Chapter One

Don't own One Piece.

"I love you..."

Zoro was shocked; he never expected to hear that, least of all coming from him. What the hell was he thinking? How could he love him…a guy? A guy he is constantly fighting, insulting and competing with…

"What the hell are you talking about?"

"I know it must be quite a shock and I am constantly asking myself why I fell for a moss-brain like you…but…I did, Zoro. I love you, and I can't change how I feel about you…and believe me, I've tried. I thought I could live with that, but every damn night is the same; I am unable to sleep because of it. It's like a pressure over my chest, an uneasy feeling, and every time I see you…it hurts. I know that you must not feel the same way about me, but I am tired, Zoro. I'm tired of feeling like this, and I thought that maybe if I confess, there could be a slight possibility of you feeling the same way about me or at least take this weight off my chest."

Zoro was speechless, his brain stopped working as soon as Sanji said, "I love you." for the second time. Suddenly, because of this, Zoro forgot how to properly articulate his words, it's too much too much to handle…

"Zoro, could you please say something? You haven't said anything since I started talking…."

Zoro isn't moving, barely breathing, not even aware of his surroundings anymore.

Sanji approached Zoro, who seems to be in la-la land. Sanji barely touched Zoro's shoulder when suddenly, Zoro jumped and stepped a good two feet away from Sanji.

"Don't touch me!" Zoro yelled

"Zoro…."

"Don't you fucking dare say my name…you….fucking faggot! You thought that maybe I could reciprocate? You're crazy, you bastard! Why would I love you? You of all people. You should have kept it all to yourself…why the hell… you…you…I don't want you near me, looking at me or even thinking about me …I don't love you, Sanji, not now and I never will."

"I…" Sanji was unable to finish that sentence, interrupted by Zoro's rambling.

"And don't you dare say anything about this to the crew…because I will-" This time, Sanji is the one to interrupt.

"I won't…" Sanji said, almost like a whisper but loud enough for Zoro to hear. "You don't have to worry about me telling the crew, what would be the point? I won't speak about this…with anyone. Don't worry about me neither, I won't bother you anymore. I will never speak to you about these…feelings….just…. stop talking, stop saying…" Sanji trailed off, not being able to get the words out, constricted by the pain.

The pain of rejection is not much compared to the harsh words that came out of Zoro's mouth. Sanji knew about the possibility of rejection, damn, Sanji was even prepared for that to happen or so he thought, but how wrong he was. Imagining it and it happening are completely different. It hurts like a bitch, but what hurts the most is listening to Zoro's words coming out with so much disdain, disgust...about his feelings, about…him. "I have to go…I-I have to start dinner…" Sanji slowly made his way to the kitchen, holding every single tear that already started to gather in his eyes.

"I won't give Zoro the satisfaction to also see me cry…" Sanji thought to himself.

Sanji arrived at the kitchen, and as soon as he closed the door, he collapsed. He sat down on the floor with his back to the door and it was inevitable, he started crying, unable to hold the tears back anymore. Luckily, no one around to see him like this.

Zoro didn't move even with Sanji long gone. What the hell was the cook thinking? What was he trying to achieve by telling him that when it was almost certain that he would get rejected? Whatever…no need to think about this anymore, he said his piece, made everything clear so there won't be any more misunderstandings…and they won't be talking about this anymore.

Naturally, Zoro didn't go to eat dinner that day.

THE NEXT DAY

"Sanji, what happened you?" Nami asked, concerned by Sanji's look.

"Sanji-bro, you look awful! Were you unable to sleep last night, nightmares perhaps?" Franky asked, also concerned by how his friend looks right now.

Sanji always looks impeccable from head to toes every day, no exception, but today is not the case, his hair and clothes are messy, and if Franky was right, Sanji's eyes looked puffy, reddish and tired, was Sanji crying? Was the nightmare that bad?

Everyone is paying attention to Sanji right now, even Zoro looks shocked by how Sanji looks right now, but he tried not to feel guilty about it. "Did he cry all night because of my rejection?"

"Sanji, what wrong?" Nami asked again.

Before Sanji could even say anything, Zoro stepped in for him.

"Leave the cook alone, it must be nothing, perhaps a nightmare about some spiders. Right, cook?" Zoro spoke up.

"Right, no need to worry about me, my flower, it was a nightmare nothing else. Sorry to worry you all, I'll get breakfast ready right away." Sanji said,

Nami and the rest didn't look convinced, but they dropped the subject…it must be a sensitive subject and it's clear that the cook didn't want to talk about it.

Everyone resumed the activities they were doing before Sanji entered the kitchen.

Everyone but one.

Robin noticed that something was off about Sanji, something more than just a nightmare about spiders. But she would ask Sanji when the time is right.

Later…

"We'll be arriving on land in two days. I want all of you to gather all the supplies needed. We need food, clothes and medicine, so Chopper will go with Brook to find the medicine you need. Franky, Robin and myself will get the clothes for everyone. And Sanji and Zoro will get the food." Nami said.

Everyone seems ok with that, everyone but Zoro and Sanji. Zoro is uncomfortable, he doesn't want to be alone with Sanji and Sanji is heartbroken and now Nami is setting him up with the same person who hates him even more now after his confession? What a cruel thing to do, but to be fair, his lovely lady has no idea about their problem.

Everyone went to the town to carry out their tasks. As soon as every group went different ways, Zoro told Sanji he was going to a bar.

"What? But who is going to help me with the food?" Sanji asked.

"Beats me, I want to drink. Gather everything and I will come later to put everything on the ship."

Zoro left no room for argument and quickly made his way to the closest bar. Sanji stood there for a few minutes. "Figures he would leave me as soon as possible."

"Well, better get started or Nami will kill me."

At the bar…

After his sixth drink, Zoro felt that he should go and find that pervert cook and help him otherwise, Nami would kill him. "I gave him enough time to get everything we needed, better get going and help him with the bags."

Meanwhile, elsewhere in the town…

"Damn it!" Sanji cursed as he dropped all the bags again; he was carrying way too many bags for one person to handle.

It's been three times already. Sanji starts collecting everything again, only missing the fruits requested by the crew to make a fruit salad. Sanji was on his knees gathering everything when he spots the last fruit remaining. As soon as he extended his hand to reach for the apple, another hand grabbed a hold of the apple first.

"I believe you could use some help…Sanji." A strong voice said to the cook.

Sanji looked up and, to his surprise, he saw Luffy's brother, Ace.

"Oh, Ace…nice to see you! It's been a long time!" Sanji said.

"Indeed, did you miss me? I hope so, because I miss all of you, especially my favorite cook." Ace grinned.

Sanji blushed at Ace's words.

"Of course, we all missed you! And yes, if you could help me that would be great."

"What were you thinking, buying so much stuff by yourself? Where is everyone else?" Ace asked.

"Ah, well, actually we made small groups to complete our tasks…"

"And they left you with the groceries all by yourself?"

"Eh, no, actually…the moss-head was supposed to help me, but left me to go looking for a bar to drink." 'That bastard.'

"Hmm, that's not nice. Well, anyway, that's what I'm here for, to help my cook."

Sanji smiled. "Thanks…Ace."

They both start heading to the Sunny.

Zoro is lost. 'These damn streets keep moving... Where the hell is the cook?! Damn it…' Zoro was losing hope, when suddenly he spotted a blond head. Zoro headed towards it. He finally found the cook; Sanji was outside a coffee shop drinking on a table. 'All this time looking for him and there he is…enjoying himself, drinking coffee, smiling and laughing. Wait, smiling and laughing?! Shouldn't he be sad because of what happened?' As Zoro came closer to Sanji, he saw someone else sitting next to Sanji, sitting WAY too close to Sanji. 'Who the hell is…Ace?! What is he doing here? And why is he so close to Sanji and touching him so much?'Neither Sanji nor Ace noticed Zoro getting closer to them.

"Well, well, are you both having a nice time here, ladies?" Zoro asked.

Both Ace and Sanji stopped talking and looked up to Zoro.

"Hello, Zoro! Well, I ran into Sanji and decided to help him with the bags. We were going to the Sunny, but I treated Sanji to a snack before heading to the ship. You know, he deserves it, he spent all morning looking for all the groceries needed…with no help." Ace said while looking at Sanji, who is now finding his own hands very interesting.

"Well, now he finished. Let's get back to the ship now, before Nami kills us." Zoro said while taking all the bags by himself. Why he is a little upset that Sanji seems ok with Ace at his side? Zoro has no idea but he would not dwell on that right now.

"Good idea, but go ahead. Sanji and I have some catching up to do and I would like to speak with him alone because I won't be able with my brother and everyone else around."

"Nonsense, what could you possibly talk about that you can't with everyone else around; we need to get back soon. Cook, lets go, you don't want to make Nami wait, right?"

"Actually…you can go ahead, I'll finish with Ace here and will get back to the ship in a couple of hours, if that's ok, Zor…Marimo."

Zoro stood there looking at them both for a moment.

"Tch…Do whatever you want to do, I couldn't care less…" With that. Zoro leaves.

"Jeez, what is his problem?" Ace asked while drinking his tea.

"Don't know…" Sanji said in a low voice. 'He seems angry; perhaps we should go now and help Zoro with the supplies.'

"Ace, perhaps it's better to go…"

"No."

"What?" Sanji asked.

What did Ace mean by "no."?

"You deserve some time to relax, to have no worries, so no, I won't let you go until you've finished your coffee and have a nice time."

Sanji stared Ace for a while. 'I deserve to have a nice time?...Do I?'

"Thanks Ace. I will." Sanji said, smiling. 'I should thank God for sending Ace to distract me.'

"I'm glad. And how often can I speak with my Sanji, huh?" Ace grinned.

Zoro is on the ship, resting on his tree while looking at the town. "Where the hell is Sanji? Is he still with that Ace? He said, 'a couple of hours', its night already!" 'But why should I care? Let the bastard do what he wants, I'm gonna take a nap.'Zoro rested his head on the grass and close his eyes, not two seconds passing before Zoro stood up. 'That's it, I am going to look for the cook!'

As soon as Zoro went to the deck, he saw two figures coming to the ship. It was Sanji and Ace, both laughing and Ace with his arm around Sanji's shoulders. His cook. HIS? Sanji doesn't belong to him and he doesn't want Sanji to be his. But before Zoro could think about his actions, he found himself getting closer to them both.

"Look who decided to finally show up." Zoro said with anger.

"Jeez Sanji, Zoro is worse than having a mother. Relax, we were having such a good time that we lost track of time. I took good care of him I promise and the parrot is fine."

At that, Sanji burst out laughing again, unable to stop.

It seems the parrot part is a private joke they both share.

"Whatever. Sanji, go tell the others you are back and have a nice trip back, Ace."

"Actually, I am staying with you guys for a few weeks, Zoro." Ace said, locking eyes with Zoro, daring him to say something about it.

Zoro was about to protest when Luffy came running full speed. And everyone else is getting closer to greet Luffy's brother.

"ACEEEEE! What brings you here? Are you going to stay? Sanji, can you make me meat?" Luffy asked, full of energy.

"Woah, woah, slow down, little brother, yes I am staying for a few weeks with you guys because I miss being with you all." Ace said, looking at Sanji last. Zoro doesn't like that. The way Ace is looking at the cook is creeping him out. And what's with the smile this weirdo does every time Sanji looks him in the eye? Zoro can tell that having Ace will only bring trouble.

Proofread and edited by Coco42