A/N: For those of you who keep up with the One Piece manga, Oda Eiichiro has recently thrown Sanji fans a bone by delving into his past. Rather perfect timing for a certain character that can see memories, huh?

[Written on and off from 10/18/15 to 2/20/2016

Edited 9/3/18]


"Kage"

Part Three

"Oh, there they are. Zoro, Sanji!" Sanji's easy stride broke, and he lunged forward, nearly floating aboard the Going Merry.

"Nami-swan, Robin-chwan, did you miss me?!" Zoro took his time, not really seeing what the big deal was. Though the crew had agreed to spend the day on the island, they were leaving in the early morning so they were sleeping on the ship. In all, Sanji hadn't been away from the girls that long.

Chopper gasped, running up to Zoro worriedly, his eyes wide. "You're bleeding! What happened?" He thought he'd cleaned up rather well, but a few of the scratches on his arms had started running red again. When he'd been drying off after his shower, Zoro had noticed there was a welt on his neck that was impossible to hide so he hadn't bothered. Let them wonder.

Zoro knelt down, putting a hand on Chopper's head, smiling reassuringly. "No worries, just a wild dog who picked a fight he couldn't win."

Sanji was standing on the upper deck with his back against the railing, but his shoulders jerked slightly at the comment. ~That bastard. ~

"That's not good. It could've been rabid." Chopper left to retrieve his bag, and holding his arm outs once he'd returned, Zoro shook his head.

"Nah, couldn't have been. It was a real sweetheart once I beat it into submission."

There was an audible grunt from Sanji's direction, and knowing he couldn't retaliate without making the others curious, Zoro took real pleasure in the needling. ~Submission, my ass. He'll pay for that later. ~

"Is something the matter, cook-san?" Robin asked casually, Sanji instantly changing gears as he beamed at her.

"Not at all, Robin-chan."

"I wonder." Standing when Chopper had finished applying bandages, even treating his injured finger, Zoro glanced at Robin who, as always, looked thoughtful, whatever inner musings she had unvoiced. She'd only recently joined the crew, and he was still trying to figure her out. Zoro had left few visible marks on Sanji, but if you looked closely, there was a small imprint of his teeth above Sanji's collarbone. Was Robin suspicious?

"Sanji-kun, I'm craving something sweet. Can you make some dessert?" Nami's voice was lilting, full of the cutesy tone she used when she wanted something.

Sanji ate up the attention, hearts forming from his cigarette smoke, and he danced into the kitchen, his momentary anger forgotten. The small niggling in the back of his mind eased, and Zoro realized that when he and Sanji were separated, he could no longer hear anything. It was good to know there was a limit. Zoro would prefer the ability gone completely, but he'd take what relief he could.

Unsurprisingly, Zoro had absolutely no trouble falling asleep once in his hammock. He'd only managed a small nap during the afternoon, and Sanji had worn him out. If they hadn't had to get back to the ship before daybreak, Zoro would have fallen unconscious long ago. Zoro hardly paid any attention to his dreams, but as he slipped into unconsciousness, his thoughts fast becoming nonsense, something felt off. The first thing was the scent of flowers which permeated the air around him, prickling his nose with the sweet perfume. It was a bit sickening after a few minutes.

The cause was rather obvious. He was standing in the middle of a field of roses, and in the distance was a large medieval castle of Gothic nature amid dark storm clouds, lightning flashing every few minutes. How exactly the flower field remained sunny was a mystery. Zoro heard a clutter behind him, and turned, staring in disbelief as Sanji raced towards him on a white horse. His attire was ridiculous as he was wearing a dark blue buttoned-up jacket with golden epaulets with a silver metallic sash across his chest. A black cape billowed out behind his shoulders, and Zoro couldn't help but laugh.

Sanji pulled back on the horse's reins, slowing down, smiling happily at him once he'd stopped completely. The delighted expression seemed out of place, even in a dreamscape. "Zoro, just who I was looking for!" Blinking slowly, Zoro lifted his hand, pointing a finger at himself. Sanji nodded, leaning down over the saddle to offer Zoro a hand. "Princess Nami has been kidnapped, and you're the only one I'd trust at my back." In that one statement, Zoro knew there was no way he'd ever have manufactured a situation like this, and he had to have slipped into one of Sanji's dreams unintentionally. Leave it to the love cook to picture himself in such a silly setting.

In real life, words like that would never be spoken aloud. Zoro couldn't deny the fact Sanji had displayed no hesitation to ask him along felt nice, and given it was just a dream, and it was doubtful Sanji would remember any of it, Zoro took the proffered hand, and let Sanji pull him up onto the horse. Holding onto Sanji's waist with one arm, slightly unbalanced as the horse took off into a gallop, Zoro went to clasp one of his swords, and fumbled at his waist, realizing he was unarmed. He could fight without them if he had to, but he had no idea what to expect once they reached the castle.

"I need weapons," Zoro said bluntly, pulling himself closer to Sanji when they were about to jump a fence. Upon landing on the other side, Sanji turned slightly, indicating a saddle bag lying against the horse's side. At the sight of three familiar hilts sticking out once he'd opened the top of the bag, Zoro grinned, and shortly had them resting against his hip, grateful Sanji hadn't stuck him with something ridiculous like a crossbow or whip. "What are we up against?"

"Lord Arlong has his own troops, of course, but there are rumors of a dragon underneath his control." Wait a minute, Lord Arlong? Sanji was definitely still bitter about the fishman's actions. A particularly loud thunderclap boomed as they drew closer, and the lightning that followed it revealed more than one pair of wings soaring in the sky over the castle. Had Sanji said one dragon? There were five awaiting them. There was nothing Zoro loved more than a challenge, and he gripped Wado Ichimonji's hilt tightly.

"Bring it on."

"I can always count on you, Zoro." Wondering if that was true in real life despite how conflictive their relationship was, Zoro opened his mouth to respond when everything went black around him. Jolted awake, Zoro found he was sweating, oddly tired despite the fact he'd been sleeping a moment ago. Had sharing Sanji's dream drained him physically? As if he didn't have enough to worry about already. Falling back into the hammock with a sigh, Zoro glanced in Sanji's direction, relieved he was still fast asleep.

Had he disappeared from the dream altogether or was some version of himself still fighting at Sanji's side? Chuckling lightly, Zoro turned onto his side, closing his eyes, feeling exhaustion start to pull him under. "Good luck with the dragons, idiot."


Over the next few days, Zoro tried his damnedest to give Sanji a wide berth. Experimentation had been fruitful in that so long as Zoro was about six feet or so away from him, Sanji's thoughts remained his own. The boundary worked out well, for the most part. Zoro found not much had changed between them despite their recent tryst. Sanji was his usual irritating self and arrogant to boot, but no more or less than usual. Apparently, men, even ones he'd slept with, ranked below any available women.

Slowly though, Zoro did become aware of one thing. His gaze followed Sanji whenever he appeared. It was as if Sanji remained permanently in his peripheral view. Becoming something of a fixation, Zoro was annoyed whenever he caught himself doing it. What did he care what Sanji occupied his time with? He had better things to do.

Even before his ability had come on the scene, the two didn't actually spend that much time together voluntarily, having their own separate routines aboard the ship. About the only task he couldn't avoid was his upcoming turn assisting Sanji in the kitchen, the crew having drawn lots for the chore long ago. This usually meant cleaning up the table and doing dishes.

Not usually a problem, but Zoro had found it wasn't just thoughts Sanji projected. No, the idiot had to fantasize, reminisce, and dream as well, any one of which Zoro was subjected to randomly. Well, the last one was only difficult at night, and it was one of the few parts of his ability Zoro enjoyed. In his dreams, Sanji was a completely different person, being unguarded, and holding absolutely no grudge against him, acting much like a close friend. Having to wake up in the real world to find the exact opposite was true was vexing, to say the least.

They still fought regularly, and while Zoro was more than happy to indulge in the impromptu sparring matches, he did wonder how Sanji felt about it. Keeping his distance left Zoro at a disadvantage in that regard.

Leaning over the railing in the crow's nest, Zoro let his eyes wander over the open sea around the ship, enjoying the silence. It was his turn for night watch duty, and he'd even been able to nap beforehand so he was wide awake and alert. There wasn't much to do though, and Zoro sat down, holding Wado Ichimonji against his shoulder, letting his hand hang off it. More than just having a weapon handy in case of an emergency, the sword was a source of comfort, and Zoro felt weird without it.

His head sat high enough that Zoro could see the back of the ship, the dark waters still, only a slight breeze kissing the lateen sail, propelling them slowly forward. At times like these, Zoro could hardly believe such a lively crew called the Going Merry home, the peaceful night a stark difference to the hectic days. With everyone asleep, Zoro had full run of the ship and usually spent the hours until daybreak lost in his own head or zoned out. Occasionally, he'd fall asleep, but not often. Napping throughout the day had its perks.

Thinking of perks, Zoro could still feel Sanji clutching at him, his breath heavy against his ear. Had Sanji stayed close to make it easier for Zoro? He wasn't such an innocent that he didn't know what went on in same-sex intercourse, but looking back, Sanji had ever so subtly tilted things to his advantage. He'd set half the pace after all.

There had been a moment when the sight of Sanji caught up in the throes of passion had been so damn alluring, Zoro had been unable to stop himself from reaching out, needing to get closer. He'd no idea Sanji had been capable of making such a face. The surprise certainly hadn't been good for his heart, its beat faltering once. Maybe he would get Chopper to do a check-up just in case.

Had it really only happened a week ago? Even now, Zoro didn't know how he felt about it. It'd been hot as hell, and he'd enjoyed it, but what exactly did that make them? Certainly not lovers. Hell, they could barely be considered friends. Did it come down to benefits then? No, that wasn't it. Sanji wasn't so pathetic that he couldn't score at least a one night stand with a woman if he truly wanted to. Instead, he'd let himself be seduced. Though Sanji had done his own enticing as well.

Frustrated, and somewhat discomforted at his thoughts, Zoro stood up, and launching himself off the railing, caught the rope ladder leading down from the crow's nest, climbing down silently. ~So, that's where he was. ~ Going still at the bottom of the ladder, Zoro let Sanji walk closer before he turned around to face him. He hadn't been expecting company. "Can't sleep, shitty cook?"

"Thought you might need a snack." A plate entered his view, and Zoro took it silently, the trio of rice balls causing his stomach to grumble loudly. He hadn't realized how hungry he was until now. Had Sanji really gotten up just to make him food? Zoro couldn't picture him lying there, worrying about whether or not he'd had enough to eat. "Just eat it, bastard." ~Be thankful already, I could've let you starve. ~

He'd been staring too long. "I didn't say I wouldn't," Zoro shot off, picking up one of the rice balls, and biting into it. It was simple fare, but Sanji had properly seasoned the rice, Zoro's taste buds picking up notes of savory and sweet. Perfectly balanced. Too soon the plate was empty, and he handed it back to Sanji who put it on the railing next to him.

"Quiet night?"

"Just me and the sky. A bit boring actually," Zoro said, finding the small talk weird. Did he want something? He was acutely aware of Sanji standing near him and turned to head to the stern.

"Zoro?" He paused on the stairs, glancing over his shoulder. Sanji's back was to him with smoke floating above his head, and he seemed tense as he looked up at the stars, most of them obscured by clouds.

"What?"

"…Never mind, I'm going back to bed."

"You do that, cook. Let me work in peace." ~Shit, this was stupid. Why bother? ~ Sanji walked to the main mast, kneeling next to the entrance that led down to the men's sleeping quarters.

"Oi, what's that all about?" Zoro wasn't sure what was going on but hated the avoidance.

"What's what about?" Sanji retorted, coming to his full height, eyeing Zoro, exasperated. "I want to sleep, is there a problem with that?"

Had Sanji wanted to fool around or something? "Did I say there was?"

"Sure seems like it."

"When did I say that?" They'd been inching closer with every exchange, and Zoro's face was only a few inches from Sanji's, his mouth downturned, hand hovering on his sword, ready to block whatever what was to come. Sanji's expression was just as severe as his own, and he'd ground his cigarette down to practically nothing. His hands were shoved into his pockets, and he'd bent one of his legs slightly. Coming to blows seemed inevitable.

"You fucking idiot," Sanji snarled, his foot lashing out in a blur, sweeping the back of Zoro's leg, causing him to stumble as he tried to regain his balance. Sanji grabbed Zoro's outstretched arm, and pushed him backward, going to one knee as Zoro fell back. Lying on the deck with Sanji hovering over him, still holding his arm, Zoro blew out a breath in annoyance.

He'd been expecting a fight, and this was anything but. "If you want something, say it plainly," Zoro said, secretly pleased his fall had been cushioned. Sanji had proven he wasn't a total asshole.

Sanji looked at him before sighing. ~ How can he say stuff like that so easily? ~ "Don't you think it would be easier if I knew what I wanted?" He pulled his spent cigarette out of his mouth and chucked it over the side of the ship with a flick of his fingers.

Smirking, Zoro moved his captive arm upwards, Sanji's fingers on it loosening slightly. He gripped Sanji's chin, fingering his goatee. "Can I ask what you want right now then?" There was a glint of something dangerous in Sanji's gaze, and he leaned down, going on his knees, pushing Zoro's arm above his head.

He pressed his mouth against Zoro's, and he felt the tension in Sanji's body ease, the energy that would have gone to a fight reconstituting itself into physical intimacy. Zoro wasn't sure which would have been better, but this wasn't so bad. Pretty damn nice actually as Sanji began pushing his tongue against Zoro's, his nerves waking up all at once, firing down the length of his body. ~ He's gotten really good at this. ~

Catching a breath when Sanji drew back, Zoro let his free hand slip from Sanji's neck, moving it onto the bare shoulder underneath Sanji's shirt. There were goosebumps on his skin, and Zoro realized Sanji didn't have any type of jacket on in the cold night. He hadn't said anything about it, and Zoro retrieved his arm from the cook's grasp before hugging Sanji close, tucking his face against Sanji's neck. Sanji stilled against him, and hesitating only a second, he wrapped his arms around Zoro, his fingers clutching at Zoro's back.

"Better?" Zoro inquired, noting that their kiss had indeed had an effect on Sanji's lower half. He wasn't pushing to do anything about it though.

~He wonders why I'm confused. Shit like this makes me wonder what the hell he's thinking. ~ "Yeah, thanks," Sanji muttered softly, letting his head rest against Zoro's temple. Neither of them was in any hurry to move, and in such close proximity, Zoro started to relax, letting his eyelids drop.

"I don't have any secret plans, you know. I'm just as lost as you are," he said, not really needing any justification of the statement since he was just telling the truth. There was no reason to leave Sanji in the dark when Zoro could alleviate some of his worries.

"Zoro." He looked up, meeting Sanji's gaze straight on from millimeters away.

"How'd you know what I was thinking?"

Shifting his eyes to the side for a moment, he chuckled. "You're easy to read," Zoro replied, and I mean that literally, he finished in his mind.

"You're a lot more perceptive than I give you credit for." Zoro rolled his eyes.

"Thanks so much." With his own body heat and Sanji's combined, it had started to get hot, and fighting off drowsiness, Zoro shifted to adjust his position. Sanji abruptly sat up, looking at something in the distance.

"Get up, moss head," he intoned severely, getting up and walking closer to the ship's railing. Zoro scratched his neck as he stood, and looked out to the ocean, tilting his head when he heard a distant whistling sound.

He'd heard it before, and it took a second for his brain to make the connection. The water to the left of the Going Merry's stern burst upward, spraying everything nearby, the cannonball's explosive concussion almost deafening. There was no need to wake the rest of the crew, they'd have heard it, and immediately went on alert. Shit, Zoro had been distracted and hadn't even noticed the marine ship appear on their tail. "This is your fault, shithead."

"What did you say?!" Something pounded into him, and Zoro winced, cracking open his eyes to see Nami holding an upraised fist, Sanji crouched on the ground next to her with a huge bump on his head. Instead of anger, a reaction normal people would have, he was only too happy about it. "Nami-san is beautiful even when violent!" Why was he involved with this stupid simpering idiot again? Zoro thought, shaking his head.

The flutter of the marine ship's mainsail was getting closer, their first shot either a warning or someone had fired by mistake. Some of the cloud cover had eased, and the moonlight shone brightly enough that Zoro could see movement on the ship's deck, the crew in preparation for battle. Luffy came up behind him, putting his face against Zoro's shoulder to get a better look near the crowded rail, taking in the sight of the enemy ship.

"Awesome!"

"This is not a good thing, Luffy!" Nami shouted angrily, sighing against her hand afterward. "We need to take evasive action. It's one thing fighting in daylight, but there are too many disadvantages in night battles. Usopp, you take Chopper, and head to the cannon deck. We need a distraction, and returning fire will do exactly that.

"Luffy, standby at the whipstaff. The rest of you get the mainsail unfurled while I get a bead on the ocean current and wind," Nami ordered, her voice strict, and demeanor commanding. No one argued and went to follow her instructions to the letter, knowing from experience it was never wise to go against Nami. Luffy might have been the captain, but she was the unofficial leader on board the ship, keeping things together. Zoro quickly climbed the sail rigging and untied one of the ropes.

Between him and Sanji as well as Robin's helpful hands via her Devil Fruit ability, the large sail bellowed out, catching the wind, the Going Merry surging forward. Nami grinned as she finished her mental calculations, shouting instructions to Luffy. Their own cannon rang out, the impact vibrating the ship's deck for a moment before it struck the marine ship's bow.

"That was very well placed," Robin commented calmly, the ship close enough now that they could see what had to be the captain, his arm punching the air as he shouted.

Visibility was poor, having gotten cloudy again, and a flash in the darkness was all the warning they got as another cannon blast volleyed out, its aim true as it crashed into the Going Merry's starboard side. Zoro immediately went to check the damage, relieved Usopp and Chopper were alright, the cannonball having hit the storage room. Any closer to the bottom of the ship, and they would've had more to worry about than the enemy ship pursuing them. Zoro gave Sanji a thumbs up as he leaned out the storage room door, and he passed the gesture onto Nami, who had a better position on deck.

"Excellent. Keep pushing left, Luffy! Escape in three, two…one." There was a jolt when the Going Merry caught a strong ocean current, putting inches and then feet between the marine ship and their own. A few sporadic cannon strikes went off around the ship, but all missed, and soon enough, the enemy ship was nowhere to be found. Nami fell against the railing, looking exhausted but pleased with herself. "That was way too close for comfort. Good job, everyone! We should probably maintain this speed for a while just to be sure. I don't want any more surprises tonight."

Guilt pricked at Zoro, and he glared at Sanji, crossing his arms, expressing his feelings without a word. "Hey, I just made you a snack, shitty swordsman!"

"You did more than that, Darts."

"Focus, guys! This is no time to fight."

"Sorry," Zoro muttered underneath his breath.

"Usopp, could you check the damage, see if we can repair it for now?" Usopp saluted Nami, and disappeared into the storage room, Zoro following behind him. He'd been more focused on making sure the cannonball hadn't hit any crewmembers than exactly where it had landed.

Usopp switched on the overhead light, and groaned, going to his knees. "Poor Merry, she doesn't deserve this abuse." There was a round six-inch hole in the wall near the port window, the cannonball's descent seemingly slowed by its impact into the stack of water barrels, eight of the original nine wooden barrels so much shrapnel now. They'd been lucky the cannonball hadn't gone straight on through the other wall.

Further investigation revealed the last surviving barrel held beer, their water supply, which had been restocked during their last island visit, now dwindled down to nothing. "This is terrible," Usopp announced glumly, placing a hand above the large gap in the Going Merry's side.

"We have extra lumber, right?"

"Fixing this is easy, but the bigger problem is what to do about the water problem. Unless we want to drink only alcohol for the next few days, we're screwed."

"Sounds great to me," Zoro interjected, smiling at Usopp's deadpan expression. "We should call a meeting, yeah?" Usopp nodded, starting to pick up the debris on the floor, going about the task carefully to avoid getting splinters. "I'll get Luffy to deliver the boards and nails, and start gathering the others."

"Okay, sounds like a plan."

Nami hung her head over the table, probably tired from lack of sleep, and losing the adrenaline rush the marine ship attack had provided. On each side of her sat Chopper and Robin. Across the table were Luffy, Usopp, and Zoro himself, Sanji busy distilling sea water on the stove. "Not having a viable supply of water isn't good for any ship, pirate or otherwise," Robin said, leaning her chin on her hand.

"We're not gonna die, are we?" Chopper asked, worriedly. Luffy gasped dramatically, making the reindeer panic even more. "Are we?!" His big eyes teared up, looking like a wounded puppy. Nami let her head drop on the table, and Robin patted her shoulder sympathetically.

"I can make some, but it wouldn't be a large enough amount for a crew our size and it'd take time," Sanji replied, putting his back against the counter edge, watching those around the table. ~As it is, I'll barely have enough to handle Nami and Robin's needs. ~

"There's no helping it. We'll have to visit whatever island we encounter next, and find a fresh water source," Nami said, effectively bringing the meeting to a close.


Yawning widely, Zoro entered the kitchen with his crewmates right behind him, chattering happily. Despite the shortage of water, all were in good spirits, their indomitable optimism exactly what the situation called for. Crying and screaming about something you couldn't control would just invite panic. You couldn't change a hard fact.

Upon the table in the center laid was a large platter of tempura, half of it seafood and the other vegetables. Beside it, a bowl of dipping sauce dark in color, most likely soy sauce based. Zoro was instantly taken back to his days in the dojo when his teacher Koshiro didn't want to make a huge meal and often fell back to tempura by default. Swiping at his mouth to hide his drool, Zoro sat down, Luffy and Usopp squeezing in beside him.

Sanji carried a tray of two water glasses, offering one to Robin, and the other to Nami. The result of more than three hours of distilling seawater on the stove, a tedious process if there was one. Sanji passed out bottles of ale to the rest of the crew, daring anyone to protest. Hardly surprising no one did. "How sweet, Sanji-kun," Nami said grinning, raising her glass to Robin who was sitting across the table.

"The first batch? My thanks, cook-san."

"None needed, Robin-san," Sanji replied smoothly, showing his gallant side. Behind him on the stove, two large pots were boiling hotly, giving the crew more water albeit slowly, Sanji thinking ahead to his nakama's needs. ~Anything for you two. ~

"This looks great."

"Delicious!" Chopper squealed, grabbing another delicately fried piece of shrimp. Holding his own bottle of ale, Sanji joined them at the table, immediately focusing on Luffy as he pigged out, snatching tempura pieces right and left. Filling his own plate, Zoro bit into his first piece, the flavor of the fish still juicy and sharp. Sanji had been smart in his dinner choice given you really only needed rice flour, carbonated soda, and oil, using little to no water in the dish at all. The rationing had already begun, and it was only the first day.

The ale was the perfect complement to the fried food, and Zoro ate quietly with no complaints. Well, except for the fact Luffy kept stealing from his plate, a battle the crew was used to fighting each and every meal. Zoro had become well-trained in the art of fending Luffy off, but his captain was faster tonight, and despite his best efforts, Zoro had gotten less than he'd wanted. Settling for a half-full stomach, he grumbled to himself, glaring at Luffy who was oblivious. The rest of the meal closed uneventfully with no leftovers.

Sanji waved off any offer of help, stating he'd be a while yet with his distillation project. Zoro stood up to leave, confused as to why Sanji promptly shoved him back down in his seat. Alone with him in the kitchen, Sanji bending over to retrieve something from the stove, Zoro's hand twitched, and he dug a fingernail into his palm to distract himself. The tremor dying, Zoro stared as Sanji put a small plate in front of him, the tempura seafood and veggies familiar. "What's this?"

~Does there have to be a motive? ~ "Shut up and eat. You really liked it, and didn't get enough, right?" How closely had Sanji been observing him? He'd been conversing normally, and Zoro hadn't noticed any lingering gaze on him. Suspicious but grateful, Zoro shrugged and scarfed down the food, Sanji leaving him to it halfway to go check on the pots on the stove. "I always make extra just in case," Sanji explained with his back to Zoro. "Luffy insurance," he joked, smiling over his shoulder, his lit cigarette bobbing carelessly. Oh, so this was something he'd done for the others as well.

You're a fool, Roronoa Zoro, he thought, carrying the empty plate over to Sanji. "Thanks," he said, clapping a hand on his back, meaning it to be quick, only pulling it back when he felt the start of Sanji's body heat penetrate his fingers. Clutching at his hand, Zoro didn't know why he assumed he'd get any special treatment, pushing back a tendril of disappointment.

"Zoro?"

"It's nothing." ~Che, I was just concerned about him. What's wrong with that? ~

Stubbing his cigarette, Sanji shook his head sharply. "If you say so." Lingering near the kitchen door, Zoro fought an urge to push Sanji against the counter, the memory of their tryst flashing in his memory. He'd been trying to ignore it, but knew on some base level, simmering beneath the surface, it was there, waiting to be gratified.

Fisting his hands, Zoro mumbled, looking down at the floor, "You're such an unfair bastard."

"What the fuck are you talking about?" He'd started this whole thing, and there was no going back, not after holding Sanji. It was astounding how much he wanted that again, and Zoro knew if he let it, it could quickly become a weakness. ~I don't get it. He's angry about something. ~ Unless it was already, in which case it was already too late. "Let me remind you. There are these things called words you string together to make a sentence."

His muscles tensing in preparation, Zoro launched himself at Sanji, the cook blocking everything he threw at him easily. "Shut up already!"

Sanji glowered at him. "I don't see why I should." As if to punctuate his words, Sanji landed a kick to his midsection, and Zoro grunted, raising one of his swords, still sheathed, to ward off another strike. This was more like it. They'd always more or less been an even match, and fighting served as a stress reliever, even an excuse when Zoro wanted to rage, and there were no enemies in sight.

Sanji wasn't giving him anything thought wise, working on pure instinct. In a matter of minutes, they'd acquired numerous scrapes and bruises, Chopper's first aid efforts going to waste as the thick bandage on Zoro's gashed finger came loose. Zoro flinched when the still healing wound brushed against his sword hilt, and the leg that had been raised over his head paused for an instant, affording Zoro the chance to rush Sanji, knocking him to the floor.

Zoro looked down on Sanji's sprawled out figure and bit the inside of his cheek, excited by the situation even as he was emotionally conflicted by it. There was a spark in Sanji's eyes that certainly didn't register to Zoro as hostile. He had to laugh at the absurdity of it all. "You too, huh?"

Sanji's breath settled, and he looked vaguely confused before the line creasing his brow vanished. ~He could've said something. Idiot. ~

Zoro cleared his throat, uneasy now. His card had been revealed unintentionally. "I'm not used to this."

Seeming amused, Sanji stood up. "Never would have guessed," he intoned flatly, brushing the blood from a small scrape off his neck with a finger.

Coming to standing directly in front of Zoro, Sanji grabbed his chin roughly. "For the record, if I haven't turned you away before, I won't now." Meaning he'd been given free rein to do what he wanted so long as he remained sensible about it. Zoro couldn't tell if the red on Sanji's cheek was from flushing or the punch he'd scored on him earlier. ~This guy can be such an innocent sometimes. That is endearing as hell. ~

"I'm not inn-" Zoro caught himself just in time. "Of course you won't," Zoro stated plainly, coming a step closer, Sanji's hand shifting downward onto his neck. Being able to touch him did much to satisfy as Zoro had found himself reaching for Sanji a few times as he passed by in the last few days, managing to turn the gesture into a stretch or a crossing of his arms, but it had been unsettling. Losing control was something he didn't do well. ~Same goes for you, you know. ~

"I'm the only one who can stand to be this close to you." In so many ways too. Zoro had expected Sanji to take offense at the statement, but he just smiled, his fingers dropping from Zoro's chest. ~Damn, and we were actually getting somewhere too. ~ He turned around, walking to the kitchen counter, making Zoro wonder what he'd done wrong when Chopper walked through the door. "Eh, what happened here?" Someone had had their wits about him, and it hadn't been Zoro. He shrugged his shoulders, the motion pretty much giving him permission to avoid explaining in full. "What usually happens. Bastard pissed me off."

~Among other things. ~ Chopper unhappily redressed his finger, reprimanding Zoro as he did so. Though Chopper had an easygoing personality, he didn't kid around with it came to personal wellbeing, and even Sanji got an earful as Chopper gave him bandages to cover the scratches his fight with Zoro had left on him. "It's Zoro turn in the queue, right?" Sanji nodded, and Chopper trotted off, the door shutting soundly behind him.

"Help me dry, will you?" ~It's the least you can do, shithead. ~ Whereas before, when he was trapped helping Sanji clean up after dinner, the atmosphere was strained as they struggled to maintain some level of civility. Now though, Zoro silently took his place beside Sanji at the counter, the cook's hands submerged in the soapy water in the sink.

Washing dishes in salt water didn't have any detrimental effects, Zoro quickly learned, Sanji not having to reserve much any of the distilled water for the task. He handed a dish to Zoro who wiped it down with a dish towel. "Oi, don't drop anything."

Zoro grabbed the next plate Sanji offered none too gently, drying it in an instant before putting it on the counter. This was the longest they'd been alone together since their time in Bengi. "Like I would."

"You never know. You're like a damn bull sometimes," Sanji replied snidely. Zoro glared, his body on automatic as he kept taking the plates Sanji handed him, his temper sparking to life. "Cutting and sleeping, that's all you do."

"I do not!" Zoro protested, his face hot, ironically feeling an urge to yawn. Suppressing it unsuccessfully, Zoro used a hand to hide it.

"See? Right there. Is it narcolepsy or what?" The sting had disappeared from Sanji's voice, and he sounded sincere.

Oddly, Zoro's irritation vanished, and he scratched his head. "Passes the time, doesn't it? The longer I sleep, the less time it takes to arrive at the next crisis or island."

Sanji studied him quietly before a corner of his mouth quirked upward. ~I didn't expect him to be so honest about it. ~ "You forgot to mention what a lazy bastard you are."

Caught off guard by the playful comment, but pleasantly surprised, Zoro grinned. "Caught that, did you?" Sanji laughed, his shoulders shaking. Even though they'd fought not seven minutes ago, the mood had changed drastically, and Zoro appreciated it. Being able to have a conversation felt nice.

Figuring it was now or never, Zoro cleared his throat, one of his hands wringing the dish towel soundlessly. "Cook."

"What?" Sanji kept his head down, focused on the last few plates in the sink, and not being watched made it easier to ask the question.

"Have you recovered okay?" Silence, and damned if the color in Sanji's cheeks didn't rise for a moment. He seemed to concentrate intently on the last dish in the sink, stepping back from the counter when done. ~Every time I think I have him figured out, he does shit like this. ~

Zoro finished drying what Sanji had handed him, the cook lighting up a cigarette now that he had his hands free, blowing out a small cloud of smoke. He tossed Zoro a clean dish towel so he could dry off his damp arms, watching Zoro cautiously, his face blank. "Were you worried about me?"

Embarrassed, Zoro threw the towel at Sanji, resentful of the mocking tone. "Don't be stupid." Now he wished he'd kept his mouth shut.

~How sweet. ~ "Zoro."

Now it was Zoro's turn to be wary, not just at the route Sanji's thoughts were taking, and he stared at his crewmate uneasily. "It's okay to ask after me, but nothing you do will ever break me. Understood?" Sanji making it perfectly clear that while he'd gladly fool around, he refused to let Zoro carry things too far, leaving him unable to perform his duties. Though he hadn't done it physically, Sanji had drawn the line in the sand, and Zoro wouldn't cross it.

"Got it."


"Land ho!" Usopp called from the crow's nest, delivering news they'd all been waiting for the last two days. It had been a tense waiting game that no one wanted to repeat anytime soon. The climate had slowly shifted from cold to pleasantly warm, confirming the upcoming island as a spring one. Peering over the side railing, Zoro couldn't see anything until a good five minutes had gone by. As they prepared to drop anchor, Zoro could tell the island hadn't been developed, lush forest and foliage covered the majority of it, and it seemed to be uninhabited.

"Water comes first, Luffy!" Nami shouted as their captain launched himself off the ship's figurehead recklessly, acting on his first instinct. Rush headlong into an unknown situation, and damn the consequences. "Usopp, Chopper, would you please go keep him out of trouble?" It was asking the impossible, but the pair promised they'd do their best, disappearing in the direction Luffy had been heading.

"Zoro!" Startled by the loud exclamation, Zoro glanced back at Nami, waiting for her to catch up to him on the shoreline. "You're not going alone. Take Robin with you."

"Why should I?" Never mind he still didn't completely trust her, Zoro didn't see why he couldn't explore the island unaccompanied. Nami's expression darkened, and she grabbed Zoro's shirt collar, exhibiting surprising strength, pulling him close to her as she gnashed her teeth angrily a millimeter away from his face.

"We'll not only be looking for water, but forced to find you as well." Zoro wasn't ashamed to admit that Nami scared the crap out of him at times, and this was one of them.

As if aware she'd gotten to him, Nami's temper vanished, and she smiled sweetly at Zoro, releasing him. "So glad you understand." Rolling his eyes once Nami was busy talking to Robin, Zoro leaned against a tree, trying to see anything that would yield a clue to a possible water source.

"Shall we go, swordsman-san?" Keeping an eye on Robin as she started down a path, Zoro kept his eyes peeled for anything, trailing behind slowly. A few extra hands appeared a couple times to swat a branch or twig out of her way, and Zoro nodded his thanks when Robin held them back until he had passed by as well. It wasn't exactly a companionable silence, but it wasn't strained by any means. Robin was relatively unfamiliar, but fast becoming a dependable crewmate, definitely a plus in his book even if she didn't talk about herself very much.

When they'd gone maybe half a mile inland, Robin stopped and raised a hand to her eyes. "What do you think, worth investigating?" Zoro followed her gaze and saw a light flash in the distance. They'd arrived on the island midafternoon, and the sun was shining brightly overhead, which meant…

"It's a reflection of something."

Robin nodded at him in approval. "Exactly." Further exploration proved the theory correct as they found a wide flat brook, the length of which was long but stopped just before the tree line near the shore. One wouldn't have been able to find it easily though as only a small portion of it laid uncovered, the exact source of the spring which fed the brook difficult to locate even after Robin and Zoro spent five minutes walking up the length of it.

There was a fury of voices nearby, and out of nowhere, Luffy shot out of the undergrowth of a bush, chasing a brown blur. Zoro barely had time to register the sight of tusks before his captain and the frenzied boar was gone, Chopper and Usopp right on Luffy's tail, Usopp's slingshot out and at the ready. "Luffy, corner it for me and I'll take care of the rest!"

"I guess we're having boar for dinner," Robin said, laughing. "Cook-san should be happy." The thought of it roasting over an open fire was enough to pique Zoro's hunger, sure Sanji would make an ample meal out of the animal. Robin folded her arms, and a line of interconnecting hands flowered from the ground to the sky, above the forestry, signaling their location. "That should take care of that."


With the water situation in hand, Usopp having made some makeshift barrels the day before to store their new water supply when they found it, Sanji had the task of starting a fire, the fading daylight and approaching dinner hour necessitating it. Thinking on his feet, he constructed a makeshift grill, and the wild boar was cut into manageable pieces. Using some of the fruit and veggies Chopper had come across in his exploration, Sanji grilled it all, serving it family style. Luffy was beyond appreciative of the meat, and due to the size of the large boar, was able to have his fill and more.

With a full stomach, and drank more than his share of ale, Zoro stood up from his seat on a large log and walked beyond the clearing the crew had claimed for their own. Needing to relieve himself, Zoro quickly took care of business and turned to go back the way he came. When it'd been five minutes, and Zoro still hadn't caught sight of the clearing, he stopped, wondering where he'd gone wrong. He hadn't made any turns, at least as far as Zoro could remember, and yet he didn't recognize any of his surroundings.

The trees had blurred together, and Zoro couldn't find the main path at all. "Fuck." He was lost.

Zoro had no idea how he did this to himself. Every time it happened, he was sure he was walking in a straight line, but as experience had proven over time, his perception when it came to direction was screwed. Zoro's internal compass was broken. It was problematic in a lot of ways, mostly because he got harassed about it incessantly. Despite the fault, Zoro usually refused to be accompanied wherever he went because he wasn't a damn child.

Besides, getting lost could be fun in some situations. Unfortunately, this was not one of them. Shrugging, Zoro decided to keep exploring, perhaps he'd stumble upon the clearing by accident, and there would no need for anyone to get him.

A half-hour later, Zoro was regretting his decision. The island was unexpectedly big, and though he'd tried to follow the coastline, Zoro kept encountering woodland wherever he went. It was getting pretty late in the evening, and his absence had to have been noticed by now. Spying what looked like an opening in the trees, Zoro brushed past some foliage and found himself standing in front of a cove, clear blue water rushing down from the rocky structure.

The stars had begun to come out, reflecting in the small body of water and Zoro smiled, pleased he'd found a piece of beauty no one else had managed to discover in their earlier search. He plopped down on the ground, and leaned against a tree, taking a well-deserved break. Zoro wasn't sure how long he sat there, but something prickled his perception, and he strained his ears, hearing nothing.

~Such a fucking bother. I could be drinking with the girls right now. ~ Ah, that explained the mental nudge he'd experienced. Zoro wondered if Sanji had been told to find him or if he'd volunteered on his own. He certainly wasn't happy about it in either case. "Zoro?"

Sanji didn't sound too far away, and Zoro considered making his job harder, but finally raised a hand in the air, waving it. "Here." He didn't bother to raise his voice, either Sanji heard him or he didn't. Two long legs entered his view, and Zoro looked up, watching the frown deepen on Sanji's face when he caught sight of Zoro.

"Where the hell have you been, bastard?" Zoro shrugged, going to stand up, startled when his shoulder was shoved back against the tree by Sanji's foot. "We really should consider putting you on a collar and leash," Sanji said glibly, looking down at him.

Zoro growled, narrowing his eyes. "Try it, asshole."

Sanji smirked, lowering the leg holding Zoro still, and crouching down before him. "Careful, Greenie. Don't tempt me."

Zoro flinched as Sanji's mind threw up a mental image that was way too detailed in its scope, proving that his statement had been serious. Uneasy but hiding it well, Zoro stared at Sanji, daring him to make a move. Clicking his tongue in disappointment when Sanji maintained his distance, Zoro leaned forward, and grabbed his tie, yanking him forward. He'd surprised Sanji, his cigarette falling just before Zoro's mouth touched his. It took a moment for him to react, Sanji placing his hands on Zoro's shoulders. ~He is tenacious, I'll give him that. ~

It was Sanji's fault, Zoro concluded, a thumb slipping into the corner of Sanji's mouth as he pushed his tongue deeper against Sanji's. If the stupid pervert cook could keep his fantasies to himself, Zoro would be fine, but teased unknowingly was maddening. Self-discipline only went so far. "Zo-" Enough with words, he thought, cutting off his own name as he pressed closer to Sanji, sliding a hand up into the cook's hair, his other hand clutching Sanji's shirt collar.

~I should ignore him more often if this is the result. ~ Zoro realized that his impatience was probably due to the fact they'd been unable to fool around on the ship. Seeing something you wanted so close by, and not even able to touch it much…Yeah, Zoro was a little frustrated, and his aggression surprised even himself. He dropped one of his hands, and clutched at Sanji's belt, fingers digging into the shirt's material against his stomach.

"Wait!" Letting Sanji pull away, his crewmate's breath uneven, and his face flushed, Zoro sulked, grumpy Sanji had put a stop to things. He looked edgy, even if Zoro knew for a fact he hadn't exactly hated the attention he'd been paid. Men couldn't really hide their excitement even if they wanted to. His gaze twitching upward for a second to meet Zoro's, Sanji straightened his tie, a nervous tic if ever there was one. ~ That was close. Shit, if he'd grabbed me…~

Transfixed as Sanji swallowed a visible lump in his throat, Zoro watched him, waiting for his next move. "Not here, okay?" Sanji said after clearing his throat, his usual demeanor back in place. Looking around the clearing, Zoro agreed it wasn't the best locale, and stood up, brushing off the dirt from his legs and bottom. Unexpectedly, Sanji grabbed his hand, and pulled, moving fast, his warm fingers tight around Zoro's. He thought they'd go back to the clearing the crew had camped out at until Sanji veered towards the Going Merry instead.

They'd dropped anchor close to the shoreline, and no one had to play sentry since the ship was in full view of the clearing. It was a risky move, but Zoro trusted Sanji's judgment. Even if interrupted, they would have enough warning to put things back to rights if needed. That was the assumption anyway. Sanji completely avoided the kitchen, the location of their first encounter, heading to the men's quarters. It had always been a cramped space, and no one made much of an effort to keep the place clean.

Zoro stepped on a few shirts lying crumpled on the floor, almost running into Sanji when he stopped dead before the couch, his legs touching the edge. ~He said before he didn't care, but... ~ Sanji finally let go of his hand, and turned around, looking him straight in the eye. There was nowhere to hide unless Zoro wanted to be really obvious and rude. He had a feeling he knew the coming question already, even discounting the advantage his ability gave him. "Can I?" And there it was.

Sanji wasn't asking the impossible, it was only fair that he be allowed to play the role Zoro had previously, and obviously, judging from Sanji's reaction last time, there were some advantages in being dominated. Zoro's only misgiving was an issue of trust because he had to physically put himself below Sanji, essentially surrendering. Could he really do that?

The weight of the silence beginning to wear on him, Zoro shrugged one shoulder, giving his assent silently, his attention drawn to Sanji's slow smile. Would he have looked just as happy if Nami had been in his position? No, Zoro thought, dismissing the not so idle question. No comparisons could be made there and didn't need to be. ~How can he keep surprising me?~

Given the go-ahead, Sanji wasted no time. If Zoro thought he was being aggressive earlier, Sanji was on a different level. Usually, his kisses were slow explorations, but the moment he laid his mouth upon Zoro's, it was clearly different. There was a desperation, no, a hunger behind the near bruising kiss as Sanji swept every inch of Zoro's mouth, the fingers resting on his face hot. His breath was ebbing every second, but Sanji's technique left him with little complaint. As frustrated as Zoro had been over the past week, maybe it had been harder for Sanji. He was relatively new at this, and Sanji might have been holding himself back for fear of spooking Zoro.

It didn't matter, he told himself, pushing back against Sanji, tilting his head a bit until he could curl his tongue around the tip of Sanji's. He hadn't been expecting it, Sanji inhaling sharply, pulling away slightly before renewing his attack as if he had to one-up Zoro. When he could finally take a full breath, thoroughly dizzy, Sanji moved onto his neck, shifting upwards for a moment, Zoro's earrings jingling as Sanji tongued the shell of his ear. A jolt shot through down his spine, taking him by surprise, and Zoro struggled to hide his reaction. "Hit the spot, huh?"

"It did not," Zoro snapped, caught out in his lie as his knees failed him when Sanji nipped at his earlobe. ~At least his body tells the truth. ~ He automatically clutched at what was closest, that being Sanji's arm, catching himself. Zoro kept his head down, practically shoving Sanji away as soon as he felt the weakness in his legs disappear.

"Zoro." He flinched, the honeyed tone in Sanji's voice wearing on his nerves, feeling like he'd done something Sanji had found endearing. Zoro wasn't cute in any way despite what Sanji thought in his mind sometimes.

"Just shut up," he threatened, warily watching Sanji reach out and pull up Zoro's haramaki and shirt, chucking them to the floor. Zoro shivered, and not just because of the sudden chilly air, Sanji was moving at a measured pace, fingers and mouth skimming over every inch of flesh that was exposed. Experimenting, seeing what elicited a response, and what didn't. Zoro quickly found that there wasn't much that didn't make him react, and he bit back a moan when Sanji nibbled on the knife scar above his left hip, one of the first injuries he'd received since joining the crew.

If he was going to be examined at leisure, Sanji would have to go faster or they would be here all night. Scars to a swordsman were what fire was to chefs, it went with the territory of the chosen profession. Zoro had lost count of how many had taken refuge on his body. ~I doubt there's even an ounce of fat on him. ~ Annoyingly, Sanji's calm thought didn't jive with his actions as he slid his mouth down, plunging his tongue into Zoro's bellybutton, one of Sanji's hands resting on his stomach, fingering the edge of his pants.

Breath unsteady, Zoro's heart started racing when Sanji traced his fingernails against his hip, digging into what little thigh he'd uncovered. His knees shook when his pants were pulled down, and with the heat of Sanji's mouth getting steadily closer, Zoro's anticipation rode high. He'd been completely blindsided last time, and though he braced himself, what little defense he'd cobbled together wasn't enough when Sanji skidded his tongue down Zoro's cock, teasing him.

Leaning over Sanji, his hands on the cook's shoulders, he panted, lightheaded, grasping at Sanji's jacket, twisting the material in his fingers. Sanji did practically everything but engulf him, and Zoro was gradually going crazy as a result. Sanji dug his teeth in very lightly near his base, and Zoro blurted out between heavy breaths, "Can you…not do it like that?"

~God, I love seeing him like this. ~ "Hmm, did you say something?"

"You…asshole." Sanji laughed darkly, and as he was the only thing keeping Zoro upright, he didn't fight as Sanji gently pushed him to the floor, coming to lean over him. In short order, the rest of his clothes were abandoned, and Sanji finally did what Zoro had been expecting. He used his mouth on his member directly, Sanji's hands coming to rest on Zoro's behind, taking a firm grip. Zoro shuddered, his fingers twitching uselessly at his side, unwilling to grab onto Sanji to let him know how much he was enjoying his actions.

Sanji abruptly stopped, and Zoro slowly sat up in confusion, raising a brow when Sanji left the room, only to return with a bottle of liquid in hand. He undid his jacket, slipping it off his shoulders. Instantly, Zoro felt uneasy, his stomach knotting, and frowned at Sanji as he went to his knees before Zoro.

He showed him the bottle, and Zoro fell back to the floor, trying hard to not laugh. "That is perfect," he said lightly.

~Well, at least he's in a good mood. ~

"Sorry, it's the best I can do." Feeling like Sanji was going to prepare him for a meal, Zoro lifted his head, watching Sanji dump a rather liberal dose of coconut oil on his hand, sneaking a glance at Zoro. This was really going to happen, wasn't it? The aroma quickly saturated the air, and Zoro's nose twitched before Sanji distracted him, grabbing his cock, the cold sensation of the oil on his hand making Zoro tense up.

Fingers brushed against his backside, and Zoro winched as Sanji pressed into him, going slow, keeping things satisfying even as Zoro rode an edge of discomfort, biting his lower lip. It wasn't entirely unpleasant, but even Zoro didn't expect the near unconscious reaction of his body when Sanji's added a second finger, hitting something inside him. He jerked, moaning, his vision narrowing, gasping as Sanji swept past the same area a few times in succession.

The whole process was disconcerting as hell because Zoro seemingly had no control, and he was almost relieved when Sanji pulled his fingers away even if it meant something worse was coming. Squeezing his eyes shut, Zoro braced himself, preparing for the worst. He'd originally planned to watch but changed his mind at the last minute. Sanji had spent a long time working his fingers, and Zoro wondered if it had been enough. He heard the clink of Sanji's belt buckle, having stayed mostly clothed the whole time, which was kind of unfair seeing as Zoro had been stripped bare.

There was a shock of heat against him, making him flinch, and Sanji's grip on his hips tightened. "Remember to breathe." Zoro felt a mad impulse to laugh, and squashed it, nodding instead. Where he'd been slow in his intrusion, Sanji showed no such inclination. Between one breath and the next, Sanji thrust forward, burying himself completely, and Zoro gritted his teeth, struggling to stay still. It burned for a long moment, and he badly wanted to strike out, and make Sanji forcefully pull out.

He hadn't been wrong about the pain, but Zoro was no stranger to it, and more than painful, it mostly felt weird. ~Fuck, this is amazing. Can't believe he let me do this. ~ "Hey." Unconsciously shifting away from Sanji and his thickness, Zoro grunted in response. Feeling unsteady, he froze when a hand touched his throat. Something ghosted down his face, and Zoro realized Sanji was kissing him. "Deep breaths," Sanji whispered, his mouth lingering on Zoro's neck, biting playfully. "Relax."

He'd been breathing shallowly, almost hyperventilating. "Please," Sanji said in a strained voice. "You're making it worse." The knowledge he'd actually made it more difficult for Sanji was grating, and greedily sucking in a gulp of air, Zoro slowly let out the tension coiled in his muscles, forcing himself to relax, relieved when most of the discomfort disappeared.

His eyes were wet, and Zoro half-opened them, startled to find Sanji smiling at him. The asshole had him pinned to the floor, clearly enjoying himself. "Okay?" Zoro had been ready to curse him, but Sanji's expression was soft, and his tone was gentle, expressing real concern.

His cock, which had softened halfway twitched back to life, and Zoro scowled, half to himself and Sanji's uncharacteristic manner. His chest ached for some reason, and he didn't know why.

"Fine, now move before I change my mind." ~There's the bastard I know. ~ Zoro knew from experience how lethal Sanji's legs could be from endless fights, but he'd never considered how useful they could be in other circumstances, and the power he put behind them in a single slam of his hips was literally stupefying.

What reservations he had left ended when his entire body started tingling as Sanji met the end of him, and Zoro trembled, breath gone in an instant, his mouth dry. He grabbed Sanji's shoulders instinctively, needing something to hold onto. Holy shit. It was way more intense than he'd imagined, and Zoro inhaled deeply, noticing that Sanji had stopped, waiting for him to recover. ~Well, he didn't hit me. ~ Shit, did he feel sorry for Zoro?

It took two times for him to actually speak, and Zoro rasped, "Ready when you are." He wasn't at all, but Sanji took him at his word, and shifted again, his pace infuriatingly fast and unhurried, never quite settling on one speed. Between his panting, and the blood roaring in his ears, Zoro thought that Sanji either was purposely holding himself back or his control was really that bad.

Sanji's forehead was wet with sweat, his face pinched, and his breathing was uneven, and Zoro laid a hand on Sanji's chest, startling him. "Nothing you do will ever break me." He was throwing his own words back at him, but Zoro couldn't think of another way to put it. Sanji stared at him before laughing, his eyes shining with amusement.

"In that case..." Zoro wasn't sure why, but let Sanji turn him onto his stomach, instantly regretting the decision when Sanji began a new rhythm, pace excruciatingly slow, his reach going deeper than before.

It was getting harder and harder to rectify that Sanji, the guy who sniped and fought with him on a daily basis, was being considerate, having actually taken the time to make every step of the process enjoyable. Even if he was just drawing from previous experience, Sanji could have focused entirely on himself, taking what he wanted, and he hadn't.

He was intent on giving as much pleasure as he could and writhing underneath Sanji, Zoro couldn't deny it felt really good. He should have hated the whole thing, being dominated, but his brain was starting to fail him, and he finally discarded any type of thought, giving in to his satisfaction completely.

~Goddamn, I never expected he'd be so responsive. It's going to be hard putting this out of my mind. ~

Just shut up already! Zoro shouted mentally, his eyes squeezed shut, entirely under Sanji's control. He kept forgetting why that mattered whenever Sanji surged forward, the warm pulse in his stomach sparking, vainly trying to restrain his voice. Between Sanji's thrusting and the hand on his cock, he was overwhelmed. Sanji's pace faltered for a moment, and Zoro peered over his shoulder sluggishly.

"What?"

"Did you…just say something?" Zoro struggled to gather enough brain cells, not really understanding why Sanji had stopped moving. He looked unsettled, and Zoro reached out awkwardly, patting Sanji's knee. A wry smile curved Sanji's lips, and he bent over Zoro, essentially hugging him. ~I swear, this guy… ~ Sanji's voice was low, and Zoro shuddered when it assaulted his ear from so close, "I must be doing something wrong if you have time to worry about me."

Zoro gulped, watching Sanji unsuccessfully as he shifted behind him, pulling back, Zoro clenching his teeth at the still alien sensation. ~It's been a while, but if I remember right… ~ Sanji ground his hips in one particular direction, only halfway inside, and Zoro froze, taken aback by his body's reaction. It felt like receiving a small shock, buzzing along all his nerves, and he shook, hands grabbing at the floor helplessly. It was almost too much sensation at once.

Gone was Zoro's hard-fought suppressed vocal battle, and in less than a minute he was finished, his face pressed against his arms, legs numb. Slouching to the side, Zoro panted, rolling his eyes Sanji's way though he couldn't see it. "What the hell was that?" ~Definitely haven't lost my touch. ~

"Just something I picked up," Sanji said casually, pulling at Zoro's arm, rotating him onto his back. It was hard to ignore Sanji's remaining excitement, and Zoro sighed, metaphorically throwing up his hands. It was stupid to deny that Sanji had won the battle this time, Zoro pathetically outclassed.

Ah, I give up. "Do what you want, you bastard." It wasn't like anything he'd done had felt bad, just the opposite. No wonder Sanji hadn't fought him too much when Zoro had played the dominant role.

He'd long gone past embarrassment at this point, and watching Sanji's face as he pushed himself forward was far more interesting than it should have been. His usually orderly hair was messed, his eyes nearly completely hidden behind his bangs, and the play of muscles underneath his skin mesmerizing. Sanji's right shoulder twitched, suddenly aware of Zoro's gaze, and he looked down. "What?"

Caught staring, Zoro glanced away, looking over Sanji's shoulder. "Nothing." ~Certainly didn't seem like nothing… ~ Hands jerked his knees up, pulling Zoro closer, and with only the edge of his shoulders touching the floor, Zoro grunted as Sanji redoubled his efforts. His control was steady at first, but soon went off-kilter, and Zoro could feel the heat coiled in his stomach slowly build, his vision going hazy with every shove of Sanji's legs.

His climax caught him off-guard, and Sanji's face twisted, letting out a low-pitched moan, fingers digging into Zoro's hips, pushing away from him at the last second. Sanji had done it on purpose, and Zoro had a second of appreciation that he'd been spared any awkwardness before blackness took him over.

"Oi." Opening one eye, confused, Zoro stared, his mind slow to work, taking in Sanji's looming figure over him as well as his own sprawled position on the floor. A chill shook him, and Zoro shot up, full command of the situation gripping him. He'd let Sanji do what he wanted, and when he'd come a second time…oh, shit. ~I knew I was good but damn. ~ He'd passed out. Whether from too much thrown at him or his energy simply running out, it was beyond infuriating.

Sanji sighed, standing up, touching Zoro's shoulder as he did so. "So clumsy, hitting your head like that."

What the hell was he talking about? Zoro hadn't done anything like that. He couldn't feel a bump on his scalp anyway. "I didn-" Oh. Zoro regretted having said anything. Sanji had given him an out, and he'd almost wasted it. "Yeah, what a shame," he corrected, looking up at Sanji, noticing that he'd taken the time to readjust his clothes, and start smoking a new cigarette.

"I'd take a few minutes to rest if I were you," Sanji advised, starting to pick up Zoro's clothes from the floor, turning away to focus on the task. Says the guy who did this to me, Zoro thought hotly, choosing to ignore the advice. He managed to get onto his feet okay but bent over in pain when his back protested, twinging, a groan slipping from Zoro.

"You're partially to blame. I could've stopped at any time," Sanji informed, handing over his clothes. ~I'm glad you let me go so far though. ~ Zoro straightened, glaring, and yanked his clothes out of Sanji's hand. It was still uncomfortable, but bearable. It would've probably been much worse if Sanji didn't have experience behind him. Then again, Zoro didn't think he would have let anyone else touch him that way.

The odd thought made him pause, and he shook his head, dressing in a hurry, taking a moment to use the wet towel Sanji offered to clean himself up. He felt better with everything back in place and noticed Sanji had tidied up the room some, likely taking care of his own mess at the same time. Speaking of…"Uh, thanks for sparing me, you know..."

~Dammit. Calm down, round two's not possible. ~ Sanji shrugged, showing nothing of his inner desire. "One step at the time, right?" Implying they'd do this again. Smug bastard. Zoro smiled, about to say something when a head poked down from the ceiling, and Nami's face lit up when she saw Sanji and Zoro.

"We wondered where you went. Why are you down here? Is everything all right?"

"Oh, this thing," Sanji said, gesturing vaguely in Zoro's direction. "Went and roughed up my suit so I came for a change of clothes, and of course I had to take him with me so he wouldn't get lost again." Pretty good for lying on the spot, Zoro thought, thankful Nami hadn't interrupted them five minutes earlier, she'd have gotten an eyeful and more.

The explanation seemed to appease her, and Nami disappeared from sight, her voice coming from above the opening. She must have sat back on her heels. "I see. Do we have any more wine?"

"But of course, Nami-swan! Be up in a minute."

"I'll be waiting," she said lightly, her footsteps echoing as they stepped away from the entrance.

"Why a minute?" Zoro asked quietly, leaning back when Sanji stepped towards him, pushing him against the nearest wall. ~Still not used to it, huh? ~ "What?" He blurted out confused, silenced from saying more when Sanji kissed him after taking the cigarette from his mouth, taking a hell of a risk. Had he gone insane? Sanji released his shirt and flashed him a wide boyish grin.

"It was a delicious meal."

Zoro flushed, and threw out his arm, punching Sanji away as he dodged, backing off. Returning his cigarette to its rightful place, he climbed up the ladder to the main deck, and Zoro lingered for a moment, listening to the footfalls over his head, not quite sure why he kept giving in to Sanji. The more he did, the more comfortable Zoro grew with the situation. Strangely, the physical side was no problem, but the emotional fallout was unsettling.

He didn't know how to deal with it exactly, and rubbing the back of his neck, Zoro sighed. He supposed he'd deal with things as they came along, just like usual. He'd thrown his lot in with crazy fools, after all, Sanji included, and that wouldn't change anytime soon.

To Be Continued…