Firstly, thank you all for reading and reviewing. You guys make me smile around the house like an idiot *blush* Sending you all my love!

Secondly, this was weirdly fun to write :)) [ Sanji, my hommie, I am sooo soooooory! ]

Thirdly, this chapter would've been up sooner if it hadn't taken me half a day to pain my nails like in a photo I found on Pinterest... I'm hopeless...

Hope you enjoy!

"There are times when your soul makes me forget that you even have a body.

And then there are nights like these when all I want to do is taste the pleasure of your skin."

- Jonny Ox

Words seemed to fall short when Sanji tried to describe the torture he was being subjected to. Day after day and night after night he was plagued by his unquenchable desires. His fantasies ran wilder with every passing hour. He could barely remember a time when he went to sleep and didn't wake in the dead of night, out of breath and sweating, the memory of soft lips pressed on his chest feeling all too real.

He was coming back from his sparring session with his next aster when Scarlet-chan approached him. He was probably the most convincing transvestite on the island, besides Jun. He has shorter than most of the candies, with long fiery red hair that was always kept in some intricate braids and mesmerizing green eyes. He was also one of the few cross-dressers that actually shaved their legs. He was in no way fooling anybody he was a woman anytime soon though. But Sanji had to give him credit for the effort.

"Hello, Sanji."

"Ah, hi, Scarlet."

"How is your training going? I heard you defeated Evelyn-chan." They fell into a slow walk side by side. The pale baby-blue dress that the Straw Hat cook had to wear that day was clinging uncomfortably around his left shoulder, parts of it sticking to his back with sweat.

"So far so good." He rolled his shoulders to relieve some of the tension in his muscles and maybe set the damn fabric of the dress right. They arrived at the small house that belonged to the transvestite and Sanji bowed his head goodbye. He got four steps ahead when the candy spoke to him in a serious voice.

"You look so tired. I know some techniques that will do wonders to your muscles." His hand traveled to his shoulder. A massage did sound good. And something in the way the man was holding himself and talking gave Sanji the unfounded certainty that he was a no-bullshit kind of guy. The cook eyed the cross-dresser a while longer though, still half-expecting his blank face to turn into a crazed grin.

"Wonders you say?"

"I guarantee tension-free muscles in only a couple of minutes." A small smile played on the man's lips and it was reflected in his eyes. Maybe it wouldn't be such a bad idea, a few minutes of suffering followed by no more pain every time he flexed his limbs.

"Why not? Lead the way." Scarlet opened the door and showed Sanji into the small living room. He gestured for him to sit on the armchair while he light incense. It smelled wonderful, some flower the cook remembered finding on the pink island.

He was somewhat surprised when the hands that took a hold of his shoulders were gently, but firm at the same time. He felt Scarlet's thumbs roll about a spot on his upped back, almost immediately dulling the ache beneath his skin. He closed his eyes, enjoying the pampering, his body relaxing more and more with every stoke and squeeze the cross-dresser placed on him. Scarlet went on and rubbed at his arms, making Sanji realize just how much the bruises he received that day stung.

Lips were pressed against his shoulder blade and he jumper to his feet. Scarlet chuckled, placing two fingers on his red lips.

"There's a lot of build-up tension in you, Sanji." He took a step forward and the cook backed away, his thighs bumping into the table. "Why don't you let me get rid of that, too?" A hand traced the collar of his baby-blue dress, playing with the ruffles. Sanji's first instinct was to bolt out the door and fide in his room. But what if… it would help? With his frustrations, with what he should expect with Jun once she gave into him.

His hands circled Scarlet and he closed the space between their faces. His mouth moved against the pump one of the cross-dresser. He almost cringes when his tongue darted across his lower lip. He was about to pull away when Scarlet pushed him down on the table. Sanji let out a surprised squeak, his ears burning at the sound that escaped his throat.

Hot breath reached his ear and he shut his eyes shut as it that would make Scarlet disappear. It actually made things worse. As the gentle nibble on his earlobe sent a shiver down his body, images of Jun flooded his mind. Her hands were caressing his arms, her lips were kissing and sucking on his neck. His head fell back, exposing more skin. His breath quickly became ragged.

When he was pushed back on the table, his hands brought above his head, a half-sigh half-moan erupted from his chest. His skin was delighted to feel actual human contact. No more dreamland encounters with Jun, he finally had the real deal.

The skirt of his dress was being lifted painfully slow, eager fingers brushing along his inner thighs. His mind was racing, back arching whenever teeth would graze that sweet spot on his neck. The ruffles of his dress were pooling at his waist, nails skimming the skin just above the helm of his boxers, pulling on the elastic ever so slightly. Hips were pressed against his, his now hard cock brushing against another.

His eyes snapped open, the magic dispelling as fast as it began. Jun's black teasels turned a deep red, her big brown eyes became a vivid green, the soft angles of her face sharpened. Bile rose in his mouth, the muscles in his neck and shoulders taunting so fast it gave him a painful cramp.

"Stop it! Get off of me!" He pushed Scarlet away with both hands and got up from the table in a haze. He darted towards the door not really hearing what the transvestite was shouting after him. The sunlight hurt his eyes even if he had been indoors for less than an hour. As he made his way to his room at a fast pace a few candies pointed his way, trying and failing to stifle their laughs. It was then that Sanji realized the state of the stupid dress he was wearing. The left shoulder hanged awkwardly, ruffles ripped and stained red. The crumpled skirt was caught in the helm of his boxers at the font, revealing little scratch marks along his legs. It dawned on his quickly that he was on the walk of shame.

He broke into a run, tears welling up in his eyes. What was wrong with him? He felt like a teenage girl that just lost her virginity to a jackass, and nothing even really happened between him and Scarlet. Still, he felt the scrutinizing stares of the transvestites as he passed them. From the corner of his eyes he could have sworn he saw Jun's orange summer dress but he didn't dally to make sure. When he entered his room, tears were streaming down his face.

Sanji went straight to the bathroom. He felt dirty, despicable. Tainted! He needed to get out of those clothes. A bath and a cigar, that's what he needed. When he saw his reflection in the mirror he broke into sobs. The right side of his neck was smeared with red lipstick and little bruises. His own pink lipstick was tarnished on his jaw. Some black eyeliner or whatever was applied on his eyes had run down his cheeks with his tears.

He was a mess. In that blue ruined dress, with makeup soiling his entire face and neck. He felt used and alone. So utterly alone. His back hit the tiles on the wall and he slid down, bringing his knees up to his face and hugging them.

What would his crew think of him? He was nothing more than a common whore! No, they wouldn't judge. They'd break a few laughs, but non ill-intended.

What would Jun think of Sanji, the grande horizontale? Yes, that should be his new wanted poster name. How fitting! Jun would surely be disgusted. As if things weren't already messed up between them. Was there even a 'between' or a 'them' or was it all just in his delusional brain?

While he was sulking on the bathroom floor, he didn't immediately notice the figure standing in the doorway. An invisible hand reached into his chest and ripped his heart out when saw Jun, her eyes trailing over his foul body, widening when all the vulgar details registered in her head. The blonde cook wanted to cover himself as her mouth opened and remained hanging in surprise.

"I…um… you ran past me and…"

"Go away." He hid his face in his hands and rested them on the top of his knees. "Please…" The last thing he needed was for Jun to see him like that. But there she was in all her orange chiffon dress glory. There was a small rustle in the air and when he lifted his head she was gone. He barely got to let out a sigh, when she came back, a small white bag in her hand.

Before he could protest anymore or turn his face away, she was kneeling in front of him. She grabbed his jaw a little harsher than he would've expected and starts wiping the makeup away with some wet tissue she produced out of her bag.

He took in all of her features, her lips pressed in a thin line, her slightly furrowed brows, the way her nose would wrinkle every now and then as she scrubbed at his neck. Her eyes were still one of the most enchanting things he found in her. Even angry as she clearly was, her eyes held a light to them, a calmness that tickled his soul.

Ever the tramp he was, he could only think of much he wished she's lean in just a little closer, press her body against his filthy one. But he restrained himself. Her hands cleaning away his sins would have to suffice.

"Get up." She was already standing, hands stretched to help him rise. He took them reluctantly, craving the contact but fearing she's run away. She strolled into his bedroom, leaving him standing there for a few seconds. When she came back, Sanji saw her place his pajamas on the towel holed. "You should take a shower…" Silence. She stared him in the eyes and he stared back. He wondered what was going on in that beautiful head. The look she was giving him could have meant anything. Pity? Kindness? Oh, how he wished it was love. Or at least a strong like. But he was sure it was a feeling more akin to disdain than compassion. She cleared her throat.

"Oh, yes. Um… could you help?" He turned around displaying the array of button on the back of the dress. Sanji thought for a moment that she had left again when she didn't make a sound. But as she was about to face her, he felt her hands working on the buttons. With each one her fingers became clumsier, taking longer as she made her way down. When the last button was freed the dress fell of his shoulders with a mind of its own. He froze in place, breath caught in his throat. He was standing in his boxers only with his back to Jun. His mind blanked completely, a shiver running down his spine when she sighed behind him, a hot whisper of air reaching his skin.

"I'll get you something to eat. Take your time."

He was sure she was long gone by the time he finally gathered the guts to look towards the closed door. She was gone, with the promise of coming back with food. He stepped in the shower thinking of how not hungry he was. The prospect of Jun returning made him anxious, though.

He rubbed the soap all over his body, washing away his shame along with the sweat and dirt. There was still a pang of guilt, a hollow in his stomach that threatened to make him barf. But the warm water calmed him like a weak anesthetic. He washed his hair last, his head feeling instantly lighter despite his soaked blond mane.

The fabric of his pajamas was rough compared to the dress he previously wore. He liked it. Eyeing the discarded blue cloth, he pushed it in a corner with his foot. Then he walked out of the bathroom, towel ruffling his hair dry. The corners of his lips lifted automatically when he saw Jun sitting on the edge of his bead, a tray of food on his nightstand. She stood up and made room for him to get in bed.

Complying, he did just that, moving slowly as if any wrong gesture would startle the wild doe and she'd hop away. He sat on the middle of the bed, his back pressed on the pillows. Eyelids were becoming heavy, his puffy eyes asking for rest. Jun placed the try on the mattress next to him, sitting back on the far edge of the bed.

"I didn't know what you felt like eating… I got a little bit of everything I could find…" He scanned the tray: there was some steak, fried potatoes, little meatballs in a super spicy sauce, garlic toast, olive toast and whole wheat toast, an eggplant with tomatoes, different pizza slices, pies and cookies of all sorts and a bunch of fruits. He was not hungry at all.

Sanji picked a strawberry and shoved it in his mouth.

When Jun sighed he realized he had been chewing on the poor thing for a while. The brunette placed the tray on his nightstand without a word. He watched her, swallowing hard the contents in his mouth. When their eyes met Sanji couldn't take his eyes away, even if, at the same time, he wanted to pull the covers over his head like a child.

"Do you want to… talk about it?" His yes must have gotten as big as the plates she had brought him. He would very much hate talking about it with her.

"Not really, no…" Jun nodded and went to get up from the bed. Panic rushed trough him, his hand jerking forward on its own accord.

"Stay!" The single word came out a lot more desperate than he wanted. He was holding his breath, waiting for an answer.

Doe-like eyes darted to where his hand was gripping her wrist and Sanji knew he had an effect on the brunette too. At least she was considering not abandoning him in his hour of need. He felt giddy on the inside. When she sighed and shifted closer to him on the bed he finally exhaled, his lips curling in a small smile. He watched with sheepish eyes, not sure what he wanted to say or do, he just wanted her there. Jun in turn had one eyebrow curve upwards.

"Thank you." It was the first thing that came to mind, but as soon as he blurred the words out he felt his cheeks heating. He didn't want to bring back the subject to his little breakdown, nor to his shameful experience with Scarlet. Jun was going to find out all about it from the other cross-dressers anyway.

The brunette didn't reply for a while. Instead she let her back fall on the mattress, laying on her back besides him. Sanji stood perfectly still, emptying his mind from any inappropriate thoughts. Surely she wasn't implying nor proposing anything with the simple action. He scooted down from his pillows and lay on his side facing her, keeping a respectful distance from the body he dreamed of cradling.

"I'm sorry." She finally breathed out the entire phrase in one compact syllable. "I fell like this is all my fault."

"What are you talking about?"

"If I… If I hadn't teased you so much…" She turned on her side too, one hand placed on her chest, where her heart was. Sanji shook his head.

"It's not your fault."

"But what if-"

"No 'what ifs'! He took her hand in his and placed a kiss on her knuckles. It was something he'd done so many times to so many different women, it became a habit. But Jun let out a small gasp. She was blushing, her eyes fixed on the door. Not that she needed to use it to 'escape' him. An idea formed in Sanji's mind, something that might just get her to stay. "But…"

"What?" She was startled by his voice. Her sad eyes met his and the blonde cook was encouraged to do his best to keep her by his side for the night.

"If you do feel responsible…" He tested the waters, watching if her expression changed. But Jun kept looking deep into his eyes, waiting for her chance to atone for her imaginary crime. "… you could make it up to me."

"How?"

"Stay here tonight."

"Sanji… you don't really want that… I don't think it would help…"

"You can't possibly imagine…" He let out a breath and closed his eyes, bringing the hand he still held captive a little closer to him. He wasn't expecting her to say yes, but she didn't exactly say no either. Still, the words hurt him. Wasn't it clear enough to her that he wanted nothing more in that moment than to hold her?

"…fine…"

"What?" Had he heard her right? He was smiling like a fool even if he wasn't entirely sure she had accepted his out-of-the-blue proposal, the mere idea of having her all to himself thrilling him to no end.

She turned with her back to him, but he still saw her cheeks burning red. "I said 'Fine!'"

Not able to contain himself, Sanji closed the space between them, wrapping his arms possessively around her. Her body went rigid. He was scared for a moment she would disappear like she did so often. But she relaxed just barely, placing her hands over his.

A million different kinds of joy invaded him. He was holding Jun. In his arms. In his bed. Oh, if she knew how many dreams he'd had of her on that very mattress, how many nights he'd spent wide awake, unable to get her out of his head.

His arms held onto her a little tighter. Jun was his. He buried his nose in her silky hair, taking in the sweet smell of her shampoo. He was slowly loosing himself, her body next to his – a powerful drug. He reached her neck and planted his lips on its back. She shivered in his embrace. Gods! He'd make her tremble beneath him every night if only she let him.

"Sanji!" Jun moved to release herself from his grip.

"Please don't go! I'll behave." He gripped her dress tightly between his fingers and she settled back. He'd be patient a while longer. Just a little longer.

He no longer cared if Jun was a man, or was a man before Ivankov and his crazy Devil Fruit powers. The brunette could even turn out to be a living corps, or some weird ass soul-sucking succubus.

He was in love.

Madly.

Without knowing when exactly it happened, or how, or why. All he knew was that it was Sanji who was going to make her smile. He would be the one next to whom she'd be sleeping every night. It was his name she would moan in ecstasy on the same nights.

"I don't care anymore. Man or woman or whatever you choose to be… I just… don't push me away anymore."

"And I can't be running back and forth forever between grief and high delight."

- J.D. Salinger

Ok... 3 more chapters :D

Before I go... is anyone reading the manga? I swear I'm going to have a heart attack if Oda doesn't reveal what the bloody hell happened to Sanji!

Anywaaaaays, see you guys in 2016 :*

Wish ya'll a Happy New Year!