A/N: Okay. Okay. Enough torture already. Time for Zoro to wisen up.

Zoro lay in the inner tube as he absently stared up at the ceiling in silent self-loathing. This whole ordeal with Sanji had gotten out of control far too quickly and he almost pined for the days where he could just lounge up on the observation chair, watch Sanji stretch erotically and not even know the guy. Instead he had to get attached and by default become involved in this whole shit fest of emotions.

Feet and arms dangling over the edges of the large inflatable as he enjoyed the completely empty afternoon in the pool, trailing his fingers and toes in the tepid water. Slow days were by far some of his favourites, because after cleaning he was basically free to lounge about and do fuck all while getting paid. Though the tranquil silence was broken by the restless boy to his left that just couldn't seem to sit still for the life of himself.

An inner tube to Zoro was the epitome of relaxation while at work, allowing him to drift around aimlessly atop the water while being able to take a short cat nap. To Luffy the blasted ring was like an entire playground of inevitable excitement and adventure. Never able to sit on it for more than a minute at a time before he was falling off of it, flipping it upside down and trying to stand on it and pretend to surf. Each fall and flail splashing Zoro and shattering any hope at a nap.

Laughing and playing all on his own Luffy was content as Zoro continued to stare up at the bright lamps hanging from the ceiling beams far above as he wondered if he could drown himself in pity. Sanji's dancing had affected him a lot more than he would care to admit, and his damned jealously for Ace had only grown after that evening. Running out on Sanji at the club had been a rude enough move on his part, but he just couldn't get over this twinge of resentment that he wasn't allowed to touch the man. It was immature on his part but couldn't quite bring himself to care.

"Neh, Zoro?" Luffy asked absently, causing the lifeguard to glance over at the kid lying on his stomach across the large inner tube, chin propped up under a hand as wide eyes were watching Zoro curiously.

Zoro only grunted to let the kid know that he was all ears, not really having the motivation nor optimism to really look at the cheerful kid right now.

"Why aren't you dating Sanji?"

"I don't know Luffy." Zoro groaned out quietly, not taking his eyes off the ceiling as he really didn't feel up to relaying this whole pitiful story over to the kid. It was hard enough playing the events between them over in his own mind, let alone tell someone else about it. Also, it really didn't help that the kids in his swim class still bugged him about Sanji and it was just more unwanted reminders.

Luffy made a sound of confusion, hand coming up to run through his black hair in thought before opening his mouth, brows drawing together before closing it again. Opening once more and asking, "Well, why don't you ask him out?"

Zoro let his eyes slide shut calmly as he chuckled lightly, Oh, but if it were only that easy. It used to be. A month or two ago he could have strode up to the guy, asked him out, planted a possessive kiss on those lips and the most he might have gotten was a kick in the shin. Now, however there was so much conflict and confusion he didn't even know where to begin when addressing the man.

Sighing heavily he muttered the main problem out of the myriad involving the blond swimmer, "Cause he's dating Ace, Luffy."

"No, he's not." Luffy countered, voice still tinged with confusion.

That had Zoro's eyes snapping open swiftly, slightly blinded by the bright luminescents hanging from above him before turning his head to look at Luffy sharply. The kid still looked lost in thought, as though still confused by the whole thing and Zoro asked slowly, "What do you mean by that?"

"Ace went back to Hawaii." Luffy chirped easily, innocent grin on his face before turning over onto his back and moaning despondently, "Lucky! I wanna go learn how to surf."

"Oh." Was the only semi-intelligent sound that managed its way past the lifeguards numb lips as his slightly shocked mind tried to take in this bit of information. Currently standing on the edge of a blade between icy terror at the realization that suddenly there were no obstacles between him and Sanji, and the euphoric glee that made this knowledge practically the best news he'd gotten in a while.

TBC...

A/N: Hmm... I wonder what Zoro's gonna do now...