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“30!” Zoro called out, smirking in Sanji’s direction. Wado’s hilt clenched between his teeth.
“28! You bastard! You're hogging them all!” Sanji exclaimed, performing a perfect spin and kick at an unassuming Marine.
“You're just off your game, damn Cook!” Zoro exclaimed arrogantly, charging after another group of Marines.
“Don't get cocky just because you have a higher bounty, damn Marimo…” Sanji muttered, taking a drag of the cigarette already hanging from his lips.
Sanji charged for another large group of Marines,making them fall in groups like a fucked up game of bowling. In a fashion similar to a breakdance routine, Sanji spun his torso, his head pointed to the stone floor, supported by his hands, as his legs flung in the direction of the faces of the Marines around him.
In the near distance, Sanji spotted Zoro. He was staring at something on the ground, leaning down as Marines charged all around him. Sanji’s brows furrowed and he wasted no time in charging for Zoro to cover his back. He rushed to kick down the surrounding Marines, turning his head to Zoro.
“What the hell are you doing?! We’re in the middle of–” Sanji’s words died in his throat when he saw the small form of Chopper in Zoro’s arms in the middle of the battlefield. The reindeer was badly beaten and hurt, unconscious from what Sanji could only guess was the Marine enemies or an overuse of his rumble balls.
“Oi Cook,” Zoro grumbled deeply, standing up and putting Chopper’s unconscious body in Sanji’s arms. “Hold him. I’ll clear a path to the ship.” Zoro’s voice was firm.
Sanji nodded, having no trouble listening to Zoro given the dire situation. Zoro rushed towards the wall of Marine officers before them and cut them down with ease. Zoro’s face was like stone, unreadable. But Sanji knew him well, he knew the aura of rage hidden under the swordsman’s expression as he sliced at the enemies without mercy. Sanji ran behind him, holding Chopper carefully in his arms.
Eventually, they made their way to the ship, hidden behind a large rock at sea. Sanji immediately jumped onto the ship, rushing over to the medical room and placing Chopper on the bed. Zoro followed behind, sheathing his swords as he did so.
“Marimo, pass me the bandages. Top drawer, desk,” Sanji instructed, using what little first aid knowledge he had to examine Chopper. He heard Zoro shuffle behind him and in no time, a roll of clean bandages appeared in his hand.
“Is he okay?” Zoro asked, standing behind Sanji as he bandaged and cleaned Chopper’s wounds.
“He’s alive, but I don’t know about internal wounds. Are Nami or Robin on the ship right now?” Sanji asked, turning his head to address Zoro.
“I’ll check,” Zoro nodded.
Sanji straightened his back up to Zoro’s face and kissed his cheek gently, “Thanks Marimo.”
Zoro grunted wordlessly in reply and rushed off in search of the two ladies.
In times like these, Sanji felt grateful to have Zoro by his side. They’d overcome a lot together in the crew, even developing a deeper relationship during their time together. He knew Zoro would do anything for the crew and for him, now was no exception. Sanji turned back to Chopper, his bandaging work was the most he could do for him at the moment. All he could do now was wait for the ladies' arrival to put their medical knowledge to use.
Staring at Chopper, Sanji is reminded that the small reindeer is just a kid. Sailing the high seas of the Grand Line with stronger crewmates and adults, rather than being raised in a warm home like a normal child. Well, Chopper is a reindeer, though cast aside only as a small child and left to fend for himself in a wider world. Sanji could empathize with the kid in that sense. He knew the struggle all too well.
Just then, the door swung open. Upon turning around, Sanji was faced with a worried looking Robin, who rushed over to the bedside.
“Thank you, Sanji. I can take it from here,” Robin said warmly, her voice still laced with concern.
“Of course, Robin dear. Let me know when he wakes up,” Sanji nodded, walking out the door to leave her alone with Chopper. He closed the door behind him, to find Zoro standing directly outside.
“He’ll be fine now,” Zoro reassured, grabbing Sanji’s hand and squeezing it tightly.
“Yeah. He’s just a kid, y’know?” Sanji said absent-mindedly, squeezing Zoro’s hand in return.
“Mhm,” Zoro hummed, his eyes still focused on the medical room door. Sanji could tell that Zoro was just as concerned as he was.
“I’m gonna make something for him to eat when he wakes up,” Sanji said. It’s the least he could do until Chopper woke up.
“I’ll help,” Zoro said, turning his head to look at Sanji.
Sanji blinked in surprise. His surprise lasted for only a second before his mouth broke out into a warm smile for the swordsman before him. With his hand still in Zoro’s hand, he walked over to the kitchen.
~~~~
A warm scent of tomatoes and various vegetables filled the kitchen as Sanji stirred the tomato paste in the pot. He mixed some oven-cooked, cubed pieces of zucchini, tomato and eggplant into the pot, The cut pieces courtesy of Zoro who was now snoozing at the dinner table. Turning off the heat, he sprinkled basil and dried oregano to the top of the mixture.
“Mm, that smells great Sanji,” Robin said as she opened the door, her face a sight for Sanji’s poor eyes.
“Robin-chan! How is Chopper doing?” Sanji asked, his face lighting up.
“He’s awake now, better than before. He wants to see you two anyways, better not keep him waiting,” Robin informed with a hearty chuckle.
Sanji smiled, his body filling with relief. He takes a new bowl and scoops the vegetable dish in it, grabbing a clean spoon while he’s at it. “Help yourself, Robin-chan!” He told Robin as he walked over to Zoro and kicked him awake.
“Hah-?” Zoro wakes up with an annoyed groan.
“Chopper’s awake,” Sanji said simply as he rushed to the medical room with the bowl and utensil in hand.
Sanji quickly opened the door to see Chopper sitting upright on the bed. Chopper’s whole face lights up and he jumps up to tackle Sanji into a hug, his eyes filled with unshed tears of joy.
“Sanji!!” Chopper exclaimed, burying his face into Sanji’s chest. With his free hand supported Chopper while the food in his other hand is taken by Zoro behind him. Sanji smiles up at Zoro, then down at Chopper as he pats the reindeer’s head.
“Hey buddy,” Zoro greeted Chopper with a grin. Chopper smiled up at Zoro, his tears now falling from his eyes as he sniffled.
“How are you doing, Chopper?” Sanji asked, sitting on the bed with Chopper on his lap.
“Good! Robin told me that you and Zoro saved me! Thank you guys both!” Chopper exclaimed with joy as he hugged Sanji impossibly tight.
“We’re just glad you’re okay now,” Sanji says, reaching his hand down to wipe Chopper’s tears and ruffle his fur. “You should eat too, Chopper.”
Chopper nodded, looking up to Zoro who’s holding the bowl in his hand. Zoro reaches to pull Sanji up from the bed without warning and plopping himself down on the edge of the bed before dragging Sanji back down to sit on his lap.
“You–!” Sanji started, thinking better of it with Chopper still in his own lap. He sighs, taking the bowl and spoon from Zoro and scooping some of the vegetables to feed Chopper, who eats it happily.
“This is yumm– Wait– Hey! I’m not a kid Sanji! I can eat by myself!” Chopper huffed, grabbing the bowl and spoon from Sanji and eating by himself.
You are a kid though, Sanji wanted to say. But he kept it to himself, instead watching as Chopper ate the food that he, and by extension, Zoro, worked hard on.
Sanji felt Zoro rest his chin on Sanji’s shoulder, also watching as Chopper ate. He felt warm, wedged between the two of them. Weirdly, he felt like a parent watching his son eat, the sight made him feel warm, fulfilled.
“How did you get beaten anyways, Chopper?” Zoro asked, his voice loud beside Sanji’s ear.
Chopper looked down pensively, a beat of hesitation passed. “I used too many rumble balls. I-I thought that I would be strong enough to take on those Marines like you two, but I was afraid,” Chopper admitted.
Sanji’s brows furrowed. “You’re plenty strong by yourself, Chopper. You don’t need to do anything dangerous to match us,” Sanji said, his voice brimming with concern.
“Yeah, without you as our doctor we’d all be dead,” Zoro added bluntly.
“But I wanna be strong and fight too!” Chopper said stubbornly.
Sanji sighed, a smile gracing his lips. “Trust me Chopper, you are very strong, Zoro and I know that,” He nudged Zoro with his elbow, who took the hint and nodded.
“You bastard! It’s not like I’m happy from hearing your praise~!” Chopper sang, his delighted face betraying the words coming from his mouth.
“Don’t worry Chopper, we’ll always help you when you need it, okay? You fought hard and well today,” Sanji praised him, patting Chopper’s head as he did so.
Chopper’s smile grew even wider and Sanji’s heart warmed. He looked over to Zoro who grinned at him and kissed the curve of his neck.
“You’d make a good dad,” Zoro whispered softly into his ear.
~~~~
A few hours later, the door of the medical room creaked open and Robin peered inside. She noticed three people laying on the white bed all squished together on the tiny frame. The largest of the three moved his head up, the green hair peeking from the bed. He faced Robin and put a finger to his lips, looking down at the other two on the bed.
Robin quietly chuckled, her eyes shifting to where Sanji and Chopper were sleeping peacefully on the bed, watched over by Zoro himself.