Title: Since Then - Part IV
Pairing: ZoSan
Word Count: 465-ish *curses wordpad*
Rating: PG for language & extra mild yaoi
Disclaimer: I don't own One Piece, or the characters in this story
Unbridled sop. I would have left the bridle on but damn cook kept taking it off again *sigh*

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Cutting wind arced through the air. It was matched by a slice of light, jagged as a rusty blade. A wave of destruction was driven before it and Sanji had to turn his eyes away. The dust raced past him stinging and burning, and with practiced timing he leapt gracefully to avoid the brunt of the shock.

He knew it was a risk to be this close. The swordsman wasn't as focussed or targeted as the cook was. He was just pure grunting force. And blades.

The blonde turned back again just as the swordsman touched down. His foot swivelled as his ankle then hips, shoulders and arm twisted in a tornado. For an instant he paused, wound tight and Sanji drew an involuntary breath. His body was so defined, he looked liked he was carved in stone. For a split second, he looked the cook in the eyes - and winked. Then, once again, his blades were a halo of white all around him.

Zoro.

He had learnt so much about him in the past few years, but he was still a mystery. A man filled with contradictions: he didn't need anyone but he would do anything to save his nakama. Filled with hatred. Filled with fierce love. Sometimes when Sanji looked into Zoro's eyes it scared him... to see the intensity burning there. Raw undiluted passion. Drive. Zoro would never stop. He would always move forward.

...and sometimes that scared him too. What happens when an unstoppable force meets an immoveable object?

A rough hand travelled across his field of vision.

"Oi cook," he hadn't even seen Zoro move. He was still getting better, every day. Always moving forwards. "You been staring at me. Stop it."

The cook blinked and stepped back. He shifted his weight and tapped his polished shoe on Zoro's chin. "I'll stare if I want."

Three quick strikes and the cook swapped feet. A hop, step and jump and he had his foot back on Zoro's chest.

The swordsman smirked. "You're quick."

"Only just figured that out?" He stared defiantly. Zoro stepped forwards and grabbed the blonde's ankle.

"What are you thinking about?" His voice was low and stern, It was the voice he used to soothe. To comfort Sanji in the way that only Zoro could. One or two words when he needed them most.

You're strong.

Don't die.

Lucky.

"You didn't leave any damn marines for me, Marimo."

"You were too busy gawking, Ero-cook." The swordsman sheathed his two bare katana and rolled his hips into Sanji's toned thigh. He leaned close and whispered softly, "Don't think."

Zoro's kiss was always just as intense as his eyes

...and in the silence, it conveyed his message just as well as the words left unspoken.

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