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The Cook had been excited about going to the local market on the island ever since they'd docked. Once Nami had finished her briefing on the time they'd have to wait before the log pose reset, they'd headed out.
It was practically routine now how they tackled shopping excursions such as this; especially now that he had a much larger grasp of the language.
He'd spent the last month since they'd left Alabasta with Robin and Nami practicing his signing, with the Cook also giving him lessons on how to sign a dictionary worth of words.
So now he and Curly Brows could communicate freely which was lovely.
One of Sanji's examples ended up being the phrase: 'DATE' before motioning to his own chest and then Zoro which he had quickly went to copy before realising the Cook was in fact waiting nervously for an answer.
He had of course turned a bright shade of red upon realisation before smiling and replying with a 'YES' which had sent Curly Brows into a beaming smile.
Zoro had come to love their little outings. Seeing the Cook so excited to browse the local produce of each island melted his heart and his knowledge of ingredients was simply astounding.
Curly Brows had been perusing this particular spices and herbs stall for a few minutes now.
"Okay so what am I asking for?"
Sanji began to fingerspell.
"C I L A N..."
But he was way too fast.
"Woah, beginner here remember?"
As stupid as it sounded, he was much better with actual signed words than the simple alphabet.
'SORRY'
He knew that one at least.
"T R O." Zoro paused to add the previous letters mentally. "Cilantro?"
The cook nodded.
"Okay, and what else?"
They continued their routine until Sanji had a basket full of ingredients. As they headed back to the ship...
"T-an-k ooo."
Zoro's eyes widened as he stopped dead in his tracks turning to the cook. He couldn't help but notice the sudden redness that came to Sanji's cheeks and the expression of regret.
He'd spoke.
'SORRY'
"Why?"
The cook looked confused.
'WHAT?'
"Why are you sorry?"
'AWFUL SOUND' Before he motioned to himself. 'AWFUL SOUND ME'
Zoro shook his head.
"You sounded fine so never apologise to anyone for that." He paused. "And don't think that you have to talk for our sake."
Sanji looked taken aback.
"If you want to then that's fine obviously, but what I mean is, don't feel like you have to."
'EFFORT LEARN MINE'
"Yeah because we want to, you're not putting us out or anything like that.
'FEEL LIKE'
Zoro shook his head.
"Don't be stupid, shitty cook."
Sanji's sign for 'MOSSHEAD' followed as Zoro burst out laughing.
The cook smiled.
'THANK YOU'
"I didn't do anything."
'DID'
Sanji pecked him softly on the cheek.
"Okay then we'll agree to disagree, let's get back before Luffy eats the ship clean."
Sanji chuckled and the little sound he made when he did never failed to bring a smile to Zoro's face.
"Oh and for a first attempt, that was pretty good." He complimented.
Sanji grinned.
'D-U-H'
Zoro smirked.