Thanks to Jui Bhaskarrao for your review.

Enjoy your reading.

Chapter 41

Captain's order

The next morning, the girls of the crew resumed their work with enthusiasm and the boys took turns by their side. Some helped Nami to take measurements or notes and others assisted Robin to clear away remnants and record her discoveries. In the evening, there was still a lot of excitement and Sanji served paella to his friends in general triumph thanks to the seafood he had caught.

As he was clearing the empty dishes at the end of the meal among the still happy conversations, he noticed the swordsman was staring at him again and he sighed. Zoro had been looking at him more or less discreetly all day and he was getting tired of it. He had immediately understood that the fencer was wondering about their attempted conversation the night before because, despite his intoxication, he remembered it perfectly. Alcohol had made him talk a little too quickly and a little too frankly, but in the end, he didn't regret it. He wanted what he had asked the swordsman, even if the idea of giving him a list didn't sound so wise afterwards.

He jammed his cigarette butt in his mouth and handed his huge pot to his crewmate, gesturing to follow him to the Sunny. While they were walking in silence, the fencer let his gaze linger on him again and Sanji rolled his eyes.

"Stop looking at me like that, marimo", he said, blowing his smoke.

Zoro instantly looked away but Sanji finally decided to stop.

"Look, I know you were surprised. I didn't really realize what I was saying myself at that time but since I said it... What do you think?"

"Nothing special", the fencer growled, getting defensive.

As the cook was insisting by staring at him, he put down his pot with a scowl.

"It was weird", he admitted then. "I didn't expect you to say all this stuff."

"And you don't want to do it, is that it?" Sanji guessed, dragging on his cigarette butt again with a detached look.

The swordsman sighed.

"I thought we had agreed and you no longer needed this kind of thing so I'm not sure how it'd help us..."

"Obviously", the blond said, crushing his butt with bitterness. "I gotta learn to be content with what I have, right?"

"It has nothing to do with it", the fencer protested.

"It's okay, I got it. I gotta learn to get behind your ego, that's all."

Zoro frowned and was about to reply again, but Sanji walked away towards the beach, leaving the swordsman with his empty pot at his feet, and so sentencing him to go back alone to the ship.

The crew stayed on the four weathers island for two more days, until the navigator unraveled the mystery of the climate and the archaeologist retraced the local population adaptation. Nami then demonstrated that the air masses had collided over the island and that each one was taking precedence over the others after a certain cycle. This reinforced Robin's thesis who had spotted houses on the four corners of the island depending on the period until finally, the population had definitively migrated to another island in the archipelago which benefited from a stable and spring-like climate.

Therefore, the course was set for this new destination which they reached in a few hours. A large modern, pleasant and attractive city welcomed them on their arrival but the archaeologist led the crew towards the rural suburb where the local people of the four weathers island had settled. She quickly brought to light the occupations that had developed the inhabitants and discovered they had turned towards cultivating plants and herbalism. Chopper was particularly enthusiastic when he learned it and he helped the archaeologist to identify all that was possible among the remains of houses and fields.

Delighted with their discoveries, the two young women and the doctor had now the idea of publishing an article in a specialized journal by combining their multiples knowledge to offer a comprehensive approach of the situation of the island. Nami was even cherishing dreams of glory and fame in the aftermath of their publication.

At nightfall however, minds became less studious and the attractiveness of the city a few steps away intensified. While Robin and Chopper were deciding to stay a little longer, the rest of the crew soon strolled along the bright and colorful streets. They didn't clash compared to the other tourists in their summer clothes and they chatted cheerfully until they stopped in front of a particularly lively cafe.

"Sounds great!" Franky got enthusiastic.

"Admission is charged", Nami immediately noted, frowning.

"There's a music band and a dance floor!" Ussop showed them excitedly.

"The dance floor is calling me!" Brook danced, swaying his hips.

"There are a lot of people and no place to sit", Zoro grunted, glancing out the window.

"It's because we're gonna have fun!" Franky insisted.

"I remind you the price is out of line", Nami growled.

"But the atmosphere looks very warm!" Ussop pleaded.

"I'd like to take a look but if Nami-san is against it..." Sanji hesitated.

"We're going, captain's order!" Luffy suddenly settled, dashing towards the entrance.

As Sanji, Ussop, Franky and Brook rushed after him laughing, Zoro and Nami dragged their feet.

"These morons have no idea what awaits them, they'll be sorry", the navigator grinded, paying the exorbitant price of the entry.

"You don't add it to my debt, right?" the swordsman asked her. "I didn't even wanna come."

"Yeah, well I got to pay for you anyway so what difference does it make?"

Zoro groaned, in a very bad mood. As soon as he entered the cafe, he was assaulted by rhythmic music that was far too loud and he winced.

The place was big enough but it was still crowded and the heat was unbearable. The fencer then decided he had to find a quiet corner to close his eyes and even with this noise, it was possible for him to fall asleep. But first, he was hungry.

So he went to the bar where Nami had already settled, cocktail in hand.

"Prices are indecent but their drinks are divine", she told him as he glanced at the menu.

He then felt his jaw drop when he discovered the prices and cursed again.

"I told you so!" the redhead laughed at his side. "Have a cocktail instead."

Zoro shrugged and ordered a beer.

"Where are they?" he asked her.

"Over there."

She pointed out a site in the center of the cafe, free of all furniture and where everyone had gathered to dance close to the musicians. At that moment, a young brown man leaned towards the navigator and replaced her empty glass with a charming smile while Nami thanked him with seductive flutters of eyelashes. The swordsman looked curiously at her and she shrugged.

"If you think I'm gonna spend just one more berry in this place."

She turned to the dance floor and a devilish smile stretched her lips.

"They look like they're having fun but it won't last."

With that, she emptied her second drink in one go and made off towards their friends. In the middle of the crowd, Sanji and Luffy seemed to be having fun like crazy. Luffy was jiggling in all directions, trying to keep up with the hectic music and he got his feet tangled every other step, laughing. For his part, Sanji seemed to have chosen a different strategy based on slower but more precise moves. Not far from them, Brook and Franky were starting an inch-perfect choreography that other dancers were trying to imitate. As for Ussop, he had already gathered around him a certain number of people who were listening to the great -embellished - story of his life.

Zoro didn't try to find out what the navigator had in mind and he grabbed his beer from the counter. Dancing really was the least of his worries. This place didn't even have food to provide so it had definitely lost all credibility in his eyes and he collapsed on the first bench a little far back that he found as soon as he had finished his beer.

In the darkness, he put his blades on his knees and leaned against the wall behind him before closing his eyes. Yeah, with a bit of luck, he wasn't going to waste all his time...

The fencer woke up with a start when a glass brushed his left temple. He straightened up immediately, all his swords ready to fight. However, he quickly spotted the origin of the attack as an argument between a couple not far from him. Reassured, he leaned back against the wall and casually watched as the woman slapped the man who was literally on his knees to be forgiven. To see the look of his girlfriend, he wasn't ready to get there and the noise level of their quarrel became so loud Zoro perceived their reproaches despite the music.

"Don't you think I gave you enough chances?" the vixen was screaming.

"But, honey, I assure you nothing happened between us", the man was stammering.

"And her lips on yours, it was a careless mistake?!"

The woman threw a glass again in the direction of her future ex-boyfriend and Zoro had to shift to not get it in the face when she missed him.

Leaving the couple behind, the swordsman looked for his friends. He easily spotted Ussop, surrounded by an even larger crowd and busy making big gestures under the amazed eyes of his audience. Franky was continuing his dance and his ridiculous poses while Brook was cheering on the musicians with his own violin. He then saw Luffy seated at the bar and he seemed to be on the verge of tears. Surely Nami had forbidden him to order anything in view of the prohibitive prices and Zoro understood she was indeed taking her revenge. The young woman was also deep in conversation with the bartender and he assumed she was asking him for information on the island or the recharging time of the Log-Pose.

Finally, he found Sanji still on the dance floor next to a young woman with long wavy blond hair and he followed him with his eyes absentmindedly. He and the cook hadn't mentioned this list thing anymore, and things had more or less resumed their normal course since that evening. The swordsman wasn't sure what to think about it but this state of relative peace between them suited him and he wasn't ready to put the subject back on the table.

Suddenly, Zoro saw him burst out laughing while the young woman imitated him a few seconds later, gently putting a hand on his arm under the effect of her own laughter. The fencer frowned, feeling an unknown and unpleasant sensation graze him at this vision. He used to see the cook flirt with every women but this one, unlike the others, seemed to respond to the young man's remarks with a little too much pleasure. He observed her more. Slender, slim waist and generous breasts, she had everything needed. However, Zoro decided not to pay attention to it and closed his eyes again in the hope of getting back to sleep.

After another almost quiet nap, he got up, definitely hungry. He couldn't sleep any longer when his stomach was starving like that. Sighing, he decided to come back to the bar to order something, and so be it if Nami was adding it to his debt.

Whereas he didn't need to make his way through the crowd, people naturally stepping aside as they saw his head and his swords, Zoro leaned on the counter. While he was finally waiting for another beer, he turned to the dance floor and didn't fail to see the beautiful young woman previously observed, now deep in conversation at a table with the cook. This one seemed very interested in her words and he even had moved closer to her, eyes in obvious adoration for the creature in front of him. As she was blushing at one of his compliments, Zoro felt again this strange sensation take shape in his stomach. He couldn't say what it was but he suddenly thought back to the couple's argument he had heard earlier.

"And her lips on yours, it was a careless mistake?!"

The swordsman brutally put down his drink which had just arrived. The cook was so close to this girl that a simple scramble would make her fall into his arms.

Zoro felt his breathing get heavy and his jaw tense. Jealousy. What a dreadful feeling to doubt someone who has been entrusted with your heart. To feel becoming transparent for the person from whom you can't take your eyes off. To feel betrayed by a look or a smile that isn't addressed to you.

Suddenly, the young woman in question stood up and Zoro thought his ordeal was over before he saw her lean towards the blond to whisper a few words in his ear, a smile on her lips. In return, the cook seemed to fly away in a new dripping tirade and she giggled before waving at him and then headed for the toilet at the back of the room.

Reaching his limit, Zoro crossed the room towards the cook and stood by his side, arms folded and frowning. Sensing a presence, the blond looked up and was surprised to find him there.

"What is it, marimo? Can't fall asleep here?" he asked him with amusement.

"You'd like that, don't you?"

Sanji shrugged.

"I don't care, you can do whatever you want."

The fencer misinterpreted his words and watched him carefully. The cook had been drinking but he didn't seem drunk. Somehow, he was even more upset and the twist in his belly intensified. Out of words, Zoro grabbed the Wadô.

"Get over here."

"Huh?"

"I'm telling you to get over here."

Sanji stared at the swordsman without understanding before noticing the tensing of his hand on his sword.

"What's the matter? A problem?" he asked, looking around the room for enemies or Marine uniforms. "I can't see anything", he added after getting his attention back on Zoro.

"If you don't get over here in two seconds, I cut her to pieces."

Sanji's eyes widened in surprise before finally grasping the real meaning of Zoro's presence at his side and he burst out laughing while grabbing his glass.

"Seriously, marimo head? You're jealous?"

"You sure have a strange definition of an exclusive relationship", the fencer spat, hurt by his reaction. "I can't believe you were the one who specified it!"

The blond chocked on his drink. He brutally put it down again and got up to stand up to him, furious.

"What the hell are you saying? That I'm a liar?!"

"What do you think it looks like? You spend your time hanging around girls and I never said anything, but tonight you've gone too far."

"What?"

Zoro turned tail, indifferent to the world. He felt perfectly humiliated to come to this and to stoop in front of the cook because of what he was feeling. If women were so important to him, he just had to stay with them and stop making him believe he wanted a particular relationship with him rather than anyone else. A dark aura spreading around him, he made off to the backyard of the cafe and disappeared into the night in a few seconds.

Sanji watched the swordsman walk away, hesitating between disbelief and annoyance. He couldn't believe Zoro didn't trust him, and on such an important subject! Yet he had thought he understood since he had explained his point of view on women and the fencer had never made the slightest comment before. What a bastard. Having such a poor opinion of him made him sick...

He brought his attention back in front of him just in time to see Jenny come back in his direction, her adorable smile on her lips. He wanted to rush towards her to shower her with compliments in front of her radiant beauty. This girl was delightful, as beautiful as she was intelligent. In addition, she had a passion for pastry, which they had talked about all evening. However, he got out of his thoughts with the sound of her pretty voice and she handed him a new drink, cheeks red.

"I thought we could go somewhere quieter after..."

The cook's smile froze on his lips. Jenny, perfect and wonderful little Jenny... How was he going to do that to her?

"Sweetie, I don't think it's a good idea."

Her face took the cutest form as she was expressing complete incomprehension and her big green eyes were misting over.

"But I thought..."

"It's all my fault", he sincerely apologized. "I got carried away by your stunning beauty and your incomparable spirit but I can't allow myself to let us go further."

"Really?" she said with a little disappointed pout.

The blond reluctantly nodded before placing a kiss on her left hand.

"If you ever need advice on pastries, I'd be infinitely happy to offer you all my knowledge."

"Okay..."

Jenny sadly smiled before walking away and Sanji followed her with his eyes with a heavy heart. He then looked for the marimo but didn't saw him anywhere and he headed for the outside.

It wasn't going to be easy to have this conversation with this idiot but they had to go through it.

He quickly noticed Zoro leaning against the backyard wall, lost in contemplation of the night. Fortunately, they were alone. Probably the fencer had scared everyone away.

"I told Jenny-chan it wasn't possible", the cook began, looking for his cigarettes in his pocket. "Are you happy now?"

The swordsman looked at him for a second in astonishment before icily laughing.

"I'm flattered to come before "Jenny-chan" tonight. I wonder what name the next one will have. And the next one. And the next-"

"All right, I got the idea", the blond sharply retorted, giving up his cigarette.

"No, you didn't get it", the fencer snarled while turning suddenly towards him, his aura threatening. "If you can't keep your own commitment, you deserve no respect in my eyes!"

"I never would have gone further and you damn well know it", the cook denied, annoyed.

"Really and why would I be so sure? Usually, I count on the rebuttals you faced but she seemed pretty okay this time so what would have stopped you if I hadn't stepped in?"

"Does that mean you don't trust me, marimo?"

Zoro straightened up to his full height, glaring at him.

"You got that right, I don't trust you. And I refuse to be humiliated like that again. If that's the price of a relationship, I break my word and free myself of this commitment."

"Stop being so overdramatic, I'm telling you nothing would have happened!" Sanji fumed. "Damn it, you know me, shitty swordsman! It's my personality to shower girls with compliments but I am a man of my word and I gave it to you so don't you dare telling me it means nothing!"

The swordsman folded his arms, looking at him defiantly while the shadows of the night were emphasizing his intimidating figure.

"So what about mine? No matter how much I tell you to trust me on certain topics, you don't do it."

Sanji was dumbfounded. Was the fencer actually referring to their last discussion on the four weathers island?

"That's... not the same, marimo", he grumbled.

"Oh, yeah," the swordsman sneered. "You and your fucking words. It's only when it suits you, right?"

"Of course not!" the blond replied.

"So why are you asking me to let you drool over all the girls we come across without saying anything because it's "your personality" while I can never say no to you because "it's not the same"?"

The cook rolled his eyes at this demonstration which he considered simplistic.

"You don't understand. It's just that it means I'm asking you to trust me on this matter, that's all!"

The fencer gave him a jaded smile in return.

"Trust is earned, and I don't see why I should give it to you when you can't do the same."

Sanji glared at him.

"You know me enough to know that I never back down from my decisions! I told you nothing would happen, why is it so hard to believe?!"

"Because you only do what suits you, because you ask me to do as you like and because it's starting to piss me off", the swordsman darkly replied.

The blond frowned. By the tone of the fencer, he felt they were entering into a completely different territory now. A much more dangerous territory than a simple argument.

"What are you talking about?" he asked suspiciously.

Zoro folded his arms and looked him up and down.

"You want more words, you want more proofs, you want me to leave you with the girls, you even want me to let you lead everything even if I don't want to and I'm sick of it, dammit!"

Sanji felt his stomach twist under the shout of the swordsman's voice. What was he saying? That he was just a guy who needed to control everything and didn't give him a break? That he was holding too much on to him and was suffocating him? At this thought, the blond suppressed the emotions that were lacerating his heart to prevent the pain from digging his nest there. Instead, they burst out through his mouth.

"You think it doesn't piss me off to feel like I'm the only one who believes in it?! I wouldn't ask you that if I didn't have the impression you don't give a damn!"

Long seconds stretched in complete silence before Zoro felt a cold anger washed over him.

"How dare you... All these things I do for your shitty face... I've been fucking trying for you!" he roared. "Again, last time with Tashigi! If you can't see it, I really don't give a fuck. That's as far as I'll go and if you..."

He let the end of the sentence die on his lips and glared at his crewmate, mad with rage.

"It's not because I don't speak as much as you that I don't feel anything. Hell, you're just a selfish and fucking liar! When you suggested this relationship to me, you told me you didn't want to change me but that's what you've been trying to do since day one!"

The fencer's fury swept aside the one of the blond to give way to guilt. Sanji knew he had gone too far just as the words had crossed his lips but he couldn't help it. He also felt deeply hurt by his words even though he knew that what he was accusing Zoro of wasn't exactly his fault. It was true that he was trying to wrest bits of words and promises from the swordsman even when he was doing his best to please him. Sanji knew his requests weren't always rational, but he couldn't wait. It was stronger than him.

"That's not what I meant", he admitted then with a heavy heart. "I know you strive a lot but..."

The cook became silent in front of the absent-minded look of the swordsman. Zoro seemed to have already moved away from him and only listened with half an ear. He was taking refuge to better forget what he had just heard and Sanji absolutely needed to have his attention. Anxiously, he realized he didn't want to tell him but he had to. He had to or he would lose him.

He grabbed his arm and felt his furious gaze turn on him again.

"Zoro... If I ask you these things, it's because I need to reassure myself", he confessed in a quavering voice. "Maybe sometimes I'm asking too much but it's because I don't wanna lose all we've built. I... care too much about you now."

The swordsman watched him in silence. He could see the cook had just been honest with him, but he was feeling kind of awkward. They may had real feelings for each other, but what was the point if they were just hurting them? Because one of them didn't express himself enough and the other was becoming so sick he needed to change him to reassure himself? No, it wasn't supposed to be like this...

"You know, that girl, I really thought she was perfect", the blond whispered with a sad smile. "She was charming, she was beautiful and really intelligent on all levels. Only... she wasn't you."

The fencer rolled his eyes.

"I'm not one of your shopgirls, your smooth talk doesn't work on me" he coldly replied.

"I mean it", his crewmate protested, running a nervous hand though his hair. "What I'm trying to say is... Zoro, I'm trying to tell you that I-"

"I know what you're trying to tell me, Sanji", the swordsman cut him short. "But that's not enough and you know it."

A huge weight fell on the cook's chest. He thought voicing aloud his feelings would have some value for the swordsman, but apparently even his pride wasn't enough. But then, what did he want from him?

As the silence was lasting between them, Zoro finally shrugged, embarrassed.

"Maybe we're at the end of the experience and we should..."

The fencer didn't finish his sentence, but Sanji had perfectly heard the end and he stared at him. What, he was giving up? That fast? Without having taken the time to provide the means to overcome the obstacle?

He then strongly shook his head, determined.

"What about a compromise?"

The swordsman looked up, more attentive than he would have liked. Despite his apparent coldness, he was feeling frustrated at the idea of ending his relationship with the blond but it wasn't a usual fight for him. He didn't have the weapons to fight against this kind of feelings and he didn't see what he could do. So he wanted to believe Sanji had something to offer him that would help them overcome this situation because he was totally overwhelmed.

"It's all about trust so there's something we can do", the cook explained. "You give me the benefit of the doubt with girls and I'll do the same. I'll no longer try to find out what you feel and I won't ask to let me hold your hand anymore if you don't feel like it. We're beyond the stage of the power relationship so... I want to believe that this isn't about ego if you say so. I want to trust you. Would you feel better like that?"

Zoro frowned.

"Maybe but... can you really do this?"

Sanji smiled nervously.

"I have to. If we don't trust each other, it'll never work. And I want it to work. Okay?"

The swordsman took the time to consider it. This compromise based on trust seemed actually appropriate to their situation. Of course, it would cost him efforts at first but in return, he was assured the cook would do the same so he would no longer feel belittled as he had been. And if it didn't work, at least they would have gone as far as they could.

"Okay."

Sanji happily released his breath. He had really thought that stupid fencer was going to ditch him in the back alley of this ultra-chic cafe. Feverish, he drew Zoro towards him to grab his lips greedily.

"You're an idiot", he couldn't help saying between his kisses.

"You really are in no position to say that", the fencer whispered back against his mouth.

With a smile, the blond pressed himself more against the swordsman's body, breathing in his scent with all his might.

"Are you finished, you lovebirds?" the navigator suddenly asked them, just appearing in the alley. "I looked everywhere for you; Luffy finally decided we should come back. Franky and Brook are waiting for us in front of the door, I just have to go look for Ussop", she added with a satisfied air.

"Yeah, captain's order!" the one behind her yelled. "We have to go back, I'm starving, Sanji!"

The latter tore himself from the fencer's arms, then finally took his cigarette out of his pocket, nodding. He was so relieved he was ready to make a midnight snack for his captain-ogre.

After their return to the Sunny, Sanji had gone to the kitchen to prepare a snack for his friends. Chopper and Robin had already come back and they had explained their latest discoveries during the meal. Although always interested in the beautiful archaeologist, Sanji had been quick to clear the table and then wash and put away his dishes.

While the night was well under way, he had quickly left his lair in search of his partner. He had found him lost in his thoughts on the deck and he had grabbed him by the arm before dragging him into their room without a word.

Now pressed between his body and the wall facing the bed, he had tied his legs around his waist to better hold him against him. As soon as they had crossed the door, the blond had jumped on him to kiss him hungrily and their wild kisses had quickly led to sighs and lascivious caresses.

Sanji closed his eyes a little tighter, feeling the tongue of the swordsman languidly caress his. He knew his outburst of passion was directly due to the emotional turmoil they had just gone through and he had been afraid for a moment Zoro would want to take some distance but in the end, he hadn't pushed him back.

The cook was aware that beyond their reconciliation, he would have to seriously think about the promise he had made in order to be able to keep it. However, for now, he wanted nothing but to be reassured and at the same time prove to the fencer how much they could be satisfied with each other.

That is how kissing even breathlessly was soon no longer enough and Sanji's hands unbuttoned in the dark the swordsman's colorful shirt, his mouth being too busy devouring his lips for him to open his eyes. He slid the fabric down his shoulders but the muscular arms of the fencer prevented him from making it fall to the ground since he was firmly holding him. The blond didn't care about this detail and his hands rested on his neck again to increase their breathless kisses, brushing against his hairline.

Zoro then used his strength to rest the cook's weight on his only left arm while the latter was holding firm thanks to the power of his legs around his waist. The swordsman then took the opportunity to remove the tee-shirt from his lover's pants to unbutton it. Sanji instantly understood his intention and helped him to push back his clothes as well as possible despite their position. Blinded by his desire, he didn't even consider untying himself from the swordsman for even a few seconds to get rid of it more easily.

The undergarment was sufficiently pushed back so the fencer slid his fingers towards his private parts and the cook arched against him when he penetrated him. In response, his hands pressed against the swordsman's chest, who kept kissing him relentlessly, and he bit his lip. The heat that emanated between them was fueling their desire and sweat began to bead on the blond's forehead gradually with the back and forth that Zoro was transmitting to his body.

Focused on the pleasure which rose in him, he was nevertheless feeling the swordsman's manhood against his own in the open air which rubbed painfully on his pants. He therefore used one of his hands to push back the garment and Zoro pressed against him more as soon as he felt his virility be a little released from his tissue prison.

Their skins met greedily and Sanji buried his nails in his shoulders to keep himself from moaning in pleasure. For the first time since entering the room, he removed his mouth from his to get some air in the middle of their sighs and he gazed at him.

"Go ahead, marimo... I'm ready."

The fencer seemed to hesitate for a second in view of the short time the preparation has lasted, but in front of the fiery gaze of his partner, he took a few steps back until he felt the edge of the bed against his calves. He then dropped on the mattress and the blond's slender body followed him on his hips.

Without wasting a moment, he got rid of his shirt completely and Sanji finished freeing him from his pants and underwear. The cook then pushed his own clothes away while Zoro took his tee-shirt off over his head.

At that moment, their eyes met and they knew they shared the same state of mind: they didn't want to take their time or to get frustrated unnecessarily. Tonight, they had come too close to disaster and their bodies were set on fire to the extent of what they almost lost.

A second later, Zoro grabbed the blond's waist and positioned him on his overheated manhood. Sanji didn't take his eyes off him as he was slowly bending down, the lovers only untying their eyes from each other when the sensation made them groan.

The cook felt his body tremble. The pain was wrenching but Zoro's hand on his belly which was slowly caressing him felt good and he focused on this attention. He then allowed himself a few moments to breathe and relax, bathing in the concerned gaze of the fencer who was patiently waiting for his signal. His thoughtful attitude wrapped him a little more and he leaned over to gently kiss him.

"Show me the stars, Zoro..."

The swordsman feverishly answered to his kiss and request, accompanying his pelvis' movements which rippled faster and faster on him. Quickly, they began to pant to keep up the rhythm of their grinds and their intertwined lips from which they couldn't tear themselves away more than a few seconds.

As the pleasure grew, smooth moans and hoarse sighs escaped them more regularly. For his part, the blond would have liked to take a more comfortable and less tiring position but he was also feeling like he belonged here and the fencer seemed to take as much pleasure as him.

Finally, he ended up straightening to further speed up the pace with the imminence of their orgasms. Zoro's hands tightened on his hips and a growl escaped him when his lover powerfully fell on his genitals. The sensation also made the cook lose his head since he closed his eyes in a mute cry before his whole body tensed around the swordsman, accompanying without thinking his own manhood to free himself. This erotic image took the fencer breath away and he felt his moves betrayed him, his last thrusts becoming erratic.

When Sanji dropped to his forearms, the swordsman was enjoying the last scraps of his orgasm and he slowly half-opened his eyes while catching his breath. He then observed the inquisitive gaze of the cook a few inches above him. He ran a hand through his blond locks that were falling in front of his eyes and smirked.

"So, what about these stars, cook?"

Sanji smiled back and lay down against him, resting his head in the crook of his head.

"I'm sure you saw them too."

Zoro approved by putting his arm around his partner's still trembling shoulders.

"It's great we found this arrangement", he whispered, closing his eyes.

"It's great", the cook repeated, also caught up in sleep. "It's really great..."

The fight scene took a lot of work at the time. I hope you enjoyed it with the previous elements. I did an addition with Sanji's thoughts for later.

And then a bit of a sex scene which wasn't planned but felt welcome... Hope you liked it!