Sanji sat in Zoro's livingroom not sure he'd ever actually been in it before, the room was plain and uncluttered. There was the traditional family pictures on the wall, he was also pretty sure that he'd never seen a picture of Zoro's mum before. Yet there she was a beautiful green haired woman proudly holding a dark haired baby that had to be Kuina. Next to that was the same woman holding another baby this one with the same hair colour as her, next to her was a dark haired little girl staring at her little brother. There was a couple other photos of them at various stages, usually in their kendo gear posing with trophies or mid fight shots. He wasn't sure what had happened to Zoro's mum whether she was alive but out of their life or if she'd passed away. It was almost an unspoken rule in their group not to pry into missing parents, pretty much all of them were being raised by one parent or grandparent.

He focused in on the reason they were in this room, the folder sitting on the desk thick with paper. Turns out the quiet word with Sengoku had been to arrange this being delivered here instead of at Luffy's. Once he'd found out what it was his mouth had moved faster than his brain and he'd offered to go through it with Zoro. When the swordsman had stayed silent for what seemed like an eternity he was worried he'd crossed the line but he'd said if he was sure he was OK with it he'd appreciate it. It was odd, it was almost like he was learning his place in a new relationship yet he had the deep connection brought with a childhood friend. No matter how turbulent it had been. Koshiro had brought them a bottle of sake to share then went off to teach his classes. He'd text Nami saying that he'd be back late and that he'd left dinner in the slow cooker. She'd responded not to hurry back and if he was drinking and could stay he should, rather than waste money on a taxi.

After emptying his glass in one go Zoro had taken the first small file out of the folder, it looked like three or four pages stapled at the corner. The front page was white with a name and a date on it, below that was a long code he assumed to be the case number. He ignored the name on the folder, he had the feeling being able to put a name to the person inside would make it worse. The next page was a picture of the man, looked like a passport or license picture, his details and cause of death. Flicking over again was the crime scene photo, there was the young man from the photo his body laying on its side on the floor. Blood had pooled where his neck rested, his head a good foot away facing away in the photo. Zoro glanced at him, he guessed he was trying to gauge his reaction.

'I'm fine moss head you don't need to check me every file' it would take a week or more at this pace. Zoro went back to the front page put a tick on it and placed it to the side.

With victim one confirmed he opened the next folder, this one was different. This time it was an older man, he was tied tightly to a wooden seat the ropes clearly cutting deep enough that they had bled. Blood pooled around the seat where the man had been cut or stabbed, his death had obviously been dragged out. From the amount of injuries he guessed it had taken at least a couple of hours, cause of death was less obvious but having read it he knew it was blood loss. Zoro closed it quickly put a tick on the front and went to the next, this time there was no eye contact and he could feel the strain on the other man. The next one was another quick clean death and yet another tick, this went on with the amount of ticks growing. The first cross had been obvious with it being a gun. It hadn't taken him long to work out the pattern if it had been left to Zoro the kill had been quick and efficient the spine either severed or full decapitation. The other ones that had been ticked had obviously been Doflamingo's orders, were he didn't just want these people dead he wanted a message put across to others or just to punish the person with a slow death. They had made it a third of the way through when Koshiro had came in closing the folder over.

'That's enough for today boys dinners ready' He followed Koshiro out the room into kitchen.

He couldn't deny that he was feeling a bit off, it was bad enough looking through all those photos but knowing that Zoro was responsible. At the same time he wasn't, he was a victim of the same mad man. The only blessing he took from it was that there were very few women and no kids.

He sat at the table impressed with the meal before him it was almost a picture perfect Japanese set meal. There was perfectly cooked rice with, he took a deep breath of the soup, miso soup, a fillet of salmon seasoned with soy sauce and some veg, each portioned perfectly on their own bowl or plate. It wasn't often he ate someone elses food never mind a home cooked meal like this, he thanked Koshiro and tucked in. His palette automatically came up with ways to improve it, he would have to cook this back home. Maybe Zoro would like that, he couldn't help but wonder what the swordsman's favourite food was. It wasn't because he wanted to impress Zoro but he knew everyone's favourites. Though the thought of Zoro's reaction did stir up some interesting emotions.

'Hey cook?'

His head snapped up at the sound of Zoro's voice.

'You OK?'

Fuck he'd zoned out completely. Zoro wasn't going to know he was thinking about food, he was probably worried about what he thought of the folder.

'Fine was just thinking that I really need to make this dish sometime it's delicious' Koshiro gave a smile in response but Zoro didn't look like he was buying it.

Zoro was still acting a bit off all through dinner, he'd received a message from Franky that he was heading home from town and would pick him up on the way. Sanji had grinned at the message glad that his friend was enjoying his new found freedom.

He said goodbye to Koshiro, thanking him for the food before heading out to his car to wait for Franky.

He could see the distinctive bright blue that was Franky's jeep in the distance when whatever Zoro had been bottling up finally tumbled out.

'You… Um' he paused obviously trying to get the words in the right order 'We're still ok right?'

Sanji lit the cigarette he had been pulling out and took a deep draw.

'Yea why wouldn't we be?' he gave the swordsman a grin to make it clear he wasn't messing about.

He could almost see the tension seep out of the other man 'Forgot what a weirdo you were' Zoro's grin mirroring his own 'I'll be expecting you to have mastered my dad's food by the time I come home then'

'Sounds like a challenge' he laughed 'What's your favourite food though? I'll add it to the list' he was quite pleased at managing to add that in.

'Fish and white rice' Zoro paused briefly 'With sake as well'

'Sake isn't a food but when you get back I'll make it then' he was definitely coming home, he tried not to let the relief show.

'With Sake right?'

'Fine but a nice one not that cheap crap you've had me buying in' he felt a pang of disappointment as Franky pulled up.

'Hey Zoro-bro' Franky waved enthusiastically out the window as Sanji headed for the passenger door.

'Cya later Marimo'

'Later guys' Zoro waved and headed back into his dad's.

Sanji settled into the car seat, he knew sooner or later he was going to ask Zoro out. He just had to work out the best time to do it. No rush though his Marimo would be home soon and then he'd have all the time and opportunities in the world.