Hello, it's Lauren here, (x-BlackButterfly-x)
I am using my beautiful friend's account to post the final chapter of this fic. We're sorry it's been so long since the last chapter was posted but we hope you have enjoyed reading this fic as much as we have enjoyed writing it together. Thank you for the follows, favourites, and reviews, and for sticking with us even with the long overdue chapter updates. Thank you ^.^ x
Chapter 10
How am I going to tell Law I'm in love with Zoro? Sanji sighs to himself as he continues to prepare lunch. His mind has been buzzing with various thoughts over fearing what Law's reaction will be. Will the captain hate him? Try to kill him? Or get rid of the competition? Law is truly unpredictable, and that's a thing to be concerned about. The cook also doesn't want to upset the beautiful Yume-chan again, so he really wants to get this over with. In the back of his mind Sanji is curious on why she's so invested in Law not getting his heart broken. Maybe she's in love with Law...
The cook snaps out of his daze when he feels a pair of strong arms wrap around him and he smiles as he leans back against the warm body that is holding him firmly from behind.
"What are you doing here marimo?"
"Nothing," the green haired swordsman replies as he rests his chin on Sanji's shoulder, "just hungry."
"Right, well it shouldn't be too long now. Go gather the others."
Focusing on the food he's cooking in the frying pan, Sanji feels a chill as Zoro's arms release him, and he listens to the other man's residing footsteps.
As any other day, lunch comes and goes, followed later on by an evening meal. The blond chef leaves the dishes in the sink to soak as his mind is more focused on other things, and instead goes outside to the back of the ship to take a cigarette break.
In thought, Sanji absentmindedly taps on the railing in front of him and is staring out at the calm waters of the ocean. The sun is starting to go down now and the calm gentle rock of the waves against the ship in no way reflects how he has been feeling all day. He needs to talk to Law as soon as possible, but he is having trouble finding the correct words to say, and what hasn't been helping is that every time he tries to get Law on his own, Zoro interrupts them. Sanji isn't an idiot. He knows that the green haired swordsman has been interrupting them on purpose, and it's pretty clear why Zoro thinks he needs to. The sooner he can get this sorted out, then the better it will be for all of them. And that is why Sanji has asked his precious Nami-swan to keep Zoro distracted while he attempts to talk to Law. Their orange haired beauty has no trouble at all with her task and is making Zoro do chores around the ship with the threat of adding on more money to his debt if he refuses to do them.
Once he's finished with his cigarette, Sanji finds Law then takes him to the aquarium so that they can be alone.
A long silence builds between them, making the atmosphere tense. Law can tell that there is something on Sanji's mind, and so he waits for the other man to make his move, unaware that what Sanji is about to say next will mark the end of their brief affair.
"Law," the blond chef says quietly with a hint of nervousness tainting his voice, "there's something I have to tell you…"
"what is it Blackleg-Ya?"
"... I can't keep doing this with you anymore. I'm sorry."
"It wouldn't be for much longer anyway. Your crew and I will be going our separate ways once all of this over. We should just make the most of it while we still can."
Law leans closer to kiss the cook but Sanji stops him before looking him in the eyes, "I meant it when I said that I can't. I love Zoro….."
The swordsman sighs and watches the fish swim in the aquarium behind Sanji, "right, I see. Let's just forget this ever happened."
Law leaves the room as the sun disappears beyond the horizon. The rest of the Straw Hat crew are nowhere in sight, and so he heads to the front of the ship and leans forward on the railing, watching as the light from the moon shines on the ocean waters, making it sparkle similar to the stars in the sky as it darkens.
It's quiet tonight, and though he should feel more torn up about what just happened with Sanji, he can't bring himself to feel anything other than a little bit of disappointment. He always know what the outcome would be, and he resolved from the start that he wouldn't let himself get too attached, and so that is exactly what he did.
As he's lost in his thoughts, he feels a presence behind him and turns around to see who it is.
"Oh, it's just you."
Sanji is still in the aquarium, watching the fish swim around. In a way he feels like a weight has just been lifted off from his shoulders. However, he still has one more thing to do. He closes his eyes and takes a deep breath. Once he's composed himself, the blond gets up from his seat and goes in search of one of his crew members.
He finds them fast asleep in the kitchen, leaning back against the side of the breakfast bar. As Sanji goes to join them, he notices that the dishes he left in the sink earlier have been washed up and cleared away. He smiles to himself as he sit down next to his crew mate and nudges him awake.
"Did Nami-swan ask you to do that?"
"No. The sea witch had me cleaning our room and the bathroom all afternoon. I came in here to find you and saw that the dishes hadn't been done. I think I've put everything back in the right place."
"Thank you."
"Shut up stupid love cook it's not my fault that you - wait what?"
Sanji chuckles and resists the urge to call Zoro cute to his face, "I said thank you, you shitty moss head."
"R-right, well I think I deserve some sake for that then," the swordsman says as he gets up from the floor.
"Go ahead. Help yourself, there's plenty there."
Sanji glances up to see that Zoro is looking at him like he's grown a second head.
"What?"
"Is something wrong? You normally go off on one when I ask for sake."
"Nothing's wrong dumbass. Hang on, I'll get it for you."
Zoro watches Sanji suspiciously as the blond grabs them both some sake then sits on the couch, patting the seat beside him, inviting the swordsman over.
"I'm not going to bite, marimo. Just sit down."
Warily, he joins the cook on the couch, and glances to him oddly as he's handed his drink, and watches as Sanji downs his own before getting more.
"Ok, you're really starting to freak me out now. What's going on and where's the real shit cook?"
"Shut up idiot and just kiss me," the blond replies as he slides his fingers into Zoro's hair and yanks him forward, kissing him passionately.
The swordsman reciprocates the kiss and his eyes widen when he hears the three words Sanji says to him once he pulls away.
"What did you just say?"
"Ok, let me make this easier for your dumbass to understand," the blond replies, and makes over exaggerated gestures as he continues, "Me. Shichibukai. No. We. Yes. Get that?"
"No I don't! Why are you talking like that? Say it in a proper sentence!"
"I thought a muscle head like you couldn't understand sentences. More Sake?" Sanji asks as he goes to pour more sake for Zoro.
"Oi, don't try to change the subject."
The swordsman takes the sake from Sanji and moves their drinks over to the table before sitting back down next to the blond, "well?"
"Well what?"
"Say it again. And not that nonsense you just spoke. What did you say after our kiss?"
"I- It doesn't matter….." Sanji replies as he gets up from the couch, intending to make his escape. However, Zoro grabs his arm and drags him back down, and the blond ends up on the swordsman's lap instead of the couch.
"Yes, it does. Say it."
"Alright fine, I love you, you shitty marimo….. And I've chosen you. Not Law…."
Zoro grins and kisses Sanji softly, "I love you too."
"What are you doing out here on your own?"
"What does it matter to you?"
Yume leans back against the Sunny's railing next to Law, facing towards the mast of the ship, while the Shichibukai continues to face the other direction and stare out at the ocean.
"It's Sanji, right?"
"No, it's not."
"You don't have to pretend. I can tell that you're more hurt about this then you let on."
Yume glances towards Law and sighs, "look, I know it didn't turn out the way you wanted, but you'll find someone."
"I don't need anyone. What I do need is to get to Dressrosa."
"Maybe once this is all over, you'll chance your mind. And if you do. I won't be going anywhere. I know I've already agreed to join Luffy's crew, but….. If someone wanted me, then I'd go with them."
Law is confused with what Yume is talking about, until the assassin softly kisses his cheek before heading to the girl's room.
He watches her go and contemplates what she just said. For now, he's going to push it to the back of his mind and focus on Dressrosa and Doflamingo. The upcoming battle will be tough, but as long as he and the Straw Hats stick to the plan, everything will work out just fine. Won't it?