My god, this thing has already grown to over 57k and I'm not completely done. But it IS mostly done. Just a few more playful scenes. I can not even begin to tell you guys how much fun this story has been. It happens to include most of my favorite tropes and kinks. I have added some tags to the first chapter and it should be noted that there is mild dubcon in the future. But I hope you'll continue to enjoy this story as I have enjoyed writing it.

Sanji turned his focus on the ladies; the ones he could freely dote on without criticism. Self-criticism, more specifically. Zoro nor Usopp understood the women needed his services to keep them healthy and make sure they knew they were appreciated for the lovely ladies that they were. The platonic state of mind was still a nerve wracking place to be in, but at least the second time around Sanji knew his normal interests would return in time. At least he wasn't also affected by Zoro's robust work out schedule either. He contemplated telling Zoro not to take every bit of his energy the next time, but that reminded him that there would be a next kiss and it made all those warm fuzzy feelings return. He always shoved away those thoughts as soon as he realized they were sneaking up on him.

Zoro had said that dreams were his to interpret but Sanji wasn't sure how else to take a dream of them being passionate lovers or the foreboding ache that followed. He didn't want to accept that there was more of an emotional attachment to Zoro than necessary. He never wanted to admit that there was some spark there that out ranked Nami or Robin for his affections. He certainly didn't think Zoro was capable of that sort of emotion in real life; if he was, then Sanji was absolutely sure that he'd be the last person to witness it.

Sanji hated feeling depressed every time he thought about it. So he put himself to work. Cooking was a safe activity because he could focus all his attention on what he loved doing. But even he couldn't fill his whole day in the galley. When he could he tried to assist Nami or Robin with anything they could need done -any chores or menial projects-, but they would only allow him to do so much for them. They were such strong, self-sufficient women and he just adored them for it, but it didn't help him avoid the awaiting subject in his head that popped up when ever there was a quiet moment.

Zoro gave him plenty of space but that didn't make anything easier. Even when Zoro didn't bother him for two days. Actually, it stressed Sanji to no end because he wondered if Zoro had gone back to eating dreams or what ever he did. After all, it was just another food source for Zoro. Sanji had so many little, stupid questions running through his head that he could never bring himself to ask. Such as, hadn't it been a good kiss? Had Zoro hated it? Was that why Zoro wasn't bothering him? Zoro had said his lust eating should be everyday, so had there been something wrong with it?

"Fuck..." Sanji muttered, having lost count of his inventory by the wanderings of his mind. He scratched out his miss-count on the notepad he had and started again, putting the correct amount of carrots and when he should use them by so he could plan what meals they'd go towards. Damn carrots.

"Oi, cook."

Sanji nearly flung his note pad at the pantry door when he heard that low tone. Instead he gripped it tight and threw an annoyed look at Zoro, who raised a condescending brow back at him. They'd barely talked for three days besides the meaningless chatter at meal times. Sanji wanted to kick that look off Zoro's face still so he was relieved that he wasn't completely immobilized by the discovery of... that deeper feeling. Sanji wasn't sure if his pride could take it.

Sanji felt it was completely justifiable that he blame all of this mess on Zoro and properly be angry at him for his misery. That was something he could deal with.

"What, marimo?" Sanji forced his attention back to the items on the next shelf.

"I'm hungry," Zoro said.

"You just ate an hour ago." Sanji vividly remembered Zoro eating breakfast quickly; before Luffy could attempt to steal it.

"Not for food." Zoro folded his arms and leaned against the door frame to the enclosed room. Sanji got a fleeting feeling of claustrophobia, perhaps one that could be equated with a cat cornering a rat.

"I thought you'd gone back to eating in dreams." Sanji's voice came out sharper than intended. "I thought you had to eat every day."

"I don't have to eat everyday when I've eaten too much. You were overloaded and taking everything satisfied me for days." Zoro gave a little shrug that both pissed Sanji off for his aloofness and brought him peace of mind that the kiss was good enough for the damn demon.

"I told you not to over eat," Sanji chastised. He still held the pad and paper but had completely forgotten about taking inventory.

"I was starving." Zoro left the door frame and stood closer to Sanji. He could feel Zoro's body heat on his skin, making goose flesh spread from the back of his neck to his arms. "And you said you didn't want to deal with the frustrations."

"Well I don't like being completely drained either," Sanji said firmly. At least with moderate interest he could concentrate on things besides his unrequited... feelings for Zoro. "How am I supposed to enjoy my time with Robin and Nami with half my interest gone."

"You're much less annoying when you're drained," Zoro said and Sanji elbowed him in the side, giving him a glare. He was having a hard time dealing with Zoro's closeness. The cocky smirk Zoro had on his face had wasn't helping. He hated Zoro for looking so attractive with it.

"I'm letting you take my energy so I get a say in how much." Sanji turned towards Zoro and placed the paper pad on one of the pantry shelves. It wasn't like he could concentrate with Zoro breathing down his neck. Zoro harrumphed and Sanji prodded his hard muscular chest with a finger. He was not going to be at the whim of his emotions that he didn't even want and Zoro certainly wasn't going to be sneaking in to call the shots. "Further more you can't just come into the galley when ever you want for this. You'll start giving Luffy the idea I'm giving you more food and this is supposed to be subtle." Zoro gave an annoyed grunt which gave Sanji a level of satisfaction.

"Every other day too much for you then?" Zoro asked

Sanji faltered because he almost answered with, 'why not every day?' because that sounded far too enthusiastic for this exchange. "I could survive." Less was supposed to be better, he reminded himself. "After dinner would be a fine time; you can help with the dishes in exchange."

"Dish duty every other day?" Zoro asked, nose wrinkling.

"You're taking my energy so there'd better be something in it for me."

Zoro huffed and thought for a moment. "What about after fights?"

"What about them?"

"I use more energy healing and during fights, so do I get more energy that I'll need then?"

Sanji let out a slow huff and he pulled out a cigarette from his pocket. This conversation was way more stressful than he was ready for this early in the day. He placed it between his lips and his hand went searching for his lighter in his pants. "Yeah, fine, for healing. But don't you dare pull another Bazooka kiss on me unless it's an emergency." He wasn't sure if he could handle that again. He wasn't sure how he would react, especially if there were enemies around.

"Bazooka kiss." Zoro looked amused.

"Shut up. You know what I mean." Sanji felt his own neck and cheeks flush as he lit up his cigarette. "That stupid... heart attack you gave me when I thought you lost all your marbles." He took several grateful breaths of his cigarette, biting the end a bit harder than he meant to.

"Fine. Can I kiss you now?" Zoro asked.

A certain part of Sanji said yes immediately but two other points reared up stronger; his pride and his dignity. He certainly wasn't mentally prepared at the moment for another kiss and if he didn't allow Luffy more food between meals than Zoro was not going to be the exception. "Have we had dinner yet?" Zoro blinked and Sanji insisted. "Have we had dinner yet?"

"No," Zoro grumbled.

"No, we have not. Lunch will be within the hour." Sanji waved towards the door. "You waited 3 days so you can wait a few more hours. You're not getting out of dish duty." Zoro scoffed and rolled his eyes.

"Stingy," Zoro muttered, pulling a leaf out of Luffy's book, but he turned and exited the pantry. Sanji folded his arms, momentarily proud for not giving in, but then there was a lingering cloudy thought that he did NOT get a kiss, which left him more hollow than he wanted to admit. Then he had to dwell on the fact that Zoro was going to kiss him that night. Sanji turned and leaned his head on one of the shelves and felt like a dumb ass.

"This is so messed up," he said, caught between wanting a damn kiss and dreading it.

Lunch and dinner didn't last long and Sanji ignored the lingering looks Zoro sent him over each meal. He knew it was because the damn demon was hungry and perhaps Sanji felt a stab of guilt for making him wait, but he'd had many months of practice rebutting Luffy's hungry face; so he managed. Though, there was that other side of Sanji, the one that reveled in the fact that Zoro was paying him attention and god damn it if he didn't want to preen under the gaze. Even Sanji's pride did not deny that he liked the marimo's attention. He hated being ignored so not needing to fight to get Zoro's gaze made him feel important. Maybe even a bit wanted.

Zoro had been excruciatingly absent the previous 2 weeks, when Sanji refused him his dream energy. He had successfully put as much space between them as possible. When Sanji was in the galley, Zoro was at the bow. When Sanji was at the bow, Zoro moved to the stern. If Sanji was at the stern, Zoro moved to the crows nest. It was really quite frustrating. To have Zoro back within arms length gave him a large sense of relief that he wasn't sure he was holding out for; until he realized the feelings that made him so frustrated.

"Dishes first," Sanji commanded once he'd relieved Chopper of dish duty for the night and he and Zoro had the galley to themselves.

"Yeah, yeah," Zoro grumbled and started in on the fresh dishes. One good thing about having a captain like Luffy, there was never a crumb on any plate as they went to the sink and nary a leftover to put away. Sanji lit a fresh cigarette and dried each plate Zoro handed him, or handed it back to do it right, which annoyed Zoro to no end.

Sanji enjoyed the mellow, quiet rhythm they took up. They could have their peaceful times so he didn't know why Zoro had to go and piss him off all the time. Well… not that Sanji didn't initiate some of the time. Okay, most of the time maybe. Too much quiet felt so off to him and Zoro was entertaining when he could get under the composed swordsman's skin. Sanji got a large dose of thrill along with the normal annoyance when ever they got into a fight. He liked Zoro riled up; when Sanji had his full attention on him.

As they edged on the remaining pots and pans, Sanji grew more aware that Zoro was going to kiss him after everything was done. He was caught wondering how he should approach it. With the prior kiss, he'd lost himself in it; craving the touch and closeness that a fevered dream had left in him. Sanji didn't want to seem too eager for this kiss, as though he'd been waiting for it for days on end; even though that was the reality of it. Slow and passionate really didn't seem feasible. It was far too intimate for them, but the thought of that sent a strong thrill down his spine. The fiery, feverish pace suited them much better, but that lead to a very vivid imagery of using the galley table for something other than eating and that alone flushed his face and neck.

Sanji internally sighed, more conscious of the fact that his libido had returned with vengeance that day. He was also aware that Zoro had stopped scrubbing and was watching him. Sanji felt his face burn. Maybe Zoro could read minds because he always happened to look at Sanji when ever he was thinking any pleasant thoughts like that.

"What?" Sanji snapped. "Keep scrubbing." Zoro reluctantly started scrubbing again.

"Thinking about the girls?" Zoro guessed and Sanji frowned. Well that was confirmation that he couldn't read minds, which was a relief.

"None of your business," Sanji said and busied himself with putting away the final plates. "So what if I am?"

"Because I can tell when you're thinking your perverted thoughts," Zoro informed him and Sanji grumbled. Of course Zoro would have a freaky cambion ability like that.

"That's a stupid ability." Sanji was far from surprised by it though. It made other things fall into place. "Does that make you some sort of weird blood hound? Or would that be a sex hound?" Zoro dried his hands and still hadn't finished that one damn pot. "Keep scrubbing."

"Let it soak a damn minute," Zoro said and moved closer to him, corralling Sanji's back against the counter and trapped him there by his arms. "You're the one getting started without me." Their lips connected more fluidly than Sanji was ready for but lost all thoughts of how they were going to kiss and just did it. It was warm, just between fast and slow. It felt right and Sanji's fingers gripped the soft, springy hair, which while not exactly feeling like a ball of moss, it did remind Sanji of a field of lush grass on a summer's day.

It ended much sooner than the previous kiss as Zoro turned his head sharply to break lip contact. Sanji swallowed and caught himself from pulling Zoro back into it. He released the green hair from his grip and pushed Zoro's chest to put distance between them as he got his head back together. It was like struggling to wake up when all he wanted to do was sleep 5 minutes more.

"That it?" Sanji asked and couldn't help but pull out a fresh cigarette to fill the empty space at his mouth.

"It's enough for a couple days," Zoro said as he pulled back and ran his thumb over his lips, as though getting the last bit of flavor from the kiss. "You said you wanted me to leave some."

"Yeah. It's fine." Sanji didn't feel the drastic shift from pure lust to fluttering butterflies so it was less traumatic than the previous times. It didn't change the fact that he wanted Zoro back against him and thoughts of inappropriately using the galley table. He had to try harder to not let his mind wander to those sorts of things. The whole kissing arrangement was going to take some getting used to. Zoro stood watching him and Sanji turned a glare on him. "Don't you have a pot to finish?" Zoro rolled his eyes and went back to scrubbing until Sanji was happy with it.