"We're totally going to be late you know." Sanji sighs and leans against the railing as they finally see the Baratie in the distance.
Zoro just laughs smugly. "Whose fault do you think that is?"
Easily both of theirs, but if Zoro hadn't forced him to drag his ass back to the ship Sanji wouldn't have offered sex as a distraction and they would've been back already. He was about to tell him this when he sees Zoro go rigid. "Zoro what-"and then he feels it. The atmosphere around the Baratie was thick with tension and he can't help the laugh that escapes his lips.
"What exactly is funny about this?" Zoro asks. He wasn't mad, but he was clearly annoyed with the situation.
"Nothing." Sanji waves him off. "But come on, wasn't it just this morning you told me that he was on his way to see us?" Sure enough, as they neared the Baratie Sanji can see Mihawk's coffin ship. "How in the hell does he navigate paradise in only that small thing?" Sanji asks. It's always been a mystery to him ever since he first saw Mihawk all those years ago.
"Never asked." Zoro murmurs.
Oh good he was going to be super helpful during this whole exchange. Sanji wonders how long Mihawk plans to stay. They manage to get the ship docked and Sanji decides to leave the non-perishable items on the ship for now. He tosses Zoro a couple of boxes and they get off the ship and head to the main parlor.
Sanji can practically taste the tension in the room before he and Zoro even get close. "You realize my entire staff probably think he's here to finish things with you?"
Zoro lets out a long sigh, "Yeah I know, but I'm not going to be the one to tell the world I won."
It made sense. If Zoro were to admit it people would be less likely to believe him, but if Mihawk did it they would be forced too. They reach the door and Sanji's hand pauses on the handle. "You ready?" He asks, not turning around.
"Not in the slightest." Zoro surprises him by throwing an arm around his shoulder and kissing the top of his head. "But let's do this."
Sanji grins and swings open the door to see Mihawk seated alone at a table in the middle of the parlor, sipping a cup of tea, and Sanji's whole staff cowering in the corner.
"Mihawk." Zoro is the first to speak and the man in question looks up at the two of them and raises his cup in greeting.
"Roronoa-"his gaze falls to Sanji, "and Black-leg. I was wondering when the two of you would get back from running errands."
Sanji honestly can't tell if his tone was mocking or not. But if there was one thing Sanji knew how to deal with it was customers. He smiles warmly, "It's good to see you again Hawk-eye. We're going to drop this stuff off in the kitchen and be right back. We're about to start dinner, but can I get you some wine? Zoro mentioned your favorite is from the West Blue?"
Mihawk only blinks. "I-Yes, that would be great. Thank you."
Zeff chooses that moment to walk up to the two of them. "You're late!" Sanji wonders briefly how long Mihawk had been here if Zeff looked this upset. He turns to Zoro and grabs the boxes he was carrying. "I'll be taking that, why don't you keep the swordsman entertained?"
Zoro looked as though he would rather be doing literally anything else but complies and hands the rest of the packages to Zeff. Sanji gives him a pitying smile and quickly heads up the staircase to the kitchen with Zeff.
They hadn't even made it fully inside before Zeff drops the boxes and whirls on Sanji. "What the hell is he doing here?"
Sanji resists the urge to snap at him and simply places his boxes on top of a counter. "I assume he's here to say hi to his adopted son, or prodigy, I don't really know the full relationship." He admits, moving over to the wine cellar. "Why are you so upset? I can almost guarantee the two of them aren't going to have an all-out duel. This won't be like the last time."
"Really?" Zeff sounds doubtful. "Because the last time those two were here together Hawk-eye nearly killed your boy-toy."
Sanji grips the handle tightly. Seriously when the hell had Zeff started calling Zoro that? "Will you stop calling him that? Why can't you just call him Zoro or Roronoa like everyone else here? And yes neither of them are looking for a fight. Hawk-eye is just here to see the two of us." He grabs the former Warlord's favorite and closes the door. "The last time we saw him we were all mourning the death of a friend-"he trails off. Shit should he admit to Mihawk that he predicted Shank's death? He stares down at the bottle, which happened to be Red Hair's favorite too. Gods no, Zoro would kill him just for suggesting the idea.
"Eggplant?" Zeff was looking at him with almost concern.
Right, he had trailed off. He shakes his head and turns to smile at him. "Sorry, the last time we saw him Zoro and I weren't married. I'm sure he's just here to put his two cents in. Much like you did when Zoro showed up."
"I did nothing of the sort!" Zeff argues. "The only reason I was so cross with him was because you were." His voice goes quiet. "I didn't like that he just disappeared on you like that."
Sanji recalls the conversation he had with Asta that afternoon and sighs. "Look, there's really nothing to worry about, but thank you-"He rubs the back of his head. "For always being on my side."
Zeff looks honestly startled by the words and accepts the other bottle Sanji hands him. "I-of course eggplant."
Sanji simply clamps a hand on Zeff's shoulder, before smiling and heading back out to the parlor.
As they make their way back down Sanji can see that nothing had changed. His staff were still taking great lengths to avoid the table in the middle where Zoro looked like he was pouting and Mihawk was sipping at his tea. Sanji can't help the chuckle that escapes. His husband looks like a pouting child. Zoro's eyes flick to him and he walks over. He places the bottle of wine in front of Mihawk and smiles before tossing a flask of sake to Zoro. "I don't know about you, but I'm starving." He says, trying to ease the unnecessary tension in the room. "What do you say we eat? Hawk-eye you're invited to join us of course." His staff looked as though they'd rather be anywhere else, but Zeff had an iron clad rule that they all eat dinner together and no one dared break it. Sanji places a hand on Zoro's shoulder and squeezes it in reassurance before they follow the rest of the staff out to the balcony where the table was set up.
It was a nice night he could see why they wanted to eat outside. Sanji forces Zoro and Mihawk to sit together and it isn't until they finish the first course that anyone says anything at all. To his surprise it was Mihawk. "The soup is good." Sanji blinks. Wasn't that exactly what Zoro had said that first night? "I can see now why you complained so much back at my manor." He continues, facing Zoro.
"Your cooking sucked." Zoro deadpans, stuffing a roll into his mouth. "But Perona's was shit."
Sanji kicks him. "How many times do I have to tell you to not insult her?"
"And how many times do I have to tell you-"Zoro bops him on the head. "Even you would insult her cooking."
There was a ghost of a smile on Mihawk's face as he says, "I'm afraid I must agree with Roronoa on this matter."
Zoro grins smugly and asks, "where is the annoying princess anyways? She didn't want to come with you?"
"Perona no longer lives with me." Mihawk answers, taking a long swig of his wine. "Hasn't for quite a while actually."
"Wait-"Zoro's lips pause on his flask. "Did she ask you for help too? Back when she got herself caught?"
"She did." Mihawk admits. "I'm afraid I wasn't at home when I got the first letter. One of her ghosts found me later and I was close enough to assist, as were you."
"Where did she end up? She couldn't have left much later than I did."
"I believe she went back to find Moria."
"He's alive?" Sanji asks in surprise.
"As far as I know." Mihawk only shrugs and takes a bite of fried fish. "I don't know what the hell he's up to now, but I received a letter from her about a month or so again saying she found her friends and thanked me."
He gives Zoro an almost pointed look causing Sanji to snort into his drink. "Glad to hear she's doing well." He says before Zoro goes off on him again. "And I suppose Moria would be a good friend for her, considering her power."
"Causing the suffering of the men around her?" Zoro growls.
"She took care of your dumbass for two years." Sanji argues. Yes, when they met at Thriller Bark she was definitely one of their bigger problems but ultimately she turned out to be harmless and, though it was much later, helpful. "And you have, on more than one occasion, referred to her as an annoying older sister." Zoro groans, and an embarrassed blush appears on his face. He downs a significant amount of sake to cover it up.
Sanji catches Patty whisper something to Carne, and briefly realizes that more than half the table has no idea who they're even talking about. He's about to try involving the other cooks when Mihawk suddenly asks, "so which one of you died in Mary Geoise?"
Zoro goes rigid and Sanji pauses on his bite. He sets his fork back down on his plate and asks calmly, "what do you mean?"
"I ran into the rest of your crew before coming here." Mihawk looks at him carefully. "I admit I hadn't expected you to...settle so soon after everything."
"It's been more than half a year." Zoro snaps defensively. "And he had a place to return too."
"Given your attitude am I to assume your cook is the one who died?"
"No one died!" Sanji snaps, though the lie was bitter on his tongue. Mihawk gives them a look that has even Zoro evading eye contact. "What makes you think anything even happened?" Sanji manages to get out.
"Do you know how those marks are received?" He meant their tattoos and Sanji finds himself covering the mark with his other hand.
"Obviously." Zoro scoffs and shares a glance with Sanji, who looks away. "You make a deal with a god. He spares your life or whatever as part of a deal."
"After death." Mihawk states calmly. "The only time a god will make a deal is after the person is already dead. Now while I have never actually seen a proper mark, and by all accounts your whole crew could've died in that battle, you two I believe have the only proper marks."
Sanji curses. Of course Mihawk could tell and of course he had to ask in front of Zeff. Shit Zeff. He had felt the geezer freeze when Mihawk had asked that and Sanji was doing his best to avoid eye contact, or he would end up confessing everything. He curls a hand into a fist and lets out a calming breath. If there was something he was getting good at it was lying about this particular subject. "I don't know if you've ever met a god Hawk-eye, but they can be fickle assholes. The only reason we won that battle at all was because a god showed up and offered to help." Their whole crew knew the backup lie and Sanji is sure Mihawk has heard this exact story already. "We all would've died had it not been for that particular god's mercy, but we all paid the price."
It was silent for so long the only sounds were the waves getting lapping against the side of the ship. Mihawk's face shifts and before he opens his mouth Sanji can tell the swordsman doesn't believe him. "Your captain certainly has you all well versed in obeying orders."
He had no idea what that implied. Hell, Mihawk was smart, but there's no way he knew about Luffy's father being a vessel for a god. Even Dragon had been tight lipped. No one in his army including his second, Sabo had known. Mihawk only gives him a disarming smile and takes another bite of his food.
He lets out a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding and was glad the subject seems to have dropped for now. It was quiet again for a moment until Zoro asks, "did they seem alright? Our crew?"
Sanji isn't surprised by the question, Zoro hadn't seen any of them in nearly a year, but he was surprised he asked Mihawk.
"They seem well." He shrugs and refills his wine glass. "Your captain continues to baffle me with his energy, but it was good to talk to Jinbei again." Sanji always forgets the two of them used to be warlords and were probably even close to friends.
Zoro visibly relaxes and downs what Sanji assumes is the rest of his sake. "What are your plans now Hawk-eye?" Sanji asks. "I can't imagine you're high on the governments hit list right now."
"Considering your captain's father has more or less taken over no." Mihawk concedes and gives them both a pointed look.
Zoro growls beside him and Sanji says, "That wasn't the plan initially."
"What was the plan then? To everyone else it just looked like your captain became the pirate king solely to use his power to get Dragon to the top."
Zoro lets out a bark of laughter. "You've met our captain; you really think everything we did was just a part of a grand scheme?"
"Me? No." Mihawk shakes his head. "I've had dealings with all of you for far too long. No, I truly believe Monkey D. Luffy is a man who wants and will do as he pleases." He wasn't wrong Sanji can attest to that. "I'm simply stating how the rest of the world sees this mess." Mihawk continues.
And it was a mess if Zoro's argument in that tavern earlier is anything to go by. Zoro leans back in his chair and covers his face with his arm. "The only reason we were even there was because Luffy was worried about his brother Sabo."
"And Dragon asked us to go." Sanji murmurs and pales. Shit had that been Dragon's plan from the start? It wouldn't surprise him, but that whole fight had been such a disaster Sanji just feels-gods he just feels tired of it all. He loves Luffy and would defend him and his decisions for the rest of his life, but he did not regret his choice to come back. Of course, if Luffy ever needed his help he would go without question.
Zoro, probably sensing the shift in mood leans his leg against Sanji's in silent comfort. "Are you planning to stay for long?" Zoro manages, sending Mihawk another annoyed look.
"Couple of days yes."
Zoro looked almost sick at the thought.
"You're welcome to stay in my old room." Sanji offers and turns to Lee. "Can you show him? Unless there was something else of course?" Mihawk stands and collects his sword. "Not unless you wish to tell me something else."
They stare one another down and Sanji finally says, "No. There's nothing."
Mihawk only nods and follows Lee back inside.
Sanji counts down from five in his head and the second he got to zero he hears Zeff growl, "Eggplant."
He almost laughs at the old geezer's timing, "are you about to ask about this-"he holds up his marked hand. "Or about Mihawk because you know which one I won't answer about."
Zeff grinds his teeth and Sanji knew which one he wanted to ask about, but he only says. "I have your word those two-"he gestures to Zoro. "Won't destroy the place?"
Zoro grabs the bottle of wine in front of Sanji and chugs half the bottle. "You have mine."
"Good enough then." He scoffs and then barks at the others to clean up.
"That actually went better than I thought it would." Sanji admits later back on their ship. He leans back against the rail and lights a cigarette.
"Ugh why is he even here, other than to interrogate us?" Zoro groans sitting down beside him.
"I think it's more of he wants answers about that fight." He lets out a stream of smoke and watches it dissipate.
"The whole world does apparently."
"Love how it's not so much 'oh you all made it to the final island, what was the One Piece' no. It's suddenly about what the hell happened to the world government. As if we know what the hell is going on." Yeah that fight earlier is still on his mind. "I think we fucked up our approach." He continues and he wasn't wrong.
They needed to bring down the current government and he didn't regret being a part of that, but- "we couldn't have done it if we hadn't found what we did on Laughtale." Sanji finally says. "There was no other way."
A heartbeat then, "I know."
Sanji takes a few more drags then puts out the half butt. "Still, I'm glad you're alive Marimo."
"Love you too Curly." Sanji pushes himself off the rail and stretches his arms. Zoro stands up and throws his arms around him. "You wanna have sex?"
He says it so bluntly Sanji can't help but let out a laugh. "Sure."
"Who's turn is it to top?"
"Are we counting this afternoon?"
"Yes"
"Then yours."
Zoro grins wickedly and Sanji can't help the grin on his own face, as they move inside.
"Ngh-Zoro" Sanji moans, moving his leg.
It brushes up against Zoro, who's stops. "What did I tell you?" He growls.
"Not-"Sanji struggles to form the words. The sudden absence of Zoro's mouth around his cock almost painful. "Not to touch you."
"That's right." Zoro grins, Sanji's pre cum dripping off his lips. He looked like a beast enjoying a feast and Sanji almost comes from that look alone. "I'll make you feel good. Just remember not to touch me." Zoro leans forward and nips at Sanji's neck. He tilts his head and allowing him more access. Zoro reaches down and starts gently stroking Sanji's cock, nearly leaving him whimpering.
"Zoro-please." He begs, his body shuddering as Zoro's mouth trails down his body. The clattering of chains causes Zoro to stop, and he grins up at him again, "now do you see why I insisted on the handcuffs?"
"Because if it wasn't for them I would be breaking your rules?" Sanji grins back readjusting his hands, which are indeed handcuffed to the headboard. "I haven't broken your rules so are you going to continue, or do I have to finish myself Mosshead?" Zoro envelopes Sanji's cock into his mouth, effectively shutting him up. Unsure whether moving his cock inside Zoro's mouth would break his rules Sanji begs, "Zoro-"and is cut short as Zoro takes him fully. His tongue lazily strokes the base of his cock sending jolts of electricity down Sanji's spine. Zoro starts sucking him off and it doesn't take long until Sanji is groaning, "Zoro-I'm coming!" One last stroke and he comes fully inside Zoro's mouth. Zoro just swallows all of it and finally lets him go. He leans over him and kisses him deeply. The taste of himself on Zoro's lips getting him nearly hard again.
"You taste good cook." Zoro growls softly.
"Well I do know what you like Marimo."
Zoro leans in again, and bites gently on Sanji's earlobe. "Are you ready to go again?"
"Only if you think you can take it as much as you give it shitty swordsman." Sanji replies breathlessly. "When it's my turn I'm going to return the favor."
"Sounds fun."
Oh he'd show Zoro exactly what he can do with his hands. Zoro kisses his neck again and opens the bedside drawer. "Other one Marimo." He knew what Zoro was looking for.
"When did we move it?"
"We didn't, you're just on the wrong side of the bed." Zoro murmurs something unintelligible and shifts to the other side of the bed, but not before nipping at a sensitive spot under Sanji's ear. "Zoro you- "
"briip briip briip"
Sanji turns to see his transponder snail ringing on his desk. He makes to get up but remembers he can't move.
"Briip briip briip"
"Zoro let me go, it's probably Luffy."
Instead of answering Zoro gets out of bed and goes over to the desk.
"Briip briip briip"
Sanji didn't know how else to describe the look Zoro was giving the snail other than frozen. Which, okay the last time Zoro even talked to any of his crew mates was almost a year ago. The snail rings once more until Zoro finally picks it up almost hurriedly and says, "you've reached the shitty restaurant want to place an order?"
Sanji can't help the bark of laughter that escapes him. Oh, he must be really nervous then if he's using Sanji's tag line.
"Zoro!?" It was Nami's voice, and his cock inadvertently twitches. "Wait I called Sanji right? Is he with you? You're back then?"
"Good to hear from you to witch." Zoro actually smiles and looks to the ceiling.
"It's not like you gave us a choice. Leaving in the middle of the night and not taking your damn transponder snail."
"I had the earpiece."
"Which, at the time had very limited range."
Zoro rubs the back of his head.
Yeah their crew were very much still mad at him.
"Oi Marimo, unlock these things and let me talk to her." Sanji gestures to the handcuffs. With Zoro out of the bed and Sanji unable to move he was starting to feel the chill from the open window.
"Is Sanji with you?"
"I-yeah hold on." Zoro finds his pants on the floor and shuffles through the pockets to produce a key. He goes to unlock the handcuffs but leans down to whisper. "The rule still applies." He then hands Sanji the receiver.
"Nami?"
"He's back then? Are you two-?"
"Yeah we're fine." He realizes in annoyance that Zoro only unlocked one cuff. He's about to tell him to unlock the other one when he realizes why and freezes. Zoro returns to his position between Sanji's legs and pours some lube onto his hand. He wasn't going to-Shit! Zoro grins up at him as he inserts a finger.
"Sanji-?"
Between hearing Nami's sweet voice and Zoro's finger inside of him it was becoming increasingly difficult to focus. "I'm here, sorry!" He manages as Zoro hits a sweet spot.
Nami goes quiet.
He has a sinking feeling she knew what was going on, but she only says, "it's good to hear your voice Sanji, sorry we haven't had the chance to call."
He waits until Zoro pauses and says hastily, "it's fine. I know it's probably just good to be home and-" Zoro inserts another finger.
Now he knew the bastard was timing this perfectly.
"Is this a bad time?" There was humor in her voice. If it didn't feel so damn good Sanji would've killed him. His silence seems to answer her question and she laughs. "It's good to hear from you-both of you- look the reason I called was to let you know we'll be there tomorrow or the day after."
"Sounds-" gods his voice is way too high and he coughs, trying to cover it up. "Sounds good. It'll be nice to see you all again."
"Well almost everyone." Nami laughs, as if in afterthought. "Usopp is staying on his home island with his new girlfriend. I'll give you the details later but the two finally made it official." Considering how often their sniper talked about her Sanji hoped he would've made it official when finally seeing her again after years at sea. "Anyways, I'll let you get back to your fun." Sanji can practically hear the grin in her voice. "Talk to you both in a few days."
"Right. See you guys soon!" He quickly hangs up as Zoro uses his other hand to stroke his cock again. "I should kill you." Sanji growls but lies back down. He has to bite his tongue to suppress a moan. It was unfair how such calloused hands felt so damn good.
"Consider it punishment for how hard you got when you heard the witch's voice."
"It was involuntary, and you damn well know it."
"Well I'm about to make sure I'm the only one you're thinking about tonight." Zoro growls, inserting a third finger and causing Sanji's hips to jerk against the swordsman's hand.
"Damn it Zoro, enough with the teasing." He moans. He was already more than ready.
"You're going to have to tell what you want Cook."
"You know what I want." Sanji spreads his legs, giving Zoro all the room he needed to settle between them.
"You can do better than that."
Fine Sanji is willing to admit when he wants something. "I want you to fuck me senseless." He raises his legs slightly. Zoro takes the hint and hikes his legs up onto his own shoulder. He aligns the head of his cock against Sanji's entrance. Sanji groans as he feels Zoro slide into him, painfully slow. "Zoro-"Sanji moans. "You're killing me with this pace, please."
Zoro continues his slow pace until he's fully settled inside. Sanji moves slightly in order to adjust to Zoro's length. Shit he felt good if only he would move! Zoro places his forearms on either side of Sanji's head and meets his lips with his own. Zoro begins to move, the feeling emitting a moan from Sanji enough for him to open his mouth and allowing Zoro's tongue to move inside. Sanji is so focused on the taste of himself on Zoro's lips when Zoro pulls his cock out and quickly slides back in. Sanji lets out a long moan and forces himself not to wrap his free arm around Zoro's neck to bring him closer. "Zoro please-"
"What do you want Cook?" Zoro teases, picking up the pace.
Sanji lets out a particular sound as Zoro hits his sweet spot again. "Zoro, I need to touch you-please." Or at least needed to touch himself. His cock is throbbing and he doesn't know what to do with his free hand. Zoro meets his lips again and slowly strokes his hand down Sanji's chest, sending a chill down his spine. He gasps as Zoro grabs his cock and strokes it, the sensation nearly having him climax on the spot. He lets out a yelp that only encourages Zoro to pick up his pace. Sanji's free hand is gripping the sheets so tightly a part of him worries he's going to rip them, but the other half being thoroughly fucked didn't give a shit.
"Sanji-"
He was close and Sanji knew what would send him over the edge-rules be damned. "Zoro-" he manages, out of breath. Zoro turns to face him and Sanji leans forward meeting his lips with his own. It has the desired effect as Zoro moans deeply into his mouth, his climax spilling into Sanji. With one last stroke of his cock Sanji's own climax hits his chest.
It's quiet for a few moments, each of them catching their breaths, until Zoro growls. "I thought I said no touching Cook."
Sanji bursts out laughing, as Zoro pulls himself out and stands. "I didn't hear you complaining a moment ago."
Zoro picks something off the floor and swings it around a finger. It was the keys to the handcuffs. "I'm debating leaving you locked up until morning." He says, giving Sanji his devil's grin. "Seems a fitting punishment."
"If you want me to blow you, all you have to do is ask Marimo." Sanji positions himself in a way that leaves him fully vulnerable. "Unless I can tempt you with some other position?" He had to remind Zoro that he was good at this game too. "And you know how good I am with my hands."
Zoro stares at him for so long the cold sends a shiver down his spine. Finally, he moves back over and only leans down to kiss him softly. "I'm good." He murmurs, breaking the kiss.
Sanji is startled to realize he had uncuffed him as well. He rubs his wrist gently and watches as Zoro wanders to the other side of the bed and pulls on a pair of pants. "You good?" He asks. It was odd that he was done so quickly, even Sanji had a couple more rounds left in him if Zoro wanted.
"How mad was Luffy?"
Ah
The phone call was on his mind.
Sanji stands up, still trying to get feeling back into his wrist. Just how tight were those damn cuffs? "He was pretty pissed." He answers honestly, finding his own pants. "I would be willing to bet that when he does see you again, he's going to punch you."
"Can't wait." He growls, lifting the sheets to let Sanji in. "And don't give me the whole, 'I deserve it,' crap. I know that."
"I wasn't going to say anything." Sanji argues, "but you do deserve it."
Zoro shoves him. "I should've left you handcuffed."
"Love you too Shithead."
"When do you think they'll show up?"
"You heard Nami, within the next few days." Sanji pulls out a cigarette and lights it. "Hoping Hawkeye will be gone so he doesn't see you get punched in the face?"
"Seriously should've left you handcuffed."
Sanji chuckles and lets out a stream of smoke. "If I'm not mad at you then the others won't be either. Can't say the same for Luffy but-" He looks at Zoro and pauses. He's never seen him look both excited and nervous. "It'll be fine Marimo, let's just get Mihawk out of here first huh?"
Zoro grunts in agreement and finally lays down. It doesn't take long for Sanji to hear light snoring. He puts out the half butt and settles down next to him.
The thought only occurs to him as he's about to fall asleep,
Was Zoro going to choose to travel with Luffy again?
