Listening to His Heartbeat

Zoro didn’t get time to spend with Sanji alone, away from the others, very often. Most times, when the Sunny stopped at an island, it wouldn’t take long for someone on the crew to get into a fight on behalf of someone else’s freedom. The Straw Hats were like that. But occasionally things remained peaceful for a while, and he and Sanji made sure to take advantage of it.

They’d docked at port as the sun was setting, and Sanji had grabbed Zoro’s hand after they’d disembarked, separating them from the rest of the crew. They found the hotel several blocks down. The roof was missing panels, the exterior was run down, and the rooms were in need of a few repairs. But the owners were nice, the bedding clean, and it was private.

The door was barely closed before they were tugging off their clothes, kissing on their way to the bed. The first coupling was fast, wild and loud, arousal fueled by having no crew around. Later, they took their time, exploring one another, trying new things, enjoying each other fully. They talked for a while, after, about nothing important, holding hands and simply being. 

Now, Sanji was asleep, his chest rising and falling steadily beneath Zoro’s cheek. Zoro lay with his head on Sanji’s chest, listening to his heartbeat. His hand was splayed possessively on Sanji’s bare hip. The sheet half-covered their legs. Sanji’s arm, on Zoro’s side, was wrapped around Zoro’s shoulders. His other hand rested on Zoro’s arm, embracing him even in sleep. They rarely got to spend the night in the same bed – blankets on the floor weren't the same. Zoro wanted to savor every moment.

The hotel room was simple. Wooden floors and walls in need of a coat of paint. An in suite bathroom with shower and toilet meant they didn’t have to share with neighbors. A window covered by filmy curtains let in light from the street. The double bed faced a rickety dresser with a mirror on top. 

Zoro could see himself and Sanji on the bed in the mirror: his larger, more muscular physique cuddled against Sanji’s more lean body. Sanji was also muscular, solid, but not built like Zoro. Sanji’s strength was in his legs and hips, hidden beneath the sheet. He could pin Zoro down with one leg alone and Zoro had to struggle to gain release. It was one of the reasons why they worked, their strengths complimenting each other. Zoro also wasn’t afraid he'd hurt Sanji physically and Sanji felt the same. It allowed them to not hold back in bed and out.

Their relationship was not new. They’d been with each other for long enough that it was hard to remember that they once weren’t together. But it had its rough spots. Sanji keeping his past family a secret and his self-sacrificial behavior was the most recent thing they'd had to work through. Sanji had needed Zoro in a way he hadn't before, and Zoro had done his best to step up. It was rough for a while but they managed to weather it and we're stronger for it.

The light coming through the curtains painted them in a pale hue. Sanji shifted his head on the pillow, his blond hair fanning against the pillow case. His skin was warm beneath Zoro’s cheek. Lying like this, nothing seemed to matter. The outside world could be shattering and Zoro wouldn’t care. He didn’t forget about their dreams or about helping Luffy reach his, but like this, with Sanji, Zoro could stop pushing toward his future and truly rest. He could let go, safe in the knowledge someone else would hold him up for a little while.

Zoro loved Sanji. The forever kind that would carry him through to the end. Sanji could turn Zoro onto anything he wanted, anytime at all. They still argued and fought, and Zoro protested about doing asinine things, but he did them all the same. If it put a smile on Sanji’s lips, Zoro was for it. That was a reward in and of itself, but sometimes it came with other benefits that left Zoro a quivering mess. His nos were few and far between.

Sanji needed Zoro in a different way. He was hard on himself, cared deeply about what other people thought about him, and worried that he wasn’t good enough, not in fighting but as a person. Just by Zoro standing with him, steadfast and without judgment, Sanji would feel less blue. Zoro didn’t need to fix anything, he only needed to be there for Sanji and listen. 

Being here, now, in this hotel room, Zoro felt like he and Sanji were the only two who existed. He wanted to capture this feeling and hold it close for the times ahead – the warmth, the comfort, the serenity. It was him and Sanji, always. 

Sanji shifted again, murmuring Zoro’s name. His arms tightened around Zoro. A smile of contentment curved Zoro’s lips, and he closed his eye. Peacefulness stole over him. He drifted off to sleep, listening to the sound of Sanji’s heart.

End