CHAPTER TEN UPDATED

(Short, but updated)

The Lives That Bind Us

Chapter Ten: Are We Dating?

Zoro

Zoro was on cloud nine when he awoke. After all, it wasn't every morning that he rose to find a drop-dead-gorgeous blonde wrapped around his waist. Sanji seemed to wake at the same time, stirring as Zoro planted a tender kiss upon his forehead. "Morning," he laughed, as Sanji hid his blush under the sheets. "Morning," he replied, revealing just enough of his face to give him a kiss.

They fell into idle shit chat, not worrying about anything. Conversation was like a friendly game of tennis, flowing back and forth comfortably. Even Breakfast didn't rush them from their comfortable nook.
Instead, it was decided upon a Café around the corner, that had pastries and good coffee. Good, because for an extra cent, Zoro got a shot of whiskey in his. Sanji's hand was healed enough to eat by himself so there was no embarrassing moments.

The roads were busy with work goers by the time Sanji and Zoro left. They decided a walk would be nice, and headed to the park, wallowing in the sunshine. There was a slight breeze, but not enough to deter many from venturing outside. Still, Zoro felt there were moments where Sanji wasn't quite so comfortable holding hands as they walked, nor did he so much appreciate the closeness on the bench. But he didn't mind the closeness on the back seat of the bus, taking the road to who knows where.

The local school it seemed, as they say the ferris wheel atop the juniper trees. "C'mon," Zoro urged him, hand tightly woven together like threads of a sweater. He pulled him to follow, smiled bright like an excited child. The happiness seeped into Sanji and he couldn't help but be led along.

"Best date I've been on," Zoro said from behind a billowing cloud of cotton candy; holding out another for Sanji, who paused at the Marimo's words. "D-date?" he stuttered, unsure if he had heard right. Zoro's smile slipped slightly. Had he thought wrong? Had Sanji not realised this? Did he and Zoro not think the same?

Sanji seemed to detect the Moss-head's worry, taking the candyfloss cloud quickly. "No, not that I don't want to," he stammered. "It's just, no one has ever treated me out before. Usually it's me. I treat them to dinner, or cook, or we go watch a movie-"
"Well you can't cook," Zoro said. Then bit his tongue. He had hoped a date would help take Sanji's mind off depressing matters. Not remind him he was a invalid because of some assassin cult he was a part of.

The Blonde looked at his hand. "Well, maybe I'll cook on our next date." He looked up and grinned at Zoro's shocked expression. Then blushed, as Zoro bent down and kissed him there and then, ignoring the dozens of strangers around them.

The romantic, teenage vibe quickly left the pair, and their "date" turned into a competition, from who could eat the most Candyfloss, to who could win the biggest stuffed animal.
Naturally it was Zoro who won eating the most cotton candy, considering the Blonde wanted to at least eat his with some dignity. He didn't even manage to finish his own before Zoro took a munch out the side of it. "Hey that was mine," the man protested playfully, holding the treat away from him. "You're jus' 'low," Zoro laughed around his mouthful of stolen food.

The day was spent mostly relaxed. The fair was pack with families, groups of friends goofing around and young couples spending quality time together. Zoro was pleased to spend the time with Sanji, even if the pair kept getting into petty arguments that would result in at least one swipe or kick to the other's body. All half heartedly of course.

It wasn't until they were stood in line waiting to go on the Ferris wheel, were they interrupted by two clueless idiots, shouting at the top of their voices."ZORO! SANJI!" Luffy flew into them, having catapulted himself from wherever he had been. He flew into the Marimo, nearly knocking him sideways. Usopp ran up to them, almost in stitches from laughing at Zoro, leant at 40o with Sanji grabbing his shirt to stop him falling face first into the ground. "Why they hell are you two idiots here?" Sanji scolded, after having helped the two others regain an upright position.

"We didn't have lectures today so Nami invited us to the funfair," Usopp said, barely hiding his amusement. "I invited Luffy, not you baka," came an irritated response from behind the Marimo, who was restraining his friend by the scruff of his neck.
"Nami-swan!" The cook's legs became jelly as he danced over to the red-haired woman, dressed unusually skimpy and… revealing. (Or totally cheap in Zoro's perspective).

She had a loose floral pink top which revealed her puffed up cleavage, which stopped halfway up her waist to reveal her stomach. She was wearing shorts and high heel shoes which someone would usually wear if she was trying to attract someone's attention.
It certainly caught Sanji's attention. He danced around the woman with hearts in his eyes and compliments pouring out his mouth.

Naturally, he allowed Nami to step in front (or over) him in the queue. She ignored his overly affectionate personality but was just human enough to thank him by batting her eye lids and smiling slightly. Or cruel enough to the man and lead him on.
And equally cruel to Zoro who was grinding his teeth as she acknowledge his compliments. His boyfriend's compliments, sent to another…

Okay, so Sanji was a ladies man. That was obvious from the way he talked about them or served them at the Baratie, but the two were in a relationship now so maybe the flirting and lady worshipping could be turned down a bit. At least that is considerate enough. Right?
That was even if they were in a relationship. What if Sanji didn't see this as serious?

"SANJI, SANJI! You said you'd cook me food when your hand got better!" Luffy yelled, trying to launch himself onto the Blonde, only to be stopped by Zoro's grip on his collar. "Of course," Sanji smiled at him, glancing at Zoro's stern expression as he did. But that didn't quell Luffy's hyperness.

The promise of food seemed only excite the little bugger further. He kept trying to grapple the Blonde, squirming this way and that to get out of Zoro's grasp.

People were beginning to give the group attention. Sanji was aware, blushing. Maybe it was done unconsciously, but he took a few shuffled paces away from the Green-haired and his monkey companion.

Which naturally ticked Zoro off a little. He had been hoping for a chilled out morning and a nice quiet date with Sanji. Maybe they couldn't openly flirt, kiss or hold hands, but at least they would be in one another's company, just talking and chatting.

It was their turn on the Ferris wheel, and the five were bundled in together. Probably to get them on and off the ride quicker, but the attendant failed to noticed seats were for three only. No one was bothered, especially Zoro, who was happy to have Sanji perch on his lap, leaving Nami to sit on Luffy's.
Which was probably not the best idea for the girl, hoping for her own possibly romantic date. Luffy wanted to piss about, as Luffy does, swinging back and forth and trying to make an adventure out of a peaceful trip above the tree line.

"Hey watch it Luffy you're going to tip us," Sanji warned, gripping the bar of the chair as it began to tip back and forth. And they hadn't even moved off the platform yet.

Zoro watched the man's face pale, glancing up to the chairs above. Maybe he was scared of heights. Then why was he coming on a damn Ferris Wheel?
But the boy glanced down, eyes sliding undoubtedly over his bandaged hand, still red and swollen, clutching the bar of their seat.

"Stupid curly-brow," Zoro hissed under his breath, grabbing Sanji's wrist, keeping him steady whilst he was able to let go, yet still keeping balance. "You want to hurt yourself even more?"
Before Sanji could answer, he cuffed Luffy around the back of the head.

"Act your age you idiot or I'll throw you off at the top." Luffy didn't really get the threat; busy laughing with Usopp and Nami, but at least they stopped swinging the chair enough for the man to press the button and allow the wheel to continue round.

The ride set off and the others began to engage in a quick and childish game of eye-spy. Zoro let his mind wander, his thoughts finding themselves searching for a plan in which to abandon his classmates so Sanji and he could enjoy their peaceful date together.
More importantly, alone.

"Hey!" came a hiss that pulled Zoro from running away, back to the cramped space of the Ferris Wheel. Not only had his mind wandered, but so seemingly his hands as Sanji gripped the edge of his top to keep it from rising up. Doing so, because Zoro's fingers were now on his hips, caressing the smooth skin near his underwear elastic.

"What are you doing moss-head," the blonde hissed, turning one angry eye on him. His one usable appendage slipped from his top and down to Zoro's, applying just enough pressure to stop the Marine's fingers from wandering any further across his pale skin. "What's the matter?" Zoro purred. He had been fantasising most of this morning. And if he played his cards right, he might just be able to see some of that…

"It's not like they're paying attention." Zoro gestured to the others, who were giggling away at something or other. But now wasn't the perfect time fore Sanji, who's skin seemed to grow hotter the further Zoro's fingers crawled.

"Stop it idiot. We're in front of your friends and in the middle of a fucking funfair."
"Then maybe you should watch that mouth of yours," Zoro whispered in a sultry voice, grazing his lips against the blonde's neck. Sanji couldn't move anywhere. He was trapped in this small space, unable to move away from a horny Marimo.

"Fuck off Marimo. I told you to stop," Sanji breathed quickly. Squirming about on Zoro's lap wasn't doing anything to help the situation. Instead, it was just egging Zoro on.
He could tell from Sanji's tone and the way he shifted about that it was more embarrassment than refusal. It wasn't what Zoro was doing, but where.

Yet the man wasn't a bastard, and he wasn't about to cross any lines. So he simply kissed Sanji on the back of his neck, looped his hands around his waist and let his head wander back to escape plans from the fair.

Zoro couldn't shake the others. Even if he could, he would have ended up leaving Sanji with them. Or more precisely Nami, whom Sanji had decided to dedicate every second to. She was looking a little flushed, probably from all the flouncing and attention, no matter how much she ignored it as they wandered about the fair.

Zoro wasn't totally entertained and he was getting more and more pissed that Sanji was being more attentive to Nami than him. He was a little lost in his own thoughts to realise he was slowly separating from the group.

"Damn Moss-head. Don't walk too far or you'll get lost," Sanji growled at him, nudging him with his injured hand. In the other, he held a cup holder with two slushies, bought from one of the stalls.

"I'm not going to get lost moron," Zoro bit back a little too fiercely. But he was angry at Sanji flirting so he told himself that it was justified. "Yeah right. And I'm not blonde," came Sanji's unimaginative retort. "Whatever," the marimo said, reaching out to grab one of the drinks out of Sanji's hands, but the man pulled it out of reach. "It's not for you," he snapped, turning slightly as if looking for-
"It's for Nami-swan. My beautiful angel isn't feeling to well so I bought her a drink. Ah there she is!"

Sanji spotted her, sat between Luffy and Usopp on a bench a little way from the crowds. It seemed that she wasn't feeling well. How bloody convenient. Now Sanji had a perfectly plausible reason to dote over her, other than the fact she had boobs and the will to make people do what she wanted.
"Damn witch. What's she playing at now," Zoro grumbled as he followed the prancing man to his friends.

Sanji used one of the drinks to fend off Luffy as he helped Nami drink the other. "I'm sorry it's not water, but at least it's cold," he was saying softly, bent next to her.

Zoro kept to himself whilst the others bustled about. He just resolved himself that his date with Sanji was over.

Ok, so Sanji needed to apologise about his attitude. He was happy to be with Zoro, but embarrassment took control when Luffy had jumped them. Besides, Nami wasn't feeling well, and neither of the others were overly concerned. She was pale; paler than usual. The only colour came from her flushed cheeks. Not a blush, but red from a fever. She needed to cool down. That was why he was giving her the slushy.

He had seen the stall earlier, thinking about sharing one with Zoro, but they had been jumped and they missed the window…

Zoro, however, was looking at windows were there was only walls. On the Ferris Wheel would've been the perfect time to cuddle and probably steal a kiss. But not when they were with friends who didn't know their relationship.
And something about Luffy and his closeness with Zoro suggested they had been dating. To Sanji at least. And he knew how ex's could act. Possessive. Aggressive. Unpredictable.

Sanji saw demons were there were none. But that was the price for being a prisoner and tool to a sadistic violent man.

Nami brought him back to the here and now, swooning slightly as she leant to far forward. Heat stroke? Dehydration?

"She needs a doctor." It was Zoro who had spoke, no longer sulking. He knelt down on the opposite side of Sanji, offering a shoulder for Nami to lean on. "You idiot. You should've told us if you were feeling ill. No it's gotten this bad."
"What do you mean?" Sanji asked, feeling a little out of place. Nami definitely wasn't that bad. She just needed a drink and to sit down. She'd be fine-

"She gets ill sometimes. Not often. Not this bad. Happened once before," Zoro deadpanned, handing back the slushy. With one move he swooped the girl into his arms. "She needs to go to the hospital. Last time she fell into a coma."

The words snapped Luffy and Usopp out of their pointless discussion about aliens taking over Nami's body. "Nearest hospital is Drum," the younger said, his usual grin stored away as the severity of the situation settled. "Ambulance?"
"It's not that serious," Zoro said, shooting him down quickly.

Usopp was already leading them to the road. Sanji didn't realise, and had to rush to catch up as the boys manoeuvred the crowd. Some moved out the way, seeing the ginger-haired girl shivering in the arms of the fierce-face older.
Sanji fell in step with Zoro, glancing worriedly at Nami. She opened a heavy eye lid, peering at who was carrying her. "Try anything," she hissed in a breathless voice, "and I'll charge you for it."

"Just put up with it," Zoro snapped back, anger still in his voice. Or maybe it was worry.
"It's not like I want to do this, but it's better than the skirt chasing cook coping a feel." Sanji made to remark but Nami started to laugh. "Sanji's a gentleman. He wouldn't dare. Besides…" Nami's words were slurred so the Blonde was unable to pick them up. He kept silent, as Nami started to breath heavily, and decided to silently guide the Marimo to the entrance instead, correcting his direction only once. Luffy and Usopp were waiting, having hailed a cab.

The cabbie must've set a world record on how fast to get to a destination. Sanji barely saw anything before he was bundling out the taxi. He was left to pay the bill, but wasn't too concerned by that. He was however, worried about Nami.

Dehydrated. That was all it was it seemed, as Sanji sat next to Nami, dozing in the chair. Luffy and Usopp were absent; sent to do errands by Zoro so that they wouldn't distract the doctors or play with the medical equipment. He was sat in the other chair, scowling. He was adamant on staring out the window and not making eye contact. Was he still angry?

"I'm sorry about earlier. On the Ferris Wheel I mean," Sanji spoke up, hoping that this was the reason for Zoro's attitude. Hopefully trying to get Zoro to pay attention and not be so threatening. "It's not that I'm rethinking this whole… us… It's just that I find it awkward in public and in front of your-"
"I'm not angry about that," the Marimo interrupted, sighing as he finally looked to the Blonde. "Of course it's weird. You don't know them as well as I. Of course it would be a little awkward." He sighed again. "I'm just annoyed because my boyfriend - (Sanji couldn't help but blush) – seems to be giving girls more attention than me. I mean I know you're a skirt chaser but can't you tone it down. Especially when we're on a date."

Oh shit. Was Zoro giving Sanji puppy eyes?
Yes he was. And not as in wide eyed, bottom lip quivering, slit head tilt look. It was the full, heart-felt sadness behind a nonchalant mask. Zoro's shoulders were down, his eyes averted from the slight loss of pride of being a manly man because he had emotions.

"I'm sorry."

Sanji did mean it. It probably didn't sound like it and it wasn't something that he felt that he could change right away. "I'll try not to do it. I don't mean to. Sometimes I just forget and I say stupid shit, but I'll try to stop," the Cook said seriously, moving so that he was perched on the arm of the chair the Marimo occupied. "And I am sorry."

Zoro nodded, looking a little more relieved. "I know that you won't stop. You're a ladies man, a cocky bastard, one hell of a cook and I love you for it. As long as you don't start chasing after guys."
The marimo smiled to himself, returning to stare out the window just as the door swung open and a twelve year old boy walked in.

A twelve year old boy with mousy brown hair, in a white doctor's coat with a clipboard and pen and a small pink hat on his…

Sanji felt a sliver of guilt slip down his gullet. He tried to tear his eyes away from the door, but it was already too late. He had seen Chopper. And Chopper had seen him.

"You," he said sternly, pointing his pen at the Blonde, beckoning with a finger. "Don't think I've forgotten about you." He gestured to the door, already leading the way, talking as he went. "Come this way. I'll change your bandages now, seeing as you're here. And you will come back on Monday to have those bandages changed or so help me I'll break your legs so you stay in hospital so I can change your bandages on time…" The voice of the little doctor trailed off.

Sanji hesitated in following before casting one look back at Zoro. "I'd hurry up if I were you. I wouldn't be surprised if he would break your legs. And then…" the Marimo said, standing to kiss him quickly.

"We'd have to wait even longer before we broke the bed."

Like I said, short, but at least it's updated.