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They reach the island of Bise early in the new year. It’s a spring island with a temperate climate and friendly locals who welcome the Strawhats into their midst, essentially indifferent to their reputation as a fearsome pirate crew.
“So long as you come in peace then we don’t mind having you,” One of the marketplace vendors Sanji’s been chatting with tells him when he raises this point. “Around here we believe in letting a person’s actions speak for them, as opposed to basing everything off reputation alone.”
“Damn,” Sanji murmurs appreciatively. “Wish I could say we ran into the same mindset everywhere we go. Also,” he says, switching back to the original topic at hand, “some of these vegetables seem to be insanely fresh. Do you mind if I take a closer look?”
“Be my guest,” the vendor says, gesturing expansively at his produce. “I’d be pretty terrible at my job if I didn’t try to make a decent sale off of you. Although, please don’t take this the wrong way, but that’s an awful lot of stuff to try and carry all by yourself.”
“All by - ?” His eyes narrowing, Sanji straightens up from where he’s leaned over to get a closer look at the stall, glancing around the marketplace for a particular shade of green. “Goddamnit, I lost him again.”
Flashing the vendor a tight smile, he sets the bags he’s already carrying down on the ground. “Would you mind keeping an eye on these for a moment?” He asks, nodding at them. “I promise I’ll be right back. I just have to go track down an errant piece of seaweed.”
“Uh, sure?” The vendor says, his expression suggesting he has no idea what Sanji’s talking about, but also that he’s willing to play along on the off chance it’ll net him a sale.
Nodding to show his thanks, Sanji turns on his heel and begins moving back to where he remembers passing a woman selling bottles of homemade wine earlier. He hadn’t stopped because the Sunny ’s stores are currently full in that regard, but it seems like as good a place as any to start searching for his quarry.
As per usual, his Marimo Senses prove to be second to none because he catches sight of the missing swordsman only a few seconds after he lays eyes on the intended stall. Sighing dramatically, he stalks forward and grabs the other man by the elbow.
“You are supposed to be helping me.” He hisses, giving Zoro a little shake. “Or would you rather I tell Nami you’ve been shit useless today, so she can increase your debt yet again?”
“Aww, c’mon, Cook.” Zoro whines, his face creasing into a pout that Sanji can’t believe he expects to get him anywhere. “We’ve been at it for hours and I’m thirsty.”
“It’s been an hour at most.” Sanji retorts, dragging him further away from the stall with an apologetic look at the woman running it. “And so far I’ve given you all of two bags to carry, which should basically be a drop in the bucket for a walking slab of muscle like you.”
“I didn’t say I couldn’t do it.” Zoro protests, shrugging the shoulder that both of said bags are riding on. “Just that I wanted a drink.”
Having reached the vegetable stall a second time, Sanji scoops up one of the bags he’d left behind and shoves it in Zoro’s direction. “Here, take this one too,” he says, manhandling the big brute into a spot where he can better keep an eye on him. “And don’t move until I tell you to.”
“But - ”
“Uh uh,” Sanji says, holding up a finger to cut off whatever the man’s next complaint is going to be. “No more,” he says firmly. “Be a good little mossball, and, if you’re on your very best behavior, I’ll buy you a bottle of wine to take with you when we head back to the Sunny . Sound good?”
Zoro makes what’s for him a thoughtful expression, clearly weighing his options. “Fine.” He grunts after Sanji waits long enough to stare him into submission. “But it better be good wine.”
“With your palate, I have exactly zero expectations that you’d be able to tell,” Sanji declares. “However, yes, Marimo, if you mind your manners I’ll get you the good wine in return.”
“You keep talking like that and what I’m gonna do is kick your ass in the middle of the street, Swirlybrow.” Zoro replies, giving him a dirty look.
“Ugh, the things I put up with,” Sanji says, finally turning his attention to the owner of the stall. Happily, the man looks more amused than anything else, which isn’t always a guarantee when he and Zoro are involved. “Now then, I told you I’d be back, didn’t I? I even brought my pack mule to make sure I can buy whatever I need.”
“I see that,” the vendor says, chuckling as he gestures expansively at his wares. “Take as much time as you like. After all, you want to make sure you get the best bang for your buck, right?”
Since he’s technically using Nami’s money, Sanji couldn’t agree more where that sentiment is concerned. Casting one more furtive look at Zoro to make sure he’s doing as he’s told, he reaches for the first tray of vegetables, eager to see what the stall has to offer.
*****
It’s early evening by the time they get back to the Sunny , something that would normally have Sanji panicking because it doesn’t leave him with much time for meal prep. Since they’re docked until at least tomorrow, however, most of the others will be fending for themselves on land, meaning he’s got some breathing room.
There’s a light on in the galley as they approach, and Sanji’s surprised to find Robin, Franky, and Chopper sitting around the main table when he pushes the door open. The latter two appear to be enjoying some sugary concoctions that they must have picked up in town, while Robin is sipping daintily from a teacup.
“Can I get you anything else, my darling?” Sanji asks as he makes his way inside with Zoro trailing after him in his wake. The swordsman is laden down with close to a dozen packages at this point, but he shows no sign of difficulty as he moves to place them on the countertop. “I can grab you a snack to go with your drink if you wish.”
“No thank you, Sanji.” Robin demures, setting her cup down on the tabletop with a faint clink. “You look like you have your hands full as it is there, and we ate on the island not that long ago.”
“If you’re sure.” Sanji says, grabbing Zoro by the sash around his waist and turning him in the correct direction when it looks like he’s about to place the onions in the potato bin. “Feel free to let me know if you change your mind.”
“Of course.” She says, giving him a tiny smile before returning her attention to Franky and Chopper. “Our dear doctor was just telling us about a local tradition he learned about on the island. Isn’t that right?”
Oblivious to the dash of powdered sugar he’s currently sporting on his nose, Chopper nods excitedly. “The people here consider kissing a form of greeting, but it can mean different things on different days, and different types of kisses might be appropriate depending on the circumstances.”
“Sounds like the Cook’s kind of place.” Zoro mutters, growling when Sanji picks up a mixing spoon and whacks him on the shoulder with it. “What? I’m just saying. Too bad for you we didn’t run into anyone willing to lay one on you.”
“Get back to work.” Sanji directs, smacking him a second time. “Also, for the record, I like my kisses to mean something. I feel like going around kissing everyone you know all willy nilly could take away some of the gravity of the situation.”
“That’s just it,” Chopper counters, waving one of his front hooves to get everyone’s attention while Sanji points Zoro towards a couple sacks of flour and indicates that he should move them out back. “A lot of times in Bise it’s occasion specific, so that weight doesn’t fade. For instance, I was told that one of the most important traditions of all is birthday related.”
“Fascinating.” Robin says, folding her hands in front of her and resting her chin on them. “Please tell us more, Chopper. We’re all terribly interested, aren’t we?”
“Yes, of course,” Sanji says, half his attention on making sure Zoro wipes his muddy boots before entering the pantry. He jabs towards the mat with his spoon when it looks like the swordsman is considering ignoring him. “We’re all ears.”
Vanishing into the pantry, Zoro mutters something rude under his breath that Sanji makes a mental note to kick him for when there are no longer witnesses present. However, satisfied that the man probably won’t get lost in a room that has only one exit, he turns back to their doctor, not wanting to miss his story given Robin’s evident enjoyment.
“Right, well, the woman who explained it to me made it sound fairly simple.” The reindeer is saying now. “Basically, when it’s someone’s birthday, all the people who love them are expected to come by and give them at least one kiss as a way of showing how important they are.”
Despite his well documented fondness for romance, Sanji wrinkles his nose. “Isn’t that a little, I don’t know, invasive?” He asks. “Maybe? I’m sure it’s all well and good if it’s say your spouse or partner who’s kissing you, but I don’t think I’d want to spend my birthday with everyone I know trying to stick their tongue down my throat.”
“Don’t talk like that in front of Chopper.” Zoro calls from within the depths of the pantry. “Or I’ll tell the witch on you.”
“Don’t call Nami that or I’ll kick your ass .” Sanji retorts, glaring at the open doorway where Zoro promptly materializes as if summoned. “Did you get all the flour put away properly?”
“Yes, Curls, it’s all stacked in the left corner the way you like.” Rolling his good eye, Zoro tromps out of the back room, pointedly kicking at the doormat when Sanji sighs at him. “Is that the last of everything?”
“It’s the last of what I’m willing to let you touch.” Sanji confirms. “So go sit down and I’ll bring you something to eat in a minute.”
Brightening considerably, Zoro wanders past him and over to the table. Hauling out one of the chairs, he drops down into the seat next to Chopper and across from Franky, nodding at everyone as he settles.
Franky nods amicably back, but Chopper waves both arms in agitation. “I wasn’t done talking yet.” He says when Zoro quirks an eyebrow at him. “Sanji’s got it wrong about the birthday kiss tradition, and I wanted to clarify that.”
“Right on,” Zoro says, grinning. “The Cook and wrong are two of my favorite things to hear in the same sentence. Where’d he screw up, Doc?”
“I will put razor blades in your food again.” Sanji singsongs from his place by the counter. “Don’t think I won’t.”
“Please don’t.” Chopper says, his lower lip wobbling.
“I’m sure our dear cook is only joking.” Robin assures him, while Zoro makes obnoxious faces at Sanji over the top of the reindeer’s head. “Now, why don’t you finish your story?”
Beaming up at her, Chopper wriggles happily in his seat. “There’s not much else to tell,” he admits. “I just wanted to clarify that the birthday kisses can be any kind. A cheek kiss, a forehead kiss, anything! It’s just a way of telling the person they matter to you, and going out of your way to celebrate them on their special day.”
“How sweet,” Robin says, sighing happily. “I personally think that’s a lovely idea.”
“Really?” Zoro asks. “I mean, no offense, Robin, but you’re not exactly the most touchy feely person around. Unless it’s for Franky, anyway.”
“Well, I’m not saying I’d want it to be an everyday occurance.” She replies, grinning softly when Franky leans over to press a quick peck to her cheek. “But a special occasion like a birthday is a different matter, I feel.”
“I think so too!” Chopper pipes up. “In fact, I’m kind of sad my birthday was only a couple of weeks ago. If we’d landed on Bise at the right time, maybe I could have experienced it first hand.”
“You’re too young for kissing.” Zoro says sternly, a sentiment which for once Sanji is in agreement with. “Maybe when you’re older.”
“I’m not that young!”
*****
If Sanji had expected that to be the end of the discussions about Bise and its strange traditions, he is sorely mistaken. Robin’s fascination with the place continues, such that she rehashes the details with the remainder of the crew once they’re back onboard, earning mainly positive reviews from the rest of the people she tells the story to.
Always pleased to see her happy, even if he doesn’t necessarily understand what she sees in the concept, Sanji gamely listens along whenever she brings the topic up, doing his best to show a proper level of enthusiasm, lest he accidentally hurt her feelings.
Having said that, listening is all he ever expects to do under the circumstances, so it comes as a bit of a surprise about a week later when Franky calls an emergency meeting in the galley. Everyone is present except for Robin herself, who has the watch, although it’s clear from their confused expressions that no one knows what the cyborg wants from them.
“Well?” Nami says, eyeing their shipwright warily once they’re all seated around the table with various snacks in hand. “I’m almost afraid to ask, but what’s this about, Franky?”
“Eh, it’s nothing much, little sis.” He replies, flashing her one of his patented thumbs up before shifting to rest his sunglasses on the top of his head. “I just have an idea I’m hoping you guys will help me with.”
“Is it something that will move, explode, or otherwise catch on fire?” Usopp asks nervously.
“Nah.”
“Oh good.” The sniper says, looking relieved. “Under the circumstances then, I am at least willing to hear you out.”
“Look, it’s simple.” Franky says, apparently deciding to cut to the chase before any more moronic questions can be asked. “Today’s the thirtieth of January, which means Robin’s birthday is only a few days away.”
“It is?” Luffy asks, a finger getting far too close to his nostril for comfort given that he’s still eating. Sanji moves to stop him, but luckily Zoro gets there first, digging a sharp elbow into their captain’s side to get him to behave.
“It is,” Franky confirms, ignoring this exchange with the ease of long practice. “February sixth, to be precise, so only a week from now.”
“Huh, good thing you told us.” Luffy says now. “We’ll have to have a big party with cake and stuff. Sanji, you can do that, right?”
“Obviously.” Sanji scoffs. “I’ve already got a menu with all her favorite foods planned.”
“That’s great, Cook-bro,” Franky says, bobbing his head in Sanji’s direction, “but not exactly what I was getting at. You guys remember how much Robin liked that Bise place, don’t you?”
“Aw man, not the kissing island.” Zoro groans, slouching down in his seat. “I know where this is going.”
“If you know, then you also get that it’d mean a lot to her.” Franky replies, his voice icy enough that the swordsman looks suitability chastened. “It’s not like it’d be any work on your part, and she’d really appreciate it. Don’t you want her to feel special on her birthday?”
“Did you run this by Robin?” Jinbe asks, speaking for the first time since they’d all sat down. “Not to dismiss your idea, but there’s a difference between enjoying the concept of something versus the actual action. I’d hate to cross a boundary and make her feel uncomfortable.”
“Totally understandable and altogether really super of you to ask, big guy.” Franky says, giving the burly fishman a hearty slap on the back since they’re sitting next to each other. “As it happens, I did mention it to her, albeit as a purely hypothetical concept, and she gave the idea a whole ten thumbs up.”
“Right, well. Ignoring that extremely weird image, what’s the plan then?” Usopp asks as Franky leans back in his seat with a satisfied smirk. “We just, like, kiss her out of the blue on her birthday?”
“Pretty much.” Franky replies. “Nothing fancy and no getting fresh, but just a way of saying ‘hey girl, we appreciate you and we’re glad you’re here’.”
“I mean, it seems simple enough.” Nami says thoughtfully. “And honestly, it is kind of sweet when you think about it. I can see why people might enjoy it.”
“We each only do it the once though, right?” Zoro asks, while around him most of the others are starting to look excited. “I’m only asking because if you give Curls or Brook too much leeway, we might end up having to fish them both out of the ocean if they piss her off.”
“Excuse you!” Sanji barks, jabbing his cigarette angrily towards the other man, regardless of the fact that Luffy’s sitting in between them. “I am a perfect gentleman, and you know it.”
“That’s debatable.” Usopp says, ignoring Sanji’s affronted sputtering. “But I agree it’s a good idea to lay some ground rules. One kiss, unless you’re the birthday person’s significant other, or they’ve otherwise indicated that other encounters would be welcome.”
“Sounds like a plan.” Nami agrees.
“But we’re still going to have a feast, right?”
As usual, the galley descends into chaos as most of them begin pelting Luffy with the detritus from their snacks while groaning at him.
*****
Thanks to Franky’s plan, Sanji agonizes over Robin’s upcoming birthday more than he probably should. Normally all he has to do is make sure the menu is suited to the crew’s special days, but this is a new wrench in the works, one that’s driving him to distraction. He wants everything to be perfect for her, and this year he has more than just the food to worry about.
The day of her birthday, he’s the first into the galley like usual. He bustles about making sure the table is set and all the necessary dishes are prepared, topping it all off by having a fresh pot of coffee ready and waiting for the moment Robin walks through the door.
“Good morning, dearest!” He trills the second he spots her. She’s the next person in after him today, although a slightly groggy looking Franky is trundling along behind her. “And may I be the first to wish you the happiest of birthdays!”
“Not quite the first.” She replies with a quiet laugh, patting Franky’s closest arm. “But thank you, Sanji. That’s very sweet of you to say.”
“Pssh, nothing but the best for you on your special day.” He insists, drawing her chair back for her and motioning for her to sit. “Here, darling. Breakfast is almost ready, so why don’t you let me get you a cup of coffee while you wait.”
“That sounds perfect.” She says, smiling when Franky plops down beside her and reaches for the bottle of cola Sanji had placed there the moment he’d seen the older man coming. It’s a terrible way to start the morning as far as the cook’s concerned, but Franky insists it’s the right kind of fuel no matter the hour.
Making quick work of getting Robin her coffee, Sanji bustles back to the counter so he can return to plating up a fruit tray. Wanting to ensure she has as wide a selection as possible, he immerses himself in his task, all while percolating on the other act he still has to perform.
He’s been waffling over the best way to approach the situation all morning, if not longer, unsure if he should make a grandiose gesture, or if it would be better to keep things simple. He supposes he could wait and see what some of the others come up with, but maybe it might also be better to get it over with before there are too many witnesses. Truly, the number of details to be worked out here are vast.
Preparing breakfast gives him an excuse to stay over by the counter, to the point that he’s yet to do more than flit back over to the table for a second or two when the galley door opens to reveal the next crew member to wake. Yawning heavily and scratching at his stomach under his haramaki, Zoro stomps inside with as little grace as usual, grunting when Franky and Robin both wish him good morning.
Rolling his eyes at the brutish display, Sanji watches as the swordsman comes further into the room, his single-eyed gaze locked on the coffee pot. Beelining towards it, Zoro gets halfway between it and the table, when he stops abruptly and simply stands where he is for no reason.
About to open his mouth to ask him what’s wrong, Sanji watches as the swordsman backs up a few steps and slowly reverses course until he’s standing directly behind Robin. Then he bends down and drops a kiss onto the top of her head like it’s something he does every day.
“Happy birthday.” He murmurs, already back on track towards the coffee pot.
Her cheeks tinted pink, Robin follows his movements with a rare surprised look on her face, her eyes wide as she watches him go. “Why thank you, Zoro.” She murmurs weakly. “That’s so kind.”
Having now poured himself a cup of coffee, Zoro salutes her with it from where he’s standing by the counter, and then proceeds to knock back half his drink in a single swig. Wondering how the man still has taste buds left when he routinely does things like that, Sanji barely resists the urge to roll his eyes, and instead makes his way over to the table with a plate of eggs and bacon in hand.
“There’s plenty more where this came from.” He tells the assembled parties. “So don’t be shy about eating as much as you like. Also, Robin, if there’s anything specific you want, please let me know.” And with that said, he leans in to press a very quick peck to her cheek, refusing to let Zoro one-up him.
“Oh,” Robin says, pressing her fingers to the spot his lips had just brushed with a happy little smile. “You too?”
“As my lady commands.” Sanji replies, sharing a wink with Franky.
“I see.” Robin notes, giving her partner a knowing look. “Is there something you’d like to tell me, dear?”
“Dunno what you’re talking about.” Franky says, popping a strip of bacon in his mouth and chewing loudly in a poor attempt at deflection. “I figure the boys were just expressing how much they care about you.”
“Indeed.” Robin says, her face still possessing a rosy hue as she picks up her coffee mug. “And with such convenient timing too.”
Franky grins cheerily back at her, while Sanji and Zoro share a look over the top of her head. Figuring that Robin appears to be approving of the crew’s plan, Sanji shrugs and returns to his meal preparations, well aware it won’t be long before the rest of their friends start to appear.
*****
Over the course of the day the entire crew take turns giving Robin the requisite birthday kisses. Some, like Zoro and Sanji, are quick to do it in the morning, possibly because they don’t want to forget, while others pick different times, with the main component being that everyone has a go.
Luffy’s next up after Sanji, bursting into the galley with an excited “ Happy birthday, Robin !” and a kiss to her forehead that would’ve likely knocked them both to the ground had a series of arms not sprouted from nearby surfaces to keep them upright.
Later that morning Nami goes in for a dainty cheek kiss that’s reminiscent of Sanji’s. Next, a blushing Usopp tries to do the same, but winds up mostly hitting her chin in his haste instead. Then around noon Jinbe catches her in a hug that ends with a kiss to the top of her head.
Brook materializes on deck with his violin while Sanji’s bullying Zoro into helping him set up tables for Robin’s birthday supper, playing a number of her favorite melodies that conclude with him doffing his hat to her and pressing a kiss to the back of her hand. Lastly late in the evening, Usopp holds up a happily wriggling Chopper, who brushes a kiss to her cheek, accompanied by cheers from the rest of the crew.
Through it all Robin smiles wider than most of them are used to seeing, often letting out happy little laughs as each person approaches her. It’s clear that she’s absolutely delighted by what they’ve been doing, and Sanji has to give Franky props for coming up with the idea.
“You do know your lady, I’ll give you that.” He tells the larger man when a few of them are cleaning up after the party. Well, it’s mainly just Franky and himself, plus Zoro’s doing his version of ‘helping’ by dealing with any leftover alcohol.
“Comes with the territory, little bro.” Franky says as he holds up a container for Sanji to set a bunch of dirty dishes into. “If I don’t know Robin, and don’t know how to make her happy, then I don’t really deserve to be with her, do I?”
“She’ll always be too good for you,” Sanji sniffs, half his attention on where Zoro’s now moved on to taking the remnants of Usopp’s abandoned plate for himself. “But I’ll grant you the first part. Somehow, often inexplicably so, you seem to make her happy.”
“It’s all about respect,” Franky informs him. “Having said that, are you good here? Or do you need me to help clean up the kitchen too? Not to be rude, but I’d much rather be ending the night in Robin’s company, if you know what I mean.”
“Stop talking,” Sanji directs. “But I suppose you’re free to go. I can always bully the Marimo into helping me do the dishes if I get really stuck.”
“I can do that.” Zoro confirms, having apparently overheard them. “Get out of here, Franky. Don’t keep Robin waiting.”
Flashing them both a matching pair of thumbs up, Franky hands his bin of dirty dishes over to Zoro, turning on one bare heel and scurrying off, almost like he’s half afraid they might change their minds. The two of them watch him go until he vanishes out of sight, and then turn to look at each other.
“Don’t drop those.” Sanji says, nodding at Zoro’s armload. “I used my good set because of the special occasion.”
“I know,” Zoro replies, his grip on the bin remaining steady as he nods. “Is this the last of them before you start washing?”
“Yeah, c’mon.”
They move in synch heading for the galley, Sanji getting the light since Zoro’s hands are full, and shuffling over to the sink so he can start filling it with soapy water. Meanwhile, Zoro begins stacking the remaining dishes next to the ones that have already been brought in, getting them ready to go.
Neither of them says much as Sanji starts dunking the soiled dishware in the water, but Zoro maneuvers around him to the drying rack, where he pulls out a dish towel with practiced ease. He’s ready by the time Sanji offers him the first dish, accepting it as soon as it’s handed over.
“Robin looked happy tonight.” Zoro says eventually, breaking the silence when they’re about half way through the stack of dishes. “Actually, I think she looked happy all day.”
“She did,” Sanji agrees, barely bothering to look up while he’s busy scraping at an especially tough bit of congealed sauce. “Like I told Franky, it was a good idea.”
“Mhm.” Zoro hums absently. “Lotta the others liked it too, I think.”
“Well, we knew Chopper was a fan from the beginning,” Sanji notes. “And Luffy’s always on the lookout for new games he can play.”
“Plus he just likes seeing the crew happy.” Zoro points out, to which Sanji nods.
“That too. All in all, I’d say it was a roaring success.” Shifting slightly, he offers Zoro a smirk over the edge of his shoulder. “Even you were good enough to play along, Mossball. I’m impressed.”
“Yeah, well. It was for Robin.” Zoro grunts, his eye remaining fixed on the plate in his hands. “She deserves nice things.”
“Big softie,” Sanji teases, bumping their shoulders together. “What would the news reels think if they could see you now? The Demon of the East, doing something so mundane as helping to make his friend’s birthday wish come true.”
“You know I don’t give a fuck about what the news reels say about me, or what anyone else thinks for that matter.” Zoro declares. “It was important to Robin, so I went along with it just like everybody else. That’s all there is to it.”
“Relax, Kelphead.” Sanji says with another laugh. “Your secret is safe with me. I promise.”
Zoro makes another aggrieved noise, but Sanji opts not to rise to the bait. He’s tired after a busy day, and he doesn’t want to spoil the otherwise pleasant mood. Whistling happily to himself, he returns his attention to the remaining dishes, content to wile away the rest of the evening by putting his kitchen back to rights.
*****
Despite its overall success, it doesn’t occur to him that the birthday kiss tradition might be fully adopted by the crew until it’s too late. There are no other birthdays on the ship between his and Robin’s, so he doesn’t realize this is going to become a regular thing until March 2nd rolls around and Luffy nearly gives him a goddamned heart attack first thing in the morning.
“Sanji! Happy birthday, Sanji!” These words, shouted at an obnoxiously high volume, are the only warning he gets before Luffy slams open the door of the galley at an hour much earlier than he usually rises.
Having been enjoying the quiet silence of his kitchen, Sanji narrowly avoids inhaling a cigarette when Luffy charges at him from the doorway. “What the hell ?” He yelps, spitting his smoke into the sink, where thankfully no food is currently resting. “Damnit, Luffy, what do you think you’re doing?”
“I’m wishing you a happy birthday,” Luffy laughs, stretching his arms out so that he can coil them multiple times around Sanji’s torso. It’s the kind of hug a boa constrictor would give, and Sanji’s a little worried he feels something crack when Luffy’s hold tightens impossibly further.
“Great,” he gasps, managing to wriggle one hand free so he can give Luffy a weak pat on the arm. “The sentiment is much appreciated, Captain, but if you’d be kind enough to let me breathe, I’d really appreciate it.”
Luffy laughs again, his grip not loosening so much as a fraction, and he strains his neck upwards until he can prop his chin on the top of Sanji’s head. “You know you love it,” he chirps. “Don’t lie.”
“I most certainly don’t.” Sanji stares, only to freeze when he feels something wet smack against the side of his face. “ … what are you doing?”
“It’s your birthday.” Luffy replies, this time planting a kiss on the opposite cheek. “That means you get birthday kisses.”
“No no,” Sanji says in a rush, increasing his efforts to get free to no avail. “That was a one time deal for Robin. I don’t need all of you going around slobbering on me to celebrate my birthday.”
“Tch!” Luffy says dismissively. “Franky and Robin said the kisses are a way of showing people how important they are to you on their special day. That means you’re getting them too.”
As if to further punctuate his statement, he drops a third kiss, this one directly in the center of Sanji’s forehead, making him sigh. “Do the others know about this plan of yours?” He asks, suspecting he already knows the answer.
Unsurprisingly, Luffy grins and nods, the sight a little unsettling considering the fact that he’s using his devil fruit power to twist at an unnatural angle so Sanji can see him. “They all love you too.”
Knowing better than to voice his initial response to that aloud, Sanji contents himself with rolling his eyes. Luckily, this seems to appease Luffy because he finally unwinds himself from around Sanji’s body, his flip flops slapping against the floor as he makes his way over to the table.
Unused to Luffy being their earliest rival, Sanji eyes him warily for a moment, concerned that he’s going to have to split his attention between cooking and protecting the food until some of the others are awake. Surprisingly, however, Luffy contents himself with pulling out a chair and eagerly bouncing in place.
“Is this your idea of a birthday present?” Sanji asks dryly. “A whole meal where I don’t have to worry about you stealing food from anyone?”
Luffy grins sunnily back at him, but before he can say anything the galley door opens a second time. Looking strangely put together for how early in the morning it is, Zoro strides into the room, only coming to a halt with a startled noise when he catches sight of their captain.
“ … you’re up early.” He says, eyeing the younger man in a way that’s borderline accusatory.
“Apparently he felt a pressing need to get up and express some birthday-related affections.” Sanji announces, finding it suddenly difficult to keep a faint grin off his face as it finally dawns on him what he can now expect from the day. “Though I want to make it clear I didn’t ask him to.”
“ … whatever.” Zoro says, shrugging after a moment’s pause. “Is there coffee?”
“Of course.” Sanji says, blinking. “When have you ever come in here in the morning that I haven’t had coffee ready for you?”
His face taking on a reddish hue, Zoro makes a flustered motion with his hands, before taking his daily path right to the waiting coffee pot. Given his own current placement in the kitchen, Sanji notes how the swordsman’s trajectory will bring him within touching distance, and internally braces himself for his next birthday kiss.
Except it never comes. Refusing to meet his eye, Zoro makes a point of swerving around him, taking a couple deliberate steps that move him out of reach, and only stopping once he’s got the coffee pot in hand.
“Thanks.” He says, kind of belatedly after he’s taken his first couple of sips. “And, uh, happy birthday, I guess.”
Feeling oddly put out, but trying not to show it, Sanji gives the other man a shrug of his own. “It’s just another day.” He says, his earlier enthusiasm dimming as quickly as it had arrived. “There’s no need to make a big deal about it or anything.”
For just a second he thinks Zoro might say something to this. There’s a look in his eye, like he gets when he wants to protest whatever he’s heard, but then the moment passes. Saluting Sanji awkwardly with his mug, he instead heads back towards the table, sitting down next to Luffy, who gives him an inscrutable look.
“Zoro’s so silly.” The younger man says with a shake of his head, the motion causing a few locks of shaggy black hair to fall into his eyes. “You know you’re doing it wrong, right?”
“Shut up, Luffy.” Zoro mutters, and Sanji resolves to leave the two of them alone as he gets back to work.
*****
The rest of the crew tumble into the galley in various states of wakefulness over the next couple of hours. All of them call out greetings and birthday wishes, but other than that no one does anything out of the ordinary. Figuring Luffy must have gotten it wrong when he’d said they were all in on his plan, Sanji doesn’t say anything, but instead turns back to the stove with a tight feeling in his chest.
That feeling remains until breakfast is over and most of the crew have left as quickly as they’d come in. At this point only Chopper is still in the room, and Sanji can see him out of the corner of his eye when he pushes away from the table and drops down out of his seat.
Having his own hands full at the sink, Sanji isn’t able to help as Chopper gathers up his dirty dishes and brings them over to the counter. He does nod his head in thanks, though, pleased that he won’t have to go over and retrieve them himself.
Expecting Chopper to turn and leave the same way all the others had, he’s surprised when the reindeer stays where he is, standing within Sanji’s personal space by the counter and looking up at him like he’s waiting for something.
“Is everything okay?” Sanji finally forces himself to ask. “Did you want something else to eat?”
“No, I’m good, thank you.” Chopper says politely. “Could you come here for a second, though?” He asks, motioning for Sanji to lean down to his level. “It’s important.”
Wondering what the hell that could mean, Sanji decides to humor the unusual request. Pulling his hands from the dish water, he dries them quickly on a dish towel, and then twists so that he and Chopper are almost at eye level. “What is it?”
Letting out a high pitched giggle, Chopper stretches up on his hind legs and plants a kiss on the tip of Sanji’s nose. “Happy birthday!” He chirps for the second time that morning. “I hope you have a good one.”
Blinking, Sanji feels a smile come unbidden to his face, well aware that he must be sporting the dopiest expression imaginable right now. “Thanks, Chopper,” he says, reaching out to pat the top of the doctor’s ever present hat. “I’m sure I will.”
“Was I the first?” Chopper wonders, adjusting said hat after Sanji knocks it slightly askew. “I wanted to come early enough to get ahead of everyone else, but I guess I slept in.”
“That’s okay,” Sanji assures him. “You weren’t the first, but you were second if that makes you feel any better.”
“It’s pretty good.” Chopper agrees. “Who beat me?”
“Luffy.” Sanji replies. “He was in here before the sun was fully up.”
“Oh, that’s not who I would have expected.” Chopper says absently. “Oh well. I guess you’ll just have to see who’s going to be next.”
“I guess I will.” Sanji agrees, laughing to himself.
*****
The rest of the day proceeds like any other, only with the added bonus of him getting surprise kisses when he’s least expecting it. Having apparently decided to shake things up after Robin’s birthday, the crew are more spaced out in their advances this time around, coming at him after longer intervals than they had before.
Still, come at him they do. Up next is a grinning Franky, who catches him from behind around mid-morning while he’s hanging laundry out to dry on the upper deck.
“You shouldn’t be doing chores on your special day, little bro.” The cyborg whoops, indifferent to Sanji’s startled yelps as he lifts him off the ground, leaving his feet flailing in empty air. “Someone else can get that stuff for you.”
“No one else will do it right,” Sanji wheezes, the breath being forced out of his lungs thanks to the older man’s hold. “Also, I don’t really feel like celebrating my birthday nursing a cracked rib, asshole. Put me down!”
Laughing, Franky smacks an obnoxious kiss to the back of his neck, the metal plating of his nose brushing Sanji’s ear before he sets him back on his feet. “All done,” he says, smiling proudly as Sanji jerks his shirt back into some semblance of order. “Now give me that basket,” he adds, motioning to the half hung laundry. “I’ll sort this out, so you can go relax.”
“No way,” Sanji protests. “Your hands are too big to use the clothespins correctly. You’ll ruin something! The ladies’ clothes are in there, you know. I’d never forgive myself if you destroyed anything of theirs.”
Rolling his eyes, Franky cocks his head to the side and lets out a low whistle. “Oi, Zoro!” He calls, nodding at where the swordsman has been napping nearby. “Gimme a hand with this, will you? Seeing as you’re not doing anything important , apparently.”
Cracking his right eye open, Zoro makes a show of yawning expansively, but does nevertheless climb to his feet. “Sure,” he rumbles, scratching at his chest as he brushes past Sanji to grab for the closest basket. “G’on, Cook. Go relax somewhere.”
His nose wrinkling, Sanji watches the other man as he begins to methodically pull various items from the basket and hang them on the line, his broad hands flexing as they wrangle with the heavy duty clothespins. Next to him, Franky starts doing the same.
“I’m not sure how I feel about this.” Sanji admits, only to have both men ignore him. Feeling suddenly out of place, he therefore opts to shuffle away, stepping carefully down the nearest ladder to get to the lower levels.
“Done already, are you, Sanji?” Jinbe says when he wanders past the helm for lack of anything better to do. “I figured you’d be up there for quite a while given the load I saw you carrying.”
“Zoro and Franky gave me the boot.” Sanji says, not sure if he’s complaining or not. “Franky told me I’m not supposed to do chores on my birthday.”
“Hmm, that sounds reasonable to me.” Jinbe says after a moment’s pause. “After all, it’s your day to celebrate.”
Sanji frowns, wondering how the hell he’s supposed to explain the complex relationship he has with his birthday. It wasn’t something that had really been of note back in Germa, especially once his mother had passed away, and while Zeff and the others on the Baratie had done their best, they hadn’t always known how to handle the only child in their midst.
He suspects some of this consternation must show on his face because Jinbe chuckles softly and steps away from the helm. “Try to let us spoil you a little,” he suggests, laying a heavy hand on Sanji’s shoulder. “You’re very important to everyone on this ship.”
“I - uh, I mean, I know.” Sanji says weakly, even now, after the events of Whole Cake Island, still having difficulty expressing that sentiment. “I promise, I do. The issue is more that I don’t know what to do with myself when I’m not busy, I swear.”
Based on the fishman’s expression, Sanji’s going to go out on a limb and guess he doesn’t believe him. Jinbe refuses to say as much, however, and instead leans down to plant a firm kiss directly to the top of Sanji’s head.
“A little rest and relaxation won’t hurt you.” He says once he’s pulled back, his hand still resting on Sanji’s shoulder. “Especially since we all know nothing we say or do will keep you out of the kitchen today.”
“That’s a necessity,” Sanji insists. “You’ll all either starve or poison yourselves if I don’t feed everyone. Besides, I love cooking, and by your logic, I should be allowed to do what I love today in particular because it’s my birthday.”
“You have a point,” Jinbe agrees. His voice is solemn, but his eyes are sparkling with mirth as he finally draws his hand back. “Although I hope anything you cook will be what you want to have for once, rather than focusing on the rest of us.”
“You just leave that to me,” Sanji tells him. “I promise you’ll like whatever I come up with, though, and I guess having my time free up unexpectedly means I might be able to get creative today.”
“Only if that’s what you want to do,” Jinbe says sternly. “Spend a little time on yourself for once.”
“Yessir,” Sanji says, firing off an awkward salute in an attempt to break the seriousness of the moment. “I hear you loud and clear.”
“You hearing me is rarely the problem,” Jinbe points out. “But I know when I’m fighting a losing battle. If there’s anything you’d like for your birthday that I can help you with, please let me know. Otherwise, I’ll let you celebrate how you see fit. Sound good?”
“Sounds great,” Sanji says, figuring that’s the safest course of action. “Thanks, Jinbe.”
“You’re very welcome, Sanji.”
*****
Like he’d promised, Sanji forgoes the rest of his usual chores except his meal preparations. He whips up a light lunch that everyone hums appreciatively over, pleased with how it turns out given that it hadn’t been on his original menu.
Once he’s done and everyone’s licked their plates clean, Jinbe surprises him by being the first person to stand up from the table. Giving Sanji a firm look, the helmsman then proceeds to con a number of the others into helping him clean up the kitchen, his attitude making it clear that Sanji is not permitted to participate.
“Okay, but I have a very specific system.” Sanji nevertheless tries to weasel his way into staying, visions of the inadvertent disasters the crew might inflict upon his kitchen despite their good hearted intentions dancing before his eyes. “You need me to direct where everything should go.”
“Zoro literally helps you do this every night and he’s staying.” Usopp points out, throwing a casual glance the swordsman’s way and earning himself a curt nod for his troubles. “He’ll make sure everything goes where it’s supposed to.”
“And that all the dishes are washed the way they’re supposed to be.” Zoro adds, effectively preventing Sanji’s next line of attack. “It’ll be fine, Curls.” He says, drawing closer when Sanji makes a face. “Go enjoy yourself, and if anyone puts a toe out of line in here, I’ll cut it off.”
“Um, okay, maybe you don’t have to be quite so extreme?” Usopp suggests, wilting when Zoro points him in the direction of the sink. “Fine, but if you wind up maiming me I’m never going to let you hear the end of it.”
“Just don’t be weird and you’ll be fine,” Zoro informs him. “And as for you,” he says, turning back to Sanji, “I told you to scram and I meant it. Get out of here, Swirls. Go have a smoke or something.”
That actually doesn’t sound like a bad idea, and Usopp does have a point about Zoro knowing how to set the kitchen back to rights. An uncouth neanderthal though he may be, he typically does that much without complaint.
Satisfied that his kitchen is in acceptable hands - even if they pale in comparison to his own - Sanji nods and moves to exit the kitchen. His path once again takes him close to Zoro, who hasn’t yet shifted to return to cleaning up, and his heart rate spikes slightly as he wonders if now the other man will make his move where the birthday kisses are concerned.
The answer to that question turns out to be a big, fat no because Zoro draws backwards at the same time Sanji comes within reach. His gaze suddenly fixated on the floor, he shuffles out of the way so that Sanji can get by, his attention shifting to Usopp and Jinbe rather than anything else.
Nonplussed, Sanji keeps moving since anything else would draw unwanted attention to a situation that he can’t even explain why it’s bothering him. He therefore allows his feet to carry him out the door and down to the main deck, enjoying the feeling of a breeze on his face once he can lean over the railing.
Most of those not on cleaning duty are out here as well, although Franky appears to have vanished into his workshop. Letting the sounds of muted conversation and the usual antics wash over him, Sanji lets out a contented huff and pulls his latest carton of cigarettes out of his pocket.
He’s smoked a stick almost down to the filter when his ears pick up the sound of footsteps approaching. Strangely enough there are two sets, each coming at him from either side and arriving in tandem.
“There you are,” Nami says from where she’s planted on his left. “Are you enjoying the view? And your day?”
“Lunch was lovely,” Robin says from his right. “Although you really could have done more than let us help with the clean up.”
“That’s Sanji for you, though.” Nami notes with a heavy sigh and the back of one hand lifted dramatically to her brow. “Always trying to do the dirty jobs so the rest of us don’t have to.”
“Or at least where you and I are concerned.” Robin adds solemnly.
“Ladies,” Sanji says weakly. “You’re teasing me, and on my birthday no less.”
“That’s true,” Nami agrees. “We are doing that, aren’t we?”
“Yes,” Robin confirms. “Shame on us. We’ll have to find some way to make it up to him.”
“Oh, I’ve got an idea or two,” Nami snickers. “Are you thinking what I’m thinking, Robin?”
“Considering the fact that we planned it together? Indubitably.”
Even though he’s expecting it at this point, Sanji still feels a blush spread all the way from his neck to the tips of his ears when they move as one and each grab ahold of him. Heart shaped smoke rings start spilling from the remains of his cigarette, and the noise he makes when they each kiss one of his cheeks is honestly embarrassing .
“ Ladies .” He says again, this time sagging happily against the railing. “You do know how to make a boy feel special.”
“Takes one to know one,” Nami replies, giving him a quick pat on the shoulder as she pulls away. “Happy birthday, Sanji.”
Robin murmurs a similar sentiment as she pulls away, and they both wander off not long after that, leaving him to his own devices. Seeing no reason why he shouldn’t, Sanji pulls a fresh cigarette free from his pack and returns to enjoying the cool ocean breeze.
*****
Usopp gets him in a truly dramatic fashion right when they’re about to sit down to dinner.
Always on the lookout for an excuse to throw a party, Luffy’s insisted that Sanji’s birthday means they need to celebrate during the evening. Supper’s therefore being held out on the lawn, and while Sanji might have been allowed to help prepare it, that’s where his involvement ends. The others supervise not only the arranging of tables, chairs, and dishes, but also the bringing out of the food.
Zoro, Franky, and Jinbe do the bulk of the heavy lifting, dragging out various pots and pans full of food, but Usopp winds up carrying out the pièce de résistance , a heaping bowl of spicy seafood pasta because Luffy’s rule is that one should always have their favorite food on their special day.
Smiling widely, the sniper places the bowl at the center of the table, where it takes pride of place above anything else. He then turns to where Sanji’s sitting at the head of the table, offering him a sweeping bow and grabbing his closest hand to press a kiss to the back.
“For you, my good sir.” He laughs, waggling his eyebrows while Brook starts shrieking in the background about the younger man stealing his move.
“Please, that was way smoother than what you did for Robin.” Usopp insists, dropping Sanji’s hand so he can turn and better give their resident musician a piece of his mind. “I’ve got style .”
“You almost passed out when you kissed Robin!” Nami crows from further down the table, a number of the others hooting with laughter at Usopp’s offended expression. “We all thought you were going down before you finished the job.”
“I’ll have you know I’m the pinnacle of grace and sophistication,” Usopp yells back. “I’m suave as hell! Tell ‘em, Sanji. That was the best one you’ve gotten all day, wasn’t it?”
“A gentleman never kisses and tells,” Sanji demures, grinning as fiercely as anyone else when Usopp makes a booing noise in his direction. “Hey, you can’t talk to me like that on my birthday!”
“Young people these days have no respect for the proper way of doing things,” Brook scoffs. “Sanji, if I may?”
At Sanji’s bemused nod, the skeleton comes around the opposite side of the table, grasping his other hand and dropping gracefully to one knee. He then presses a kiss to each of the individual knuckles, ending with a flourish as he places one last one to the inside of Sanji’s wrist.
“ That is how you show appreciation for someone.” He declares, releasing Sanji’s hand with another bow.
“Oh yeah? So are you going to ask to see his underwear now or later?” Zoro deadpans, a comment that sends most of the others into fits of laughter. “Because we all know that’s your usual M.O.”
“Well, I never!” Brooks exclaims, scandalized. “As if I’d do something like that on the man’s birthday! Although, Sanji, I do want to assure you that I’m an equal opportunity oggler, so if the mood happens to strike you - oh dear god !”
Shrieking, Brook scrambles away as Zoro moves to lunge forward, his hand fully prepared to draw Enma from its sheath.
“I was joking! I was joking!” His bony arms flailing in agitation, Brook keeps backing away until Zoro comes to a halt with an aborted grunt. He then waits for the swordsman to reclaim his seat at the table, but still makes a point of taking a chair at the opposite end from him.
“You people are ridiculous,” Sanji laughs, pretty sure he can feel his face heating for the umpteenth time today. “And you make big deals out of the weirdest things.”
“Who cares?” Luffy bellows, pounding on the table with both fists, a fork and knife clutched in one of each limb. “I’m starving, so let’s eat!”
“Sanji gets the first meal, Luffy.” Nami reminds him, keeping their captain back with a raised arm so that Jinbe can begin loading up a plate that he then sets down in front of the blond. “Okay, everyone else should just grab it while it’s hot.”
The crew tuck into the meal with gusto - everyone making appreciative noises as they stack their plates with whatever they feel like. Food and conversation flow freely, and eventually Brook pulls out his violin, which Franky in turn takes as a cue to toss his guitar into the mix.
Music and laughter alike soon fill the air, and it’s not long before an impromptu dance breaks out on the lawn. Sanji allows a giggling Chopper to drag him upright for a dance, something that later turns into him being passed around from person to person, with at least half the group insisting that he go for a spin with them.
By the time the sun has fully set late in the evening, he’s exhausted from all the celebrating, but there’s a content feeling simmering deep in his chest. It stays there even as the others start to break off, most of them yawning and saying they think it’s time for bed.
Everyone makes a point of wishing him happy birthday one last time, and he has to accept a series of back slaps and one armed hugs from multiple people. Luffy’s the last person to leave, being prodded along by a smiling Nami who says the clean up can wait until tomorrow.
Sanji considers that comment as he glances around at the party’s remnants, but quickly decides he can’t stand for that. Some of his best pots and pans are out here tonight, and it’ll take him absolute ages to get them clean if he doesn’t deal with them now.
He waits until he’s certain everyone has left, confident he’ll get himself yelled at if he gets caught cleaning up after his own party. Only once the bunkroom doors are shut and the lights have gone off does he begin carefully stacking up the closest available plates.
Whistling low under his breath, he drags armload after armload into the kitchen, surprisingly at ease despite the size of the pile of dirty dishes. Today was a good day, he decides, and Luffy’s idea of the new ‘birthday tradition’ is one he can now get behind.
Robin was right, and he supposes Chopper too. It’s a minor act when you get down to it, but having his friends go out of their way to show him a specific type of affection, just because they want to celebrate him , well, nice doesn’t begin to cut it. It makes him feel loved in a way nothing ever has before, so he resolves to join in if they do this for whoever’s birthday comes next.
Of course , he realizes, his mood souring slightly while he moves to start running water into the sink, not everyone had been willing to play along today. Despite arguably having more opportunities than anyone else, Zoro had never bothered to kiss him, a fact that Sanji suddenly finds himself distinctly put out by.
A quick glance at the galley clock tells him it’s 11:48, meaning it’s technically still his birthday for another twelve minutes. For a brief moment, he entertains the frankly insane notion of going to track Zoro down and demanding a kiss from him to complete the set, but he immediately tells himself not to be ridiculous.
“It’s fine.” He says aloud, dropping a couple plates into the sink with more force than necessary. “He’s probably a terrible kisser anyway.” Never mind the fact that the kisses were supposed to be friendly in nature, did he really want Zoro slobbering all over him if he could avoid it?
Nodding to himself, Sanji focuses his attention back on the dishes, resolved to let that be the end of it. His eyes keep straying to the clock, however, like he won’t be able to settle until it’s formally struck midnight and his birthday is over.
It’s three minutes to when he hears the galley door creak open and muted footsteps that nevertheless make it clear who they belong to. Ignoring the way his traitorous heart skips a beat, Sanji stares straight ahead at the sink, refusing to turn around.
“You’ve had more than enough booze for one night.” He says gruffly. “I’m not letting you into the alcohol stores this late.”
“M’not here for that,” Zoro rumbles. He’s somehow gotten much closer without Sanji noticing, doing an impressive job of slipping into his personal space without setting off his observation haki. “I need something else.”
“Yeah, like what?” Sanji asks, absently noting how it’s down to two minutes left on the clock. “Even you can’t be hungry after the meal we just had.”
“No,” Zoro confirms. “I don’t want food.”
Sanji’s breath hitches as a calloused hand wraps around his wrist, tugging him around until he and Zoro are face to face. “I still owe you something,” the swordsman says quietly. “Been trying to figure out how to give it to you all day.”
“I can’t imagine why that might be.” Sanji says breathlessly. Out of the corner of his eye, he sees the clock slide to 11:59, and he feels his tongue flick out to run along his bottom lip. “Especially since everyone else had no trouble doing it.”
“Everyone else,” Zoro says, leaning forward with intent. “Had way less to lose.”
Fuck. That’s - Sanji’s not an idiot, alright? He knows what that means, knows that this stupid dance they’ve been doing around each other for months is finally coming to an end, but that knowledge still does nothing to keep him from squeaking in surprise when Zoro’s mouth closes over his.
There’s a very real chance that he stops breathing for a moment or two, and he thinks Zoro almost moves to pull away before Sanji fists his soapy, wet hands in the other man’s shirt to yank him in closer. Only when the clock chimes midnight does he break the kiss, allowing both his eyes to meet Zoro’s single gray one once there’s a sliver of distance between them.
“Well,” he says hoarsely. “Happy birthday to me.”
Zoro rolls his eye, but also gives him a sheepish look. “I wanted to do it first thing this morning,” he says, his cheeks developing a rosy tinge as he drops his gaze to the ground. “But fuckin’ Luffy was already in here, and I didn’t want an audience since I figured the odds were about fifty/fifty you’d wind up kicking my teeth in.”
Sanji laughs. “Don’t sell yourself short, Mossy.” He teases. “You and I both know there’s still a good chance I’ll end up kicking your teeth in. Having said that,” he says, unable to stop himself from grinning when Zoro laughs too. “I might not be opposed to doing that again before my next birthday rolls around.”
“Is that so?” Zoro murmurs, nosing gently at the side of Sanji’s face.
“Mhm,” Sanji agrees, and this time when Zoro kisses him, he’s ready for it. Moving his hands upwards, he trails them along the other man’s chest and over his shoulders, eventually looping his arms around his neck in a loose hold. “Mmm, you’re making it very hard to do these dishes I’ll have you know.”
“Let ‘em wait.” Zoro insists, his own hands having somehow made their way into Sanji’s back pockets where they’re now moving with intent. “You know I’ll help you clean them later.”
“I’m going to hold you to that,” Sanji says, accepting a few more kisses in quick succession for his troubles. “I’ll be damned. You’re not actually half bad at this, did you know that?”
“Best you’ve had all day,” Zoro declares smugly. “And the best you’ll have next year too.”
“Ambitious.” Sanji murmurs, not quite able to hide the way that statement makes him shiver. “But I’ll make you an offer in kind and promise to do the same when it’s your birthday.”
His words cause Zoro to pull back with a frown. “Aw fuck,” the swordsman says, right when Sanji’s about to ask him what’s wrong. “Luffy’s going to do this to all of us, isn’t he?”
“Without a doubt,” Sanji says. “Don’t worry, though, Mossball. I promise I’ll make it very clear where I stand when your turn rolls around.”
“But that can wait,” he adds, enjoying the way his words make Zoro flush. “Right now my birthday might be over, but I expect you to make up for lost time. Sound good?”
“Whatever you want, Curls. Whatever you want.”