Chapter Text
Finally! Sanji would get a break from that insufferable green amoeba.
Credit where credit was due, the man wasn’t glaring at him for breathing anymore, but talking to the muscle-head was as effective as badgering a brick wall.
And Sanji had tried, lord knows he tried! For the sake of Luffy and the others who had been so warm to him; he’d made it his mission to get along, but he was lucky to get any acknowledgment beyond a grunt.
Occasionally, when the Moss was feeling particularly benevolent, he’d get a “Hurry up eyebrows!” or an “Out of my way, dartbrow!” or simply “Move.”
Despite the clear disdain, the brute was never out of sight. It almost felt like he was hovering, tagging along even when he was clearly out of place.
Sanji couldn’t make sense of it, he made himself useful. He’d taken up their room cleaning, learned the house laundry routine, and he was gratefully given full reign of the kitchen; but it seemed it wasn’t enough.
His attempts at conversation had been shot down more times than he bothers to count, but what pissed him off the most was Zoro’s refusal to eat what Sanji cooked.
How dare that stupid grass patch choose protein bars over paella?
If the blonde had been nervous to start class, said nerves had been effectively eclipsed by the itch to get away from his roommate.
He walked a few steps behind Nami and Vivi as the hand-holding couple led the way. Sanji watched as they leaned into each other, and couldn’t help but think he would also like such a relationship; but instead, the stupid Moss was walking near him, yawning loudly.
“At least cover your mouth!” he snapped.
The usual grunt was heard, and Sanji rolled his eyes.
“Did you get your first choice Sanji?” Chopper asked from behind them.
“Oh yeah, no waitlist, I guess Culinary isn’t a popular major.”
“Sweet. What classes you got?” Usopp piqued.
“English, Algebra, Nutrition, and some class just labeled ‘Culinary I’”. Sanji handed them his schedule.
“Humm…” Chopper looked it over, “I think most of us are in advanced classes already; but Luffy is probably in your gen-ed classes.”
“I wouldn’t recommend sitting next to him if you actually plan to pay attention though.” Usopp snickered.
Luffy looked up from eating his snacks eyes wide blinking in confusion, having heard his name, but not the conversation.
Sanji laughed. It couldn’t be that bad.
It was worse than bad, it was Absolute torture!
Zoro couldn’t make heads or tails about what the hell this woman was saying. Something about a ‘fight-o-chemical’? But what does that have to do with food?
Sitting in the nutrition class, he was sure he’d already be asleep if he hadn’t been tasked with watching the prince.
It seemed ultra coincidental; that they were both taking one of the few classes that overlapped between Kinesiology and Food Science during the same semester.
But if Zoro believed that to actually be a coincidence, then he’d also have to believe it was truly just chance that he and Sanji’s classes, even if not the same, were all located near each other and in the same wing of the university.
The Fed had influence over Grandline U; he didn’t have to wonder who arranged this.
The swordsman observed as Sanji diligently took notes.
Stupid blonde prince with his stupid round eyes, stupid pink lips, and even stupider curly eyebrows which Zoro found stupidly cute.
He hated to admit it, but maybe Perona was onto something. It’s possible a little of the wariness he feels around the blonde is from attraction.
However, a pretty face would never be enough to win Zoro over. The prince had everyone else eating out of the palm of his hands; almost literally, but Zoro couldn’t be tricked.
He’d experienced this before.
If Shimotsuki hadn’t allowed those people into their borders, if they hadn’t been so trusting, maybe his parents would still be alive.
Zoro was too young to do anything before; but now he was bigger, he was stronger, and he wouldn’t be caught off guard. He would protect his new family.
“Daydreaming Mosshead?”
This was their last class of the day, and the swordsman could appreciate Sanji’s persistence.
He hummed in response, as he packed his things.
“Miss Nami requested that I bring you back. Apparently, you’re known to get lost.”
The swordsman scowled, “I don’t get lost.” The reply was curt and reflexive.
The blonde tried his best to not look surprised at getting actual words. “You callin’ Miss Nami a liar?”
Zoro shrugged.
Sanji frowned, “What? You think the roads are moving?”
Silence.
Sanji paused their journey to look at Zoro. The swordsman wasn’t sure what kind of face he made, but the prince started giggling. He could feel his cheeks start to burn, as the giggle became an outright laugh.
It was cute, it was stupid.
“You can’t be serious.” the prince smirked, “you’re the only moss who has trouble with directions.”
Zoro rolled his eyes and purposefully shoulder-checked the still-chuckling prince.
“Oh lighten up.” Sanji walked backward to face the swordsman, “You could laugh too if you weren’t so hell-bent on giving me the silent treatment.”
Zoro grunted and kept his eyes straight ahead.
“Fine then, be that way.” Sanji crossed his arms and remained quiet for a moment before sighing. “I don’t know what else I can do.”
Ocean eyes were weaponized on him; they looked so sad it made Zoro want to comfort the blonde, but...
“There’s nothing you can do.” Robin assured Sanji.
“Yeah, Sanji-bro, listen to my lady, she’s supper smart!” Franky gave Sanji’s back a pat as he delivered beverages to his wife, and house guest.
“I know, but it can’t go on like this, it’s driving me crazy!” Sanji nodded a thanks for the tea.
“Zoro has his own issues to work on,” the tall woman sipped from her cup “you can’t force it Sanji.”
“Ms. Robin, are you sure you can’t tell me what the problem is?”
Robin sighed, “All I can say is that it has nothing to do with you Sanji.”
The blonde hummed.
She continued “Don’t measure your worth based on what you imagine others think of you.”
Sanji raised his eyebrows.
“Even if Zoro never comes around; you have as much right as anyone to be here, and what’s more, we want you here.” Robin squeezes Sanji’s shoulder.
“Yeah Bro,” Franky agreed, “you’re a good guy, focus on the people who appreciate you.”
“Okay.” Sanji exhaled, “But he won’t even eat my food!”
“If he doesn’t want it, I’ll eat it!” Franky was promptly swatted by his wife for his declaration.
“Honestly Sanji, you shouldn’t worry about him,” she added.
“I’m not worried! I’m just…” Sanji’s brows furrowed, searching for a reason as to why this especially bothered him.
Robin shook her head, “Do you know how to make Onigiri?”
“I can make anything Ms.Robin.”
The woman smiled at his resoluteness, “Well, I can’t promise anything, but I heard it’s someone’s favorite.”
Sanji’s eyes lit up as if Robin had given him a treasure key.
His smile was bright and warm, Robin worried that she’d given him too much hope. She sincerely wished that he wouldn’t be too disappointed if…
Disappointed was an understatement; Luffy would say Sanji was damn near despondent, and he barely even knew what that word meant but it sounded serious and fitting for the situation.
Sanji’s entire demeanor deflated when Zoro again refused dinner.
The blonde cook had been a godsend to the strawhats, and Luffy’s stomach was especially appreciative. The kitchen always smelled heavenly, and he knew the food would taste even better.
Tonight's meal looked like a simple cultural spread - Miso, grilled fish, pickled cucumber salad, and onigiri.
If left to his own devices, Luffy would gladly and very greedily devour every last morsel laid on the table; and then ask for a meaty post-dinner dinner.
Denying food was already unthinkable behavior to the sandled boy. But these foods were Zoro’s favorites, so refusing was even more baffling.
Many years ago, Luffy recalled a Zoro who was always angry, new to the country, and feeling homesick. A Zoro who would attempt to recreate his mother’s recipes from memory in Dadan’s kitchen; and would swallow his failed attempts with unshed tears in his eyes.
When they got older, it was easier to move around and find food places and cultural items that brought Zoro comfort (although he’d never admit it).
So when everyone else cleared out, Luffy stayed behind while Sanji cleared the dining area.
“Hey Sanji, is there any more onigiri?”
“Didn’t you eat enough?”
“Yeah, but it was just soooo good! Even if it’s just half of one! Pleeeeeease!” Luffy dramatically got onto his knees.
Sanji huffed and rolled his eyes, but Luffy could see him fighting a smile. “You’re in luck, I have ingredients for two more.”
He clapped, and hooted in celebration, “Thanks Sanji!”
The cook hummed and waved Luffy away with wrapped food, returning to his chores.
The slapping sound of flip flops bee-lined their way to the complex rec-center; and ran right into the gym.
His green-haired friend was laid up in the bench rack, pressing reps at an alarming rate, even for Zoro. A tell tale sign that the swordsman was overthinking something.
“Zoro! Zoro! Zoro!” Luffy was buzzing around the equipment; just the right amount of annoying to let the swordsman know that he wasn’t going away without being acknowledged.
Zoro groaned as he racked the weights and sat up, “What Lu?”
“Try this!” The younger man grinned as he practically shoved the packed meal into Zoro’s sweaty chest.
“What the hell?!” The swordsman's eyebrows shot up, “I said I wasn’t hungry!” But much of Zoro’s shock could also be attributed to the deliverer. Luffy wasn’t exactly known to share food, at least not in one piece.
“But you lied,” he said quite matter-of-factly. “This is your favorite, just try it!”
“I can’t!” Zoro’s brows furrowed and tried to hand the food back.
“Well, why not?!” Luffy set his own sour face and slid the package back to Zoro.
“You know why.” Zoro scowled, firmly pushing the onigiri off to Luffy.
“I know you’re scared.”
“I’m not scared!”
“Then why are you hiding from Sanji?”
“Hiding? I’m around him all the time; we live in the same room!”
“You’re hiding your heart.”
Zoro teeth grit, “And what about it?” His hands gripped the seat, “I don’t gotta be crazy over him just because you are.”
“When you’re weak, you hide.” Luffy placed the onigiri in Zoro’s lap, “And, that’s okay.”
“But I thought your goal was to be the strongest.” with that, Luffy left Zoro behind and headed back to the house.