Chapter 12: Drunk & Flirty

"To me 'drink responsively' means don't spill it."
-Unknown

...

"Where are we going?"

"To bed. You're drunk." He unlocked the door. It was a luxurious hotel room, courtesy from Iceburg. To his immediate left was the kitchen with a marble island and in front was the dining room. On his right was a couple doors leading to the washroom and laundry room. Further in was the living room in different hues of cerulean, silver and white.

"You pervert, don't say that." She eyed his rear with fascination. Her hands reached down and pretended to grab his flexing muscles, but ended up blushing at the thought of it, and giggled uncontrollably.

"Tch." He irked. There was a voice in his head to drop her off as soon as possible. "Quit giggling back there! I can't believe I have to postpone my evening with you of all people."

"But the party doesn't start 'til I walk in."

"The party left you when Sogeking went for a bathroom break."

He walked in through the short hallway and placed her on the sofa, before heading straight to the washroom. First door on the right. He flicked the lights, eyeing the lavishly decorated washroom and decided to turn back, nearly stepping on a black fur ball. "Kit? What are you doing here?" The young fox yawned, trotting to a fuzzy rug to doze off. "Even your fox had enough of partying."

Ayame huffed, crossing her arms together. "Kit left before the party even began! We had a deal Kit, we had a deal! We were going to drink and dance and... sing? But I don't really sing - oh who cares! And oh my gosh! Sanji-kun said he was going to make me some sweets, but he was too busy." She jiggled her upper body, complaining on how she didn't get any treats.

Oi. Don't move like that.

His eyes followed her heaving bosoms, he felt uncomfortably hot. Zoro ripped off his black t-shirt and without warning, he dressed her, assisting her by pulling her arms out in the holes. Muscular arms hoisted her up, placing her on the toilet seat as he grabbed a nearby stool to sit in front of her. "Alright," he grabbed a toothbrush. "Open up."

"Make me."

She's asking for it...

"I swear Ayame if you don't-" She opened her mouth reluctantly. "Good girl." What a child. Smiling, he brushed her teeth thoroughly, ignoring the silly faces she was making. She'd reached over and lightly brush her hand on his muscles, giggling and choking on the toothpaste foam. Handing her a glass of water, he ordered, "gurgle and spit."

"What if I swallowed it?" Ayame smiled lewdly up at him, leaning on one side to another.

"You can't do that," he sighed, getting up to clean her brush and cup.

"Really? I thought I can." Her finger stroked her bottom lip sensually.

The swordsman paused, registering that info before whirling around. A tight frown was on his face as he began. "Since when did you become a pervert, huh, punk? Who taught you? Was it Sanji? Franky? Nami? Never mind that - first things first, punk: don't go messing around, you hear me? If I find you with some gangster, I'll beat the crap outta him and then you're next. You're too young to get your heart broken." Placing the toothbrush back into the cup, he reminded himself to stay calm. She was drunk and she probably doesn't know what she's saying, or doing.

What was she doing anyway? Was alcohol a pheromone to her? If so, should he be worried about himself? Perhaps taking off his shirt made her see him differently.

Don't you know what you're doing to me?

"Would that get your attention, Zoro-kun?" Her sweet voice filled the air. Resting her warm body against his chest, and her finger was trailing his massive scar. "I don't mind getting my heart broken if it's you."

Don't listen. Don't listen. She's drunk, she's not the Ayame you know. Right now, she's a succubus. A drunk succubus. He gawked at her as his fingernails trailed his rock hard abs, causing him to shiver pleasurably. His heart stopped then it began its laps around an endless trail. Breathe. Although his face was uncharacteristically cherry red, his self control prevailed his animalistic need to have her, right here, right now.

Why was he feeling this now? Sure, he cared for her, but he didn't think it would bloom into anything else but friendship. No. For a while now, I have been seeing you more as a woman than I should. It's just I've been suppressing it. But if you continue... I might not be able to control myself.

His hand reached over, inching to her jaw as he forced her to look up at him and took this moment to pin her against the wall. Calling her name, her hands stop trailing over his body and her blue eyes sparkled up at him. "You don't know what you're asking for." The swordsman muttered coolly, inching down to her ear before separating himself from her. "Go grab some clothes and change."

Ayame smiled, reaching her suitcase and fishing out a silky short.

That's too short!

"Not that one!"

"But it's too hot!"

Zoro tutted, but it was too late. She had already began unzipping her leather skirt that he swiftly turned around as his ears burned up. "Can't you dress somewhere private?"

She ignored him, trying and failing to pull down her sweat-ridden skirt. "Could you help me?"

With what? His mind could not help but ask. "No, undress yourself. I'm leaving."

Ayame's lips quivered. The last thing she wanted was to be alone. "Don't go." She whimpered as tears scrolled down her cheeks. "Please."

"Shit." He gritted his teeth, turning around. "Fine, fine." He yanked a towel from the side and wrapped it around her waist. She sniffled, holding the towel in place as he forcibly pulled her skirt with closed eyes. It was a hassle for Zoro, but at least she wasn't crying anymore. "Here, wear this." He took the shorts and handed it to her.

"Thank you," she whimpered, pulling on her shorts while stumbling and falling to get it on. "Owie!"

He crossed his arms together. "Ah, that's because you're not drinking water, you klutz-"

The door slammed opened, revealing Sanji and an unconscious Sogeking. "I heard a maiden crying," was the first thing the blond said after kicking the door down. "You better not be the reason to—Ayame, my darling," he tossed Usopp to the swordsman in an instant. "What's wrong, darling?" He helped her up.

"I..." She was gasping out, trying to make words through her crying. "I fell putting my shorts on."

"Oh?!" Sanji reeled his head as far back. "Wait, wait, wait! So you were putting on your shorts before... I...entered the room?" If Sanji could burst into flames, he would. But when his eyes scanned the room, he glowered at the swordsman. "Was he watching you undress?!"

In the background, Zoro shoved Usopp on the couch as Kit hopped onto his curly head and nested. "Go take a cold shower, ero-cook. Like I'd ever drop to your level. The last thing she needs to see is your ugly mug."

"Oi, Marimo. Put on a shirt before you poke her eyes with those things." Sanji sneered, eyeing his nipples in disgust.

"Ugh, shut up!" Usopp shouted. He threw a pillow from the living room before falling back asleep, snoring. It was past midnight, they should lower their voices even though there would be people singing Sogeking's theme song out their door. The two men zipped their mouths but continued to glare at each other. Until...

"Usopp, my best friend in the whole universe!" The two found her clinging onto the boy's chest, nuzzling into his warmth. They gawked from afar and continued to watch as Usopp tried to push her off.

He whined, complaining how loud she was. "Alright, alright! I get it! Just please go to your bedroom and be loud over there! Sheesh!"

"Mm'kay!" She hugged him once more before walking off to the hallway and instantly hooking her arms with the swordsman and chef, catching them off guard. "I got my other two pretty friends here too."

Sanji sputtered at the adjective. "Ayame-chan, where are you taking me?" But he knew where, he just needed her to say and either his clothes are coming off or he'll have an aneurysm (from his perverted thoughts). "And it's handsome. Hand-some. Sanji is handsome."

"Us." Zoro interjected, shooting a glare.

Ayame smiled up at them. "The bedroom!"

The swordsman sighed, halting all of them. "Ayame, you can sleep in your own bed. We'll be leaving soon."

"Don't you mean you? I'm staying." Sanji declared, pulling Ayame to his chest. "You can go."

Zoro glared at him, pulling Ayame back to his side before putting a protective arm around her. "If you're not going, then I won't either. I can't let you do something to her in this state."

The blond took this offence harshly. "I'm not that type of man, Marimo."

Annoyed, Ayame pushed away and frowned. "I wanna sleep!"

"Then sleep on your own."

"But," she looked up at the swordsman with large eyes. "I don't want to be alone."

He blushed. Enraptured by her innocence, he sighed, giving in.

...

"Stick to your side, Marimo." Sanji seethed. He had removed his jacket and loosened a few buttons, revealing parts of his chest. "And remember, I'm watching you."

Zoro scoffed from the other end of the bed. "Same goes to you. Closet pervert."

In the center, Ayame glanced at the pillows on her left and right. The boys have thought it would be best to have barriers between them. "I got two pretty men on my bed!" She snuggled against Zoro's back even though the pillow smothered her face. "You're so warm Senpai. You too, Sanji-kun." She turned to the chef and nuzzled his side.

"Senpai?" Zoro's face went red.

"Un," she nodded, nearly dozing off. "I don't like to admit it, but I like you're fighting stance. It's refined... focused..."

"Didn't know you watched me so much." He smirked, thinking about the times he worked out and she was probably in the orchard, passing sneaky glances.

"But you have an opening... a few... from the sides and the front sometimes... cause you constantly always watch your own back."

She's right. I do have some weak spots.

"What about me, Ayame-chwan?"

She snickered, smiling instantly. His passion for cooking had always astounded her. It was a deep passion. "I like your cooking... and you're attention to ladies. You're like a true Prince Charming... I like your form too; your kicks are beautiful... somehow, the both of you draw people to you." Her smile slowly disappeared. "Unlike me, people tend to stay away from me. I was always alone and always cold... until I met all of you. You make me feel... like I belong somewhere..."

The two men blinked, pulling the pillow in between them out of the way to see her staring up at the ceiling with sad eyes. She brought the blanket closer, shivering ever-so-slightly. But it didn't go amiss.

"Cold, you said, right? Here." Zoro found her hand on his side and curled his fingers around hers. Warm, she thought.

Sanji did so without a second thought, bringing their intertwined hands to his chest. "Still cold?" He didn't wait for an answer as he brought her hand to his lips, exhaling hot air to the back of her hand. His free hand came over and covered her hand.

"Oi, control yourself over there."

...

So warm. Ayame thought, snuggling closer to it. Usopp, she instantly thought, remembering the days they were forced to share a bed like siblings. Peaking pass her eyelashes, both of her eyes shot open. Sanji?! What is he— Turning her head away, her eyes went wider if it was possible. Cactus?! His naked back was to her. The slow rise and steep fall told her that he was asleep.

There's two men in my bed. T-two... did I...?

She pulled the blankets up and glanced down. A sigh of relief fell out of her mouth as her bones became jello and gave in her bed. This can't be happening... I need to leave. She picked herself up, leaning over Sanji since he was closer to the exit. But she paused, blinking at his angelic face. She's never seen him so relaxed before. He looks... like a prince. She brushed away a lock of hair. Then her eyes went to his hidden eye. She was curious: what was he hiding? A gulp pressed down her throat. Reaching over, she mildly envied his shiny golden hair. Gold. She thought absentmindedly before bringing her hand into a fist.

I shouldn't.

His brow twitched followed by screwing his eyelids even more shut before it fluttered open. Blue-grey orbs searched hers in cool manner. She immediately felt flushed but her body was frozen stuck. Eh? His hand intertwined hers that was on his chest, trapping her. A sudden feeling of his arm beneath moved to enclose around her waist.

Ba-dum. Ba-dum. Ba-dum.

...

Is this a dream?

His eyes wandered everywhere from her dark roots to her cheeks to her small lips, until he felt whole just getting lost in her eyes. The rising sun captured the colors of those eyes, making them more elusive and ethereal than it should. Cerulean blues with flecks of broken jades and sprinkled with dirt, like tiny freckles.

The corner of his lips lifted just slightly when he held her hand resting above his heart.

He didn't want this to end. Sanji couldn't help as his hand snaked around her waist. His thumb stroked her in circular motions. It was a dream right? Be gentle, he reprimanded. Then his other hand trailed up her arm to slowly reach to a pesky lock of hair. He pushed it back behind her ear. Given this moment and she wasn't backing away, he caressed her warm cheek.

Ayame's warm body trembled as he suppresses a groan.

"Ayame." He whispered. His eyes narrowed in a loving manner as he slowly closed in their distance. It's a dream, but a damn good one. And she's letting me graze her cheek with my callous hand. It's unworthy. But... just this once...just the neck. The collar bone or the forehead. Or her... lips...

...

"KYAA!"

THUD!

Zoro jumped, unsheathing wado ichimaru in an instant. He knew something would happen if he left Ayame and Ero-cook alone. Aggressively whipping his head to the source he found Ayame peering over the bedside and apologizing profusely to the cook. Beating the perverted cook wasn't the important thing in his mind. His face and ears became cherry red. There was a little voice telling him to avert his eyes from her rear—He screwed his eyes shut. Discipline yourself. He didn't think for a moment until Ayame began talking.

"Sanji, are you alright? I didn't mean to push you too hard—I was startled to see your face so close to mine like that!"

Zoro drawled a sigh and sheathed his katana back while he grabbed a handful of blankets and tossed it over her backside. There was no words for him to say as she continued to nurse Sanji's head. Wait what?! He tried something on her?

You've changed, Demonspawn. Don't know if I like it or not, but it feels like... He softly smiled in secrecy. You're not so bad to be around.

"Ow, ow." Sanji chanted, caressing his head. His eyes went back to Ayame's and he went scarlet. "I am sorry Ayame, I didn't mean to—I thought it was a—forgive me."

Rolling his eyes, Zoro grabbed him by the scruff of his neck. "Take care of yourself, Demonspawn. And try not to grope me so much next time."

Grope you!? What happened last night?!

"Oi, Marimo! Let go of me!" Sanji was being dragged out. "Make sure you drink plenty of water, ma cherie!"

...

Sanji just tried to kiss me... She gently touched her lips. But his eyes—those melancholy eyes. So you also feel lonely? Drawing her thoughts away, she tossed away the blankets and put on some clothes that yells pedestrian before heading to the kitchen.

Ayame wasn't a remarkable chef but she did know a couple dishes from heart and Usopp never complained about her breakfast and poached eggs. But Sanji knew how to do it better. He was, after all, a five-star chef. Glancing on the sofa, she spotted the boy and her fox nuzzling each other. She decided to give them an hour before waking them.

A/N

It is beginning. Finally. And WOW, Lucky, WOW. "Soon," I said. This chapter made take a two-day hiatus. Lol don't trust me.

Thank you rycmika for the comment! You deserve a star and a jar of cookies!

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