Enjoy your reading.

Chapter 60

Inner poison

"I'd really like to find this one!"

The swordsman looked up at the picture Chopper was showing him. Sitting on the grass on the Sunny's deck to clean his blades, he saw the image of a purple flower as he was suspending his activity for a few moments.

"Is it rare?"

"Yes! It's a Marleas Ignicias and it has very varied properties: anti-inflammatory, expectorant or even antispasmodic and sedative! It'd be a chance to have some!"

The ship's doctor returned to his book with excitement and Zoro examined his little crewmate, a smile on his lips. The straw hat crew had set sail again nearly a week before, and the day before Nami had announced their next destination would be Fortis Island.

From that moment on, Chopper couldn't keep still. He had taken out of his infirmary a thick manuscript in which were carefully recorded hundreds of information on medicinal plants of which he was turning the pages without stopping.

Fortis Island was a fairly large and for a major part wild island. It was famous for its fishing port but Dr. Kureha had always talked to her little apprentice about the treasures the island was concealing for healers of all kinds. The pharmacopoeia was very developed and the inhabitants were marketing many remedies for the general public. However, Chopper had been raised by a picky and demanding doctor. So he also preferred to prepare his remedies himself and he had therefore decided he would go in search of the maximum flowers and plants directly in their natural habitat for a better quality.

Usopp, Luffy, Franky, Brook and Sanji were more interested in the visit of the fishing port and the girls in the possibility of shopping so Zoro had offered the reindeer to accompany him. Delighted, his crewmate was now talking to him about all the flowers they were likely to come across and although the fencer had usually little patience, his friend was managing to touch him with his passion and innocence.

"Oh, and look at that one!" the doctor said enthusiastically, showing him a big red flower. "If you see it, you really have to tell me!"

"Alright, Chopper."

"I can't wait for us to arrive!" he then exclaimed impatiently.

"In a few hours according to Nami", the swordsman replied.

At these words, Chopper abruptly froze.

"I completely forgot to take stock of my usual reserves!" he got frightened. "I only focused on specific herbs but if I ran out of basic plants, it'd be useless!"

The reindeer scurried off towards his infirmary right away and Zoro quietly grabbed his swords to resume his task. He knew that whatever happened, Chopper would be all set when it came time to disembark.

"This fishery is impressive", Franky noted.

"The size of its fish locks is incredible", the cook added.

Along with Brook, Luffy and Usopp, the two friends had gone around the harbor master's office and were now visiting the island fishery. The natural configuration of the place in the shape of a shallow basin and open on the coast made it possible to trap fish at low tide by closing the passage with stones. The fishermen could then walk around to collect fish.

"They also have cabins on stilts!" Brook said in surprise.

"Probably for net fishing", Sanji replied. "It's usually open to non-professionals for their own consumption."

"We could rent one, it's the season!" Usopp suggested.

"It can be interesting", the blond admitted. "We'll be sure of the freshness of the products and we wouldn't need to go to the fish store."

"Awesome!" Luffy exclaimed. "Can we taste it too?!"

"I think there's seafood tastings on the harbor", Franky remembered. "Nami has arranged to meet us in an inn on the outskirts of town so we can take a walk there while we wait for Sanji to prepare what we have caught."

"Hurry up!" the captain got enthusiastic.

He then rushed towards the stilts cabins while his friends were following him more peacefully, taking the time to admire the salt pans a little further.

"There's a violet again!"

Chopper padded towards the flower before gently digging it up then slipping it into a sachet which he placed in his bag, his eyes shining.

"This island is a true paradise!"

Zoro glanced absently at his surroundings. They had climbed several hills and covered many valleys in the nearly four hours they were striding across the wild part of the island. The swordsman was feeling good. The sun was shining without overwhelming them with heat and they regularly crossed a stream that allowed them to cool off. Silence and nature were their only companions since their departure in the early afternoon and that suited him perfectly. Beside him, the little reindeer was running from one end of the earthy paths to the other to collect and marvel at each plant. Besides, the fencer was sensing his friend would soon collapse from exhaustion. However, so far, he was continuing on his way with will and didn't seem close to want to turn around.

"Oh, a gougier root!"

The doctor rushed to his find before pulling out his book to verify his information.

"No, this isn't the season", he sighed. "Better not to take it, I'd risk preventing pollination at this time…"

The swordsman silently agreed and Chopper stood up, looking for new treasure.

They walked for a while more before the little reindeer finally dropped to the foot of a tree by the side of the path.

"Let's take a break, the sun is high and we need to hydrate", he decreed.

Zoro nodded and put the bag he was carrying at his feet. He took out flasks and two small boxes.

"The cook made some snacks", he showed him.

He then handed him his, decorated with a beautiful label with his name.

"Oh, he thinks of everything!"

The doctor removed the lid with relish and waddled with joy as he was discovering its contents.

"Nougats and strawberry cake, that's great!"

The little reindeer greedily swallowed a piece of nougat before glancing at the swordsman who was opening his own box.

"What do you have?" he asked with curiosity.

"Sushi and pickled cucumber."

"Sanji knows us very well!" the doctor was delighted, devouring a bite of strawberry cake. "And his food is definitely one of the best in the world! I'm sure his restaurant on All Blue will be a roaring success, don't you think?"

Zoro only shrugged while biting into a Bluefin tuna sushi. Of course the cook's food was delicious, but the blond didn't need everyone to repeat it all day long: this idiot was going to get big headed. His partner already had an insufferable personality and an oversized ego so…

"Oh, look, Zoro! It's a cherry star!"

Chopper had jumped to his feet, pointing to a tree a little further out in between the tall grass. Among the branches, a single flower, red and white, was standing like an invitation to pick it. The reindeer rushed towards before coming to a halt at the edge of the stony path, bothered.

"What's wrong?" the fencer asked, putting his box away to join him.

"We can't get close, it looks like a swamp", his friend showed him.

Indeed, at the edge of the path, the ground was becoming muddy and plants were becoming scarce. Chopper took a stick to probe its depth and the stick sank in on more than two feet.

"What a pity, this flower is an ultra powerful antiseptic", the doctor regretted, ready to turn away.

"Wait, I got an idea", the swordsman stopped him, taking out one of his blades.

"Really?!" his friend got enthusiastic beside him.

Zoro positioned himself to assess his target. It was about not coming too strong otherwise he would have nothing to bring back to Chopper…

"Ittoryu. Thirty-six Caliber Phoenix!"

The blade whirled before sharply cutting off the branch where the flower was resting and the flower fell to the foot of the tree, luckily without getting damaged.

"I'll go", he said, sheathing his sword.

The fencer reached the tree in a few strides but didn't avoid sinking each time into the loose earth. The return ended up getting him stuck and it was with his legs covered with mud up to his knees that he gave the flower to the little doctor.

"Thanks, Zoro!"

Delighted, he grabbed it while Zoro was putting his blades on the ground.

"I'll give them to you while I'm gonna rinse in the stream we just passed."

"Okay!"

The swordsman walked away and Chopper continued to examine his treasure with a blissful smile, oblivious to the rest of the world. That's why he didn't realize until it was too late that three sinister men had suddenly appeared in the path behind him and before he could make a single move, they had seized the swordsman's blades and started to run.

"Give them back right now, they're not yours!"

Chopper left his bag and his flower to give them chase.

The little reindeer used his Walk Point transformation to reach them in seconds and then block the road. The three men stopped, breathless and annoyed. A tall blond then kicked the doctor in the breast and Chopper fell on the dusty path. His associates burst out laughing but the reindeer wasn't going to let it go.

"You got no right to leave with those swords! Heavy Point!"

His new muscular giant size surprised his assailants who stared at him. Before they could react, Chopper rushed towards his main opponent and the big brown man flew away, stunned. Zoro's swords slipped from him and the reindeer rushed to them.

"You wanna be cut into a beefsteak?" the third accomplice growled, pulling out a sharp knife to face him.

"I just want the swords", Chopper replied, hugging them tightly.

"No way, monster. They're gonna bring us serious money."

The man brutally advanced his weapon which hit his target on his right flank. Chopper jumped as the blade was lacerating his flesh and he gave a strangled cry. He fell to his knees, and the blood from his wound dripped onto the floor beside the scabbards of the fencer's blades. He didn't let go of them though. The two men still standing threw themselves on him and tried to tear them from him.

The reindeer stood firm despite his injury and clenched his teeth in pain as his assailants were pushing and pulling him back and forth. His breathing became heavy and his vision clouded but he didn't want to give up and his fingers tightened on the scabbard of the blades until it hurt.

"I won't let you touch those swords", he mumbled.

After a while, seeing that the injured animal still had strength to spare, the two men began to glance worriedly at each other.

"We gotta get out of here", the tall blond muttered, watching the big dark man slowly stand up a few feet away.

"Dammit, you're gonna drop them, or what?!"

The man with the knife then sent a huge kick to the doctor which hit him in the face. In shock, Chopper stumbled backward, unable to help himself. However, he tried to keep his grip on the swords and bravely clung on to them. Unfortunately, his hold was uneven and with his loss of balance he felt one of the three slipping from him. He immediately tried to straighten but the blond took the opportunity to steal the sword that was threatening to fall.

"That'll do, let's get the hell out of here!"

Chopper tried to chase them again, distraught, as the three men were running away carrying the swordsman's white blade.

"No, wait! Come back!"

The reindeer began to run awkwardly, legs shaking and his belly blood-stained. He hugged the last two swords harder and forced himself to speed up.

"Chopper?"

Zoro looked around again, his brow furrowed. He was certain this was the place where he had left the little reindeer, he was even seeing the tree on which he had recovered his flower. Where had the doctor gone?

The swordsman took a few random steps on the path before suddenly freezing. Blood. A large pool then a few marks here and there, suggesting that the person was trying to move despite his injury. Immediately on the alert, the fencer had the reflex to seek his blades at his hips but they were absent. He then decided to follow in the footsteps, trying by all means to reject the wave of worry that was rising in him.

A minute later, he recognized the human form of Chopper slumped face down in the middle of the path and he rushed towards him.

"Dammit, Chopper!"

He slowly turned him over and saw his face streaming with tears.

"Are you in pain? Are you hurt?" he asked, looking around for a wound.

"I-I'm so-so sorry, Z-Zoro", the little reindeer gasped.

The swordsman stared at his friend, more and more worried.

"What did they do to you?"

"I c-couldn't stop th-them. I'm s-sorry…"

"What the hell are you talking about?"

The doctor suddenly took a deep breath to stop his crying and slowly released his fingers to free the two blades of the fencer at his side. At their sight, Zoro's heart missed a beat and in a flash, everything was clicking in his head.

"Chopper…"

"They've gone east", he stammered, trying to sit up.

"Chopper."

"If you continue on this path, they shouldn't be far…"

"Chopper!"

The little reindeer stopped and looked up in confusion at his friend.

"You're bleeding", the swordsman calmly reminded him.

The doctor looked down at his wound, suddenly seeming to remember his condition.

"They had a knife…"

"Okay. I'll take you back to the Sunny and with all your plants, you're gonna find something to heal yourself. Nami or Robin should be able to help", the fencer decided, approaching to take him in his arms.

"My wound isn't that serious, I can wait", the small reindeer cut him short while abruptly straightening up.

"What do you mean?" the swordsman said, frowning.

"You have to go get it right away, Zoro. They wanna sell it, you won't have another chance."

The fencer stared at his friend, his heart broken in two. This blade was his most precious possession, but today the life of his crewmate was maybe in danger. He had no right to hesitate.

Seeing the uncertainty dancing in his eyes, Chopper decided to raise his voice.

"Zoro, I'm a doctor, I'm telling you I'm gonna be fine! Instead of wasting time, go get your sword and come back as soon as possible!"

The latter continued to observe him without a word and Chopper ended up pushing his two other swords towards him, his paw trembling.

"The sooner you get back, the faster we can get home", he insisted in a pleading voice.

Zoro finally closed his hand on his blades and slowly straightened up, his face frozen.

"I won't be long."

His friend gave him a weak smile and the swordsman dashed off. Chopper then returned to his original form before falling to the ground, exhausted.

"It's already 8pm, what's taking them so long?" Nami grumbled.

The navigator and the archaeologist had found Sanji, Franky, Brook, Usopp and Luffy two hours earlier at the inn they had booked a little outside of town. The boys had brought industrial quantities of fish they had stored on the Sunny, but Luffy had still insisted that his cook prepare the huge crab he had caught. The young man had therefore negotiated with the innkeeper who had ended up offering him to use the barbecue as well as the outside table in the garden.

It had been almost thirty minutes since the meal was ready but without news of their last two crewmates, Luffy had been denied the table and he was now constantly harassing his cook.

"Chopper looked so happy, I think he lost track of time", Robin smiled, sipping her drink under the reflections of the setting sun.

"Well, they better hurry, I'm hungry too", her friend sulked.

"Nami-san, would you like an aperitif to wait?!" the blond immediately offered her. "I have some great little toasts that I can reheat!"

"Please, Sanji-kun", she approved with a sigh. "And if they're not here in twenty minutes, it's their loss."

"At your command!"

The cook rushed to get the buns he had taken from the bakery on his way back from the port and he was finishing garnishing them with fish rillettes while preventing Luffy from stealing them when a frightened cry made him jump.

He turned and the sight of horror that greeted him made him drop his knife. He then saw his captain rushing to his first mate who was holding Chopper's bloody body against him. The swordsman was wearing his bandana and his clothes were stained with blood as well. By the time the blond joined him in his turn, everyone had gathered around them.

"Oh, no, Chopper-san!" Brook panicked as he was discovering his condition.

"It's okay", the little reindeer tried to reassure them despite his face covered with sweat.

"What happened?" Sanji asked worriedly.

"We'll get to that later", Nami cut him short. "Chopper, where are you hurt?"

"A wound on the right side of ten centimeters caused by a probably poisoned blade", the doctor grimaced. "I have dizziness and palpitations. I don't think my organs are affected and… I must have what I need on the Sunny but I'm gonna run out of algraé…"

"Where can we find it?" Luffy inquired immediately.

"On-On the island."

"I'll go!" his captain assured him right away. "Tell me what it looks like!"

"D-Don't bother, Luffy. It's a flower which closes at night, you'll need to wait until tomorrow morning otherwise you won't be able to recognize it… I have a picture in my book…"

"We'll go get that flower tomorrow", Nami agreed. "In the meantime, we'll do our best."

"I'll get your medicine from Sunny!" Usopp offered.

"I can prepare hot water for the infusions!" the skeleton suggested in his turn.

"I'm gonna take care with the innkeeper to have clean towels", the cyborg added.

"Perfect. Robin, let's take him to the inn while we wait", the navigator concluded.

The multiple hands of the young woman delicately took the place of the swordsman's arms around the reindeer and led him inside as Usopp, Brook and Franky were racing towards their respective tasks.

Left alone, Luffy and Sanji turned to the fencer as motionless as a statue and who hadn't spoken a word since his arrival.

"Zoro, what happened?" his captain asked.

"Thieves. They wanted to take my swords", his first mate answered in a mechanical way.

"Take your swords?" the cook wondered.

"I had mud all over and I left them with Chopper to go rinse in a stream. Three guys showed up and he tried to prevent them from leaving with them. By the time I returned, there was no one left and I discovered Chopper further on. He was hurt."

"Why are you in this state?" the blond urged him, pointing to his bloodied tee-shirt. "Did they attack you?"

"No. They had taken my sword and I went to recovered it", the fencer continued in a lifeless voice. "By the time I find Chopper and get back here, he's lost a lot of blood."

Silence fell on the three crewmates and Sanji didn't dare to imagine how long the swordsman must have gone around in circles to find his way back while the little reindeer was weakening in his arms…

"Where are they?" Luffy suddenly asked, frowning.

"They got a hideout a little further up in the hills. I didn't try to chase them, I just got my sword back."

"You did right", the captain approved. "The most important thing is to help Chopper, but tomorrow we'll take care of them after we find the flower!"

With these words, Luffy headed for the inn in his turn and Sanji observed his partner a little longer with a suspicious eye. He was feeling he wasn't in his normal state.

"What is it?" he asked him as the silence was dragging on again.

"Nothing."

The swordsman was about to turn away but the blond grabbed his arm, fixing his eyes on his.

"Zoro."

The fencer's gaze under his bandana hardened for a second and he gritted his teeth before finally looking away.

"They had taken the Wadô and Chopper asked me to go get it."

"That's what you did", the cook approved.

"Yeah, but he could die. I shouldn't have."

The cook's hand tightened around his arm which he hadn't left.

"If Chopper told you to go, you had to go."

"I wasted time."

"Chopper is gonna be fine, marimo. He's an excellent doctor, he knows what he's doing."

The swordsman shook his head, slowly emerging from the torpor that had numbed him for hours.

"I need to take a walk."

Sanji released the pressure of his hand and watched the fencer walk away to the edge of the inn's garden. He then sighed and walked over to the meal that was still waiting for them to reheat it.

"Zoro's a mess", Nami noted, putting down her fork.

"He looks like a lion in a cage", Usopp approved, uneasy.

The crew had finally gathered around the table and the meal had taken place in a much quieter atmosphere than expected. Even Luffy who was still devouring the crab leftover with appetite was silent.

Chopper had been laid in the girls' room and they had followed his instructions to clean his wound and prepare the first remedies while waiting for the potion the next day. For his part, the swordsman had grabbed two of his blades and was slicing the air continuously, even refusing to join them to eat.

"He blames himself for Chopper", Franky sighed as he was helping the cook collect the plates.

"His swords are also very precious to him, he must have feared never to find them again", Brook added.

Nami shook her head.

"Chopper isn't in danger according to him. His wound is superficial and from his symptoms he was able to determine the poison in which the blade was dipped in. It's not deadly but… the pain is excruciating."

His friends lowered their heads at this revelation.

"Our doctor has preferred to extend his suffering a little rather than take the risk of seeing his crewmate lose an inestimable good", Robin pointed out. "It is an admirable gesture but one that makes you feel guilty."

"I can imagine it mustn't have been easy, but the fact remains that he's scaring everyone", Nami grimaced, seeing a couple cautiously walk around the fencer to enter the inn. "If this keeps up, we'll be asked to leave and the Log-Pose isn't recharged. We have to stay in town while Chopper is recovering, it's essential."

"Don't worry, Nami-san, I'll go talk to him as soon as I'm done", Sanji offered her as he was finishing collecting the cutlery.

The young woman nodded in agreement and everyone hurried to help the blond clear.

Sanji stared at the swordsman's nervous figure for a long time as he was dragging on his cigarette one last time. This one was throwing his blades in all directions in an increasingly anarchic way around him and it was time for him to intervene. So he threw away his cigarette butt and approached briskly.

"Chopper has found the poison that has infected him, it's not deadly."

Zoro didn't answer and sent another blow of his sword to cut the void in front of him.

"I'll go get that flower tomorrow", the fencer growled.

"If it makes you happy."

Zoro redoubled in force on his blade and Sanji frowned.

"Why are you still angry, marimo?" he got impatient. "You got your swords and Chopper's gonna be okay, what more do you want? If you're frustrated because you couldn't kick these bastards' asses and you need to fight, I'm quite willing to take you down but we gotta go a little further. You're scaring the customers and we need to stay here until Chopper gets better."

His partner remained silent but froze abruptly, his gaze still darkened by his bandana and the blond sighed. Zoro was in a daze and he decided to change his tactics. He knew the strength of his lover and now he was feeling he could come off badly.

"Look at it on the bright side, Luffy isn't gonna let them get away with this", he tried.

Far from appeasing him, at these words, Zoro's shoulders suddenly slumped and his gaze became distant.

"It was all pointless. I should have brought Chopper back right away since I lost the Wadô anyway."

Sanji froze in his turn, holding his breath as he was searching the fencer face for a logical explanation for his statement.

"What are you talking about?"

Zoro gently pulled his sword out of its scabbard. His guard was still immaculate white and under the moonlight, it dazzled the cook. The fencer then pointed the cracks all along his blade.

"Those bastards wanted to melt her to get the metal back and sell it on the black market. When I got there, they had her stuck on a trestle and was burning her bright. A few more minutes and…"

The swordsman's gaze under his bandana misted over and Sanji felt an involuntary shiver rise up his spine.

"I will never be able to fight with this sword again."

The cook stared into the fencer's empty eyes, in shock. Now he was understanding his strange attitude. Still, he didn't want to accept such a fatality and he leaned down to examine the sword again, looking for the slightest idea.

"Can't we… I dunno, fix her?"

"I should go tomorrow to stop the process of destruction. The blade has been deeply damaged and she can break permanently any minute now. It'd take someone who knows a lot about it and… I don't have time. Chopper's more important", the swordsman softly replied, looking lovingly at his blade.

The blond tried to meet his gaze, worried, but Zoro shrugged half-heartedly, turning away.

"It's not that bad", he said, as if to convince himself. "I thought I'd beat Mihawk with this sword but I'll keep it as a memory for as long as possible after all. Better than never seeing her again…"

The cook's hand brutally gripped his then.

"Zoro, give me the Wadô. I'll get her fix if you want to."

The swordsman looked up at his partner, surprised.

"What you mean?"

"Tomorrow, you'll go get that flower and kick those assholes' asses with Luffy and me, I'll look after your sword. What you say?"

The fencer returned his attention to his blade for a moment, seeming to seek in its play of light the answer to his partner's request.

"I realize I'm not an expert but you have my word the guy will take care of her", Sanji insisted, his gaze determined. "I know how much this sword means to you."

At these words, the swordsman fixed his gaze on his before closing his eyes, nodding imperceptibly.

"Thank you."

The cook nodded and slowly took his blade out of his hand before slipping it into its scabbard with infinite care. He then grabbed his bandana and gently removed it. Zoro didn't move but his face had become expressionless again.

"Come to bed now", the blond finally whispered. "I'm gonna find us a room where we can be quiet."

When Sanji and Zoro turned up in the one reserved for them with Usopp a few minutes later, the latter jumped.

"Hi, guys! It's good you came back, Zoro! Even though you don't look… better", he grimaced, noticing his uncommunicative demeanor.

"How's Chopper?" the cook asked, placing the sword he was still holding on the small wooden desk.

"For now, he's sleeping in the girls' room", his friend replied. "Luffy, Brook and Franky are next door."

"Okay. You should go and join them."

"Huh?"

Usopp studied the two men for a second before Sanji pointed out his partner.

"In case you haven't noticed, Zoro is a little off tonight so it'd be better to give him some space if you know what I mean."

The gunner glanced at the swordsman, whose still dark gaze made him take a step back.

"O-Okay. No-No problem. I gotta go!"

Usopp rushed to the door and closed it behind him, letting the cook take off his jacket and show the bathroom door to the fencer.

"Take a shower, you'll feel better."

"Hm."

Zoro walked without another word to the adjacent small room and locked himself in it. Sanji took the opportunity to get him the plate he had put aside and he put it on the desk not far from his sword. He then pushed two beds together to create a bigger one before falling down on them, thoughtful.

He had taken quite a responsibility by promising the swordsman to look after his blade but he fully intended to succeed in his mission. Zoro was unfailingly loyal to his crewmates and he would do anything to ensure that Chopper was healed as soon as possible, even if it meant wasting time to carry the Wadô to be repaired, and even if it meant leaving her destroy. If he could put all the chances on his side, the cook was ready to try it knowing how much he cared about his weapon.

Zoro came out of the bathroom at this moment, a simple towel around his hips but still looking closed. The blond showed him his plate which he grabbed without a word, swallowing it in a few bites.

"You're hurt", the cook noted, seeing two long red marks along his back. "I thought you hadn't fought?"

The swordsman shrugged and put his empty plate down.

"I destroyed their dump, that's all."

Sanji got up and searched in his bag for a second. He took out some disinfectant and an ointment, then motioned for Zoro to turn around but he refused.

"It's nothing."

"You wanna take the risk it gets infected?" the blond replied.

"I don't need it."

"I know I'm not as good as Chopper but it has to be done until he's back on his feet!"

The swordsman clenched his jaw but eventually turned and the cook disinfected the two fortunately superficial slashes before spreading the healing cream as gently as possible. When he was done, he was about to allow the tense fencer to escape his touch when he gently put his hand in the small of his back.

"All is not lost, Zoro."

The swordsman ignored his words and moved away to go and sit on the windowsill, his eyes fixed on the night. Sanji suppressed a sigh and took off his shirt and tie before settling down on the bed. He turned off the light and tried to get some sleep.

When he woke up an hour later, Zoro hadn't moved and was still staring outside. The blond decided to get up and came to stand behind him, the shadows of the night playing on their skins.

"Come to bed, marimo…"

He put his hand on his left shoulder and made a small circular motion with his fingers to try to relax him. As the swordsman didn't move, he put his other hand on his right shoulder and increased his movements.

"You need to relax…"

The cook continued his motions as the fencer was remaining desperately still and silent but at least he wasn't pushing him back. As time went on, Sanji didn't realize his movements were getting slower and smoother, even lingering on his partner's chest and stomach. When he finally felt the tense muscles relax under his fingers, he pressed himself against his back and placed small kisses on the back of his neck. Zoro started to shiver but even so he didn't move and the blond went down to his shoulders while increasing his caresses on his stomach.

Finally, the swordsman turned in his direction and gazed at him for a moment in silence. The cook was slowly catching his breath, considering throwing himself on his lover's lips but preferring to leave him in control of what would come next tonight.

Lucky for him, a second later, Zoro brutally pulled him against his chest and violently kissed him, very quickly pinning his entire body against his. In record time, he relieved their last clothes of them and pushed the blond onto the bed, immediately trapping him under him.

Sanji didn't think of reproaching him his abrupt behavior as he would have under other circumstances. On the contrary, he moved closer to the swordsman himself and encouraged him to take control, happy to see him finally react. However, Zoro quickly froze again, his gaze far away, and Sanji bit back his irresistible urge to continue their close combat. Instead, he pulled his partner against him with a single squeeze on the shoulder to encourage him to let go. Zoro then seemed to remember their postures and tried to continue where he had left off but Sanji stopped him.

"Now is not the time, marimo. Get some rest."

"I want to", he protested.

"Your body maybe but not your head", the blond patiently explained to him.

The fencer stared at him for a moment before dropping down beside him, defeated and sighing hard, his eyes fixed on the ceiling.

Sanji hesitated on how to behave. Knowing him, Zoro certainly didn't want to talk, but he still wanted to show him he supported him in his own way. Finally, he pushed the swordsman away until he turned his back to him and curled behind him, pleasantly snuggling against his warm skin. He then pulled the sheet up over them and kissed the back of his neck before closing his eyes. If the fencer had found the process weird, he hadn't protested and the cook tightened his arms around his body, hoping they would both get some sleep tonight.

This chapter is dense!

See you next week