[ the changes in zoro's words from their previous conversations doesn't go unnoticed; sanji has always recognized that when zoro expresses himself, he typically doesn't, instead articulating that everything is either about the crew or about luffy, even when it isn't. but there's no division in this argument which is what contributes to the shudder that runs through sanji now, feeling the personal weight of something left unfinished swimming its way back to the surface.
he knows he isn't wrong in the assumption of a reversal, no matter how impossible the scenario. even in reality, sanji hadn't been the first to leave the team, either, remembering the way they'd all been shaken by usopp's choice to confront luffy in battle and depart. that had taken time, too, for usopp to determine his own role on their crew, to step back up with a certainty of his loyalty rather than simply be offered a welcoming hand before the time was ready.
even if sanji had been desperate to stop the escalation of the fight then, he and zoro had been of the same mind then about the result and what needed to be done.
it's no different here. their fight isn't over. but this time, putting it to the test with boots and swords won't make it go away. the usual methods don't work here, but that's not what zoro's asking for.
say it.
not for luffy. not for the crew. for zoro. but maybe — maybe for sanji, too.
sanji doesn't even try to fight off the strength of those hands when they grab at him, letting the grip reel him in even as he clenches his teeth and nearly hisses like he's ready to put up his defenses in a battle. except when he grabs at zoro's arms, it isn't a counter, his fingers curling around each of his wrists to hold on rather than to try and yank him away. ]
Idiot, of course I need you! [ it's shouted with exasperation and anger, but there's ache in it too, carried on by the guilt that still dwells in him. idiot, he calls him, but zoro has every right to have not believed it. not when sanji had done the very thing to let him down, to make him believe that he hadn't been needed.
they trusted one another, to fill the space the other couldn't, to set the balance, and sanji had broken it. ]
I shouldn't have left. I should have asked for help. I know that! But I came back because I needed my crew! Because it's supposed to be the two of us!
[ he belongs with his nakama, all of them. but his love for the rest of the crew isn't what's on trial right now. ]
You and I — we're supposed to be Luffy's wings, and if one isn't there, then we all fall. [ his fingers squeeze tighter, hands shaking. ] I left you to fall when I doubted myself. I know that shouldn't be forgiven. But I came back, Zoro. Because things only make sense when it's me and you — together. Because I need you just as much as you need me.
no subject
he knows he isn't wrong in the assumption of a reversal, no matter how impossible the scenario. even in reality, sanji hadn't been the first to leave the team, either, remembering the way they'd all been shaken by usopp's choice to confront luffy in battle and depart. that had taken time, too, for usopp to determine his own role on their crew, to step back up with a certainty of his loyalty rather than simply be offered a welcoming hand before the time was ready.
even if sanji had been desperate to stop the escalation of the fight then, he and zoro had been of the same mind then about the result and what needed to be done.
it's no different here. their fight isn't over. but this time, putting it to the test with boots and swords won't make it go away. the usual methods don't work here, but that's not what zoro's asking for.
say it.
not for luffy. not for the crew. for zoro. but maybe — maybe for sanji, too.
sanji doesn't even try to fight off the strength of those hands when they grab at him, letting the grip reel him in even as he clenches his teeth and nearly hisses like he's ready to put up his defenses in a battle. except when he grabs at zoro's arms, it isn't a counter, his fingers curling around each of his wrists to hold on rather than to try and yank him away. ]
Idiot, of course I need you! [ it's shouted with exasperation and anger, but there's ache in it too, carried on by the guilt that still dwells in him. idiot, he calls him, but zoro has every right to have not believed it. not when sanji had done the very thing to let him down, to make him believe that he hadn't been needed.
they trusted one another, to fill the space the other couldn't, to set the balance, and sanji had broken it. ]
I shouldn't have left. I should have asked for help. I know that! But I came back because I needed my crew! Because it's supposed to be the two of us!
[ he belongs with his nakama, all of them. but his love for the rest of the crew isn't what's on trial right now. ]
You and I — we're supposed to be Luffy's wings, and if one isn't there, then we all fall. [ his fingers squeeze tighter, hands shaking. ] I left you to fall when I doubted myself. I know that shouldn't be forgiven. But I came back, Zoro. Because things only make sense when it's me and you — together. Because I need you just as much as you need me.