Until It Passes

[xparrot.livejournal.com]

Title: Until It Passes
Rating: PG
Pairing: Not really ZoSan
Wordcount: 300

Notes: Following chapter 331, so vague spoilers which likely will be rendered invalid come the next manga chapter. Please excuse me, I'm trying to deal here.



For all that he worked most of his life in crowded kitchens, Sanji prefers to cook undisturbed. Not that the crew always respects this, but if there's no rain imminent Zoro prefers to nap in the sun. He's not here now to grab a snack, though; instead he sits at the table.

Turning the heat down to let the sauce simmer, Sanji looks back to find the swordsman has his white katana out and is polishing the already-shining blade, studiously, not looking up when Sanji coughs in barely mannered irritation. Can't you do that outside? he might say, or, You better not get oil on the table we eat on, or, subtlety not being Zoro's strength, Get the hell out, stupid. But when he opens his mouth he says, "Where's Nami-san?"

Zoro, head still bent over the sword, replies, "In the main cabin, with Chopper."

"Robin-chan's still not back."

Luffy, he knows, is on the figurehead, maybe his final moments on that seat. And their last crewmate--he doesn't ask; Zoro doesn't know where he ran, either.

Sanji lights a cigarette. His hands are steady but the glowing embers blur; he blinks and they burn clear again.

Zoro draws his black katana, giving it the same careful attention. He won't be done anytime soon. The pan on the stove burbles and Sanji turns back.

"Tonight," Zoro says, "we should go find Robin."

You can go look now, he could reply. The swordsman doesn't have a meal to make.

But Zoro gets lost so easily. Here in the kitchen, with the sword metal clinking noisily against the table's wood and that sharp oil scent overpowering the sauce's flavor, at least Sanji knows where he is.

"After dinner," he says, and doesn't repeat the 'we', because Zoro already knows they'll go together.

Comments

[jadeprince.livejournal.com]

*whimpers* Of course they have to go together. ;_; Because dammit, they can't lose anymore of their nakama... gots ta stick together. Even Zoro and Sanji. They gotta. *cries, clings*

Oda better make us happy again.....

[huabot.livejournal.com]

Man, I just got home, and apparently it was a very productive day on some fronts, and I was 'what should I read first?' I'm so glad I picked these drabbles, cause they were awesome. Awesome. This one, I think, is more understated, but for me it packs just as much punch as the Luffy one. Man, wow. I knew someone should to do that topic for this topic, but it was stellar.

[xparrot.livejournal.com]

It wasn't so much that I was intending to do something with the manga, but it's difficult to get outa me head at the moment...so traumatic! Oda-sensei...
glad they worked for you, tho' ^_^