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superbattrash · 1 year ago

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Say My Name (Like You Enjoy The Taste of It)

Pairing: Roronoa Zoro x Vinsmoke Black Leg Sanji

Summary: Zoro likes the banter thing he's got going on with Cook. It's fun, it's natural and it's- suddenly gone, because for some reason Cook won't even look at him these days. It can't really have something to do with that whole "Try calling my name sweetly" thing Cook was going on about, can it?

A/N: for @princesskazuya. Thanks for encouraging me, my love :3 I had lots of fun writing this; it definitively won’t be the last time I write my boys ~

"Oi, shitty cook," Zoro calls when his glass (who's he kidding, he doesn't use the glass Cook sets out for him; why bother, when he's going to drink the entire bottle anyway?) is empty. He needs more sake. Cook knows which bottles are good and which are strictly off limits or whatever he usually says. Zoro doesn't really listen. It’s easier to just avoid the boot coming at his head if he picks up the wrong bottle.

"I told you to stop calling me that," Cook snaps and then turns back to making weird eyes at Robin. "Try calling my name sweetly and maybe I'll listen, shitty swordsman."

It’s his usual spew and Zoro merely rolls his eyes and walks into the kitchen himself. It’s not like he’s the only one refusing to use Cook’s name; he can’t remember a time Cook ever called him Zoro, much less Roronoa. It doesn’t take Cook ten seconds before he’s rushed in behind him, yelling something about keeping his clumsy hands off the wine Cook is saving for his precious Nami-swan and Robin-chan. As if Zoro is the one with clumsy hands – he wouldn’t survive two days with his swords if he didn’t have perfect precision.

That should’ve been that. It’s always just that. This is how they communicate. Cook says something stupid, Zoro doesn’t listen, Cook gets angry, they either fight or Zoro gets drunk. It’s a nice, comfortable routine. They’ll repeat it again tomorrow and the day after, just like they always do.

Except it doesn’t go like that.

Because suddenly Cook doesn’t react to any damn thing Zoro tells him, let alone when he calls him. It takes Zoro about two days to realize it, which in hindsight is too slow a reaction for a swordsman, but he’ll use the excuse that this is Cook, damn it, it’s not like Zoro is keeping a watch on the guy every second of every day.

It doesn’t matter if it’s a genuine question: “Oi, Cook, when’s dinner?” or the usual banter, Zoro has grown so accustomed to over the past few months: “You wanna fight, shitty cook?!” There’s no reaction. And while Zoro can brush it off for a day or two – he’s not a child, he can take a hint and leave Cook alone for a bit – he’s starting to grow uncomfortable when a week’s gone by, and they haven’t had a single fight. Or conversation, for that matter.

He can’t seriously be this upset over a damn name? Zoro has never called him by his name, why is it suddenly an issue? You don’t see Zoro throwing a tantrum every time he’s called swordsman by Robin. He doesn’t even flinch when Cook usually calls him Marimo, no matter how stupid the nickname is.

By the seventh day he’s growing somewhat antsy. They haven’t seen land for a while, which is probably why it even bothers him in the first place. He tries asking Nami about it but she’s as helpful as ever.

“Have you, I don’t know, considered just calling him by his name instead of being a little shit?” She asks, voice all sugary sweet, like she’s making an actual helpful suggestion and not just making fun of him.

“Why should I?” Zoro grunts. “He never calls my name.”

“He calls you Zoro all the time,” Nami says.

“Not to my face, he doesn’t.” Zoro knows Cook has to talk about him sometimes, what with how often they got separated whenever something exciting happens – which Zoro will admit is quite often – but he’s never once heard him say his name. Which is fine, it doesn’t matter. It’s just a name. Zoro knows who he is, and he knows who Cook is.

“Well, at least he says it unlike someone else,” Nami says with a judgmental look. Rich coming from someone who’s never given any thought to Robin only ever calling her Navigator for the first month she knew them. “I’m not even sure you know what his name is.”

“Of course, I do. You don’t think I know my own crewmate’s name?” Zoro is starting to get pissed off. Is there anyone on this damn ship who knows him at all? He knows Cook’s name; he just doesn’t need to use it. He respects Cook, somewhat, and that should be enough.

“Oh, so he’s your crewmate now? I thought he was just the shitty cook.”

Zoro huffs and then leaves Nami to whatever it is she’s so busy doing that she can’t give him a useful answer. As he said. Helpful as ever. He considers asking Robin – she’s usually more insightful anyway – but he still has a hard time figuring her out. Besides, Cook is sticking awfully close to her these days and while Zoro wants him to stop being pissy, he does not want to talk about this in front of him like he’s not there. Zoro may not always look it, but he was raised better than to talk about someone right in front of them.

Luckily – he thinks at least – for Zoro he doesn’t actually have to go to Robin because she finds him on the eighth day of her own accord. He’s a little wary when she approaches him on the top deck. He’s training with the barbell because he can’t go in the damn kitchen, and he’s got this irritating itch underneath his skin.

It’s not like he doesn’t trust Robin; they saved her for a reason, after all, and she’s been very helpful. She’s a member of the crew and Zoro trusts her like he trusts the others. She’s just- there’s something all-knowing about her and it makes Zoro feel… a little inadequate. Not that he’s about to tell her that, or anyone else for that matter. Which is also why he doesn’t stop his training until he’s actually done.

He sets his barbell down and turns to Robin. She’s leaning against the railing comfortably; she’s nice enough to wait for him to finish before talking. Unlike every other person on this damn ship. Zoro really needs to set foot on land soon, he’s getting irritable at nothing.

“We’ll reach land before nightfall,” she tells him conversationally.

“Yeah,” Zoro says. He heard Usopp earlier too.

“Would you like to get a drink with me when we get there?” Robin asks with a soft smile. It seems genuine enough.

“A drink?” Zoro says with a frown. “Sure, if you think you’re up for it.”

“Someone has to make sure you don’t get lost again, little swordsman,” she teases.

Zoro grits his teeth at the jab, but she looks so relaxed that he can’t really be mad at her. Besides, Robin’s never wanted to spend any time with him one-on-one before. Maybe she’s finally coming out of her shell. And – the most important part of this entire endeavor – since she asked, she’s the one buying.

Zoro grins.

“I’ll be in your care then,” he says.

Robin looks a little surprised at his response but only for a second, then she’s back to her soft smile and all-knowing eyes. She nods at him and then she’s walking away.

“You miscounted,” she says when she’s halfway down the stairs. Zoro still hears her clearly. “You skipped one thousand nine hundred and eighty-three.”

Zoro very nearly throws the barbell after her. As if he’d ever miscount like that.

He starts over anyway. Just in case.

Usopp’s predictions are – as they nearly always are when he teams up with Nami – holding up; the sun hasn’t set when they dock at one of the biggest islands in the small cluster they’ve come upon. It’s not much more than a handful of smaller towns, surrounding a larger one, but the larger one has three separate bars which is more than enough for Zoro to find a place where nobody screams ‘Pirates!’ at him.

He doesn’t want to admit it but it’s mostly thanks to Robin that they find a suitable place to drink fast. She seems to know her way around any and all towns they dock at, despite her claiming she’s never been here before. It’s that all-knowing thing again.

It’s also thanks to Robin that Zoro is even allowed off the ship in the first place which is both insulting and rude. Like he can get lost less than a mile from the ship; he’s not a child. Usopp is busy with repairs and Cook dragged Chopper off before anyone got to them; Nami is making sure Luffy doesn’t get them into trouble which leaves Robin and Zoro free to roam the town without worries. It’s not like they have a curfew, but it’s nice to know everybody is safe.

Robin, it turns out, is a solid drinker. She’s not Nami but Zoro is kind of thankful for that; he doesn’t need someone to outdrink him, he’s just happy with the company. And Robin loosens up after a few drinks which is nice, although she does start to talk. A lot. It’s not bad, just different. She smiles more too, which Zoro finds makes him smile more in turn. She’s easy to hang around when she’s not hiding anything or running from people. Well, running alone, that is. They’re still pirates, after all.

She does, however, very quickly turn the conversation in a direction Zoro was hoping she wouldn’t. She’s clever like that; Zoro barely notices before she’s dragged him into the discussion. He’s not here to think about Cook; he’s here to drink so he doesn’t think about Cook.

“You could just call him Sanji like the rest of us,” Robin tells him, as if it’s just that easy.

“Where’s the fun in that?” Zoro shoots back in leu of an honest answer. He’s on his fifth beer and he does not want to get into this. Why does Robin care anyway? Why does anyone? Why does Cook?

“The fun,” Robin says as she glares at him. “Is that I don’t have to listen to Sanji complain about you all day and in turn watch you glare at his back like you can set him on fire with your eyes.”

“I don’t-”

“And,” she barrels on. “I would like to see his face when you do it.”

“Why?” Zoro asks with a frown. Granted, Cook does have an entire array of fun expressions (Zoro’s favorite is when his mouth hangs open in horror and his eyebrows knit close together, when he’s all speechless and his cheeks flush bright red in anger), but Zoro’s never thought of Robin as someone who would enjoy watching a spectacle between crew mates. And more importantly, there’s no way Cook will show any kind of entertaining expression just from hearing Zoro call his damn name. Maybe slight disgust or that superior smirk he sometimes shows, but nothing worthy of an audience.

“It’ll be fun,” Robin says easily.

“I really don’t understand you,” Zoro says with a sigh. It’s not necessarily a bad thing; he doesn’t have to understand someone completely to enjoy their company. And he does enjoy Robin’s company. It’s a little surprising but not unpleasant to realize.

“You don’t have to. You just have to trust me.”

“I do,” he says honestly.

“I know.” Robin smiles at him and takes another sip of her beer. She’s keeping up with his drinking nicely. “So?”

“So?”

“Will you do the entire crew a favor and make peace with our beloved cook?” While her tone is mostly teasing, Zoro can tell there’s a seriousness hidden underneath, like there often is with Robin.

“I don’t even know where to begin.” He shrugs even as he feels the weight of his own words on his shoulders. He’s not even sure he should begin. He’s not sure he’s done anything wrong. “He won’t talk to me, remember?”

“I’m pretty sure you know what he wants you to do.”

“Call him by his name, right?” Zoro clicks his tongue. “Shitty cook, I don’t understand him either.”

Robin finishes her beer with a thoughtful expression on her face. “Try it with me,” she says.

“Huh?”

“Try calling my name,” she tells him again, like it’s really that easy. Like that’s all this is about. It can’t be. Right?

“Why?” Zoro asks. It’s not like he can’t say Cook’s name; he knows his name, just like he knows Robin’s and like he knows Luffy’s. Just like he knows everybody’s names. He just- huh. Well, it’s true that he calls the others by their names but it’s not like it’s on purpose. He doesn’t argue with the others, not like he does with Cook. They don’t set his blood on fire; they don’t make him feel like he’s losing control; they don’t… they’re not Cook.

“Because I asked you to,” Robin says, a hint of impatience in her voice. “Come on, say my name.”

“Robin,” Zoro says easily. It’s her name, it’s all he’s ever called her. Almost, anyway. And she did ask nicely, unlike that curly browed bastard.

“Oh that is so not cute.” Robin makes a face and then gestures to the barkeep. They need more drinks for this, even she can see that. “Try again.”

“C- who said I wanna be cute?!” Zoro splutters. He’s not going for cute! He just wants Cook to stop being a dramatic piece of shit and go back to normal.

“Do you want Sanji to speak to you again or not?”

“Tch,” Zoro grits his teeth. “Fine. Robin.” He prolongs the n with an eight of a second and even that makes his tongue curl awkwardly on his mouth.

“No, no, cuter. Like this, Zoro-kun~”

Zoro almost rears back at the sugary sweetness of Robin’s voice. That is absolutely not how she usually calls him. Or anyone for that matter.

“Robin-san,” he tries and immediately feels his stomach turn. God, this is awful. Who talks like this? It’s one thing to be polite but this? Zoro wants to stick his head through the wall. He’s thankful for the beer that’s put in front of him; he downs it in one go and asks for another.

“Almost there,” Robin says, clearly grinning at him now. “Don’t get embarrassed now, swordsman, that isn’t fit for someone with a dream as big as yours. Do you think Hawkeye is above being kind?”

“Yeah,” Zoro says honestly. But then he frowns because no, that’s not quite right. Mihawk may not be kind, but he isn’t cruel either. He’s fair.

“I see the wheels turning,” Robin comments. “So? Do you want my help or not?”

“I want your help.” Robin raises an elegant brow at him. “Please,” he adds.

It’s not like he can explain it very well but having Cook ignore him is irritating. Infuriating, really. Especially since the bastard treats everybody the same as always. Zoro doesn’t expect them to be best friends - he’s got Luffy for that already and Cook enjoys spending time with Nami and Robin to him any day and that’s fine - but he needs their usual banter. He’s stronger because of it, because of Cook.

“Then try again, Zoro-kun,” Robin says.

Zoro is hopeless. At least that’s what Robin’s face is telling him. He goes through seven more beers before she lets up and even then it’s only because he finally forces out a “Robin-chan” that’s somewhat sweet enough for her taste. Zoro nearly gurgles his next beer to get it out of his mouth.

This is so not who he is.

“Names are important,” Robin says quietly. “For some people it’s all they have, Roronoa.”

Zoro can’t remember the last time anyone called him by his first name. Which is probably why he feels his heart skip a beat. He swallows thickly. The last time someone called him by his name… It was probably Mihawk back on Cook’s restaurant. Before that… well. Nobody’s used his name like that. God, it’s been long, hasn’t it?

“There’s no way he’ll be satisfied with that,” Zoro grunts into his twentieth? Twenty-fifth? Into his newly filled beer. Robin is chuckling at him; she’s getting drunk too, thank God, there’s no way he would survive the humiliation otherwise.

“He just wants you to acknowledge him,” Robin tells him like it’s a big secret. “Spend some time with him, compliment him. His cooking at least, I know you enjoy that.”

“Of course, I do,” Zoro huffs. Cook’s food is the best he’s ever tasted, and he always makes sure to make Zoro’s favorites.

“You ever tell him that?”

“He’s never asked!”

“It’s not really something you ask for, Zoro-kun,” Robin says with a laugh. She’s really milking the name thing now. “Do you ever ask for compliments?”

“I don’t need ‘em,” he says, trying not to smirk. He knows he’s great, he doesn’t need anyone to tell him. He’s going to be the world’s greatest swordsman; he can’t rely on something as frivolous as compliments from others.

“Well, maybe Sanji does. Don’t you want him to be happy?”

Zoro frowns. He’s never thought of that. Of course, he wants everyone in the crew to be happy, Cook included. But that’s just how a crew is, isn’t it? It’s not like he’s going out of his way to make anyone else happy.

“He’s… unhappy?” Zoro finds himself asking quietly. He makes Cook unhappy? Angry, sure, irritated, absolutely, but unhappy? That’s not what their banter is about. That’s not why he talks the way he does. That’s not what he wants.

What does he want?

“I’m sure he’ll be alright if you just give him what he wants,” Robin tells him.

Zoro frowns. What is it that Cook wants? What does he really want from Zoro? He refuses to believe this is about that stupid name. There has to be something else, something more. If only Cook would talk to him. Zoro slams his empty glass against the counter a little too hard, but Robin doesn’t comment on it. She’s good at reading him; it’s frustrating in other aspects but he’s grateful for it now.

Especially since the next set of feet through the door belong to a certain curly browed cook.

“There you are,” Cook says, and Zoro nearly whips around to face him. Until he realizes that he’s talking to Robin. Of course. “I’ve been looking for you.”

“I’m just having a few drinks with my favorite swordsman,” Robin says.

Cook makes a noise that Zoro can’t quite categorize. It’s not a positive noise though. He’s not usually annoyed with Robin, so it seems odd that he’d let her hear such a thing. Zoro glances at them out of the corner of his eye. Should he say something now?

“I can see that,” Cook says then. He nearly catches Zoro’s eye but then he’s staring very determinedly at Robin. “Come on, Robin-chan, it’s getting late. Why don’t I walk you back to the ship?”

“Oh, don’t mind me, I can get back on my own. It’s Zoro who could use a hand.”

Cook grits his teeth. “There’s no reason to help a drunkard who’ll just get lost anyway.”

“It’s because he’ll get lost that he needs your help,” Robin says. “Isn’t that right, Zoro-kun?”

“I could go for another drink,” Zoro says. There’s no way he’ll actively ask for help. Despite what they all think of him, he knows how to get back to the ship. Probably.

“See?” Cook sneers.

Robin sends Zoro a look.

“You could join me,” he then adds.

Cook looks at him like he’s suddenly grown another head. Or like he’s lost his mind. Either would probably be better than being on the receiving end of this particular look. Zoro tries not to let it show how uncomfortable he is. At least Cook is looking at him.

“Sharing a drink might help,” Robin chimes in helpfully. Teasingly? Zoro honestly isn’t sure what she’s going for here. “You could talk.”

“There’s nothing to talk about,” is Cook’s quick reply. He’s already turned his back on Zoro again.

It makes Zoro’s chest feel tight. This is so stupid. There’s no reason he should get on his knees and beg for Cook to forgive him when he hasn’t even done anything wrong. Cook is being dramatic, and it shouldn't be Zoro's responsibility to fix something that wasn’t even broken in the first place.

But then he remembers Robin talking about Cook being unhappy… It makes him ache in a way he hasn’t in years. He doesn’t like it. He grinds his teeth together and stares at his half-empty beer. He knows what he’s supposed to do; he knows what Cook wants from him. If there’s anything more to this, Cook will have to tell him directly. But the only way to get him to do that is to call his name.

He catches Robin’s eyes, and she tilts her head at him.

Right. Names are important to some people.

“Sanji-kun,” Zoro calls softly. It feels odd on his tongue.

The reaction is instantaneous. Cook’s back straightens impossible fast, and he turns to look at Zoro with something a little like horror on his face. Oh, no. Not horror. Is that a blush on his face? His eyes are huge and- have they always been so pretty?

Zoro shakes his head. That’s not a thought he’s used to. He knows Cook is pretty, he’s not blind. Or deaf. He heard the whispers whenever they go through crowded places.

“W-what did you say?” Cook – Sanji – asks.

“Sanji-kun,” Zoro repeats, keeping his voice light just like he’s practiced with Robin. He doesn’t want to swallow his own tongue at least, that has to count as progress. It might just be the alcohol talking though. “Won’t you have a drink with me?”

“You-”

“You can’t say no when he asks so nicely, can you, Sanji-kun?” Robin grins at them both. “I’ll go back first; you have fun now.”

“Wait-” Cook tries but she’s already out the door, leaving them alone together at the bar. He looks awkward standing there with his hand stretched towards the door.

Zoro expects him to leave. He doesn’t look happy to hear his name from Zoro’s lips; not that he’d expected him to immediately go back to normal, but then what else is there for Zoro to do? He’s done what Cook asked of him.

Then Cook plops down in the chair next to him with a deep sigh.

“I want wine,” he says grumpily.

“Okay.” Zoro doesn’t say anything else for a while, even after Cook’s wine arrives and he start swirling it around as if in deep thought. He still looks uncomfortable. Then Zoro remembers Robin’s words: show an interest, acknowledge him.

“What did you do today?” He asks.

“Are you drunk?” Cook frowns but at least he’s looking at him and he doesn’t look angry.

“Maybe a little.” Zoro shrugs. “Doesn’t change my question though. What did you do today?”

And despite his confused expression Cook answers. He’s dragged Chopper to any and all meat stores because Luffy needs his meat. He’s found a particular spice he’s been looking for; something both he and Chopper can use although Zoro suspects that might just be Cook trying to convince himself he’s allowed to buy it. If Zoro can see it, then Chopper absolutely can as well. He’s probably encouraged Cook to buy the spice by saying he could use it for some medicine or other.

Cook drinks his wine slowly while he talks. When his glass is empty, he doesn’t argue as Zoro orders him another. And he keeps talking, moving naturally along in the conversation. Zoro listens attentively the entire time, making sure to ask small questions or hum so Cook knows he’s listening.

Ah, the ache in his body is gone. Zoro could listen to Cook talk all day. He’s missed this. He doesn’t care if Cook yells at him or tells him about his day: as long as he keeps talking.

It’s late by the time they leave the bar; far later than they should have probably stayed out but Zoro doesn’t mind. He follows obediently along when Cook threatens him to not get lost on the way back.

There is still something nagging him though.

“Sanji-” Zoro starts and then nearly collides with Cook’s back when he suddenly stops walking.

“Okay, no, stop,” Cook says. There’s a nice pink tint to his cheeks again, although it may be from the wine he’s been drinking.

“What?”

“Stop calling me- stop saying my name.”

“I thought you wanted me to call you S-”

“No,” Cook interrupts, shoving his hands over Zoro’s mouth. “Not anymore, it’s fine, you did good, thank you. Now stop.”

Zoro tilts his head to the side slightly. Huh. This is interesting. “You don’t like it?” He asks, voice slightly muffled by Cook’s hands. He removes them awfully fast when Zoro starts talking.

“No, no, it’s- you’re good, it’s just- it’s not you,” Cook stumbles over his words. They don’t make any sense to begin with.

“Excuse me?” Zoro asks, eyebrows high on his face.

“That’s not how you call me,” Cook tells him, arms waving around in the air like he doesn’t quite know what to do with them. “That- this isn’t how we are.”

“How are we then?”

“Shitty cook,” Cook does an impressive impersonation of Zoro’s voice, scowling while he speaks. “And shitty Marimo. That’s who we are.”

“Why make such a big deal about it then?” Zoro asks, genuinely curious. “If you don’t want me to call you-” Once again Cook throws a hand in front of his mouth. Zoro grabs it and wrestles it away. He keeps a tight hold on it to make sure he doesn’t try it again. “I wasn’t gonna say it, dumbass.”

“See? That’s how you talk to me,” Cook says, ignoring Zoro’s question. Huh. He seems nervous too, although it could just be Zoro’s imagination. It’s not like he’s an expert in any and all things Cook.

He kind of wants to be though.

“You didn’t respond to my usual way,” he says instead of calling Cook out for avoiding his question. He’s got time; he’ll make Cook answer before long.

“Alright, I’m sorry for that, so let’s just go back to normal,” Cook says as he pulls his hand from Zoro’s grip.

Zoro’s hand feels oddly empty. When Cook starts walking again, Zoro narrows his eyes and doesn’t follow along. He wants normal but he doesn’t want to repeat this entire thing in two days or whenever Cook gets upset again. It’s too easy to just sweep it under the rug. Besides he’s been suffering for an entire week. Cook gets to be uncomfortable for a few hours and then forget about this? That’s not fair.

“No,” he says.

“What?” Cook turns around with a frown. He clearly expects Zoro to just pretend like the past week never happened, but he still hasn’t explained anything. He’s even changed his mind about the name thing and it’s frustrating but more than that, it’s confusing.

“I said no,” Zoro repeats. He’s not trying to be difficult – not really, not any more than he usually is – but he needs Cook to actually talk to him. Or at the very least be as uncomfortable and confused as Zoro’s been this week. It’s not about revenge, he tells himself, but there’s a small part of his brain that’s screaming at him to not let Cook get away this easily. He shoves it down, but it doesn’t make it any less true.

“What do you mean ‘no’?”

It’s not just about getting even though. There’s something Cook has yet to do, has yet to acknowledge. Which is why Zoro can’t help but tease him a little. It’s how they communicate; provocation is a glorious tool.

“I think an apology is due,” he tells him and then starts walking. It’s not hard to follow the only path out of the city but Zoro can see the momentary panic in Cook’s eyes when he catches up to him. Like he’s afraid Zoro will somehow lead them directly into the ocean with no way back.

“I already told you-”

“You should say it properly, Sanji-kun,” Zoro singsongs. This is actually rather fun when he isn’t being pressured to say it. Mostly because Cook looks like he either wants to kick Zoro’s head clean off his shoulders or jumps off a cliff himself. It’s endearing and a good look on him. It’s that perfect mix of embarrassment and rage that Zoro loves to evoke in Cook’s otherwise poised head.

“You-”

“How would I even know you’re talking to me?” Zoro interrupts. Cook has barely been able to string one entire sentence together and Zoro suddenly understands why Robin wanted to watch this. It’s fun, making Cook all flustered over nothing. “You’ve never called my name, not even once. It seems a little unfair given how you’ve been treating me the past week, don’t you think?”

“I think that’s the longest I’ve ever heard you speak,” Cook says, sounding almost in awe.

“Well?”

“I-” Cook sighs. He scratches the back of his neck as if he’s trying to buy himself time. Ultimately there’s only one thing he comes up with: “I’m very sorry for how I’ve acted.”

Zoro raises an unimpressed eyebrow.

“Zoro,” he then tacks on.

“Hm,” Zoro hums. He caresses Wado like he often does when he’s deep in thought. It’s a habit he’s had since the sword stopped dragging against the ground when he wore it in his belt. “You should try it out with my first name, I think that’d be better.”

“Listen, you shitty-” Cook is gearing up for a fight, it’s so easy to tell. He’s already shoving his hands deep into his pockets, rocking back and forth on his heels even as he walks.

“Alright, alright,” Zoro laughs, holding his hands up in surrender for good measure. He’s teased long enough, it seems. He doesn’t actually want to fight when he’s in such a good mood. Tomorrow though. Tomorrow he’ll say something else, something that’ll set Cook’s blood on fire, and he’ll give just as good as he gets. “You’re forgiven, shitty cook.”

Cook’s smile looks relieved and that- that’s a good look on him too, Zoro will admit. They walk in comfortable silence for a few minutes before he realizes there’s something he’s nearly forgotten to say.

“You still haven’t answered my question,” he says, keeping his eyes on the road in front of them. Was the path always this long? Maybe it’s just because it’s dark now, but it looks different than when he and Robin walked here earlier. Oh well, Cook would’ve told him already if they’re going the wrong way.

“What question?” Cook twists around to walk backwards so he can look Zoro in the eye when they talk. He’s very clearly not worried about where they’re going so it must be the right way. It’s nice, seeing him so relaxed.

“Why did you make such a big deal about the whole name thing in the first place?” Zoro asks. “Especially considering you changed your mind immediately.”

Cook looks like he’s suddenly being put under an interrogation light by the navy. So much for being relaxed. He turns around again but doesn’t stop walking.

“I didn’t know it would be like that,” he says.

“Like what?”

“Like- that it would be so… different.”

“So you, what, just wanted to hear me say your name once? Try it out?”

“Maybe.” It’s not the truth, at least not the entire truth, that much is clear from the teasing smirk Cook throws Zoro’s way. He really does know exactly how to rile him up.

“You could’ve just said that. I’m not a mind reader, you know.”

“Oh, I know.”

“Shut up,” Zoro bites, albeit much less harsh than he intended it. He must be out of practice going a whole week without getting to snap and bite and argue. Nobody does it like Cook does, there’s no reason to start fights with any of the others. He can feel himself starting to smile back; it’s annoying how easy it is to talk to Cook. “Was that really all it was?”

“Well,” Cook mutters. “Robin reminded me that if I keep giving in, nothing will change.”

“I don’t understand.” Giving in to what? To Zoro? It’s not like he’s baiting Cook. Well, that’s not entirely true, but he’s not the only one doing it. Half the time they fight, it’s because Cook started it.

“You’re not supposed to,” Cook says with another teasing smile.

Zoro frowns. That’s suspiciously close to what Robin told him earlier. “So. Robin made you do this, huh?”

“What, no, Robin-chan wouldn’t interfere with-”

Already back to the cutesy way he always calls Robin. Zoro swallows down the rush of emotion he can’t – doesn’t want to – put a name to.

“Bullshit,” he says instead of thinking too hard about the weird knot in his stomach. He’s probably just had too much to drink. “So this is all Robin’s fault?”

“Wait, no!” Cook grasps desperately at his arms but Zoro has fought him off when he’s serious; this is nothing. He’s free within a second. “Oi! Shitty swordsman! Don’t you dare say anything mean to Robin-chan!”

Zoro can’t help the grin stretching over his lips as he dances around Cook’s frantic attempts to get a hold of him. Finally back to normal.

At least that’s what he thinks.

Then Cook grabs his arm when they’re back at the ship. Zoro lets himself be turned around and waits somewhat patiently for Cook to speak. There’s something on his mind, something important enough that he’s got a determined look on his face. Zoro keeps waiting, tilting his head down slightly so they’re eye-to-eye. Cook swallows and Zoro follows the movement of his Adam’s apple with his eyes before he raises them again.

“Zoro,” Cook says.

“Sanji,” Zoro answers, echoing the same tone of voice Cook is using. It doesn’t seem to be the right thing to do because Cook drops his arm and rubs a hand over his face.

“As I thought, I can’t do this,” he mumbles.

Zoro rolls his eyes. “If you want something, open your mouth,” he says, impatience winning out. “I won’t know if you don’t tell me yourself.”

“I don’t wanna say,” Cook mutters.

Zoro sighs again and throws out his hands. How many times does he have to repeat himself? Has Cook learned nothing the past week? “Then, I don’t know, show me instead? I’m not an idiot, I can-”

There isn’t much of a height difference. Not enough to matter usually, anyway. It’s barely half an inch. And yet Sanji is raising onto his toes to press his lips against Zoro’s.

Oh.

Wait, what?

Zoro doesn’t even have time to close his eyes before Sanji pulls back. His entire face is red, but he’s stubbornly keeping eye contact. Zoro was wrong; this is his favorite expression of Cook’s.

“You-”

“You said you’re not an idiot, right?” Cook asks. “Figure that out then.” And then he’s stormed off.

Zoro might have been wrong. Maybe he is an idiot. Because he has no idea what just happened. That doesn’t stop him from running after Cook though. He’s already done the impossible and gotten Cook to talk to him again; what’s gonna stop him from asking for an explanation?

Or better yet, another kiss.

#misha writes #zosan fanfiction #zosan fic #Zoro x sanji #Roronoa Zoro x Vinsmoke Sanji #lord how do you tag fics on Tumblr again???#anyway it's zosan and there's a lil kiss in there

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