Chapter Text

"It may have been in pieces, but I gave you the best of me."

― Jim Morrison

~-.O.-~

He remembered how the blood was almost as brilliant as the apple in his hand.

“Love is like a Hurricane, Sanji” Zeff never took his eyes away from his work, the knife cutting delicately the skin from the fruit, it was the softest caress with the harshest results “It’s powerful and mighty and it will sweep you away from the ground, it will make you touch the sky…” The bright red peel fell to the bowl in a long rivulet without any traces of the fruit’s flesh.

No waste.

The peel of course will be used in other things and you will get all the flesh of the apple to work with. It was something that fascinated him as it terrified him. The level of skill Zeff displayed with the knife every time he did this, was something he had never seen before. Not in the palace, not in the cruise.

Not being able to live up to the Old man’s expectations was something that scared the hell out of him.

Zeff passed him the knife, along with an unpeeled apple. “Love can take you to better places little eggplant, places you have only dreamed about...” He took the items in his hands, feeling a little bit frustrated at how small his hands looked in comparison with the old chef.

“It will make you feel like you’re dreaming, but you will do everything you can to not fall asleep so you don’t miss a thing…” How the conversation had started was still a mystery for him, he was just repeating stuff he had heard in the cruise and then, the old man had started rambling about things he was still not able to understand very well.

Sanji positioned his hands and was ready to start. Zeff gave him a curt nod and he began to roll the apple in his palm while the knife slid across the fruit, taking away the skin.

“But…” Zeff said while laying back, his eyes finding Sanji’s briefly.

“It can also take everything away…” He crossed thick arms above his chest, watching the rhythm of Sanji’s hands. The blond pressed his lips together in concentration, trying to keep anxiety at bay “It can make you fall so high from the sky that you will end up buried in the ground and you might feel like you would never be able to stand up again.”

There was a moment of hesitation, for what, he was not sure. All he could remember was...

He had loved her…

And that much love had buried him in a cage where every day he desired he was dead so he could be with her.

Gray eyes followed the delay in his movements, the moment his right hand didn’t rotate the apple in tandem with his left hand, the way the knife inevitably connected to the soft skin inside of his right thumb.

Sanji stared at his hand with detachment rather than surprise. Blood all over the pale fruit, almost as red as the skin of the apple. He almost jumped back when a large hand covered his over a towel and pressed along the wound, firm but gentle. Another hand taking away the apple and the knife.

Protecting him.

Healing him.

He should be upset this happened again, it was the third time after all.

“Be careful…” He heard the other man say. He looked up to see gray steely eyes, eyes that were storm, dangerous and cold as a knife. Eyes that could make you feel danger with just a glance.

But while looking down at Sanji, holding his small hand while it stopped the bleeding. They looked warm and calm like the deep ocean and they wrinkled around the edges because of a hidden smile.

They looked like hers.

Eyes that only his mom had ever directed at him

“Getting hurt is one thing. You’ll have to get up and try again” Sanji was not sure if he was referring to peeling apples or if he was still talking about things he did not fully understand. “No matter what happens, as long as you keep trying, love will find you again…”

And he smiled, the braided mustache moving along the slow movement. Looking ridiculously genuine and fitting for the old man. It took him a while to realize…

That he was smiling too.

“But always keep in mind little eggplant…” His tone was suddenly stern, intent.

Somehow at his tender age, he knew, no, he was sure that the next part will be important in his life and he will believe Zeff no matter what.

Little did he know, that these will be words he will continue to hear in his dreams years from now.

“Love can also make you hurt those you treasure the most.”

~-.O.-~

It was unusual to wake up like this.

Soft rays of sunlight filtered through the crow’s nest window, the air was cool and in the distance, you could hear the waves crashing against The Sunny’s hull.

He didn’t wake up with a start, thinking he was late to start with breakfast.

He didn’t wake up tired either, which was almost what happened every day.

He woke up slowly, keeping his eyes closed, breathing in the fresh air while he listened to the heartbeat underneath him in tandem with the waves of the ocean.

He felt how a calloused thumb traced the knuckles of his right hand with a touch so gentle, he couldn’t believe it was from the same person he had been with last night.

Slowly, he opened his eyes so he could believe what was happening.

Zoro… ahem… The stupid Marimo, was looking carefully at his hand, holding it close to his face like if he was inspecting it. So close in fact, that Sanji could feel the hot breath from the exhales of the swordsman, who for some ― obviously idiotic― reason, was staring at his thumb and― 

Sanji froze at the distinctive feeling of lips against the skin of his thumb.

Right above the three scars he had gotten as an apprentice.

Dark eyes locked on his and he felt like his face was melting at how embarrassed he suddenly was. He wanted to yank his hand away and hide from the stupid algae Marimo…

He wanted to kiss him.

Like a good morning kiss?

With the bad breath and all?

But he had never wanted that, from anybody.

Not even girls.

Had he been staring at Zoro all this time with his mouth open?

“I―”

“I was going to―”

He pursed his lips in a thin line, just as he heard the snap from the swordsman’s mouth.

Shit, was this supposed to be this uncomfortable?

Perhaps… No… Most definitely not.

He read the situation wrong, this was not supposed to be some significant moment, he should not find the Marimo adorable at all and he was in fact being awkward as fuck.

So, in order to get out of this situation, he decided to do something he was a complete expert with: Tease the Marimo.

“So...” he started, his hand caressing the strong chest and fuck, since when were scars such a turn-on for him? “Do you always fall asleep through your entire watch?”

Zoro fell for it immediately

“Didn’t hear you complaining when you basically used me like a fucking mattress, you even switched sides.” But he was not upset, he didn’t even frown. He smiled, fucking smiled, and then proceeded to pull him closer and kissed his neck.

Fuck.

It was like when the keel of a ship broke and the ship started to sink, the same satisfaction he got with a perfect soufflé and just exactly the amount of panic he felt when a storm approached.

He didn’t care anymore. Awkwardness or not, too much or too little, fast or slow.

His lips found Zoro’s easily, like if they had done this for years. No bad breath ―to his surprise― and the swordsman’s lips felt just so fucking good.

Zoro’s lips were chapped and thick, the type Sanji had to resist not to bite off, and boy if the marimo could kiss. They moved slowly but there was a delicious pressure that kept things tight and intense.

Sanji had hoped to keep things light and only into the limits of a mind-blowing morning kiss, but then his treacherous mouth had finally bit that teasing lower lip and then Zoro had pushed him and was now pressing him onto the floor.

Ah, yes.

It was always a fight with this man, that need to best one another, to hit back with a better move. Just when he was about to complain ―his own retaliation―, the marimo moved his hips just so and his protests died as soon as they started.

Who cared if he was losing? In any case, if Sanji would have known their swordsman was going to be this good at these types of activities, he might have started them sooner. However, if you told him yesterday before lunch that he was going to be in this position with the first mate of his crew, he would have never believed it.

He let out a moan when Zoro’s mouth kissed and licked at the side of his neck, his back arched the moment he felt teeth against his sensitive skin.

Good one. He thought, his grin wide and his competitive nature already planning how to punish the swordsman. Always fighting, pushing and pulling, but only because Zoro was such a good match.

And to think… He was not even part of their first fight.

“I’m still a little bit confused” said Sanji as he exhaled a plume of smoke, elbows leaning against the railing. Luffy was now sound asleep in his cabin and he was smoking a cigarette outside, while he and his old man watched the sunset. It had been a hell of a day and it had taken almost an hour to patch up the errand boy.

Sanji still didn’t know just how different his life was about to become.

Everybody had helped, some carried hot towels, alcohol or bandages. And the only doctor available, who was now a butcher, had done the best he could and it was up to the monkey boy to recover.

“You don’t understand his conviction?” asked the old geezer, snorting like if he was surprised Sanji hadn’t figured things out yet.

“Not his, the swordsman guy” Sanji said dismissively, vaguely wondering if he was still alive. “I’m sure he knew he was going to lose, he can’t be that stupid” He remembered the moment when he shouted at him to leave his conviction and the look that had gotten him. It only fueled the need he had of kicking the man in the head, just to make him understand.

“You know, he reminded me of you” that got him immediately angry and he turned to look him in the eye, but Zeff was just looking at the horizon, a small smile on his stupid face like he had sometimes when looking out the sea.

“Just how stupid you have to be to bite at the boot who just gave you a kick that should have crushed your tiny lungs?” the older man let out a snort, eyes looking almost fond of the memory. Sanji turned away before Zeff could see his blush, using his hair to hide it.

The night, the storm, the rock, everything Zeff had done for him, how important this stupid old man was, and how his life was what it was because of him crashed in his head within seconds “You didn’t kick me that hard” he murmured, inhaling more smoke to make sure he didn’t remember the ache in his stomach.

“Exactly” The old man spoke the single word as if there had been an answer to begin with.

Curiosity made him look out of the corner of his eyes and found Zeff nodding thoughtfully. “And Mihawk didn’t cut that deep” he said in such an insightful way that made him want to kick him. Was this part of getting old? Rambling while thinking you were making sense?

But before he could give more attention to those questions, he realized how casually the old man referred to the other swordsman, it was like if Zeff already knew the other man.

He was about to ask him about it, but then Zeff had to annoy him with a single sentence “I’m sure you will get to know him better once you join the rest of their crew” the other man grinned at him, like if he was happy to get rid of him.

This again.

“I don’t want to meet him” he said offended as he ground the butt of his cigarette into the ashtray he had brought from his room.

He turned away, finalizing the conversation, with the intention of going to his room and getting ready to sleep “He seems like a waste of time, anyways.”

~-.O.-~

Sanji arched against the wooden floor while he bit at his lower lip “Can’t you just hurry up?” he suddenly felt annoyed at how needy he sounded.

“Of course not, it's too fun to rile you up” Zoro’s deep voice teased him over his neck.

“I have a breakfast to prepare” he tried.

“And you are always early, let them have it a little bit later” Yeah, right. Like if he didn’t know their captain.

Zoro had his hand around both of his cocks and he had this annoying pace that took him from a state of euphoria to extreme impatience in two flat seconds and just when Sanji was starting to ride that orgasmic wave, he suddenly stopped.

He let out a sound that he will deny making for the rest of his life “Why do you keep doing that, is this some endurance type of exercise?”

“What? No, this is how I do it” came the annoying answer, from the most annoying man he had ever known in his entire life.

Sanji decided he had to finish things with his own hands ―ha― and moved his legs and hips just so he could end up on top of Zoro, perfectly straddling him.

“Really?” he whispered at the swordsman’s ear, taking both of his lengths in his hand, running his thumb over the marimo’s head “That’s how you did it when you thought of me?” he purred, starting a pace that was just finally right, tightening his hold here and there, making it good.

He felt kisses trailing across his jaw, he looked down and Zoro’s eyes were burning him. The moment he saw how the always stoic swordsman licked his lips while he ravished him with his stare made him almost moan.

“I want to fuck you” Zoro said in that husky voice of him, eyes glazed with lust and his hands squeezed at his ass obscenely. Fuck, he looked so good.

Of course, he wanted to fuck him.

However, there were a few things that needed to be discussed first and there was a breakfast he was already late for.

“How do you want to take me?” Now, that didn’t mean he couldn’t have his fun with the moss head and the way his breath stuttered and his eyes rolled back as he gripped their cocks harder was exhilarating enough to keep this game between them.

Zoro sat upright, moving him firmly but always with that gentle touch as his mouth found his neck and he practically growled “Against the wall while you scream my name”

He meant to snort a laugh but instead, he moaned and he increased the pace, the swordsman running his calloused hands and blunt nails across his back, moving down to grip at his cheeks, taking a bruising hold on the meat of his thighs.

“You’re delusional, Marimo” he gasped, his pace faltering just a little bit as he pictured Zoro’s raw power taking something he had not given to anybody else in his life.

Without any response, Zoro only gripped harder as he moaned loudly at his ear and he spilled in Sanji’s hand.

The added warmth and slickness made him last just a few more strokes before he was coming hard along with the swordsman as he cursed and moaned.

They both ended up breathing hard into each other’s mouths, gasping and gripping at what was left of their sanity.

“How about we discuss this tonight?” he tried to negotiate with a breathless voice.

“How about we do this right now?” Zoro’s voice had acquired the exact decibel that went straight to his cock.

“I said tonight” he argued.

“I’m saying right now” was the immediate answer.

Such a stubborn perverted bastard.

“Look―” he tried to explain, but the swordsman interrupted him immediately with a long sigh that sounded insufferable and succeeded in turning off his libido and turning on the fire he used to kick stupid mossheads.

“I knew it” the green-haired asshole tried to move away but Sanji was on his face immediately.

“You knew what?” he said with bite.

“I was pretty sure you would only allow this if you were―” Zoro was looking at anywhere but him while he shrugged helplessly “― if you were doing the action like if it mattered or made any difference really” He was intent to move away and made an attempt to remove Sanji from his lap.

Of course, it will not be that easy, it will never be.

“That’s not it” he said annoyed.

Zoro only gave him a deadpan look with a defiant arch of his right eyebrow.

And he waited.

When did that happen? Since when Zoro waited for him to explain himself?

“Well?” came the irritated snarl.

He shook his head slightly and decided to give this explanation a shot “Look, it’s not that I’m not interested, it’s just―”

“Yes?” Zoro was pushing him to that very thin limit where his kicks met his patience.

“I have never done it, ok?!” he knew he was blushing, hated himself for it “Happy?” he crossed his arms over his chest defensively as he tried to restrain himself from kicking that confused frown.

“Done what?” the infinitely stupid Marimo dared to ask him.

Seriously, was this really going to work?

It was his turn to sigh with an exasperated flair “You know―” he shrugged, “― you pitching, me catching?”

The marimo blinked twice at him. And no, he didn’t look adorable when he was being slow.

“You on the top floor ―probably lost―, me on the bottom one” once his enunciation changed with the word, Zoro’s eyes finally made an understanding gesture.

But a little extra fun had never hurt him.

“You putting your dic―”

“I get it, I get it!” the swordsman yelled while covering Sanji’s mouth with his large palm. He laughed under the other’s hand, feeling giddy all of a sudden when he realized Zoro was blushing too.

Once his laughter subsided, he removed the hand gently and looked him in the eye “It doesn’t mean that I don’t want to try” he said dismissively, shrugging one of his shoulders. He didn’t mention the fact that Zoro had been the only guy who had ever made him even consider such position.

The only one he trusted that much.

He saw the struggle, the search for words, the right words. Zoro cared enough to know that this was a huge deal for him and was trying to make sure he didn’t say something to screw things up, even when he had tried to make it look like it was not a big deal.

And just like that, something warm unfurled within him, making him tingle, causing his heart to flutter and his breath to catch. Probably for the thousandth time ever since he met the swordsman.

He decided to run his fingers through the green hair that was softer than he had imagined, he wanted Zoro to know that they could do it, to assure him that he didn’t need this to be a big event and to remind him that getting behind with breakfast was definitely not the right way to start the day.

“MOOORNING SANJI!”

Fuck this slow green-haired idiot with his three swords and his crazy captain.

“I fucking hate when he’s early” he murmured, trying to get up to get his clothes.

He was yanked down immediately and with the usual rudeness he hated from the other man. He tried to glare at him, but a delicate kiss on his lips interrupted the action “Tonight” the swordsman said softly, glancing up to look at him in the eye.

He rolled his eyes after his surprise, he was still annoyed, but not as much as he knew he should be. “Put on some pants marimo, I have a plan”

They cleaned up with a towel that was near the weights and passed around the clothes they could find, their captain still yelling from the deck. Sanji felt heat going up to his cheeks when the marimo passed him his blue tie and he took it brusquely, seeing how the other man averted his eyes when he started yanking the fabric through the collar and a similar blush climbed up the other’s neck.

Fuck breakfast.

But Sanji shook these thoughts away as he saw the marimo was almost completely dressed. “Go open the trap door” he said “You will go down first”

The swordsman merely arched an eyebrow at him while he picked up his swords and followed the instruction wordlessly.

Poor idiot.

Zoro had gone down perhaps two steps when long stretchy arms started to envelop themselves all over his body. He looked up, a betrayed expression mixed with surprise all over his handsome face as he was pulled down with the force of Luffy’s hunger.

He smirked down at him and mouthed the word ‘sorry’ and jumped down, skipping the stairs and running towards the galley.

“SANJIIIII, WHERE’S BREAKFAST?” he started shaking the poor marimo and he almost tripped while trying to hide his laughter. Luffy had actually done this to him twice before.

The real funny (but not really) thing is that Luffy at this point was in a half-unconscious state and was basically sleepwalking. So, thanks to the marimo who basically took his place, right now he had about eight to ten minutes before his captain realized the marimo was not in fact his chef but the useless swordsman that could not feed him and started doing serious damage to the ship.

Hopefully, he would not throw Zoro too far away.

He didn’t have time to lose and while he tried to smother down his laughter as he began to pull out different ingredients from upper and lower cabinets, he remembered the way Zoro’s eyes shone the first time he kicked him.

Things continued when he realized how easy it was to tease the swordsman.

“What did you mean about my shameful loss back then?” Sanji looked at him out of the corner of his eye, while he took a long drag of his cigarette, barely hiding a grin with his fingers.

“When did I say that?” Of course, he knew exactly when. After all, he almost kicked the swordsman’s face in.

To think he held back.

“Don’t fucking play with me” The swordsman had such an attitude, he definitely didn’t trust him, most likely didn’t want him in their crew and to top it all, he was not as cunning as he looked and Sanji was doing a good job in reminding him that without him even trying.

Obviously, he was not making their tense relationship any favors.

He shrugged nonchalantly “Well, isn’t it true?” he gestured with his cigarette “You lost, you are injured and since you have the emotional maturity of a child you went ahead and tried to cut our now navigator in half”

Our navigator, because I’m part of your crew.

“That was none of your concern” the other growled while he decided to down the beer he had been offered by the town. The liquid ran down his jaw and Sanji had to look away since bad table manners made him upset.

This was going to be a long journey, but he could try to explain himself.

“Whenever a lady is in danger right in front of me, it is my concern” he clarified.

“Women can defend themselves” the swordsman looked him in the eye for a moment and whipped away his mouth with his hand.

There it was.

Something shone in the other guy’s eyes that he immediately tried to hide. And something told him that behind that laid the reason why he had gotten so damn mad and perhaps the swordsman's real beef with him.

Sanji took a long drag of his cigarette, looking like he didn’t give care at all about the conversation “Of course they can, doesn’t mean I will not defend them” he blew the smoke away, smothering the cigarette inside the can he had fetched as an ashtray.

“Why is that so important?” he asked, while taking a bite of the ‘raw ham melon’ he had gotten from the buffet. The food had been amazing and everyone had been more than friendly with them.

“Fucking forget it, it’s useless to try to reason with you” the green-haired idiot grabbed another tankard of the beer, seemingly unaware of the fact the doctor just told him he had to suspend the intake of alcohol.

The swordsman had allowed only a glimpse of something else, of something important to him. He obviously knew everybody in the world was more than what they looked like, but something told him this guy was a clam well shut and didn’t want people getting to know him.

He took another drag of his cigarette and closed his eyes briefly. He was not sure why, but for some reason...

He wanted to understand the swordsman, to know him and dissect him piece by piece until he was able to see the complete picture and decide if the guy was a complete moron or not entirely.

Because the guy was a moron, there was no discussion there.

He saw the way he flinched when he burped after drinking too much, too fast. He took note of the way he tenderly placed his hand above his wound. He remembered the instructions the doctor had given him and he could already picture the fights he will have with this guy for the next couple of days.

He only hoped all his effort wouldn’t be in vain.

Getting up and dusting off his pants, he decided it was time to go and enjoy himself “Well, it’s time to flirt with the ladies” and without waiting for an answer, he turned around in search of a companion for the night.

He turned around before having the chance of seeing the swordsman basically collapsing on himself and falling asleep immediately after a few seconds of his absence.

Stupid swordsman.

It required a certain level of absurdity to expect him to look fine and composed while having an injury that had opened his chest not even a few days ago. It seemed that Roronoa Zoro didn't show his weak side to anybody.

But at least, that he could understand.

A fighter's fragile spots were not supposed to be on display, no. They were meant to be buried, hidden... put in a cage for no one to see.

~-.O.-~

Breakfast went by fast, with Luffy making a bigger mess than usual, inside and outside the galley and him having to rush the whole time since basically, every crew member arrived shortly after their captain's outburst. The good thing was that he only received a questioning look from his beloved Robin-chan.

Always such a quick-witted woman, it was obviously not hard for her to connect the dots. From Luffy’s rampage on the deck to him cooking like a lunatic inside the galley and then Zoro being tossed to the sea, it was really not that hard when you were such an intelligent lady as his angel.

Sanji was now preparing lunch and he heard the distinctive sound of heavy boots from the door while he was chopping potatoes in thin slices.

He told himself that the sudden tightness around his shoulders was mere concentration and that he was not in fact nervous the marimo was alone with him after what had happened. In the meantime, he refuses to look around for him and he concentrates on the potatoes at hand.

He doesn’t jump when he feels the unmistakably touch from the swordsman going up to his waist, those big hands climbing slowly at his side, his breath falters but he makes sure he keeps chopping the stupid potato.

There are no words between them, only the chopping sound of the knife against the board, the cigarette smoke climbing slowly to the ceiling, the soft tilt of the ship, like the one his head does to accommodate the swordsman’s burning lips on his neck.

He lets out a smoky breath and he doesn’t realize he is not chopping anymore, too distracted with the marimo’s lips that are accompanied by a little bit of tongue now.

He arches his back involuntary when he feels a small bite, his ass grinding into the green pervert’s erection, and fuck, it feels good. Everything feels fucking perfect, but―

“You looking for something, Marimo?” But it will be a cold day in hell the day he decided to lose control inside his kitchen for this ill-mannered gorilla.

“Just looking for a taste” Sanji didn’t miss how Zoro rolled his hips forward, almost in tandem with the waves outside, or how one of his hands moved over one of his nipples and teased him over the thin fabric of his blue shirt.

No, Roronoa Zoro didn’t get to grope him inside his kitchen in the middle of the day without him doing anything.

While still holding his knife with one hand, he took his cigarette with the other one and smothered it near a small plate he had nearby. He placed both hands on the kitchen top and without any warning, he moved his hips against the marimo’s boner, hard.

Zoro growled against the abused skin of his neck “I want you so fucking bad” came Zoro’s feral voice.

“I want... to finish lunch” he lied.

He felt the swordsman’s smirk against the back of his neck as he lay a soft kiss on the tender skin “Tonight” he murmured. And fuck if that was not a promise.

He reached for another potato and started slicing it, his strokes were perfect as usual.

“Tonight”, he answered.

Zoro moved away and he hated how he missed his heat immediately and before he could pull him for a kiss, Usopp came barging inside the kitchen asking if he could use some of the chili seeds he had been grinding the day before.

Sanji rearranged the collar of his shirt immediately, making sure the back of his neck was covered as he glared at the swordsman who was drinking water near the fridge and hiding a grin.

He moved around the pantry to give Usopp the powder he had already put aside for him, since the idiot was always asking for his valuable ingredients for his weapons, anyways. Usopp took the jar with a smile and started asking about other types of spices and how strong they could be if they mixed as he took a glass of water as well and took a seat near the bar.

As always, he started explaining to his crewmate how food shouldn't be weaponized and then, proceeded to answer his stupid questions as he kept on preparing lunch. He didn't miss the smirk on Zoro's face as he left the galley and he hated the fact he was blushing a little bit by now at the memory of almost being discovered. He had to admit he had not even heard the sharpshooter open the door. Who thought the marimo could be this slick and cunning sometimes?

Of course, that was not a recent discovery, along their journey, within fights and insults, Zoro had shown him that he was more than that brutish, uneducated appearance of his.

The third thing he learned, left him speechless.

“So, wait a minute―” the incessant chopping stopped and Sanji actually removed the cigarette from his mouth and turned to look into Luffy’s eyes. In the beginning, they didn’t understand just how important it was for their new chef to keep concentration at all times in his cooking, so these actions alone, spoke volumes about just how crucial it was the information their captain was providing to him.

“―You are telling me he spent nine days under the Sun, with no food?” those gigantic brown eyes regarded him like if he was dumb, and he had to refrain from chopping sneaky fingers trying to steal the salted salmon he was cutting into thin sections.

“Yeah...” Luffy was basically hanging from the sink, his arms extended while his face was eye level with the food from the cutting section, which was infinitely nicer than having him as a hump “... because the girl gave him onigiri” he explained slowly.

“The same onigiri she prepared with sugar instead of salt and that other asshole threw on the ground and stomped over” Sanji resumed his chopping, tossing a piece to the already open mouth.

“Yeah” his captain chewed obnoxiously loud.

He added the sliced fillet to the much larger container right beside him and started on a new one “And you are telling me that the stupid swordsman, your first crew member, had eaten nothing before that and he ate those rice balls because the girl started crying?”

Luffy looked thoughtful for a moment, as if remembering the event, and then with a sunny smile he answered “yeah”

He removed his arms from the sink and stood up “It was in that moment I decided that I definitely wanted him in my crew” he stated somewhat seriously while crossing his arms in front of his chest, but the smile never left his face.

“That’s why you reminded me of him” at that he stopped and tossed another piece of fish that the boy caught in mid-air like some dog.

“We are nothing alike” he stated.

“But―” Luffy started to interrupt.

“He is just not some big asshole that will reject food from a crying little girl” Sanji rolled his eyes, clearly showing he had understood his captain’s point.

“Shishishishishishi” the boy laughed “That’s why he told you that nobody makes them better than her”

Which was how their newest fight had started, out of courtesy the new chef asking what was their favorite onigiri filling and the fucking swordsman telling him to not even try to cook them.

He looked down at his beautiful spread, the ingredients perfectly displayed even without him trying. Food was such a complex thing.

It didn’t mean the swordsman wouldn’t like his onigiris, but it seemed they brought up bad memories. The fucking universe had taught him that near-death situations plus starvation were not gracious moments, it was ingrained in his being.

So, with a deep breath, shoving down this newfound respect he had for the swordsman and this need of his to defend his cooking, he decided on grilled salted salmon, umeboshi and pieces of mentaiko.

“So... You get it now?” Luffy asked, while putting a piece of salmon inside his mouth, without even trying to hide while he was perched at the sink beside him again.

“I get it now” he admitted, turning off the heat from the rice and checking on the miso soup “Thank you for telling me” he was fully aware that Luffy was stealing more pieces “Now, get out” he said without much bite and smiled as his laughing captain swallowed one entire fish fillet before closing the door.

Later, he found the swordsman sleeping outside, near the shadow of the mandarin's trees, and placed down the plate full of onigiris of the different varieties with a small bowl of miso soup and he said “They might not be as good as the little girl’s onigiris” he said “But I tried” he hopped down, without waiting for an answer and called the rest of the crew to eat their lunch inside the galley.

When Zoro came back and requested seconds, he wordlessly added more rice balls, and the swordsman joined them in the small dining room, where he also helped himself to some grilled fish from their last catch, edamame and sushi.

Sanji ate calmly beside his dear Nami who he was sharing some inventory updates and future purchases they will need to do. He glanced up and found Zoro’s dark eyes looking at him with something he will have trouble discerning in the future.

Something that was not the first time he saw.

But the look was gone as soon as he noticed it and now Zoro was defending his last onigiri from the grabbing hands of their captain, he might have also smiled at him, but he was sure that was only his imagination.

Much later that day, he would find himself reflecting, inspecting the facts that had elapsed earlier, such an annoying habit he had before falling asleep and he realized almost with a start, that he didn’t and could never hate the swordsman. That today, Zoro’s story and behavior had touched something that lay deep within him, something that not just anybody or anything could even brush, let alone touch.

Because, without hearing him berate Usopp for not eating his mushrooms, listening to his complaints about waste when Luffy just threw things away in his excitement of getting more meat, seeing him talking with Nami while he worried about not finding enough food because the next port was days away.

Because it happened before they met each other even knowing him, really.

The swordsman understood.

He understood food was not something to be wasted, he knew about the horrors of hunger and he respected the maker, the cook, the chef... Even if it was a little girl who didn't know how to make riceballs.

That’s why you reminded me of him.

He looked at his side, the swordsman was asleep next to his hammock, open mouth, slobber all over his chin and snoring loud enough to interrupt his inner musings.

No, they were not the same.

But, perhaps, maybe... More alike than he thought.

He yawned loudly and stretched over his own hammock, deciding to finally go to sleep he closed his eyes and those same snoring sounds he hated, lulled him to sleep where he will definitely not dream about dark warm eyes and soft smiles.

After that, he learned to enjoy the sound of his laugh

“I bet he’s about to piss his pants” Sanji murmured against a pierced ear. And for some reason, it caused the swordsman to laugh even louder and he felt how the grin on his own face was threatening to split his face in half as a strong arm pulled him even closer. He just gave up and started laughing just as loudly when he saw Usopp’s red face.

The afternoon had been beautiful, perfect for laundry and a cigarette while watching the sunset.

But of course, nothing could be sublime and peaceful at the same time with Luffy as their captain.

And these fuckers had it coming, he might be pantless right now, but at least his head was not in the middle of Luffy’s thighs in one of the tightest knots he had ever made, thanks to the swordsman.

“I think he’s about to die” the deep voice whispered to his ear, creating a warm sensation that traveled across his back as his breath hitched and a soft breeze tossed his blond hair everywhere.

Shit.

He chuckled (giggled, actually) as he felt Zoro’s hand gripping at his bone hip. Glancing at Usopp, one could see why the swordsman thought the lack of air was going to kill their sharpshooter soon, and perhaps it was time for them to help their captain to unravel the double square knots he had in his shins and knees.

That still didn’t explain this sudden excitement or the way his heart tripped when he turned to look at the swordsman, only to find the green-haired man doing the same.

Perhaps it was because this was a new look after all: A carefree smile, warm deep chocolate eyes with golden speckles, tousled hair and a relaxed posture that was leaning all over him. It made him incredibly aware of the berth of his shoulders, how strong his arms were, how thick his neck was...

Usopp’s wails were such a distant thing and on another island perhaps.

“Would you please stop this pathetic show?” the sweet voice of his angel, however, was a sound that he will register oceans apart.

They looked up simultaneously to their navigator, her orange hair glowing under the last rays of the sun, her smirk prominent and she was wiping an amused tear from her eye. “Come on! He’s gonna die” she said and covered her delicate mouth with her hand as she tried not to giggle.

She was so beautiful when she was cruel.

Too soon. Too fucking soon, he felt the marimo’s body detaching from him as he walked towards a now choking Usopp. He decided to help too, not because he was concerned, ―by now he knew when the guy was lying― but because his snide comments were still making the swordsman laugh and when mixed with Luffy’s laughter, they were like fucking music.

It may not have been peaceful, but it was a fucking perfect afternoon.

Shortly after the Sun had died, he found himself smoking while leaning against the railing outside the galley, watching the open sky full of stars. He had prepared a light dinner ― except for Luffy ― with sashimi, cool noodles and sauteed vegetables.

And a special plate of salmon and tuna onigiri only for the swordsman.

He had told himself while preparing them that this was not special treatment and just his own way to say thank you for being his partner in mischief. It’s not like he had gotten the lotus-shaped sashimi he had given Nami.

He remembered the weird feeling that crept on him the moment he caught himself considering doing something nice for Zoro as a thank you, while he pressed the rice together. Sure, the swordsman's behavior had definitely improved, he definitely trusted him more and on some weird occasions, he had even tried to talk to him before trying to slice him.

But today, today had been different he reasoned while he took a deep inhale and kept the smoke in his lungs. Today they had worked together, planned and moved as one, they had communicated in more ways than one.

He had never seen Zoro so relaxed, so open, so fucking happy.

And it was so fucking weird, so strange that every time he recalled that smile, something fluttered inside of him and the desire, no, the yearning of hearing that laugh and getting to see his relaxed face instead of the usual frown seemed to grow every time he remembered.

“You know, Zoro it's not so bad once you get to know this dorky side of him” Sanji looked at his side to eye their navigator, he didn’t realize he had been smiling this whole time and he exhaled slowly to try to cover it.

“I just think he is a big buffoon” he lied, taking another drag of the cigarette, his eye finding almost immediately the figure of the swordsman near the figurehead, gazing at the stars with his plate of onigiris and his bottle of sake.

He made a conscious effort not to sigh at that moment.

“I bet he is a big softy on the inside” she said, her tone mischievous, while she took a sip from her tea.

He was so about to agree with her, but she suddenly added “I think he is the type of lover that would kiss your back and neck until you fall asleep”

Woah, what?

Miraculously, the knot that suddenly formed at his throat didn't choke him and he managed to exhale the smoke without problems through his nose. But he knows he is obviously tense, and more than anything, he is sure she has brought up this in particular because of something she has seen.

Something she suspects.

This is her trying to get information from him.

For what purposes, he doesn’t know.

So, Sanji decided to just shrug nonchalantly without looking at her, observing in the distance the way the swordsman seemed to be taking his time with his onigiri and his drink like if he was enjoying each piece, savoring his food for once.

“I don’t think so” he stated after a while, knowing he had taken too long but deciding to answer her implications seriously and with his true opinion of the oaf.

He turned to see her eyes, and he saw doubt flash in them for just a second “You don’t?” she said in exaggerated disbelief “Come on!” but she smiled at him in a playful manner that was not very common in her.

“I mean―” she added thoughtfully “He wouldn’t do it with just anybody” she blew some steam from her tea, the smell of oranges reaching him for a moment, she shrugged as if her point was obvious.

“What do you mean?” he was genuinely curious now, still waiting for the other shoe to drop.

“Oh, Please!” she said in a hush, while she gestured at the swordsman’s silhouette and continued in a whisper “Zoro is the type of guy who falls in love with one person forever.”

She said, person.

But the echo of her theory to his own suspicion didn’t distract him from thinking over the point she was trying to make in regards to their swordsman.

It’s not like he thought about Zoro’s romantic life a lot, in fact, so far he had concluded the marimo didn’t care enough to have one and that most likely he was a virgin who was too focused on swords to even think about finding a potential partner during their adventure.

Perhaps this was her trying to bring the marimo to a different light so they could stop fighting so often?

“So―” he said while taking a particular long drag from his cigarette “―you are saying that once he finds a person he is interested in, he will keep following that very same person until the end of the earth?”

And it made sense, as exaggerated as the idea sounded. Of course, the idiot who would gladly bleed his guts out in front of his restaurant just to see what the real difference was between him and his goal, will only have eyes for one person in his life.

This was one of the main differences they had, because Sanji, on the other hand, didn’t mind fooling around, to have one or two relationships that he was sure will not go anywhere but enjoy them either way.

No, with Zoro it was all in or nothing.

“Yup” she said with the same confidence she used when correcting a map.

“That’s crazy” he said after a moment, glancing in her direction as he watched her doing the same. They both shared a laugh immediately, obviously, she shared the same point of view and thought the marimo was a little bit intense.

He heard her sigh, drinking more of her tea and that was when he decided it was time to go to bed. He looked down at the round figure of his captain who was sound asleep just below them and he had assumed Usopp was already dead in his hammock.

He ground his cigarette on the ashtray he had brought outside and excused himself with Nami. The next few minutes were him kicking his captain awake and making sure he brushed his teeth properly before guiding him into his own hammock so he could sleep properly.

He went outside after washing his own mouth to put everything in order inside his kitchen when he saw Nami coming his way. It seemed the Marimo was going to take her shift and she was going to take advantage of the empty bathroom to take a quick shower.

Putting everything away, washing the last dishes, making sure everything was ready for tomorrow, Sanji’s thoughts started to drift to the conversation he had before with the lovely navigator. After he had discovered the fantastic feeling of being with a woman and faced a couple of problems because of enjoying such feelings, Zeff had taught him that women should be respected and taken care of in a responsible way.

Adore them, but don’t touch them. And if they want you to touch them, but you don’t have the commitment in you, adore them even more.

But don’t fool them, don’t use them and for the love of God, don’t be stupid.

That meant: They were not for one-night stands and you definitely shouldn’t have secret relationships with them when they were already betrothed to the marine officer from the island you go for supplies. And if and only if they graced you with their bodies, you needed to make sure they were enjoying themselves and pleased before you.

Also, you need to use protection at all fucking times and keep in consideration you should not make big promises since you had chosen a life at sea.

Sanji sighed as he put away his knives. Probably if he had behaved more like the marimo, he wouldn’t have caused such troubles to his old man and to himself.

But then...

Thanks to some of the cooks in The Baratie, he learned about other choices. Choices that you took because women shouldn’t be disrespected and they were a big responsibility.

And because you were a horny teenager.

Sex between men had been something Sanji’s mind had avoided for the longest time, and to be honest, Zeff had protected him from it as well. That was the reason why he had his own cabin, the reason why he was never left alone with new chefs when he was a small boy.

It was a common practice among sailors, a relief of some sort. Sanji had learned that because of how he looked when he was younger, he was somehow desirable for some of these assholes, and that was why Zeff had taken such good care of him and even had kicked some men overboard.

Don’t get him wrong, sex between men can be enjoyable, but he was still grateful no old pirate had tried to groom him or take advantage of him when he was just a boy.

Nevertheless, nothing and he meant, nothing, could have prepared him when he met the first boy who would turn his world upside down. Because, this boy, didn’t look entirely like a boy. Sure, he had a lean body, with no breasts and no soft curves, but he was petite and had curls that bounced when he walked and freckles that got lost in his neck.

And the way he blushed, the way he laughed and smiled, had confused teenager Sanji, so, so much. They were the same age and one night, he found himself getting attacked by his small mouth, with a hunger no girl had ever shown for him before.

For the longest time, Sanji had told himself the only reason why he did it was because they were men with delicate features and because he would never disgrace any lovely flower he might meet in his journey.

He had never felt attracted to the brawny, strong and super masculine type. There was delicacy in men too. And he had enjoyed it, thoroughly.

But now, the universe was showing him an option that he had never considered before.

And he didn’t want it, he had never even considered it.

Sure, he could see many reasons why Zoro was attractive but at the same time, he could identify a thousand reasons why he was not. Sure as hell he was strong but stubborn as fuck; yes, he had a nice smile but only because he snarled all the time; and sure, his hands were big, at all times firm and with callouses that proved hard work and also his wrists were thick and―

A sudden blush climbed its way to the blond’s face and Sanji found himself almost dropping a plate at the sudden realization that he considered the marimo an attractive man.

An attractive man with amazing hands and since when did he care about that?!

I think he is the type of lover that would kiss your back and neck until you fall asleep

His thoughts were suddenly filled with the marimo following his beloved one to the end of the Grand Line and back and doing everything to protect them.

Something he could of course identify without any problem.

But more than that, not only he could identify himself again with the swordsman's actions and conducts, but for the very first time, he could admit without a trace of a doubt, that any person on the receiving end of Zoro’s affections, would be the luckiest in the whole ocean.

But who would be the poor soul?

~-.O.-~

Sanji looked himself in the mirror from Sunny’s bathhouse, making sure he had shaved properly and there was nothing amiss, he also checked his hair and combed it again as the blond strands fell softly on his face for the hundredth time.

After taking a bath and grooming himself for the last hour or so, Sanji finally decided to start getting dressed while his mind reminded him of today’s earlier events and he noticed a slight tremor in his hands as he buttoned up his shirt.

He was not the type of person who got nervous.

Anxious, excited, yes. But never nervous.

However, right now, he was in fact, very fucking nervous. Because for the very first time in years, he didn’t know exactly what to do. And sure, he had never gone up to the sky in a ship with a sheep figurehead but that had been exciting, he knew he could kick his way out of any issue, but this...

This was him nervous.

Glancing at his reflection one last time while tightening the knot of his freshly done tie he decided to go out, before asking himself why the hell he had decided to wear a tie. Zoro was no girl, he will not appreciate these things.

He will not care that his deep blue shirt was perfectly ironed or that his goatee was pristine and he was wearing his expensive cologne or his hair was―

He took a deep breath, walking out on the deck, the cold air of the night trying with futility to refresh him, as he decided against clutching at his perfectly brushed hair and just ran his hands down his tie, still not sure if he should just remove it now and put it in his pocket.

Fuck that, he looked good in a tie.

Even though half the marimo’s jokes were about him looking like a―

He threw his self-imposed restrictions overboard and placing a cigarette between his lips, he took a much larger inhale of smoke than usual, and as he exhaled he started to feel... less shitty. He glanced up the main mast and started to climb up the rope ladder as he felt how his heart climbed in his throat.

Just as he was near the trap door a sudden thought assaulted him.

Was he supposed to bring wine?

Some hors d' oeuvres or a complete dinner?

Holy shit, was he supposed to be romantic with the marimo?

Sanji didn’t know how long he remained suspended on the ladder with his mind reeling at the last step he had to take when, suddenly, the trap door opened by itself.

“What’s holding you up?” the green-haired man asked with a huff, his usual frown pulling at his forehead and a towel set around his neck.

The fucker had been training, most likely smelled disgusting and was all sweaty.

“Your stupid face” was his automatic answer as he puffed some smoke, already regretting all his second guesses and the fact he was using his favorite briefs.

Zoro just rolled his eyes and moved away, making room for him to come up, the swordsman moving completely away as Sanji climbed up.

Once he looked around he almost dropped his cigarette when he took in the place. It was clean and it smelled like the citric floor cleaner he kept in the galley. There was a soft warm glow generated by a few candles set across the bench and two oil lamps rested on the floor at each side of a heap of every rag the swordsman seemed to find for a makeshift bed that was underneath one of the high windows from the crow’s nest and... was that Nami’s very large and very fluffy comforter at the top?

He should have brought something.

“What’s this?” he asked in a somewhat elevated tone, not shrieking, no ma’am.

“I knew you were not going to get it” He looked at Zoro’s back as he rotated his neck as if trying to relieve some stress.

And when he turned around, he had the audacity to look irritated when in reality, there was no way Sanji could have anticipated the swordsman going for romantic.

Holy shit, he had admitted Zoro was being romantic.

“This is your first time, I just wanted to make sure you were going to enjoy it” he shrugged, as if that was the most obvious thing, and explained his behavior.

Sanji blinked owlishly at him as if doubting the man in front of him who had his jaw sticking out and was fidgeting where he stood was the same man he had been sailing with during all this time.

He shook himself from his stupor and just to see if he could get away for a moment to make sure he was not dreaming, he blurted out “I can go down and grab a bottle of―”

“I already did that” the marimo said while he scratched the back of his head.

“What―”

“Here” he saw Zoro walking nearby the bench, where for the first time he noted two glasses, fucking glasses, and three bottles of his best wine, three.

Briefly, he realized that even though he was annoyed, he was not mad... And he was more upset at the brusque way the wine was being poured down by the uncultured marimo, than the fact that his stock was now almost non-existent.

The glass of wine was basically shoved onto his hand and he looked up annoyed at the swordsman, but still held it in front of him, for Zoro to toast with him.

Once he heard the soft clinking noise, he basically downed the contents in three large gulps, something that had the swordsman looking at him curiously while he tried to hide a small grin.

“So―” he tried to start with what was obviously going to be a joke but got interrupted by the swordsman.

“Before you start saying stuff that will irritate me, I just want to clarify something” he looked with wide eyes as Zoro took a hold of his glass to turn around and pour some more wine. “This will go your way and if at any point you don’t like something, just tell me and I will stop.” He handed to him the freshly served glass while he tried not to gape at the man before him.

“You can also kick me, but I will prefer if you try this thing where you explain the issue to me before sending me overboard” he saw how the green-haired man downed his own glass in one gulp and he swiped his mouth with the back of his hand.

Ah, yes. This was the marimo after all.

“Where’s the fun in that?” He took the glass to his lips and closed his eyes as he breathed in the notes of the berries, the oak and the plums. Taking a swallow, he finally savored the wine, rolling it around with his tongue, taking note of the dishes it will go good with. When he opened his eyes and looked at the swordsman, he found dark eyes staring at him closely only to turn away in haste in the direction of the bench.

He took a moment to look at Zoro’s back, those shoulders tense and movements stiff as he saw how the swordsman ditched the glass and started drinking from the bottle.

He sighed as he contemplated the behavior, unable to keep at bay the warmth he suddenly felt in his chest. He already knew, after all.

Or more like he remembered.

Zoro was this considerate person who usually communicated his feelings with actions instead of talking, who could be gentle even with rough words and his calloused touch. He had seen it countless times while he carried Chopper or helped Franky when Usopp was too tired. Or played with Luffy so he didn’t bother him with lunch, even if he didn’t want to. And even helped the girls when he wasn’t around.

All of that and more. But having all the good qualities of the swordsman aimed only at him at once it was... It was fucking intense.

He drank the rest of his wine and dropped his spent cigarette inside the empty glass. He saw Zoro putting down the empty bottle and just when he was about to make it to the second one, Sanji put down his glass by the bench, effectively placing his presence just behind the strong back.

He could feel Zoro’s heat, he looked up and his face was right there.

And just like that, everything made sense.

He started the kiss slowly, feeling those hands taking a hold of his jaw, and relished in the way Zoro let out a broken breath as he pulled him closer by his waist.

Their tongues found each other at the same time and the way those rough hands carved their way into his hair to tilt his head just right made him shudder.

He started with his tie, remembering how difficult it was for the swordsman before, but a firm touch stopped him and the deep rumble of Zoro’s voice said “Allow me” as he pulled him even closer with the soft silk.

Sanji smirked, the want from the other man was intoxicating and he whispered against his lips “You know, you are a lot kinkier than I thought”

“Is kinkier your code word for ‘experienced’?” Zoro asked, somehow seriously, moving his face away to look him in the eye.

“Not really” he replied honestly “But I can’t deny you are” he shrugged, trying to move closer, only to have the swordsman moving away slightly.

“Me neither” the green-haired man stated, and Sanji realized they were nearing some potential awkward subjects “I always thought you were only into women”

“Hey, beggars can’t be choosers” it had been the same excuse he had given to anyone who dared to question his tastes, his decisions. A well-rehearsed line that fell from his lips automatically along with a well-placed shrug out of habit, realizing too late it was the wrong thing to say.

“Is this what is going on here?” He was pulled back brusquely, those hands gripping at his favorite tie in a dangerous way, and jeez, it shouldn’t be such a turn-on and less in this situation, but it fucking was.

Shaking his head to try to regain some balance, he looked the other man in the eyes and uttered a simple “Nope” and placing his hands over those angry fists currently damaging his tie he added “We know that this could never be that” a smile tugs at his lips as he felt those hands relaxing, saw the way the swordsman starts blushing “Not after... Everything” he said softly.

Zoro looks away immediately, clearly affected by his words, and fuck, he thought a training marimo without his shirt under the sunset light was hot. But this embarrassed and blushing, not daring to look his way piece of algae was making him squirm.

“So... How come you have never let anybody... pitch?” the swordsman said after a moment, chancing a glance towards the blond.

“Mmmmmmm...” he laughed “Well, you see” he whispered, bringing the other closer with his tie, taking advantage and reversing his previously weak spot “Usually my male partners are a little bit....” he cleared his throat “Not as rough looking as you” he tried unsuccessfully. Seeing how Zoro tilted his head like he did when he was explaining to him how to separate his clothes to do laundry, he knew he had to be more specific.

“Not that you are the epitome of manly” he amended “Just because you feel like a brick and smell like―”

“Get to the point and cut the bullshit” the pull he gave this time was unforgiving, the swordsman's lips were so tantalizing close that the sudden desire of biting them made him gulp.

“Well...” He tried “you could never be confused by something delicate or feminine... All the guys I’ve bedded, could”

Zoro only nodded, waiting patiently, even when he had expected some sort of judgmental look or at least a grunt that meant he didn’t approve of his past. None of that came, and the knot inside of himself started to unravel and the words just spilled without restraint “For the longest time, I told myself that I did it with guys so I wouldn’t disturb or even utilize a delicate flower, even if she wanted to have me” Sanji’s hands moved from the tie and they rested now on the back of the strong neck, fingers traveling onto that ridiculous green hair to make sure Zoro was looking him in the eye.

“Until I met you” he watched how those beautiful brown eyes, turned golden by the candlelight, went wide in their surprise.

It was finally out, the fact that he had made an exception should be a clear indication to the marimo just how invested he was with this, pathetically obvious, yes. But he just wanted to make sure Zoro understood just how deep he already was with their relationship and how much he yearned for them to be in the same place or at least to make sure the swordsman will try to make things work.

But... Zoro.didn’t.say anything, he just kept staring at him with muted amazement, with his mouth hanging open like a fish out of the water.

Figure, he gave his heart to someone for the first time and they had to be a microorganism that couldn’t―

“Shut up” Zoro suddenly said, a deep frown set on his forehead.

“I didn’t say anything”

“No, but I can hear your brain”

“It’s just―”

“You’re not my type either” the swordsman blurted out, eyes a little bit wide as if that had slipped without his intention.

And what the fuck was he supposed to do with that information? “What is that supposed to mean?” He arched an eyebrow, unable to hide how offended he felt.

“Ok, you are manly cook” the swordsman rolled his eyes and begrudgingly added “perhaps even too masculine” he muttered, as if speaking with himself aloud.

“And vain...” he added

“And helpless around women, you also take almost an hour in the bathroom”

“I know you shave, but―”

“Ok, now you are just describing hygiene” Sanji interrupted, glaring at him and wishing for a cigarette.

“My point is... ” Zoro tried around a huff.

But at this point, he had had it, the marimo had ruined the mood and now he just felt ridiculous “The guys you have liked before are disgusting barbarians and I should have you checked?”

That earned him a glare and the hands tightened around his shirt now “You know Chopper does that on a monthly basis and―”

“Yeah, I'm not your type, buuuut―”

“I’m fucking crazy over you” Zoro said resolutely, eyes sharp and voice firm. Sanji’s whole world seemed to go silent at once as he stared wide-eyed at the man before him.

“Also, I don’t just let anyone pitch me” the swordsman muttered, looking away but not fast enough that he didn’t notice how pink his cheeks had gotten and how cute his blushed ear looked with those piercings.

He had already deducted that. But fuck, if he was not blown away right now. Not only had Zoro confessed the depth of his feelings but had definitely reassured him that this was no simple and horny sex.

No, this was more.

No simple storm, but a whole disaster that created tsunamis and ended islands.

His hands moved towards the swordsman's neck, touching everything he could, he tilted his head delicately, the same way they would when creating pastry flowers for his desserts, fingertips carving through the other man’s scalp.

Those intense eyes regarded him patiently, waiting on him. He moved closer, his lips a breath away, and whispered “How much do you want me?”

He saw the swordsman visibly swallow and those strong hands moved down to take a hold of his waist, his body now flushed against the marimo’s. A wave of desire rolled gently through him at feeling the swordsman’s hard body pressed against him.

“Right now” Zoro whispered against his lips, so the world wouldn’t hear.

“More than being the best”

And oh, fuck.

This time their kiss felt as earth-shattering as the thunder Enel struck down on him and left him alive. Stole his breath away just like the time a whole Galleon was about to fall on top of them. Those lips against his, pressing down his neck, teeth biting and tongue adoring as exhilarating as the very first time he was able to execute Diable Jamble.

His back landed on the duvet, he bounced on the soft fabric that still smelled faintly like oranges. And just because he knew his flower will be mad, he had to say it “Nami will kill you” he gasped, Zoro’s hands were busy pulling his shirt free from his pants.

“I can die tomorrow” he said against his neck, followed by a long lick. And good God, fucking one-word marimo, who gave him these disarming lines?

Sanji knew he was making the neediest sounds with his breathing, but having Zoro’s calloused hand going up to his abs under his shirt, while the other one was pulling open his buttons one by one and those lips leaving open mouth kisses across his throat were making a mess out of him.

Still a surprise, Zoro could actually multitask.

He would deny the moan later, but feeling the rough thumb reaching his nipple felt as mind-blowing as the night before and he bit down his lower lip as Zoro’s other hand teased his other nipple. His shirt was completely open, except for the last button, his legs starting to spread as he made room for the swordsman’s hips and his head was thrown back as he let the other feast on his neck.

He felt vulnerable as if he was being tasted, as if he was being used.

And it felt so fucking good.

He decided to take action and his hands that had been gripping the strong shoulders, started to go down the strong back, gripping along the deep line across the swordsman’s spine, the soft fabric of the white shirt munching between his fingers. Before he started pulling at it like he was about to rip it, Zoro straightened and removed the thing in one go, which left him looking up at miles of delicious bronze skin that turned almost golden under the candlelight. He felt almost hypnotized at how the muscles rippled as the swordsman threw his shirt.

Screw masculinity and types, he thought, remembering their conversation early as his eyes roamed greedily across the big pectorals, down the massive scar that was over the well-marked abs that showed off the swordsman’s discipline and even lower to the deep V-cut lines over his hipbones.

Roronoa Zoro was a whole category by himself.

“Liking the view?” the deep baritone almost made him shiver and his eyes traveled up to find dark irises taking note of his ogling, those golden earrings gleaming under the warm light.

But this type of word games, he could handle. Moving his right hand to his exposed chest, his fingers teasing almost delicately at his own nipple, he asked in a deep but playful tone “Is that really a question, or just an affirmation?”

With overwhelming satisfaction, he saw how the other man’s jaw went slack and how those sharp eyes burned at the finger teasing his nipple “You don’t play fair” he responded instead.

“This is no game” Sanji assured him, still teasing but carrying truth in his words as his other hand moved over his abs and went lower “This is a bet” he warned him.

Zoro’s gaze followed the path of his other hand that at this moment had reached his belt “What are you betting?” his voice had gravel in it and he saw how his eyes moved away from his buckle with great effort to look back at his eyes one more time, knowing this was important.

He felt himself pulling that grin he would wear before a fight; he hooked his finger at his tie to finally undo it and there was no doubt when he answered:

“My heart”

The grin he got back told him that Zoro was willing to match and double his bet and the next thing he knew was the feeling of those chapped and plump lips pressing softly against his, needy and demanding and coming back and again for more. Calloused hands carefully took over the tie that was pulled out slowly and placed away. With the last button undone, those strong hands cradled the back of his head almost delicately and guided him to a sitting position, never breaking the kiss, and his shirt was removed in almost a reverent way.

“Remember to stop me if there is something you don’t like” Zoro whispered against his lips, holding his chin with only the tips of his fingers, as if to make sure not to touch it with his rough skin. 

Sanji swallowed, this side of the other man that was close to tender was undoing him in a way he had never expected. He decided just to press his lips against the swordsman’s firmly, making sure it was obvious he wanted this. Because he really did.

The swordsman did a quick job with his belt, but he had to give a warning look to the idiot when he tried to pull them down without undoing his zipper. Rolling his eyes, the marimo just bent down and took the pull tab from his zipper with his teeth and as he saw those dark irises while he dragged the piece of metal down, he felt his cock throbbing at the display.

The sound that escaped him was a moan mixed with a growl, so he bit his lower lip to prevent other sounds from coming out, only to see the swordsman grinning around his zipper. He closes his eyes and ends up gasping as he feels the other man starts kissing his erection through the thin fabric of his briefs.

It gets wet, hot, suffocating and so damn good.

But he wants more and he wants out of these goddamn pants, now.

It seems that the swordsman felt his distress, since he pulls down his pants along with his underwear and he is suddenly completely naked, at the complete mercy of the other man. He looks up only to find dark eyes gazing down at his body with a hunger that almost makes him squirm. But he has never been one to show his shy side in this type of situation, or worst, admit defeat.

So, instead, he bends his legs and slowly, lets them fall apart. His cheeks burn as it is obvious that every inch of him is revealed to the swordsman.

But as embarrassing as it is, it is so damn rewarding.

Of course, he had seen Zoro’s eyes traveling up and down his torso, whenever he decided to remove his shirt. Or roam over his legs when he was wearing shorts or a bathing suit. Hell, he had felt those eyes eating him up while he was wearing any of his three-piece suites.

But every time he looked back at the swordsman, those eyes were looking somewhere else, they were distant or glaring back at him. That stupidly annoying stoicism, that over-the-top self-taught discipline, robbing him the certainty he felt that the idiot marimo actually fancied him and was dying to get his hands on him.

Well… Not this time.

No, this time the man before him was panting at the mere sight of him, those dark eyes seemed unable to stop staring at him. This time, he sees how Zoro had to actually grab his dick through his pants to keep himself from coming.

Fuck, making a mess of the marimo might be his new hobby from this point forward.

“See something you like?” he taunted with his sultry voice and bedroom eyes; he took hold of his cock to give a couple of lazy strokes as he waited for Zoro’s brain to catch up.

The reaction was what he expected, a low growl and a threat, Zoro moving so fast he could barely follow his movements. “I’m going to kill you” he murmured and then he was being kissed with desperation, calloused hands touching everything they could and his traitorous legs opened even more to accommodate the swordsman.

“Let me get the oil” the swordsman grumbled and as he moved around, he almost tripped while looking around since he kept trying to steal glances at his open legs. Sanji was grinning to himself at the action, trying not to laugh.

Roronoa Zoro, a pervert.

He did end up laughing when he saw the moment the marimo found the vial… inside the back pocket of his pants. He even rolled over the duvet guffawing once he noticed the very evident blush on his face as he stomped his way back to their makeshift bed.

Before the marimo could tackle him and obviously delay their situation, he extended one of his legs and placed his foot against the idiot's chest “Pants out, marimo” he commanded. And it should have been funny, but it was kind of hot seeing how Zoro basically forced his pants down, trying to get them past his hips without unbuttoning. Like seriously, what was he doing with this idiot? But getting to watch the slow desperate reveal was something that had his cock throbbing.

Once the stupid swordsman threw away those hideous pair of pants that were more likely ruined, he was met with those thick and chapped lips that claimed something within him that he didn’t know he could give to anybody.

“Let me blow you” whispered the swordsman, taking his bottom lip into a playful bite.

Sanji could only let out a needy groan and it seemed it was all the marimo needed to start kissing his way down to his very hard cock. Zoro is no teaser and he watches with muted awe how his member disappears in the marimo’s mouth.

“Fuck” he gasps, trying to keep his eyes open to see that strong jaw and those amazing lips taking him whole. He had been on the receiving end of a blowjob before, for sure, but it was nothing like this. Zoro has the perfect rhythm, the right pressure and he looks like he is enjoying it as much as he is.

He was about to lose this challenge completely, cum embarrassingly fast, but the warmth at his entrance made him focus and he opened his legs instinctively. Zoro’s thick finger slides with incredible ease and he feels a sudden pressure on his chest, his body becomes rigid and tense, which makes the swordsman stop his movements altogether.

But this is nothing, he tells himself, and stopping will be much worse than the alternative. So he takes a breath to recover, and then places his hand atop the green hair, and gently brushes the dangling earrings.

It's all the green-haired man needed, since he starts moving his finger causing a commotion in his body he had never experienced before. It starts as a foreign, almost invasive feeling and then, it transforms into a sensation he can’t get enough of. Zoro is sucking his cock at this slow and intense pace and it is matching it with his finger and it feels so good, but Sanji needs more.

His legs fall open completely against the duvet and Zoro gets the hint and adds another finger. Sanji bites his lower lip to keep himself from moaning too loud, he fists the soft fabric above his head instead, but lets out a long and loud moan when Zoro curls his fingers just so, igniting something in him.

He is in the middle of an insult when Zoro releases his cock with a wet pop and before he has the time to complain, he is with him, kissing him hard, his fingers still inside him, moving faster.

“You look so fucking good” Zoro’s voice was gravel, broken as if he was barely keeping himself together.

And fuck no, not dirty talk. That might be his undoing.

Sanji opens his eyes and he feels the sudden stiffness in Zoro’s posture, the way his jaw trembles slightly. And it shouldn’t feel so good, but learning about this control, this power he has over the swordsman, could become as addicting as the nicotine he took every day.

And because he likes it, he devours it and whispers “I want your cock” and this time, Zoro fucking stops and closes his eyes as he seems to curse him to the east blue all the way back to Raftel.

The stubborn swordsman, who wouldn’t crumble, who will never yield and was almost inflexible in his ways, it’s now putty with him in bed.

“What is it, you nutted already?” and Sanji could laugh, but he was damn close too.

“No” he heard the swordsman who was panting over him, his forehead against his chest “But you always do this”

Oh?

“You put this bravado shit, taunt the enemy, when in reality―”

“Don’t finish that sentence” he warned.

Not just after what we left behind in Thriller bark.

“Wanting your cock and fighting it's not the same” It kind of was, but he hated when Zoro knew him so well. Of course, he had this feeling of nervousness, mixed with a little bit of fear, but there was no way this was too much for him.

Zoro moved his hand again, adding a third finger. The pressure combined with this great sensation was good. Really good.

“Are you sure?”

But this was no longer concern, at this point, this was basically the marimo being the usual condescending asshole he was on a daily basis.

And, as usual, he was not going to put up with that, whether they were fighting or fucking.

Perhaps it was because Zoro knew him so well, but he removed his fingers as Sanji flipped them with a well-practiced―and rather familiar― twist of his hips.

And fuck.

Now straddling the swordsman, looking down at those dilated pupils, that heaving and sweaty chest, the way he swallowed and gripped his hips as if begging for focus…

This… This he did not expect.

Never he would have dreamed that he could dominate while getting fucked by the swordsman. He always thought about how he had to surrender, to submit. But never he imagined he could be the one in control. The one with the power.

And fuck, this shouldn't turn him on this much.

Without a plan in mind, guided by his pure instinct he hovered above the swordsman and with his index finger he traced the swordsman’s jaw, eyes never leaving his face and said in a firm voice while holding his chin “This is the last time you make me ask more than once for your cock”

The shudder and subsequent whimper his words elicit from the swordsman were something he will remember forever, he takes a bite at that enticing lower lip as he reached down and squeezed Zoro's cock a little bit harder than usual, which caused a lovely arch of bronze and sweaty skin, making him want to take him right there.

“Lube yourself” But tonight was not about that and he really wanted to take things to the next level already.

Using the hand that had been inside of him, Zoro took his length and used the remainder of the lube on his cock. Sanji watched how he gripped the base and twisted near the head. “Enough” he breathed out and Zoro's hand fell to his side.

Sanji pulled himself up with his knees and took in his hand Zoro’s cock, he felt his own arousal throbbing at the motion and his heart climbed at his throat. He looked down to the swordsman and told him “You have my word; I will tell you if I don’t like this”

With that, Zoro nodded once and that hesitant look was finally gone from those dark eyes. Sanji took a breath and he started to lower himself, feeling how his heart fluttered at the initial contact, his jaw trembled as the pressure mounted and he closed his eyes as he realized he will never be able to back down from this point forward, what he had given tonight to Zoro, he will never be able to recover it, no matter if he stopped things or not.

But fuck it. What's done, it's done.

Before he knew it, he was fully seated on the swordsman’s lap, his hands searched for the purchase of that strong chest and his eyes the support of those brown irises.

The swordsman mouthed ‘breathe’ and he let out what felt like all the air from his lungs from his 19 years of life and as he stared down at the marimo, he had the sudden urge to laugh now that he had him already inside and was nowhere near as painful as he thought it would be.

And while he didn’t laugh, he did grin down at the idiot, who grinned back at him. His vulnerability was slowly being replaced by eagerness and he decided to lift his hips just a little bit.

Zoro let out a needy breath and those hands took hold of his hips “Wait” and that had him annoyed almost immediately.

“I’m fine” he argued.

To his surprise, Zoro only opened his eyes and said “Oh yes, you are” and that lazy smile ruined something inside him forever “So fine” he continued, rough fingers grasping the meat of his ass, those calloused fingers leaving a trace that made him feel adored and used “―that I’m about to come”

Sanji lowered himself down, folding his arms atop the strong chest and he kissed the swordsman’s cheek, “Then come” he murmured, and lifted his hips again, his ass jiggling in Zoro's hands when coming down. And it was so dirty, so fucking obscene.

“But… You wouldn’t come before me, would you?” he breathed out as he moved again, the grip on his ass delicious and a tad possessive.

“Fuck you” Zoro sounded as if he was at the end of his repetitions when lifting the heaviest set of his weights.

“You are” he grinned and at that moment, he decided to start this for real. Moving himself upwards, he started grounding down his hips, and with each thrust, he felt the swordsman getting deeper and deeper, making the initial sensations escalate to the point of euphoria. And at that moment, Zoro had the audacity to start moving those hands and the moment those fingers pinched at his nipples, he cried out and could not contain any further sounds.

Zoro moved then, changed their position, he on top while he kissed him with more tongue than nothing else. His pace was just as fast but “Harder” he commanded. And this time he got what he wanted at once, the sound of skin slapping skin was dirty and he knew he was moaning louder than was allowed.

And then Zoro took hold of his cock.

And yes, fuck, they will do this again.

They will do this every day.

The way the stimulation seemed to exist in every single nerve of his body and how the grip of the swordsman was just perfect and how his pace matched his hand and how he started whispering sweet obscenities, things he had never heard him say before but barely understandable with his voice so deep.

Sanji came hard, spilling over Zoro’s hand while he bit the strong shoulder to keep himself from waking up everybody on the ship.

Sanji doesn’t remember ever losing consciousness while having sex, he had always been so attentive to his partner to allow himself to surrender himself to his own pleasure.

But of course, with Zoro it had to be different, just like everything else had been so far.

When he opens his eyes, all he can see is the moonlight from the high window dancing across the beams from the crow's nest, he can hear their mixed breathing and feel the weight of the swordsman who is currently laying on top of him.

“Zoro?” He runs a hand over the soft green hair and feels how the swordsman stirs “You can continue” he says, even though this is an entire new experience for him, he still wants Zoro to enjoy it.

“I―” Zoro starts, but clears his throat “I already came” while he was out of breath, there was something in his voice that didn't sound as happy as he imagined “Sorry, I didn’t―”

“It’s ok” he added quickly, he didn't much care about the etiquette when he was being fucked during his own orgasm “You see? I didn’t break” he ran lazy hands up the swordsman's sweaty back.

“I knew you wouldn’t, I just―” Zoro propped his chin over his chest, there was something alit in those brown eyes “I just wanted you to want to do it.”

Sanji grinned as he blushed, “Oh, I definitely wanted to do it.”

That lazy smile that made his heart stutter was wide across Zoro's handsome face “really?”

But instead of admitting how ready he was to be on all fours, he instead added his own spice “I liked to have you at my mercy”

“Yeah, no shit” he responded, and saw an almost cute blush across the tan skin as he murmured “That was super-hot, by the way”

Sanji grinned, satisfied, and requested: “Kiss me”

Zoro didn't even hesitate and pressed his lips softly, his hand cradled his head in an almost tender way and he felt a weird emptiness as he slowly pulled out.

He let out a sigh into their kiss and ran a finger through the swordsman's earrings making them chime as he smiled unconsciously. Zoro also smiled and ended their kiss with a sweet peck and once he opened his eyes, he found a warm brown gaze staring back. Fuck, he will never get tired of that look, he could only hope to deserve it someday.

"Let me get a towel" and without any further due, the swordsman stood up and proceeded to clean him with a towel he had nearby. The fact that this act seemed previously planned surprised him at first, but considering the wine, it didn't shock him as much.

Zoro brought him his cigarettes and lighter, and as he pulled smoke into his lungs, he saw how the swordsman chugged down the bottle of wine. To each his own vice, he supposed.

And as he enjoyed the well-deserved nicotine in his system and the swordsman went around turning off the candles and drinking the last of the wine, he looked up to the high window, finding his favorite stars. Remembering the ones his mother had taught him, finding a few that Zeff had mentioned and then finally locating the one he had been searching for: The heart of the Azure Dragon.

Also known as the Green Dragon, protector of the East. He remembered how he felt when Zeff pointed that one to him while holding his hand, he recognized it as a constellation he had only seen in books within his mom's embrace and with its brightness, it blanketed him with a promise:

He was far from the North.

Feeling suddenly like a small boy who had finally found a place he could hold onto, a place that will not deny him, he blurted out “Is it always like this?”

And he felt suddenly dumb for asking, what a way to ruin the moment, he must have just―

“It has never been this good for me before” the swordsman interrupted, his deep voice almost making him jump as he tore his gaze from the night sky and found the green-haired man standing a few feet from him, staring at him fixatedly.

The swordsman cleared his throat and scratched at the back of his head, turning his eyes to look everywhere but him “What about you?” he asked awkwardly. And it was hard not to stare at the marimo's naked form, but it was harder to convince himself that this was Zoro being shy.

“Well, I have never blacked out before” he admitted with a grin. He moved to his side, inviting the swordsman to come over, wanting the man's heat all around him.

It seemed Zoro had fetched an additional blanket and he covered them both, they entwined their respective limbs underneath and a green-haired head ended up above his chest.

“You were almost screaming” the swordsman said teasingly against his skin, leaving a kiss behind.

“You almost nutted at the beginning” that earned him a half-assed punch to the ribs and a few pinches to his side that only made him laugh.

“I'm glad you didn’t” he admitted, running his fingers across green hair.

“I just need practice” he felt a warm puff of breath across his chest, it seemed the oaf was getting comfortable to use him as a pillow.

Sanji hummed, closing his eyes as he smiled to himself “I think we will get to practice more often, marimo."

Zoro’s chuckle was the last thing he heard, before sleep claimed him, underneath a blanket of stars and warmth.

~-.O.-~

Time passed as it always did with such a captain as Luffy: fast and full of adventures.

But that didn’t mean Sanji didn’t get to spend most of that time with their first mate.

If someone in their crew was suspicious about them, they had kept it to themselves, which Sanji honestly appreciated. However, he could barely care at this point.

Spending with him sleepless nights, sometimes sweating under the sheets, sometimes drinking and laughing. And sometimes just sneaking into each other’s bunk bed when everybody was asleep, it was a tight fit, but as he rested his head on the strong chest and felt how a strong arm brought him closer, he had decided it was the part he enjoyed the most.

They had visited a winter island in which he got to be two days in a cabin alone with the green-haired man because of a heavy blizzard and his beautiful Nami did not want to pay extra for individual cabins.

That had been nice.

Being warm on a winter island.

Being warm on a winter island while he was naked.

But that was not all.

Having those grins aimed at him, eyes that twinkled with malice, hands that could barely stay away from each other. It got so bad, that sometimes during their meals, Zoro would take his hand and lace their fingers together under the table while everyone else was eating. The first time he did it he almost had a stroke, but the comfort he felt with the solid weight Zoro's hand provided, had made him enjoy his meal even more.

Sanji had never experienced this before… it was… it was a little bit―

A sound behind his back startled him and he saw the green mop of hair coming up from the high window at the crow's nest. An unbidden smile made way across his face and he put out the cigarette he had been smoking to get up and help up the other man.

It was a little bit complicated to get onto the roof, but the sky was full of stars and the breeze from the ocean was warm, so Sanji had decided to go up here while he waited on the marimo.

"You brought up the food?" he asked while he took the two bottles the swordsman passed him.

Zoro rolled his eyes at him, like usual "Yes, I did, just like you repeated to me a thousand times to do" to emphasize his point, he almost shoved the picnic basket into his hands. But, of course, the idiot knew better.

They set up their meal on the floorboards that had been cleaned previously by him, he enjoyed the pasta he had prepared for himself with shrimps and the amount of paprika he personally enjoyed. He relished the blush that spread across the marimo's cheeks when he hand-fed him a forkful of his meal and laughed at him for not being able to tolerate the amount of spice.

Zoro surprised him when he offered some of his rice with his chopsticks, a well-balanced bite that had meat and broccoli in it. His face was flaming as he leaned over to take the bite from the swordsman and saw how the marimo averted his eyes at the last moment with a red face as well.

He got up to enjoy a smoke after their dinner and Zoro followed him to the railing while opening the second bottle. They spoke about the last market they had visited, the new routine Zoro was trying, his predictions on Fish-Man Island. He would have never thought that the perfect romantic evening under the stars he had always planned in his head will be an improvised dinner with the uncultured brute he called marimo.

Everything was perfect, but then, Zoro made a question that made everything stop and he lurched back into the cold prison of his memories.

“What was your mom like?”

It makes the smoke he was just inhaling go down the wrong pipe which causes a coughing fit while he tries to analyze where is this coming from exactly.

“What?” he wheezes out, gripping at the railing to find some purchase and not falling down the deck. But Zoro doesn't seem that he is about to back up, in fact, if he had to guess, his frown looked the same way when he was determined or was being stubborn about something. The prominent blush was a novelty though.

The swordsman shrugged after a while and said very quietly “I just want to know”

“Why?” and he really doesn’t want to sound so defensive, so rude.

He sees Zoro taking a long swallow from the bottle he brought up and then runs a hand across his hair. The last time he did that was when he told Chopper by accident that fairies didn't exist. Zoro regrets the question, that's obvious, but he still looks him in the eye when he insists “I want to know where you come from and I have heard a lot from Zeff, but never...”

He looks away quickly.

He tries to breathe but his lungs are tight, his throat is closing, he fights to bring air into his body until he realizes:

Zoro is trying

Zoro wants to hear the stories he had eluded to tell his crew all this time; he wants to look into the pieces that made him who he was. The jagged and marred pieces, the ones that were black as charcoal and rotten as his childhood.

"I just want to know you more" Zoro whispers, not looking at him, tilting the bottle all the way up.

His mother's memory that he held so close to his heart was something that could threaten to tear his seams open and he was sure as hell the swordsman didn't want to see the mess he was inside.

But when he looks back, ready to tell the marimo to forget it, Zoro has this look. A look of regret and remorse is stark across his face and Sanji hates himself for being the one that is keeping it there. So, with a deep inhale and doing his best to keep a steady voice he answers.

"My Mom... My mom was the most beautiful woman I have ever known." To this, Zoro's face relaxes and a small smile starts showing on the corner of his mouth.

"I'm sure every boy says the same thing about their mothers―" he shrugs "―but with her, I'm still sure" It happens within a second but he realizes

He can breathe now.

"You should have seen her, marimo" and remembering her, on a sunny day, collecting flowers, her blue dress, her hair gathering the light of the sun and moving softly with the wind... he decided to start there.

"She had soft and long hair that looked like golden honey and smelled like…" he takes a breath, knowing how fragile he is about to sound "…morning."

He looks back at Zoro when he doesn't hear any joke, and finds him staring at him with wide eyes, he swallows visibly, and then he sees him blinking repeatedly "Yeah?"

"Yeah" he says, thinking that perhaps is the fact that he is being so open that has the marimo floundering like a fish out of the water "Her skin was smooth and soft, she was perhaps a little bit paler than me at the time because she was sick all the time" he remembers her at the bed, always smiling, always kind. "She gave the best hugs" he adds automatically, hearing his voice crack at the end, looking away as he feels the sting at his eyes, being suddenly enveloped by her warmth, how she held him tightly every time he came to visit.

He feels Zoro moving closer, his shoulder a solid presence against his own, providing support. "She does sound beautiful" the deep rumble of the swordsman gives him warmth and he has to bite his cheek to avoid starting sobbing like a child "I mean, the way you talk about her… it's pretty obvious she was"

And it made him realize.

His mom was not an ugly piece of himself.

No, she was the best piece he had of his previous life.

He rubbed at his eyes as quickly as he could and he vowed never to try to forget her again "I told you" he said tersely, trying to get a hold of himself. Breathing was getting easier now, but he still felt the lump in his throat full of unshed tears.

But nicotine always helped with that, also the warm breeze from the ocean soothed something within him and perhaps the strong presence at his side made him feel better, enough to crack one of his usual lines "Is this how you planned to get into my pants tonight, marimo?"

He sees the grin on Zoro's face, sharp as his swords just like the following words "I thought I was supposed to try to get into your heart, cook"

Sanji almost drops his cigarette as he throws his head back to laugh, open and free. Only the marimo could do this. Only he could make him angry, feel like crying of both sadness and anger, give him a life revelation to then cause maniac laughter to come out of his belly.

"Who taught you how to speak, green monster?" he dropped the cigarette and stomped on it, promising to clean it later.

Zoro moved fluidly, placing one hand at his waist and another one at his face, he let himself be pulled to a kiss that was soft and light. Just a touch on his lips that burned the coldness away.

"I know words, idiot" the swordsman murmured, moving his nose to brush his and Sanji blushed at the tender gesture.

"Your dad taught you?" he said after a moment, their foreheads touching, not missing the moment in which the hand holding his face went down to his lower back. Zoro had never mentioned his family before, it was just a sensei and a dojo with a lot of kids and one really special girl.

"No, I―" Zoro's pause made him open his eyes and he just found those dark eyes searching for words "I never met my parents, you know?" and he shrugged, as if it was nothing.

"They abandoned you?" Sanji asked, trying to know more.

"I don't really remember what happened to them" Zoro didn't seem affected at all by the absence of his parents in his life, something inside of him kinda envied that "Koshiro just told me I was sent specifically to the village to be trained as a swordsman by him"

Sanji hummed in understanding, he had heard enough about Koshiro to know he was some sort of father figure to the marimo. "So, basically inside a basket with a note on your forehead?" Sanji moved the golden piercings with his finger, smiling when he saw Zoro's grin.

"You can make fun of me, but it sounds about right" he kissed his cheek and brought him even closer, those strong arms enveloping him while chapped lips traced his neck up to his jaw.

But there was something he had been dying to know about and even though the swordsman's mouth will always be distracting, his curiosity was winning over tonight. "So…" he tried, but felt his breath hitching as he felt a playful bite close to his collarbone.

"Hm?" Zoro was unbothered, nosing at his neck and not so discretely undoing the button of his collar.

"Who is Kuina?" he felt the immediate stiffness from the swordsman and berated himself for ruining the moment.

"I told you about her?" the swordsman straightened and looked him in the eye, he was already missing those lips against his skin.

"No…" he looked at his side for a moment, feeling all kinds of uncomfortable "But you have mentioned her a couple of times" and you always have this sad smile on your face every time you do.

Zoro continued to give him this cryptic look until it transformed into sadness and that broke his heart anew for a whole different reason. "I'm sorry, I was just―"

"It's ok" the swordsman pulled him closer "It's…" he swallowed, looking a bit uncertain "It's been a long time since I talked about her" he finally said, his voice gruff.

"You don't have to" Sanji assured him, placing a hand on his jaw, tilting his head so he could kiss him.

"I want to" he stubbornly added against his lips. "I want to share her story with you" he whispered. A warm breeze moved his hair away and he heard the chiming of Zoro's earrings, the sound made him open his eyes and he saw the swordsman smiling at him. It didn't take him long to realize he was smiling as well. Zoro started his tale with vivid eyes and a few laughs, his eyes never leaving his, his body always close, his hands always around.

Many things made sense after he learned how Kuina's life and demise were entwined with Zoro's path and dream. And by learning about her, he had learned so much about the swordsman.

He knew now about a boy who had liked to run around through the tall grass chasing butterflies and fireflies ―good for the reflexes he had said― A little green menace that enjoyed strawberry pie and went fishing with his sensei and friends and ate grilled fish with white rice under the stars. He told him about Kuina not wanting to learn how to prepare the traditional dishes, how she refused to wear a kimono for her seventh birthday and how graceful she had looked the last time they fought.

A childhood full of festivals, traditional food, competitions and long summers.

Overall, a happy kid. Zoro had been lucky enough to have a sweet taste of what a childhood is supposed to be and Sanji felt genuinely content that the little green-haired boy he pictured in his head had enjoyed the games, the mud all over himself and had afternoons full of raucous laughter that left him without a breath.

The relief that invaded Sanji at knowing this, was so vast, that he couldn't even begin to feel envious. And while sadly it didn't last long, the way the swordsman carried her friend's will, her dream, and even her stubbornness, talked volumes about the man he had become.

He didn't crumble, he didn't break, he gained a renewed focus, like if his path suddenly narrowed down and the games for kids were no longer there to deter him away.

Zoro suddenly let out a loud snore, his limbs shifting and his head moved to accommodate himself better across his naked chest. The marimo had decided to be his blanket for tonight as if protecting him, his heavy presence a comfort. He was fine holding him while he traced lazy patterns across his back and hair, his own way of reassurance.

Finally learning this about the swordsman, it was really no surprise Sanji had felt attracted by this man. Sanji let out a small snort at that. He had felt nothing but anger at seeing how he had treated Nami the first time he interacted with him and he almost flipped the table the first time they ate together.

Zoro had been like an onion made of steel. Difficult to peel, impossible to dice and it made you want to cry after the first few layers.

And it had all been worth it.

What Sanji had found after all this time was not only a crewmate but a nakama, not really an enemy, but a partner and against all the cold stares, the insults and fights… a lover.

But…

There was still this big difference between them that, by now, it was obvious was not going to be resolved any time soon. Maybe never.

Their never-ending quarrel about women had started their very first fight. Zoro hated how he followed the archetype of a gentleman and didn't let any women do any sort of labor if he was there to provide them comfort and of course, he will never hurt them even if his life depended on it.

Don't get him wrong, Sanji knew women could be fierce and they could conquer the world and he definitely knew how dangerous women could also be, completely lethal. But he will definitely die before he harmed a woman.

How could he not? After knowing how his mother was mistreated by the man she had trusted to build a family with, after learning the way she had sacrificed her well-being to save her children, bowing to never hurt a woman was not so difficult, and actually, it was a path he had already started, the old man just told him how to follow it.

But of course, after learning about the girl who always defeated Zoro, he understood why the swordsman didn't see things his way.

While Sanji honored the memory of the woman he had loved the most by protecting them and taking care of them as he wished he had done for her, Zoro honors the memory of the girl who taught him his path by not providing any sort of special treatment and fighting them as equals, even if that meant their death.

How could this work?

His own ideals insulted Zoro's childhood friend while the swordsman's ideals hurt his mother's memory.

He let out a long sigh, getting tired of this internal battle that perhaps only his brain had even begun to―

"Go to sleep" Zoro's gruff voice was muffled against his right pectoral and he smiled to the ceiling at the marimo's weird sleeping schedule, waking up all the time, falling asleep in less than five seconds. Completely the opposite of his…

Oh…

Yeah, that's right.

It didn't matter. It had never mattered.

He was sure that Zoro could show compassion to an enemy, the same way he will definitely respect a woman's power.

"Zoro" he exhaled, a tired smile making way across his face. Sometimes he just analyzed things too much.

"Mhm?" was the gruff response.

Sanji ran a hand through green strands, closing his eyes as he heard the cicadas, his fingertips glided across a strong back, feeling the heartbeat just below, a strong sound, a steady rhythm.

"You're already in my heart"

Strong arms tightened around him, Zoro's grin felt like a brand against his skin "Is it me, or you don't wanna sleep tonight?" his deep voice had an obvious tint of affection that he had never heard before. It made him want to laugh until dawn.

"You don't have another round in you" he replied instead, chuckles laced with his words, laughter that the swordsman hungrily devoured even as he basically giggled against his lips.

Zoro proved him wrong in his own way. It was not their typical 'round', no. This time, he moved differently, slower, paying attention to detail the same way he did with a new technique, familiar with how you did eclairs.

Those calloused hands touched every good place he already knew about and abused the new ones he had discovered. Burning lips tasted his skin and swallowed his gasps and moans as he fucked him as if he was about to break.

The usual lascive comments were now almost delicate, whether it was his name, something about his eyes, how soft his skin was, his taste, compliments he never expected to hear, he took them greedily.

He wanted to answer them, he thought he did sometimes in between gasps, words laced with moans. It felt like they were connected for hours, it could have been days.

Sanji came as the sun rose, the swordsman's name on his lips, his body arching and tightening. He closed his eyes tightly as everything became sensation... It didn't feel like the other times, no. It was not a release, a goal… It was more like…

Zoro let out a moan with his name at the end and then he stilled on top of him, he felt kisses on his neck, his jaw, and when he opened his eyes, everything became clear. There he was, smiling at him, those beautiful brown eyes hooded with affection, golden earrings gleaming under the first rays of the sun.

It felt like waking up.

~-.O.-~

But soft waves and warm nights are not to last in the grand line, and the next lesson will be hard for both of them.

~-.O.-~

It was unusual these days to find a rival crew that wanted to fight them. Because of their "popularity", they were not a crew to take lightly anymore.

It was also very, like, really unusual, to find in such careless crew so many beautiful women.

Sanji dodged a sword that had been aimed at his head, while he barely dodged the brunt of a whip at his back by rolling to his right.

He was surrounded by Ivania, a beautiful brunette that was merciless with her sword, Lucia who preferred whips and Susana, who kept smirking at him as if she was about to eat him.

"I don't think I deserve to be in the presence of so much beauty" so far, he had been able to dodge their attacks but his instinct told him that he was about to be in trouble. By now, he was sure that they had learned his movements after all.

"Fight back!" he heard the swordsman yelling at him, while he slashed through another guy near the railing.

Why was life so perfect and unfair at the same time?

"Ladies, I'm sure we can reach an agreement" he tried, as he saw how Susana dragged her tongue across her upper lip.

He was also getting distracted.

"Then, just give us the treasure and become our slave" Ivania sounded so innocent, it hurt.

"We have heard marvelous things about the desserts you create, Blackleg" and then Lucia bent just so, that made her cleavage do this thing where it seemed that her breasts were just about to―

The hit on his head from the beautiful Susana made him lose his balance, she had used something that looked like a hammer. You had to admire the way she looked so delicate with her tulle skirt and pigtails but could handle such a heavy weapon without showing any effort. 

He almost went down but then the marimo was suddenly by his side, his head landing on his shoulder. If he was here, that meant―

"Kiki Kyuutoryu: Asura" Sanji saw how simultaneously the whip, the hammer and the sword were cut down and there was shock across the beautiful ladies' faces, Sanji really wanted to assist all these amazing, heavenly creatures, but―

"You left Nami alone?" his eyelids were getting heavier and he distantly heard the explosion from Franky's weapon.

"You were being an idiot" was the gruff response.

Sanji saw in an almost detached way how heavy droplets of blood covered the wood below them, he was still using Zoro's shoulder as a support and he knew that without the swordsman he would have passed out by now. But his delicate flower was in danger and he needed to―

A scream from a voice he knew too well made his eyes go wide and he whipped his head to see a tall man lifting his arms with a sword in his hands where he had last seen her behind the barrels.

He moved as fast as he could, guided by his instinct, using her voice to locate her, her aura.

But it was too late.

He kicked at his chest but his sword had been already down, across his peripheral he saw a flash of red as the sword dared to touch the delicate skin of their navigator and the man was sent sailing overboard with his shirt on flames.

"Are you ok, Nami-dear?" he crouched in front of her, seeing the red angry line across her forearm.

"I'm fine" she said tersely, while she covered the wound with her hand.

"Can you move your fingers?" he asked, concerned. Knowing how important those hands were to draw maps.

Nami looked slightly worried, but moved her hand just fine "I'm ok, Sanji-kun"

It didn't matter to him because he just scooped her from the ground and ran towards the infirmary to take care of her wound. He saw Zoro cutting the grappling hooks as he gave him a look that was a mixture of annoyance and something else. He took a mental note to come back to make sure the ladies were fine.

"Franky, take us out of here!" Nami ordered as they passed by Robin who looked at him with wide eyes, obviously worried about Nami's injury.

"My pleasure" was Franky's response, while he heard Usopp's scream "Finally!" 

He placed her above the bed of the infirmary as he moved away for Chopper who was just behind him. He was about to go out to help clear the deck when he felt a hand on his shoulder "You're not going anywhere with a wound like that"

"What wound?" and it was the last thing he said before he passed out.

~-.O.-~

His lungs feel tight, there is dust everywhere and there is a rotten taste in his mouth but he is still running. His left ankle hurts as if dislocated and he is sure he has at least three broken ribs but he keeps on searching.

Searching among shadows, and endless halls with broken pillars, the sun beating down his face but he feels cold, he is running out of breath, he feels like crying but he wants to beat the shit out of something, and then he hears it.

A scream, Nami's scream, she still needs help.

There is suddenly an open space in front of him, the goal he realizes as he keeps jumping on the debris, avoiding collapsing rocks under his feet. He sees someone standing, just a rigid shadow against the sun but it is not their lovely navigator, it's Zoro, covered in blood.

And he is truly out of air now when he sees those vacant eyes and he wants to scream, to ask what happened but his voice won't come out and as he touches his face he finds cold iron, as he collapses to his knees he sees the bars in front of him and he clutches to the swordsman who suddenly has him in his arms as he feels how everything fades away, there is a look in his eyes as if he is saying goodbye.

Don't say goodbye.

He grips at his shoulder, but his strength is leaving him, his hand keeps sliding down his arm. He is so tired, he ran so much, there's a piercing pain at his side.

Please, please, don't say goodbye.

Sanji wakes up gasping for air, touching his face, there is something concealing his left eye and he needs to rip it off, he needs to take it off.

A strong grip takes over his hands, moving them firmly away from his face. But the touch is gentle, he hears a deep voice talking to him and when his vision clears, concerned brown eyes are looking down at him.

His breathing relaxes and he stops trying to get out of his hold. Zoro must have perceived this since he releases one of his hands, which he immediately uses to touch the strong jaw, the skin smooth against his fingertips, those high cheekbones gathering the light from the lamp. The moment those earrings chime together, he realizes he is home.

"Are you ok?" he heard him ask and he grinned big and wide, probably looking like a complete maniac but he was happy to be back.

He nodded slowly and hummed softly as he felt a rough thumb tracing his left cheek, close to where the bandage started. "Is Nami ok?" he asked.

Those beautiful golden eyes became spears the moment he finished the question and he is aware that he just said the wrong thing.

"She's fine, just raised my debt" Zoro released him and something about the action made his heart sink but then those hands returned to level his head so he could get some water.

Once refreshed, the swordsman runs his fingertips across his nape and hair and it shouldn't feel so good, but it does. Chopper must have given him some pretty good painkillers.

"What was your nightmare about?" Zoro asked, as he continued to stroke his head.

Sanji had closed his eyes and just mumbled "Of you being an idiot"

Those fingers pulled not too gently at his hair and he glared at the idiot marimo "Stop being an asshole" the swordsman almost growled at him while he kept giving him this look.

Annoyed and tired he just snapped "Sometimes, I have nightmares about finding you too late back at Thriller Bark" and that made him stop.

Zoro blinked, obviously not expecting that answer "You do?" he asked, like the idiot he was.

"It's not a big deal" he shrugged as he looked away.

"I'm here" he answered instead.

And it shouldn't annoy him as much, but it does "I know you are, you big idiot" He pauses, tries to breathe "There was just a moment in which I really thought I wasn't going to find you" his voice doesn't break at the end and he huffs to the side, trying to avoid the swordsman's irritable face.

"What about you?" he hears him ask.

He turns to look at him, now truly annoyed "What do you mean what about me, you're just―"

"You cannot expect to cross the grand line without fighting women" he says with finality as if that was the absolute truth.

And now he is pissed.

"THAT'S what you think was wrong?" he pushed himself up to his elbows to glare directly at this green asshole.

"Of course it was! Why do you think you're here?" Him?! It was almost Nami for this idiot's fault!

"You were supposed to watch the side where Nami was!" It was always like that, a common agreement, to protect and attack "She needed your protection!"

"You were the one in danger" he stood up and pointed at him "For your stupidity, you were the one who needed help" and it boils his blood so much, that he feels he might combust.

"I don't need your help" He growled out with such intensity that it made the swordsman pause.

The silence that stretched between them felt overwhelming, heavy on his chest as those eyes looked at him with something akin to despair.

Zoro drew in a breath, ready to say something when the infirmary door opened and Sanji couldn't be more relieved. It was Chopper, with his big brown eyes looking at both of them, clearly reading the tense room.

He was suddenly tired, exhausted and unable to see his Nakama worried about things they couldn't even explain to themselves. He came crashing down the bed, their doctor's worried yelp was the last thing he heard as darkness and exhaustion took over him.

~-.O.-~

Zoro doesn't come to visit in the next two days. He had been told his injury almost fractured his skull and that the stitches in his scalp needed to heal in order for him not to pass out from blood loss.

It doesn't really matter anyway; during these couple of days, he had not been able to stay up for more than a few minutes. It's until the third day that he has been able to stay up for more than an hour, in which he had been able to have a lovely conversation with his dear Robin-swan.

She had been talking about the lavender that has been growing out lately in her garden and he had explained how tea can be made with it and with which other spices it could be combined. He is excited about the prospect of the different dishes he could create with such ingredient, but there is a question hanging in his head even with the presence of a beautiful lady that had brought him flowers to brighten the room.

But it seemed her intuition was two steps ahead of him today.

"Swordsman-san is very upset" she stated in her calm voice, carefully putting aside the book with the information on herbs she was showing him before.

"He will get over it, he is just upset I refuse to damage beautiful women" he was not pouting.

"I am also a little bit upset by that" he turned his head and found a small frown on Robin's pretty face, he almost started apologizing but then she interrupted him and added rather brutally "Does this 'resolution' have to do with a particular woman in your life?"

He looked away from her lovely eyes and answered quietly "No" he bit at his lower lip and added reluctantly "Maybe"

He decided to go for a partial truth "It's just…" she looks at him, and he knows she knows that he is not being honest, but he continues anyway "Zeff taught me not to hurt any women"

She seemed to contemplate his words while she took a long breath "I'll make you a deal" she stated "The next time you are having issues with a woman that wants to fight you, call me and I will take care of it"

Sanji looked almost horrified "I couldn't"

"What?" Robin crossed her arms below her chest, making things distracting really quick "You don't think I can handle a bitch or two?"

He was not sure he heard that right, so he just dumbly asked "What?"

"Anybody that dares to attack one of my nakama when they are obviously refusing does not deserve any honor on the battlefield" she touched his hair delicately, the soft caress contrasting completely with her harsh eyes "And I will be more than glad to deliver punishment to them"

But the harshness in her eyes didn't last long as she kept gazing down at him, he began to feel like a child as he heard her sigh and she tenderly cupped his jaw, the side that didn't have a bandage "Rely on your crew, Sanji. We're here to help you"

No

He wanted to say

I'm the one who is here to protect you.

"Promise me" she insisted, her dark brown eyes looked deeply into his, they looked hurt and Sanji hated being the one who caused such emotion.

How he could deny her request?

"I promise" he said, meaning the words, always doubting himself.

"Good" she nodded and smiled, genuinely this time, her fingertips slid down his face and she sat down again, opening another book that she had left on the table at the side of his bed. There was a heavy question in his head and perhaps it was the hit he had taken but it ended up slipping out of his tongue.

"Do you think..."

"Mmm?" she didn't look at him, but had not turned the page yet, she was paying attention.

"Do you think Zoro would have done what he did for anyone else?" he rushed the words out, feeling silly and hollow by asking.

Of course, if a Nakama was in danger, whoever is nearby has to help immediately but…

That's the thing

He was not nearby.

He was pretty far away and the swordsman had been butting into his fight way before the blow.

The reason why Zoro moved from his position where he was protecting Nami, the reason why she had been hurt was because he was paying attention to his fight where he knew he was at disadvantage.

Because they had decided to be together.

Because he had put the needs of his partner before the crew.

Because that was why perhaps love between nakamas didn't work in a crew.

"Wouldn't you have done the same?" Robin asked with a radiant smile and a suspicious glint in her eyes.

His heart panged, it hurt, because as he answered, he realized he had been honest for the first time before they started talking about the marimo.

"Without a doubt"

Because Sanji already knew he would leave everything behind if Zoro was the one in danger.

~-.O.-~

The next day he was allowed to start cooking for his crew again, with some restrictions imposed by Chopper that he was not really following at the moment. He opened the door of the large oven so he could check the roast that was almost completely cooked, the skin of the boar's leg looked crispy and the potatoes were soft when he pinched them with the fork.

He closed the door and set the timer for ten minutes, making sure the roast will be cooked to perfection, after these couple of days, his nakama deserved nothing less.  Sure, he had always left some meals frozen in the event of things like him being unconscious for the good part of two days happened. That way his job wouldn't become a burden for his nakama. He had made sure everyone, including Luffy, could use the oven Franky had designed for him.

He stopped his chopping as he remembered how upset his captain had been at the idea of him not being around, but nowhere near as difficult as their first mate.

Zoro had crossed his arms and jutted his jaw out and spent most of the time discussing how it was impossible for the cook not to be around and how he didn't need to learn anything.

In the end, it had been him implying he was scared of the oven that got the marimo to learn how to use it, only so in the end he looked at him with eyes full of reproach.

He looked down at his perfectly chopped carrot and thought how unfunny that memory was after what happened in Thriller Bark and how things needed to change between them.

They needed to go back, they couldn't be together, not when that exactly could be a weakness for the crew, for themselves.

For their dreams.

Tonight, he will speak with him tonight. They were near Saboady now, Nami had said that it could take up to five days but it will be less if the wind kept being this favorable.

The galley door opened, and he cursed internally as he heard the obvious thump of the annoying pair of boots the swordsman insisted on using every day… Sometimes without socks.

As he cringed internally while he arranged the sliced carrots over the other roast he was putting together, a strong arm circled his waist and moved him closer so the marimo could place a kiss on the side of his forehead. Where the bandages had been placed before.

Stupid, stupid, stupid.

"Stop" he said, pushing with his elbow without any real strength since he was battling the urge to just lean onto the strong body.

"I don't wanna fight anymore" Zoro spoke into his hair, nuzzling further while his other arm came around him.

He placed the carrots aside and turned to face the swordsman and while he looked him in the eye he finally explained "We need to stop"

"Huh?"

"This―" he gestured with his hands to the space between them as he took a step back "―This needs to end, Zoro"

"What?" he looked perplexed as he asked but soon his eyes looked at him with hurt and he felt all kinds of shit for this.

"You heard me" he turned away while he decided to place the remaining carrots on the roast "Now get out of here" he picked up the tray and opened the oven, cursing silently as his hands kept trembling.

"You…" Zoro started, but he was not going to allow it.

"You favored your lover over a crewmate that needed you more, there's no more to discuss" he tried not to panic as he said the word 'lover' but he felt the heat on his cheeks and it was not the oven.

Zoro closed his eyes and took a deep breath like if he was the one being unreasonable.

Once he opened his eyes, Sanji regretted everything that had happened between them, the hurt was transparent in those irises and he hated himself for being the cause.

But the swordsman's face remained stoic and his deep voice felt like a slap to his face "Is this really the only solution you see to this apparent issue?"

Bargaining.

He was not expecting it.

No, he was actually expecting for him to bolt the moment he said he didn't want anything with him anymore.

Because Zoro was a proud asshole.

"Are you going to admit you were wrong and then work from there?" He asked, not because he didn't know the answer, but because he wanted to make sure the swordsman understood where his reasoning was coming from.

"No" was the resolute, stubborn answer.

"Love between nakama―" he started, hating how his face felt so hot just by using those embarrassing words "―can bring harm to the entire crew"

"Is this your reasoning?" the swordsman took a step towards him that made him recoil immediately. If Zoro got any closer, his resolution might crumble.

"This is the truth" he answered, his tone even as he visibly swallowed.

"A coward's truth" He kept taking steps towards him as he kept taking steps back, like if the bastard knew what was going on inside his head "We can work this out, cook"

Sanji didn't want to hear it, he knew how to fix this immediately and he was not going to endanger his crew by 'trying' his relationship with the swordsman.

"I already told you―"

A beeping sound suddenly filled the galley, indicating the first roast was ready.

Luffy came in barging immediately like a trained puppy that knew the food was about to be served.

Sanji let out a breath but then he was pulled from the front of his shirt and Zoro growled in his face:

"This isn't over"

He shoved him with his usual brutal force back at the counter and he saw him leave the galley as everybody else started pouring in for lunch.

He knew he was not going to sit with them, knew he was going up to the gym and lift his weights until he felt numb.

Sanji just hoped the swordsman soon realized this was the best option for them.

Is not like he was irreplaceable.

~-.O.-~

Night arrived fast and without remorse and Zoro was still up, straining his injuries, damaging his body and without any food inside his stupid stomach. Sanji let out a cloud of smoke as he looked up and contemplated what he had to do next.

It seemed things were not going to end as easily as he thought they could, or at least not as peacefully. He knew what the swordsman was capable of when he was angry, but he had never expected to have such rage directed at him. However, he was sure they were not about to engage in a physical fight and therefore the Sunny was not in any incoming danger caused by their quarrels.

As he crushed the cigarette beneath the sole of his shoe, he remembered that as the first mate, Zoro's obligation was first with his captain and nobody else, and that was fine.

To be expected.

It had to be the same for him after all.

And as he climbed the rope ladder, he told himself it was.

It was, it was, it was.

He found Zoro in a barely lit gym, arms and back trembling under the weight of his largest dumbbell, muscles tensed with each step he took. He was horrible for putting such a burden on him, on the only person he wanted as his lover.

"We need to talk" he didn't want to wait any longer, knew how unfair it was to prolong this decision of his.

"I don't wanna talk" was the short response, arms still moving with the reps. He wanted to laugh and scream at the same time, only the marimo would do this to him.

"Well―" he fisted his hands so they would not go flying to his left pocket and retrieve one of his cigarettes "―let's"

Zoro placed down the dumbbell softly, his breathing was elaborated and his whole body was covered in sweat, tan skin glowed under the one candlelight in the room.

Fuck.

This was getting more difficult by the second.

"So―" he started

"You're being stupid" the swordsman interrupted.

"You're being stubborn" he added, crossing his arms in front of his chest.

"Yes" the swordsman moved closer, steps heavy but with a cautious approach "There is someone I want, wants me back but it's not taking a fucking chance" Zoro sounded as if he was explaining the easiest thing in the Grand Line and it annoyed him to no end. This was not as simple as he made it sound.

"Because we are putting at risk our nakama" he explained, again. "Because we are here to protect them, not…" he took a breath, and ran his hand through his hair as he heard Nami's scream echo in his head "… each other"

"I―" Zoro started, again trying to negotiate, sounding as if he was the reasonable one.

"Don’t lie to me!" he hissed "You know what happened, what if next time―"

"Cook" Those big hands took hold of his shoulders, anchoring him, forcing him to look up as Zoro cupped his face between his palms, those golden eyes pierced him in a way he had never felt before "I would sink all the ships in this world for my nakama"

He saw how those eyes relaxed, a fond expression flickering across his usually stoic features "For you, I would sink even this one"

Sanji felt the somersault his heart did, felt how his lungs were too tight to draw a breath, the excitement at the dangerous promise Zoro had just thrown at his face needed to be drowned, he needed to forget this feeling.

But no words came out and Zoro took that as an indication to move closer, his lips a breath away from his "But, I know, you will never allow me to do that" he said in a whisper "I know that you and I are strong enough to prevent that from happening"

"Together" he breathed out, the only word that came out and Zoro smiled, golden eyes shining with something so warm he couldn't look away, he didn't even realize when the first tear came down rolling his cheek.

The swordsman nodded, moving his thumb to wipe away the tear "Together, we are" he said against his skin "Don't give up on me" he kissed his other cheek, catching the salty trail of another tear "Don't pussy out on us"

And this man deserved an award to be able to move him and annoy him so quickly.

"I'm not" he hissed.

But Zoro didn't falter, his affection continued and Sanji felt like laughing and sobbing at the same time.

"We're pirates" Zoro said near his ear, an affirmation that resonated throughout his whole body.

"What we have, is risky as fuck" he tried to retaliate, but he was leaning towards the swordsman's solid body, his lips tasting the smooth skin from the solid jaw, his arms coming around thick shoulders.

"But we take what we want, what we yearn for and fuck everybody else" And the grin he felt against his neck, drawing sharp against his pulse, felt just like having a sword poised above his skin, indicating he had already lost.

His arms tightened around him, bringing him closer. He felt like if he was just above the abysm, underneath lay waters he had never seen before, he had only dreamed to meet.

How could he be so selfish? So reckless?

He wanted this, of course.

But…

"On one condition" he said, looking Zoro in the eye, taking in everything the other man was at this moment, how beautiful he looked, how devasting he was for him. Zoro was the danger of the storm, the calm that came afterward and the joy of surviving the calamity.

"Never run after me again, no matter the situation" he knew he was being unfair, and for a moment it felt like he was offering poison to the person he loved the most.

"Sanji" the swordsman pleaded.

"Even if I'm in danger" he moved closer, bringing their foreheads together "or gone" he whispered.

The hurt he felt in those eyes will haunt him for years, he was sure.

"Take that, compromise that much and I'm yours" that was his condition and as he closed his eyes, he whispered "Zoro, I want to be yours"

The tremor he felt from the swordsman was violent and he could almost sigh in contentment, but then the same fatal words were thrown at him and he will understand how unfair he had been at offering poison and how Zoro will match him by offering a sword to the heart.

"On one condition" he opened his eyes to find Zoro's battle eyes staring intently at him.

"You will never put your life in the line for me again" he drew a breath to discuss, only to be cut off. "No exchange, no bargain, no trying to be smart" it hurt, it was unfair.

"I die" the swordsman said, a small smile on his lips "you live" and he framed his face with his hands, his eyes only giving away how happy that will make him.

Sanji wondered if Zoro felt the same lump in his throat as he did, the same weight above his heart, the same feeling of foreboding.

These were their promises.

Their conditions.

He felt like facing the entire fury of the sea. The most powerful enemy they had to meet as of yet.

They could doom their crew

Oh, but to love this man

"I promise" he said, as he felt the hot prick of tears in his eyes and fought them back.

Zoro grinned at him and fuck if he was not his match.

"I promise" Zoro answered.

He let out a broken laugh, sure as hell, he was crying now, but he could only say "Then kiss me, dammit"

The air he was missing, he found it in Zoro's lips, in the ways he grabbed his hips, moved his tongue and pulled his hair.

"You're mine" the swordsman growled while he pulled his lower lip and that was another fucking promise.

"I'm yours" he replied, felt the grip in Zoro's hands getting tighter, his possessiveness absurd, stupid and so, so, intoxicating.

"I think you have always had me" said Zoro against his lips.

And with that, their conversation was over, their clothes got discarded and Sanji marveled again at how Zoro could translate his love in his rough but attentive touches, his wild passion and tender kisses, his sharp eyes and soft voice. Such sweet words. So much warmth in those eyes.

As he blew smoke out of the window, contemplating how the light of the moon moved across the swordsman's muscular body, he made another promise, one that he will keep with him only:

I promise you, Zoro.

You will reach the top of the world.

With all of them.

Even if that costs me my life.

~-.O.-~

He opened his eyes in the darkness. The air felt cold, the space next to him was empty. He ran a hand through his face feeling all kinds of stupid.

The same dream… again.

He sat down and groaned as he felt the cold metal underneath his bare feet. He will never get used to that feeling. 

They were supposed to arrive Wano today, the submarine was supposedly at full speed and he couldn't wait to walk on firm land again.

He turned on the light from the small desk lamp at the table and decided to start a meditation session before going to the kitchen and trying to get some porridge to fill the emptiness of his stomach. It was the only food Law's crew had on board. It was tasteless, the texture was horrible and it filled his stomach. No spices, no perfect presentation, or anything that will make him remember just how good the cook's food is.

It was perfect.

His crew had been assigned two rooms and his nakama had been kind enough to leave him alone in one of them, they obviously sensed his mood, his quiet but persistent anger that refused to become resignation.

He just hoped Usopp could forgive him one day.

As he closed his eyes images of those blue eyes and golden hair flooded his mind, Sanji's voice whispering sweet things, soft sighs or breathless laughter invaded his heart, and the memory of soft hair gliding through his hand made his fingers twitch. He opened his eyes realizing again that this was useless, as it had been yesterday and today it seemed like another day where he will just drink himself stupid as the resident captain looked at him with that irritated look of his.

He stared at the blue dark ocean past the circular window in his room. He saw a school of fish passing by and he knew that Sanji would have liked it in The Heart Pirates' submarine. Would have made this place warmer and brighter, made the porridge tasty, tell the crudest of jokes and have everybody laughing.

Zoro was not a man who doubted his captain, but right now, he realized just how ahead Sanji had been of him.

Not going after him was a promise he had taken without hesitation because he could put his life on the line and save him from whatever danger he was facing. Sanji could reproach him all he wanted, what mattered is that he will end up alive. Never once he thought he was going to be outsmarted by the cook this way.

That's what it was, right? Or was this just his competitive nature getting in the way? Or his survivalist instinct so he could move on?

"You're already in my heart"

No, he realized then. They shouldn't have done that in the first place. Love had no conditions, no terms. He should be there, supporting him, telling him to come back and making him aware of how stupid his decision was.

He took a deep breath, deciding to do pushups instead until one of the doctors told him to please stop and offered him alcohol instead, just like yesterday. But before that, he looked deeply into the ocean and placed his hand above the cold glass of the window, looking at the contrast the dark waters created with his skin, and pleaded to whoever might hear.

Please, just please, bring him back. 

~-.O.-~