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“Why would Zoro want to be alone during heat” Luffy says to himself,
“Because he’s a stubborn idiot” Sanji says climbing up the mast to give Luffy some breadcrusts to hold him over until lunch. Luffy doesn’t respond, instead staring out into the sea like the answer would appear miraculously.
It was true Zoro was currently held up below deck in one of their larger closets that had been converted into a heat den for the crew’s omegas, although it hadn’t been put to use yet. So, when Zoro announced a few days ago that he could feel the hormonal shifts that marked his approaching heat, Luffy and Sanji were shocked to hear that Zoro intended to spend his heat alone. The three had been courting since Arlong Park and Sanji couldn’t help but feel a pang in his heart, his inner omega feeling rejected by his companion. Rejection from another omega none the less! If anything, Sanji should be the one Zoro felt most comfortable sharing a heat with. It was common that omegas who live in close proximity would share their heats and use it as a time to strengthen their bonds and comfort each other.
Sanji got into an argument with Zoro when he had first told them. He yelled, saying there’s nothing Zoro could do that he wouldn’t already know about. He protested saying how it’s cruel for omegas to be alone during their heat. Sadness slipping into his tone as he told Zoro an in heat omega forced to be alone is something he wouldn't wish on anyone. Zoro ignored him however and shot back that he had always done it this way, and that he used it as a way to “hone his instincts and learn to control them”. Which had Sanji fuming, resulting in them breaking out into a less then playful fight. Luffy for his part hadn’t said a single word in response to Zoro’s announcement. It didn’t sit right with him, his inner alpha uneasy at the thought of Zoro being alone and vulnerable. Luffy knows Zoro is strong, but heats aren’t about strength, they’re about letting yourself be taken care of by your pack, your nakama.
He didn’t like it, but if this was what Zoro wanted Luffy wasn’t going to force him to spend his heat with them, so when Zoro descended into the ship’s heat room alone, Luffy let him. Although, he had felt a persistent nagging feeling that something was wrong. His scent didn’t give anything away, but the crew could tell he had become more reserved since Zoro had left two days ago.
Sanji had the opposite reaction, his scent soured almost immediately, still feeling rejected, frustrated and honestly worried. Even Zeff had nested with him and comforted Sanji during heats and as he’s about as hardboiled as they come, so why can’t Zoro get over himself and let his partners help him?! His internal rants festered, he fumed until the entire kitchen was filled with his soured scent. It had gotten so bad that Usopp had to prop the door open during meals to try and air out the smell. When Sanji realized what he was doing he snapped at the innocent beta, rearing to fight. Only calming down when Luffy spoken out “Sanji! They can’t breathe” his alpha seeping out into his voice. Sanji’s mind fizzled a little at the alphas booming voice and he apologized, served everyone and quickly attached himself to Luffy for the rest of the meal. Needless to say, everyone was tense.
Luffy was silently eating his breadcrusts, contemplating it all when,
“LUFFY! COME QUICK!” Choppers cries could have cut through the thickest fog. Luffy swallowed the rest of his snack and gum-gumed himself to Chopper. The rest of the crew quickly filtering in as Chopper near hysterical grabbed at Luffy, “It’s Zoro…his heat…he needs…” he said through tear filled eyes. Needing to see his swordsman now, Luffy ignored everything he was taught about the sanctity of an omega’s heat nest and swung the door open, barging in.
“LUFF-“, Sanji started to call and then recoiled when Zoro’s scent hit him. The sweet scent you’d expect from a in heat omega was nowhere to be found. Instead, a sickening, distressed, fearful scent wafted off the swordsman. Sanji gagged on the rusted, coppery scent. Even Nami and Usopp who were betas could smell the stench coming from the room, both unconsciously backing away. Robin stayed as far back as she could, suppressing her alpha scent knowing that a whiff unfamiliar alpha could make Zoro worse. Luffy’s face twisted as the smell hit him, he took a long, pained breath and entered the heat room, “Zoro?”
-----
Zoro didn’t know why the cook was making such a big deal about this. He had always spent his heats alone before he joined Luffy, why should now be any different? Well because now he had two partners. He had been courting the cook and captain, but still, that shouldn’t make a difference. He meditated through his heats and trained to control his impulses. If he could control his instincts, if he could train himself to be unaffected by a clouded heat mind then he would become even stronger. So, he told his partners he would be spending his heat alone, let the curly brows badger him until he felt better, and then locked himself away from everyone for the next couple of days.
His heat started the way it always does, an uncomfortable feeling pooling in his gut, his body temperature slowly rising against his will. He took the blankets Sanji had left in the corner of the room and laid them around, so they covered the hard wood floor and sat down to meditate. He focused on deep breathing and ignoring the panging in his head telling him to seek pack, find an alpha, build a nest. He fought hard against the haze that was trying to envelop his mind. It went normal for the first few hours, but his inner omega was pounding nervously and incessantly around in his head, begging to be freed from the prison Zoro had locked his heat instincts into. It pleaded for his crew, or at least their scents. It pleaded for Luffy and Sanji, his heart growing heavy just thinking about them. Zoro tried to silence his thoughts, opting to do some light stretching, but hot flashes were making him queasy and without realizing it he began to pant. Unconsciously, emitting a scent that cried for his partners, begging for any type of familiar presence. His temperature continued to climb, his mind becoming clouded with heat. Confused at how this heat seems worse than usual. Did he become weaker or did his instincts become stronger? He thinks right before he passes out.
He wakes up during the next heat flash, overheated and dazed. Laying incapacitated in the center of the room, his body aching, his scent glands throbbing. His overexerted body releases strong pheromones until his glands split and blister. His heart pounds in his chest and he shallowly pants as his body naturally tries to regulate its temperature. He longs for water. Sanji had left him water and some snacks, but the trek across the room to get it feels like too great a feat. Sanji, his clouded mind lingers on his fellow omega. Sanji? Luffy? Alpha? Why isn’t Alpha here? A distressed plea escapes his lips. When it goes unanswered his hormones spike and he panics. His mind and body screaming Danger, Danger, Unsafe, Where is my pact? Why aren’t they here. His body overcompensates, pushing out a distressed pleading scent, meant to attract his pack. His message is clear as day: help me, but his pack is too far to respond.
Zoro watches the door with unfocused eyes, waiting for someone to respond to his distressed scent. When nobody shows a few moments later, his anxiety amplifies and distressed omegan cries call out to his crew. They left you, They left you because you left them. The cruel thoughts ravage his mind. His body trembles and he restlessly tugs at the blankets beneath him. He bunches them up and curls around him, instinctually trying to nest to self soothe, but the blankets are devoid of any scent other than Zoro’s raw distress and rather than providing comfort they just remind him of how alone he is.
He gains what strength he has to call for them by name, “Luf-fy?” he weaking whines out, “San-ji?” he huffs out. His hormones rage at him: They abandoned you; you rejected them, they left you, he whimpers at the wicked thoughts, he tries again “Alphaaaaaa?” he wails into the air. Nobody comes and his sore body pulsates, consumed by loneliness, he can barely breathe, he’s barely conscious. It’s no surprise he doesn’t even hear the gentle knock on the door. Doesn’t recognize that Chopper is calling out to him, trying to get his attention. Through his haze he thinks he hears someone yelling, but he can’t really tell. He feels something cool touch his chest, and a warm touch on his forehead. He tries to nuzzle into the warm touch, but it’s gone just as soon as it came. His eyes open into small slits and even that feels like a monumental task. He tries again to sit up, his arms shake as he pushes himself up, if he can just find Luffy, Luffy will make it better. The shock of the door bursting open is enough to make him lose his balance and he stumbles back down and curls in himself again trembling violently.
“Zoro?”
-----
Luffy opens the door to find his strong, proud swordsman in a crumpled mess on the floor. He quickly rushes in and shakes Zoro’s shoulder trying to rouse the man. Zoro flinches at the sudden touch, at Luffy's touch, and Luffy immediately understands the severity of Zoro's condition. “Zoro? Zoro wake up! What’s wrong? What do you need?” Luffy asks somehow calm and frantic at the same time. Zoro’s wearily opens his eyes, but his vacant stare is unseeing. The alpha he’s been asking for is right in front of him, but he’s too out of it to realize. Sanji, joins Luffy side, and keens in sympathy, extra sensitive to his fellow omega in distress.
Zoro’s smell is sickening to Sanji, omegas should never smell the way Zoro smells right now. His heart breaks when he notices the blankets bunched up around him. It would be an insult to call that a nest, although it’s clearly what Zoro’s hazy mind had been trying to make. He coos to Zoro as he pulls him into his lap and presses the swordsman’s head against Sanji’s stomach. Sanji curls over him needing to protect the vulnerable omega. He recognizes a drop when he sees one. He runs his hand through Zoro’s hair in what he hopes is soothing to his partner. Zoro’s eyes remain open at least, as he shallowly pants against Sanji’s form.
Luffy rests his hand on Zoro’s arm, horrified by his raw blistering scent glands, “what’s wrong with him?”
“He dropped” Sanji says cooly,
Chopper nods running up up to the trio, “His heart rate is too fast, and his body temperature is dangerously high even by heat standards. He’s also probably dehydrated.”
“It’s a miracle he’s even conscious, only Zoro would drop and somehow still be able to stay conscious” his tone is sharp, but they know it’s because the omega is trying not to freak out over Zoro’s state.
“The strain on his body could kill him Luffy, omegas only drop when they’re in danger and have high levels of stress and desperately need something” Chopper says.
“One look at this room will tell you he was ignoring all his instincts…. You idiot, why wouldn’t you let us join you!” Sanji unconsciously shouts, unable to contain his fear for the swordsman as he looks down at Zoro’s prone form. Concern and stress leak out of Sanji’s scent, he doesn’t even have a nest, or anything scented from his pack to surround himself with, how the fuck did he think he was going to go through a heat like this?!
“Sanji your scent!” Nami shouts, breaking him out of thought. Sanji only then notices that Zoro is squirming in his hold, trying to push away from him.
Alarms ring in Zoro’s head as he registers the muffled yelling and mixture of scents flooding his system, all of it amounting to: Angry, Danger, get away. A long, mournful plea fills the room, his message clear to his pack, Scared, Please Help Me.
Luffy immediately pulls Zoro away from Sanji, “Sanji stop smelling like that you’re scaring Zoro, make that sweet smell you make when you talk about the All Blue”, Sanji blinks at Luffy in momentary shock and then tries to force out a calming omegan scent to soothe Zoro. He really, really tries to push out a calming scent, but his efforts are not as comforting as they should be, his underlying stress souring what should be a purely sweet smell.
“Sanji” Luffy says, stern but calm, “Zoro will be ok, just make that sweet smell, he likes it” Sanji stares at his captain and alpha, anxiously, but forces himself to nod, as he focuses on calming himself.
Luffy pulls Zoro’s flush chest against his own, positioning his head on his shoulder so his nose is closest to Luffy’s scent glands. Luffy pushes out the strongest alpha pheromones he can. His inner alpha speaking to Zoro’s inner omega saying I’m here, you’re safe, I’m sorry we left you, you’re safe now. His scent overpowering everything in the room. Luffy nuzzles against Zoro, scenting him fiercely, “Zoro’s not alone anymore” Zoro’s eyes droop closed and his body leans into Luffy with a relieved sigh, “luff…” Luffy chuffs in reply and rubs his wrists across Zoro’s back, trying to replace his loneliness with the promise pack and safety.
Luffy’s scent envelopes the room, settling over everyone like a warm security blanket, easing their panic. The effects are instantaneous. Relief floods Sanji system with each deep breath. Reassured by Luffy, Sanji manages to release the sweet smell Luffy was talking about. “Everyone scent him” he says suddenly, swiping his cheek over Zoro’s head “his omega thinks he’s been abandoned, that’s why he smells like that”. Nami and Usopp quickly run over to scent Zoro as well, as betas their scents aren’t as strong, but they can still be identified as pack by them. They each rub their wrists and swipe a cheek over Zoro’s trembling form, which each additional scent Zoro’s heart throbs a little less.
“Robin?” Nami asks.
Robin stands at the doorway watching the pack, “I’m not sure if our swordsman would be comforted by my scent captain” Luffy thinks about it, looks at Zoro and then nods to Robin. She’s right, Zoro is still pretty apprehensive to their new crew member; it might set him on alert again.
“We still need to lower his temperature he’s panting a lot, try to give him some water, I’ll go get some ice packs and something for the sores of his scent glands” Chopper says before running off.
Sanji stands up swaying a little, Luffy’s strong alpha scent making him woozy as he feels the effects of a sympathy heat coming on. He grabs a bottle of water saying, “he needs a nest, and these blankets smell like death, we need stuff that smells like the crew.”
“I will go grab bedding from our rooms” Robin offers, “I’ll help you” Nami says.
“Thank you” Sanji says, “Luffy lift him up” Luffy pulls Zoro’s legs up around his waist and lifts them up in one fluid motion, allowing Sanji to grab the sweat soaked blankets from under them. He throws them out of the room, towards Usopp, “get those out of here the smell is making me nauseous” Zoro whimpers at Sanji’s sharp tone, Luffy rumbles through his chest, focusing all his efforts on producing a pungent comforting Safe, We’re here, It’s safe scent to ease the swordsman.
Sanji walks behind Luffy so he can face Zoro. Zoro’s cheek is pressed into the crook of Luffy’s neck, feverish shakes wrack his body, audibly panting to compensate for being over heated, Sanji whines in sympathy when Zoro’s brow creases in pain, likely from the muscle aches and cramps.
Zoro’s eyes open into thin slits as Sanji wipes sweat from his brow and says, “Marimo can you drink some water for me” Zoro stares at Sanji with half lidded eyes and chirps in response. Sanjis lip twitches having never heard such a sound coming from the reserved swordsman. He holds Zoro’s head up with one hand and tips the water bottle against his lips. The cool liquid feels like heaven to Zoro as he gulps the water down. Satisfied when Zoro finishes the entire bottle, Sanji proceeds to runs his fingers through Zoro's hair as he anxiously waits for the bedding to arrive.
“Luffy this is bad, his scent glands are nearly torn open.” Sanji says as his fingers stray to the back of the swordsman's neck. He prods around the glands with a feather light touch, inspecting the damage.
“Zoro will be ok” Luffy says undeterred.
“How could he get like this, he said he’s done this before right, it couldn’t have been this bad every time or he’d…. he’d already be dead” Sanji says, his voice getting low.
“it’s possible our swordsman didn’t have any pack or pack bonds before he joined, so heats were more manageable, but now that our swordsman has a pack and is courting, his omega is no longer satiated and craves those bonds” Robin said as she and Nami walked in with most of the crews’ personal blankets and pillows.
Luffy and Sanji look at Robin eyes wide considering what she’s implying, Zoro never had a pack before Luffy?
“We don’t have a lot of nesting materials; we’ll have to pick more up at the next port” Nami said walking in right behind Robin.
“Thank you, Nami-san, Robin-chan” Sanji says, quickly running over to grab the bedding, bringing up to his nose to sniff them. Purring a little when he inhales everyone’s scents.
“we’ll leave you to it, our swordsman will surely be most comforted by his two mates.”
“Robin, we’re not…” Sanji’s cut off by Robin’s knowing smile as she closes the door behind them.
Zoro whimpers as another cramp wracks his system, “-megaaaah?” he says whining out for his partner. He can smell the omega, but he’s too far away for Zoro’s liking.
“Sanji’s building Zoro a nest so he can rest” Luffy says, heaving the swordsman up a little higher so Luffy could scent him again.
“Just a minute marimo” Sanji says as he begins building them a nest. He grabs the thickest blanket he can find and lays it in the corner of the room as the nest's base. He builds it up, layering the blankets on top of each other, then rolling the corners up to make the edges raised. He bunches the pillows up in the center, and lays them in a circle, effectively creating a wall between them and the rest of the world once they’re all laying in the nest. He grabs the last blanket, smiling when he finds some of the crew’s unwashed clothes, and a fresh set of clothes for Zoro to change into under it. He arranges the garments near the center where they’ll put Zoro, so he’ll be able to smell the whole crew around him. Feeling a little hot himself, Sanji takes off the first two layers of his suit and adds them to the pile. He doesn’t even notice the low purr that has begun vibrating through his chest, or how the sweet scent that Luffy was talking about earlier had become more pronounced as Sanji becomes more assured in his aid to Zoro.
Zoro scents the air between pants, keening as the sweet smell reaches his nose, “Saaah-” the name falls off his lips in a huff of air.
“It’s ok Zoro” Sanji says, “Luffy bring him over, he’ll feel better in fresh clothes” Luffy nods and they work together to change Zoro out of his sweat soaked shirt and pants. Luffy holds him up while Sanji slides a pair of fresh soft sweatpants up Zoro’s hips. His head rests against Luffy’s collar bone while he tries to raise his arms so they can get the fresh shirt on him. Sanji catches him as he falls forward. Zoro’s head lolling against Sanji as he attempts to nuzzle against him. Sanji falters for a moment, eyes dropping as his body goes weightless.
Luffy snakes an arm around him to stop him from falling back, “What’s wrong Sanji?” worry laced into his voice.
“Nothing captain, just between his heat scent and your alpha pheromones it’s making my hormones go haywire, my body wants to enter heat too” he says with half lidded eyes. Instinctually he presses his scent glands into Zoros’, but he recoils back when a whimper escapes Zoro’s lips. Oh yeah… the blisters, Sanji solemnly coos and blows cool air on his boiling glands, making Zoro shiver a little.
Luffy and Sanji turn their heads when they hear a small knock at the door. Chopper opens it a crack, “I brought the ice packs and something for Zoro’s blisters” he says sliding through the door. He hesitates at the foot of the nest until Sanji nods for him to join and hops up next to where Zoro is being held between Luffy and Sanji.
“I had to make a special salve so it wouldn’t inhibit his ability to scent and be scented, but it will help the burning and swelling” the little reindeer explains. He scoops up some of the salve and gently rubs it over the omega’s tender glands. It’s a true testament to how out of it Zoro is when he actually whines in pain and tries to squirm away. Luffy and Sanji both whine in sympathy and rub soothing circles between his shoulder blades. It hurts them seeing Zoro in so much pain. He wouldn’t even be able to hold himself up right now if it wasn’t for them. Zoro tenses and slumps against Sanji’s shoulder. Sanji feels his hot pants against his own glands. Luffy pushes out stronger pheromones to ease the swordsman, and between the comforting scent and the medicine kicking in he finally relaxes, the burning feeling from his overexerted glands becoming more numb and tolerable.
Chopper nods, seemingly pleased at Zoro’s reactions, “He should really be in the infirmary, but I’m worried about moving him and putting more stress on his body” he listens to Zoro’s breathing and heart, “he’s breathing better at least” the doctor says, putting away his stethoscope. Chopper then places the ice packs under Zoro’s pulse points, under his arms and instructs them to lay one on his forehead once the swordsman is laying down. Zoro jerks at the coolness against his skin, moaning for it to be removed, Sanji wipes the sweat off his brow saying, “leave it Zoro the cold will feel good on your skin”. The initial shock of the packs dissipates, and Zoro settles back down into his semi-restless state.
Chopper nods and his reaction and says, “Watch his temperature and make sure he drinks water, you too Sanji, your body is entering a sympathy heat because of Zoro. I’ll be back to check up on you guys but call me if anything happens.”
“Thanks Chopper, you’re the best” Luffy says, grinning at their little doctor.
“awwwn that doesn’t make me happy you idiot” Chopper says as he does a little dance out of the room before closing the door.
Sanji snickers at Choppers antics and says, “Zoro, drink some more water. Luffy can you-“ Luffy nods stretching his hand to the basket of food Sanji had provided a few days ago, all of it untouched. Sanji grabs a bottle for himself and Zoro. Luffy pulls Zoro back so he’s resting against him again, allowing Sanji to tip the bottle against his lips. Zoro drinks about half of it before he’s had enough. Sanji then downs his own bottle of water and sinks down into the nest he's built for them. He pulls at Zoro’s shirt collar trying to ease his partners down. Luffy obliges, slowly dragging Zoro down with him until they’re both laying in the nest.
Sanji lays face to face with Zoro and snakes an arm under and around him, pulling the omega flush against himself and positioning them so that Zoro’s head is resting on his upper arm. Luffy nuzzles into Zoro’s back, wrapping his arm around Zoro’s waist with one hand and sliding his other hand under Sanji’s arm to lay against his cook’s back. He then drapes his leg over and across his two omegas protectively. His scent laced with the promise to tear apart anyone who may pose a threat to his nakama.
A slow, steady purr vibrates out of Sanji, a happy omegan scent fills the room as he sinks a little deeper into heat. He won’t really be able to regulate his own scent for Zoro’s benefit at this point, but as long as Sanji is happy his mood will have a positive effect on Zoro. A deep rumble emits from Luffy as Zoro’s scent starts the even out, the raw distressed, fearful scent finally gone. Frowning, Luffy can still smell the lingering scent of pain on him though, likely a combination of his blistering glands and the general soreness and cramps that accompany heats, but otherwise Zoro seems to be getting better.
A wave of protective alpha and happy omega scent engulf Zoro. The panic clears from his mind, taking in deep breathes to fill his lungs with their scents to soothe his inner omega. No longer crushed by the feelings of abandonment, Zoro’s eye’s finally droop closed, finally able to fall asleep between his two mates.
-----
Zoro wakes up the next following night unaware of how much time has passed. He’s still hazy, but more lucid than before he thinks? He untangles himself from the array of limbs and tries to get up, but he collapses back down as his muscles cramp. His glands feel sore too, he shifts a hand to massage them, but abruptly pulls back when the slightest touch feels like stinging needles across his skin. He sucks in a pained breath and curls in on himself, somehow only then registering that he’s not alone. He finds the cook next to him, lightly purring and emitting a milky sweet scent, he thought he told the cook he wanted to be alone during his heat. He then finds his captain on his other side. Zoro stares at him in awe, his protective, comforting scent covering Zoro like a warm blanket. His dazed memories of the past few days flood back into him, aware that he had dropped, but unable to do anything about it as his body forcibly shut down. He remembers the all-consuming fear and loneliness he felt, the pain his omega felt being unwanted, even though he pushed them away first.
His scent slips into one of shame and misery, embarrassed that he’d let his instincts affect him like that. Angry at himself for being so weak that his captain had to stop everything to come help him. The unpleasant scent seeps into Sanji’s lungs, waking him, his own scent souring in response to Zoro. Still in a semi-heated state he emits his own unhappy scent, irritated that the nest which should only ever feel safe and soothing, is being usurped by whatever is going on with Zoro. Luffy’s nose twitches and his face scrunches up in disgust, why is he smelling not one but two unhappy omegas. He shoots up from his laid down position searching for the cause, when he sees Zoro in a tight ball between them. Zoro’s made himself small enough to where he is barley touching Luffy or Sanji on either side. Sanji, half awake, is hugging Zoro’s pillow to his nose, now that the swordsman pushed himself away again.
Luffy ignores his own exhaustion and focuses on releasing even more pheromones. He stretches his arms over Zoro and pulls Sanji towards him, positioning him so that he’s curled into Luffy’s lap. The two omegas like to pretend they don’t get riled up and effected by each other’s moods and scents, but Luffy knows they feed into each other, their emotional shifts nearly one in the same at times. So, he has to make Sanji feel better before he can make Zoro feel better. Fortunately, just being in Luffy’s arms eases Sanji’s stress and he almost immediately becomes lucid. Luffy wraps his arms around the cook and pears over his side, both watching Zoro restlessly shift and twitch.
“Zoro’s upset” Luffy says.
Zoro stills only for a moment his body tensing as another cramp strikes through him. He’s facing away from them so they can’t read his expression, but a low, sad keen escapes his lips. Sanji pulls himself out of Luffy’s arms and rests his head on the dip of Zoro’s side, hand coming up to trace along the swordsman’s back.
Luffy watches Zoro’s body tense, smelling regret in the undertones of his sorrows and embarrassment. Zoro squeezes his eyes shut, feeling his captain’s eyes on him, like he’s peering straight into Zoro’s soul, seeing his every thought and whim.
“Zoro’s not a bad omega” Luffy says abruptly.
Sanji gasps and Zoro whines instinctively, his body so tense he begins to shake. Sanji almost feels bad they’re about to have this conversation, knowing Zoro won’t be able regulate his emotions or scent because of his heat. Knowing he won’t be able to shield himself from Luffy’s all-seeing gaze.
“I’m sorry I was too weak captain” His voice barely whisper “I’ll do better next time” he promises.
“No, Zoro won’t”, a harsh flinch rips through Zoro, Luffy’s words slicing right to his core. His face crumples in despair, thinking Luffy will no longer court him, maybe he’ll even kick him out of the crew. He’s a liability, he can’t control his heats so can’t protect the crew, or himself, someone will have to stay with him. What if they had been attacked-
“Then one of us would have gone to help, while the other stayed with you.”
Zoro’s eyes dilate unaware that he had said all that out loud. He thinks about it for a minute and with a spike of adrenaline pushed up, Sanji’s head bobbing up as Zoro stands. He sways on his feet, feeling lightheaded, muscles tremble with exertion. Luffy stands too facing Zoro’s back, waiting to see what he does. He can feel his swordsman’s inner turmoil, he knows Zoro wants to be strong, but Luffy needs Zoro to understand that its ok to be an omega. It’s ok to ask them for help.
“I won’t be weak again” Zoro says, his voice is determined, but his scent wavers with doubt. Sanji frowns at the swordsman, his scent queasy. Luffy’s scent gives nothing away, but hooded eyes covered by his straw hat stare intensely into Zoro’s back. As if the universe is trying to mock him, Zoro’s knees give out when he tries to take a step. He stumbles, muscles trembling with effort, he knows he’s about to hit the floor hard when he feels Luffy’s rubbery hands brace him at the elbows. It’s the only thing keeping him up right now, but he tries to shrug the rubber boy off anyways.
Luffy holds him firm, a low growl escapes him, “ZORO!” his alpha strength seeping through his tone. A chill runs through both Zoro and Sanji’s bones, both whimpering at the angry alpha’s presence. Zoro’s heart drops, instincts yelling at him for upsetting his alpha. Luffy’s scent flips, anger leaves him just as quickly as it came, and he becomes relaxed again, his scent meant to calm the two omegas.
“Come here Zoro” Luffy says calmly, the rubber retreating as he pulls Zoro towards him. Supporting him and his shaky legs. Luffy sits them both down, so they’re facing each other. Zoro curls over, instinctually hugging himself to self sooth, his inner omega pushing him to sink below Luffy’s gaze unable to look the alpha in the eyes, less he upsets the alpha again.
It pains Luffy to see his usually confident swordsman so unsure of himself. Luffy knew Zoro suppressed his instincts, he could see the way Zoro fought his desire to purr when he was happy, saw the way Zoro inhaled their scents like a lifeline, but then shy away from being scented, even though he clearly longed for it. The only instincts he’d allow to run free were the ones urging him to protect the crew. Usopp had told him about how the omega fiercely fought the Arlong Pirates, how enraged and concerned he was when Arlong threw Luffy into the ocean. Raw omegan You threatened my pack, now I’ll destroy you, scent filled the area days after the pirates had been defeated.
Luffy took a deep breath, inhaling every scent he could find in the room. Zoro’s anxiety, his undertones of pain and exhaustion, and Sanji’s nervousness, his naturally empathetic self, sensitive to the others’ states. Luffy felt a little guilty over Sanji’s stress, knowing he was only reacting to them. He chuffs, calling to Sanji, coaxing him over. He pulls his cook into his side, pulling him down until his head rests against Luffy’s lap. From Sanji’s lower vantage point, he can see the anguish on Zoro’s face, his somber expression filled with shame. Sanji reaches his hand out, pulling on one of Zoro’s hands that have a death grip around his own arm. He pulls each individual finger until Zoro’s hand loosens his grip. Sanji slides his own soft hand into Zoro’s lacing their fingers together and squeezing the swordsman's hand lightly to remind him he’s not alone.
With the help of Sanji’s reassurance Zoro musters up his courage, “Luffy I-”
“Why does Zoro think being an omega is weak?” Leave it Luffy to cut right into Zoro’s deepest thoughts and call him out on it, “Sanji’s an omega, does Zoro think Sanji is weak?” Luffy asks,
Zoro’s eyes dilate and shoot to meet Sanji’s, his hand grips around Sanji’s fearfully. Sanji looks to his captain and then back to Zoro,
“NO! no…I…Sanji is the strongest omega I know” Zoro says, his tone and scent unwavering in his conviction.
“Does Zoro think he’s a better omega because he ignores his instincts?”
“No” he says, still staring at the cook.
The room is silent for a few moments, Zoro stares at his hand intertwined with the cooks, his heart pounds in his chest again, the glands at the back of his neck throb a little too.
“I’m no good, I’m a bad omega” he says sadly, he tries to pull his hand away, but Sanji won’t let him. Sitting up Sanji shouts, “Stop saying that! Stop saying that Zoro!”
“It’s true!!!” Zoro yells back, “I don’t have any pack bonds, I don't even know how to form them! I don’t know how to use pheromones, I don’t know how to do that thing you do where you release that sweet scent that makes us all turn to mush because it’s safe and it’s home! I don’t know how to build a nest or comfort people, hell I never even been in a nest before you made me one after we defeated Arlong!” He huffs, his outburst taking it out of him.
Sanji looks at him with some semblance of horror. Not horrified by what Zoro said but horrified that any omega could go on living like this. All sub-genders sought out pact bonds, but omega’s craved them, they longed for home within bonds. It’s wired into them. Bonds calm them to their very core. Zeff used to tell him about omegas with no pacts, sometimes their pacts were killed, sometimes the omega was rejected. Either way he always said they wouldn’t last long if they didn’t find a pack or mate and eventually the loneliness and heart break would kill them.
A long miserable howl escaped from Sanji. Zoro shouldn’t even be alive, never mind the fact that he doesn’t know how to nest. Wait…
“WAIT! You’ve never been in a nest before!!?!?!” He registers what the omega said, appalled by the notion. A nest is a sacred safe space for omegas, how could Zoro never once be in a nest, how could he have never made one?!.
Zoro flinches, shoulders hunched, a shy “no” escapes his lips. “I probably nested with my mom, but she died when I was really young…. I don’t really remember it.”
Sanji’s eyes tear up hearing Zoro being denied his most basic needs. An omega without a single bond to keep them warm at night is an existence he wouldn’t wish on his worse enemy. He releases Zoro’s hand and slides into the man’s space. He pulls Zoro against him feverishly until their bodies are slotted against each other. Sanji slips his arms under Zoro’s, hugging him tight, their heads resting against each other’s shoulders. Zoro’s a little stiff in the embrace, unsure of why the cook is acting like this, but he freezes up entirely when he feels the cook’s lips press into the corner of his neck near his scent glands. A shiver runs up his spine as the cook’s tongue gently licks the edges of his scent glands, careful to avoid any of the open sores.
Sanji ever so carefully bites into the crook of Zoro’s neck, a pin drop of blood leaking out. As their scents mingle Zoro’s eyes roll into the back of his head, he becomes weightless, his mind may not be aware of it, but his body and instincts know Sanji is claiming him. Not claiming him as a mate, but claiming him as pack, as family. He feels the bond - his first bond, slot into place. The displacement in his heart feels like only a memory as Sanji’s love flood his system. The prolonged feeling of his own solitude drifts away as his nerves spark in excitement at the bond. For the first time in his life, a strong, undeterred purr erupts from Zoro. His chest vibrates against Sanji, a pure happy scent flows off him in waves. The smell of an omega’s first bonds, it’s the sweetest thing Sanji has ever smelt. Sanji can’t help but purr in harmony, the two omegas create such a pleasant scent it could probably knock out an entire block of alphas. Luffy gleams at the pair, happy for Zoro. He feels a little hungry though and grabs Sanji’s snack basket to help himself, watching them while he basks in the omegan scent.
It's a good amount of time before Zoro’s eyes blink in awareness, he can still feel the haze from the heat, but whatever Sanji just did seem to rewire his brain and clear his head. His body still feels limp in Sanji’s hold, his head lolling against Sanji’s neck as he nuzzles against the omega. His instincts tell him to reciprocate, claim the omega the way the omega claimed him. He wants to, but he doesn’t know how to do whatever Sanji did. His lips brush against Sanji’s neck, hesitant to do anything wrong, but he takes a leap of faith and lets his instincts guild him. He follows Sanji’s lead, lips thrumming on the corners of Sanji’s scent glands. He tentatively licks at the cook’s glands, waiting to see his reaction. When the cook lets out a pleased hum, Zoro continues, licking all over the glands as if he could physically consume Sanji’s scent. He spreads his scent all over the cook, the way the cook had done to him. Letting everyone know they’re pack.
An uncertain croon passes through Zoro’s lips, silently asking for the omega's reassurance.
“It’s ok Zoro, you can claim me too.” Sanji says, delighted that Zoro is listening to the instincts that are telling him to affirm the bond.
He lightly bites into the cook’s flesh the way the cook had done to him, and feels the bond pulsate, it’s a comforting feeling though. A feeling to remind him that he belongs to someone, and they belong to him. Sanji, not new to the feeling of bonds doesn’t become listless like Zoro had, but he does release a happy scent making the room smell safe and homey.
Zoro feels himself drifting asleep when a loud blech startles him.
“LUFFY!” Sanji yells pulling himself from Zoro’s arms.
“Luffy that food is for Zoro! The stupid ass hasn’t eaten in 3 days!”
“But Saaaaanji I’m hungry” Luffy whines, “It’s hard releasing all those smells for Zoro, and you guys smelled so good just now, and Sanji was keeping Zoro all to himself and I am hungryyy” Luffy says, stretching his hands to where Zoro is swaying. He loops both arms around Zoro twice and then pulls Zoro over, so his back is pressed against Luffy’s chest. He pulls Zoro up so Luffy can comfortably rest his chin on top of Zoro’s head and gives Sanji a pouty look.
Sanji sighs, standing up and lighting his cigarette, “Well I have to go make something for Zoro to eat anyways.” He leans down to the pair until he’s inches away from Zoro. The omega looks floaty as hell, droopy, but happy.
“Will you be ok if I leave for a few minutes to go make you and the captain snack?” he asks, worried the omega will react badly if the only bond he’s ever had walks out on him in his vulnerable state.
“m’kay shi-cook” Luffy and Sanji snicker as his slurred words, knowing he’s on the mend.
“Whatever you say shitty swordsman”, Sanji swipes his cheek over Zoro’s head and then does the same to Luffy, scenting them both before leaving.
Zoro sighs deeply, letting himself sink into his captain’s embrace, comforted by Luffy’s protective hold on him. He thinks about what Luffy, and the cook said earlier.
“Luffy…m’sorry” he sounds less dejected then the first time, more like he’s just saying it because it’ll make him feel better. “I know curly said…but…I am a bad omega” he say’s looking down, hiding his face in his arms. Luffy doesn’t say anything, so Zoro continues speaking, “If I knew what I was doing, if I didn’t try to suppress my instincts, I wouldn’t have made everyone worry” He stares at the door half excepting Sanji to somehow have heard what he said and come barging in just to beat him up over it.
“I suck” He concludes.
“shi shi shi shi, Zoro isn’t a bad omega. Zoro is just Zoro”
Zoro’s eyes widen, a silent gasp leaving his lips. His head tilts up to look at the face of his happy, laughing captain. Relief washes over him, his captain’s bright smile filling up the crevasses of doubt that lingered in his heart. He blushes at his captain’s support, if Luffy’s not mad at him then maybe...
“Does Zoro want to scent me?” he asks with a cheeky grin.
Damn Luffy for being so preceptive, but yeah Zoro really wants to scent his captain. Zoro nods yes to Luffy, and Luffy bends and stretches so that Zoro can have access to his neck. Zoro sniffs him a few times, not scared, but also not confident in doing this yet. He swipes his cheek over Luffy the way Sanji had earlier, and licks over the rubber boy’s glands, tasting notes of Sanji’s scent layered under Luffy’s own more prominent scent.
“shishi that tickles Zoro” he says, as Zoro proceeds with his ministrations, growing more confident with every move. Zoro scents him until he’s satisfied that everyone will know that Luffy is Zoro’s alpha.
“Can I scent Zoro now?” Luffy asks.
Zoro nods enthusiastically, eager to smell like the captain. Zoro has that floaty feeling again as their scents mix. Luffy makes sure not to overpower Sanji’s claim, but to compliment it, when he’s finished, Zoro smells like Luffy and Sanji in equal amounts. By the time Sanji returns, Zoro is pretty blissed out again. Barely registering that Sanji has returned.
Luffy untangles one of his hands from Zoro to grab the plate offered to him and ravenously consumes his share of the sandwiches that Sanji made. Zoro’s practically asleep, his eyes fighting to stay open. The pain has mostly receded, save for the general soreness in his joints and blisters on his glands. He flinches a little if any pressure is placed against them but otherwise, he’s just a dazed, blissful omega in heat. A far cry from the stench of death that was coming off of him just a day earlier.
“We need to get something in your system marimo” Sanji says, hoisting the swords man up higher, so he’s not so slouched against Luffy. The rubber boy crosses his legs around Zoro on either side, so he won’t slide down. Zoro tries to lift a hand to grab a sandwich, but his body feels weightless again and he’s too tired to move.
“Open up moss” Sanji says gently, he holds the sandwich to Zoro’s lips waiting for him to accept it. Zoro’s eye lids peak open. He looks at Sanji like he’s the most beautiful thing in the world and opens his mouth to accept the sandwich.
“Don’t get used to this, I’m only feeding you because you nearly died” Sanji says as he lovingly feeds him each sandwich until Zoro’s had his fill, happy that some color has finally come back into the swordsman’s complexion. Sanji then makes him drink an entire bottle of water before setting everything to the side for him to bring back to the kitchen later.
“C’n Luffy bite too-?” Zoro asks half asleep
“Not today Zoro, two bites will flood your system and overwhelm you, and considering that it’s Luffy you’ll probably fall into a coma or something” Sanji tells him. Zoro hums in understanding and they fall into silence, until a small knock is heard at the door.
“Sanji, is Zoro done eating? I want to check on his blisters?” the small doctor asks.
Sanji tells him to come in and pulls Zoro against himself, so it’ll be easier for Chopper to see his sores.
Sanji shushes him when Zoro moans against the coolness of the stethoscope, “His breathing is normal again, and his temperature is back in the normal range for an omega in heat” He rubs more salve on Zoro’s blisters, “these are going to be tender for a few weeks, scent gland injuries heal slow because they’re in constant use and are hypersensitive, but there shouldn’t be any long-lasting damage. Make sure he doesn’t exert himself and that he continues to drink water, you guys did a great job bringing him back from a drop.”
“Thanks Chopper, but you’re the one who thought to check on him in the first place, I don’t know what would have happened if….” The room goes silent, all of them very aware of how much worse it could have been.
“Tha-nks Chopp-er” the swordsman says, exhaustion winning in his fight to stay awake.
“He should sleep, I’ll be back later” he says, quietly closing the door behind him.
Before the door closes, Zoro is already passed out and snoozing on Sanji’s shoulder. Luffy’s knocked out at well, resting on the edge of the nest. He knows the alpha is exhausted from having to be on high alert from Zoro. It’s not easy to release controlled pheromones for hours on end, and now that the alpha is sure Zoro is in the clear, his body finally submits to the exhaustion. Sanji places his hands under Zoro’s bum and lifts him up, the omega shuffles them over to the center and gently lowers them down. He then pulls Luffy in the center as well and settles him next to Zoro. A soft purr vibrates out of Zoro, the sound soothing them all. Sanji lays down next to them, with Zoro sandwiched between his two partners. Luffy chuffs in his sleep, his arm reaching out over Zoro so he can keep one hand on Sanji, the alpha wanting to feel both omegas’ presents. Sanji reaches over, tangling one hand in the rubber boy’s hair, and drapes the other over Zoro’s side, tracing nonsensical patterns across Zoro’s back. In no time at all, Sanji’s purrs join Zoros’, the three of them falling into a peaceful sleep.