The fabled Morning After is always what everyone is concerned about, haha. Though it's definitely not over yet. Nope, nope.

Sanji groaned as he awoke. Though awakening could have been a very strong word. He was vaguely aware that he was conscious and very comfortable. The embrace around him was warm and he kept his eyes closed for the longest time. Not just because he had a sour belly and headache from drinking so much, but it was a rarity that he awoke snuggled up to someone. So having it be Zoro three mornings in a row had to be some sort of miracle. The morning before it had been one of Zoro's bat wings, which was like a large black and green blanket that curled around him on its own accord. That morning in the cave, Sanji lay on top of the warmth and inhaled the relieving scent of winter that mixed with Zoro's, which always seemed earthy with salt and steel. He even felt Zoro breathing steadily.

Finally, Sanji tested the light, which even mild light dazed him momentarily and he hid his face in the warm chest under him. His face then felt five times hotter when he realized he was blatantly pressing his face into Zoro's chest; not Zoro's coat. No wonder he was so warm, Zoro's coat was open and Sanji's arms had slithered around him, as though having sought warmth of their own accord. For the record, Zoro had no fur covering his body that morning. Sanji sat up and glanced at Zoro's face, which was not so peaceful because the man was snoring with each inhale and his mouth was agape. His hair still looked a tad bushy, but the ear wings had reduced by half, making them not jointed anymore and touching them didn't get that annoyed flicking motion like a cat.

Though if Zoro didn't have any hair covering him anymore… Sanji glanced down and quickly retracted his arms because he remembered that Zoro wasn't wearing pants. He was so glad that Zoro had a long coat or he'd be showing the whole cave his fourth sword. It was far too early to start thinking about Zoro being naked. At least when Zoro was part cat he'd had much more hair down there or maybe that part of his anatomy had changed as well…

Nope. Sanji sat up straight and hastily fastened several buttons on Zoro's coat. He was not ready to think about that when he hadn't even had his first smoke of the day.

Sanji stood up, hands immediately fishing in his pockets for his cigarettes and lighter. The cave was nice and quiet at least and Zoro had apparently huddled them in the darkest corner for some privacy. Sanji moved towards the exit for some fresh air. He didn't remember moving back into the cave…

Sanji paused as he passed the snowy threshold into the still dark morning and he muttered a long, "Shit." The night was returning like a hit over the head. It was added to his current headache but the cold air combated both when he stepped outside. The cigarette helped too; but he really fucked up last night. He'd gotten so pissed off at Zoro for… damn it, the whole day. It had started nice but it quickly went to hell after Zoro yanked his hand back from him and then interrupted his extremely thrilling time with the women; who offered such tempting suggestions.

What it had been was such an ugly mess of anger and dejection that he'd taken the drink Nami offered him and partook until the music called to him. Then he remembered stumbling out to find Zoro, getting his energy drained, and felt absolutely crushed as he was denied. He had been so pent up after so many hours with the aphrodisiac and he just wanted to feel that moment when the demon pressed into him. He wanted that with Zoro. He wanted something with Zoro and it ached so badly. Having his energy drained then felt like Zoro had dropped him from his warm embrace into the icy sea and something in him just broke because he still ached for Zoro. He didn't just ache for him sexually, he just ached all over and it hurt so bad that he couldn't stop the tears. He remembered it all and he knew he'd never live it down. Sanji knocked his knuckles against his forehead. "Stupid, stupid, stupid…" Not only had he inadvertently confessed his feelings but he'd cried in front of Zoro, of all the people.

"You're going to break what ever brain you have left, love-cook."

Sanji's breath hitched and he froze. He bared down mentally and took a deep breath from his cigarette before he blew out a stream of smoke that was immediately whisked away by the mountain air. He wasn't ready for this kind of thing that morning. He wished they were back at the Merry so he could at least put focus into cooking breakfast. Damn his internal clock for waking him so early.

He glanced around, seeing Zoro was walking out to meet him. Sanji scoffed because Zoro was barefoot and probably had one hell of a draft because he was only covered by the re-buttoned coat and most likely his haramaki under that. "Put on some freaking pants, you exhibitionist," Sanji managed with relative ease. If the cold bothered Zoro, he didn't show it, but at least he was back to having human legs again.

"Like you should be talking with what happened last night," Zoro said. Sanji looked over the side of the mountain, reminded about how he'd very blatantly demanded sex and was completely willing to do it in the snow. He hoped the chill of the mountain could be a good excuse for his face reddening from embarrassment.

"I was… extremely drunk last night," Sanji said, almost automatically. It felt like an extremely shallow excuse for what he did last night. It was also the least painful thing he could think of.

"Extremely," Zoro agreed and had a poker face that Sanji wanted to kick in. How could Zoro not even sound remotely interested in what had happened last night?

"Won't happen again, so lets drop it," Sanji suggested. He didn't think he could go through something so painful again. Maybe Zoro would take pity and grant him to keep some of his dignity.

Zoro let out a long, steady breath. "No, we need to talk."

"No, we don't. There's nothing to talk about," Sanji countered.

"Yes, we do," Zoro insisted. "And you know exactly what about." Sanji's lips grew extra tight around the end of his cigarette and it was dwindling faster than he wanted his first smoke of the day to go. He never intended to let it slip. Why couldn't he take his damn secret to his grave like any decent unrequited love? He didn't trust his voice to lie stone faced about it. Not the way it had all come pouring out the night before; the wound was still fresh. He'd offered himself quite blatantly to Zoro and the marimo had still picked energy over him. Sanji was starting to think Zoro's over affectionate demon-side was just a fluke. Not much more attachment to him than a dog looking for scraps.

"Doesn't matter," Sanji assured him and looked towards the horizon, where the sun was starting to peek and the sky was wide open with hues of orange that blended to indigo. The whole island was peacefully washed in the fresh morning glow. It was terribly romantic; wasted on a very unromantic bastard like Zoro. "I already said a lot of weird shit and I don't need to repeat myself."

"Not going to even try to deny any of it?" Zoro asked curiously.

Sanji shook his head. He was honestly tired of hiding it. Wearily, he mused maybe if Zoro rejected his feelings to his face more firmly, it might allow him to move on. He bitterly thought of the fact that he was prepared to do the same thing when he toyed with the idea of Zoro being in love with him only a couple months ago. Just thinking about that made him feel even more ill than he already was.

"It's not like it would go anywhere," Sanji said solemnly. "Just… just say it already."

"Say what?" Zoro asked.

"You know what," Sanji said, getting the cigarette to the nub before he flicked it into the snow. "Tell me you don't give a damn about me. Tell me you don't… feel the same way. It's always been about filling your damn demon stomach and never about… anything else." His throat was already tightening and he was already reaching for another cigarette.

Zoro was unnervingly quiet for several moments before he stepped closer to Sanji, being in his peripheral vision as he lit up the next cigarette. Zoro had one of those condescending eyebrows raised and was frowning. "You know for months you've just been claiming how much you love women and not men-"

"Or you can just be a complete asshole," Sanji muttered darkly. Yes, he knew how hypocritical it was. The whole situation was a joke on him and his pride. He didn't need Zoro to rub his nose in it; but then again, that's what they did.

"And you're the one that wanted to complicate things instead of letting me feed from your dreams."

"My dreams are still none of your business."

"Stupid cook, do you have any idea how many times I've stepped back so you could preserve your precious 'heterosexuality'." Probably the worst part was the fact that Zoro actually used air quotes and it pissed Sanji right off.

"What, you think I want to- to like a selfish bastard like you?!" Sanji snapped. "You're a complete and utter asshole and you only treat me like a walking dinner plate for both your stomachs! And when you drain me it just feels worse instead of better!" He turned away feeling that stupid swelling in his chest before his eyes watered. No, he would NOT cry in front of Zoro again. He'd rather jump off the cliff before him. He still felt like raw nerves. "Shit." He huffed out a large cloud of smoke. "It's not supposed to be this hard. Should be easy to hate a pompous ass like you."

A pair of solid arms captured Sanji around the waist from behind and his first reaction was to stiffen and struggle. "Calm down," Zoro told him. "Not trying to fight right now." Sanji tentatively stopped his struggling but his body was still tense and his heart thudding in his chest. It took a moment to realize Zoro was embracing him, warmth being insulated against his back and Sanji nearly forgot about the cigarette in his hand. "Are you really okay with something like this?" Sanji felt his face warm, despite the chill and insistent butterflies filled his stomach. He couldn't even answer; he was so hard wired to deny it. "It could be something if we gave it a try."

Sanji's breath caught in his throat a moment but he managed to make his voice steady. "You're the one that said you don't love me."

"I don't," Zoro agreed. "You haven't let me." Sanji's impending heartbreak was staved by confusion.

"That makes no sense," Sanji said.

"That's cause you're an idiot."

"Explain your self, useless moss-demon."

Zoro snorted. "I don't give my heart away on a whim like you." His arms tightened around Sanji's waist, adding security to the hold. "There's potential here. Lots of it. But damn it if you don't make it a struggle every damn day." Sanji relaxed ever so slightly, mostly because of the stress in Zoro's voice. Then Zoro jostled him, seemingly out of frustration. "I would have taken up your offer last night if I didn't think you were drunk out of your mind."

When the jostling settled down, Sanji blinked. He wasn't really expecting this to be Zoro's reaction. There was certainly a lot less mocking on Zoro's part for one thing. Another was that Zoro didn't sound too opposed to the idea of there being something. It wasn't exactly ideal because Zoro didn't seem to share the extreme of the feelings, but it was not a rejection. He placed his cigarette in his mouth and laid his arms on Zoro's, silently enjoying the warmth.

"So, cook. You want to give it a shot?" Zoro asked.

Sanji let out a breath of smoke in dry laugh, feeling a bit light headed in that moment. "Why do you have to make it sound so easy?"

"What's so complicated about it? You want me. I want you."

"You can't say that you're not worried about it screwing things up. Or it being messed up."

"It's already messed up because I'm agreeing to be with a perverted, girl-crazy cook. But so what?" Zoro leaned in and placed a kiss on Sanji's neck, causing his skin to tingle. "I'm willing to try if you're willing." Sanji flushed and sighed.

"Why does everyone else just simply accept this sort of thing," Sanji asked, mostly out of frustration. "You over simplify everything and the others just take it at surface value."

"… Others?" Zoro sounded confused.

"Um," Sanji paused, remembering that it really hadn't been brought up yet. "Luffy spotted us in the galley kissing so… they assumed we're lovers." Sanji looked over his shoulder and was amused by the exaggerated grimace on Zoro's face. Sanji turned in Zoro's loosened grip and faced him with a sly smile. "What's that face for."

"Nothing," Zoro said immediately. "That's a stupid assumption. We haven't even done it yet." Sanji let his arms rest on Zoro's shoulders, getting cozy since Zoro didn't seem to be letting him go.

"Yeah, because the first assumption will always be that you're taking energy," Sanji used a dry tone of sarcasm with a raised brow. Zoro shuffled in the snow a bit and huffed out a breath. Sanji locked eyes with Zoro for several moments and flecked Zoro's earrings lightly. "So…" He felt the urge to kiss Zoro. Not with built up lust, but a large yearning for intimate contact was there.

Zoro was quiet a moment before he muttered, "My feet are cold." Sanji snorted and his head dropped to Zoro's shoulder, a laugh escaping him. He dropped his cigarette somewhere but he didn't mind too much.

"You're the idiot with no boots," Sanji said with a smile.

"Shut up, I don't know where they are," Zoro grumbled and shifted, making motions as though to rub his cold foot on his leg.

Sanji stood up straight again and gestured to the forest far bellow, which was washed with golden light from the sun. "They're somewhere with your lost shirt. Good luck finding them."

"Yeah, great." Zoro grumbled. On a whim, Sanji placed a peck on Zoro's frowning mouth. Maybe to test the boundaries that were just a blur now, or maybe Zoro was sort of pitiful, standing there with literal cold feet but hugging him in the snow. Zoro's brows rose slightly with the kiss and Sanji tried not to make it seem like such a big deal; even though it was the first kiss that wasn't to exchange energy. His heart was already thudding harder against his ribs.

"I think your pants are in our supplies," Sanji said to fill the air. "These people gave Luffy a coat so maybe they'll have shoes…" He was easily quieted when Zoro drew him into a firmer kiss. Sanji lost all train of thought and sank into it. His fingers curled into Zoro's hair, enjoying the slow warmth that spread out through his veins. He hugged Zoro a bit closer but a shutter from Zoro interrupted them.

"It's seriously cold out here," he said, but instead of pulling away, his arms slid under Sanji's ass and hefted him up so his feet were off the ground.

"Oi! I can walk!" Sanji snapped. Zoro chuckled, holding Sanji to him and carried him back towards the cave. Sanji huffed and propped his elbow on Zoro's head lawn. Though Zoro only took three steps towards the cave before he stopped and jarred Sanji with the suddenness of it. Sanji blinked out of confusion and looked down at Zoro, who's eyes were on the cave. Sanji looked behind him and at the cave entrance he saw that the rest of the crew was there at the cave entrance. Being caught, the rest of the crew just gave them encouraging looks; such as thumbs up, grins, and waves.

Zoro promptly dropped Sanji on his ass in the snow.

"Ow! That hurt, stupid marimo!" Sanji snapped, glaring as he stood up and dusted the snow off of his back side.

"You said you can walk, so you can walk, stupid cook," Zoro said with just as much annoyance. Sanji was rather baffled by Zoro's sudden change in attitude. It had changed when Zoro realized the crew was there and Sanji paused, the argument hinging for a moment. Sanji noticed Zoro looked a bit stressed and his face seemed more red than earlier in the cold…

"A shy marimo?" Sanji asked curiously and tapped Zoro's nose. His own embarrassment was completely over ridden by the idea that Zoro seemed to have a social anxiety to being affectionate in front of the crew. Zoro batted his hand away.

"Who are you calling shy?" He asked venomously and Sanji chuckled. He guessed that answered that age old question; marimos didn't take to public displays of affection very quickly.

"You, you catty bastard." Sanji leaned in and stole a chaste kiss before he all but ran back into the shelter of the cave and bypassed the crew without looking for their reactions. He was amused to see Zoro stunned for a moment in the snow but eventually trudged in, face red and telling the rest of the crew to shut up before they said anything. Sanji quickly mentioned that he'd go to the kitchen and whip up breakfast for the early risers; anything to hide the fact that he had taken a rather brash leap to confirm the rest of the crew of their suspicions. He was too elated to really care though.