REWRITTEN!
AN: New rewritten update is up!
Wish everyone a Happy Easter!
AN: HAPPY HOLIDAY EVERYONE! Sorry for the long wait, but now I'm finally is back again, and here is a little Easter present! Not that 'HERO' my own story is done, but after that you have all been so patience, I decided to make an update! ^o^
This story has already got over 20.000 HITS! And I celebrated it by drawing a Hits-picture, that you can find on the link right here art/Kiss-me-in-the-Night-156718488 (just remove the spaces and with a real . ^o^ please leave a review or a comment; it would really make me happy!
A big thanks to Pyrite for beta-reading this chapter.
Taste of bittersweet Disaster
-A One Piece fan fiction
By Crystal Blue Fox
Why are you so afraid of me?
Why don't you trust me enough to tell?
Why do you fear the decisions I will take?
The tale is not the same as on the other ships.
I will not hate,
Never will, only understand and help.
Why?
Because I love you both… you're my nakama, my friends!
…my only family!
21. Chapter
-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-
Please have faith in me!
-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-
Sanji watched the sea with boredom, as the waves washed up on the coast. He rolled his cigarette in his mouth, pushing it around with his tongue just the same way the waves did with its stones, one hand propped up under his cheek, the other dangling from the railing. A flock of seagulls screeched in the distant, telling all the people who knew their voices, that rain was on its way.
Teeth dug into the filter as a tired groan left his throat. He still couldn't let go of the memories of that fucked up fight in that Arena last week. Now neither Oliver nor that shitty blond could look at him without blanking out of freak out, like they were either scared or completely embarrassed. And that fuckard to a swordsman? Still lying in his sickbay running a high fever. From what they'd said, it was from that attack, that day he, Nami-swan and those two were kidnapped, and for about two days, he had been lying unconscious with an untreated wound, bleeding and already started to rotten.
Sanji grimaced. Just the the thought of it, made him sick. It was a wonder that the idiot still was alive, or, for that matter, that he'd been able to run around the island to find him, fight off that maddening wolf, dragging him back to the ship before collapsing.
And now, they were stuck here, until that fuckard had snored away his fever and gotten better. Long Moon Island were only two days away from here, going to the sea was therefore not an option, though, he more than happily would get away from this cursed place. It only made them all feel miserably. But what awaited them, was much worse.
Hunter!
An icy gust of wind sent a chill through his body, and like the memory, the cold wouldn't let go, instead it grew, until the chill and fear merged into a full out shiver there wouldn't stop. Not even pushing both hands into his pockets would help, then it started to infect his heart.
He lighted another smoke, though pulsing through that one, didn't help either.
He needed something else.
Something stronger, something there would make him forget.
Hands fully uncontrollable now, he sat down, before it would start to affect his legs as well. He didn't want anyone to come running, not when he was getting into this state. It was embarrassing enough as it was. Breathing fastened. His chest hurt, as his heart started a rampage against it.
If this continued, he'll soon end up in another attack.
And now, he realised with shame, he even started crying.
Damn it. Damn it!
He needed it, he needed something now!
Not even Chopper's prescription of medicine would help, they only took the topknot. A stressed heart, he called it. This was for all the stress and shit he'd been but through those months, and that he had to endure months more. But if he used them as prescribed, the reindeer would only notice how fast they'd went. He didn't have to know, none of them needed to know, he didn't want to stand as the weak one. He'd done enough of that through his whole life.
Did this island have a town selling some of that? Didn't all towns, in one way or other?
He looked at the small brown glass, he'd had in his pocket for months now. Half full. Chopper looked so happily whenever he checked up on his medicine, thinking he were doing better. If only he knew, but Sanji would make sure that no one would, if possible, ever.
He needed to get his mind off from those growing thoughts. Chopper would accept it if he took a couple after what happened in the Arena, wouldn't he? It was only to cut off the tip of the problem, until he'd been around town to find what really would work. The strong ones.
He knocked one out from the glass, reconsidered, and got a second. That should be enough to take the worst of it. Hiding the glass back into his pocket, he looked at the two small pills. His hands shaking was getting worse. He threw a quick around the deck, before knocking them both in, and swallowing them dry.
It took only a couple of minutes before the medicine began working. His hands became steadier, his heart beat slowed down, and he could take a deep breath without any of the other shit messing with it. The angst that he had felt before was all gone. Two was actually a gift to peace?
Another couple minute and a wasted cigarette later, he finally decided to get inside to check up on the food. Formidable. He didn't even feel the least bit shaken from before. Actually, thinking about it, he didn't even feel the least bit concerned, more likely fully relaxed. Lingering in the bliss of calm, he wondered what on earth had been in those pills, because he felt freaking good.
Was it even the same ones Chopper once had given him? Was it the same glass? Had he somehow mixed up on it? Why'd he even care? He felt great. Come along warfare, apocalypse or whatever, he didn't even care. Funny. And it didn't even concern him, that he didn't care. He liked this drug. No, loved it. Maybe he only should had the one? But what if he took another one instead? What would then happen?
Should he try it?
No, better not. He already felt as if being drunk. He lighted yet another smoke, inhaling a big amount of nicotine. The effect was wonderful. He looked at his cigarette. It was a cigarette, wasn't it? It tasted as a normal one, smelled normal, but hell, the effect was five time more effective, if not ten, and together with this drug…
Sanji chuckled, leaning his head into his hand. What was it he had been worried about earlier? He was about to take another inhale, when he realised that the cigarette already was done for. Huh. Time passes fast, apparently.
He lit a new one. He felt as if he'd just had a good hard fuck.
He chuckled again, surprised to even think those words.
But the last time hadn't been bad, it had actually been mind-blowing, to be honest.
Sanji turned his back to the railing andlooked up at the sky; the heaven was clear blue, not even a single sky was to be seen, beside the long trail coming from his cigarette. Far above the sun shone bright, wrapping its arms of heat around this silent ocean. He could feel its heat. He could feel his heat. Practically imagine the green-head above him, around him… inside of him.
Sanji moaned, biting a bit too hard into the filter as he inhaled, as he imagined how it would be to try that again. The picturing of the day he caught the idiot off guard, jerking off in the bathroom, oblivious to that the door was unlocked, hearing him groaning his name, sent another part of him to twitch into awakening. He'd actually wanted to do it again. Kiss those lips, lick that skin, touch that body, feel him, sense him, smell him… do him… be done by him.
Sanji opened his eyes in shock, catching himself at the last moment in sneaking a hand down towards that part. He took the smoke instead and looked at it in horror. God damn it! What was he doing? And then in plain sight. No, scratch that, what was he even thinking?
A shiver ran through his body, groaning, he flicked the stub out into the sea.
What was even in those pills? Not to speak of in those cigarettes? It was his normal brand, wasn't it? Or had he been mistaking the tobacco as he bought it?
The dangerous part was, that he actually didn't really care, and, he could actually get used to this feeling, it was quite addicting.
Looking at his watch, he confirmed that he hadn't been wrong about reading the sun's position. Not five minutes had went from his planned check-up on the food cooking, but one hour.
He grabbed his arm crutch, there had leaning against the railing beside him, and went inside, cursing if anything had burned on. Even so that Anna had healed his leg, it hadn't been possible for her to 'finish her work', since taking care of both Oliver's and Nicki's wounds, had taken a lot of energy from her. It ended with that while she was working on his leg again, where a big chunk had been bitten off, she had passed out, and hadn't woken up since. Nicki mumbled about that it normally could take a week for her to wake up after so many treatments in such a short period of time.
Oliver sat at the counter as Sanji limped into the kitchen. The kid's head turned towards him, and soon his eyes sought down to his leg, where he knew a lot of bloodied bandages were hiding under his black pants. Sanji tried to ignore his looks and went straight for the stove. It was turned off. He opened the lit, sniffed to the curry soup, and confirmed that all was done and ready to be eaten, but needed to be reheated. He grabbed a spoon to taste it. Creamy but with a bite. Perfect.
"Thanks for looking after it." He finally said, turning the stove back on and started preparing the rice and vegetables. "I think I spaced out for some time out there." He admitted, though there was more to it.
Oliver shrugged, mumbling it was nothing.
"Oh? But thanks anyway." he tried light up the mood. Sanji sighed. No such luck. "You give a hand with dishing up the table?" Oliver answered by jumping off the table and getting the plates.
-TOBD- TOBD- TOBD—
It was almost hypnotizing, listening to the sound of the rain drumming against the glass of the round window. There was only one candle lit, standing at the table in the corner, beside an abandoned book. Sanji watched as the shadows danced up at the ceiling, reminding him of the big bonfire back up at Skypia. A lot of time had passed since then. A lot of things had happened. New crewmates, new adventures, new problems.
He looked at the swordsman. Still sleeping so quietly, that he had to watch closely to make sure that the chest was still moving. It was better back when he was practically blowing horns. To think that one could miss such an obnoxious sound. To think that a boar like him, could look so vulnerable when sleeping. Had he always looked this calm, or was it just him?
Sanji leaned back against the chair, rubbing his face with his hands. What the heck had he messed himself into? Taking drugs to calm his nerves were one thing. This, these feelings, was at a complete other level. What would they others not think? Could they really keep this thing as a secret until it passed?
But did he even want to let this - whatever this was - pass? These feelings, this want for more?
He looked at his hands. They were trembling again. Should he take another pill? He looked at the man in the sickbay again. Nothing new. It was starting to tighten in his heart. He wanted to feel that calmness again, wanted the carefreeness, the freedom to allow himself to feel those forbidden feelings with no worries, with no shame. The pill was already in his hand, and before he'd get second thoughts about it, dumbed the thing in his mouth and downing it with a glass of water. Maybe he should talk with Chopper about a new prescription of these?
As always, two minutes after, he was starting to feel the beginning of the effect. Couple of minutes later, his hands were calm again, and he caught himself sitting and admiring the sleeping man with a whole new perspective. Was the drugs at fault in it, or did they just allow him to open his mind for… this? Actually, he didn't really care, the feelings were welcome, they were freeing.
Sanji shifted in the chair, his ass starting to hurt from sitting too long in the same position. He'd promised to take the nightshift alone, securing the smaller reindeer that he would be all okay with his still wounded leg and all, and that he should rather take care of the sleeping woman in the girls' quarters. Chopper hadn't come back out since. Had he fallen asleep in there again? Lucky kid. Though, he had some of an eye candy to look at right in front of him.
Had he seriously just thought that? Was he seriously playing with the word cute about this man?
It took some time, as he sat there, openly admiring the sleeping man, before he realised that the man in the sickbay, wasn't sleeping anymore. "Thinking on something perverted again?" came the gruffy question. Sanji almost fell off the chair in surprise, and when he got his holdings again, the damn marimo were guffawing a dry laugh. It was so tempting to lash out a kick to dry that stupid smirk off his stupid face. Only a shame that Chopper wouldn't approve of it.
"Shut up, you fucking Marimo-head, I'm not like you." Normally Zoro would start arguing back, and Sanji would call him something, and then the fight would start… but to the chef's surprise, Zoro only merely chuckled and slowly sat up.
"M'hungry," he mumbled. Sanji rolled his eyes, shaking his head.
"You're just as bad as that crazy captain of ours."
"Oi! Don't compare me with his bottomless stomach, curl-brow! I haven't been able to eat for a couple of days!" The marimo almost lost his scraping voice there, sending him into a coughing fit. Sanji smirked.
"Keep speaking and I might start to like you." He teased, reserving a glare from said marimo. Oh, what colourful words there'd come, if he'd not had troubles with stopping himself from swallowing his own tongue. "Besides, you've slept more than a couple of days, you narcoleptic asshole. Try week.
"Wha-hat?" he coughed, sitting up, searching for something to sooth his throat. Sanji got pity of him and handed him his glass of water. If they'd shared spit and semen, a glass shouldn't be a problem.
No wait! He just didn't think that, did he?
"You've been out cold for a week now," He repeated, clearing his throat, trying to act as if his mind wasn't in the middle of reimagining what happened before all this shit took place. Up in the bathroom, when they -!
No damn it! Stop it!
Zoro was silent, frowning as he thought. Had he caught onto something? Had he suddenly gotten the ability to read minds? Or no, god forbid it. Had he said anything inappropriate out loud? He tried to think, tried to rewind their talking, trying to part thoughts and words apart. Then, almost a minute later, the swordsman looked seriously at him. "I've been missing about 35 meals." Sanji seriously was about to fall off his this time. Shit! What a scare!
"Idiot!" he said, jumping to his feet and slapping said idiot over his head. That was for the startle, and his stupidity. "You just as bad as Luffy, you shitty moron of a trashcan!" This time the man chuckled, and it wasn't a mocking kind of one, no, it was a heartfully one. And actually, the rare sound wasn't unwelcome. He kind a… liked it. Sanji was so taken aback by the sound, that he didn't know how to react, as Zoro took his hand, still hanging in the air after the slap, and kissed it.
"I've missed so many nights with you," his raw voice breathed out on his hand, sending small shivers through his body. Sanji gulped. Those words and that voice, did something to him, or was it the medicine? Had he taken a bit too many today as well? "So many nights," the swordsman said, nuzzling his nose against his palm. He could feel his cheek starting to heat up. A lump swallowed in his throat. He had to clear it, before being able to answer.
"What, the heck was in that candle anyway? You've turned all gently all of a sudden, moss-head." That smile of his only turned more gentle. He pulled his hand, beckoning him to come down to his level, and as he did, the swordsman hand brushed past his cheek and into his hair. His eyes, was a mirror of the night sky. Had they always been like this, or was it just his imagination? Had they always had this warmth to them, or, was he starting to loosing it? A callous thumb brushed his cheek. Sanji could barely breathe, caught in his throat, as the beating heart didn't make any other room in his swelling chest. "What are you-?"
Their lips connected, the question hanging unanswered in the air. What did he even want to ask? Zoro deepened the passionate kiss, and Sanji let him, returning the favour carefully. He'd missed this, longed for it, now when he got it, his heart admitted its yearning for it all this time. So, that's what been missing?
He sat, and the moss-head sat up to get a better hold of him. Did the drug have anything to do with these growing feelings, there made his pants uncomfortable tight, or was it really all just his own mind's doing?
Sanji ran his hands over the man's cheek. Stubbles. He chuckled to himself. Moss-head was growing a beard? Zoro pulled away from the kiss, and Sanji laid his head on the man's shoulder. He missed it. This. Damn he'd missed this. Zoro's hand was soon up in his hair. Even that touch, he'd missed, his smell, this closeness. This. Just, this.
"I almost lost you again," the swordsman whispered into his ear. Sanji's brow quirked a level. What? An arm came around his abdomen and tightened. "I realised that if I lost you, I'd never forgive myself for it."
"Idiot. If I'd died, it would've been none of your fault!" Sanji argued half-heartedly, brushing his nose against the man's throat. That send a shivering breath to the swordsman.
"Still."
Sanji looked seriously at him now. Those eyes, why were they already blaming themselves? "If I died, it'll never be your god damn fault!"
It seemed that whatever he said, wasn't going to ease any guilt. That damn stubborn ass.
"Look at me, you idiot! I'm serious! They used dirty tricks to knock you out! And when you came to get me, you were more dead than alive, yet still aware enough to fight. Stop talking shit about yourself, that's my job! Don't go there and make me redundant!"
He was forced into the next kiss, cutting him off surely from anymore comments.
Zoro pulled away and gave him one of those stupid smirks. "Seems like I've found a safe road to shut you up, stupid cook." He was about to protest, but point was taken as yet another kiss made him cut off short. "As if I'd ever make you unemployed. Now, be a good cook and cook me some food."
That comment costed the idiot a good kick to his head. Masochist.
-TOBD- TOBD- TOBD—
It took no more than two minutes after Sanji had started on the sandwiches, and was about to finish the last ones, as the sound of dragging feet over the floorboards was heard. Few seconds later, the oaf dug into one of the cupboards and grabbed one of the bottles down there. From the sound of the cork being pulled out, it could be nothing but one of his wines. That ass.
Sanji eyed him over the shoulder, and, to no surprise, he was right. To his horror though, it was one of his best most expensive bottles, that he'd had such a hard time to find, and now were being gulped down as was it water.
"Oi oi!" He grabbed the arm crutch and limped over to the swordsman, making to snatch out for the bottle, before it all went to waste. "Don't choke down good wine like that, you damn cave-ape!" he scolded, frowning when more than 1/3 of it was already gone. "You even know how much I paid for this? It cost even more what one normal restock of meat to Luffy cost! And you don't wanna know how much that cost! If anyone knew about that I spend so much money on just one bottle of 'All Grey', they would go all – hey! Give it back you-!" before he could say anything more, the bottle was back in the moss-head's hand, bottoms up to get a mouthful, before same mouth now crushed against his. A tongue forced his lips apart, opening by reflex, he almost choked on the full fruity taste of All Grey. Reacting fast, he drank it, and shuddered as Zoro licked his lips from what have not entered his mouth. One mischievous drop had gone further, and grabbing the back of his neck, Zoro followed it with his tongue, down his chin, through his stubby beard, and as the hand pulled his head back, Zoro followed the drop down his throat and towards his collar, before he caught it.
Sanji had almost lost it, actually almost dropped his crutch, and did all in his might not to loosen it fully. What. The. Heck?
Zoro gave him a look there almost made him feel vulnerable. "If you want any, just say it." Sanji gulped. That rich sound of his voice made something knot inside of him, and spread a warmth, there made him wan to correct his pants.
Zoro showed him the bottle, and Sanji almost felt embarrassed to think of something else, as he let out a surprised "Oh.". But that look on his face, told, that Zoro knew exactly what he'd been thinking of instead.
"We could do that too, if you want." Slushing a mouthful more of wine, their lips were connected again, before Sanji could make any coherent answer. He drank it, and this time made sure not to spill any. Well, this was a way to enjoy good wine as well.
They went down half a bottle like that, before Sanji dropped the arm crutch, snatched the bottle and choked a quarter down, before returning the favour. Drug and alcohol usually wasn't a good mix, but what the hell. All his inhibitions were already out the window, and beside, seemed that the marimo enjoyed the favour as well. As there were no more wine left, it didn't stop them from drinking each other souls into oblivion.
Somewhen he landed up at the countertop, legs snugged around the other's waist, who stood with his arms around him, and tongue deep down his throat. He had to admit; the marimo was a damn fucking good kisser. His shirt loosened a little, his hair a mess, and his heart burning with need of more. Much more. Especially when he brushed his hair aside to reveal his shame, and kissed it, caressed the long-gnarled scar with his tongue, as if he loved it.
"You're beautiful." The swordsman breathed, caressing his cheek, and kissed it again. "So beautiful." Sanji chuckled nervously.
"You drunk, marimo?" he joked, his breath shuddering. Even saying so, and doing that, he couldn't help the nervous feeling of revealing that part of him to the world, for such a long moment of time. "You should be disgusted."
Zoro looked at his blind eye with, what he only could describe as, passion, as he shook his head, leaned in, and ran his tongue over it again. Slowly devouring his soul.
Zoro accidently bumped his hips against him, the feeling of each other's crotch, pulled a thrilling moan out of them simultaneously. Carefully he tried again, and Sanji pulled him flush against him, to get more of it, to get more of him. The friction between them were driving his needs sky-high. He took his lips and showed the marimo how much of him he wanted. The feeling was eagerly returned, as they rubbed against each other and slobbery kissed. More. He wanted more of him, more of this. His shirt got fully pulled up and calloused hands met sensitive heated skin. He was about to open up in his seams. He returned the favour, wanted to touch as well, to touch that chest, that scar gnawing across the man's chest.
He was getting close.
There was a sound outside the kitchen there made them both jump, and on reflex push each other away. Sanji looked with horror at the door.
Shit! Had they been seen? Had they been spotted? Panting, he jumped off the countertop, tried to fix his hair and shirt, so that he looked a bit more appropriate. Zoro did the same, as he moved fast to the door, cursing as he grabbed for is katanas at his side, but found none. Opening the door carefully, Sanji hurried to grab his crutch, begging for all in the world that his cheeks weren't as flushed as they felt. Rather the marines or a bunch of filthy pirates trying to attack them, then any of their nakamas sneaking around and accidently seeing them. But no one had opened the door, had there? Had they been too engrossed in each other, that they hadn't even heard it? No, besides, who else would've been up at this hour, except for Brook holding watch up in the crow's nest? Brook! That bunch of old bones. Had he seen anything? He'll sing it out like one of his old Jollies, if he had.
"Ah, swordsman-san, what a nice surprise to see you up again!" Robin-chan? Zoro growled in response, that unsophisticated ape, and stepped further out.
"What ya doing here at this time of the night?" he asked.
"Couldn't sleep, so I went up to the library to find myself a good book. Unfortunately, I got engrossed in something very interesting about old myths about multiple universe, that I wanted to take them all back with me to our room. But as you can see, I was a bit clumsy on my way." She almost apologized. Zoro gave an unsatisfied snort. "May I ask you about the same, swordsman-san?"
This time Sanji panicked, seriously, and looked horrified around himself. The empty bottle still stood at the counter, some wine had spilled on the floor.
"Hungry," he heard the moss-head growl in irritation, as if Robin-chan's presence was an annoyance. "Got nothing to eat for quit a time,"
He could hear her step coming up the stairs. She was coming! He had to clean up! He had to have an excuse to be here! What was he even doing before? Oh yeah, the sandwiches!
"Ah, surely cook-san would like to make you something?" she said, with a sound to her voice there made Sanji near to freaking out. Cloth. Cloth. Where the heck was that freaking damn cloth! Just one step towards it, as he found it, reminded him of his growing problem. Shit! She couldn't see him like this! Not only was it inappropriate in front of a lady, but what wouldn't she think? Robin-chan was a wise woman, she'd quickly make the calculation! "Perhaps I may join you? It seems that I'm a little hungry for a night-snack myself."
Sanji humped to the counter, grabbed the cloth, cleaned the floor, hurried to make the bottle disappear, made ready for some coffee, and, just as he turned around, Robin stood at the other side of the counter. His heart almost pressing up through his throat. "Robin-chan!" he tried to coy, acting the best shit he could as if nothing was wrong and he was fully delighted to see her, what he under any other circumstances would have been. "What does a beautiful dove make, do, at this time of the night?"
She only stood there and watched him, making him near piss his pants in fear – had she seen anything? Had she heard anything? Could she see his pants? Wasn't the counter high enough to hide it? Was he still all red in the face, even though he'd tried to cool it off with an ice-cold cloth to the face?
"Oh my do you feel all well, cook-san? You seems a bit, pale." She asked. Sanji gulped, hoping she didn't note that either, as the boar sat at the table, slamming his legs up on it, as if he hadn't a care in the world. That piece of shit! Why was he the only one suffering from a near panic attack here?
"I, I've been up some time, hasn't got much sleep, I mean, couldn't really get any sleep anyway, so I offered Chopper to take watch over that dog over there in the meantime. The kid needs it more than I do anyway, he's been up two nights straight already." He even managed to sound a bit disgusted at the swordsman's existence in this room. Zoro even growled back at him to shut up. Good boy. "Can I offer you something, my dearest lady?"
A smile tucked at her lips. Robin nodded. "My, thank you, cook-san. A cup of coffee, if you don't mind?"
"Already on its way, my beautiful flower!" He almost sang, and gave a small bow. The small chuckle indicated that they were safe for any suspicions now, as she sat at the table as well. Thank god, he'd almost fainted there.
Sanji went fast to work and soon had the coffee ready, black, guess he needed it strong too, and the sandwiches, while he made a cup of green tea for the oaf. Grabbing his arm crutch, he made it to the dinner table, balancing the dish with sandwiches, coffee and tea, and dessert plates on it as well, thankfully not dropping any of it. He smacked the moss-heads feet off the table with his crutch, while lecturing him of his poor manners. He dished it delicately for Robin-chan, and almost tossed the other portion at the idiot, who barely grabbed it in time, before going back up to retreat his own cup.
"Something bothering you, swordsman-san?" She suddenly asked.
"What?" came the gruff answer.
"You've been watching our cook-san with worry for some time now, and, may I say, seems quite annoyed about my sudden attendance." Sanji almost dropped what he had, and even spilled some of the coffee on his hand. damn it! What? Her eyes were on him, reading him now as an open book, and Sanji was frozen solid to the ground now, he knew that look, before she returned it to the marimo. She knew! Oh god oh god, she knows it!
Zoro's brows furrowed while his dark stare watched her closely. He knew, that she knew. Sanji fumbled with his cup, not knowing if he even dared to sit at the table now.
"What do you want from us?" The dark glare had turned all black, his voice rumbled threateningly, normally sending any other person on the run. But Robin kept watching his darkening eyes intensely. She propped an elbow up on the table, resting her head in her hand, as she watched the man from another perspective.
She took a deep breath and sighed.
"It would be best if you told captain-san about it." She then said calmly. Zoro slammed his fist on the table, making Sanji jump. This time he seriously had to set his cup aside, for not to drop it, and barked at the marimo.
"Oi moss-head! What the hell do you think you're doing -" he was cut off immediately.
"YOU DAMN HELL KNOW THAT WE CAN'T DO THAT!" he roared, anger pressing on every syllable. But Robin took it calmly. Robin. Robin knew it! Robin had seen it! That's why she had dropped those books outside. She hadn't opened the door to know, she had used her ability to see.
Shit! Shit! Shit!
Sanji bumped back against the counter.
"Captain-san is a loving person and can - " she tried to reassure.
"No he can't! He-" Robin moved her hand up and gave him a stern look.
"Let me speak out, Zoro!" The mention of the man's name for the first time made them both freeze. "Where is your confidence in your captain, as his first mate?" she practically scolded. She wasn't looking at him, she was looking at Zoro, blaming him!
Zoro gritted his teeth. "You don't understand the situation fully. Luffy is unimaginable. We never know how he can react to anything. Sometimes he reacts badly to subtle matters, and sometimes he doesn't react at all when he should." He looked her in her eyes. "Robin, this is something really serious and you know it yourself. You're not stupid! But we don't even know if Luffy can really take it, he's not just a tad younger than us. He's seen the horrors of the sea, but this is on a totally different level! What we have," He was looking at him now, Sanji didn't even dare to breathe. He looked… hurt? "What we are... is not acceptable at any ship, yet alone a pirate ship!"
"But," she tried to clarify, Sanji had to butt in.
"I've seen…" he began, taking a shaking breath as he now dared to come up to them, and took a good mouthful of coffee to steady his nerves. A smoke. He needed a smoke, or something stronger. Rather something stronger. He found his cigarettes as he came to the table, placing the cup, he lighted himself a smoke. Other hand grabbing tighter around the arm crutch. "Robin-chan, it's nice that you approve of us, but… I've seen, when people where caught, figured out," he said slowly, taking a long drag on his smoke, before puffing out as he continued. "Back at the Baratie we had a strict policy. If you fucked another man, you could see yourself as already dead. The same policy was used on many other pirate ships there came visiting." He looked up, not knowing when he ever had looked down, and stared deep into the archaeologist's eyes. "Robin-chan, you who have been on the sea for so long… you must know… you must have seen when they punished, tortured people when they were caught with 'their pants down', literally."
She didn't answer. They watched as her suppressed feelings kept changing; her shoulders stiffened, delicate brows furrowed, eyes darkened as they remembered something, and as her fingers turned white as they tightened around her mug.
Robin sighed deeply and closed her eyes.
"Yes, I've seen quite a few." she finally admitted. Sanji nodded in confirm.
"Zeff let us always see what would happen if we were caught together with another man. He let us watch as pirates tortured the faggots, they… it was horrible. Some were beaten to death, others drowned, shot, hanged, burned alive. I've even heard once a man had been driven out of a town, naked, his, uhm, manhood cut off, so that he never could call himself a man again. But he never lived that long. The smell of blood attracted the areas wolfs. A couple of days later, they found his remaining, barely anything left."
Zoro was watching him closely now, it made him nervous.
"Do you understand how we'll feel if he took this negatively?" Zoro finally said. "I know that few people can accept us, but…" he paused until Sanji looked at him, those eyes, he didn't even know what he should make out of them. "I can't even start to imagine how he'll start looking at us... if he ever found out… if they others ever figured it out about us," he looked down, and gnawed on his lip. Zoro seemed… scared, even ashamed, if not guilty as well. There was nothing to feel guilty about, they were both in this from the start. His hands tightened into a shaking fist. "We'll be lucky if we'll just been thrown off on the next island."
Robin sighed and shook her head, "Zoro, I believe I have the right to say that on this whole ship, you of all should understand Captain-san the most. Do you honestly believe that Luffy would react like that? When have you thought so little of our captain? Of your captain?" Zoro looked up, his gaze was distant, he was looking pass him now. She was right. What were they thinking? Luffy wouldn't mind, now would he? But, it just seemed to good to be true. "This isn't just a matter of 'the captain has the rights to know', he's your friend. Luffy would be heartbroken if he heard it from someone else, and not you, his first mate and closest friend. How would you feel, if it was the other way around?"
"It's none of my business what kind of sexually appearance he has. Besides, there's not only him on this ship. You know how Nami reacts to people like… us." Ouch, that hurt, bastard. "And Usopp doesn't feel all that comfortable with it either. And the new ones? What about them? We don't know enough about them to just tell off."
"We can't," Sanji said silently, shaking his head. "I'm sorry, Robin-chan, but we can't… not yet. This… thing, is still quite new to us. We, I need to figure out of this thing at first, before letting anyone in on it. To know if it really is me… or not," He could see the hurt in the swordsman's eyes, but it was the truth, and he had to understand.
Robin took a deep breath, casted a hurried look to her right, before nodding. She looked, disappointed. But she had to understand. They didn't even understand this think yet.
"I understand," she finally answered, though clearly not approving their answer, but hopefully she'd understand.
Something rustled in the corner of the kitchen, and Robin's eyes glanced in that same direction again.
Sanji furrowed his brow, Zoro had heard it this time as well. Something moved in the corner, something stood, as whatever it was, realised it had been spotted. This… no… this couldn't be true.
Robin wasn't the only one to know, she wasn't the only one who saw them.
Shit! Shit shit shit!
Zoro eyes hazed, hands clenching, he took a deep breathe, before letting it out, and bowed his head in painful shame.
"Luffy." It wasn't a question, it was a statement. Sanji's eyes opened in horror this time. Luffy? Luffy had seen it all? Luffy had been here all this time? Luffy had watched them? How come none of them had sensed him? How come he hadn't stepped in immediately as soon as he'd seen them? Had he been that grossed out?
Oh no! Oh, damn shit no!
At the mention of his name, the captain stood from the stool, his eyes fixed on him. he had that look. The look, whenever he was about to get into a serious fight.
Why hadn't they sensed him? Why hadn't they been more careful?
Robin didn't look up. She'd known all along that he'd been there, hasn't she? That was why she'd asked all those questions, wasn't it? And he'd heard it all.
"Sanji," the captain said quietly. Sanji didn't know how to react, what face he should wear, the drug still fuzzing at the outskirts of his mind. Was that why he hadn't sensed him? And Zoro, wasn't he as "fine" as he'd said? Idiots! Fucking idiots they were, and it was no better that something still pressed hard in his pants. Fuck! What was in those pills? "Sanji!" Sanji flinched. Swallowing he met their captain's look with, hopefully, an unreadable face, though his heart where racing a mile a second. It was a wonder he wasn't shaking more visible. But he'd learned, all those years back, to keep a straight face.
If you show, you lose.
"Captain?" Luffy closed his eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath, before he glanced Zoro's way, who stood deadly still, waiting for whatever to come. Zoro wasn't looking at any of them. But his body for that sake was ready to fight, ready to defend… ready to something really stupid. And by the look of it even Luffy knew.
Then he looked at him again, with that dark look of his. Shit!
"Do you love Zoro?"
Sanji almost choked on his smoke, almost were ready to deny, to defend himself and throw a tantrum about how much he hated the man, but what would've it helped? Luffy had seen it, there were no denying it. Gnawing at the filter of his smoke, he'd made up his mind. It if was bound to happen, so be it. Hopefully he could get the captain to spare Zoro for anything. He'd caused them enough problems as it was. It was only fair, that he had to pay for it now.
"Yes, I do." he didn't even look away, he kept hold of the captain's eyes, there looked firmly at him. Then, he nodded, accepting his honesty, before he looked at their first mate again. Zoro weren't looking though. His knuckles white against the table, trembling with, no doubt, anger, and, with no doubt, anger towards himself.
"Zoro?"
"Yes," the swordsman answered, and looked up, his eyes hard, but truthful and warm, sad and embarrassed. "I love him… Luffy," the captain nodded again.
"Would you've told me, eventually?" Was he blaming Zoro? He couldn't seriously blame Zoro for it.
"I don't know, captain. I don't know."
"I see." He kept his stare, and Zoro didn't waver either. "Is this new, or old?"
His hands were actually starting to tremble now. Sanji hurried to hide them under the table. Was it that important? Wasn't he, as they'd feared, not approving this? Was the time important for the punishment?
"New." The swordsman answered. His tanned hands solid planted to the surface of the table, as if melted to it.
"I see."
"I'm sorry, captain," Zoro sounded humbled now, and now broke his eyes from him "I'll pack and leaves this ship."
"Oi, marimo!"
"But!" he was interrupted sternly "let the cook stay. You'll need him."
"Zoro!" Sanji argued, the look he got was to no debate though. He couldn't, he weren't taking all this upon himself, that idiot?
"I see." Was the only answer, and Zoro nodded.
Shit shit shit shit shit! No no no no no, it couldn't end like this!
"No way in hell I'll let you do that, you fucking-"
"Sanji!" Sanji halted, it was rare that the swordsman used his name, and that whisked away whatever he was about to say. "Is that a deal, captain?"
"Sure, if that's what you want." Zoro quirked a brow. Robin was all passive, all inclined in her coffee.
"What's that supposed to mean?"
The look now on the raven's face, had suddenly made an 180 degrees "Why'd you even wanna leave Sunny? Don't you like being here?" he said, as if genuinely curious about the question. What?
"What?" Zoro echoed, fully taken aback just as Sanji was. Zoro blinked, mouth agape as no other words were given him. "Luffy,"
"Why'd you think I wouldn't accept you two?" he said more gravely now, damn, he could switch moods worse than…himself…? Did he just think that? Luffy crossed his arms, both of them lost for words for seconds, before Zoro, eventually, found his voice again, just as Sanji realised he was close to burning his fingers on his smoke. Damn!
"Normally-"
"Who's even normal on this ship?" the naïve answer came, and the just as naïve light smile. Double damn! He was actually accepting what they had, just like that? Sanji couldn't help but chuckle. That naïve kid of a captain. He was too nice at times. Why'd they ever had their doubts?
"Damn, captain." He said, crushing the rest of his cig in the ashtray.
Though Zoro still couldn't get it "You… accept it?"
"Sure I do! Why wouldn't I?" Luffy laughed, he actually laughed at their stupid fear. Yeah, heh! Why wouldn't he? Luffy crossed his arms and sneered "and if anybody ever tries to make fun of you guys or anything, I'm goanna kick their asses!"
They both snorted, before Zoro barked a laugh.
"Damn it, Luffy. You gave me a scare there."
Luffy only chuckled and tossed his arms above his head.
"Yosh! Let's have a party tomorrow!" he announced, smile bright as the sun "For Zoro's and Sanji's happiness! And Robin, it's for Zoro for waking up, if they other asks! Captain's order!"
"Of course, Captain-san, for swordman-sans awaken."
"Zooorooo-!" Luffy called, as he opened his arms towards said person. Zoro to a step back, knowing the kid's motive.
"No way in hell, Luffy! Hug me and I'll kill you!"
"But but, Zooorooo," he pouted "Sanji caaan!"
"That's different!" he hissed Luffy stopped and smiled again.
"Okay, then do it!"
"Eh, huh?"
"Hug him!" he stated, as was it the simplest thing in the world. The marimo actually blushed! No mentions about his cheeks conditions.
"Oi oi, Luffy!"
"Hahaha! Do it, Zoro!"
"Damn hell not as long as you're here, idiot!" he stated, yup, embarrassed.
Sanji chuckled darkly, he had an idea. Letting go of the opportunity to embarrass the marimo even further, was out of the question. … no mention about his own burning status. It must be the drug, couldn't be anything but that, since he was about to do this.
"Shitty mosshead," he said, grabbing his arm crutch and limping towards the swordsman, who glared up at him.
"What was that, curly-brow?" No, their banter hadn't changed at all, thankfully. Two long strides are what it took, before he was at the swordsman's side.
"If not a hug," he teased "what about this?" The swordsman never got a chance to answer, nor to do any restrain, as Sanji suddenly sealed their lips, underlining what they were. Zoro looked panicked as hell, while sweetest Robin blushed, chuckling behind a hand, and Luffy, that goof, just laughed at it.
"Yosh!" Luffy exclaimed, throwing his arms up in the air again "And now a midnight-snack!"
"What? Hell no!" He kicked after the laughing captain. "I'm shit tired, I'm going to bed! You can eat the scraps!"
"Sanjiii-!" Luffy whined.
"No! And, by the way, what were you doing out here in the first place, captain?" he asked, now standing right in the face of said captain, who now was the one having a hard time meeting his face. The table just turned.
"Uh-uhm…" Looking as guilty as a kid caught with his hand stuck in the cookie jar. "Seeing if Zoro was okay…?"
"In the refrigerator?"
"Sanji I didn't take anything, I swear!"
"So you did try to steal food in the middle of the night!"
"Back to the normalcy," He heard Robin-chan note with a little smile. Yes, finally back to normalcy, he'd needed that big time.
Thank you god for sending this kid catapulting into the geezers room, and for being annoyingly naïve and stubborn to make him come with him to see the world.
Thank god.
Thank you.
Now, please now let it be as it is now.
To be continued
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AN: So, new chapter is finally up! Hope you'll like it, and sorry for the long wait ^o^ Next chapter will be up soon too, but but! That'll depend on you! Please Review & Review! They always makes me happy and makes me want to write some more.
Oh! A little spoiler till next time; There'll be some smexy scenes in it! XD am I not nice to let you know? Or just cruel to tell you and let you wait? –evil laugh-
Anyway, answers on reviews will from now on be able to find in the end of each chapter, instead of on top of it^o^ THANKS FOR READING!
Until next time; TAKE CARE~!