Song: 童话

Author's Note

This is just a note for me since I'm SUPER excited to write this. It's currently like 3 or something in the afternoon. This is me BEFORE I write the most exciting chapter in this book. 

Aaa I'm so excited!

Prepare yourselves for a heck of a ride ;)

___________________________________

(Chopper's POV)

"S-sanji?"

I quietly sat next to him. Unresponsive, as usual, I looked at him.

"I-I'm sorry, okay? I could've saved you if I just had one day. One day, more?" I mumbled, "I...I'm not ready t-to lose you."

Sobbing uncontrollably, I buried my snout into Sanji's shirt. He had on the same shirt as days ago. I don't understand why I'm even the ship's doctor if I can't save friggen Sanji from dying. 

"I know...I suck. I'm supposed to be the ship's doctor...but I couldn't even save you..."

"Chopper. This isn't your fault, okay?" Robin picked me up from behind.

"B-but it is. It's all my fault. I wasn't good enough." I cried.

Robin looked sadly at me, and then at Sanji.

"He's not dying, Chopper. He's just going to a better place. And...you still have a day. M-maybe there's a way?"

I heard Robin's, the strongest woman I knew, voice crack. 

___________________________________

(Chopper's POV still)

Slowly, I watched as every since crew member had left the infirmirary. Luffy didn't even beg for food today, as he did every other day. He was silent, and I could feel his silent cries shudder the ship.

Even Y/N, who hasn't cried ever since her childhood, looked down. It seemed as the entire ship had turned upside down.

I was beside Sanji's side all throughout the day. Ussop had constructed a small machine to measure his heart rate. I made sure that his heart was still beating.

The day passed along like a blur. I remembered Luffy entering and coming out of Sanji's room, and Ussop silently checking on him. None of them cracked jokes during the afternoon today.

Silently, Y/N passed out dinner to everyone. Fish, cooked on the side, and the seafood fried rice Sanji would always make us.

The entire table was silent.

"I'm not hungry." Zoro suddenly said, and pushed the plate away. His bandana covered most of his face, and he crossed his arms.

Zoro was silent all day. While everyone came to visit Sanji at some time, he ignored him. I couldn't tell why.

Even Luffy barely touched his food. And normally, he would ask for more than 10 servings.

"Come on guys..." Y/N pleaded, "Sanji wouldn't have wanted you to waste food. Can't you guys-"

"Stop talking about Sanji!" Zoro finally snapped angrily.

Y/N looked at him with fear in her eyes.

Was it small tears that I saw on the corner of Zoro's eyes?

He sighed. "I'm sorry. I'll eat."

The entire boat was a wreck. And I knew, deep down inside, it would never be the same without Sanji

I forced the food down my throat, and I went back to check on him.

___________________________________

(Zoro's POV)

Almost midnight.

Slowly, I crept down the hallway to the infirmary. Sanji was still on the bed. His heart was still active, luckily.

I sat down on the chair and sighed.

"Hey love cook."

I half expected a response to shoot out his mouth, like, "Hey Marimo" or something that he would always say.

"I have a confession."

Silence.

"Y-you might have thought I hated you. After all...I would call you names and fight you."

I obviously wasn't good at this, but this was my final chance to tell him. 

"I...I love you, okay?" I spat out.

"I've always loved you since I first met your eyes. I've loved everything about you. And now it's too late, because...

You're going to die any minute from now..."

My breath hitched, and I swallowed back tears, to no use. Slowly, they started to trace down my cheek.

I looked at Sanji. His peaceful face, his flowy blond hair. 

The heart monitor started to beep slower and slower.

"Just wanted to let you know..." I gulped,

I'll always be your marimo. Forever and always."

The beeping became slower and slower...and then...

Before it could fully stop, I pressed my lips against Sanji's

My tears silently dropped onto Sanji's face as I kissed him. His lips slowly parted, and I could feel his warm breath heat up my face. I closed my eyes tightly, savoring the last interaction I would ever have with him...

Huh? His warm breath? What's happening?

"Marimo? Is that you?"

Suddenly, I felt a pair of warm hands cup my face. I pulled out of the kiss. My bloodshot eyes widened.

Sanji was awake.

Sanji gave me a warm smile, a smile that I would have never seen either way.

"Oh Zoro..." He stroked my face, his head tilted, "Marimo..."

"S-Sanji?" I gasped, shocked. His soft, teary eyes met my gaze.

And then, I couldn't hold it in anymore. All of the long-kept emotion buried inside of me came out as tears. I cried more than I have ever cried ever. I had never been so vulnerable ever, and here I was. I laid into Sanji's arms, uncontrollably sobbing.

"Zoro...I'm alive. There's no need for all of this," Sanji smiled, "It'll be okay."

"B-but what will the others think?" I choked. 

"They'll find out tommorow." Sanji said. He paused, and then followed. "So, what did you say about liking me?" he asked wistfully

"I-I"

"Shh, it's okay." Sanji stopped me. And then he did the unexpected.

He returned my kiss.

Slowly, I turned my head to directly angle to Sanji's. It felt magical, everything. 

Maybe because it was. The curse, everything.

After all, Sleeping Beauty woke up with a true love's kiss.

Slowly, I pulled away. Sanji sleepily smiled back at me.

"You'll always be my Marimo, Zoro."

THE END!

AAAAAA I love this chapter so much! I had so much fun writing this. I'll write an epilogue or something, but it won't be my first priority since I need to update my other book. I'll put it as finished for now, but I might write more epilogue chapters. 

Thank you all for reading! Make sure to check out my other books :)