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Zoro always liked to watch the crew.
It was comforting, seeing the people he loved do the most mundane things, working on their passion, just chilling after the last adventure.
After Thriller Bark he promised himself to do it more, just watch. He looked very often at his crewmates' hands. Watch how Nami drew her maps, how Usopp crafted his new inventions, how Chopper bandaged him, how Robin turned the pages of her books, how Franky repaired the Sunny, how Book played his violin, how Luffy would simply throw his hands around the ship, flying away and probably in the sea. And then, there were Sanji’s.
Sanji's hands were his favourite, perfectly kept, smooth like marble save for the calluses born over his work. His fingers were slender and long, his knuckles visible and held strength. Zoro could get lost in watching Sanji cook, clean, or do almost anything. But he tried not to. He didn't want Sanji to notice, he didn't want to make him uncomfortable.
One sunny day, when the rays of light weren't too hot, Sanji was sitting outside, peeling and chopping fruits for fruit salad, it was the perfect snack for the afternoon heat. Zoro was napping near, his back and on the ship's rail, he lazily watched Sanji.
His hands were peeling the skin of an apple, one continuous motion, one long peel, perfectly coiling. Then he chopped it in half, removed the seeds and chopped it into little cubes. He went on. Zoro stared at those hands working with incredible skill, how was such perfection possible?
"If you're going to stare, take the other knife and help me, these fruits will never be enough with Luffy" Sanji chimed, surprising Zoro. The swordsman nodded and sat near him, he took the knife, checked if it was sharp and got to work, Zoro wasn't bad at peeling fruits and vegetables but he didn't have Sanji's mastery. He found the task calming, repetitive like his workouts "You're not so bad at that, who knew" Sanji joked, Zoro remained silent for a moment, chopping an apple inside the oversized bowl beside them "I worked in a kitchen one time, I was fifteen, didn't have money to pay so they told me to work there and gave me even a place to sleep" Zoro said, Sanji looked away from the fruit and looked at the other man, dumbfounded "What was the reason for not telling me something like this?" he asked, Zoro shrugged "You never asked" he responded with a smirk.
"So wait, you did the cooking before me?" Sanji asked, Zoro nodded "Me and Usopp took turns, but yes, most of the time, didn't Nami tell you?" he answered, Sanji shook his head no and looked back at the fruit.
"Mmmh... What did you do in the kitchen?" he asked, Zoro looked at the strawberry and tried to remember "I prepped the ingredients, washed the dishes, cleaned everything when the place was closed" he said, Sanji hummed in response "It's decided! you'll help me with dinner tonight" the cook grinned "I'm going to put you to work now that I know" he added. Zoro didn't complain, this way he could have an excuse to watch Sanji's hands at work.
"So, are there other things I need to ask to know?" the blond questioned, Zoro looked at him stunned, but nodded "C'mon tell me" he giggled "Well, that's too easy, maybe ask something and perhaps I'll respond" Zoro replied, there was something in the air, a tension, a shared look.
"I noticed that you always look at everybody's hands, is there a reason?" he asked, Zoro took a breath through his teeth "I simply like watching people do what they like" he replied, hoping for the conversation to end there "Do you like my hands?" Sanji asked looking deeply into his eyes "Maybe" Zoro replied looking right back at him, Sanji raised his eyebrows "Maybe?" he repeated and Zoro couldn't keep his mouth shut at the sad expression the blond gave him "Especially yours, I like your hands" Zoro quickly replied, he tried to look away but he was captivated by Sanji's eyes "Do you like only my hands?" he asked trying to hide the little smile creeping on his face.
"No, not only your hands" he replied blushing.