#sanji with the classic heart smoke

[deepoceanbutterfly]

pre time skip

Sanji

Maybe he got a little something or maybe he didn't. Maybe he's just being a bit too obsessed with women.

[semyla]

Be my baby

You had grabbed the microphone with in a karaoke and played a special song for that special someone, you were for sure not going to regret this. Specially with more public there, everyone would wonder who could it be, but only those who knew you know definitely knew who it was about.

(Luffy, Zoro, Sanji, Nami, Usopp, Shanks, Mihawk, Sir Crocodile)

So won’t you saay you love me? I’ll make you so proud of me. We’ll make ‘em turn their heads every place we go.

Nami: Would whole heartily destroy anyones confidence who believes you are singing that song to them. She can be a very jealous woman, but that wouldn’t prevent her from enjoying your performance for her. She feels very special that you are dedicating her a song. She brought a drink afterwards.

Usopp: Bragging every second that you are singing that to him, whistling and hyping you on stage. After you are done singing he is there jumping to hug you and tell you how amazing you were and how proud he was.

Sir Crocodile: He smoke his cigar, proud ti know everyone knows it’s about him. Everyone knew that and, oh poor of the fool who thought or ran their mouths saying it was about them, when it was far from the truth.

Mihawk: The Ronettes, a classic. His stoic face remained the same, but deep down he appreciated the song. Your voice being melody in his ears no matter how good or bad it was and everyone knew it was dedicated to him, after the song he complimented you and got both of you drinks.

Zoro: He may be pass out or he may be asleep, but he for sure is watching and humming, but never showing any reaction other than his normal resting face, until you saw him make no reaction so you purposely shout him out and he was vey pissed about it, but he was blushing, even if it was from embarrassment it still something.

I’ll make you hapy, baby, just wait and see for every kiss you give me, I’ll give you three.

Luffy: He is no. 1 on clapping and cheering with you, next to Ussop who is also helping him cheer. He is screaming how beautiful you sing and right after you finish he rushed to hug you and say how awesome you were and how beautiful you sang, he also kissed your cheek.

Sanji: He gets heart eyes when you are on stage and after he knows you are singing a song to him? Immediate nosebleed. He is fanboying over you while you sing, making anyone hardly enjoy it your singing, but that’s not stopping him from straight up worshipping you from the dance floor.

Shanks: Never took his eyes off from you, not even for a single second. Not a single shame on singing along from the public, and even putting his drink up to cheer on you. He might be long gone by the time you sing to him, but he still got the spirit. By the end of the song he is trying to find you and drunkenly praising you.

[batneko]

A short fic about Sanji and Reiju and gender.

-

It was not unusual for Reiju to find one of her brothers in her quarters. Even now, they had a lack of boundaries and a fondness for juvenile pranks. But none of it bothered her, really, and letting them get it out of their system got them out of her hair faster. So she didn't change her footsteps as she became aware of the presence in her bedroom, letting her heels clack on the floor and opening the outer door slowly enough that the hinges creaked.

She had not at all been expecting to see this particular brother.

“Sanji,” Reiju said, surprised. He was sitting at her makeup table, a handful of products in front of him, and when he saw her he shoved them aside and covered his face, though Reiju had already caught a glimpse of it in the mirror. “Are you… What are you doing?”

There was a pause, just a moment too long, and Sanji lowered his hands.

He was smiling, though it looked pained. “I thought it would be funny,” he said. There was lipstick on his teeth. “To- to see how bad I would look in your makeup. And I was right! It's hilarious, isn't it?”

His laugh came out like a sob.

“Who… who would ever think a man could wear this stuff? It's just ridiculous, isn't it? I- I should show the others. How funny it is.”

Bright blue eyeshadow was smeared across his eyelids, bubblegum pink lipstick on his mouth, and coral blush mismatched on his cheeks. Blotchy glitter highlights completed the look, such as it was.

Silence filled the room for several long seconds.

“Mm,” Reiju said, thoughtfully. “Yeah, makeup is pretty hard if no one ever sat down and taught you.”

She pulled over the poofy footstool at the end of her bed and opened a drawer, taking out a packet of wipes and a few little bottles.

“Let's clean all that off first, and start from scratch.”

“I just. It's just a joke.”

“I know,” Reiju said. She pulled out a wipe and took hold of his chin. “Close your eyes.”

Sanji obeyed, sitting there obediently as his sister cleaned his face. They both ignored the way his breath hitched with held-back tears.

“Okay,” Reiju said. “We'll start by prepping your skin. You're a smoker, and a chef, so you really cannot moisturize too much.”

“Men don't need to do that stuff,” Sanji muttered, words slightly slurred by her vice grip on his face.

“More men should,” Reiju said firmly. “They’ll age much more gracefully, and no one likes kissing chapped lips.”

“That… that's true…”

“Yes it is,” Reiju said.

She finished rubbing moisturizer on him, and moved on to eyes. “I like to do eyes before foundation, in case the eyeshadow drops on your cheeks. Today let's just go simple, is your heart set on the blue or do you want neutrals?”

“I- I don't care.”

“I'll use a cool-colored shimmer on top,” Reiju decided. “Eyeliner is optional for daytime looks, what do you think?”

“I don't care, this is… You decide.”

“Yes, then.”

After the eyes were done she moved on to primer and a sheer foundation, explaining each step, making sure Sanji learned every tip and trick - from pumping the wand to opening your mouth to make it easier not to blink. Sanji stopped protesting at some point, just sitting there and letting her use him as a dummy.

“There’s an advanced lesson on contouring if you ever want to learn that, but I think this is enough new information for one day.” She considered her work so far. “It's a good thing you and I have the same coloring. I'll let you know what products I use, but don't be afraid to experiment with new ones. And like I said, moisturize.”

“Okay,” Sanji said quietly.

“I'd do your lips but you're probably going to need a smoke soon, right?” She'd noticed his fingers shaking and gave him an easy excuse for it.

“I can wait a little longer,” Sanji said, surprising her. “Since. I'm already here, and you're already teaching me, so…”

Reiju smiled. “I like bold colors but you seem like more of a classical beauty type. Definitely go with a long-lasting one, maybe matte, but with the shimmer I think we want a gloss.” She grabbed his chin again, ignoring the bristles. “Open your mouth.”

When she was done, Reiju gave Sanji a quick powder, then surveyed the finished look. She sat back, and nodded to the mirror, indicating he should look for himself.

The fear in his eyes was almost painful to watch. This was her little sibling, the closest to her out of the pack of them, the one she'd already failed to protect once. If she hadn't pulled this off it might only hurt him worse.

Sanji swallowed and turned in the chair, facing the mirror.

His lips parted, slightly, and his inhale of breath wasn't quite a gasp.

“I… look…”

“Told you,” Reiju said, nodding. “Classical beauty.”

He swallowed again. “It's. It's not funny this time.”

“Of course it's not, you look great. Nothing comical about being a knockout.”

Sanji stared at his reflection for a long time, occasionally turning his head side-to-side to see the other angles.

“Do you want to stay here for a bit?” Reiju asked.

Sanji nodded, silently.

“Okay. I'm going to change in the next room, and then I'm going out.”

He nodded again. “If… I need to take this off before I go?”

Reiju got the wipes out again, and quickly explained how to use cold cream.

“Got all that?” Reiju asked.

Sanji nodded.

“Are you… good?”

“I'm okay,” Sanji said. He gave her a smile, awkward but more genuine than any she'd seen from him in a long time. “Thank you.” Softly he added, “For everything.”

“Any time,” Reiju said.

She hoped he knew she meant it.

[aiwokure]

Day 1 - Baking

Nico Robin x F!Reader, F!Reader & Sanji

Desc: [y/n] attempts to bake a “Sorry for trying to kill you cake” for Robin with the help of resident Loverboy Sanji - shenanigans ensue.

WC: 1.4k

CW: Possibly OOC Sanji, Attempts at Humor, Sanji is very passionate about his job, slight Perv!Sanji

continuation of this - [click here]

banner by @/cafekitsune

This is so stupid… [y/n] sighs after checking for the umpteenth time that Robin and Nami were asleep before leaving the room and heading to the kitchen. The hallways were dimly lit and the ship rocked gently with the waves, as if to soothe her racing thoughts. When she arrived at the galley, the (now retired) mercenary couldn’t help but to raise an eyebrow at the excessive amount of locks on the fridge and pantry. “Well, so much for that I guess.” [y/n] mumbles to herself, preparing to exit.

The (h/c) woman didn’t even turn around fully before Sanji bursts into the kitchen. His leg was raised with smoke coming off the bottom of his shoes, eyes promising death. “I told you that if I catch you in here again I’d-!” A moment of silence was shared between the two, [y/n]’s was bewildered confusion, and Sanji’s was utter humiliation. Red slowly crept up his neck all the way to his hairline as he quickly put his leg down and motioned towards her.

Every step the blond took forward, [y/n] took two back. “Is threatening medical patients a common thing here or did I miss some memo?” Sanji tugs on the roots of his hair in distress, a garbled noise sneaking past his throat. Upon realizing how foolish he looked from physically displaying his mental state, the chef straightens himself out by fixing his hair and clearing his throat. He then, in a much more composed tone, responds.

“My sincerest apologies m’lady, there’s been a certain pest,” Sanji’s ire was clear as day, his jaw slightly clenched at the mere memory of Luffy attempting to squeeze past the chains, “that loves to pillage through the pantry at night.” [y/n] hums, mildly intrigued but not enough to ask for more details. “How fortunate for you that I’m no pirate then, hm? I do need these unlocked though.” She nods to the locked pantry and fridge.

���Oh! If you’re hungry I can whip you up something, anything that you want! I can’t allow such a beautiful woman like yourself to do labor. Even more so with your injuries.” Sanji moves swiftly, beginning hygienic preparations so he can cook. [y/n] flusters faintly at his eagerness, but even more so at telling him her true intentions.

It was already strange having the crew be so accommodating and kind to her despite her attempt on Robin’s life.

“No, uh, I’m not hungry, thank you.” The blond stills, turning in disarray. There was a secondary moment of silence, [y/n] growing more awkward at watching Sanji try to figure out why she was in the galley. “So...is there anything that I can help you with?” Fiddling with the edge of the counter, [y/n] finally confesses. “I, um, wanted to bake a cake. For Robin. An apology cake for the whole ‘gonna kill you’ thing.”

Sanji’s expression grows comically serious, a hand on his chin as he nods in understanding. “Fear not, [y/n]-san, I’ll be your culinary knight and create a cake that not only apologizes but also conveys the feelings of your heart!” He gestures with flourish, spinning around the kitchen with such fervor while unlocking the chains. “How...lovely.” [y/n] began to regret her decision once she saw smokey hearts floating around the kitchen.

“Have you thought of the design? Maybe something floral? How about multi-tiered? Maybe it should be blue like her eyes.” The more the blond swooned, the more agitated [y/n] felt herself get. "Let's keep it simple, chef. A classic round cake with a neat frosting layer. Nothing too flashy; just a straightforward apology cake."

Sanji hummed with consideration, “Sorry, I’d nearly forgotten it was for that. Keeping it simple. As for you, mon cher, take a seat and watch the magic happen. I work better with a lady audience.” He ushers the [h/c] woman out of the cooking area, much to her displeasure. [y/n] tried to vocalize as such until Sanji – as kindly as possible – reminded her of her injury and how “baking takes a lot of wrist work” along with other excuses.

Watching the chef work efficiently and silently turned out to be quite soothing for the ex-mercenary. His little songs that he would hum and the various shapes his smoke would make was entertaining enough to keep [y/n]’s mind off of Robin’s potential reaction to the cake. “So, you knew Robin when you guys were younger huh? What was that like?” Sanji tentatively breaks the silence after placing the cake in the oven.

He offers the batter bowl as payment for [y/n]’s thoughts, which she took. “I don’t remember all the finer details, but she was definitely a little brat. And she wasn’t nearly as good at disguising herself as she is now – which honestly still isn’t that much better. We explored a lot, experienced lots of different cultures. When we were together, I felt like there wasn’t anything that we couldn’t do. I guess that’s why I was so angry at what she did. And to see that she had moved on only infuriated me more.” “It was as if she didn’t trust me to keep her safe, despite everything that I’ve done…” [y/n] thinks back briefly on the bounty hunter and other unfortunate victims that she came across during her journey with Robin. “Sorry if you were expecting a lighthearted story, but ours ended far from sweet.” Sanji shrugs a shoulder in a carefree manner. “We all have are stories, I understand. Hows the batter?” [y/n] gives a small smirk which gets the blond’s heart racing. “Delicious. This will definitely, what did you say again, ‘convey the feelings of your heart’?”

The chef grows further enamored, having been blessed with seeing parts of [y/n]’s personality sneak out. “I’m, uh, gonna go check on the cake. I-It’s probably done by now!” Legs growing weak at the sight of fluttery [e/c] eyes, and nose tingling with the threat of blood, Sanji wills himself to keep it under control.

(In the very deep crevice of his mind, he couldn’t help but to imagine what it would be like to be sandwiched between both Robin and [y/n]. A perv is a perv after all.)

The following morning [y/n] was so fidgety even Luffy can sense it. She couldn’t figure out how to present the cake. Or how to bring up the apology at all, honestly. Robin had seemed so content with just being in her space again that she hesitates to bring up something so heavy. But Sanji keep looking at the [h/c] woman expectantly, brow raised in curiosity.

Chopper became concerned, convinced that [y/n] was still in discomfort from her injuries and was trying to play nonchalant. He offered pain medication, which she refused, to which he responded by placing her on bed rest. Robin chuckled faintly at the exchange, averting her gaze from the scathing [e/c] glare. Dammit, if I’m stuck in bed all day, I’ll never be able to give her the cake… “Doctor, I feel fine, I was just a little in my head about something.” [y/n] attempted to bargain with the reindeer, who briefly stopped to hear her out.

“About what?” “About this!” Sanji exits the kitchen dramatically, cake in hand as he spins around towards the table Robin is sitting at. “For you, mademoiselle.” He gently places the cake down before her with a professional bow. “Hm? ‘Sorry I tried to kill you, that was very immature of me. - [y/n]’ It even has a little drawing, how cute.” Robin’s blue eyes were glowing with amusement, watching her old friend screech in horror.

“I wasn’t ready you damn chef! And why in hell’s name is there a drawing?! I thought we agreed on simple!” Sanji tuts in disapproval, "Ah, [y/n]-san, a simple cake may convey the message, but a grand cake will etch it into her heart forever. I didn’t just make a cake; I crafted a masterpiece that reflected the depth of your feelings." The ex-mercenary could feel the heat rolling off of her face in waves, her jaw was clenched so tight they nearly creaked from the pressure.

Robin coos at [y/n]’s extremely obvious embarrassment, a teasing smile on her lips. “You didn’t have to do all of this, but I do appreciate the gesture, even if it came at your own detriment.” [y/n] eyes the archaeologist hesitantly, as if she doubted Robin’s words. Surely life endangerment isn’t something that should be forgiven so easily, correct? Surely she should have done more than ask for a damn cake to be made, something like swearing to servitude for the rest of her life.

I guess that shows how much she really does like me, huh? Idiot... [y/n] nearly choked on her spit at the realization, a hand shooting up to cover her face which blatantly advertised her thoughts. Steam puffed off the top of her head in the shape of the same foolish hearts that Sanji made the night prior. “I-I’m glad.”

[eternitas]

17 and 24 of that ask game for Sanji, Hayato and Xiao uvu

This Ask meme

17. What's a book, movie, or show you think [character] would like?

Sanji

Very obvious answer? Anything to do with cooking. He breaths cooking. But he is also a majour softy and slight pervert so I can see him have some guilty pleasure movies that involve a lot of romance and soft erotica. I am not very versed in ANY of these things, but I could see Sanji enjoying Titanic and Moulin Rouge. I also think he would love Food Wars for not just the cooking, but the over the top orgasmic depiction of how good food can taste.

Hayato

Obvious answer? Cryptid fanatic. Doesn't even matter if the movie/show/book is good. He WILL engage with it, even if just to say afterwards that it SUCKS. I personally see him def more into horror that is on the supernatural side and less horror that goes into splatter or gore territory like Saw or-- whatever other slasher film there is, I personally do not watch much horror. Since he is also incredibly intelligent I can see him be REALLY into crime thrillers, but only the super technical and bizare ones that are hard for some others to read. I can also see him be into extremely accurate mafia novels. If he reads a mafia related book and it gets something terribly wrong he stops IMMIDEATLY. One movie that especially fascinates him and the book it is based on is 'I heared you paint houses'. I think he is a biiit of a fan of Scorcese, tho he does also have his opinions (TM)

Xiao

I think there is ONLY an obvious answer? Xiao is REALLY into chinese mythology and Wu Xia Stories. He isn't someone who engages a lot with shows or movies, but he does read enough especially theoretic books about different martial arts. Fiction isn't exactly his thing unless it's historic novels set in ancient China. Or the usual classics. He actually also has a bit of a soft spot for poems and books that are juste purely wholesome. Stories about someone making it out of the darkness or just the beauty of mundanity. Nothing overly melodramatic. Maybe that means he would like some Ghibli movies? Jury out on that one.

24. What's your favourite thing about [character]?

Oh boy here we go

Sanji

wet boy soggy cat baby pathetic manlet. Need I say more? I won't go into spoilers, but Sanji is both incredibly infuriating and beloved to me. I just love when he is caught up in a situation, where he just ends up showing his true colors. How soft and kind he can be, how much he cares about others even those he might not particularly like much or strangers. He is ready to lay his life on the line EVEN IF HE SAYS HE DOESN'T CARE OH BOY DOES HE CARE!!!! Especially the Wano Kuni Arc has made me adore him so much. Whole Cake Island broke me into pieces but Wano Kuni showed both his worst and his best sides. Also who doesn't love a man that can cook? The way he just LIGHTS UP when he gets to talk cooking or about his dream of finding the All Blue! *chefs kiss* (pun intended I am absolutely kissing that chef, icky smoke be damned)

Hayato

The fuck do you mean like? This bitch is the bane of my existance and i hate him and his stupid face with his aweful green eyes and the dumb smile he is capable of making. Oh and don't get me started on his aweful obsession with UFOs and cryptids wow what a loser, what an absolute cringefail, it's not like I enjoy his damn progress as a character from a selfcentered obsessive idiot to a more open cooperative jerk that actually trusts people and relies on them, oh gods are you crazy nah get that away from me. Bitch is so smart it's infuriating I loathe how intelligent and truly innovative he is, god his brightness is so annoying!

I do love his cat tho c:

Xiao

Love of my life one of the most misunderstood and MISINTERPRETED characters in all of Genshin yes you heared me FIGHT ME!

Look. Xiao is dear to my heart. I know I say it was Kaeya who got me into Genshin, but nah we all know that is a lie, yes he was the character that piqued my interest, but before the game was out the Genshin website already had some mini profiles on some characters and Xiao also had one. I made one look at the guy and said "that one". He is an abuse victim that was enslaved and forced to do horrendous things, knowing nothing but savagery and violence until he was saved, swearing unwavering loyalty to his savior who gave him his current name. And his life just kept being full of violence, as he became a Yaksha, cleansing and protecting Liyue through slaughter. This guy has probably MILLENIA of karmic debt accumilated, he was a GENERAL in a war, he faught alongside a myriad of other Yakshas and-- in the end he became the only survivor. Xiao is the LAST Yaksha, he is the only one remaining, he keeps his comrades and friends memory close to him, he saw them perish and fall to their karmic debt and after it all he became someone who kept fighting for Liyues safety in pure solitude, because GUESS WHAT he can't even get close to mortals. His strong karmic debt causes others harm, so he naturally isolated himself and accepted this fate. Sacrifice is something Xiao sees as natural and unavoidable, bitch is DEPRESSED and absolutely unsocial. He just has no social skills whatsoever and human customs confuse him. It's not maliciousness, it's actual confusion and mostly ignorance that leads to him being mostly misunderstood. He needs patience and a lot of understanding. So many people just write him off as some edgeboy, being rude and arrogant- when in actuallity boy just doesn't know how to deal with people. deep down he is a soft soul. FOR FUCKS SAKE his namecard says QUOTE

He longs for a day to come when he will wear the mask and dance — not to conquer demons, but to the tune of that flute amid a sea of flowers.

HE WANTS TO DANCE IN A SEA OF FLOWERS WHILE FLUTE MUSIC PLAYS I AM SORRY HOW CAN ANYONE SAY THIS GUY IS EDGY WHEN HE IS A FOCKING MARSHMALLOW DEEP DOWN

He lost so much, he believed to find his end by being alone forever until he succumbs to his karmic debt-- and yet he tries SO HARD

From watching the Lantern rites Xiao lantern from just outside the city, to watching the fireworks on the roof of wang shu inn, to COMING INTO THE CITY TO DINE WITH OTHER PEOPLE, TO ACTUALLY RELEASING A XIAO LANTERN WITH THE TRAVELER HIMSELF!!!! Even in his letters he says that he is starting to be more casual with the other adepti, he joined the fucking Poetry Festival-- I am losing my mind at this guy he is genuinely so fucking pillowy soft deep down, FOR THE LOVE OF GOD PLEASE SWITCH THE VOICES TO CN AND HEAR KINSEN IN ALL HIS GLORY CONVEY XIAOS CHARACTER!

(I am sorry but whatever the english voice director told his VA was absolute bullshit fight me on this.)

I am very normal about this guy

Other canon things that make me lose my marbles

The fact that the moment Xiao and the traveler first meat a track plays in the background that is called Lovers Oath

You can bait Xiao into coming somewhere or participate in something when you say the traveler will be there

During the Chasm Storyline he first wanted to keep the others away saying that to keep them safe and Yanfei USES THE TRAVELER TRICK to get Xiao to IMMIDEATLY join their gang.

Usually special dishes are food that is prepared by the characters themself. Sweet Dream, Xiaos Specialty dish is something the traveler makes for him

He???? eats or at least ATE dreams???? He says almond tofu tastes like sweet dreams???? thats where the special dish got its name from???? hello?????

when a traveling pilgrim came to the mountain as Ganyu and Xiao were training he did NOT want to deal with a mortal and basically told Ganyu her next training task is to deal with that guy before he skidaddled. Pro move to escape social interactions

when saving everyone from the chasm he sacrificed himself to ensure everyone else makes it to the surface. Daddy dearest ofc saved him but he was SO ready to let this be his end. I am glad it wasn't

from what I can tell his illuminated beast form is a bird, not like cloud retainer however and the fact there is a CHONK BIRB XIAO PLUSHY has me wheezing.

especially in early game crystalflies are hard to catch. Xiaos first birthday letter included 10 crystal cores, the item that drops when you catch crystalflies, a very valuable resource for crafting condensed resin. He also admits that he kind of didn't intend to catch that many and that he believes they would look cute in the travelers hair

he is strongly implied if not outright confirmed to be in chronic pain from his karmic debt. Pls save my boy

I might be a bit off on some of these but I am at LEAST 89% sure these are true facts.

[blackleg5932]

Sanji enjoys watching Aya dig through the costume racks. He can't make sense of what makes her pull one costume out, nor which things put her off enough for her to immediately push it back between the other pieces of fabric again after a mere glimpse at it. He cocks his head at the chef's outfit and gives her a wry smile. "Not much of a costume that one, eh? No fun in that for you." Honestly, he hasn't really thought about what he should dress up as. As long as it is not an actual dress, he's sure it will be fun. Spending time thinking about silly things like these is already making him feel content. Especially since it's been a while since he was last able to meet and stroll through shops with Aya. When she turns around, that familiar sparkle in her eyes, it makes his heart twinge with his affection for her. She really is the most adorable little sister and Sanji is so lucky to have her. His blue eyes drop from her cute face to the selection she is holding up for him. "Mhm..." He makes a show to ponder his options, one hand on his hip, the other slowly stroking his little chin beard in thought. "The vampire is a classic. You can't go wrong with that.." he drawls, making Aya think that is his ultimate choice, but then he continues, "...but, I don't think I feel like drinking tomato juice all night long." Whenever he can make Aya smile or giggle, it tickles him with delight in return. Her positivity is a blessing upon anyone who is allowed to bath in it, like a warm ray of sunshine. "I quite like the cowboy one. It comes with a matching female version, right?" With a flick of his tongue, Sanji pushes the cigarette that balances between his lips from one to the other corner of his mouth. "We will be the legandary outlaw siblings!" He makes double finger guns that he pretents to pull out of their holsters on his hips, shoots wild shadow shots into the air, and then blows the invisible smoke off those equally imperceptible barrels one after the other with a cocky wink.

@blackleg5932 asked:

Halloween/fall RP prompt: 🎩 for our muses to go costume shopping together

halloween/fall rp prompts!

"Oh, um, oh - what about this one?" Aya holds up a cowboy costume, complete with a lasso. She had almost grabbed the one with the inflatable horse with it, but put it back after a moment's thought - this one would suit him better. And she could match him as a cowgirl! The idea brought a smile to her face.

While she couldn't remember the last time they'd been able to go shopping like this, that didn't matter - she was simply to get to spend time with him again. It warmed her heart to spend time with her brother, her best friend, one of the few who truly understood her. He always knew how to make her smile, and she cherished these silly, small moments.

Turning back to the racks of costumes, Aya begins to search through them once more. "If, um, if you want to be on the nose, we could always put, um, put a chef's hat on you." She says, briefly looking at a chef costume before putting it back away, dedicated to her search for the perfect costume. "Or, um, or maybe a vampire? That, um, that might be fun!" Always did love a cool cape.

Finally she picks out a few options and spins to face him, a bright smile on her face as she shows him. "What, um, what do you think?"

[lawxbread]

hiya!!!can I ask for a scenario with some angsttt?😂😂I was thinking maybe sanji got hurt in a fight and was hiding his injuries but his fem!s/o found out? thanks so much in advance!! (I don't rly like nsfw smut stuff I just love angsty stuff for some reason loool)

(´• ω •`) ♡ Hey yo!! Thanks a bunch for requesting! I got so upbeat reading your ask since we all love Sanji, so I couldn’t wait to write it! Like you, I find myself appreciating writing/reading angst stuff lately so... your request came in handy !! I hope you enjoy it, have a nice and safe day! <3

I’d never think of you as a failure

Sanji x fem!reader

  Summary: Sanji has been acting weird since he came back from an exploration mission. Thanks to that, an excruciating event happened between you and Sanji. Obviously, you couldn’t help but try to figure out what’s going on with him. Sanji’s cheeling past with his family certainly has to do with it. Well, at least he has you to count on.

 Warnings: angst, disagreements, troubled past

Word count: ~1.7k

"I miss him..." You mumble to yourself as soon as you wake up, seeing the left side of your bed empty.

 It's been a few days since Sanji, your boyfriend, left the ship with Luffy, Robin, Franky, and Law's crew to explore an island. The band split into two groups to streamline the process of going in search of the blue poneglyphs. Consequently, you and the rest of the crew are in charge of keeping tabs on the ship, while the other group is using  Law's submarine since all of you agreed to meet at the next island.

 You and the others have been waiting for the rest of the crew as you already arrived on the encounter island four days ago.

  "Good morning, Nami." You greet the Straw hats' navigator while you approach Sunny's aquarium. She is sitting on the bench, "Morning, Y/N!". You both start a conversation, then you bring up the subject of the rest of the crew's members comeback, showing your worries about Sanji's safety. "I can't stand it anymore. I miss him so freaking much." You say as you cross your arms, with your hands gripping upper them. "I guess I've been used to be by his side." Nami can't help but give you a sad look. She tries to comfort you by saying they will arrive when you least expect it.

  Suddenly, You hear someone yells, "THEY'RE HERE!! LUFFY AND THE OTHERS!!"

 "Oh my god. And I want to earn a hundred million bellies!" Nami jokes as soon as she realizes the amused fluke. You don't hesitate a second and run towards the room's door in an attempt to check if it's true, with your heart pounding out of your chest, utterly desperate.

  You see Usopp in the ship's mainmast, with his hands screening his eyes from the sun's light as he tries to get a better view of the group coming. He can't stop smiling and screaming about the other group's return, giving you a glad feeling.

 "Oi!! Oi, oi, oi!" It's Luffy, happily waving at all of you. Your eyes automatically start looking for Sanji in the crowd. As soon as you see your boyfriend, without a second thought, you run towards him, immediately jumping out of Sunny, "Sanji!!".

 When Sanji notices you, a smile from ear to ear on his face appears. He opens his arms, implying to give you a tight hug.

 Quickly, you hug him. The warmth you feel when you both embrace each other is incomparable, "I missed you." Sanji whispers as he holds you. 

 When you are about to let go of the embrace, you slowly rub your arm over Sanji's right shoulder, "Ouch!" Sanji unintentionally lets out, as if he was in pain. "What happened??" You worriedly ask. "It's Nothing, Y/N-chan." Sanji grins while he tucks a lock of your hair behind your ear, "I'm okay. Don't worry." You can't help but fret about him. Still, you pass this matter over for a while.

Thereabout eight hours have passed since Luffy's group return. Since then, you've been spending this whole time with Sanji. 

 You are sitting on a bench in front of the kitchen countertop while you watch Sanji cooking the banquet for the celebration later, "You look tired.", you say with a concerned voice tone as you fold your hands together on the countertop. "How long has it been since you've slept decently?" Sanji scratches his neck with his index finger, "I'm not tired, Y/N-chan." Sanji replies while he puts some flour on the tip of your nose, leaving it entirely white. So then, he chuckles. "I've been sleeping well, don't worry." Afresh, he smiles, but you know he's hiding something from you. Sanji is unsettled, for sure.

  The big celebration starts, lots of food all over the dinner table, which follows the Straw hats' classic menu: basically, the favorite dish of each one of the members. All of these, prepared by your sweet boyfriend and, also, the best cooker you've ever met, Sanji. 

 Luffy approaches the table, his mouth drooling for complete. Expectedly, he starts eating a piece of meat. When suddenly he asks with his mouth full, "Where's Sanji?" He's right. Sanji said he was quickly going to go to the room of you both about 45 minutes ago. You lean back and look up, wondering why Sanji is taking so long. Owing to that, you get up from your seat, "I'm gonna go call him."

 An anxiety awareness comes as you walk towards your room. You don't know why, but you are having an awful feeling about Sanji's absence; a quickened breath takes over your lungs. Perhaps this is due to his behavior since he arrived. Genuinely, you know that he is not well, and it worries the hell out of you.

 Even though it's also your room, you try to respect Sanji's privacy, considering that you don't know what he is doing inside there. 

 In reason of that, you knock on the door. No answer. You try it again. Still no answer. You do it five more times, and Sanji doesn't reply. 

 So you decide to come in.

  You gradually open the door as you murmur, "Sanji?" 

 You take slow steps on the wooden floor. Sanji is not in the main room, so you call on his name using a louder voice, "Sanji!". Suddenly, a noise comes from the bathroom. 

  You immediately head over there. Hence, a feeling of shock erodes your body as you see Sanji failing to try to hide a big bruise on his right shoulder. You can't stop looking at the wound as you put your hands over your mouth in shock. The wound is really bad. It looks like it was an extremely strong punch's blow or something like that. Apparently, the injury has been there for about a week, so it's not recent. That is, Sanji was hiding it from you. 

  Sanji freezes and stares at you with wide eyes and raised eyebrows, " Y/N-chan..." His voice, a stuttering timbre. "Why didn't you tell me?" You ask him as you crease your brow and twist your mouth, trying to think of a logical reason that explains why he'd done that.

  Sanji is simply shocked. He presses his fingers firmly against the palm of his hand. As if he is holding on to the urge to do something he doesn't want at all. Unexpectedly, his eyes flood with tears. Sanji was holding back the urge to cry. Cry in front of you.

 "No, don't cry!! I hate it when you cry!!" You give him the saddest look you've ever had. He's paralyzed from head to toe. The only movement you see as you look at him is the tears running down his cheeks. 

 "Sanji!!!!" You shout to him while you fight back the craving to cry. Hands lead to your forehead as you feel your bloodstream on fire. Sanji is not saying a thing. He is doing nothing but cries and staring at you while he does so. "God...This is breaking my heart." Your voice is in a whiney tone, implying an inevitable shedding of tears. Then, eventually, your eyes well up.

  "J-just talk to me...Please." You beg. Sanji shakes his head slightly as if he is trying to take a kind of stupor away. He glances at you with a fake smile, "I'm sorry for not telling you." He wipes his tears with his left hand, "I don't know why I cried." Sanji artificially chuckles, "I'm okay."

 The cooker is lying to you again, so you confront him, "Stop telling me you're okay!!!!!" You exclaim. Sanji looks surprised at you. Then you add, "I'm not leaving until you tell me what's wrong." And when he opens his mouth to answer you, you interrupt him, "And don't try lying to me again." You give him a severe look.

  A bleak silence takes over the bathroom for about 10 seconds. Sanji keeps staring at you, hesitating to speak the truth.

  But then, he decides to blow off steam to you. "I got hurt in a fight." He looks down, avoiding your glance, "I didn't wanna you to think..." A line appears between your brows. "To think I'm weak." He looks back at you, "Damn it! How pathetic am I for crying like a baby in front of you??!" Sanji sighs as he palms his forehead.

  You give Sanji a once-over, "Sanji!!!". He wide-eyed stares at you, "Why would you think that??" You can't help but be nervous, "I can't..." You cross your arms, "I can't just sit by and do nothing when obviously you're suffering." Further, Sanji is hesitating again. He lights a cigarette as a down look fills his face. When, finally, he confesses, "My family... used to treat me like..." Sanji blows a cigarette smoke, "... like a failure because they thought I wasn't strong enough."  Sanji admits as he squeezes his eyes shut, fighting back his tears. "I don't wanna you to think I'm a failure and to doubt my strength as they did." He adds, "That's why I hid my injuries from you." Sanji quivers his lips as you gradually approach him.

 "Sanji..." you mumble his name while you walk towards him. He opens his tearful eyes and gazes at you. When, suddenly, you hug him like you're never going to let him go, "I'd never, under any circumstances..." You look up, trying to maintain eye contact with him, "...Think of you as a failure." You smile with your eyes and mouth at him. 

 Sanji is shaken. Now he's crying again. But with joy. He can't stop smiling and crying at the same time. He holds you even more tightly in his arms; even though it is painful for his injured shoulder, he doesn't care. It's like he's anesthetized at the moment. 

 "Mmm...You're warm." He says.

  The words you just said ended up comforting Sanji's traumatized and troubled soul.  "Now, let me treat your injury properly." You ask him with a grin.

 Later, you're sitting on the edge of the bed with Sanji as you bandage his injured shoulder. When, suddenly, you stop bandaging and then, you kiss it, "If I could..." You say as you look at Sanji's profile face, "I'd kiss away all of your scars." Lovingly, you smile at him. At last, Sanji looks back at you. 

  A pleasant silence fills the room as he presses his forehead against yours, "I love you." Sanji whispers.

[kenbunshokus]

this is a (super late) update to this fic rec post! i was planning to just keep editing and updating that post, but it’s been so old it no longer appears on tumblr search system and all, so here we are. be ready for some old school zosans in the mix

all complete

absolute favorites will be noted with a ♡

list will be updated as i find more

story count: 30 fics

last update: jan 5th 2020

CANON-VERSE

Goings On by clarify  ♡

Zoro and Sanji understand each other, and sometimes have a very similar sense of humor. Even though they're worlds ahead of most, sometimes they can't help but to act their age.

easily one of my favorites. zoro and sanji are completely in character, being themselves and comfortable in each other’s spaces. for anyone who thinks zoro and sanji can’t get along in canon, this fic can easily prove them wrong.

Part Timer by 8ball ♡♡

Sanji really, really doesn't want to give Zoro a job at his restaurant. Zoro doesn't really even want to work there in the first place, but, well, there’s this thing with Sanji, and this thing with feelings and the whole thing is pretty damn stupid all together.

Zeff just wants grandkids. He’s too old for this bullshit anyways.

a wonderful, heart-wrenching, roller coaster ride of a post-series fic. this fic is not just a mere fic — it’s a zosan magnum opus with guest appearances by so many other characters, lots of crew hijinks and a must-read for everyone who craves for a happy ending for these good boys.

Say It Again by 8ball

Zoro tells Sanji how he feels. And then again. And again. 

since we’re talking about 8ball i just want you to know i’d rec everything they’ve ever written, but special mention to say it again — a classic miscommunication trope fic done well where the miscommunication stems from fundamental misunderstanding of each other’s principles and views instead of just some plot-convenient coincidences. and soft zoro. god, he is soft.

The Wedding Night by cuethe-pulse (lj)

Zoro had never expected any of this.

major character death warning. don’t let the first few scenes fool you. note the warning; the last few lines were like a punch in the gut for me, except, you know, the good kind of punch. also, a quick rec of a drabble by the same author to soothe the pain after this one.

Roronoa Zoro: World’s Greatest Bug Killer by insaneidiot ♡

Sometimes, Zoro's life really sucks. He should've known better than to make fun of Sanji's bug phobia, though...

zoro’s internal monologue is hilarious  — until today, this author is still my go-to expert on zoro’s voice, especially his more sarcastic side.

Quitting’s Easy by insaneidiot

Sanji decides to quit smoking. This is not quite so easy as he thinks it will be. Also, his crewmates (excluding Robin and Nami, of course!) are assholes.

fun, fun strawhat hijinks and oblivious sanji. the crew dynamics and especially sanji’s voice are pitch perfect. there’s a hint of luffy/nami that you can easily scroll past if it’s not your thing.

I can’t stop thinking that i can’t stop thinking by hieiandshino ♡

In which Brook changes tactics and Zoro is not amused. Everyone else is, though.

holy shit is this fic hilarious. i love comedy fics that manage to slip in thoughtful observations and character study in between the hijinks, and this fic pulls that off with flying colors. 

The Walls See All by threesipsmore

Reiju hides a snail cam in her brother's room.

fun short fic from reiju’s pov. there’s never enough zosan set in whole cake island arc and this fic delivers.

Stormbird by Judin ♡

The Straw Hats' first landing in the New World is on Arashi Island, where it looks like they'll be spending a fun week attending the local festival and making new friends. Until they spot a strange pirate ship in the harbour, and Sanji starts behaving oddly. The Straw Hats become entangled with the mysterious Gently Pirates, a crew that harbour many secrets, and whose captain is a man out of Sanji's past who has the power to tear the Straw Hat crew apart. 

it cannot be overstated how wonderful this fic is, and how it could’ve fit into the canon just nicely, like a better-written one piece movie, except with zosan. not only are sanji and zoro in character, every strawhat gets a spotlight and has pitch-perfect voices. brook is especially lovely in this fic.

Unintended Consequence by itsmylifekay

A group of marines charge, Zoro slices through them, and in that instant Sanji feels his own eyes grow wide. Because there, on the arm now outstretched towards him, steel glinting in hand, is the stupid bracelet he’d given Zoro. The bastard is actually wearing it.

there’s a reason this is the most kudo-ed zosan fic on ao3 right now — it’s so soft without being ooc, and there’s a quiet undercurrent of affection laid throughout the fic that will warm you up from the insides.

Somewhere Between Sorrow and Bliss by srididdledeedee

Sanji has never cared for winter.

He can see himself, is the thing. There are bits and pieces that poke through, but it’s not all him. It’s like staring in a fractured mirror. He knows, intellectually, that the person staring back at him is himself, but his face is splintered and his shape is distorted and his body is wrong.

a fantastic character study on trans!sanji and how he comes to terms with his identity with the help of his crewmates. supportive strawhats are always a lovely addition to a zosan fic

Give In To Love by libbylune

Zoro knows better than to think about it too much, but between the rowdy festivals and ancient unexplained temples on this island, it's hard to forget about wanting Sanji.

i love how this fic puts as much focus on the boys after the confession as it does before the confession. a good case fic with its own unique island adventure and i’m always a sucker for soft!zoro

Laundry by libbylune

Dealing with Sanji makes Zoro develop a lot of opinions about clothes.

there’s absolutely nothing hotter than bi!sanji who’s completely comfortable with his gender identity and sexuality. also gay disaster zoro fumbling his words whenever sanji is around is 1) accurate 2) hilarious.

Language of Swords by HaveMyWeedCookies ♡

It took them for a while but finally, Zoro asked if Sanji wanted to hold his sword.

i love fics that explore zoro’s relationship with his craft and his swords, and adding zosan into the mix is something i didn’t know i needed. an interesting outsiders pov zosan in the pov of zoro’s swords.

Ghost of a Chance by sabershadowkat

“I know, for sure, that I didn’t expect to miss everyone so much, including you.” Sanji cut a glance at Zoro and rephrased correctly, “Especially you.”

this fic handles tropes that are usually associated with character death fics, but manages to end it with a happy ending. zoro’s devotion here is heart-wrenching.

Idiot Romance by sabershadowkat

"This has to be a joke," Sanji muttered, poking at the colored petals. Zoro couldn't have just given him flowers.

a classic  — this is literally the first zosan fic i’ve ever read — and a lovely one at that. sanji is oblivious and zoro attempts romance, not that zoro ever needed to.

festival night by thisislegit

“ANOTHER FEAT BY THE WORLD’S STRONGEST MAN, JORIRI.” The woman turned to Mr. Mohawk and with faux sympathy said, “Oh! Sorry, sir. Maybe next time. We can’t always beat the best, but we can do our best and that’s what matters. Do we have any other takers? ANY OTHER TAKERS READY FOR THE STRONG MAN CHALLENGE? HOW ABOUT YOU SIR? MADAM? YOU OVER THERE? ARE YOU INTERESTED?”

“What kind of shit name is Joriri,” said Zoro and Sanji in unison.

i’m an absolute sucker for fics that have zoro and sanji simply hanging out and enjoying each other’s company, comfortable in a way they couldn’t with their other crewmates, and this fic exemplifies that. just them being little shits and having fun with one another.

No Victory in Hesitation & the Past Has Its Lessons by EudaimonErisornae & vageege

Zoro has a lot of things he wants to say to Sanji, but he just needs one more day. || Zoro tries to fix a mistake he made in the past.

major character death warning. i died a little bit inside after reading this tbh. there are some devil fruits-explained time travel hijinks, but mostly it’s this looming, grim inevitability of death that’s written so pervasively throughout the fic that really got me.

Imperatives by dollcewrites

Zoro is confident in saying that Sanji is a man who doesn’t do what he’s told. Which is why, when a command accidentally slips from Zoro’s lips during foreplay, he is expecting to hear the cook’s scoff as he continues to do what he pleases.

i don’t tend to do pwp, but this isn’t just one — it’s a completely in-character piece about their relationship and dynamics.

when you say by bluewalk ♡

It's a long time in coming. Usopp can promise, but.

this fic is as much sanuso as it is zosan, and usopp here is — still very much usopp, but also a very beautiful take on his character as someone who spent a lot of time behind sanji’s back, and realizes that when he watches sanji’s back, he gets to see zoro’s, too.

a complete guide to falling in love by ThousandSunny

Sanji was trained in the Bridal Arts; this does not go unnoticed by the rest of his crew.

while the main ship is still zosan, the fic also focuses a lot on zoro and sanji’s relationship with the rest of the crew, and it’s one of those fics that really makes you realize how much of a family the strawhats is. a lovely read all around.

destructivity is a poison that run through our veins by wasteofmind

Zoro thinks that, someday, they are going to kill each other.

a dysfunctional take of their relationship. it’s fascinating in the same way a car crash is fascinating  — there’s an undercurrent of something violent, something visceral. this is one of the fics that inspired me to write migratory animals.

ALTERNATE UNIVERSE

Ocean’s Child by 8ball  ♡

Here's the truth: Zoro couldn't swim. He fell in the water and sank like a stone because there had never been anyone to teach him how to move his arms. He forgot that if he screamed for help the water would get in his mouth, and he even opening his eyes hurt.

Here’s the other truth, the one that stays a secret: a mermaid saved him.

a fascinating retelling of the one piece canon with mermaid!sanji. it feels a lot like a love letter to the seas, and it’s mesmerizing how sanji’s mermaid backstory is seamlessly weaved into the one piece canon.

with you by Cirro

How to find your life partner in three easy steps: 1. Punch them in the face 2. Insult their cognitive abilities 3. Embarrass them so much they agree to marry you

a wholesome two-part modern au series. my personal favorite is the second part, where sanji brings zoro home to meet zeff — complete with the two of them teasing sanji in their own ways.

The Proper Reaction (or What To Do When Your Son Brings His Boyfriend Home by three_days_late

Holidays at the Baratie were always hectic, but it's nothing Zeff can't handle. Sanji's new boyfriend, on the other hand...

on the topic of meet-the-family: the only thing more fun than zoro meeting zeff is zoro meeting zeff and the entirety of baratie staff. also includes one of my favorite line about bi!sanji: “sanji loves nice girls and bad boys”.

Exclusive by cuethe-pulse

Zoro loves Sanji, Sanji loves Zoro. Zoro wants to be exclusive, so Sanji should, too. Right?

this is a circus/bakery au. yes, you read that right, and yes, it works. i went into this fic with a lot of doubts and came out very satisfied with how fleshed out everyone in this au is, and i’m forever in awe with how the author can set up an entirely separate, vivid universe with so few words.

Delivery by styx_in_the_mud

Sanji is stuck delivering pizzas when Patty is out of commission for a while. Zoro likes to order pizza after training. Both of them are sort of idiots, but Zoro can be smooth as fuck if he puts his mind to it.

a fun, in-character au with good ol’ banter and cute get-together.

The End of It All by xpiester333xx

Humans have been forced underground due to the effects of a chemical weapon that has made surface life impossible. Sanji lives in one of these underground colonies and though he dreams of bigger things his life has been mundane; spent following strict rules and obeying higher commands. Or it was, until a stranger shows up and changes everything.

the author labelled it as sci-fi au, but I personally think it’s more dystopian-like? either way, while this fic is on the long side, it manages to keep everyone in character until the very end, which is something that can’t be said for a lot of fics.

well, there we go! feel free to drop me an ask if you want to rec me fics or ask for a more specific/themed rec list; i’ll also update this post regularly !!

i also have an ao3 donutsandcoffee if you want to see my take on these dorks o/

[alkhale]

Memos Age Swap AU (ko-fi request)

If I was reading your post correctly I can request a snippet? If that is correct I am a tad bit desperate for more of the age swap memos au with the younger Shanks and Mihawk~~~~~

(You guys spoil me with some of these requests.)

“Sorry, brats, I know it’s a bit uncomfortable but just bear with me for a bit.”

I could bear with this for an eternity. Shanks thought amiably, calmly, almost saying the words just as pleasantly. I can even make this a lot more bearable for the both of us.

The heavy tromp tromp tromp of marine issued boots forced small rocks and pebbles to come raining down onto their heads. Soldiers shouted left and right above them, running like chickens without heads as they searched fruitlessly for the dangerously high bounty wielding pirates they’d happened upon.

They really think they can catch me? Shanks grinned a bit at the thought. They can’t even catch Buggy! Admiral Koby was a different matter, but with these new rookies and soldiers, it was a cake walk in the park. Honestly, they didn’t even really need to be hiding.

So why were they hiding?

Because Shanks was one lucky sea dog, that’s why.

I don’t know what I did in my past life. Shanks thought belatedly, smiling so hard his cheeks hurt. But I’m glad I did it.

The particular town they’d happened upon for restocking supplies had become swarmed with marines all following the rumor that the Pirate King himself would be stopping by just because this town made a particularly amazing dish of charred sea king. Sure enough, Monkey D. Luffy had come, sending people screaming for the hills and marines quaking in their boots because Monkey D. Luffy was not a man who hid what he did and could care less about what anyone thought of it.

“I wanted some good meat!”

The news of their arrival had sent shivers down Shanks’ spine, a rolling, buzzing hum of excitement in the presence of the man he wanted to become. The man he sought to climb towards, higher and higher and—the thought of seeing his beautiful crewmate.

Shanks was another year older, of course, and another year wiser. He was handsome and charming and he was a son of the sea. He’d had his romp in the hay with several beautiful women in his time so far, had his little flings, his little moments of adoration over lovely, fearsome ladies but, but, but.

He spent nights in his bunk haunted by ocean eyes.

Shanks and Buggy had split down the middle of town, Buggy hauling the rest of their provisions while Shanks shook the marines off their tale in a classic little game. What he hadn’t gambled on was running face-to-chest first into mounds of soft flesh and muscle, accompanied by a short, rough ka!

The two of them had smashed into one more thing, bowling over and knocking into two wooden doors, holding closed an old ale cellar. Just before they’d all toppled head first, Hoku’s boots had smacked outwards, her sword hitting the side of the cellar tunnel and then they’d been left, suspended mid-air, squeezed so tightly together they had wedged themselves in.

Stuck.

“Why am I always running into you,” Hoku had wondered, not at all annoyed, almost playful amused as always, though a bit strained from the tight space. “You’ve got some bad luck, Red Hair.”

Shanks thought the absolute opposite. He had some damn good luck.

“Beautiful as always, dove,” Shanks purred, a bit of a wheeze to his words from their tight proximity. “You’ve been gone too long.”

Very good luck because here Shanks was, his back pressed flat against cobblestone and dirt, wedged from falling down some long tunnel cellar. Here he was, the smell of the ocean and perhaps copper and something else winding all around him, bright, paper white hair pulled into a wispy bun atop her head. Hoku’s toned, powerful thighs wrapped around his hips as her boots braced them against the wall behind them—God, he could feel her sitting on his thighs—her chest pressed close, close, close to his face, one arm grabbing her sword, the other wedged tight in-between them so she couldn’t move it.

Keep your head in your heart, Shanks, buddy, you can do it. He was about to lose his mind, to be perfectly honest.

But there was only one small hiccup to this little rendevouz. Small, miniscule and unnecessary.

“Sorry,” Hoku apologized again, turning her head a bit. “I know it’s tight. You alright?”

Dracule Mihawk, currently wedged into the other side of the cellar tunnel, also supporting Hoku’s weight over his thighs, hands settled calmly onto his legs, dangerously close to Hoku’s hips, chest pressed tight to her back—simply nodded.

The three of them.

“Why the hell are you here?” Shanks mouthed over Hoku’s shoulder. Mihawk stared dully at him. “When’d you even get here?”

Mihawk blinked once, slowly, giving Shanks a moment to consider.

Shanks made shush motions with his head, jerking rapidly with his finger to Hoku who was more focused on how she was going to haul herself out of this little tunnel—the two brats should be fine on their own. Mihawk continued to look at him as though he were no more than a bug before calmly moving his lips.

“Followed her,” Mihawk mouthed. “To find him.”

Memories of bright spearmint and a wandering hand placed firmly on the hilt of Hoku’s sword made Shanks sour a touch. Mihawk leaned his head back against the wall, calmly waiting.

I should just make the most of this wonderful situation. Shanks thought, leaning a little more forward. Hoku didn’t seem to mind, his head resting in the soft dip of her collarbone, above her chest. “Dove, where’s your crew headed off to next?”

“Hm?” Hoku glanced down at him, moving awkwardly to shift her head. “My crew? What’s it to you?” Her eyes sparkled dangerously. “Your captain looking to cause some trouble?”

“Of course not,” Shanks said, lips curling upwards. “Not yet at least. I just want to know where I can find you next. My heart can’t take these yearly meet-ups.”

“Be glad it’s only a year,” Hoku said. “Nothing good could come of anymore than that.”

Shanks frowned, “Dove! I’d see you any—”

“Hey, brat,” Hoku said. Shanks looked up obediently and she rolled her eyes. “The other brat.” Mihawk blinked his eyes open. “Can you move that arm?”

Mihawk wordlessly raised his left hand. Hoku grinned, “Good. I’ve got a brush right here,” she motioned with her chin to her breasts and Shanks blinked, mind halting. “Think you can reach it?”

What?

“What?” Shanks squawked. Hoku glanced to him and Mihawk simply kept his hand raised, expressionless. “Wait a minute, I can—”

“Your hands are stuck there,” Hoku said, motioning to where his hands were wedged between her back, cradling the dip of lean skin and stuck against Mihawk’s chest. “He’s got a free one. If you can get it free, pass it to me and I’ll get us out of this. Goddess knows the marines would have a field day with us.”

“I’ll use my mouth!” Shanks offered.

Hoku rolled her eyes at him, “Don’t make it more complicated. It’s just right there, alright? Can’t miss it.”

Mihawk’s hand raised itself from Hoku’s hip, reaching over her shoulder and brushing against her chin. Shanks watched his fingertips, souring and glowering, but unable to stop the transfixed, almost magnetized way he watched. Hoku tipped her head to the side, exposing a column of soft tan, lined with an array of thin, unhealed scars that stood out unsightly against her skin. Unsightly to anyone else. The kind that didn’t heal in a smooth little line, but stood out ragged, as though she’d been burned.

What stories you must be able to tell. Shanks swallowed, a hard bob against his throat. His hands pressed a little harder into her back. Mihawk’s golden gaze flickered to him once, his hand slowly brushing past Hoku’s collarbone, pulling the top aside.

Shanks’ breath caught in his throat.

Mihawk’s fingers dipped. Soft skin exposed, the soft mound of flesh. Shanks’ hands pressed a little harder into Hoku’s back, his hips fitting a little more snug. Hoku shifted, looking back to them from where she’d been watching the mouth of the cellar.

“Sanji! I think I smell her over here!”

“Over there? In that dirty cellar? Hoku Honey, where are you?”

Mihawk’s hand paused. Shanks blinked, looking startled and Hoku’s eyes brightened, a happy grin curling over her lips.

“Sanji!” Hoku shouted, uncaring for any marines that might hear. At Mihawk’s unsettled look she added, “None of ‘em will be coming this way if those two are up there. Sanji! Chopper!”

A shadow fell over the three of them as Shanks looked up in shock. Golden blonde hair fell in a heavy lock over one eye, the strands pulled back into a small ponytail at the base of his neck. His suit jacket left a few buttons undone, a neat, even trim on his chin. Rolling muscles and—

“Hoku Honey!” Vinsmoke Sanji cried, smoke trailing up from his lips as he peered down the tunnel. “What are you doing down there, my love?”

“Love?” Shanks repeated.

“Got a bit stuck,” Hoku called up sheepishly. “Lend me a hand?”

“Of course my—who the hell are those beasts?” Sanji barked out, nearly throwing himself over the side of the cellar. “What the—get your grimy paws off Hoku, snot nosed brats!”

“Ah! That’s the scary kid who’s been fighting Zoro! And that’s eek! Hoku! That kid’s traveling with that scary rookie!” Chopper’s snout peeked over the rim of the cellar. “Are you hurt?”

“Peachy,” Hoku said. “We just ran into each other. No harm done.”

She flashed Shanks a look filled with fonder amusement, “Too much these days though.”

“Not enough, dove,” Shanks murmured, eyes trained on her lips and the rise and fall of her chest. Hoku frowned, arching a curious brow.

“No harm done, huh?” Sanji said darkly, eyeing Shanks and Mihawk’s hands and their compromised position. Shanks frowned, flexing his fingers against Hoku’s back with a pout. “Alright, Hoku Honey! Give me just one second~ I’ll get you out right away!”

His words finally slapped hard into the side of Shanks’ head, breaking him from his daze. Mihawk remained silent, leaning his head back against the wall behind him as his hands returned to Hoku’s hips. She shifted, leaning more of her weight onto Shanks’ thighs and he cursed under his breath, mind racing to figure out someway to make this last a second longer—

“When can I see you again?” Shanks murmured.

“Me?” Hoku looked back to him. “You’re better off not seeing me again, brat.”

“I want too,” Shanks said. “I’ll die if I don’t.”

“Still talking sweet,” Hoku said, a bit soft. Shanks shook his head. “Listen, kid, you ought to just—”

“I really,” Hoku froze, she leaned back on instinct, resting against the warm press of Mihawk’s open chest. Shanks pressed forward, his forehead coming to rest on the bare skin of her collarbone. “Really want to see you again, dove.”

A moment. A beat. Shanks raised his head, eyes swimming, the smell of her, the feel of her, the press of skin and the too tempting touch making him feel drunk on bravery, on the slim chance he could sneak off with—

“Here I am, Hoku Honey!” Toned, suited legs came down, polished loafers effectively smashing into Shanks’ cheek and nearly Mihawk’s forehead. Sanji had been lowered, all cologne and cigarette smoke by one arm as he stretched out his other.

“Sanji,” Hoku said, happy and light. “Thanks.”

She promptly shifted her grip on her sword and Sanji’s fingers easily found hers, wrapping tightly and weaving through as he tugged her arm up and over his neck. Hoku’s weight was promptly ripped from between the two teens, Sanji’s arm snaking firmly and politely over the curve of her hip. Hoku dropped her sword down and Sanji’s waiting hand caught it midair, tucking it snug against her lower back. He swooned, eyes filled with hearts as Hoku freed her arm and wrapped them both around his neck, pressing a light kiss to his chin.

“Anything for you, my love!” Sanji crooned. “Pull us up, Chopper!”

“Aye!” came the muffled reply. Shanks blinked and Mihawk’s legs quickly shot out, the disappearance of Hoku’s weight forcing the two of them to shove both their legs as far as they could reach, smacking into the opposite wall of each other.

“It was nice seeing you again, brats,” Hoku called down to them, a small smile playing on her lips while Sanji glared hot daggers over the top of her head. “Good luck, yeah?”

Shanks’ mouth opened in protest while Mihawk simply inclined his head in a small nod.

“See you on the Grand Line!”

And then just like that, with a muttered curse from Sanji and a soft word, they were gone.

Shanks blinked, a tumble of emotions welling up in his chest until the clearest realization came to the forefront, bringing his attention to Mihawk across from him.

They were still stuck together.

“Okay,” Shanks said. “I’ll tell you what, we need to scream as loud as we can for a guy named Buggy on three, okay?”

Mihawk stared at him as one would a bug.

[recentanimenews]

FEATURE SERIES: My Favorite One Piece Arc with Greg Werner

  I love One Piece and I love talking to people who love One Piece. And with the series going on 23 years now, there is a whole lot to talk about. As the series is about to publish its 1000th chapter, a true feat in and of itself, we thought we should reflect upon the high-seas adventure and sit down with some notable names in the One Piece fan community and chat about the arcs they found to be especially important, or just ones they really, really liked.

  Welcome to the next article in the series "My Favorite One Piece Arc!"

  My next guest in this series is Greg Werner, the official One Piece columnist for Shueshia and Toei. For my chat with him, he chose the Arlong Park, in which Luffy and his crew take on Arlong and Nami officially joins Team Straw Hat.

  A note on spoilers: If you haven't seen the Arlong Park arc yet, this interview does contain major plot points. Watch the Arlong Park arc starting RIGHT HERE if you'd like to catch up or rewatch!

    Dan Dockery: Sell me on Arlong Park, in one sentence. Let's say that I'd gotten to the end of the Baratie Arc, and I decided "You know what? I don't think this is for me." What would you say to convince me to keep going?

  Greg Werner: I don’t know if I could sell a bottle to a milkman, but I’ll give it a shot ... Can it be in the form of a question?

  Yes.

  Do you want to know Nami’s backstory? And that seems so facile, but you’re coming off Baratie with the knowledge that Nami has betrayed the crew, she has left the crew, and she has stolen the ship. But it seems like she’s not acting freely, and she mentions the name “Bellemere.” So if you’ve gone through One Piece and you’ve come to that point, that’s simple enough. 

    So, you have Luffy who wants to go get her, an injured Zoro, Usopp, who's gotta be in a weird state, and Sanji who finds her extremely attractive and cool. It's a fun dynamic.

  Zoro and Usopp are an interesting combination, they always are. Usopp always feels like Zoro’s little brother and Zoro kind of has to take a back seat due to injuries here. But I always find their interactions to be very sweet, and you get to see a kind side of Zoro, which is the antithesis of how he interacts with Sanji. And you’re getting hints of the rivalry between Zoro and Sanji here, one that ramps up to the hunting contest in Little Garden, at which point they cease to call each other by their names and just insult one another. And between Luffy and Sanji, you get these kindred spirits due to their dreams. Usopp and Zoro are a little more straight-faced about their dreams, but both Sanji and Luffy utter their dreams with these big smiles. So even though Oda has his pieces all over the map, it’s nice to see the freshness of all of them working together, which is something you won’t find in anything but the best shonen action series.

  When you meet Arlong, he's kind of a jerk. He doesn't seem very nice. But he's one of the first One Piece villains who seems like a complete character. He's mighty but underhanded and deceitful. What does his introduction do for One Piece?

  So I bought the first ten volumes for a co-worker because he’d seemed interested in it, and I said “There, you’ve got the first ten volumes. Now you have no excuse not to get into it.” And we’ve been talking about it recently, especially the little details, and we found something very interesting about Arlong. There’s one aspect of Arlong that is completely different from every villain up to this point and it’s how he treats his crew. Buggy starts off beating up one of his crew members. Part of Kuro’s plan is to kill his crew. Krieg only sees his crew as numbers and will gas them. Arlong, though, to members of his crew, he’s extraordinarily loyal. When he finds out that Zoro has beaten up his crew, Arlong is pissed. In some ways, he’s very similar to Luffy, but he’s despicable and terrifying and he’s one of my favorite villains. 

    That's a great point; Arlong is the first bad guy to have pride in his crew. Speaking of Arlong's crew, this is the first time we get the classic 1v1 where a Straw Hat member matches up against an antagonist crew member. When you first read this, because it's electric every time I watch it, how did you feel to watch it go full-on battle manga?

  Zoro’s a beast. Sanji’s a beast. But Usopp? Facing down this insurmountable force? How is he gonna do this? And I think that’s the moment that got me. The others are awesome, and I love them, and they’re great, funny battles. But with Usopp fighting Chew, it showed Oda’s ability to shine in a certain way. Like Toriyama and Dragon Ball, Oda’s been very influenced by Jackie Chan, because Jackie Chan fights are awesome, visually stunning fights, but they’re funny. And that’s what Oda strives for sometimes. When you combine the action with the gags, you get something very special. You’re not just excited, but you’re laughing, too. And I think Usopp’s battles represent the pinnacle of that. It clicked for me there and it became a page-turner. It feels like what a shonen action series should be. And I enjoy Oda’s different takes on it, but he does it so well here.

    I’m glad you bring up Toriyama and Dragon Ball because if you read any interview with any Shonen Jump author, they praise Toriyama. And it’s deserved. The man’s battle scenes and pacing have never been beaten and probably never will be. He’s the master. But one of the things I like about Oda is that he doesn’t try to copy them. Rather, he takes bits and pieces and spins it off into his own thing. Do you remember the Oda interview with Toriyama where he was like “I really liked Tao Pai Pai …”

  From Color Walk 1.

  And Toriyama was like “I ... drew that?” It’s the funniest thing in the world to me. 

  I think his exact words were “Now you’re getting into the minor characters.” And Oda’s like “MINOR CHARACTERS?”

  He nearly killed Goku! But I dig that kind of reverence and inspiration. So Nami’s backstory — it’s heart-wrenching. Bellemere’s awesome. Makes you wish she was still around in the series.

  Isn’t that perfect? That’s exactly what he goes for. 

  In the end, she refuses to say that she doesn’t have children, even after a bad spat with Nami. This flashback is one of my favorite ones. What did you get out of it and how did it take the story to another level? Because to match it, every flashback to come had to do some heavy lifting.

  Every detail in this flashback builds on itself. There’s no excess. And maybe outside of the Chopper backstory, I can’t think of another backstory that is so full of necessary information that weaves into a single narrative. Every event evokes an emotion in the reader and pushes the story forward. Bellemere has the fight with Nami, makes dinner to reconcile with her, a Fishman crew member sees the cooking smoke from her house, the Fishmen find her, she refuses to discount Nami as her family, and she’s killed. It all comes together so neatly in three chapters, I think. Oda sets a reeeeeally high bar for himself, but to be able to match that through nearly a hundred volumes of story takes a special kind of manga genius. It’s also the very first time I cried while reading manga. 

  Next, we run through basically a Greatist Hits collection of One Piece moments: Nami asks for help, Luffy gives Nami the hat, the march to Arlong Park, Luffy slugs Arlong, the fights happen, Luffy brings down the Gum Gum Battle Axe, Arlong’s spine gets turned into clam chowder, etc. So much of what we think about One Piece is distilled into the final chapters of Arlong Park. So do you have a favorite moment from this climax? I honestly can’t pick.

    I didn’t realize this when I first read it, and it took me several years to understand the importance of the giving of the hat. It’s one of only two times in the series that Oda uses five exclamation points in a row. The other one is when Luffy comes swooping in to save Vivi from Crocodile. Even the famous “dreams of mankind will never end” doesn’t get five. Luffy’s pissed and the best part about this is that he doesn’t have a single reason to be. He knows nothing about Nami’s history and actively refuses to listen to it. He takes a nap instead. He’s just ready to be a tool for her, so when she asks him to help her? YOU GOT IT. And then, the next thing he tells her, after the fight with Arlong, he tells her that she’s his crewmate. Nami has held this by herself for so long, she’s so strong, and she finally opens up to accept help from someone else. And it tells us that Luffy knows what kind of person you are, even if he doesn’t know that much about you. He might be dumb and reckless and strong, but there’s a spark there. He can read you. 

  One thing I like in the anime is that Nami is the first Straw Hat introduced in the story. She’s at the boat party that gets attacked by Alvida, and her showing up there and then being the main focus of Arlong Park bookends East Blue and kind of turns it into her saga. But as they leave this arc and head to Loguetown, what is new about One Piece? What's there that wasn't around before?

  That’s a good question.

  Because I hear many people say “Arlong Park is what made me a One Piece fan.”

  You get to see their daily routines onboard their full ship. You have the established East Blue crew in one location and we get a slice of life. In just a few scenes or panels, you finally get to watch the crew relax. You get a window on their lives and there’s a sense of completeness. It’s a warm, fuzzy feeling. 

    ONE PIECE LIGHTNING ROUND!

  Favorite character?

  Luffy, Franky, and Zoro.

  Favorite villain?

  Arlong.

  Favorite fight scene?

  Luffy vs Bellamy. It’s so satisfying.

  One Piece island that you’d want to live on?

  Skypiea.

  What Devil Fruit would you eat?

  Flower-Flower fruit that Nico Robin uses. I’d get so much work done.

  One Piece moment that made you cry the most?

  Bellemere’s death.

  One Piece moment that made you cheer the loudest?

  The defeat of Lucci. That was remarkable.

      Stay tuned for the next installment of "My Favorite One Piece Arc" as we speak with Aggretsuko and The Black Mage writer Daniel Barnes about his favorite One Piece arc: Marineford!!

      Daniel Dockery is a Senior Staff Writer for Crunchyroll. Follow him on Twitter!

  Do you love writing? Do you love anime? If you have an idea for a features story, pitch it to Crunchyroll Features.

By: Daniel Dockery

[your-iron-lung]

Mixed Up 14 | (I Don’t Need You To) Set Me Free) |

Chapter Word Count: 2448

Pairings: Zoro/Sanji

Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance

Chapter Warning: Strong Language

Previous Chapters: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13

Next Chapter: 15

Zoro stared, unmoving, into the cab of her car. He examined it, searched it with his eyes for anything hidden that might later come to harm him, but could only see the large, leather handbag that rested between the front seats.

He sniffled from the cold, then nodded his head towards the bag.

"What's in that?"

"A gun," Robin said, smile unwavering. "Sig Sauer. It's not for you, though."

Her words did little to ease his mind, but he found that to be believable; she didn't seem the type to try and deceive him that way. If she were going to shoot him, she'd be honest about it, at least.

Or, that's what he liked to think, anyway.

Still he hesitated, shifting his weight from foot to foot as he weighed his options.

He had no idea what she wanted from him or what would happen to him if he got in the car. There was no way of knowing- not until he did, a thought that chilled him more fiercely than the night air did. Stepping closer to the car, he put a hand to the hood and used it to balance himself as he stuck his head inside to see if there was anyone hidden in the backseat.

Ignoring the way the cold metal of the car stung his hand, he saw that there was no one else inside. It was just him and Robin- and whatever she wanted from him.

"Please don't make me ask twice, Bodyguard."

Her voice was quiet but stern, forcefully imploring him to heed her words and enter the vehicle. Chewing on the inside of his mouth, Zoro met her cool, calculating eyes with his own, trying his damndest to judge whether or not this was a situation he could escape should it turn sour.

He couldn't think of one, but got in the car anyway.

Despite how uncomfortable the situation was, he found that the atmosphere within the car was the exact opposite. It was warm; almost inviting, even, as the heat seeped gently through the vents directed at him. The seat itself was even heated, and was soft as he sat himself upon it. Classical music was softly playing on the radio as he closed the door and Robin began to drive.

Neither of them spoke immediately until Zoro turned to her and asked, "Where're we going?"

"Home," she said with a calculated air of ambiguity.

Puzzled, Zoro frowned.

"Yours or mine?" he asked slowly, trying to relax into the fine leather seating as she drove, picking up speed as they slowly made their way out of the downtown area. "And why?"

"Yours," Robin said with an easy smile. "I'm afraid I wasn't entirely honest when I said there wasn't anything for you in the bag."

At that, Zoro tensed and immediately went on the defensive, pushing his entire form against the door and keeping his hand on the handle in case he needed to evacuate, glad at least that he was smart enough to not have buckled in. To his annoyance, she laughed at his behaviour and gestured towards the bag.

"I invite you to find out for yourself what it is, Bodyguard."

"I have a name," Zoro snapped as he stared at the bag with trepidation. "Don't guess that matters to you, though."

Robin didn't reply; just kept smiling.

Staring at the bag, he wondered what could be inside it that she wanted him to see and why she was offering it to him so freely if her pistol was in there, too. Curiosity getting the best of him, he quickly reached out and snatcheed the bag into his lap before she could make a grab for it herself. She laughed softly, but he ignored it as he hesitantly stuck his hand inside.

He felt the grip of her gun as he searched the handbags contents, passing over small things he felt weren't important until he finally took hold of what else was inside. Confused, he pulled it out and stared at the VHS tape that was in his hand.

"What's this?" he asked, ignoring the way his heart rate perked up, feeling as though he might've already known the answer.

"Unedited footage of tonight's showing," she said simply.

Frowning, he looked from the tape to Robin.

"It was you who edited it?" he asked, flabbergasted.

"Yes," she replied with a smile, never taking her eyes off the road.

Zoro stared at the cassette in his hand, unable to understand what the fuck was happening. They fell into silence as he tried to decipher the information that had just been thrust upon him.

So, Robin had edited the tape, but why? What'd she stand to gain from saving their asses like that?

"Why?" he asked slowly, vocalizing his thoughts as he turned the tape over in his hands. "Why would you go behind your boss like that?"

"He's not my boss," she said sharply, turning to give him a quick glare. "We are business partners."

"Alright, fine, whatever you want to call it," Zoro returned, placing the tape on his lap to keep himself from fidgeting with it too much. "That doesn't answer my question."

Robin didn't reply immediately as she directed her car onto the highway, her face briefly illuminated by a passing car, revealing a troubled, saddened expression.

"Because I owed someone a favor," she said at last, speaking softly.

"Who?" he asked suspiciously, narrowing his eyes.

"Luffy."

Upon hearing the mention of his name, Zoro froze in his seat completely.

Luffy.

Luffy was involved.

How? How did she know him?

"How the fuck do you know Luffy?" Zoro growled lowly, suddenly angry that she knew who Luffy was, immediately protective of the friend he hadn't seen or heard from in two years.

"Calm down, Bodyguard," she said, speaking evenly, yet unable to keep the melancholy out of her voice. "He helped me out of some very dangerous situations in the past. I owe him to do the same for his bassist."

Zoro's brow was furrowed tensely as he processed what she'd said, wondering what sort of situations she could have possibly been in that merited Luffy's help, or even why Luffy had helped her in the first place.

"What sort of situation?" Zoro asked slowly, and was unsurprised when Robin didn't answer, keeping her slim lips sealed on the matter.

"Whatever," he mumbled, feeling the exhaustions of the day catching up to him as he yawned.

Understanding now that he was out of harm's way, he found himself unknowingly relaxing into the comforts of the luxury car.

The rest of the drive was spent in silence as Zoro fought off his urge to fall asleep and attempted to process all that had happened to him in just a few short hours. He didn't bother asking how Robin knew where he lived, plenty aware of her resourcefulness when it came to trivial things like that. The VHS tape sat heavily in his lap, reminding him to be distrustful of Robin, knowing who she was. She had lied to her partner, after all, what was there to keep her from lying to Zoro now?

Wary and tired, Zoro cast his thoughts aside when they finally reached his apartment complex, turning in and driving slowly around to the front of his building where she stopped the car and gave him an expectant look.

Opening the door and stepping out, he held the tape in his hand and was unsure of what to do with it. It was stupid of him, he knew, to offer it back to her, but he did so anyway.

She laughed when she realized what he was doing and shook her head, saying, "Keep it, Bodyguard; it's a gift."

Zoro didn't thank her; didn't say anything more to her as he closed the door and watched her drive off, still completely at a loss with how to comprehend everything. Shaking his head slightly, he turned to head into his building and was surprised to see Sanji there, smoking on the sidewalk, staring at him.

They stood at odds for a moment, each of them staring at the other in surprise before Sanji broke out into a relieved grin, laughing nervously as Zoro began to approach him.

"That wasn't Usopp's car," Sanji finally commented as soon as Zoro was close enough to have a conversation, but to his annoyance, Zoro kept going and went straight for the stairs. "Oi! Where're you going? I waited out here for you for hours; I want to know what happened!"

"I didn't tell you to do that," Zoro grumbled irritably, already halfway up the first set of stairs. "And I need a beer. A lot of them."

Sanji could hear the exhaustion in Zoro's voice as he dropped his cigarette and snuffed it out with his shoe, halfway regretting what he was about to say, but saying it anyway.

"I have beer," he said casually, prompting Zoro to pause in his ascent. "Import. If you want it, you have to tell me what happened."

From up above, he could hear the punk sigh and grinned when he started to come back down, the thick soles of his boots creating deep, thumping noises that echoed off the surrounding walls of the breezeway.

"Beer first," Zoro said sternly, following after Sanji as he let them into his apartment. "Talk second."

"Me Tarzan, you Jane," Sanji mimicked, lowering the pitch of his voice to match Zoro, who ignored him and went straight for the chef's couch.

As he dropped himself heavily upon it, rolling his head back onto the supporting cushion, Sanji went to get the beer he kept stored in his fridge. He contemplated how many to bring, having seen Zoro drink before, and ended up grabbing two six packs, the glasses jingling against one another as he withdrew them. Coming back into the living room, he set the beer on the coffee table before the punk and sat down at the other end, popping open a beer for himself and his guest.

With a great, exaggerated groan of effort, Zoro sat up and took the beer, downing the entire thing in one quick swig. Disgusted, Sanji pulled a face that reflected his opinion but said nothing as Zoro went for his second beer, which he finished as quickly as his first.

When he went for a third, Sanji stopped him from drinking it all down in one go and again asked Zoro to tell him about what had transpired after he'd gone.

Despite how all Zoro wanted to do at that exact moment was drink and fall asleep, he explained in his own, drawn out fashion, about how both he and Usopp had been called into Crocodile's office, likening it to being called into the principal's office when he was in school.

"Usopp nearly pissed himself," he recalled with a laugh, taking a deep sip of beer. "Honestly it was pretty funny."

He continued telling the story, expressing confusion when he got to the part about Robin helping them, which, for some reason, delighted Sanji immensely.

"I knew such a beautiful woman couldn't be as evil as you made her out to be!" he said joyfully, making Zoro frown deeply.

"She didn't do it for you, idiot."

Rather than tell him about Luffy, Zoro left it at that and sat back again now that Sanji had been brought up to speed on the situation.

"So the mob won't be coming after me," Sanji said thoughtfully, staring at the VHS tape Zoro had told him about, now resting on the table amidst a plethora of empty beer bottles. "That's good."

When he turned back to Zoro to reaffirm his positive thinking, he found that the man had fallen asleep.

Sanji scowled and tsk'd his behaviour, but let him be. Standing up, he made to return the few remaining beers Zoro hadn't drunk to the fridge and then went back into the living room to stare and deliberate on what he should do with him.

He didn't mind if Zoro stayed over, and actually found that he kind of wanted him to, for whatever protective reasoning his mind was trying to convince him of. He looked worn out and vulnerable, having dealt with so much on his behalf. It was the least he could've done, but then he thought of Chopper, alone and untended in Zoro's apartment and knew he couldn't let him stay.

Zoro was snoring lightly in his seat as Sanji made a decision and went to shake him awake. The punk woke up with a slight snort and blearily looked at Sanji who gave him an apologetic shrug.

"Go take care of your dog," Sanji said. "He's been waiting for you longer than I have."

"How sweet." Zoro yawned and stretched before clumsily grabbing for his tape, knocking over a few empty bottles before he clutched it and coming to a stand, heading to the door. He paused as he opened it, turning back to Sanji to say, "Don't be late tomorrow, asshole."

"What?" Sanji said, confused as he began to clean up the bottles. "Late for what?"

"Your first lesson, idiot," Zoro said with a slightly drunken smirk before leaving.

Sanji gaped after him.

After all that had happened, after everything they had been through that night, Zoro had remembered that Sanji was to have his first music lesson the next day, even when he himself had forgotten. It was, honestly, the last thing on his mind, and now it had been brought to the front.

But beyond that, he realized a little uneasily that it must've been something Zoro was looking forward to, if he'd remembered it coming out of the art show. Somehow, the fact that he was to be teaching Sanji the next day had been a prominent thought in the punk's mind as he was subjected to the consequences of having snuck him into the show. He didn't know what that meant as he dropped the bottles into his recycling bin, and found a weird heaviness manifest itself in his chest.

"Shit," he mumbled to himself as he stood alone in his kitchen, frowning at the feeling before retiring to his room for the night, suddenly nervous for a reason that was not yet apparent to him about how the next day would unfold.

Zoro was, evidently, excited about it; Sanji found that he was, now, almost regretting his decision to sign himself up for lessons just to spite the man.

However, there was also a feeling of mutual excitement hidden below his apprehension; a feeling he did not, and would not, acknowledge.