Work Text:
Chopper lays on the fluffy futon on the floor with his face on his palm, seemingly invested on what he's doodling on the sheet of paper that Usopp had lend him earlier. He occasionally switches out from a pencil to an eraser with his other hand, in his walk point, as he draws whatever he's drawing with precision while looking at Sanji from time-to-time, Usopp observed.
They were both in the galley. Usopp had followed Chopper inside the galley after lending him the sheets of papers, he's curious on what Chopper would do with it. He had to walk after him because Tony looked set on the work that he'll do that he doesn't address Usopp further more than a quick 'thank you' after Usopp gave the stack of papers.
His curiosity was answered when he finds that the boy was merely going to draw. Chopper had been asking Usopp to teach him how to draw for some time; he has always been amazed whenever Usopp does a quick sketch of something and, as always, it turns out great. Usopp took pride on it. Seeing Chopper so earnest while Usopp is teaching him how to sketch basic figures, warms his heart.
So to see Chopper finally using his learned techniques of doing art from Usopp, makes him even more curious on what Chopper's first artwork will turn out to be. That's how he finds himself at the Sunny's dining table, tinkering about on his work in the galley rather than his own space while watching Chopper draw, though not his drawing in progress, he thinks he'll just wait to see the finished product later.
He's sat hunched while working, his eyes occasionally glancing at Chopper then sipping the fresh coconut drink that Sanji served him when he stepped foot in the cook's domain. Zoro is at the counter, also hunching forward while nursing the booze that Sanji rewarded him after a job well done of being his pack mule. Another bottle of booze is also at the table, waiting to be drunk.
Sanji is seated at one of the stools beside Zoro, his reading glasses perched on top of his nose while he smokes, deliberately exhaling it towards one of the open windows away from Chopper; he's writing on one of the blue books that he keeps on one of his drawers, probably cataloguing for the food stocks and keeping the inventory in check. Usopp now understands why Sanji had graciously given Zoro the extra booze.
When it comes to math, Zoro is the guy. His mental calculations are always fast and accurate. So, of course, Sanji uses this to his full advantage whenever it was time for keeping the pantry in check, but obviously not without the rewards. And Zoro, he takes all the rewards that he can get from Sanji. Ussop tries not to blanch in disgust at the memory of him seeing the two going at it at the galley's couch; he still avoids the couch to this day, afraid of what bigger things they might have done on that.
He shook his head. Instead, he focused on Sanji's nagging about Zoro's posture. Ussop unconsciously straightened up, too. He agrees with Sanji, a strained back never does anyone good. Zoro grumbles at this, but complied anyway, not wanting to be at the other end of Sanji's heels. Those damn piercers that Sanji wears never fails to give him molten bruises whenever they sparred together.
"Chopper, honey. Do you want more milk?" Sanji calls out to the boy. The other looked up at this, then smiled. He realized late that he drank all of his milk already. The warm milk and chocolate tasted good, Chopper thinks, Sanji is such a great cook, like a mom.
He waved his empty glass to the blonde, "Yes please, Sanji! Do you still have those chocolate bombs, Sanji? I like them! Give me more of those, please!"
Sanji smiled adoringly, "Don't wave the glass around like that," he says softly, "but of course, Chopper. Though that would be the last one. You wouldn't want your teeth to fall out from too much sweets, wouldn't you?"
Chopper huffs at that, "I'm a doctor! Of course I know my limits, y'know?"
"I'm starting to think otherwise." He stood up, then walked over to Chopper. The boy quickly flipped the drawing that he's making.
Sanji's eyebrow raised at this as he crouched down to the boy to take the glass. He pats at Chopper's head, "What are you hiding, huh, Chopper? Surely that is not an obscene drawing of me, is it?" Sanji asks worriedly.
Zoro snorts, "That, I'd like to see." He chuckles lightly. Even as he laughs, he still keeps an eye out in case Sanji lunged at him from his place. That guy is merciless, "You better show it to me after you're done, Chopper! We could get that as his new bounty poster!" He jokes while cackling. He knows how Sanji fusses over his bounty shots.
He remembers the time when the whole crew had to pull him back from entering the marine base that dishes out the bounty posters. When Sanji got his first bounty poster, he was livid. The sight on the paper definitely wasn't him, but it was similar to Sanji in a way. The man on the poster had blonde hair parted, his left eye covered, he had a cigarette on his lips, and the infamous swirl of eyebrows.
Zoro hysterically laughed it off at first. The whole crew did, except Nami and Robin who stifled their laughs the moment that they sensed the dangerous aura coming from the cook. It was safe to say that the boys had learned their lesson fast, the hard way. The rest of the crew were surprised when the next day, Sanji's poster was changed from shit looking, to a model's poster real quick. Sanji had been in a very good mood after that day. The crew decided not to be inquisitive. The boys were still bruised and afraid, while the girls just giggled at the progress. The ugly man on Sanji's previous poster was Duval, apparently.
Sanji glares at him, unimpressed by his moss ball's inability to spew a laughable joke. But before he does something that Zoro definitely did not want to know, Chopper cuts him off with a flail of his arms. "Wha— no! Definitely not, Sanji! This is just... uhm... You just have to see it later, okay?"
Sanji forgets his earlier plan on making Zoro suffer with a relieved smile to Chopper. Sanji stood up, "I'm relieved. Draw along, Chopper. I suspect that it's going to be pretty!" He encourages the boy before sauntering to fill his glass up again.
Ussop grins at the subtle fear on Zoro's eyes when Sanji glared at him. Gosh, he's so devoted to him, Ussop thinks with a snicker, but the grin was immediately cut off when Zoro glared at him. But it was hard to take him seriously with the small blush on his face. Ussop directly crackled at him, "You—You're blushing!" He laughs, "Is the resident Demon of the East flustered?" He lets out. A bit brave with Sanji around. He knows the blonde will back him up.
Which is why he still laughed in delight when Sanji bonked Zoro on his head with his heels when Zoro tried to lunged at him. "Behave, boys. I'm trying to have a good afternoon here. With Luffy out on the island, a little peace would be nice."
Zoro growls at him while rubbing at his bump, but obeyed. Luffy was out to explore the island. It was relatively small; it's inhabitants are mostly wild animals. With Luffy slingshotting himself to the island, Robin volunteered to accompany the boy, interested to see if she can find something out of the ordinary, with Franky at her heels. The both of them had grown quite close, Sanji wouldn't be surprised if a pot of romance stirred between them sooner or later. Nami chose to isolate herself in her office, demanded not to be disturbed, but thankfully accepts Sanji's snacks that he prepares for her; she knows how he gets when his girls are passing work times with empty stomachs. So, Sanji gave Franky the lunch boxes to carry out and eat for their little journey.
Both boys relaxed, albeit Ussop giggling lightly with his back turned. Zoro chose to ignore it. Instead, he focused on Sanji's every move. From where he walked towards Chopper to give him the milk and a kiss to the boy's head as his response to the boy's thanks, to where he situated himself again on his chair. "Come on, mossy. Work those brains, we're closer to finishing." Sanji said, then lit another cigarette.
Zoro grunts as reply. What a caveman response, Sanji thinks with a chuckle. They started to focus on both of their works. The time passes fairly quick, and the pair finds themselves already finished. "'S this all, curls?"
Sanji nods, "Yes, good work, marimo." Zoro tries hard not to smile. But Ussop sees the small twitch at the ends of his mouth. What a whipped man Zoro had become, Ussop thinks. Sanji looks at the floor where Chopper is still situated, "Chopper dear, you're not tired from that position, yet? You've been on the floor for about two hours, now." Sanji says worriedly. Chopper just gestured a thumbs up for him to see.
Chopper is at the process of coloring his drawing, Ussop sees. But also a bit shocked at the fast flight of time. He expressed his shock as much, "Wow, it had been two hours already? No wonder my back aches." He realized, belatedly, then stretched out his limbs and back.
Sanji winced at the cracks, "Let me do that for you later, 'ssop." He suggested as he walked over to Tony again. Ussop just lets out an affirmative hum while cleaning up his stuff. It's almost dinner time, he notes, the crew would be here in an hour or two.
Zoro was dozing off on the chair, seemingly contented from his drink. It was such a domestic scene that nobody would've expect from the Strawhats. Ussop can sense the happy omega scent that Sanji lets out even if he can't smell it, and the contentedness of Zoro's. He smiled again when Sanji directed Chopper who hid the drawing behind his hands to the table, his hands full with the other's crayons. Despite Chopper being taller than Sanji in his walk point, he still seemed like a little kid when Sanji sat him on one of the chairs. Ussop's heart warmed.
"What are you busying yourself with, doctor-san?" Chopper jumped at the intruding voice. Chopper calmed when he noticed it was just Robin's deep and siren-like voice. He looks around his surroundings and was surprised to see that most of the crew have already filtered in the galley. He sees Nami smacking Luffy upside the head for just running off with no advisory, Ussop laughing at his captain's bump, then was silenced by one of Nami's infamous thwacks. Franky was probably checking around the ship to see if Sanji and Zoro had broken any of the Sunny's precious wood. And he sees Zoro hovering close but not getting in Sanji's way while the cook flits around his space.
Chopper looks back at Robin, "Oh! I haven't noticed that you guys are back already!" Robin smiled, then pats Chopper in the head. She motions to the folded paper on his hands. He's in brain point now. He finished the drawing a few minutes earlier, he was just putting on some designs while double checking if everything is looking good. It was good, in Chopper's most humble opinion. He just hopes Sanji thinks so too. "It's for uhm," He moves close to whisper it in Robin's ear, he can trust her not to tell the blonde, not yet, "It's for Sanji." He whispers.
When Chopper moves back to his place, then waited for Robin's reaction. The woman thought it was... ADORABLE! Chopper was so thoughtful as to give this to Sanji to thank him for his efforts for the crew. It was the cutest gesture ever that Robin feels her chest constrict with the urge to pinch Chopper on the cheeks, and pinch she did, gently. Chopper shyly looks down at his hooves. Robin mutters, "So cute..."
Chopper peered up to her, "Robin..? Do you think Sanji will like it?" Chopper asks, still whispering. Robin supposes it was because the lack of her reaction, so she gave him a reassuring smile, in which Tony delighted looking at.
"Sanji will love it, Chopper. To have you give that to him would have his heart bursting at the seams." She says encouragingly, also whispering. But it had the opposite effect when Chopper thought that it would actually burst Sanji's heart, so she rephrased, "He will adore this letter, and you giving it to him will make his heart full of happiness!" She whisper-shouted to correct herself, then smiled gently when Chopper grins widely at her.
"Really, Robin?! You think so?!" Chopper asks giddily.
"I truly think so!" She says with a wide smile. The doctor really did seep into the special depths of her heart so easily; all of them did. She's happy now, with her crew; her family. She feels the need to ask, "Chopper, do you want to give this to Sanji because I told you about it a few days ago?"
She remembered when she was telling Chopper more about anthropology. Chopper seemed interested and indulged to the topic easily, and when they were done, Chopper asked simpler questions about humans. When Robin mentioned something along the lines of 'family', he quickly asked her more about it.
She gave him insights on what builds a family, and the purpose of one's position in a family. She gave him the stereotypical characteristics that a member of a family usually acquires, and also tells him that it varies from one family to another. A family can be called as one as long as there is love in it, no matter if they're blood related or not. Robin thought back on how the gears on Chopper's head seemed move when she told him that the mother is usually the one that holds a special place in a family's heart and tells him in advance that the days are nearing to Mother's Day; she was sure he was planning something when she tells him further that it usually requires gifts.
Chopper looks away bashfully, "Yes..."
Robin smiles at this, what a cute boy. Her cuteness aggression just activates whenever Chopper is near. She was about to say something when she noticed the small paper box that Chopper is nudging with his hooves below the table, she looks around. Nami and Sanji were talking about their next destination as Sanji was almost done cooking, while Zoro headlocks Luffy and gives him a noogie for almost crashing on Sanji's back, the younger tries and fails to get out of Zoro's hold. Luffy calls out to Chopper for help which made the little reindeer giggle at the sight. Ussop and Franky were in a discussion about their newest inventions. Robin's gaze lingered longer on Franky, and the man seemed to notice this. He looked back then winked at her, she giggles demurely with her hand covering her mouth.
She snapped her focus back to Chopper's hidden inventory, but chooses not to say anything. The little doctor can keep his little secrets for now, she thinks, as she helped Sanji with placing the plates and cutleries on top of the table. Sanji barked at the boys to stop messing around when it's time for dinner, with thwacks of his foot on their heads. They apologized, not wanting to fire up Sanji's anger for more. Nami just smirked, satisfied with Sanji's ferocity.
Dinner was great as always, thanks to Sanji's talented hands. Nami stabs a fork hard on the table, almost stabbing Luffy's grubby hands. She lets out a growl, "Back off, idiot! You have your own, so stop stealing our share!"
Luffy pouts at this, "But Nami... I'm hungry, and yours seem delicious!" He whines in protest. Nami reached out to smack him on the head, his head bounced off as she was done with him.
"We have the same portions! And it's not my fault that you eat like a slob!" Their bickering was loud, as always. The crew's dinners were always like this; loud and aggravating. But Nami wouldn't have it otherwise, she's happy like this with her crew.
They ate, laughed, and bickered all the same. Nami laughed as Zoro got to punch Luffy's hand as he was sneaking for Zoro's plate, and Luffy exclaimed as if burned, clutching his hand on his chest like a woman clutching her pearls, "How dare you, Zoro?! I'm your captain! You can't just punch me like that!" Luffy complains.
Zoro snarled, "Not when you're robbing all our food! You still have lots on your plate!" The two boys exchanged arguments to arguments, until it was stopped by Sanji stomping his heel on both of their heads.
Nami laughed harder, the two idiots' heads had multiple knots building up on them. She almost laughed again, until she saw Chopper, looking as if he were right next for his death row while eating the perfectly cooked lobster. "Chopper?" She calls out with worry.
She saw him snap out of it to look at Nami with wide eyes, "Yes, Nami?" She noticed him sweating through his fur.
"Are you alright? You don't seem well. Do you have a fever?" As she said that, Sanji was quick to shuffle beside Chopper, feeling for his forehead.
He frowns, "Your temperature seems fine to me; you have no visible bruises. You don't suppose that it's something internal, do you? Do you have a headache? A toothache? Oh gosh, Chopper. I knew those sweet things that you eat will eventually come back with pain for you. I should've reduced your sugar intake. Also helps for less diabetes. Oh my, Chopper, tell me you don't have diabetes. What're the symptoms for diabetes, huh, sweetie?" Sanji rambles as the crew stopped what they're doing to check on Chopper.
Robin cuts in, "I assure you all that Chopper feels nothing relative to pain, as of the moment." All of her crew mates looked at her curiously.
Nami asked, "What do you mean by that, Robin?"
Robin says with a sly smirk grazing her lips as she watches Chopper watching her with wide eyes as if to convey that he wasn't mentally prepared yet. But Robin thinks he can do it, so she says, "It appears that Chopper carries the burden of having a nervous heart, and was carrying it all during dinner."
Sanji asks, he doesn't know if who will give out a definite answer so he did to no one in particular while checking Chopper's pulses, "For what reason?"
Silence was met, then a few moments later, Robin answered after having an intense gazing match with Chopper, "He has yet a gift to give." She answers smoothly.
Chopper tried to shush her, "Robin!" He hissed with embarrassed cheeks.
"Oh," Luffy says, "That's great, Chopper! That's ultimately better than catching a yucky disease!" He moves closer to Sanji and Chopper, peering around them, "So, what is it, buddy? Is it food? Is it for me?" He prods at the boy who swats his hands away from him.
The crew lets out murmurs of their own, confused and intrigued on who will Chopper give the gift to. Chopper looks at Robin for help, but she only had given him a thumbs up. Chopper slumps in defeat. The weight of the small paper heavier than it was earlier.
"Hey, twerp. Who is it for?" Zoro asks as he walks towards where the crew is huddled over the boy. Chopper frowns at this, but flushed nonetheless.
"Don't call me a twerp, seaweed head!" Sanji muffled a chuckle while Zoro sputters in shock. Laughter ensued, it saved Chopper from their prodding, but only for a little bit.
When the crew calmed down, they immediately questioned him again. Discussions about if they missed a crew member's birthday somehow, even though every of their birthdays are signed on every calendars on their ship. Robin just gave him an encouraging nod when he looks at her. Chopper sighs under his breath resolutely.
Sanji gently took his hooves to caress, "Do you want to give it to the person now, or later, Chopper? If you feel embarrassed, there's nothing wrong with presenting it to them privately." He spoke so softly.
Chopper took a deep breath, the crew too. The suspension was too long that Franky almost asked when Chopper shouted, "HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY, SANJI!" He screamed out loud as he gripped his work tightly in his shot out hand for Sanji and the crew to see.
The crew stood still for a moment, stunned. Then 'awwed' at the sight. Franky was bursting to tears, his squeals louder than the rest; Nami clutched her heart as is she was keeping it from bouncing out with a fond expression; Ussop teared up, the overwhelming feeling of pride was eating him whole. He had taught his student well, he thinks; Robin was watching with that urge again to pinch Chopper, so she did, using her devil fruit; Luffy watched with a smile, his crew mates are so adorable, he thinks, his cheeks almost hurt at the wideness of his smile.
The artwork contained Sanji sitting at a bench, amazingly drawn, Ussop notes, with a little Chopper at his side. They were both smiling in the drawing while hugging each other. A blooming cherry blossom was drawn behind them both as petals travelled down and around them. Their hearts constricts even more when they saw their mini versions splattered everywhere in the painting. Mini Robin was sitting beside Sanji's other side where it was unoccupied; Luffy was seen climbing on Sanji's shoulder as Ussop tried to help him; Franky was posing while he was on Sanji's lap, much to the crew's amusement. And Zoro was perched on Sanji's shoulder, his head leaning on Sanji's cheek, making the marimo red on the face. He hears Ussop snicker beside him, so he shuts him up with a glare. If they looked closely, they could also see the mini Kureha and Hiriluk dangling on one of the petals. Such sentiment, they think.
Sanji reads the texts, 'SANJI IS THE BEST MOTHER' with a frail heart.
Zoro watches the scene like he was punched. The cuteness on Chopper's shy face as he watched Sanji with resolve, trying his best to maintain eye contact, that's his little man. And Sanji's stricken expression as he slowly works up a coherent thought to tell Chopper how much he loves him, judging based on his very happy scent. It was all too much, so he sat on the chair. Sanji's scent of sea salt, alongside with the spicy scent of caramel, and a sprinkle of cinnamon invaded his nose. It was overwhelmingly happy that Zoro finds himself smiling to himself.
And Sanji... Sanji was elated with joy and love. He still has the stricken look on his face though. And that makes Chopper start with sincere apologies, "Oh no! I'm sorry, Sanji! I truly am! I just— uhm, Robin and I talked about family, and you remind me a lot of someone like a mom that Robin described. So, i thought that I'll give this to you since it's Mother's Day, but I was being stupid! I'm—" Chopper's rant was cut off when a bone crushing hug enveloped him.
"Don't you ever say that you're stupid! I will pinch you in the ears if you talk badly about yourself, do you hear me?" Sanji asks, he feels Chopper nod from where he's tucked in Sanji's neck. Sanji continues, his voice wobbling, "An—And the gift..." Sanji lifted him up to hug him while spinning. He cries out, "Thank you, Chopper dear! You made me so happy!"
The crew watches them both, happy in each other's embrace, with wide smiles on their faces; Franky and Ussop were hugging each other while they cry out for the adorable scene. Sanji continues, "Is this your invitation of me being your mom, honey?" He says with a wobbly voice, his face full of tears.
"Can you be my mom, Sanji? Can I be Sanji's son, Robin?" He asks for her confirmation.
When he sees Robin nod, he cheered, "Yay! Sanji's going to be my mom!" He hugs Sanji even tighter, he ends their hug, then immediately joined Luffy who started singing, "Sanji's gonna be our moom~! Sanji's gonna be our moom~!"
Sanji feigns anger, "Hey, what do you mean by, 'our mom'? I only asked for Chopper to be my son!" But his feigned upset was broken when Luffy looked at him with pleading eyes, he grumbles out with a smile, "fine."
He grunts as Luffy hugged him. "Oh! I almost forgot!" He exclaims as he tugged for something down the table. Robin smiles at the familiar paper bag, "These are for you guys!" The box contains badges, in each badge, states their name and position in the family. The crew squealed in delight, Zoro just watched with amazed eyes.
Each crew got their own badge: Sanji - Beautiful and Strong Mom! / Zoro - Strong and Swords Master Dad! / Robin - Awesome and Beautiful Aunt! / Franky - Super Uncle! / Luffy - Childish Older Brother / Nami - Mischievous and Beautiful Older Sister! / Ussop - Art Master Older Brother!
They immediately wore it proudly. Nami wore hers with a satisfied smile; Ussop wore his with pride at being called a master in arts; Luffy stuck his tongue out to Chopper at the title, definitely proving his claim, but smiled and wore it with pride; Franky wore his before doing a SUPER pose; Robin wore hers with a small sob, muttering about how cute and thoughtful Chopper is; Zoro wore his with a cocky smirk, prideful; Sanji wore his with a smile, wide and proud.
The crew gathered up on Chopper to give him a big group hug. His cheeks were either pinched or sloppily kissed— ugh Luffy, and it made him smile to the point that he transformed in to walk point just to give them a proper hug without having to squeeze him to lifelessness.
As dinner finished, the smiles were still there. Their badges are still on their shirts. Sanji sent out Luffy and Chopper to bath time, to be accompanied by Ussop, when they protested for a feast because of their established family dynamics now. Sanji convinced them both to have the feast for tomorrow, in which they reluctantly agreed with a, "Yes, mom."
Sanji shook his head. Zoro turns to look at him, "Whatcha thinking about, cook?" He leaned against the sink when he's done washing, now watching Sanji put back the last set of dishes.
Sanji shrugged, "I don't know. It's just that a lot had happened today." Zoro nods his head in agreement.
"Yeah," he watches as Sanji also leaned back against the sink after putting everything away. He leans in to one of Sanji's ears and whispers, "Since I'm the dad now, I want to make a request."
Sanji shivers at this, he decides to play along, "And that is?"
Zoro leans back to look at Sanji in the eyes. Then he says with all the seriousness in the world, "I want another kid."
He got out of the galley with just enough time to avoid a very red-faced cook's merciless legs trying to get his balls mutilated.