Enjoy your reading

Chapter 50

A little, a lot, passionately

At the end of the morning, Zoro entered the kitchen and wrinkled his nose. A smell of sugar was invading the whole room but it wasn't surprising: everywhere on the table and on the counter were spread pastries and cakes of all kinds, making the atmosphere both hot and syrupy.

"Cook, we can't even drink in peace", he reproached him, going to the bottles supply.

The blond continued to whistle as he was mixing his preparation on the stove and when the fencer came back towards him with his drink, he was surprised by his good mood.

"What is all this food for? Are you gonna open a pastry shop?"

Smiling, Sanji shook his head before placing his wooden spoon on the pan and turning to his partner.

"This is for the city's orphans!" he explained with excitement. "Nami-san agrees to clear the apples stock and I spoke with the lady in charge of the institution, we're gonna set up a large distribution!"

Since the day before, the straw hat and his friends had indeed turned up on a sparsely populated and country island. Its inhabitants were generous but very poor and no member of the crew had wanted to take advantage of them by accepting more donations than the locals could offer without putting themselves in danger.

While strolling on the small island, the cook had noticed the orphanage and the director had explained that their resources were very limited and that many adults would die while trying to go to sea to fish. Many children were landing within these walls then and the village was struggling to feed everyone despite the mutual aid.

Sanji hadn't been long to find the navigator and explain his idea. The young woman had accepted given the kindness of the locals and the blond had rushed into the kitchen while his crewmates were continuing to explore the island or to rest on the Sunny.

Zoro gazed at the dozens of apple turnovers, pies, cakes, custard tarts, crumbles, muffins and other candy apples scattered all the way up to the seat.

"You're gonna make them sick, there's too many", he just replied.

"It doesn't matter if one of them has a stomach ache for a few hours, marimo. Don't you realize? They barely have enough to eat here so sweets, they never eat it!"

Sanji left cheerfully to watch the contents of his pan and the swordsman went out with a smile. When the cook was devoting himself to his art to feed those who needed it, nothing could reach him.

"Everyone ready?" the navigator asked after lunch. "So let's go!"

The crewmembers happily headed for the orphanage, their arms full with deliciously fragrant pastries. Even Luffy was holding a huge tray of tarts. He had sworn to his cook not to touch it and seeing the happiness that brought him the prospect of offering food to these children, the captain knew he wouldn't break his word and he was moving forward with enthusiasm. Only Zoro was dragging his feet a little behind. He had been requisitioned in view of the number of dishes to carry but if it was up to him, he would have stayed snoring on the Sunny's deck.

In front him, Brook and Chopper were smelling the air with delight, hoping to get a portion when they arrived. A few steps away, Robin was carrying several plates with her multiple hands and chatting quietly with Nami. At last, Sanji, Franky and Ussop were leading the way, just as loaded as the others and visibly excited at the idea of meeting the toddlers.

When they reached the orphanage gates, they went to the courtyard where many trestles had been put up so that they could put down their sweets. Shortly after, the director came to greet them and heartily thanked them in front of all the food. She then told the generous donors that the afternoon would be organized with games and snacks.

Absolutely delighted with this idea, Luffy and Franky immediately offered to join the animation and quickly, the whole crew dispersed among the children who were storming in.

Sanji put a piece of pie on the plate of a little girl whose lighted eyes could have competed with those of Luffy in front of the meat.

"If you want another one, there are more", he showed her, smiling.

"And if one of the boys wants to pinch your share, aim for the crotch", Nami seriously added.

The little girl firmly nodded before fleeing, laughing while she found her friends a little further. Nami served another little girl and the cook gathered the rest of his pastries. Their number had went down since the two hours that they had been here, but there were still many left, so he returned with a full plate and showed it to the navigator.

"Pick out what you like, Nami-san!" he offered her with heart-shaped eyes.

The young woman paused a few seconds in front of the abundance of choice before grabbing a muffin. She then decided to stay to serve the children who were regularly coming to the main table and the chef left with his plate in the direction of Robin and Chopper who were amusing a group by throwing them in the air so that they were then caught by the multiple hands of the archaeologist.

"Robin-chan, you have earned sweetness!" the blond raved, handing her his plate when he had come close to her.

"Thank you."

Robin used a new hand to grab an apple turnover while another hand was holding out a candy apple to Chopper who took it, delighted.

The blond for his part gave out some sweets to the children around them before approaching Brook who was telling a story punctuated by the notes of his violin. His audience was hanging on to his every word and no one seemed to be afraid of his appearance as a living skeleton. On the contrary, some kids had even settled on his lap and were watching him, fascinated. Sanji therefore gave the director, who was also listening to the musician, an assortment of cakes so that she could offer them after the tale.

He then headed for Franky, Ussop and Luffy. The cyborg had built tiny robots and Ussop was blowing up balloons non-stop before giving them the shape of animals and distributing them. Luffy had joined the ranks of children and was alternating between wonder at the little cyborg robots and amazement at the sniper's balloons.

However, when the cook arrived, he was the first to get up, burning with excitement.

"It's snack time!" he yelled.

Immediately, all the kids gathered around him and did the same in perfect synchronization.

"It's snack time!"

"We're hungry, Sanji!" the captain went on in the same tone.

"We're hungry, Sanji!"

The blond laughed.

"I feel like I have an army of hungry little Luffy!"

He therefore offered slices of cakes, pies and pastries and watched them with tenderness while everyone was enjoying his snack with delight. The cook happily sighed. This is how he liked to see the people around him: satisfied and fulfilled.

Sanji then noticed the absence of the crew's fencer and he turned around to look for him. He soon discovered him in the shade of the courtyard wall, sitting on a stone bench and visibly deeply asleep. The cook couldn't help laughing when he noticed that the swordsman also had company since exhausted children had chosen the place as an official nap spot and the marimo was surrounded by a dozen of toddlers in dreamland.

"Who's hungry?" the blond asked in a cheerful voice when he reached them, gently pulling them out of sleep.

"I am!"

"I'm too!"

Sanji gave out his treats while noticing that the fencer was heavily getting up while stretching. While the little ones were speeding to join the various play workshops, now full of energy, the cook came closer to his partner.

"You too are entitled to it. You worked well; your nap spot was a huge success!"

The blond handed him a candy apple and Zoro frowned.

"Stop it, curly."

"Don't give me any attitude. I know it's not your thing but do me a favor, I want you to be a part of this. Taste!" he kindly insisted.

"I don't like that", the swordsman grumbled, pushing away the sugar-coated fruit.

"Please, just a bite. I did it with love, you know."

Zoro sighed. He knew the cook wasn't going to let go and this fool had been so happy since the beginning of the afternoon that even he didn't feel like ruining him that moment. Even now, a sincere smile was lighting his whole face and the fencer finally shrugged.

"Okay..."

He bit into the fruit in front of him and quickly chewed before swallowing, wincing. As he had expected, he hated it: it was way too sweet. Sanji then bit into the fruit in front of him, beaming. He passed his reddened tongue of sugar over his lips in a teasing gesture, his eyes fixed on those of the swordsman.

"For the trouble, you can ask me anything tonight..."

Zoro raised a surprised eyebrow and the cook chuckled. He then turned for a moment to Ussop who was calling him and he waved he was coming. He munched again in the apple and then placed a quick, sticky kiss on the fencer's lips.

"Thank you, marimo."

The latter watched him walk away, puzzled. Certainly, being able to give food to kids was turning his brain upside down. Or was it the smiles of these children that amazed him and made him so happy? The swordsman then saw him distributing new muffins, his eyes sparkling, and he sat back down on the stone bench with a sigh of contentment. Even though the cook looked even wackier than usual, he had no doubt he was happy right now. And strangely, that feeling satisfied him too.

The trip back to the Sunny took place in the early evening, the crew having prolonged this experience of joy and solidarity to the maximum. Everyone had returned in a great mood and the cook had prepared pizza for dinner, which ended up ranking this day in the top five of the best days ever lived according to Ussop, Chopper and Luffy.

Each then had quietly dispersed to their occupations. The Log-Pose had finished recharging in the afternoon but the island was so peaceful the crew had unanimously decided to enjoy the evening on site. Thus, Franky and Brook had decided to go back to town while Nami and Robin were taking care of the tangerine trees and the sniper, doctor and captain were laughing on the beach at the foot of the ship.

For their part, the last two members of the crew had quickly disappeared and locked themselves in their room, eager to be finally alone.

Sanji watched the closed eyes and relaxed face of the swordsman above him. The cook's hand was slowly stroking his lover's manhood whose forearms were beginning to shake under the effort and pleasure. The blond closed his eyes in his turn, happy to note the fencer's relaxation against him. The mere sight of his partner was filling him. Maybe the radiant atmosphere of the day had something to do with it, but in any case, he had the impression that Zoro was really letting himself go in his arms this evening.

Hearing his breath grow heavier against his ear, the cook took the opportunity to speed up his movements, which earned him a hoarse moan that disturbed his own breathing. Zoro laid his head on his neck to cover him with kisses and the cook slightly arched, supporting him with his other hand against his wet neck.

The swordsman's hip movements soon became feverish in his hand and Sanji knew he wanted more, which suited him perfectly. He suspended his move on the throbbing sex of his lover and when the latter looked up, his eyes clouded with desire, he kissed him passionately. Zoro replied with the same ardor, hugging him powerfully in his arms, and the blond felt himself sucked in by his embrace. At this moment, the fencer wasn't brutal; his muscles weren't violently pressing him against the mattress. He was holding him tightly but pleasantly. He was simply tempting him to share the passion he was feeling, plain and simple.

Sanji ended the kiss despite himself a few tens of seconds later to recover his breath, his chest swollen with emotion. Did Zoro even realize what he was giving him tonight? Not sure in light of his hazy look that seemed to implore him to pick up where he left off...

The cook immediately replied to his request, feeling himself into raptures. He slid his legs over the fencer's hips, showing him he was ready. Zoro grabbed the lube by his side and put it awkwardly on his fingers, too eager to take the time not to spill it on the bed. He then straightened up between his lover's legs before penetrating him with his fingers without taking his eyes off him. The blond held his breath in front of his glowing gaze and quickly, he made the swordsman understand he couldn't wait anymore.

The latter squeezed the small bottle again and the cold gel roughly spread over his manhood. He then approached his lover's private parts and after a last visual exchange to inform him, he slowly pushed until he was entirely in him. Sanji was short of breath again, but he had trouble knowing if it was because of the pain or the intensity of his partner's gaze on him. Noticing his agitation, the swordsman leaned towards him and placed a light kiss on his lips.

Finally, Sanji tied his legs around the fencer's waist to order him to move and he did so immediately, letting his hands brush against the face of the cook whose parted lips were letting out more and more intense moans.

The blond ended up squeezing up against his lover's chest, digging his fingers in his back while they were sharing a violent kiss. Zoro sped up his hip movements hastened by his impending orgasm, and it wasn't long before it overwhelmed them both, letting them crash against each other, breathing jerky and body drenched in sweat.

Opening his eyes with difficulty a few moments later, Sanji languidly kissed the swordsman still above him. His partner kissed him back ardently, his breath still short, and the cook ended up resting his head against the pillow while Zoro was slipping next to him.

The blond then settled comfortably against his shoulder and closed his eyes, a smile on his lips. This night had definitely had a particular taste, that of tenderness and passion, and he wished that the sun never rose.

Sanji had closed his eyelids for what seemed like only a few minutes - actually more than three hours - when his hand was brutally deprived of the hot belly of the swordsman on which it rested. The movement brought him out of his torpor and he opened an eye, noticing that Zoro had stood up and was heading for the door.

"What is it?" he asked in a sleepy voice.

"I'm not sleepy anymore."

The blond could have been satisfied with his answer if the fact of adding the name of Zoro to the fact that he wasn't sleepy after three hours of rest wasn't so insane. Sanji wanted to straighten to ask for more explanation, but the fencer had already disappeared.

The cook stretched for a long time, then finally pushed the sheets aside to get up. His head and heart were still filled with the emotions of the day before and he put on his pants and shirt before leaving in search of his partner at a quiet pace.

He discovered him not far from the room, leaning on the railing and gazing at the darkened waters of the sea with a faraway air under the still dark night sky.

"What's going on with you, marimo?" he asked, coming closer.

"Nothing."

Sanji took the time to light a precious cigarette and lean next to him before answering.

"I don't wanna play shrink but if you can't sleep, surely something is bothering you."

"Or I'm not sleepy", Zoro growled.

"I doubt it."

"Forget it, cook."

"Okay."

The blond slowly blew the smoke that flew out to sea and turned to the swordsman. His body was visibly tense and his gestures nervous, which surprised him because it didn't look like him. Perhaps it was due to the night they had just shared, but Sanji suddenly wanted to comfort him.

"What if I tried to suggest you something?" he asked like it was nothing.

"Like what?"

"I'm all in for clearing your head until you forget your dark thoughts", he whispered in his ear in a smooth voice.

Zoro turned to him in his turn before slightly shaking his head.

"You're wiped out", he pointed out, showing him his dark rings. "And you're gonna have to make breakfast soon."

"So what?" the cook continued lustfully, running his fingers over his bare arms. "That leaves us more than an hour..."

"I don't feel like it."

The cook stared at him for a second. Not because Zoro was rejecting his advances to which he used to respond so promptly, but because of the tone he had used. His words had resounded in a strangely resigned and utterly unusual way.

Sanji was now convinced the swordsman was preoccupied but if he didn't want to talk to him about it, he had the right. He hadn't become his exclusive confidant when they got together and he had to respect his choice.

"As you wish."

The blond slowly walked away and resumed the direction of their room, determined to enjoy a few more moments of sleep after all.

It's pretty rare to see the crew just enjoy peace and joy so I wanted them to take advantage of it. A chapter quiet and intense at the same time.

But of course, with the end, you can sense that it won't last...