Sanji let Zoro cry. He knew that Zoro needed to let things out. He had to get his emotion out and probably talk about it. But he wont rush anything.

Zoro took deep breaths, Sanji's sent filling his nose. He smelled like food and cigarettes. "When did you start smoking?" Zoro finds himself asking. The question came out as he was thinking it.

"Oh, um a while ago. During summer. Don't tell anyone, it's a secret." Zoro gives his own dry chuckle.

"Sure. You kept mine." Zoro says not looking up at Sanji. Now that's he's gotten everything out he's too embarrassed to look at Sanji.

"Zoro," Sanji's tone is serious, "you don't have to answer now, I know you've been through a lot but my confession still stands. What I said about waiting is true, so is becoming friends." Sanji felt the marimo take a deep breath.

"I'm scared." Zoro says wrapping his arms around Sanji and pulling him closer.

"Of?"

"Everything." Zoro says.

"When did you become Usopp?" Sanji jokes, Zoro laughs a little at that but let out some tears at the mention of his old friends.

"I thought that home and going to work would be spared of what happened at school but now... is it even safe to be home? Or you, how can I trust you? What happened with the video... I don't blame you for it, you were just trying to help but after that? You just sat and watched as my lunch got through out the window, probably watched with the others when I finally picked up my lunch. How about being publicly shamed?"

"But Zoro you were ignoring me."

"But I was ignoring you before but you still tried until you finally did and we fought. Why would this be any different?" Zoro pauses for an answer but Sanji didn't say anything. He didn't have an answer. He doesn't know why, the maromo's right. Zoro ignored him when he wouldn't tell him and he resorted to chasing after him which led to them fighting. This was the same, he was ignored but this time he didn't chase after him, he didn't help him. "Is it because," Zoro takes a breath and swallows a lump in his throat. What he's about to say will be like shooting himself in the foot but he can't stop now. They're talking, he's comfortable but he knows it won't be for long. "I'm not a girl." Sanji freezes. What is he talking about? Sanji looks down to the top of the green head of Zoro. "You don't- don't save men. Or-"

"Stop." Sanji says quietly but Zoro keep going anyway.

"I wasn't worth helping because I don't have breasts. I'm not feminin. I don't have beautiful long hair. Sexy curves that I should be flaunting. I don't have-"

"Zoro! Stop!" Sanji shoves Zoro away from him and looks him in the eye. The shouting shut Zoro up. "That's not it!" Sanji shouts at Zoro firmly. "I left you alone because you told me to but then I was confused and hurt and wanted to see you but I couldn't because... I didn't want to find you... in a way that gave me nightmares." Sanji looks away, ashamed and embarrassed with himself.

"But we were staring right at each other. I wanted to be saved. Pleaded it, hoping that you or someone else would come and save me but," Zoro's tears started to fall again. "but no one did and," Zoro holds his hands up to wipe his tears, "I came home. How did I end up so alone? I don't have anyone anymore. The only person I talked to was my co-worker but we aren't that close. He doesn't know me like you or them. I don't like it but I got use to it and now I don't want it. It gets so quiet that I wish I could go back in time." Sanji stare at Zoro. This didn't seem to be just about what happened almost a month ago.

He was lonely all this time, and no one knew. Growing up he had his family to always come home too and now it's just him. No one to talk to, no one to vent to, and no one to hold him when he's like this. How many times did he cry like this alone? Takes his hands in his and looks him straight in the eye, "You have me now."

"But I don't."

"You do."

"NO."

"Yes." Sanji says with a smile. Zoro closes his mouth before another sob let out, pinching his lips close he shakes his head. They could never agree on anything.

"It won't last. I don't want to put myself out there, knowing it won't last."

"How do you know?"

"It never did. When we use to fight, as soon as Nami, Robin or some other girl was in your view I'd be forgotten, our fight would be forgotten like walking past a stranger. What makes this any different? If you aren't planning to humiliate me then how do I know that you aren't just exploring being with a guy and realize you can't be with me and that you actually do just like woman. How do I know you wont kick me to the side and go with the first thing with a vagina and breasts?" Sanji saw in the marimos' eyes that he was deeply hurt and that he wants to but can't fully take that leap of faith. He doesn't know how much of the marimos' fear stems from having a crush on him, fighting him with those feelings only to be forgotten like yesterday's lunch because Sanji saw a lady somewhere close. But he knows what he wants and he knows lying about things won't end well.

"I can't promise you that we won't fight and break up but I know I'm not going to let you go that easily Zoro. I don't know what's going to happen in the future but I won't let it be like the past month. I'll be there to rescue you if you need it, hopefully you do the same for me, and I'll hug you when you want it, talk to you about your probably when they bother you, and I won't let you feel alone again. I want to make this work and I really want you to say yes." Zoro didn't see Sanji's eyes waver once. Not only was the blonde speaking the truth but he was honest with his answer, which Zoro could appreciate.

"I really want to but I can't. I don't want to be hurt more. I'd rather be alone forever than go through that again." Sanji sighs, making Zoro think he's going to give up but then the cook moves forward, resting his forehead on the marimos.

"Zoro I know you were hurt so bad, I know you can't be easily swayed anymore but I want you to trust me again. I want to be with you. You don't know how much I think about you. I can't focus at school without daydreaming about you. How much not seeing you these three days was torture for me. How much I want to be with you again just goofing off, playing games and watching movies, not talking and how that didn't matter, I want to go out and do things while holding your hand, I want others to see us together. I don't know the future but you don't either. So please consider being with me." Sanji looks like he's about to cry. Did he really feel all that? It's only been a month. Should he think about it? No he can't guarantee that he won't fall in love with someone else.

'I don't know the future but you don't either.'

True. He doesn't. But if he says no and it goes to shit? What then? But if it goes really well? That's what he wants right, to not be lonely anymore, to have something like Robin and Franky, something better for himself. He knows Sanji isn't a liar so maybe he can give him one last chance at trust.

Zoro nods at Sanji.