awe did not go unnoticed either. This was one of the few times where the swordsman could appreciate the cook’s smile and enthusiasm as a stranger, accepting the qualities for himself but never finding the right moment to put it into words.

Overwhelmed with feelings, he left to get some fresh air. Sanji, on the other hand, interrupted the chatter to go back to Zoro. As he approached the bar, he noticed the absence.

The strong lights, the crowd and the heat of the place made the cook uncomfortable. “Shit, where did he go?” He asked the bartender and then other customers, but they couldn't give details. “This asshole,” he thought. “He should be on the ship by now.” 

Sanji went out of the tavern fast, there were a few people outside, mostly drunk pirates on the floor. The blond took a long sigh, lit a cigarette and entered a nearby alley. Despite the dim lights he could walk, the pavements were small and sometimes zigzagged but not to get lost. At the end of the street, he sat down on a bench and lit a cigarette, a breeze soothed the high temperatures he had brought from the bar.

“You shouldn't let your guard down here” he heard as he felt one of Zoro’s swords behind his shoulder.

“mmm, get that shit out of me”

Zoro sheathed the sword and sat down on the other side of the bench.

“Why are you here?” the swordsman voiced.

“Apparently, someone idiot was about to get lost” 

“But… I found you” he goaded sarcastically.

“Do you want to be alone? Why don’t you go to Merry and get some sleep? It would give me… a break to enjoy the party”

“You piss me off, curly” Zoro muttered as he stood up in a dizzy way.

“Are you drunk, shitty mosshead? Why are you staring at me like this?”

Zoro observed Sanji’s posture, there was something exquisite in the way he sat, his long crossed legs looked extremely stylized in the suit, he had a defiant look while he exhaled the smoke from his cigarette.

“I should be the one asking if you’re drunk” Zoro scolded as he got closer.

“I'm not the one who’s swinging while standing up, I’m not even acting silly…”

The swordsman’s heartbeat was struggling, he didn't know how much longer he could cope with the distance, he felt so bewitched that it was difficult to contain himself being alone with the cook, that's why he avoided spending time alone with him, he fought internally to not lose control.

After a silence, their eyes met for a short moment, Sanji began to walk back to the tavern.

Sanji's silhouette moved quickly, the blood-red color of his coat made him look paler and more intimidating than he really was. Zoro rushed over stealthily, grabbing him by the arm.

"Oi oi marimo! Do you need something?" Sanji uttered. 

Zoro noticed his impulse and the strength with which he held the cook's forearm.

"You're right. I'll go back to the ship," he said as he looked down.

In the middle of the night, footsteps prowled around the kitchen, the drawers of the shelves opened and closed.

"Shitty cook?" Zoro asked. Through the window he perceived Sanji contemplating the island lights and sky.

"too early to be back tho"

"I wanted to drink something here. I left some sake in the kitchen and pantry" Sanji's sleepy eyes looked huge, they normally stood out at night with the lights, but now they were much more piercing as he did the offer. Zoro was again starting to become nervous as he contemplated how his features harmonized with the silly disguise.

"Take off that stupid hat," he rasped suddenly.

“Do you want to wear it, asshole?” he replied as he walked back to the kitchen.

Zoro followed him with his gaze.

"I brought wine and sake, mosshead. Do you want some?”

Sanji was eager to see if Zoro would be open to drinking with him in that situation, all alone. 

He unbuttoned his coat before pouring the liquors, Zoro slowly approached to sit on the island in front of him. 

“The hat, eyebrows.”

"you're obsessed with the damn hat...aren’t you? Sanji exhaled. “don't make me bitter. Not because you’re not feeling your character and custom it means I’m going to take this shit off…”

“you don’t look like a vampire”

“you don’t look like a swordsman. Are you escaping from yourself?” he emphasized as he ran his finger over the glass of wine.

“What are you implying, curly brow?”

“I like accessories… with them you could try other things. They can highlight things about you, physical features, personality features…You must feel something different by being dressed like this… marimo… your look is…” he couldn’t continue with the train of thoughts. Zoro had his eyes fixed on him.

“Are you drunk?”

Sanji placed his hat on Zoro's head.

“Seriously, did you drink or eat something else, lovecook? Are you sober?”

“I’m more conscious than ever. Drink the fuckin’ sake, so you stop asking the same stupid questions”

“Cook… since when you like vampires?” Zoro inquired while Sanji lit a cigarette. 

“since I was little, but no one had ever asked”

“why do you find them appealing?” Zoro’s tone had already calmed down. It seemed he was fully interested in knowing Sanji’s perspective.

“They’re mysterious and romantic creatures. They struggle to survive, stories tell some of them starve to death to not damage their beloved ones, others say that they’re evil creatures cause they kill indiscriminately… They’re enigmatic, passionate. Blood is their source, their ecstasy, their food. They depend on it. It's a nice metaphor for life itself. Blood as wine can symbolize plenty of things… desire, lust, fervent love. What if vampires smell blood as we smell liquors…and that’s how desire leads them to their prey or immortal companion. 

Sanji’s words made Zoro tremble, he was with such a natural and carefree attitude that they had not noticed how close they were, he could feel the cook's legs collide with his under the small kitchen’s island. His voice was alluring, suddenly Zoro couldn’t take his eyes from his lips. It felt like everything was in slow motion. His storytelling sounded like soft whispers, the moment became intimate as if Sanji was trusting him with his deepest thoughts. 

“Tempted by senses…blood… makes them lose their inhibitions. Wine makes us lose our inhibitions too…” in an instant Zoro's warm lips pressed tightly against his, the cook couldn't even react… their breaths were heavy, a rush of heat reached both. Sanji’s body started to shiver, wishing the moment was eternal.