Of Great Joys
Exasperated sigh. “Zoro.”
Zoro didn’t hear it the first time.
Usopp sighed again. His knees shaking, anticipation rose. He couldn’t tell if it was excitement or worries that bubbled till his oesophagus. Seeing Zoro who was always the most collected among their crew pacing back and forth in front of him didn’t help his nerves when he knew that one of his nakama was inside the infirmary, fighting for something that might cost his life. Actually, yes. It was life-threathening.
His hands were cold and he guessed Zoro’s would be a lot more colder right now. All they could do right now was wait.
“Swordsman-san. Please calm down.” Robin tried.
But the pacing continued. He didn’t even flinch or stop.
Nope, Zoro obviously didn’t hear it the second time either.
She’s worried. Everyone was worried. And she could understand very well that Zoro have every right to bear a lot more worries right now than any of them, but it was getting stifling and frustrating seeing the green-haired man making a circle in front of the door again and again.
The whole crew felt the tension that even Nami stayed silent and bit her plush lips, Franky sitting quietly with a bottle of now warm cola between his thighs, left untouched. Brook tapping his cane—sword on the grass, emitting a muffled thud sound that went unnoticed by them all. A cup of tea left cold.
Luffy, well… He’s still him. He offered to watch the ship and was sitting on his special seat. Worries or excitement concealed from his crew sometimes curious eyes, thanks to his straw hat.
“Zoro…” Chopper's voice snapped all of their heads towards the door. And Zoro’s head never turned around towards a direction that fast before.
Only the doctor’s head in his Heavy point that was visible. His face was still covered with a mask, face unreadable by all of the crew.
“Chopper! How’s the cook?!” Was the first thing the whole crew that was sitting outside with Zoro heard. Almost two hours passed and that was the first. Zoro’s voice came out frantic even though the man tried to stay calm. As calm as he could when he knew his Sanji was in there battling for his live and their— battling for his live for almost 2 hours.
Chopper didn’t give an answer, he only opened the door a little bit wider for Zoro to enter and closed it after. Nami, Usopp, Brook and Franky didn’t realise the breath they were holding and only managed to breathe out a little bit with ease when Chopper calmly invited Zoro inside. Robin smiled, finally opened the book that was left abandoned in her hands since two hours ago.
Calm Chopper meant everything was under control. If it was not the case, the reindeer would already drown himself in tears if something bad were to happen to their nakama. And no one, hoped that to ever happened.
The room was mildly lit. Chopper told him that it was for Sanji. Sanji needed a lot of rest and sleep. He told what Zoro can and cannot do before he smiled and ushered Zoro to go to his man while he washed and sterilised his appliances.
Zoro took almost tentative steps. His cook was there. On the bed. From afar and from this badly lit room, Zoro could discern that the blond was pale—paler than normal. When he reached closer, he could see just how visibly exhausted Sanji looked.
His pale skin becomes even paler, luscious lips were now chapped, his usual carefully styled hair were tousled and matted to his sweaty forehead. A blanket enveloped Sanji’s whole body except his head and shoulders.
His face may didn’t show it but Zoro was glad. He was glad that his shit cook was safe. He was sleeping, resting. Even breathings of the cook filled his hearings and he was finally convinced that his man was okay.
He felt so much love for the man sleeping soundly in front of him. He always does, since a long time ago, but today, right now, right at that moment, it sky-rocketed even more.
He couldn’t help it. It felt like it was going to burst so Zoro gently put his left hand on Sanji’s sweat glistened forehead. Pushing the hair away from the skin and he carefully leaned down. Placing a kiss on it.
“I love you, Sanji…” He mumbled. Lips meeting skin as he did.
Of course, Sanji didn’t hear him. That’s exactly why Zoro did it. He smiled to himself and was caressing the blonde hair when a small sound caught in his hearings.
That’s right! How could he forgot! The sole reason of why Zoro was so frantic and Sanji sound asleep, exhausted—worn out, right now was behind him. Zoro made his short way to the makeshift small bed— bassinet.
He didn’t complain seeing that because no one expected this situation to happen today. Not until next two weeks. But predictions can always be wrong, so they have to settle with a last minute makeshift bed for now and Franky announced that he will build a better and safer one later with Usopp when the situations were getting better.
Zoro was getting excited and nervous as his steps closed himself with the little life in the bassinet. There, when he finally arrived, was a little bundle, wrapped in a white cloth, hair still wet. Chopper must have cleaned him. No trace of blood.
Just a clean and pure little life still with red skin, which he guessed, it will eventually turns pale like his shit cook, skin so thin that Zoro could still see the little veins through them. This little human would need a lot more growing to gain more flesh. He knew Sanji would do just that. Zoro smiled affectionately upon thinking about that.
The little bundle have his puffy eyes closed and chubby cheeks looking so soft. Zoro couldn’t believe it. This little boy already has chubby cheeks.
His boy.
He felt as if his throat suddenly closed and a choked sound between almost crying and laughing at the bubbly and rising feelings inside mixed as one. This was definitely his son, alright. He didn’t need to think when the boy was sporting green hairs and a little curl on each of his eyebrows right after he's out of his father’s belly. This little boy was really his and Sanji’s.
Zoro made a move to pick him up. He noticed his fingers shaking. Stomach growling in nervousness. But he did it anyway. This was his son. He and Sanji are now fathers. He couldn’t just back out now and wait for another time to hold their son. He was prepared for this day to come.
A soft and small sound came out from those little lips as the little boy felt like he was shifted away from the comfort of the soft material into his father’s warmth. Zoro settled the little joy very carefully in his arms and the baby’s eyes opened for a bit, meeting his father’s one.
Deep ocean blue eyes meeting Zoro’s steely one—whose eye dilated a bit at their meet—for a few seconds before the infant closed it again. Still not used to the lights around him and going back into his slumber. Zoro was speechless.
Those eyes… Those beautiful irises that met his was definitely Sanji’s.
It really hit him hard that they really have a son now. It was not the two of them anymore. It will be the three of them starting today and instead of just being only a couple, he and Sanji are now a family. There will be a pair of small feet trailing behind them, calling them 'dad' or 'father' with after this.
They’ve built a family together.
After years of knowing each other, after bickering day and night at every little stupid things, after so much pushing and giving, developing and catching feelings, being a couple, a lover for each other, Zoro realised that he and Sanji finally entered the highest stage in a relationship. The stage that they never thought would come this fast, at the age of 22 but they’ve managed. They always do.
Zoro never doubted Sanji and he knew since forever that Sanji too, never doubted him. They always work everything together, in their own ways.
Looking at his—their—son, Zoro couldn’t help the wide proud and relief smile that made its way on his face, gracing his perfect lips. He remembered Sanji used to say, "I swear if he comes out having the same green hairs as yours, I have another moss in my care.” So, Zoro knew what to call their baby for now.
“Hey, little moss.” Zoro greeted his little son for the first time. His baritone voice came out so soft.
As if on cue, the boy squirms a little, head slowly turning, facing his father’s sturdy chest, mouth opening and closing before he stopped and went back into slumber, little slender fingers—that’s definitely something the little boy got from his blonde father—lightly clenched and relaxed.
Zoro never knew talking to your son for the first time—even though it was obvious that the infant still couldn’t understand a thing— could bring this much surge of a joy in him. The feeling was massive and he couldn’t describe it. He only hoped Sanji could feel it too when he gave his first greet to their baby later when he wakes up.
“Zoro?” As if on cue, a hoarse voice due to lack of water that Zoro knew by heart came from his behind. Zoro turned towards his love and smiled so wide that Sanji who was still laying on the bed just looked at him for a few seconds before he returned it with an exhausted but happy one. Zoro went to him with their baby in arms.
“Cook…” Zoro planted a chaste kiss on both of Sanji’s cheek and the man let him, tired eyes closing in the process but heart skipping nonetheless. Zoro sat on the bed beside Sanji as the man carefully moved himself into a sitting position. Hissing a little as he did, but nothing he couldn’t handle. Zoro let him do what he wanted and waited.
Sanji settled himself by leaning on Zoro’s shoulder, slowly breathing to ease the post-surgery pain. His hands twitching for a lighted smoke between his fingers but he know he couldn’t with his little son here. He didn’t want to poison that little bundle, worse right on his first day living in this world. He could stop smoking for months, he could wait for a bit longer.
Sanji was banned from smoking for nine month and when that usually—of course— could make him complain almost 24/7, he didn’t when Zoro decided not to drink too during the period when Sanji was bearing their child. Zoro was willing to compromise for him and their child, so Sanji will too.
He didn’t say it, but Sanji was very grateful for Zoro. That marimo may be a neanderthal sometimes, but he’s hella considerate and could think of lots of great ways for them to compromise a lot of things when he tried.
“I knew it he’ll get your marimo head. Poor lil’ boy.” Sanji snorted softly, looking at the baby that he bore for nine month with fondness. Zoro grinned.
“A proof that my genes are stronger than yours.” Zoro said, proud. Sanji didn’t reply. He hummed and remained looking at their son. Zoro shifted a little to give his cook more view of the little boy.
Sanji was silent for a long time, looking at their son, almost five minutes passed and Zoro was getting worried. “Cook?” Is he okay? Is the sedative still in effect?
As if he was snapped from a daydream, Sanji’s eyes moved from their baby to Zoro’s eye.
“You ‘kay?”
“Ye—yeah. Yeah, I’m okay. It’s just…” Sanji went silent again. The marimo’s eyebrows raised.
Zoro lightly nudged Sanji’s cheek with his straight nose. Coaxing him to finish the sentence. “Just?”
Sanji met his eyes again. Finally a smile gracing his luscious lips that Zoro love so much. “I’m glad. For everything that happened between us.” He buried his face in Zoro’s neck. “Thank you, stupid marimo.” Warm breath meeting the skin there.
“Idiot, that’s my line.” Zoro chuckled.
“I don’t want to fucking admit this, but it’s hard.” Sanji started again, as he lifted his face from his love’s broad shoulders. Zoro noticed the changes in Sanji’s tone and met his eyes. Paying attention more than he did before—if that was even possible.
“It’s hard... Nothing’s easy since I knew that I was knocked up, since last nine month, but Zoro…” The blonde’s right hand reached his right arm and gently squeezing it there. “I want you to know that you being there with me, made it all much better.”
That came out from Sanji’s lips with voice so soft, so unusual. Undoubtedly dripping with gratefulness from his side and Zoro knew that his ears didn’t deceive him.
Zoro was at lost of words. He couldn’t even reply to what Sanji just poured on him. Mouth closing and opening but nothing he deemed good enough. His mind flashed back to those nine months of struggle and truth to be told, he felt like crying. But he can’t with Sanji just about to get better beside him and his newborn baby in his arms.
He settled to look at Sanji’s deep eyes. So cerulean , so soulful, never fail to allure him in. That moment he knew Sanji didn’t need a reply anyway. He just wanted to express, to tell, to let him know, not wanting something from Zoro back.
Tell me how to not fucking love this man. His chest tightened.
The atmosphere between them felt so light. It’s been so long since they felt this. It ended when Sanji’s pregnancy news hit them both. They—and the whole crew— were so shocked over the peculiar situation but accepted it when they all cooled down after founded some informations about it. Chopper and Robin explained it as a very rare but it is an occurrence that do happen in the Grand Line and New World since it was discovered over hundred years ago.
Then, Sanji couldn’t control himself from getting carried away in the emotional roller coaster as his hormones played with him and both have to sacrificed something they like— smoking, drinking, sparring together— for almost nine months and man, those were definitely not an easy thing to do.
There was one time, during Sanji’s third trimester, his bump was so big and Chopper banned him from doing anything that exerts his energy all together, even cooking. Many times Zoro accidentally woke up in the middle of the night, seeing his love who was supposed to sleep peacefully in his arms, silently crying in his sleep.
The man couldn’t imagine just how hard it was to be in Sanji’s place, to sacrifice lots of parts of his daily life and things he love so much like the blonde did, appeared like nothing was wrong in the morning in front of the crew and unconsciously cried during the nights when everyone’s eyes were closed. He would always reach those wet cheeks and wiped the tears away. The beautiful irises of Sanji, hidden from Zoro’s view behind those droopy eyelids but if he gets to see them, he knew it will be deep dark blue, not his usual glimmer ocean colour.
“Everything will get better, cook.” He will whisper to the sleeping man almost every night. In hope, the blonde will get through another day that awaits him without any problem arise until he was free again.
Every time Zoro saw that face, he couldn’t help but fall for the curlicue all over again. Just seeing how strong the man enduring something—for both of them— that was not supposed to happen to his body, something his body was not made for, Zoro who was being by side, his sacrifice —drinking sake is his life alright!— didn’t feel like much of a help. But he knew, Sanji would kick his head when the baby’s out if he ever told him that.
He’s glad…. Having Sanji by his side. Sanji giving him the best present he could ever asked or hoped for. Zoro knew that he’s truly blessed.
And even much more blessed now.
Zoro looked down to the man that went back to resting his blonde head on his shoulder and kissed Sanji’s forehead. He heard Sanji released a light breath. Enjoying the contact.
Chopper came in and told them that the crew outside wanted to see the new addition to their ship. Zoro and Sanji laughed, giving Chopper permission to let them enter.
Chopper went back to the door. Zoro turned to look at Sanji, a grin plastered on his usual stoic face.
“Those guys outside were so worried about you.” He was too, but he didn’t need to say it, right? “It’s gonna be a chaos when they come in. You ready to face 'em, cook?” Those eyebrows quirked twice, almost as if a challenge to Sanji, seeing he just went under a two-hours surgery and now to face full-wave of chaos that was their own crew mates’ antics.
“Is that a challenge, marimo?” He knew he was grinning too. They heard loud shouts in glee and excited murmurs as Chopper opened the door to the infirmary. He barely registered that Chopper scolded them to tone it down as there was a baby sleeping inside. His focus was still solely on the green-head.
Zoro’s eyes answered him—well actually the grin gave it away.
Things will get a lot more better. Zoro thought as he mirrored the action of his love.
When Nami, Usopp, Franky, Robin and Brook entered, the room that used to be so serene minutes ago became chaotic. Questions thrown here and there, from Chopper then to Sanji and to Zoro. Loud cooing sounds from the guys and Nami hardly containing her squeals at the cute sight of the couple with the baby in the middle. Robin smiled knowingly, she always pictured the couple would look so perfect like this.
Even with the whole mess of a crew surrounding him, the little moss slept peacefully. As if there was never noises to begin with. They all acknowledged that that was a trait one can only master with Zoro’s genes running in your veins.
Luffy entered the infirmary and everyone thought and predicted that he’ll jump straight away to the baby in Zoro’s arms and asked if he can poop now that he’s living out of Sanji’s stomach or maybe talk excitedly right by the baby’s ears, asking if he wants to play when he wakes up.
But no, Luffy came in with a smile plastered on his face, a solid smile, not his usual excited high-on-meat-grin.
“I know Sanji would make it.” He started. He walked to the little family and took a look at the little joy.
“Zoro, Sanji and little sun makes a very cute little family.” And he laughed his trademark laugh.