Description: Sequel to 'Lay Your Heart Near Mine'. This takes place 6 months after the babies are born. Sanji is acting strange towards Zoro. To Zoro, it's because Sanji feels forced into the relationship with him. But is that the real reason for Sanji's behavior? And what does Sanji do that makes Zoro questions anything they had from the beginning? Will Zoro forgive him for it or will this be the end for Zoro and Sanji's relationship all together? Sorry for the bad description. SxZ
"4989...4990...4991..." Zoro continued to count as he lifted his weights. After he had given birth, Chopper had told Zoro that he would have his weights and swords given back to him in the next four or five months. However, Chopper gave him them within 2 months for good behavior and some persuasion from Luffy. He had argued that his second mate would have to keep his strength up to help protect the ship and it's member. He also promised Chopper that he would get extra money to buy medical equipment to Nami's dismay. Needless to say, Chopper agreed immediately.
At the moment, Zoro was finishing his last exercise. Not too far from him sat the twins. Both Kairi and Daichi were playing with the stuffed animal the girls bought them and the toy that the idiots made. Luckily, Zoro had convinced Usopp to make a similar more quiet toy for the kids. Of course, Usopp agreed after a couple of bruises. Surprisingly, the kids liked the quiet version of the toy much better. It made both Sanji and Zoro happy because they already hated the rattles but the kids loved those way too much.
"5000." Zoro said as he put the weight where it went. He walked towards the window of the crows next and smirked. He could see the outline of the next island the pirates were set to dock at.
Turning back around, Zoro went towards the twins. It was almost dinner time which meant it was time for a bath. "Who's ready to get cleaned?"
The twins looked towards Zoro. They began laughing and started to crawl away from him. Zoro chuckled as he watched them. They were always playful at the wrong times.
"Where are you two going? Are you trying to run away from me?" Zoro said as he got on the floor and crawled to them. He had grown accustomed to playing with his kids like he was and the crew did the same.
When he reached the kids, Zoro grabbed them and rolled on his back. The babies laughs grew louder as he fake ate them. Hearing the door to the crows nest open, Zoro turned to see Robin aproaching with a smile on her face.
"Cook-san said dinner will be ready in 30 minutes. Would you like help washing the babies?"
"Yeah, thanks." Zoro said over the babies laughter. He handed Diachi over to her and kept Kairi in his arms.
Robin waited for Zoro to get up and then both crew members exited the crows nest carefully with the babies. As they walked across the deck and towards the stairs, Zoro couldn't help but look up at the gallery and sighed.
Him and the cooks relationship was..okay at the moment. After their little 'conference' after the kids were born, things had started to look up for their relationship. However, about a month ago, Sanji began acting strange. He would sleep with Zoro but not close, he moved his chair in the kitchen over closer to the girls side of the table not that it was noticable and he stayed out on the deck later at night. Zoro was trying to be optimistic about everything but it was starting to really bother him.
"Is something wrong, Zoro?" Zoro heard Robin asked. He had learned that she would call him by his name to let him know that her and Nami were beginning to get worried about him. They were the only two that saw right through his facades everytime.
Zoro contemplated his response. He could say no and act as if everything was okay. He knew Robin wouldn't push him to tell her but if he said no, he might never get advice on the matter at hand.
Sighing, Zoro said "Yeah. Something is wrong now that you mention it."
Robin nodded and waited for Zoro to continue. In a few seconds, they had reached the stairs and began to descend them. When it was clear that no one would be able to hear, Zoro started talking.
"It's Sanji." Zoro said.
Robin nodded her head again. She had already guessed that it was the cook. He was the only thing that has been stressing Zoro out for the past few months. And Zoro doesn't stress. It's not in his nature to.
"He's been acting strange lately. He comes to bed really late and doesn't even sleep close to me. He gets up earlier than usual to make the crew breakfast-" seeing Robins look of 'do you actually believe that?', Zoro continued. "- thats what he told me. He moved his chair closer to your side of the table and it feels like I'm forcing him to do something he doesn't want to do."
"What do you mean? Does he not want to care for the babies?" Robin asked, looking down at a content Daichi.
"It's not that. He's great with the kids." Zoro muttered, causing Robin to look at him for a second. "I mean our relationship. I'm starting to feel like I'm forcing him to be in one with me."
Robin and Zoro entered the bathroom silently. They began to get the kids ready for their bath. When everything was set, they took to cleaning them. The entire time, both member stayed silent. Zoro concentrated on washing Kairi and Robin did the same, all the while thinking about what Zoro said, tying to find any truth to it.
As they dried the twins off, Robin spoke. " Why do you think so?"
"Huh?" Zoro asked, turning from Kairi, but only for a moment.
"Why do you think Cook-san feels forced into the relationship with you?" Robin asked again.
"Oh." Zoro said before continuing. " In the past month, we've barely done anything with each other sexually. I can't even remember the last time we even kissed. And I'm talking just a peck."
Robin's eyes widened a little in surprise. The Cook and the Swordsman couldn't take their hands off each other and now they don't even touch each other? Robin wasn't sure how they could manage such a thing. Her and Franky's made sure their sex lives were always active.
"Are you sure?" Robin asked as they put the twins pajamas on and walked back towards the deck.
"I think I would know Robin." Zoro said in a humorous voice causing Robin to look at him in amazement.
"This is no joking matter Swordsman-kun." Robin said regaining her composer. "Do you think he's having second
thoughts ?"
As they reached the deck, Zoro answered her. "Theres no doubt in my mind that he's having second thoughts."
Before Robin could respond, Sanji came out of the gallery.
"Dinners Ready!"
The entire crew made their way towards the gallery. Before Robin and Zoro walked inside, Zoro threw Robin a small smile.
"Don't think so much on it." was what he said before going in the gallery.
Taking a moment to compose herself, Robin entered the gallery. She placed Daichi in his seat by Kairi and then continued to act okay about the situation. When Franky and Nami looked at her for answers, she looked towards Sanji and back at them, shaking her head sadly. Nami rolled her eyes and kept eating while Franky muttered a 'bro' before he, too, acted as if the exchange never happened.
As soon as Robin sat down, Nami looked around the table.
"Okay guys." Nami said, gaining the tables attention. "By noon tomorrow, we will be arriving on the summer island." Around her the crew cheered, making Nami smile before she continued. " The log will take about 2 days to fill. So be here noon on the 3rd day on TIME." Nami directed the last part to Luffy and Usopp who had been late on the last island. Both members muttered a sorry to the navigator.
"Since we won't run into another island for a month and a half, I want you to get everything you need now. Zoro and Sanji will be staying on the ship tomorrow night. Brooke has the last night. Any switches are run by me, as well as any problems. Does everyone understand?" Nami asked and was glad to see everyone nod their heads yes.
Around the table, conversations about what who was going to do on the island broke out. In the mist on the conversations, Luffy looked over to Sanji and said "You should take Zoro out to a restaurant with a lot of meat. Thats where I would go."Everyone laughed but agreed. Zoro opted to act like he didnt hear them and continued to feed the babies instead.
Chuckling awkwardly, Sanji said " Sorry. I can't."
When the whole table went silent, Zoro stole a look at everyones confused faces.
He then turned back towards the babies. It didnt effect him that Sanji said that because he knew that he would say that. And in a second the excuses will come.
"Why not?" Luffy asked with his head tilted to the side.
Swallowing hard, Sanji said " Because of the kids. A lot of places dont like noise and that's what kids bring."
Zoro rolled his eye. 'He would use the kids as an excuse' he thought.
"Well me and Nami can watch them. Or Franky and Robin. As long as theres two of us and someone knowledged with kids it's okay, right?" Luffy shot back.
Zoro mentally laughed and shook his head. That was definitely the agrerment when it came to babysitting. It became the new rule after Zoro found Franky letting the kids play with his tools. Needless to say, Fanky was out of commision for a week.
" I'm probably gonna be tired from shopping though, Luffy. We need a lot of things, especially meat, if we're gonna make it for a month and a half." Sanji said.
'And there's the winner' Zoro thought. If food and a lot of meat is involved, Luffy will definitely let it slide.
"Your right." Luffy said laughing. "I forgot."
He wouldn't suggest anyone else go get the food because of previous incidents.
"Will you take him on the next island?" Luffy asked.
Sanji let out a breath and muttered "We'll see."
Satisfied with the answer, Luffy continued to eat followed by the rest of the crew. Conversations began to follow, signalling that Zoro was safe now. He turned from the now full babies and ate his own food. Feeling eyes on him, Zoro looked up. He could tell that the girls were not happy with him for not butting in. He shrugged, not wanting to feel bothered with the entire thing.
Not too long after, everyone was finished eating. Sanji began cleaning after kissing the twins goodnight and the girls helped Zoro take them to his room. When they had them in their cribs and was sure they were not going to wake up, Nami turned around angrily.
"What the hell was that?" Nami whisper yelled.
"Can we not do this now?" Zoro whisper yelled back. He was tired and wanted to sleep and the last thing he needed was a nagging Nami.
"I think its better if we talk tomorrow." Robin whispered, stopping an argument that was about to happen. Robin turned to Nami and said "I'll tell you everything he told me in our room."
Nami sighed and agreed. She began to drag Robin out but turned around and hugged Zoro. She let go and said " It just makes me mad that he's effecting you like this."
Sighing, Zoro said "I know."
He muttered a goodnight to both girls as they left. He then changed into pajamas. He usually would have worn just underwear but since the whole thing with Sanji started, Zoro decided to wear clothes to help Sanji feel more comfortable around him.
Zoro kissed the kids goodnight and then turned off the light. He went to the bed and fell on it, loving how it felt on his back. He closed his eyes and drifted to sleep, hoping that things would get better.