This is kinda what I have for a birthday... Just not the happy ending.. Please enjoy.

Disclaimer- I don't own One Piece.

Happy Birthday

Zoro stood at the stern of the Going Merry. Another year had come and past, but he still wasn't any closer to his goal than he was the year before. He growled into the wind, cursing himself for not being good enough, for not fulfilling his promise.

"Oi Zoro!" Luffy yelled from the crows nest. "Guess what!?!" Zoro ignored his obnoxious captain and continued his self loathing. "Today's your birthday!" the captain continued. "That means Sanji's making CAKE!"

"Dammit! I don't want fucking cake!" He yelled. He didn't want cake or present, dammit, he didn't even want a birthday. Is all birthdays did was remind him of how pathetic he was for not being the best.

"So you're saying that you don't want my cake?" Sanji said as he came out of the galley, wiping his hands on a towel.

Silence was his only answer.

"Oi Luffy the cakes done." Sanji said, not taking his eyes off of Zoro.

"Whoohoo!" Luffy yelled and shot down from the crows nest. Sanji sighed and stood next to Zoro, back facing the ocean.

"Zoro, I can understand the whole hating birthdays thing, but this is ridiculous." Sanji said pulling out a cigarette.

"You don't understand." Zoro said softly.

"What don't I understand? I have a birthday too you know." Sanji placed the cigarette between his lips and began to pat himself down for his lighter.

"My birthday signifies my failure." Zoro's grip on the railing doubled.

"Failure?" Sanji gave up his search for his lighter and looked over at Zoro with a confused face.

"This is just another year gone past, and I'm not the best. I'm failing my own dream."

"What are you? Stupid?" Sanji turned and glared at Zoro.

"W-wha?"

"You think that just because you have a dream, that it'll only take a few years and boom! You're the best?"

"Well no, but--"

"What's the point of even having a dream like that if you're not going to work towards it for as long as it takes?"

"I do work for it!" Zoro tried to protest.

"Well, why do you go around and act like all that work has done nothing for you?" Sanji finished his verbal assault with a frown and an unlit cigarette dangling limply from the corner of his mouth.

Zoro looked back to the ocean defeated.

"Do I really act like that?" He asked sullenly. Sanji nodded.

"I'm tired of watching you sulk around. It makes me want to kick your ass even more." He returned to his search for his lighter.

"So what should I be happy about?" Sanji sighed, there was no getting through to this man.

"Two things. One- that you're still even alive with all those damn close run ins you've had." Sanji ran his hand through his forelocks in frustration.

"And two?" Zoro asked.

"That I'm still here, by your side." Hes gave Zoro a small grin. "Now come on. I think I left my lighter by the cake." Sanji made to leave, but a large hand wrapping around his wrist stopped him.

"Hey Sanji."

"Hey yeah?"

"Thanks, you know, for sticking by me. I really appreciate it."

"Hey Zoro."

"Yeah?"

"If we stay out here any longer, I don't know if Luffy will be able to stop himself from eating that cake, with whatever shreds of self control he has." He made to leave again, but the hand never let go. "Yes?"

"I-I... I love you." Zoro stammered. Sanji chuckled a bit.

"I love you too birthday boy. Now lets go." Zoro nodded and followed Sanji into the galley.

Another year had come and past, but unlike his age, his love for Sanji remained constant.

I hope you enjoyed.