Chapter 5

The big event was over and it seems a little calmness full between them. Of course, everyone in their group heard about him fainting and was super annoying and worried about the whole shit. But the marimo was the most annoying from everyone else. If it ever been an award for the most nagging person in the world - it would have been given to Zoro by now. Sanji didn't hate him for worrying, but how much can he nag him before he stops?! Sanji promise he will go to the hospital, then he will go, god damn it! He didn't need to nag so much! He will do it… at some point.

Without his Job, Sanji studies and goes to school and mostly…eat a lot. Sometimes he visits Zoro and then rests at his place.

One day he comes to rest on his couch Zoro didn't ask him anymore, instead, he talk with Chopper in a determined voice. He told him everything about Sanji situation and set a date for them to come for tests. He could hear Zoro insisting to get the closest date Chopper will be free, hearing how desperate his voice was, Chopper mast has heard it too.

If he is honest with himself, he felt sorry for Zoro now. Sanji never wanted to see him beg for anything in his life, yet here he is sitting in his living room and listen to this proud man doing exactly that. It felt horrible like someone is stabbing him in the chest with something sharp but he could not do anything to stop it. Zoro won't let it go no matter what he says or does. So he waited for him to finish his call while pretending to watch the TV. At long last, Zoro hangs up the phone slowly and he could hear how fast his footsteps making their way to the living room. When he finally reaches it, Zoro set next to him while he kept pretending to watch the screen. they were quiet for a long while until suddenly Zoro took the remote control and turn off the TV without any warning, taking Sanji's hands to his chest.

"Whh…Hi! I was watching that, you know!"

"Liar. You heard everything." Zoro points out with a dry voice and closes his eyes, weirdly stroking his hands. He seemed so calm and so strong at that moment that Sanji was lost for words.

Sanji sigh heavily and try to break free from his hold, only to find the other not letting him go. Zoro got closer to him and use his other hand to stroke his hair slowly in a lazy manner.

"Alright. Fine! I did! You didn't have to beg him like that! Geez! You were exaggerating so fucking much, it makes me sick! What got your ass on fire!?"

"He has to check you as soon as possible! The sooner we get answers, the better! We have to act fast to fix it!"

"Like hell we can just fix it! It's not so simple, shitty marimo!" Sanji throws at him but didn't make any move to leave Zoro side on the sofa.

"At least we know what we dealing with! Don't make it complicated than it already is! We agree on next Monday, and you will come with me, Got it shitty cook!?" he said with a lot of authority, like a commander giving orders to his army. Sanji didn't like his tone, but it seems Zoro won't give up.

"Fi..fine! it's not like you ask me anyway, asshole! Not like I have plans or anything either! Damn bastard!" Sanji complains loudly, making sure Zoro will hear how angry and unsatisfied he was from his shitty attitude.

"If I ask you, it will be the next year, and it will be too late by then!" Zoro answers seriously, his determination does not leave his voice.

"Fuck you! I won't take that long, are you a moron?! I'm not that stupid!" he hurries to answer and slap Zoro hand away from his bangs he was working hard to fix that morning. Not only he has been an asshole, but he also ruining his hair! What kind of beast is he!?

"You said we will go soon, yet every week you have a different excuse." he points out sharply and stares at the blond like he offended his honor or some crap.

"I was busy! What do you want from me?!" Sanji answer back with the same sharp tone.

"Doing what?! It's not like you had something better to do than to take care of your health! Didn't we agree to go together!? Why do you keep avoiding this crap?! We had a deal! You promise!" Zoro accused him while Sanji look away and got up from the sofa, his hands inside his pockets and a guilty look in his eyes, he needed a smoke right about now.

"I had to study for tests, okay?! Makeup tests and yeas it is important to me! I want to finish high school damns it, unlike a green marimo shithead that never bother to study!"

Zoro snores at the answer and drags Sanji back to his lap to lean at his chest, never letting him get away from him until his stronghold almost hurt Sanji.

"Stop with the excuses, cook! I know you!"

"God, just leave me alone! I know what I need to do, nagging marimo!"

"Then just do it already, shitty idiot cook!" Zoro commands harshly while hitting their forehead together and look at his eyes.

"Don't order me around, shitty bastard!"

"Then just do what you promise, idiot curly!"

"Grrr Stop it Zoro! I mean it!"

Both men growled at each other for a long time and gave glare at the other. After a long time of deep growls competition, to see who can growl and glare harder than the other, finally both give up and look away from each other. Too angry and frustrated at each other to do anything else, they didn't make any sound and just kept sitting next to each other in silence. The atmosphere was heavy and tense; Has much both of them wanted to fight and take the aggression out, they know they can't. Zoro didn't want to take the risk of hurting Sanji while he is sick, and Sanji was too tired and exhausted to have a physical fight with him, has much he wanted to kick his ass. He knows his green boyfriend doing this with good intentions, but it still pisses him off how he kept ordering him around!

Have they agree, well it was mostly Zoro nagging him until his soul almost come out of his body; they made their way to the hospital.

Sanji could not describe how much annoyed he was, but deep down Sanji knows he needed to go there sooner than later. He did promise his old man and he did agree to go with Zoro, just he never said when he will go. And of course, Zoro didn't let this little fact go and make sure he will go as soon as possible while Sanji tries his best to avoid it as much as possible.

And so they skip school and waited for the bus to the hospital. it wasn't any hospital though, it was Chopper hospital where he was working. Zoro trusted him more than any doctor in the whole country, and Sanji could not disagree with the green head for once, Chopper was the best doctor. If someone can find out what he has and help him, it will be him. he knows the marimo better than anyone else, despite how calm he was dragging him around the place, he could tell the other was worried and didn't sleep much these past days. He even stops to train his body like he used to do before.

And has much he wanted to resist him and kick his face, he was tired, so very tired. Ever since that day he fainted, the tiredness only grows worse on him and his appetite wasn't stable, and it scared him. So he decided to go along with the annoying green hair man, only for this one time. Of course, he will kick his ass later, he totally would when he won't be so tired, at least that what he kept telling himself.

He still felt a lot of dread from what Chopper will say to him about his condition, but he will have to hear it and face it sooner or later, despite how much he didn't want to go or his will to shut it all off his ears. Of course, he didn't want to miss school over this shit, but Zoro been Zoro not exactly gave him a choice.

The time they were waiting for the bus felt like an eternity to him, an eternity of hell and doubts like time has stopped just to torture him about what will come next and what kind of disease Chopper will find. He leans a little on the plastic wall of the bus station, far from the green hair that leans on the other side from him on the wall, folding his arms together with his torn shirt he had this morning and a deep frown. the green bastard can only blame himself for his shirt condition, for trying to drag him by force from his legs.

The silly marimo always seemed to forget that Sanji legs are his best weapon against him, it was amusing for Sanji when he watches him. still, his face seemed so nonchalant about all of it, like he didn't care he was going around with a torn out shirt that exposes his chest, a very sexy one, he may add. It's like he never cared if he walks around naked too, it pisses Sanji off a little but he tries his best not to let it show on his face that he was watching him. Though it was kind of his fault Zoro chest was exposed to the public to see, shit!

"So grass head idiot…" he took out one of his cigars and put it in his mouth out of habit, but he didn't light it. Lately, the nauseous didn't go well with his smoking habits and he didn't want to make his condition worse, so he mostly plays with it in his mouth.

"You do know that we need to study for our exam next week, right? Hell if you want to fail, that's on you! But I want to study!"

The marimo only rolls his eyes at the comment.

"Cut the crap! We both know it's not the only reason you didn't want to come. Did you think I won't notice and just let you after all the trouble I made for Chopper?!"

Sanji bites his lower lip and looks down, of course, Zoro won't let him run. That so like the shitty marimo to do, he was good at going at things head-on. And of course, he will notice how freak out he was. He just wished he could hide it and make better excuses somehow, though he admitted that he did want to study, it wasn't a complete lie, it just wasn't the full truth.

"Oh give me a fucking break marimo! I said I will come didn't I?! I just want to do it at the right time, that's all. It's not that I won't have to go if you won't have to drag me around like I can't walk by myself! Don't treat me like an idiot!" he scolded him, cause honestly his way of doing things only base on his decision was getting on his nerves.

Zoro was glaring at him in silence now and didn't answer for a long time. But when he did answer, his tone of voice was furious yet very calm, like he was trying his best to keep his emotions in control.

"The right time, you say. When will that be? After you can't walk anymore or after you collapse? I let you have your way for far too long! I'm putting an end to your bullshit! And take out this damn cigarette or I will crush it!"

Okay, now it was official, Zoro was losing his temper. What was very unordinary and unlike him to do. It's very hard to make Zoro lose his temper like this, and after trying very hard Zoro won't get that angry. What Sanji always admire about the guy. But it seems he finally lost it, not that he can blame the guy, he had much more tolerance than any other people he knows. But he wished he will leave his cigarettes alone at least. Is that asking for too much? He took out his cigar and put it in his pocket, it was expensive after all.

"I already said I will come, damn it! You don't have to get your ass on a twist! and stop making me repeat myself. Will you leave my cigarettes alone? I buy them with my own money for your information. You don't see me taking your alcohol away and trust me I want to! So calm your damn ass grass head."

Zoro kept glaring at him for a long time and snore, looking away to the road after a while without answering. His answers seem to calm him down for a bit but he still looks a little annoyed at him. Deep down Sanji knows he was giving him hell but it was hard for him to accept it, he needed a little more time. It's not like it easy for him either and he is the one who suffering here!

Sanji sigh deeply and fold his arms, he didn't even have the time to force himself to eat anything after he throws up that morning. He just wanted to get it over and done with as fast as they could and maybe go on a date with the grumpy marimo to compensate him. Who knows, maybe it will be their last date ever. But the marimo doesn't seem to accept the idea he might die or better to say, he thinks they 'fight' it and 'win' like it was some kind of real crazy fight they can just win if Sanji was strong enough. What Sanji didn't share, let the marimo think what he wants. But diseases are not that easy to get over or win, no matter how much he fights it.

Maybe that's why he needed Zoro crazy ways, in a way he likes the way Zoro was thinking, so simple and clear. So he was glad he had him around, despite he didn't agree with his logic and fight with him most of the time.

Will Zoro miss their fights if the worse come to worse? Not that Sanji thinks it will come to that; he just wanted to be logical about it and think about all the possibilities. Fuck he should not think about it, he felt a little chill down his spine and his body started to shake from the wing. If someone like this does happen though, he wanted to make sure Zoro will have something from him.

But before he could do or think of anything else, the bus comes and Zoro rose and hurry to take Sanji hand in his while giving him a worried look. He sign him to come and they hurry to get inside the bus, the action made Sanji heart to pound, but he still didn't forgive him for the harsh treatment that morning. So he tried his best to give him the cold shoulder, not that it helped him.

Zoro paid to the bus driver and hurry to find a seat for both of them while dragging Sanji and holding tight into his hand while Sanji struggle. In the end, Zoro leads him to where he wanted too. It didn't take him long and Zoro finds two empty seats for them and waited for Sanji to sit first next to the window to trap him. Sanji nodded in giving up sigh and set down slowly next to the window. He leans his elbow on the window and lays his chin on the palm of his hand, the marimo set next to him and yawn loudly.

"Wake me up when we get there."

Those words were the last words he said before he falls asleep on Sanji's shoulder, which made Sanji blush a little.

"Oi marimo! Wait for a sec…I…"

But it was useless, the marimo was out to the world of his dreams, leaving a very pissed and grumpy blond that clicks his tongue. What makes his wonder if he even sleeps the night before and raises one eyebrow.

How can this idiot sleep in a time like this?! You the one who drags me, fucker! Damn bastard!

He will never get how he manages to do it, the guy can sleep anywhere. And when he says anywhere, he means it! he can even sleep in the fucking snowstorm if he wanted too in the most uncomfortable position ever! While Sanji could never get even a little nap sitting in a fucking bus. Hell, he was a little jealous, he wishes he could sleep anywhere to cause damn he was tired. But he could not let himself sleep on the bus while they can miss their station and with all that noise around them.

Though he had to admit that the marimo sleeping face on his shoulder was adorable to watch; even when he drools on his shirt, which he will have to clean later.

He sighs after he curses him softly and watches at the window how the scenery kept changing in front of his eyes, it felt so peaceful and nice. The warm sun was touching his legs and hands throw the window. A small smile spread on his face while he watches the buildings and trees going by them so fast without stopping. And after so long of feeling stress, dread, and fear he felt good with the thousands of things going by them while he let his thoughts wander. It was mostly happy thoughts and some doubts about what they would do next, maybe something romantic like going to the sea to watch the waves. He found that he didn't regret anything.

He thought about all the good stuff he will cook for him and he still had a lot of new ideas for recipes. A small chuckle slips out and he pet the other green hair softly, it felt soft in his hand. He kisses Zoro's head while the marimo snore on his shoulder, not noticing a thing or at least that what he assumed.

When he thought about it, he was happy their love for each other was mutual; it felt so unreal like he was in a long dream that never ends. Yeas they get on each other nerves and drive each other crazy, but they also respect and support each other in their own way, a way both of them needed. Can he consider their traveling together in a crowded bus a romantic gesture? If the marimo will know what he was thinking he probably will mock him and call him a hopeless romantic idiot again. His smile grows more thinking about how they fight about this stupid thing. He just could not believe them going out, until now. Zoro was his boyfriend, he was his….A red blush spread out on his face and he took Zoro's head to lean on his body so he can sleep more easily, it felt so nice and warm while his heart beat a little faster.

Fuck, why am I so embarrassed over stupid shit?!

For a moment he forgot about everything around him: about the noise, the people around, the bus driver's crazy driving, his condition, and his fears. And before he knows it he leans his head on Zoro head, nuzzles him a bit. It was truly the most relax and happy moment he had for a long time.

Even if it just for a little moment, he wanted to stay like that with him, just for a little longer.

The bus finally stops at their destination and Sanji hurry to wake up the snoring marimo, that seem to sleep too deeply. In a hurry, he kicks Zoro leg and scream

"Move it, marimo! We need to go!"

Zoro's head and body jump and he looked around him, confusion was writing all over his face, but they didn't have time for that. So he rolls his eyes and kicks Zoro's feet to move, dragging the man arm without letting him the time to react or answer him back.

To their luck, they manage to get down in the right stop and look at the hospital they made their way for. It was a small hospital with only two floors, the front of the building was white with nice decorations graffiti in some places, a full-color butterfly and some more. Sanji wasn't sure who did it, but they must have some crazy talent to do all that. He didn't think much while they walk together in complete silence, what felt odd for Sanji but he didn't mind it.

After they got inside it, he could feel how all the atmosphere and air change around him to a very fast pace, like feeling how the world move in a too fast motion movie and you just want to stop for a moment in all that crazy fast pace motion and click on freeze for a moment. But of course he could not do that, people were running back and forth, nurses were yelling and helping sick patients. In a way, Chopper hospital was full of life, messy and people talk and scream on top of each other. Some beds were waiting in the hallway with injured people, it seemed Chopper's workplace didn't have enough staff to take care of all the patients that come for their help, but they sure try their best. And Sanji could feel it.

And the strong small of medicines and drags attack his noise, he hated that small but since he was a gentleman, he didn't block his nose. Doing so was impolite to Chopper's workplace, and he didn't want to offend him or his important work. Still the small gave him nausea so he put his hand on his mouth, it was good he didn't eat this morning after he throws up.

He felt Zoro dragging him by his arm, not looking or paying attention to anyone else around and only at the reception desk. His look was focused on one thing, finding Chopper. He hurries to the secretary and asked in a calm voice

"We have an appointed with Doctor Tony Chopper, where his office?"

The secretary nodded and checks on her computer

"He is waiting for you. Go left and then turn right on the corner."

"Right" Zoro answer without really listening to her, and turn the wrong way just after hearing her instructions while dragging the blond.

"I said go left, idiot! Geez why are there so many idiots here?!" she whines and returns to her notes. Zoro stop on his tracks and glared at her, it was clear he wanted to insult her back but was too busy with fighting Sanji resistance and check where else he can go with a blush. It made Sanji giggle loudly, that was the lost marimo he knows and loves.

"Nice job idiot."

"Shut up curly brew! It was her fault!" he hurries to defend himself

"No, it's not, you just an idiot! This beautiful flower just tries to help you. Come on directional challenge marimo."

"What did you just called me, idiot love cook?!" Zoro glare back while Sanji drags him away to Chopper's office, ignoring the insults for now.

He needed to lay or sit down somewhere, everything was going so fast, and he wasn't sure what will happen next or what he will find out. One thing was for sure, he was already here so he can't back up now and Zoro was there too with his limited sense of direction of his. Honestly, he hoped he will never change from been annoying, pushy and nagging marimo that he is.

Has soon they got next to the office, Sanji knocks a few times on the office door. The door opens immediately and exposes a young boy that jump at them with a big hug and yelp at them with big tears in his eyes.

"Sanji, Zooroo You idiots! What were you thinking of not coming to me first?! idiot Sanji! You should have told me you in pain!" he scolded them with a whining high pitch voice and almost choke both of them.

The small kid's name was Chopper and he was a prodigy kid, he wanted to be a doctor from a very young age of 5. His life wasn't easy on him since his parents abandon him. His adopted father was the best doctor in the city, he builds the small hospital and he was fully supportive of his prodigy child. He teaches him everything he can about what he needs to be a doctor until he could not do it anymore. Chopper graduated middle school and high school faster than any kid and got into college and finish it by the age of 12.

After his adopted father's death, Chopper tried his best to expand the hospital more and more to the best of his ability, but most of the staff didn't take him seriously. Zoro loves him a lot and treats him like he was his little brother, which was so cute to see his soft side. of course, Zoro didn't notice his soft spot to the kid, which was very cute too. He himself can't deny having a soft spot to Chopper too since the kid was so naïve sometimes. Sanji loves to pet his head when Chopper cling to his legs when he felt lonely, and he imitates him pretty good to tease Zoro and make a great team against him.

Zoro hated how much influence he had on the genies child and sometimes growl at him to stop teach him things and threat him, but Sanji been Sanji will keep doing it and know Zoro can't do shit about it even if he wanted to. One thing was for sure though; the overprotective Zoro on Chopper's side was very adorable, he admitted that at least.

Going straight to business, Chopper force Sanji to sit down next to his desk, checking many different things on his face like his tongue, his eyes, his pulse and fever until he gets to the final check that Sanji was afraid of.

"I hope you didn't eat this morning, I need to take a blood test."

"Uh…yeas I didn't but…do you have to do this?"

The answer from the young kid is a very angry glare that says 'yeas we have to asshole!' so Sanji looks away and shut his mouth, he knows when to not argue with Chopper in his doctor's mood. When he was in this mood there was no point to talk to him, he won't listen to anyone until he knows what's wrong with his patient.

"Now sit down and don't move. I'm going to check everything so I will need a few of them. Please bear with it a little."

"Yeas, okay." He answers with a small smile while Chopper stops his blood flow in his arm and inserted the needle into his vein. Sanji could tell he is been very gentle and careful with him to not hurt him in any way and he was grateful while he peeks glances at the marimo in the corner.

He waited patiently until he finished, feeling his body shaking without control while his head was exploding and felt nausea coming up, he wanted to go to the bathroom and throw up but he had to hold himself. He tried his best to ignore it and after Chopper took out the needle, he thanks him and uses the cotton.

But it was strange, he felt the heavy dizziness coming back and try his best to move his body a bit. He could swear Chopper said something to him, but he could not hear what it was.

His vision started to become black again, and he was confused.

"Again? Why does it happen again? Fuck!"

And just before everything vanish in front of his eye, he manages to say

"Zoro…..ah?..."

After that, he wasn't sure what happens around him or with his body, only that he was very tired.

Zoro set to their left at the end of the room, he didn't speak a word ever since entering the room and watch over them. Like a dog watching over his family. For a moment they made eye contact but he decided to not look away from him. He was smiling warmly, like telling him without words that he should not worry about him, but he was still worried he thought he was going insane. Chopper kept replacing the full test tubes to empty ones.

Zoro holds himself tighter the longer it took, why did Chopper need to fill so many?! Isn't it a little too much?! But who he is to argue with the best doctor, he must know what he was doing, so he decided to just keep quiet and watch.

The time past by in silence and the idiot look paler than before. What told Zoro what he needed to be prepared for; since he knows the love cook won't think about it or his condition has soon it will be over.

"Thanks, Chopper."

And like he was predicted, after Chopper did and gave him cotton for his arm, the cook rose up to his feet immediately. Chopper hurry with the samples he got from him to another room and didn't notice what's going on, unlike Zoro.

"I will be back Sanji, Rest for now!" he said in a distracted voice and disappeared from the office in a hurry while holding into the samples he took.

Zoro was ready, he watches him so closely ever since they got into the room. the blond was smiling at him like he was drinking, he did try to look like nothing is wrong but Zoro knows better from one glance.

"He going to faint."

"Zoro…..ah?..."

But before his body hit the floor, Zoro rose up and in a blink of an eye, he was by his side, supporting his chest and shoulder's with one arm with a deep frown. His body leans on him fully and he hurries to hold onto him tightly with a sigh.

"Idiot! Don't get up so fast." He hissed at him between his teeth, knowing he could not hear him.

He looked pale, so pale that he could burly call him the cook anymore, and he didn't like how all the color's left his face or his eyes were closed. He stayed there for a long minute, watching the man in his arms and then hurries to lay him down on the bed in Chopper's office.

The cook will never know, but Zoro was scared, scared out of his mind that he could hear his heart beating fast in his ears, he was glad no one could see him in this pathetic state. While he dags his hand in that yellow hair, he kisses his head slowly without any sound.

TBC