Frostbite Chapter 7
Yes, it's late, I know, but I hope the length makes up for it.
holic: Don't worry, I took no offense in your first comment. I'm glad you like it and have lots to say! ^0^
meff: Got on the train a little late, but I do that all the time. Keep on readin'! 8^3
Red Voident Dragon: Woohoo! Another fan of my terrible writing! I'm so lucky! ^~^
preisempf: Yes, sir! Ma'am, whatever... =P
HappyMe-O: Hehehehehe (giggles like a school girl) I'm sow gwad woo wiked it! ;D
THIS IS AN IMPORTANT NEWS FLASH: It is likely that I will put One Piece on hiatus when I'm done with this, 'cause I'm writing for other anime as well. The mpreg will be a big project for me. Lots of research, lots of writing, and I'll probably do it over the summer. The vote continues on! (2/3 mpreg, I think) Enjoy the story!
What was once a thankful reunion kiss soon turned into a full-blown face sucking for Sanji. He carefully straddled Zoro's hips and leaned into his face, fighting for control. Zoro, on the other hand, was sitting up and struggling to maintain dominance in his weakened state. The Marimo's hand silently crawled over to Sanji's rear and gave a hard squeeze, causing the poor cook to blush.
"Sanji…" Zoro murmured, "I really appreciate what you did for me. Hope you don't mind me paying you back like this," before Sanji could answer, he pressed their faces back together. A hand ruffled and threaded through the blonde's hair; a familiar tongue entered his mouth. Sanji lifted his arms and hugged Zoro around his neck, lifting onto his knees and pressing down harder. They broke away for breath and Sanji remembered something.
"Zoro, you have a high fever. If we continue, the stress and rising body heat could kill you." Zoro ignored him and began to rip off his now useless bandages.
"All this," he started on Sanji's, "for a few cuts? Chopper's a little obsessed with gauze, or is I just me?" Zoro was still clawing at the cook's back when his wrists were grabbed. A red-faced Sanji stared Zoro in the eyes, then proceeded to pin him to the bed.
"Listen to me, Marimo. You. Are. Sick. If I do so much as get your libido up, you could die. Get it?" Zoro just stared at him.
"You're a pervert," he grinned. Sanji blinked, then smirked himself.
"You brought this on yourself," he clamped a hand over Zoro's mouth. " CHOPPER!" he called to the door. "THE MARIMO'S AWAKE! COME QUICK!"
"Mrww mrmrd!" You bastard. Zoro took a swing at Sanji with his free hand, which was deflected easily. A miniature stampede was heard before it was seen, and all the Straw Hats, and their new friends, crammed them selves through the door. Sanji instantly regretted pinning Zoro when he saw the girls, and his facial flush traveled to his neck. There was an awkward silence that Luffy broke effortlessly.
"Why is Sanji on top of Zoro? Were they doing-?"
"SHUT UP, SHUT UP, SHUT UP!" Sanji had jumped off of Zoro and began to kick the shit out of his naïvely blunt captain. What the cook didn't notice were his bandages – they had begun to fall off in ribbons. Zoro sat up once more, biting back a laugh as he saw the other faces in the room. Nami and Robin grinned like they had been proved right, while Usopp flipped out.
"Told ya so~!" a blond girl giggled as a teenaged boy reluctantly handed her a wad of Beli. Zoro noticed the cast around Sanji's leg and wondered how it got there.
"Oi! Save it for later!" Chopper squeaked. "I have a patient, so everyone out," without a word of protest, the room emptied, aside from Sanji. Usopp could still be heard, shrieking that 'gay-tards' were all around him.
"May I stay, Chopper? In case the Marimo goes berserk?" Zoro scowled outside of the doctor's field of vision. Beneath the frown, the greenie was smiling, and Sanji knew it.
"Sure, Sanji. I might need some help later on, so feel free to stick around." Chopper answered as he hopped onto the bed next to Zoro, who appeared nervous. For the umpteenth time, the reindeer removed a thermometer from his bag, and planted it into the swordsman's mouth. Sanji slipped onto the bed and supported Zoro from behind, who was barely able to stay upright on his own.
"So," Sanji began, "what's up? Any better, or is it the same?" Chopper frowned and looked up.
"It's raised a half a degree. Wonder why…" the swordsman gave the cook a 'you were serious?' expression.
"I think the towel came off in the night, Chopper. He may need another ice bath," Sanji teased. Poor Zoro was in shock.
"When the Hell did I ever take an ice bath?" the Marimo whipped his head from one nakama to the other.
"When you first got here. Your temperature was too high, so we put you in a bathtub full of snow. You don't remember it 'cause you were unconscious at the time," Chopper gave a simple, happy smile as he continued to work. Zoro sighed and allowed himself to lean into Sanji, weakened from hunger and illness.
"Oi, oi, oi. Marimo, no sleeping just yet - you've been out for two or more days. Not even you can sleep that long," Sanji scolded.
"Idiot. I'm hungry and I feel like crap," a gurgle from the greenie's exposed stomach proved him right.
And the bastard was about to have sex with me. What a shitty prick. The cook thought as Zoro winced from the frosty stethoscope pressed into the top of his scar. He sighed.
"Well, as soon as Chopper's done, I'll make you something." Zoro smiled and nodded.
"Actually, Sanji, Zoro shouldn't have anything solid until a while after I give him the medicine. One of the side affects of it is that he gets severe diarrhea and vomiting. However, the chances are slim, but it's best to prevent it from happening in the first place."
"Perfect. I starve then my stomach implodes. Wait, what exactly have I got? How did we get here, and who were those two people?" Zoro realized, much to his horror, that he was utterly clueless as to what happened.
"Long story short, Marimo, a bunch of shit happened and you've got some weird disease called twarze. Chopper's got some medicine for it, but we have to keep your fever down until then or you'll die. You done yet, Chopper?" Zoro was still very much confused, but went with the flow.
"Almost. Now, Zoro," the Marimo snapped back to attention, "later on, your symptoms will advance, so if you're in any pain or discomfort, send someone to get me. Until your fever's gone, you're on bed rest. And I mean it." Chopper returned his medical equipment to his backpack and met Zoro's pained gaze.
"It's hot in here," he stated, hoping to escape his imminent confinement. Sanji felt his now-bare chest become moist with foreign perspiration and spoke up.
"Seriously, Chopper. I think he might need another ice bath. He's sweating all over me like an animal, and it's really gross." Zoro turned around on the bed to face the annoying blond, only to be cut off by the chibi doctor.
"Well, it is the best option to bring his temperature back down, so I'll prep the tub. Sanji, I want you to stay here and rest your leg. Luffy and Usopp can carry Zoro to the bathroom, while the girls can assist me," Sanji nodded as Zoro's jaw fell open.
"Oi! I'm right here! There's no way I'm letting those two anywhere near me, or that witch," Zoro ignored Sanji's gasp and continued. "I can handle myself," the greenie concluded as he stood up sharply, only to feel incredibly faint.
"Zoro!" Chopper cried as the swordsman wavered. Sanji launched of the bed when Zoro crumbled to the carpeted floor, panting.
"Stupid Marimo! Do as Chopper tells you, damnit," the cook lifted Zoro onto the opposite bed and laid him out. "Might want to prepare that bath soon, Chopper," Sanji muttered as Zoro groaned. The reindeer stuttered something and dashed from the room at Mach two.
"Head…hurts…" the swordsman bit as he squeezed his eyes shut; blindly rubbing his forehead. Sanji rested his hand in Zoro's, which he grasped like a lifeline. Several agonizing minutes later, Zoro's grip slackened and his eyes peeled open.
"What the fuck's wrong with you?" Sanji hissed. "What part of 'you're sick and could die' do you not understand?" Zoro simply grunted and shrugged. Only Usopp and Luffy bursting into the room prevented Sanji from beating the absolute shit out of his lover.
"Zoro~! Bath time!" Luffy squawked as the door slammed against the wall.
"Ah! Too loud…" the swordsman whimpered and covered his ears. Sanji stared; he had never seen the Marimo like that before. Luffy saw that his nakama was in pain and turned the volume down.
"Oops. Sorry, Zoro," the captain muttered. Zoro opened his eyes, only to cringe at the hard pole-like objects that forced him upward and onto a scratchy blanket. A soft, familiar hand stroked his bare arm, comforting him.
"Who the hell said you could manhandle him like that?" Sanji growled at Usopp.
"Calm down. He's just sensitive to certain forms of stimuli when he's like this. That's what Chopper said, at least," it took the sniper a crapload of balls to say that to the bristling chef. Sanji sat back down on the bed, not wanting to be a hypocrite by going against the doctor's orders. Usopp and Luffy carted the boxer-clad swordsman out the door and out of sight, depressing the blond. But, not wanting to stay half-naked for the rest of the day, Sanji pawed through the laundry basket in the corner of the room for a shirt. Slipping a brown one, with the word "dish" spelled vertically on it, over his head, he lay back down and pondered every soup recipe he knew for something Zoro would like.
As the cook relaxed, a trio of females unceremoniously dropped his sweaty and ill boyfriend into a massive tub of ice water. The swordsman's stretcher-bearers quickly cleared out of the girl's master bathroom when Chopper barked orders to the girls.
"Holy crap, déjà vu…" Roxi muttered as Zoro shivered and panted once again.
"Okay, good. Keep him like this until he drops down a degree, and then take him out. Dry him off, change his underwear, and make sure he remains minimally covered. Can you do that while Mox takes me to the medicine shop?" Chopper instructed as Nami tied an apron on.
"Of course, Doctor-san. Swordsman-san will be treated with the utmost care," Robin calmly replied. Chopper bobbed his head and walked out the door, leaving them behind.
"Well, lets get to it," Roxi snapped a pair of kitchen gloves on and bent over the tub, marveling at Zoro's exposed body for the second time. His breathing had since relaxed, an extremely toned chest rising and falling in a gentle pattern.
"What's there to do?" Nami asked. "We just take his temperature every few minutes," she was oblivious to the wet hand that was levitating inches from her wrist. She shrieked when Zoro snatched it; all we surprised to find him awake so soon.
"What the hell is going on?" he turned to Roxi. "Who are you, and why are you in here?" the swordsman jerked his head to each of the women, eyes wide with confusion.
"Hello, Zoro-san. My name is Roxi, and you're staying in my inn until you've recovered from your illness. I'm helping Nami-san and Robin-san care for you while Chopper-san and my brother fetch the necessary ingredients for your medicine," she smiled serenely as she explained herself.
"Um, I'm still really confused. I wake up with Swirly talking to me, who's got a broken leg, and the next thing I know, I'm in here. What. Happened?" Zoro released Nami's arm and tried to sit up in the bath, only to be stopped by two of Robin's disembodied hands.
"Swordsman-san, we will explain everything to you when we are finished treating you. You are surely hungered, therefore you may eat while we clarify the situation at hand. Please, just relax in the meantime," Robin sponged Zoro's face off with a towel, his flush brightening as he leaned away from her touch.
"Yeah! If you hadn't been a total idiot just now, you wouldn't be here. I swear, you're going to be killed by your thick-headed pride," Nami pinched the bridge of her nose as she scolded her nakama. Zoro flashed her an evil grin, deciding to make the experience more memorable for them all. Before he could do that, he had to understand one thing.
"Roxi, why did that guy give you cash earlier? Was that your brother?" Roxi blushed, her throat tight with embarrassment.
"Well…that was my brother, Mox. Because of earlier occurrences, we had made a bet about you and Sanji-san," she averted his eyes and twiddled her thumbs. Zoro felt a shiver of fear, but didn't let it show. Taking a deep breath, Roxi spilled her secret. "The bet was if you two were in a gay position or not. He said that Sanji-san would be trying to kill you, while I thought that you guys were cuddling or something. Forgive me if this offends you, please don't tell Sanji-san," she let it all out on almost one breath alone.
Zoro didn't know whether to laugh at the irony of it or try to drown himself in the chilly water. He chose to laugh.
"D-Don't worry. I-It d-doesn't offend m-me," Zoro choked out between giggles. Roxi sighed with relief as Nami scooped more ice into the bin. "Oi, I can feel that," Zoro was serious again.
"Good. That means it's working," the navigator smirked as she dumped a shovelful of ice onto Zoro's groin. He hissed in pain and tried to brush it off, only to be restrained by Robin. Limbs held to the sides of the tub, the swordsman was completely vulnerable to the women.
"What the Hell are you doing?" he barked. Nami lifted his wet underwear up and poured a load of the cold substance directly onto his privates. Zoro cried out and writhed in pain, which fueled Nami's hunt for information.
"Are you gay?" she simply threw the question out there. Zoro's killing intent was so strong, Roxi wavered, wishing to melt into the background. The enraged swordsman nodded.
"Yes, I'm gay, and Sanji is my boyfriend. Happy now?" stunned silence filled the large room. Nami simply gaped at her nakama, for the gears in her head ceased functioning. Robin seemed unfazed by the absolute bluntness of the confession, and liberated Zoro from her possible death-grip.
"Well, Swordsman-san, I am pleased by your honesty," the assassin smiled cheerfully and helped Zoro sit up. Roxi was wide-eyed, but spoke first.
"Are you top or bottom?" she blurted, instantly covering her mouth in surprise and shame.
"Swirly'll kill me for telling you, but I top. He also hates to use food during sex and I wish he was more open about it all. Can I get out now?" he was perfectly casual about it all. Nami was still in shock, whereas Roxi was in fangirl heaven.
"As soon as your temperature goes down, Seme-san," Roxi teased as she stuck a thermometer in Zoro's mouth.
'Seme-san?' That might be taking it too far… The swordsman showed obvious irritation at the perverted nickname.
Meanwhile, Sanji's "Zoro-said-something-I'll-never-live-down" senses were tingling. Knowing better than to ignore them, the cook limped out the bedroom and snuck into the girl's room. Crouching down by the bathroom door, Sanji was able to catch a glimpse of Zoro being hauled up and out of the chilly water and onto a bed of towels. Their eyes locked for a moment, and Zoro pointed.
"Well, well, well," Nami said from above. "What do we have here? A peeking cook?"
"N-Nami-san! R-Roxi-chan! I had a bad feeling, so I-I decided to come and check up on you ladies," Sanji was so screwed.
"Hello, Sanji-san. Zoro-san told us something very interesting…" Roxi's jade eyes glistened with evil glee and darted to Zoro. Sanji felt a knot of envy form in his stomach upon seeing Robin drying him off as he lay on the cushioned floor.
"Cook-san, we require your services," Robin had saved him!
"Yes, anything for you, Robin-chwan!" Sanji crawled over, a heart replacing his right eye. Zoro gave a haughty expression to the pervert chef, but it went unnoticed.
"Doctor-san instructed us to change Swordsman-san's clothes when we were finished with his bath," Sanji nodded dumbly. "Because we mutually refused to change him, we elected you to perform the task. We have his clothes right here, so it is your decision." Sanji froze, about to refuse himself, but saw the falsely pained, innocent looks on their faces, and he agreed.
"I shall protect your virtues! Shitty-Marimo shall not compromise your decency!" a determined look shone on his face.
"Perfect! We'll be waiting right outside!" Nami cried and the three women zipped out the door in a blur. The two were alone once again. Their eyes met, and Zoro answered the unvoiced question.
"Yes. I told them about us," Zoro answered with a flawless poker face. Sanji responded by ripping his underwear off, turning him onto his belly, pinning him, and spanking him. Repeatedly. The girls were struggling to contain their laughter and sexual jokes as they heard the slaps through the door.
Zoro snapped after the twelfth hit.
"WHAT THE FUCK WAS THAT FOR?" he screamed as he spun over and sat up, smashing their faces together. Ass and forehead smarting, Zoro stumbled back down to his side, legs curled in. Sanji secretly thought that, when he was vulnerable, Zoro scared him.
"You told them," Sanji whispered, being very un-ukeish. "That was your punishment. Sorry if I hurt you, but I figured you could take it," the cook massaged Zoro's cherry-red rear in apology.
"Funny. They asked you to help me put a freakin' pair of underwear on, and you hit me instead," the greenie scolded as he sat up. "Does it bother you? The old 'ignorance is bliss' thing? You know I'm fine with you flirting with those two, 'cause we're nakama," Zoro had moved onto his all fours, ass more pink than red. Sanji sat in front of him, legs crossed and eyes closed.
"You want your clothes or not?" he pulled a pair of maroon briefs out of nowhere and threw them at Zoro's head. "Roxi-chan's brother is notably smaller than you. Be glad you got those."
"Gee, thanks," Zoro slipped the garments on, annoyed to see that they were a tad tight. Hunger and the recent weariness took over, causing Zoro to slump against the wall. Sanji sprang into action, supporting the swordsman as he panted for breath.
"You're too weak to be moving around. Time to go back to bed, Zoro; dinner will come then," the cook carefully lifted Zoro up and onto his back. Sanji choked a snicker when he saw the greenie's butt - the too-small, red man panties had ridden up his crack, so he was basically in a thong.
"Grrr…. I can walk, damnit. Lemme down," Zoro pouted as the blond chef carefully stepped through the doorway. The trio waited patiently outside, Roxi blushing as heavily as Zoro.
No doubt those spanks got her going. Can't wait 'till she sees his ass! In fact, the she-perv groped him when she got close enough, making him yip.
"Mmmph! That's my job, not yours," everyone cracked up, even Robin. Finally, the room where the couple was bunking was reached, and without incident. Sanji carefully laid Zoro on the thinly sheeted bed, and stifled a snort. The underwear was way to tight; wiry green hairs were visible at the top of the spandex band.
"So his hair color is natural. Of course, you've known that for some time, huh?" Nami teased. Sanji adjusted the underpants and tucked him in with a sheet, smirking at the cuteness. Zoro turned to his side and the cook stroked his forehead.
"Oi, Zoro," Sanji muttered. "What do you want to eat?" the swordsman closed his eyes and buried his face in the pillow.
"Mmm…something hot 'n' tasty 'n' made by you… Pwease?" he mumbled adorably. Even though Sanji knew that Zoro felt awful, he couldn't help but call him cute.
"Okay, Zoro-chan," the blond answered and pecked him on his cheek. "I'll be right back, okay?"
"Mmm'kay," Zoro curled in tighter between the thin blankets. Sanji sighed and left Zoro alone, for the women had been long gone.
The chef-turned-nurse returned to his lover ten minutes later, the same tray as earlier in his arms. Sanji almost squealed with delight when he entered the room; Zoro snoring softly, folded in half. His face was more peaceful than it had been for some time. Making as little noise as possible, Sanji deposited the plate on the nightstand and leaned over his boyfriend.
"Zoro…dinner's ready. Rise an' shine," he cooed and kissed the swordsman gently.
"Mmmmrph," Zoro sat up slowly, gripping his abdomen in discomfort.
"Aww, does Zowo have a tummy ache? Tsk, tsk, tsk. I've got just the thing," Sanji ignored the groggy death-glare he was receiving and stacked pillows behind Zoro. "There. Lean back," the greenie gladly obeyed and sank into the cushions.
"Yum…food," Zoro could smell it - tomato soup with crushed-up crackers. Because of the extra padding, he didn't have to put in the effort of sitting up, and was fully relaxed. Sanji situated the tray on Zoro's lap and stirred the contents of the bowl into a swirl.
"Open up," Sanji held the spoon in front of his mouth. Zoro complied, and his mouth was filled with Sanji's wonderful cooking. It took time for the bowl to be emptied, due to its immense size, but it filled the starving swordsman's stomach. Soup wasn't the only thing on the platter, and a cold, wet towel was plopped onto Zoro's face when the spare pillows were removed.
"Thank you. It was good," Sanji smiled at the simple appreciation.
"Glad you liked it. Now, I'm going to wake you up in a few hours for more, 'cause it won't last you very long," the cook paused. "Zoro…" he knelt down. "This whole shitty thing – I hope you learn from it."
"I have…" Sanji stood and turned. "Wait," he stopped. "Sanji…I love you- mmmmrrfff!" the chef had flung himself onto Zoro in a full-mouth kiss. He pulled away after a moment.
"I love you, too.
"And I always will."
Yeah, the last line was in unison. I'll probably keep going for a few more chapters. Sorry if it seems like I'm dragging this out! I'm trying not to!
One last thing - well, two: it's my birthday and HAPPY SUMMER TO EVERYONE!