AN: This chapter is dedicated to belowthesurface. Thank you for always leaving reviews and comments on my work. It really makes me look forward to write this. And to everyone, thank you for your kind reviews and suggestions. I couldn't see an incest route for Ace, but let's see. Haha. I'm trying to picture a Zoro x Ace pairing though! Anyway! I hope you enjoy this mellow dramatic chapter and a bit smutty chapter. This is my second time writing that scene so please have mercy! T_T. P.S. Please continue to leave prompts and reviews! I'd love them. ^^,

Warning: This chapter may include adult content. Proceed with further caution! O.O

Me: Aceeeee! *hugs him*

Ace: Hey there author-san. *hugs back*

Me: *eyes sparkles* I really like you better than that broccoli head!

Zoro: *appears behind my back and glares at Ace and I* WHAT DID YOU SAY?

Me: *gulps* Ace! Save me. I can't find Sanji-kun. T.T

Zoro: I'm going to slice you in half! *Points kitetsu at author*

Ace: *Lights fire* Do you like roasted broccoli, author-san?

Me: Yes! I'd love to eat that.

Ace: Let's burn Zoro.

Zoro: You're 100 years to early for that but bring it on!

Sanji: *kicks Ace and Zoro in head* Stop fighting you idiots!

Ace and Zoro: *rubs head* that hurts!

Sanji: You both deserve it! Tsk. Anyway, please do leave some reviews!

~*S*~

CHAPTER 6

"I'm sorry," A gentle voice whispered through Sanji's ears that made the blonde stopped struggling. He couldn't believe how gentle that voice could be. How would that be possible? It surely must be his imagination. His childhood friend couldn't possibly be hugging him right?

"What the heck. I must be imagining things. He wouldn't run after me," Sanji thought while being oblivious to the fact that he must have spoken those words out loud.

"You're not imagining things Sanji. I am right here," Zoro whispered as if begging for Sanji to recognize him.

Sanji unbelievingly spun his head around. He couldn't believe what he saw. Zoro's face was just inches apart from him. He could taste the raindrops that started to fall. Dumfounded and hurt at the same time, his tears fell from his eyes.

"No! You can't possibly be here! It's only my imagination," Sanji cried as he broke free from the grasp of the green haired swordsman. He couldn't believe that after all this time, Zoro looked for him. Since he couldn't accept that it was indeed a fact, Sanji seized the opportunity and ran away from Zoro.

Being dumbstruck was indeed an understatement for Zoro's feelings right now. He couldn't believe that Sanji didn't recognize his efforts. It was way out of his character. He never liked the idea of chasing after someone. It was indeed his first time to do so but his efforts were just made in vain.

He only snapped out of reality when he realized that Sanji's distance is already far away from him. He was startled at first but he dismissed those negative thoughts and ran after Sanji. He didn't care if somebody saw them at this moment. He honestly don't give a fuck if he got caught shouting, "Sanji! Please stop. I want to talk to you," repeatedly. Even if he sounds like a broken record, he doesn't give a damn. He's willing to do it all for Sanji so that the blonde would listen to him.

If Zoro was way too stubborn for his own good, Sanji is way more stubborn than him. He purposely evaded Zoro's pleading voice. He doesn't want to stop. He had to get away from Zoro right now because he so afraid that Zoro would realize that Sanji has feelings for him.

"No! I don't want to! Stop following me!" Sanji whimpered as he shivered from the cold the raging rain is giving him.

Seeing Sanji's lithe body shivering from cold is what made Zoro lose it. He ran after Sanji like a maniac. Although Sanji's legs were more powerful than him, he sure had a lot of stamina and endurance unlike the cook. He looked at Sanji disapprovingly when he noticed that the blonde is not wearing any coat but only that plain white polo shirt. Zoro took advantage of Sanji's weakness and he gradually decreased the distance between the two of them, locking Sanji into a desperate embrace. Breathing heavily with uneven intervals, Sanji was already caught by his marimo.

"Zoro... Please let me go," Sanji pleaded while trying to steady his breaths. He knew that he wouldn't be able to break the chain of defenses Zoro built even if he pathetically attempted to break free.

"No. I won't. Not now, not ever," Zoro replied, obviously dismissing Sanji's plea. However, the blonde was stubborn by nature so he tried using other methods to distract Zoro for him to be able to escape. It might be unfortunate for Sanji but not even one of the methods worked.

"Stupid stubborn marimo," Sanji mumbled as tears continued to fall from his eyes. He doesn't shiver that much because he found a source of warmth in Zoro's embrace. If they were lovers, he would find it nice to be locked up in a strong embrace of his swordsman.

"Can't be helped. I care for my ero-cook," Zoro replied with a raspy breath in Sanji's ears.

"Idiot," Sanji mumbled as a faint blush crept over him. He continued with a serious tone, "Why are you doing this? What are your intentions?" Sanji asked him, creating an eye contact with him so that he wouldn't be able to lie.

"Sanji... Do you love me?" Instead of answering his question, Zoro opted to get away with it by attempting to divert the topic. How sly of that green grass.

"W-wait! W-what?! You didn't even answer my question-" Sanji reasoned out but was cut-off by Zoro.

"If you admit your feelings now, I'm going to consider the possibility of becoming your boyfriend."

Sanji was enraged with Zoro's comments. The nerve of this guy to tell him that! The nerve of that moss ball to make him look like a fool. He even considered forgiving Zoro for real. And now what, that good for nothing green haired swordsman is forcing him to confess? How twisted could his best friend be!

"Is it fun to continuously make a mess of my feelings? Is it fun for you to see me like this?" Sanji felt his heart was stabbed continuously with Zoro's swords.

"Yes. I want to stir you up. I want to make a mess of your feelings even more. I want you to constantly think of no one but me..."

"Well, your fucked up feelings can go to hell," Sanji spat, breaking his eye contact with Zoro. He started to wipe his tears away but it is futile because the rain continued to kiss his tears.

"I'm sorry. I just... I c-can't help it. I'm in love with you," Zoro whispered to Sanji's ears softly as he rested his forehead on Sanji's right shoulder.

Sanji couldn't believe what Zoro said. It couldn't possibly be true, right? This must only be a dream! It's not possible for his love interest to love him back. He might just conjured this scenario because of his self-discovery a while ago. He is certain that he is in love with that marimo but he couldn't believe that what he heard was true. Is it really possible that your love interest harbors feelings for you as well? He couldn't find the right words to say to his marimo. He just stood there looking dumbfounded in front of Zoro.

"My feelings towards you must have disgusted you, right? Even if they did, could you please disregard them for a while? I badly want to stay like this for a while," Zoro said bitterly. He pressed his eyes on Sanji's neck and began to cry silently.

Zoro loved his blonde so much that he cannot contain those overwhelming feelings anymore. He's already prepared for his ultimate rejection. He had anticipated for it a long time. But he just can't let him go for now.

Zoro firmly decided that starting tomorrow, even if it pains him, he would stay away from Sanji. After all, he only has to do it for a few months because next school year, he would go to Tokyo and train for three years under the greatest swordsman in the world, Dracule Mihawk. Being a kendo champion sure has its perks. He just have to be strong for the meantime.

Sanji was brought back to reality when he felt that hot tears are dripping on his neck. In his horror, he realized that Zoro is crying and he is the reason for those tears. His hand involuntarily clutched his heart for it felt so painful.

"Sanji? Are you… still listening?" Zoro choked, trying hard to hide his sobs. He continued, "I'm sorry for saying… s-such things to y-you." He inhaled deeply and muttered, "I know that you don't feel the same way… It's really painful for me to stay by your side… Is it okay if I distance myself for you a while?"

Sanji was definitely disturbed. The last thing on earth that he would like to happen is Zoro leaving him all by himself. He couldn't bear such thought. His emotions are way too jumbled that he was not able to utter any intelligible response.

"I'm going back now Sanji. You can forget everything I have said a while ago. We can be friends after a few months or so, if you want to. I just need space for now," Zoro uttered as he finally released Sanji of his warm embrace. He continued weakly, "You must go home now, your dad is going to be upset." After uttering those words, Zoro started walking towards Koshiro sensei's dojo.

Just when Zoro's able to distance himself three steps away from Sanji, Sanji's hand involuntarily grabbed Zoro's left arm. Sanji's face flushed after realizing what he did but he knows that if he doesn't speak of what's on his mind now, he would never have the chance to do so.

"Zoro, please don't." Sanji pleaded, teary-eyed.

"W-what?" Zoro replied, taken aback by those words.

Sanji took the initiative and kissed Zoro. The swordsman was dumbfounded to the point that his mouth opened a bit. Sanji took that as an advantage and he gently pushed his tongue inside Zoro's mouth. His tongue explored the depths of Zoro's mouth that made him earned a stifled moan.

Sanji tried repeating what Zoro did when he gave him a French kiss a while ago and he couldn't believe that he was a fast learner. Sanji's thoughts were broken when Zoro started responding to his kisses. Eventually, their tongues battled for dominance and Sanji's knees felt weak when Zoro began exploring the insides of his mouth. Zoro sucked on Sanji's tongue and that made the blonde shudder as he fell towards Zoro's arms.

The only time that they broke their kiss is when they realized that they both needed air to breathe. Sanji's flushed face is full of wanton but with a confused look in his eyes.

"You're so sly shitty cook. Please don't give me mixed up signals. I'm really trying my best here to hold back my feelings for you. I love you Sanji, I really do. However, I don't want to force my feelings for you so please don't-" Zoro was not able to finish his speech when he was cut off by a fuming and blushing blonde cook.

"Shut up! I never said that I was disgusted with what you did. I am just scared," Sanji replied as his face heated and his vision turned black.

~*Z*~

Zoro realized the drastic change in Sanji's behavior. He noticed that any moment by then, Sanji would collapse due to exhaustion. He was not surprised when it did occur, it is a good thing that he was able to hold Sanji in his arms right away. He felt relieved that his blonde cook didn't get any injury.

He definitely have to bring Sanji somewhere safe and warm but he knew that it wouldn't be wise to bring Sanji back to Zeff's place due to Ace's presence. He carried Sanji in a bridal style way and he walked towards their dojo.

It must have been a miracle or maybe the gods were just in favor of Zoro at that moment because he was able to locate Koshiro-sensei's dojo right away. The rain also stopped when Zoro stepped inside his home. Upon his arrival, he was immediately greeted by a raven haired kid wearing a straw hat who was definitely younger than him.

"ZOROOOO! Welcome home! I saw Kuina-nee and she told me that I can stay here. Oh, Ace is also here. Have you seen him? And who is that kid?" Luffy greeted him with eagerness.

The raven kid would have jumped in his arms and hugged him until he choke to death if he did not bring any companion home. Even though Luffy is an airhead sometimes, he realized that it was a serious matter so he controlled himself.

"Hi Luffy. It's nice to see you. However, I need to tend on Sanji's needs first. You can wait for me and we'll talk later," Zoro excused himself and started heading to their bathroom. Just when Zoro is about to enter the bathroom, Koshiro-sensei saw him.

"What happened to Sanji?" Koshiro asked with a worried look on his face.

"Uhm. He fainted. We played too much dad. I'm sorry, but I promise to take care of him," Zoro mumbled his apology.

"Alright. I already prepared a bath for you. Since he's unconscious, you have to wipe his body instead. But change your clothes first. Okay? Here are the towels that you may use for him," Koshiro explained as he handed the towels to his son.

"Is there any chair that we could use? I would just make him sit there first because the tiles might be cold."

"If I'm not mistaken, there are plastic chairs in the room right next to our bath. I think there are two chairs there. I'll get it. So you better hurry inside the bath. You might catch a cold if you don't hurry."

Zoro stepped inside the bathroom. He didn't have to wait any longer because Koshiro-sensei immediately placed the chairs that he got inside that room and left afterwards. Zoro carefully placed Sanji's lithe frame in one of the chairs. He removed his own clothing right away and slipped a robe on.

Zoro looked at Sanji's sleeping figure and noticed that Sanji's shirt was soaked and it stuck on Sanji's upper frame. Zoro saw the shape of Sanji's nipples through that shirt. He mentally cursed himself for having perverted thoughts to his beloved. After blushing hard, Zoro became fully aware that he might see Sanji's body without clothes.

"Fuck. It can't be happening. I would definitely have an earful from him if he found out about this," Zoro cursed out loudly. Sanji would surely be the end of him someday. And he's certain of that.

With his shaking hands, Zoro began undressing the blonde. He gently removed Sanji's soaked shirt and saw that his beloved's skin is fair and smooth. His eyes shifted to Sanji's nubs that are pink in shade. He was so tempted to touch Sanji but he restrained himself. He distracted himself by focusing on the towel that he was holding. He needed to wipe Sanji's body right now.

Zoro began wiping Sanji's face, he gently brushed the blonde's golden strands and noticed that he has an asymmetrical curly eyebrows. "So that's the reason why he grew his bangs. His eyebrows do make him cute but there's no way I'm going to tell him that," Zoro chuckled at that thought.

His right hand, gently wiped Sanji's shoulders down to his right arm. After wiping both arms, Zoro felt a chill because he has to wipe Sanji's torso as well. His blonde's frame is so lithe and even though Sanji is older than him by months, he could say that his body was more developed than the cook.

Wiping Sanji's torso means he has to touch those beautiful pink nubs indirectly. Zoro felt a rush of blood in his face when he started wiping Sanji's left nipple. He hurriedly wiped the other one, and felt that his hand trembled as he wiped Sanji's stomach.

"Fuck! I feel like a pervert already. Even though I'm just wiping him. It's as if that I'm touching him already. Shit. I better think of something else so that I wouldn't run into a big problem later on," Zoro cussed at his lack of discipline.

While thinking of the vilest creature in the planet that he had seen in order for him to discipline his lower body part, he got a clean towel and dried Sanji's upper torso. Zoro carefully slipped a clean shirt on his blonde's body. Feeling half relieved, Zoro realized that he still has to wipe and dry Sanji's lower region and that made him shudder in horror.

'Shit. I just realized that I have to do that. And by doing that means that I have to undress him! Shit! If he finds out that I am the one who took care of him, he's definitely going to be mad. But I want to see his...-' Zoro shook his head in order for him not to give into the temptation.

'I'm not going to do that because it would be as if I forced myself on him. However, just a peek won't hurt right?' Zoro thought. The debate in his inner mind makes him crankier than ever. He decided to slap himself in order to be able to think clearly and boy, that stung a lot!

"Shit. I overdid it. I just hope my face don't swell tomorrow," Zoro cursed, while mentally wishing that nothing bad would happen later. He started to remove Sanji's shorts and he saw those white briefs that covered Sanji's manhood. To make the situation worse, Zoro could almost see Sanji's junk because the briefs are half wet as well. With the huge amount of discipline Zoro gathered, he covered Sanji's manhood with the dry towel.

He slipped on his hands inside the cover and began removing Sanji's briefs. Zoro stood up and washed the towel with warm water. Just when he's about to go back and wipe Sanji's lower body, Zoro did not notice that the towel covering Sanji's manhood fell on the floor. He accidentally lost his footing and the next thing he knew, his face is already in front of Sanji's manhood.

(to be continued)…

P.S. I'm so sorry! I have to leave the story hanging because I need to get back to my life. Less than 12 hours to spare and I still have to finish that damned requirement. Post graduate degree sucks! T_T. Please leave some prompts and reviews! You may message me if you want to read more. *Evil laugh*