It was quiet as he sat on watch, as it often was. The sky was honey black, still bright with stars that would soon dim and hide from the approach of the dawning sun. Sanji was leaning over the railing of the crow's nest where he took his station further than was strictly wise, but he liked to look the long distance down to the shadow dipped waves as they pulled the Going Merry forward.
A slight breeze, more echo than wind, weakly tugged on the thin trail of smoke rising from the half drawn cigarette dangling carelessly from his somewhat slacked lips. His head was bowed, as if in prayer, and the thick crown of blonde hair fell lazily against the finely placed structure of his cheeks.
He was alone but not, his companions tucked away in their quarters, sleeping while he could not, each already had taken a turn or was waiting a turn to be the eyes of the ship. As lonely as it was, it was also peaceful to have these times of solitude perched high above his resting friends, to guard them, as they lie oddly defenseless in slumber.
Strange that it was here, on this ship, with this unusual gathering of people, that he should feel such a sense of belonging and purpose. Before fate reached out to drop Luffy through the roof of the Baratie, setting things in motion, Sanji could never have imagined his life as it was now, nor the satisfaction he got from carrying other's dreams on his shoulders, as his was born burden on thier's.
A shift of darkness near the front of the ship snagged his eye, and a small twist of his lips formed a reactionary smile. This night had passed quicker than seemed possible, since that movement signaled that his watch was over, and another had risen to take his place. He strained his eyes to see into the murky night, but a group of clouds had dimmed the silver light from the overhead stars and thin slip of moon, so Zoro remained hidden within the folded shadows.
His heart, as foolish as it was at times, had already gained meter as he bent to grind out the clinging ember still burning tightly on the edge of his finished cigarette. Then, as his legs swung over the round edge of the nest, he started his climb down towards deck. It would soon be time to start breakfast for the crew, but first, he had a moment to steal with the man below. It had become a ritual between the two of them ever since their relationship turned intimate, and the cook found it every bit as essential to start each day as it was for the sun to rise.
No sooner had his feet touched the smooth wood of the deck, than he found himself being pressed tightly between the ladder to the nest and a muscled body against his back.
"Nice night, Love Cook."
Even though the edge of the ladder step dug sharply into his cheek, Sanji still smiled at the deep voice. Each of Zoro's arms was raised above Sanji's head gripping a step in thick fisted hands, and the swordsman's body leaned boldly onto his own.
"It had been, so far." he replied, knowing that his grin was heard in his words, but unable to mask it.
As nice as it felt to be so close to the other man, Sanji wanted to see what he had so far only heard, so he pushed back gently enough to hint at his intention. The body trapping his moved back slightly, but only slightly, granting the blonde only enough space to turn within the welcomed impose of Zoro's arms.
"So far, huh? What is it now?"
The swordsman's whispered breath was hot and sweet so close to his face, stirring the coarse blonde hair on his chin. Sanji leaned in, stopping movement a tease away from a kiss. His arms wrapped tightly around the impressive neck of the man before him, and right before he continued closer toward the flat and sensual mouth, the first streak of dawn glinted against the tip of a dangled earring, as if following some divine cue.
"Now, its over."
And he kissed Zoro, was being kissed by Zoro, and Sanji had never known a ray of sun to warm him as thoroughly as the heat which he was absorbing now.
Pleasure fell away suddenly, as an intense pain spiked viciously into his side. He cried out, head flying back as he pulled in great gasps of air. His eyes were screwed shut in agony, and he clutched at Zoro in confusion and fear, but his hands were empty and desperate. There was no heat now. He was cold, and alone, and finally, horribly awake.
"Be careful over there. We're suppose to bring him back in one piece."
The gruff voice came from the left of where he lay, with his arms and feet bound tightly by thick rope. Sanji kept his eyes shut, trying to put up the illusion that he was still unconscious. He could feel the roll of sea beneath the wood on which his cheek rested, and judged it to be evening by the diminishing heat touching his skin.
"I couldn't help it. He was over here smiling like this was some sort of joy ride. He needs to know what he's in for."
"He don't need to know nothing from you! All we need is for him to wake up and give us trouble before we reach the captain, you filthy idiot."
"Quit your whining, he ain't awake. He's still sleeping like a pretty little babe."
Sanji kept his eyes closed and his breathing even, as he felt the 'filthy idiot' that had recent kicked him bend down. A rough finger poked at his head a few times, and Sanji used all of his control to keep from biting it off.
"This little guy ain't going to be any trouble, now are ya?" Putrid breath streamed from the mouth above him as his tormentor chuckled at his own words.
"Will you just leave him be, and do some work for once?"
The new voice, distinctly female, was instantly recognized by the immobile cook. It was the beauty from the inn, the one that he had followed into the backroom before he found himself wrapped up in this new mess. Her voice, however, had lost all of the shy flirtatious lilt, and now carried a hard edge.
The poking stopped, and the man beside Sanji stood up.
"Ain't you the bossy one?"
"Yes, and you're the stupid one. Now, go and at least try and make yourself useful."
There was a pause, and Sanji felt the tension filling the air like a physical press, before heavy boots trudged angrily away.
He wasn't alone for long. A smaller form knelt beside him, and a sweet feminine scent surrounded him, as he lay still and silent.
"I know that you're awake."
Sanji paused for a moment, before responding to the whispered words. Then, he slowly opened his eyes, meeting those of the girl above him.
Gone was the long dress and unbound hair, as she now wore rough pants to match the temperament of the sea, and her dark hair was pulled back and knotted at the base of her neck. The corners of her deep-set eyes were pinched with what seemed to be concern. He wet his dry lips before speaking.
"You didn't have to go through all of this trouble, Cutie. If you really wanted to go out on a date with me that badly, you could have just asked."
The concern shut off like a running faucet, and her amber eyes grew hard in the evening glow.
"I have no interest in a date with you, Cutie." She responded coolly.
He couldn't help the grin from spreading across his chapped lips, no more than he could stop flirting with and tormenting her. Some things were almost instinctual.
"I find that hard to believe. No need to be shy at this point, is there, Sweetness?"
Her had shot out, and grabbed a handful of his thick hair. As daggers of pain clawed at his scalp, he momentarily envied Zoro's shortly cropped hairstyle.
"I can't believe that I actually felt sorry for you!" she hissed.
"Fine, fine, no date then. May I ask what you want from me?"
She pulled him close so that they were practically nose-to-nose, and the coldness in her eyes and her tone successfully cooled his adore.
"From you? Nothing at all. This is really just between our fathers."
He had no time for bewilderment, as his head was slammed against the deck, and then evening turned to utter darkness.
The decks of the Going Merry were unusually somber as it trailed a path in the wake of the setting sun. There was no running or playful shouting that usually filled the air at this time of day.
This was an odd little group, more family than comrades, and one of their own had been taken. The pirates were rich with purpose, desperate in their quest to make that, which was splintered, whole.
And the one that was most silent and still sat at the front of the ship. His eyes were fixed ahead, watching what he could not see. He knew only his anger, knew only the hunt.