---------------- Chapter 2 / Stay
Ace walked onto the dock where his brother's ship the Thousand Sunny and his home was docked. Ace's clunky brown work boots sounding heavy as they hit the wooden boards of the dock while he held many fast food bags to his bare chest. The only other things he was wearing was a pair of low riding brown shorts held up by gun belt with special made personal guns include along with his orange trademark cowboy hat that was currently resting on his back holding on to him still due to the connecting string. Behind him sounded foot steps much like his own that was accompanied with a loud yawn. "Oi Zoro did you leave this the tackle box and one of the fishing rods ou-…" Ace's question stopped as well as his feet at that moment as he narrowed eyes to look at a drop of blood that still seemed fresh on the wooden ramp that lead up to the ship.
At Ace's sudden stop Zoro bumped into the back of Ace and nearly dropped his own armful of greasy fast food bags he was carrying. Before Zoro could even yell at Ace for stopping so suddenly Ace tore off and ran into the kitchen of the ship. Ace stopped at the table setting down the bags and carefully scanning the room. Zoro was but a breath behind him in action now. A moan brought both there eyes to the direction of the bathroom and in union they stalked to the bathroom door. Ace with his hand on one of his guns and Zoro on the hilt of one of his 3 swords that he was sporting on his hip held on by a thick black belt that was unneeded by his tight black jeans as needed no help to stay up. He as well had on a white t-shirt that now had a few dots of grease stains on the front of it and clunky black work boots much like Ace's brown ones. As well Zoro wore 3 gold earrings that dangled from his left ear and a black bandanna on top of his green hair.
Another moan followed by, "Luffy no stop!" that was coming out in a begging voice from an unknown person that made the duo looking in questioning at each other then both shrugged unknowing.
"Don't be a baby Sanji." Came the reply from Luffy from behind the closed door of the bathroom.
"Ahh… ngh no no stop I don't think you're doing it right!"
"Of course I am, its not that hard. Chopper told me we needed to do this. Now stop moving and let me repay you."
"Fuck! If this is repayment I take it bac- Ugh!…Oi! Don't stick your finger in there you sadist!"
Very shocked faces stared back at each other as Ace and Zoro and didn't seem to know what to do or think and could only stand there still on the other side of the door and listen.
"I'm sorry Sanji I didn't mean to push that hard you just keep wiggling around like that and… hey, hey where you going?!" Luffy yelled.
"Away from you and your prodding fingers that's where!" came the voice of this Sanji guy.
"Wait, not yet let me help!" whined Luffy that was then followed up by a crash and a loud thump that got both Ace and Zoro to jump in surprise.
"Ahhh you bastard get off me!" cried Sanji.
"Stop struggling it will be over soon if you just give in!" argued Luffy.
Ace took this moment to scratch his head and whisper, "Oi, Zoro… I think ….I think my brother …" He could not say the rest it was just to weird.
Zoro frowned hard at the door like his death glare alone could help him to see what was going on in there.
More moans from Sanji and pleads of, "Oh oh stop s-stop …don't poke at it anymore your going to make it bleed again!"
Remembering how Zoro felt about his younger brother Ace wondered what the best cause of action should be. Yet he got no further then wondering as Zoro snapped and threw opened the bathroom door. Suddenly they where faced by the two in question. Luffy and this Sanji guy where down on the bathroom floor with Luffy pinning the blonde down as they both only had towels on. The blonde looked utterly startled, embarrassed and in pain and damn Ace could not help but think sexy as hell. Ace also had this nagging feeling like he had seen the man from somewhere.
Zoro sputtered in shock at the scene his checks at once turning a bright red. "Luf-Luffy what the hell are you doing!"
Not missing a beat Luffy with a wide smile happily replied "Oh hey guys! This Sanji he saved my life when I fell in the water trying to fish for breakfast. He is a cook and going to be my cook for the gang!"
"Like hell I am! I told you to stop deciding things for yourself you bastard!" The fiery blonde yelled at Ace's little brother and once more was trying to push him off.
Seeing Zoro utterly confused as what to do other then just stare, Ace took over and leaned against the door frame. "Going to be the cook huh? I don't remember there being an initiation of raping the new guy in but if it's a new rule you could have at lest waited till we got back Luffy."
The blonde blinked up at Ace and all struggling seemed to pause as it looked as if he was not sure if Ace was joking or not which only made Ace grin all that more but the comment also got an elbow to his ribs by Zoro and left his brother in confusion.
"Ace what are you talking about?" Luffy asked.
"Oi Luffy would you get the fuck off me now before you rip open any more of my stitches or if possible give others even more the wrong idea here." The blonde now seemed to just lay back along the bathroom floor a in a passive clam state no longer seeming worried or maybe he was just tried, Ace could not be to sure.
"Huh …oh…shishishishi." Luffy laughed adding, "I guess they would think something huh with me on top of you and all like this." Luffy laughed and was about to raise up to get off Sanji when he slipped on some water on the floor and landed hard on Sanji making the man moan out pitifully as his sweet face scrunched up in pain coming inches away from Luffy's. Ace's younger brother gasped, "Sanji am so sorry are you ok?" A series of words where replied or at lest Ace thought they where words but nothing he has had ever herd of before dribbled from the cook. Really though was that even a language? Then to everyone's surprise but Luffy's, the trouble maker himself closed the distance between his and Sanji's lips and gave the blonde a deep kiss. Ace had never felt jealous of his younger brother but at this moment there was a twinge of it. As Ace was wishing to know what those lips felt like Zoro was yanking Luffy off the guy.
"What the hell Luffy?" Zoro asked with all rights of being shocked since Luffy had never shown any signs of being gay or bisexual for that mater before this moment now.
"Whaa Zoro?" Questioned Luffy right back. "I just wanted to make him feel better."
The blonde rose up on his elbows with a snicker and a mask of clam on his face. "You know Luffy. If you had wanted to kiss me you didn't have to torture me first." He earned a blush from Luffy and a death glare from Zoro. Ace however was far more concerned about the pool of blood collecting on the white towel the blonde wore as a nasty looking gash across the guy's gut was leaking out from popped stitches and loose ones. "Oi what the fuck happen to you man? ... better yet let's hold off on explanations for the moment. I will give you a hand to stop that bleeding… Zoro why don't you take Luffy and go feed him just make sure you save something for the others and while your at it call Chopper and see if can get home quicker from his shift at the hospital to come help out our new friend here."
"Yosh! Fooood! ...Oh I already called him Ace he should be here soon… he knows Sanji too." Luffy smiled and was finally allowed out of Zoro's hold and darted off towards the smell of food.
Zoro frowned fully taking in the blonde as the guy just lay there on the floor seeming to just accept whatever came at him. With a grunt Zoro turned about to walk off then stopped. "If you need anything Ace just call." And with that the swordsman hurried off after Luffy. Ace could only think Zoro didn't trust man on there bathroom floor but Ace would worry about that in a little bit once he could finally figure out who this guy was and got him to stop bleeding on there bathroom floor.
Ace eyed what he had to work with. There was gauze and rubbing alcohol next to the man. Some of the gauze was bloody and ...why the hell were there a maxi pads and tampons out? No, no never mind that. He didn't even want to know what his younger brother had tried to do to this poor man before they had got there. With a soft smile he moved into the bathroom and shut the door to give them some privacy and went down onto his knees next to the man. "I'm sorry about my younger brother. He can just be… enthusiastic sometimes." He apologized as politely as he could and was rewarded by a dashing smile from the man.
"I kinda noticed that." The man replied as his smile turned into sultry smirk as one visible blue eye stared up at Ace. It made Ace's throat go a little dry as his own dark brown eyes looked down at that hansom face yearning to push back that blonde wet hair and see it all at once. Finally after a moment of just staring at the blonde Ace turned away taking some of the gauze and rubbing alcohol pouring it freely onto some of the white unused strip and lowered his hands down to the wound but didn't touch just yet. "This will most likely sting but I will try to be as gentle as I can." Ace promised. His hand then closing in the rest of the few inches to start working on cleaning around the wound.
"Its ok anything has to be better then Luffy's sssss…" Sanji stopped speaking and breathed in a hiss through his teeth.
"Sorry." Ace winced feeling bad for hurting the other man after what he already had been through. "My name is Ace by the way. Yours was Sanji right?" He asked hoping maybe a bit of chit chat would help get the guy's mind off the pain and jog his own memory on who this guy was.
"Yes. It's a pleasure to meet you." He smiled honoring the politeness Ace gave him and returning it. It also seemed the blonde was good at faking not being in pain, since that hiss he had not showed any other signs.
A faint blush came to Ace's freckled cheeks from Sanji's words. "Mm it seems I also need to thank you for saving my dumb-wit brother. It was lucky of him you where here so thank you very much…but can I ask what are you doing here Mr. Prince?" It had taken a bit but Ace had finally figured out where he had seen this man before. It had been about almost two weeks ago he had seen the man in the Water 7 Arena going up against Mr. Two none other then one of Crocodile's prized dogs. It had been a very impressive fight since the two had not been allowed any weapons thus making the fight drawn out till finally Sanji took down the drag queen wannabe. Ace had been there as a guest of one of the three emperors, Whitebeard. The man was like a father to Ace since he had never known his real father and hell Ace would have joined up and became a loyal dog for the man if he was not so worried about his brother. There grandfather had been the one to raise the brothers and that man had a serious wicked temper and Ace swore the man was part psychotic. So as soon as Ace was of age he took Luffy and got the fuck out of there and had been taking care of his brother ever since. It left little time for his own goals in life but he was happy if Luffy was happy.
Sanji had froze at the question. It had been stupid of him to think no one here would know who he was besides Chopper. A small smile came to his lips. "Would you believe me if I told you?" he questioned Ace in return.
Ace thought about that for a moment as he worked to now firmly tape down some gauze to the man's wound to keep till Chopper got here and could do better. "Maybe." He answered truthfully.
Sanji sighed and wished for a cigarette. "How about I tell you what I didn't come here for?"
A raised raven brow told Sanji to go on so he did. "Doflamingo didn't send me here. I'm not under any orders. I was just passing through on my own free time."
A small ease rested with in Ace's chest at hearing that. He was not sure why but he felt like he could trust the man at his words. He gave a nod to Sanji and smiled once more. He had heard stories of Mr. Prince by some of Whitebeard's men that day in there privet booth at Water 7 Arena. That Mr. Prince was a noble man who never took kills in the Arena if he didn't have to and always refused to hurt a woman of any kind. Yet there was bad with the good and Ace was told the man was also drug addict and got around freely be it man or woman when he of course he was not plastered on Doflamingo's arm or other body parts. The man also often went around half cocked and was always sent out on Doflamingo's top missions and acted alone for the most part pulling off amazing feats that where near suicidal as if the man didn't value his own life. Curiel had said, "A man like that is a candle burning at both ends. It might be the last chance you see him in the Arena. Stars never do last long anyways around this city when everyone's trying to climb to the top."
Ace rub the back of his neck as he looked down at Sanji his mind turning over these thoughts along with the fact Sanji had put himself in harms way to save his brother's life a guy Sanji didn't even know in fact. Men like that just did not work for men like Doflamingo. There had to be more to it. Maybe something could be worked out. If Luffy really could get Sanji to join the gang then it would be a huge win for his brother and with Sanji's already wins in the Arena it would be just enough for a foot in the door to get the rest of them in on the arena fights and start making a real name for themselves. Plus huge bonus Ace would get to spend more time with Sanji.
Blinking as Ace realized Sanji had started to grow uneasy Ace offered a soft heartfelt. "I trust you." with a warm smile.
Sanji's breath caught in his throat and he sat up not even flinching at the pain that it brought as he looked into Ace's eyes searching for some punch line to the joke. Not seeing any Sanji's mask broke and his stomach twisted in knots at hope…hope for what he did not know but to have this man's trust with Ace knowing who he was and surly things he had done, yet still be able to say those words to Sanji, gave Sanji a little piece of himself back.
Ace was surprised at the reaction he was getting by his simple words. Could they really have meant so much to this man? If that blue visible eye told him anything it was that. It was this that caused a bubbled up feeling of deep need to protect this angel of a man before him now. It was silly and so spur of the moment but never the less Ace wanted to take the man in his arms and protect him from the rest of the world. Ace tentatively reached out and place a hand on the man's bare shoulder slowly letting it trail down behind to the shoulder blade soaking in the rich silk feel of the blonde's skin that covered hard muscle.
Sanji closed his eyes and leaned into the touch that felt like liquid fire along his skin. Leaving him craving for more.
With such a positive response Ace let his other hand come up and place to the other man's chest running down along the tone muscles as his own heart started to hammer with in his chest. Sanji felt too good to be real, with skin so smooth and tight over hard muscle giving just the right balance of a supple and firm body. Slowly he moved his hand from the man's chest to his side and pulled Sanji to lean against him. Ace held his breath as bare chest meet bare chest making Ace feel more alive then he could ever remember.
As Sanji was brought into that embrace his eyes sprang open and lips parted just barely making his bottom lip quiver as he could no longer remember how to breathe anymore. All he could do was stare into those dark smoldering eyes as his body burned from the heat Ace was radiating into him. He wanted to wrap his own arms around this man yet was still too scared. Sanji felt as if he were to reach out to touch, it would all break away being nothing more then a dream. So many times, so many arms, lips, and beds did he fall into thinking maybe by chance I could really mean something to this other person. They want me so much surly it can't be a joke. Something deep in them has seen something deep in me and they want me this badly. Yet it never seemed to fail to later find out he had been used liked a cheep dime store toy. Sanji wanted so much to be true that it was different this time that this look on Ace's face had to be genuine.
Ace could feel the lithe man softly trembling of loneliness and need in his arms. Such fear on the cook's face…. it was heart breaking. Ace wanted to wipe that look off Sanji's face and never see it again. Slowly Ace found himself leaning in wanting to kiss those rosy plush lips that parted so tempting him as if an unspoken invite.
It was like in slow motion the world around Sanji seemed to stop and then it was only him and Ace. Ace slowly coming towards him making Sanji's heart feel like it was going to burst right out of his chest. His hands itched to feel that skin that was pressing into him but he refused himself. Just wait, not till he kisses you Sanji told himself. Let him show you how he feels don't rush and scare him off, Sanji warned on in his mind. Yet as he felt Ace's lips hover there over his own thinking became a blur and he was only left with feelings and desire, his arms burned in yearning of wanting Ace, as his soul was crying out to be loved and wanted. His whole body humming with need for Ace to give him that kiss.
Suddenly the bathroom door was thrown open for a second time that morning, "You asshole! What the hell are you doing out of bed!" Shouted a young and angry man from the door way. He was adorably cute with shaggy dark brown hair with highlights of lighter browns in it that would catch in the light. His skin was a fair caramel in color showing off his Latino heritage that made his big round brown eyes stand out all the more which of course made him seem innocent even when he was pissed off like he was now. Though it hard to take the boy of a man serious as he still had a rubber blue nose on and pink hat with plushie antlers poking out from the rim of the large top hat. Though the man was highly skilled in the medical filed he had chosen to work with terminal ill children thus the get up. He also wore a white lab coat that support a hospital office badge with his picture and cute stickers on it hanging from a chest pocket that had many silly pens stuffed in it. Under he wore a simple light pink button up shirt and black slacks with black loafers. In his hand he carried his trusty brown leather backpack he never went with out and that was always filled with medical supplies. Along side with his job at the hospital he sidelined now and then for Water 7 Arena events patching up the contenders that where still alive after the fights. This had gotten him in good terms with some of the high roller stars of the arena like Sanji.
At the sudden crash opening of the door and yelling Ace back pedaled in surprise throwing his hands up like if he had just been caught rubbing a liquor store. Though the quick movements kinda threw him off balance and he fell to the side crashing to the floor rather comically.
Sanji's world suddenly went from pause to fast-forward in an instant and as he looked at Ace there now on the floor he felt his hope and everything that had built up shatter at that moment. Defeat and utter hurt washed over Sanji's face for a moment before he saw Chopper looking at him. He lowered his head for a moment then when he lifted it the mask was back up like it had never left. A coy grin plastered to his lips as an ocean blue dull eye faked a twinkle of mischief at the doctor. "Well if it isn't my favorite little doctor." Sanji teased like he always did with the younger man.
Chopper blinked realizing what he had just walked in on and even more so took in the look he had saw on Sanji's face. It had been there long enough for even him to catch it. Chopper felt sick to his stomach as he watched Sanji put up his shields so fast. The young doctor knew all to well how many dog fighters where treated, many of the people where slaves with no other choice but to obey or people who owed insane debts or where being blackmailed into it. Though every now and then there where also the cold hearted bastards that just got in it to be able to kill and of course there where noble and loyal guys doing it for the fame and wanting power too for there own reasons but Chopper knew for a fact Sanji was one of the people being forced. He had been the one to patch Sanji up after his last fight with Bon Clay better known in the Arena as Mr. Two.
*Flashback*
Chopper was working on Sanji when Doflamingo came waltzing in to the small med room of Water 7 Arena calling out in praise. "Now that was a show stopper! I knew I would not be bored when I saw who my Crocie put against you my lil prince. Though still this no killing thing you have going on really needs to stop." He idly toyed with a scalpel that had been laying on tin metal table near the bed Chopper had Sanji on.
Sanji had bristled at what was being said to him, "It should not matter if I kill them or not as long as I win." No sooner had the words left the blonde's mouth was there a blur of pink feathers and a loud crack of a smack to Sanji's face making the already injured man's head jerk to the side and spit out blood from Doflamingo's quick tempered attack.
Chopper gasped and stepping back in fear of the pink feather coat wearing man, yet his hands balled into fists at his sides till his knuckles turned white while he watched on in horror wanting to help yet knowing there was nothing he could do.
Silence hung thick in the air for a moment before Doflamingo leaned in over Sanji and licked the now busted cracked lip. Pink tongue probing the cut before giving a few laps to rob Sanji of his spilled blood all while one hand pushed on bruised ribs Chopper had been working on till this intrusion.
The young doctor was slowly growing furious as he watched on and getting mad at himself for not being able to help as he watched Sanji forced to the man's will and opened his mouth to Doflamingo's now bloody tongue and kissed the monster back as a lonely tear trailed down his check. The kiss seemed to last longer then Chopper was comfortable with and was trying to find courage to speak up at lest to let him treat the rest of Sanji's wounds when Doflamingo pulled abruptly up and grabbed golden locks of Sanji's hair roughly pulling him into a painful angle. "You're mine; don't forget what that means Sanji. I won't have you making me look weak in front of Crocodile. The new era is almost upon us and I refuse to have weaklings in my flock. You had best remember are agreement and start picking up the pace to please me." With a push off from Sanji's ribs the man turned headed out the door but then stopped in the doorway and looked over his shoulder to add. "Come straight to the car when you're done here. My Crocie wants to finally meet my Mr. Prince. Seems these past few months of having you pull jobs on him has paid off. Of course he calls it me stalking him but I know he is just jealous." A wicked crazed smirk came from the man then he was off.
Sanji looked so shaken up but he only put his arms over his face hiding from the outside world and took in ragged breaths that sounded very much like he was choking back screams.
Chopper eased himself back over to the man's side and frowned trying to find words to say. After opening his mouth many times but not saying anything he finally got out, "Sanji I…"
But then Sanji's arms lowered and he was all smiles again and laughed, "Sorry Dr. Chopper didn't mean to have to interrupt your work. You can go back now to taking care of my body now. I just love the feeling your skilled hands on me."
At the sudden change of topic and atmosphere Chopper blushed brightly. "You asshole saying things like that wont make me happy!"
*End Flashback*
Chopper had realized that day that Sanji's flirting was a way of coping and with as much as he man did it and other things he did it could only mean he was really in pain.
Still what Chopper had just seen between Sanji and Ace made him worry. Ace was a bit known as a playboy as Sanji was to the extreme so but for different reasons in a way. He would most certainly need to talk to Ace in privet before things got out of hand. Yet for the time being he would fall back to what Sanji was comfortable with for now.
"Bastard don't try to sweet talk me to make me forgive you!" Chopper retorted back to Sanji, then came in the bathroom and shut the door and put a foot on the side of Ace's head and pushed a bit making the freckled checks push in together to make fish lips. "Oi Ace this is no time to be sleeping."
Ace flailed a bit under Chopper's foot as he tried to apologize profusely.
The antics of it all lifted Sanji's sprits and it made it easier to push down his own shitty feelings and he laughed out at the pair. The cook was literary laughing so hard it was splitting his side. "Owie owie…" he laughed on as hand went to the bandaged wound that was already showing through with a bright red.
Chopper and Ace at once turned there heads to look at Sanji and poor Chopper nearly bugged his eyes out of his head. "You idiot stop that and lay down. Are you trying to kill yourself!?" Chopper scolded as he moved to Sanji's side and sat down to force the blonde to lay back on the floor.
Sanji did as he was directed and lay back on the floor and grinned up at Chopper but his blue eye kept glancing to Ace as the man got up and went to set on the counter of the sink to watch. The fact he had not left the room made Sanji regain a bit of hope back.
"Ace get the tub under the sink and fill it up with water for me." Chopper ordered as he started to remove the bandage on Sanji and frowned as he looked at the mess that lay underneath. "This is just ridiculous Sanji! There is no reason this wound should look like this after two weeks! Why have you not stayed in bed like I told you?" fumed the doctor as he lowered the white slightly bloody towel down lower on Sanji's narrow hips.
Sanji lifted his arms and placed them under his head. "Hn. I didn't find it comfortable in my bed." Sanji simply answered and Chopper would have taken it as another one of Sanji's smartass jokes but the man was not smiling this time. He was just calmly laying there now with his eyes closed. Chopper let it go and started to work once Ace handed him the tub of water.
Ace's eyes hungrily ran over the long stretched out body on the floor so lovely displayed as he tried to reseat himself back on the counter. Not paying attention to what he was doing he ended up with his ass in the sink and quickly corrected the error as Chopper gave him a critical eye then returned to his work.
A lazy smirk came to Sanji's face yet his eyes remained closed. How he knew what was going on was a mystery unless he had peeked when no one had noticed. "Careful Ace my little brown sugar jar of Latin spice becomes rather jealous."
Chopper sputtered as his eyes went wide. "Stop staying stupid untrue things you pervert!"
Ace could not help but to chuckle at how red in the face Chopper was getting and yet really hoped Chopper didn't really have a claim on the guy. Anyways didn't Chopper already have his sights on the newest member of gang already?
"Awe and if you keep saying things like that and your gunna hurt my feelings… oh and you're blushing now too?" Sanji had opened his eyes and let one of his arms out from behind his head to reach up to Chopper's cheek and pitched it. "Your just so kawi I could just eat you up!"
"Gaw! Don't touch me you bastard! I am trying to work here! And am not your food asshole!" he cursed at Sanji swatting the cook's hand away.
Sanji faked a pout. "Fine fine…I will just save you for emergencies…"
Chopper nodded. "Ah good finally you are understanding. I am a doctor which means I should only be treated with respect and used by the likes of you only for emergen- …" And Chopper was cut off there as Sanji butted in. "Emergency food! I fully agree and it's great your here now cause am starving!" Sanji moved to sit up his arms coming out to hug Chopper who hit him on the head and looked to Ace exasperated "Will you come here and hold him down?! I knew when I herd it was a call about this pervert I should have brought sedatives."
Ace had been holding his sides laughing at the comical show play out but as he was asked for help by the little doctor he nodded and hopped down from the counter and moved by Sanji's side to sit down. Ace blinked as the blonde rested his head in his lap as soon as he sat down and smirked up at him. "All apart of my master plan you see." He teased Ace with a playful grin and was rewarded by smirk from Ace.
Chopper rolled his eyes and stuck a needle into Sanji to pump something in him that would dull the pain and make the area around the shot numb so he could deliver the next shot that would hurt with out the first but would help Sanji heal faster and keep him from getting any infections. "You really need to take it easy for the next few days Sanji. I WILL make house calls if I have to and keep you tied to your bed." He stressed and threatened.
Sanji snickered but let those easy jokes slide he could have replied with and simply stated. "I will see I can do but if I got to work … I got to work... not like I can call in sick."
Chopper's face tugged into a small frown. "No I guess not."
In need of a cigarette and a topic change Sanji asked, "So this is where you live eh Chopper?"
Chopper was now lacing up a needle and thread. "Hum? …oh, yes it is." He was still in thought of what he could do to help Sanji against Doflamingo at lest till this wound healed.
Sanji raised a curled blonde brow wondering if that was all the reply he was going to get.
Ace smiled down at Sanji "We all live here together like a family. At first it was just me and my brother Luffy on a little boat but then we met Ussopp and Franky. If we thought the boat was small before it was almost suffocating then. So we pulled a few small time jobs stealing. Not from anyone who was poor like us though of course. Anyways that was the start of my brothers little gang and we got enough funds to buy a ship. Franky could have made one but it would have cost more in the long run so we figured once we had more space we could just save up for everything Franky would need to build us the prefect ship. So it went on like that for a while till we became …well not big time but big enough guppies for the cops to notice us and become wanted men. Being small as we where and under no protection got us targeted by bounty hunters. That's how we met Zoro."
"Then angry moss head?" Sanji questioned remembering Luffy having called the other guy who had been in the doorway with Ace before that name.
Ace laughed at the description and nodded. "Huh yeah."
Chopper was surprised Ace was telling Sanji all this information. If Sanji wanted he could use all this to get the little gang really messed up but clearly Ace thought Sanji was trustworthy enough. Ace like his brother was a great judge of character and that made the doctor want to help Sanji all that much more.
Ace went on with his story as one of his hands lightly brushed threw strands of golden damp hair spreading them over the brown darkness of his covered thigh. "At that time Zoro was a bounty hunter and tried to catching us and did get Ussopp but our little battle got attention of the police and Zoro and Ussopp got taken in together. The cops where dirty and putting outlandish charges on the both of them. So we had no choice but to bail out Ussopp but were flat broke. So we went to the only person we knew who had tons of money that was not in another gang, Kaya the woman who we bought our boat from and who was childhood friends with Ussopp. Of course they are now more then friends." He chuckled remembering the wedding. "Anyways Luffy talked her into bailing out Zoro too and the guy not having anywhere to go and feeling indebted to us kinda just joined with us. He is a great fighter so we where really lucky."
Sanji gave a snort at this. The moss head didn't seem that great to him with his bad attitude and all.
"Well with another strong fighter we where able to pull bigger jobs and the events from it, also are what started Kaya and Ussopp going out. Which lead to us getting to dock our ship in her backyard rent free. It also helped her out for protecting her land as she was starting to get the squeeze from this other gang by this Arlong guy. He had managed to take over a small farming town near the city and was trying to spread his wings into the city. That was how we met Nami." Ace now watched closely at the blonde's face as he told Sanji this next part. "Nami was being forced to work for Arlong's gang. She is a master of twisting words for contracts and other things. Arlong had promised her if she helped him get a good foothold in the city he would let her town go. So she had went through the city records and found Kaya's mansion not being protected by no big names. So Arlong went up against us and got his ass kicked. Nami was shocked and Luffy offered her a place with us. Once she was done having us signing contracts assuring her town was its own but we would protect it if it was ever needed again she joined up with us."
Sanji had a far off look in his eyes as they stared off into space. "Was it really as simple as that?"
Chopper looked to Ace and Ace back at Chopper before looking back down at Sanji. "Well …nothing is ever simple par say. It was work…and would have been easier if Nami had just trusted us from the start but it all worked out in the end."
"Mhm…" Sanji replied then snapped out of his daze. "So what about Chopper how did you lure him in?" he quickly changed the subject.
Both Chopper and Ace where a bit disappointed but Ace went on. "Well we had a bit of a bad run in with Don Kreig…"Ace paused as Sanji stiffened in his lap. Ace frowned not sure why the blonde reacted so but went on. "We only could guess he thought we would be an easy mark. The fight went to more of a draw due to Nami getting hurt and Luffy had us pull back to get help for her."
"Don Kreig is …" Sanji closed his eyes tightly his hands balling up at his sides. "He is one of Doflamingo's top street informants. He hardly does anything that's not order by Doflamingo. He also never gives up till he gets what he wants and will use every under handed trick to get it."
Chopper and Ace where now looking very worried at each other. They had known Don Kreig was a cheat and an underhanded bastard but the news that he was one of Doflamingo's underlings was new. They had just though he was another small time gang trying to climb to the top. Street informants were always kept secret so the higher ups could not get blamed for the havoc they caused. They should have guessed he was an informant for someone due to the shear size in number of followers the man hand but they would have never guessed him to be working with Doflamingo.
"Have you had more run-ins with him?" Sanji questioned letting his eyes ease open and his head turned to the side to stare at the porcelain stand of the toilet.
Chopper was the one to answer. "A few times not many since I have been with the gang. They have never attacked us here though."
Ace nodded in agreement.
"Sounds like you were right and he was just looking for more room to call his own." Sanji whispered softly and was surprisingly thankful that Doflamingo had not set his sights on this little group. The story Ace was telling of them was not over yet and already it seemed like they had been and over came so much. It would be a shame to know that there demise was near at hand. Maybe he could do something to make Don Kreig not go after them anymore. If they did keep beating or coming to draws with him it would surly get attention.
Ace opened his mouth going say …what he was not sure but Sanji asked, "So what about the lady…Nami? You said she was hurt by him?"
Ace frowned looking to Chopper who gave him a shake of his head no to not push Sanji. So Ace did the only thing he could do and went on with the story. "Nami had gotten hit by a blast of a gas gun. We could not go to the hospital with clear signs of gang violence and some of us being wanted by the cops and all so we had no choice but rush her back here and hope Kaya could help."
"Kaya is a doctor as well?" Sanji interrupted.
"No she is a meteorologist." Ace grinned and flicked Sanji softly on his forehead. "Of course she is a doctor what else would make since silly?" He teased and Sanji blinked realizing yeah that had been a pretty stupid question. The blonde though rather then admit his fault just sheepishly stuck his tongue out at Ace who at once grabbed it with two fingers and pulled on it lightly. "Now don't go sticking that thing out at me unless you plan to use –"
Chopper cleared his throat cutting Ace off preferring the story telling rather then the pervy flirting. "However Kaya was not knowledgably enough in poisons and called me. We had gone to med school together and sometimes have the same shift hours at the hospital. I treated Nami and would come back daily to check on her and make sure her recovery was going well and every time Luffy would ask me join his gang and he finally wore me down after I saw him risk his life to save a little girl almost caught in cross fire of a drive by shooting."
Ace had let go of Sanji's tongue but held his fingers still above the blonde's lips for a few extra moments as he watched Sanji's tongue now free lick and run between his fingers before sliding back into his mouth. "Mmm so that means this little gang has a total of seven people?" Sanji asked but his eyes where on Ace daring him for another move.
Ace wanted to make another move he really did but he was all too aware of the glares he was getting from Chopper. So he settled for just answering Sanji's question. "Erm no after we got Chopper more bounty hunters found us ... well not so much as found us as well we blew up there ship." Ace laughed and rubbed the back of his neck at that admission. "Ussopp and Franky had built this really cool cannon and we where messing around with it and the next thing we know we hit their boat that was sailing by. Turns out they where friends with Zoro even back in the day did some bounty hunter jobs together and so they stayed on cause of him….and they no longer had a place to live since there boat was gone. There names are Johnny and Yosaku." Ace shrugged flashing a coy smile but did not stop there. "Then one night when we where all out partying at this bar and Luffy really took to the musician there and just asked him to join all random like and the guy said yes all random like back as well. It had to be the oddest way we got a new member, but Brook is a great guy and though his jokes are as weak as he acts, he is actual a pretty good fighter and good guy you can count on." Ace smiled.
"Luffy certainly has an interesting knack of getting people join him it seems. So then ten members?"
Ace nodded in agreement then shook his head no. "Eleven. After Brook we got Robin. Or you might better know her as Ms. All-Sunday."
Sanji raised a brow at this. "You got her? But she is rather was one of that shitty Croc's dogs." All flirting stopped as Sanji turned serious. "There is no way that bastard would just let her go I mean…" he was just in shock this had to be a joke.
"Luffy had me join the medical staff at Water 7 Arena so I could get inside info and look for new member to recruit with a few wins under their belt. If we had a member with such in the gang then we would be allowed in the fights with out need of a representative other then our selves nor twenty members." The young doctor said as he finished up the stitching and dabbed it clean of blood so he could add on creams to help with the healing.
Blue eye stared at Chopper in utter shock.
As Sanji said nothing Ace tried to smooth the waters. "Robin had been with Crocodile for a long time and loyal at that but due to a rumor about her being able to read some ancient language the government came sniffing around and took her away saying it was for world security. Crocodile then fully released her from his contract with her to keep clean and stay a Monarch. So we swooped in to the rescue. I had to call in a favor while Chopper made this astounding drug that made it so Robin could lie all she wanted with out the court room being able to tell in any way. It was pretty amazing"
Chopper blushed as he fitted Sanji with a bandage.
"And of course with Nami acting as Robin's lawyer she got her off. Since then Robin has been with us though this last month Crocodile has been trying to contact her. I figure it's not long before we have to get ready for a full out attack from him."
Sanji lay there and blinked a few times from the mental overload of it all. Then a pang hit his chest. He could not help but feel jealous of Ms. All-Sunday, by chance of pure luck she had gotten out. Sure she would have to most likely worry about the shitty Croc trying to come after her in time and by the sounds of it the government too might try causing more trouble but she was free right now. Doing what she wanted… she was free just like … no he would not think of that.
Sanji licked his lips attentively "I don't think you really have to worry about that shitty Croc right now. He has his hands full right now with ongoing attacks from Doflamingo. I'm sups to be going in sometime this month again to grab a certain thing that Doflamingo can finally use to get the shity Corc to bow to Doflamingo's whims and team up with him in more ways then one or so the bastard thinks and hopes." Sanji gave a snort of a laugh. "It's really just stalking and blackmailing. So petty if you think about it. Still its gunna be a pain in the ass now that, that shitty Croc has it out for me. Guess you can only tease a crocodile for so long…before he snaps at ya." Sanji gave out a chuckle. "It's why I got this lovely parting gift two weeks ago from that shitty Croc. He met me face to face for the first time and…I guess I was not fast enough ...though I really didn't expect him to attack me on first sight in front of everyone. Heh that will teach me ne?" Sanji now sat up and looked down at the new bandage on him. "I really should not be telling you guys all this… but I need..." Sanji's mask started to crack as a glimmer of pain and distress came over his face then it was gone as he laughed out. "I really need to get my clothes and get going even though it's been fun laying near naked on a bathroom floor with hot guys draped over me I have yet got any sleep and am seriously needing a shower."
Both Chopper and Ace wore worried looks on their faces. They had hoped again Sanji was going to ask for help or to join them but now here he was talking about leaving. Ace really felt with how much Sanji seemed willing to share info that they had to be getting closer to the cook giving in so as he sat there behind Sanii and he mouthed to Chopper 'Get him to stay.' Chopper gave a single nod of his head and then placed a hand on Sanji's bare shoulder. "Sanji why don't you take a shower here? We can get you something to wear and I will see to it your cloths get washed so you have something clean to wear back to your place."
Sanji rubbed his tried eyes with the back of his knuckles of one of his hands and yet once more wished for a cigarette. "That's really nice and all Chopper but I really should get back. I left…a house guest alone."
Chopper frowned. "You need some rest and most likely some food before you go. You're in no shape to drive Sanji."
"Hn… I didn't drive I walked." Was Sanji's rebuttal.
The young doctor blinked. "From your place?" He had been to Sanji's place a few times since he had started working part time at Water 7 Arena and made friends with Sanji. Though he was really only ever called if his services where needed to give a patch up, or if the dumb-ass was ODing on whatever flavor of drug the crazy blonde happened to have on hand that day of the week. Never the less from Sanji's place to here was one hell of a walk as the cook lived practically on the other side of town. "That is even more unreasonable. Dammit Sanji we will give you a ride back but at lest get some rest and food while you're here. When was the last time you even ate or slept?" Chopper shifted once again into doctor mode but Ace said nothing since it was working in his favor for the moment.
Sanji pouted and felt like a little kid as he stared at the fake blue rubber nose on Chopper's face and tried to remember since the doctor was glaring at him meaning for him to give an answer. "I slept the night before just not last night." He snuck around the topic of food.
"And food?" Chopper harden his gaze not missing Sanji's attempt at side stepping that topic.
"I had a yogurt cup and half a bagel." Sanji pouted still.
"When?" Anger filled the young doctor's voice as his patients seemed to become thin.
Sanji bowed his head down and mumbled some answer so softly it was probably not even audible by dogs.
"Speak up." Ordered Chopper.
"Jeez Monday …ok?" Sanji jerked his head to the side to stare at the wall. Why the hell was Chopper doing this to him… especially in front of Ace? Sure Chopper was the closest thing he had to a real friend with in this last year … which was pretty sad if he thought about it since he knew tons of people and hardly spent any real time with Chopper unless he was hurt or some shit but it was not like the guy cared about him. There could be no way or…no …Chopper had said it himself. He had been sent to Water 7 to look for person who this gang could weasel into joining them so they could get in the fights. Chopper had just been pretending to be his friend to get information out of him like… Gin had been back at the restaurant.
"That's almost three days ago!" Chopper cried exasperated then closed his eyes and sighed. The anger seemed to flow out of him with the breath of air. All that was left now was worry. He reopened his eyes and tried again to get through to Sanji. "Sanji I know we are not close but I would like to still think I'm your friend, and as your friend I'm worried about you. You're not taking care of yourself."
"Am taking the victims you gave me and drinking lots of liquids." Sanji protested yet letting the doctor's words sink into his head. Could Chopper really care like he said? Sanji snuck a peek at the man. He seemed serious.
"Alcohol?" Chopper questioned.
"Sometimes…but milk and juice and things too." Sanji answered honestly.
"Well that's good but you still need to eat Sanji. With your training, work … and stuff … you're going to burn out your body." Chopper tried to reason with the man.
"Food taste like shit …" came the simple whisper of a reply from Sanji staring now to his own lap rather then look the doctor in the eye.
Chopper blinked wide eyed wondering if maybe Sanji had done something to his taste buds or maybe one of the drugs he was on was side affecting him. There was also the chance that it could be a serious symptom to something bigger medically wrong with him.
Ace this whole time had been very quiet as he listen to the conversation and stared at that pale back of the thin body in front of him. Curiel's words kept ringing in his hears softly under the voices of Chopper and Sanji's letting him hear all of them at once.
A man like that is a candle burning at both ends. It might be the last chance you see him in the arena. Stars never do last long anyways around this city when everyone's trying to climb to the top.
It was eating Ace up inside. The more he learned about this man the more he wanted to make things better for him. It was not pity. It was just something in him saw something in Sanji and he needed to be there for this man. He had such amazing strength that day in the Arena. Ace didn't want to see Sanji burn out. If Ace had to he would hold the fire in his own two hands so Sanji didn't get burned or faded into darkness.
Sanji gasped as Ace suddenly wrapped his arms around him and pulled him into another warm embrace from behind but the breath on him was beyond warm it was hot as the words brushed his ear and ran down the curve of his bare neck, "Stay. Just for awhile longer. You had to get your stitches redone and if a doctor is busy that will take awhile. I'm sure your … house guest can over look it just this once." Ace's nose nuzzled the lobe of his ear and Sanji felt like he had not butterflies in his stomach but a whole flock of birds flying about in it. His pale face turned to a bright scarlet as the next words where added, "I want you … to stay Sanji. Stay a bit longer … please … for me?"
Sanji nodded yes mutely feeling like he was going to faint from this attention from Ace. Maybe it was just lack of sleep? Lack of nicotine? Sanity? Yeah maybe he would just go with all of the above.
"Good then Sanji you can take a shower and we will bring in some clothing in awhile… you going to be ok being alone for a bit?" questioned Chopper as he got his things together and stood up jerking his head to the side for Ace to follow suit, the whole time shooting daggers with his eyes at Ace.
Ace could tell Chopper was not pleased with him so he let go of Sanji then got to his feet as Sanji just numbly nodded his head yes again to the doctor's question.
"We will see you in a bit then." Chopper promised the blonde and opened the bathroom door only to then jerked Ace to the door making him nearly trip on Sanji. Once Ace had his balance he found himself being pushed out the door by the doctor then the man followed shutting the door leaving Sanji there on the floor alone.
Sanji raised a shaky hand to his neck where he could still feel the heat Ace had left on him. In all truth he did want to stay… even if it was only for a little bit longer.
AN: Ok so here it is the first few chapters of "You're Mine" The main project I have been rambling on about for awhile now lol. I have more chapters ready to go I just would like to get some feedback before I put them out. So is the story catching any eyes? Please review just be gentle I bruise easily T.T