A week or so went by quickly, things continuing to develop. While most of their friends were out preparing things for their ambush of the All Blue, the cook and swordsman had other plans. Ones that included Zoro sitting outside the door to the rehabilitation room. He had decided to leave, regretfully agreeing he'd just end up somewhere else when he knew he needed to be here.

He wasn't allowed to go in, which made his scowl only deepen. He could hear his blonde yelling from the inside. Was it that painful? It didn't sound like he was particularly in pain. Zoro crossed his arms in front of his chest again. This was ridiculous. He wanted to help Sanji learn how to walk as much as the cook wanted to.

The Marimo turned back towards the door, squinting his eyes. Unfortunately it was made out of a clouded glass he couldn't just spy through. Letting his stubbornness get the better of him, he unfolded his arms and reached for the knob, opening it slowly to take in the sight.

Sanji was standing in the center, his face red and sweaty. His arms were out on his sides, holding on to two bars that were placed parallel to his sides – like bumpers to help him move forward. His hair was a mess, something that would drive him nuts if he already wasn't pushing himself through obvious limits. He'd move his hand forward on the bar, pulling the leg of that side forward, his jaw clenching as he moved.

"Sanji!" Chopper squealed at his side, walking with him on the other side of the bar. "If the pain is too much, you need to stop and take a break! This is your 70th lap!"

On the opposite side was Bon Clay in a solid pink leotard. He spun on his tippy toe while shouting encouraging praises and chants to the cook.

"Un Deux Trois Sanji-kun! Un Deux Trois!"

Sanji growled in irritation, glaring at Bon before jerking his head back to Chopper.

"I'm fine Chopper." He growled through his teeth. "I know how to walk! I just need to..."

"Yes Sanji we know but you can't push yourself! You have a limit!" The doctor squeaked.

Zoro closed the door behind him, catching everyones attention. Bon Clay stopped spinning and Sanji's eye widened at seeing him. Suddenly being the center of attention, the Marimo glanced around cautiously, walking towards the end of the bars. He stopped, a hand lazily in his pants pocket and finally looked Sanji down.

Past the exhausted look of Sanji after working out for way longer than he should have ever been allowed, he looked a little pained. It made Zoro narrow his eyes. Why couldn't the stubborn cook just listen to Chopper for once? Or was he making hurting himself more of a habit?

Sanji lowered his chin, glaring into Zoro's thick skull. What part of "don't come in" hadn't he understood?

"What are you doing here?" He demanded.

Zoro tilted his head to the side, raising one of his eyebrows curiously. "Came to help." He muttered.

"I don't need your help!" Sanji stood straighter where he'd paused on the bars. "Now get out of here before I kick your ass."
That made Zoro chuckle lightly. He teasingly stretched out his arms. "I'd like to see you try."

The gesture was enough to infuriate Sanji, his curly brow twitching.

"Oh? You don't think I can, Marimo?" He growled, taking another step forward, ignoring Chopper who whined his name again with a protest of resting.

Zoro lowered his eyebrow and stood a little straighter. He rested his arms back at his side. "You can't even get over here."
Sanji made it to the end of the bars, which was still a handful of feet away from where Zoro stood. He gazed at the space confidently. Bull shit, he knew how to walk, even if it proved to be difficult. He pushed off the bars and began walking forward. It made that smug Marimo grin.

"Sanji!" Chopper yelled again, slamming his clipboard down. Why the hell did no one listen to him, the doctor?!

Bon Clay stood straighter and smiled, watching.

Sanji's balance was still shaky, something that occurred after his body had gotten rid of its state of shock, but he was no stranger to what he was doing. One side might have had more of a limp. He was right in front of Zoro, fully willing to smack his foot into his temple when his eyes widen and an alien sensation consumed him. It was something he was getting familiar with but gave him a shock every time.

His leg buckled under him and he was on a full course towards the ground. Zoro was fast though, he took a gracefully step forward and caught Sanji below the arms. He eased him back into a standing position. Sanji's tired face reddened a little more in embarrassment of having to be caught, but he was thankful he didn't have to meet the ground harshly again. He settled his hands on Zoros shoulders, refusing to meet his gaze.

They both ignored Bon Clays speech about true love. Zoro was grinning. He'd gotten Sanji to walk on his own just by being here. His eyes softened though as his voice took on a more serious tone.

"Why are you working so hard, Cook?" He whispered. "Didn't you learn the first time..."

"I know, shitty Marimo." The Cook snapped to silence his worry. He hated the feelings he felt when Zoro got all sentimental and caring. "I just need to be ready before... you know."

He was referring to when the group was finally going to take action. They needed only a little time to gather the correct information and draft up a plan. Sanji knew any day now they'd get the call from the others and then it'd be time. Finally time to take the All Blue down, to be free and not live in constant fear.

Zoro shook his head lightly. He understood Sanjis reasoning and how much he was adamant about being there during the ambush. Deciding it better not to comment on the Cooks reasoning, he glanced over at Chopper who was approaching them angrily. He held a walking cane in his hand which he offered out to them. Zoro reached over and took it, looking it over.

Sanjis look of distaste didn't fade when he noticed it. He wasn't particularly happy being given one of those to walk around with. Zoro offered it to him anyway, even if he was silently protesting against it.

"Sanji..." He whispered harshly.

Sanji sighed, his attitude calming finally. He relaxed and pulled one of his arms back that was settled on Zoro's shoulder and took it. He hated this thing, but understood he needed it. Because whether he liked it or not, he did easily get exhausted and at least now he was totally free from his wheelchair with this. He was moving on up.

"Candy boy!" A loud booming voice from the doorway made a visible chill run up Sanjis spine. His grip was back on Zoro in deadly fashion and he stared helplessly into his eyes.

Zoro was surprised by Sanjis reaction, turning to see what the source of his panic might be. That's when he saw the weirdest looking man he'd seen yet. It was a huge man wearing little to nothing of nurse clothes. He had curly blue hair and heavy eyeliner. He held up a syringe with a mischievous glint in his eye,

"It's time for your medicine!" he laughed.

Bons eyes seemed to brighten as he spun over to the man. "Ivankov~!" He sung happily. So that was his name. Zoro looked back down at Sanji who was pleading to him with his eyes.

"Get me..." He whispered lowly. "Away from these okama..."

"You don't have to wait for me." Sanji mumbled, finally making it to the apartment door.

Zoro was on the inside, holding it open and watching him as he approached. He was a little slow, moving with his cane, but the swordsman didn't mind. He was more thrilled just to see him moving again. Sanji made sure to look away from him, avoiding his gaze as he moved inside.

He made his way first to the couch, grabbing the back of it and leaning against it to take a rest. He sighed. Zoro closed the door, watching him curiously as he moved closer to pull his jacket off him, much to the blondes distaste of having someone else do it. Sanji couldn't help but smile though at a domestic Zoro.

"You alright?" He felt Zoro ask softly in his ear.

Sanji let out a slight hum of reply, turning to look at Zoros face. They weren't in among people anymore, it was just them. Sanji leaned in closer to Zoro, his lips brushing his lovers before kissing them. His arm moving so that he was half holding Zoros side. He pulled away for a moment, studying Zoros face before whispering a quiet thanks.

Zoro knew what it was about without really prying and he didn't press about it. He grinned slightly, looking down as he grabbed Sanjis hand from his side then began to guide him around to the couch. He sat down first, looking up at Sanjis reddening face before helping him forward onto his lap, letting the cook straddle him. Sanjis arms moved out and forward, finding themselves behind Zoros neck as lips met lips again, tongues invading each others mouth.

Sanji moaned a little into Zoros mouth before the swordsman pulled away, licking at the saliva trail that connected their mouths. His lips moved to the nape of Sanjis neck, silently provoking the blonde to extend and offer it. He nipped at Sanjis fair skin, leaving a trail of love bites down to his collar bone. The swordmans fingers worked delicately on the buttons of Sanjis shirt.

The blonde couldn't help but grind himself forward, feeling Zoros hand gripping his ass. Zoro let out a low growl at the sensation of both their now excited members meeting with friction through their pants. Sanjis arm extended then, reaching for the back of the couch while Zoro had a hold on his rear.

Zoros lips moved back to Sanjis, distracting him from what he was about to do. He shifted his weight for a moment, tightening his hold on Sanji as he pulled himself off the couch, the cook wrapped around him. It wasn't until they moved into the bedroom, where the lighting was much weaker on his eyelids, that Sanji noticed the change of scenery. Damn that Marimo, manhandling him yet again.

But that wasn't enough for him to protest. He pulled away from the kiss, only enough so that it was easier to rid himself of the rest of his shirt and toss it to the side, his arms finding their way back to Zoros shoulder. The swordsman brought him to the edge of the bed, gently placing him down on his back, Sanjis body and unclothed chest in full display. He swallowed thickly.

Sanji, who was blushing a little harder now, narrowed his eyes, sensing the hesitation of his lover. His long delicate fingers moved to his own pants buckle, unfastening it while Zoros dark eyes watched carefully as he hovered over his lover.

"Zoro..." Sanji said softly, calling the Marimos attention back to his face. "It's alright."

Zoro clenched his jaw, averting his gaze for a moment. Even though the blonde said so, he wasn't so sure. He turned back, feeling Sanjis hand wrap around his wrist, pleading with him to look at him and to understand.

"I'm not fragile. I can take it."

He leaned forward, his lips pressing against Zoros and bringing him closer down. Sanjis hand around his wrist guided him towards his lower abdomen. The Marimos touch made him hum lightly, his hand trailing up and gathering Zoros shirt, so that once they broke away, like they did, it was pulled off and tossed aside, quickly forgotten.

Zoros hands moved to the blondes hips, his fingers digging under the others pants and boxers before pulling them down, fully exposing Sanji to his gaze. A shiver ran up the blondes spine from the chill air, rejoicing in the feeling of Zoros touch below the belt, something that had once been forgotten. He moved yet again from Sanjis lips, finding himself craving a taste for the flesh on his chest.

He trailed kisses to Sanjis nipple, giving it a teasing nip, his hand moving up to find the other to play. Sanjis head fell back and his teeth brushed against the top of his lower lip as he let out another approving moan. His blue eye trailed downward, catching a glance of Zoro working at his nipples, unable to help the way his breath began to deepen.

His hand moved to cup the back of Zoros head, ruffling at that god forsaken green hair. Sanji lost his grasp though as Zoro moved lower, his kiss reaching the top of his exposed head, that dark eye moving upward to watch his reaction. Sanji tried to resist the sound that wanted to emerge, rolling his head over to the side into the sheets. "Zoro..." He managed out, trying to control his voice that threatened to falter.

His voice was nothing but encouragement to Zoro as he continued kissing down his shaft. The cook brought his hand to his mouth, his eyes momentarily closing as the sensations ran through him, proving his attempts at muffling his responses useless. Especially when Zoros tongue found its way across his tip and all hope was lost for Sanji. He dropped his hand and made his feelings vocal.

His stubbornness was only shattered more as the curious tongue found itself deeper, exploring the top of his tip. Sanjis hand, out to the side, gripped onto the sheets, his back arching forward instinctively. The cooks face was completely red, trailing to the tops of his ears, his breathing a divine panting mess.

The instant Zoros mouth took Sanji in, The blondes hand flew back to the others head, gripping at the fucking green hair. He couldn't help the moaning, Sanji would usually be embarrassed, but after so long it felt so appeasing. He was internally crying for more, for Zoro to take more of him inside. It was like the Marimo could read his mind, taking him in more, beginning to suck at his member.

Zoro had waited so long to hear Sanji like this again. It was so heaven sent, he couldn't control his own boiling desire. He pulled away from Sanji, meeting his eye, a splash of blue surrounded by red and licked at his lips. Then he reached over, ready for the next step as he opened the drawer to their nightstand and retrieving a little bottle.

He settled back and was about to take his own zipper down when yet again hesitation took over him. "Sanji..." He exhaled deeply, looking back at him.

Sanjis hand met his face though, his finger tips gently brushing his cheek before resting down on his shoulder. He was a panting mess, but the lack of words was fine. Zoro knew what he meant by the gesture and continued on his mission. He lowered himself again, taking Sanji inside his mouth again, much to the blondes delight, before coating his fingers in lotion, a practiced motion.

His hand lowered between them, his finger finding Sanjis entrance without a problem. A sound released itself from deep in Sanjis throat, his grip on the swordsmans shoulder tightening as fingernails met flesh. It had been too long, he knew, but braced himself by clenching his teeth, his voice unable to stabilize at the teasing tongue on him.

Zoros courage prompted him further. His finger entered. Sanjis eye widened, his head falling backward as a moan ripped through his body. Screw the neighbors hearing. It was loud enough to make the swordsman fall out of place, raising his head and studying the cooks face in mild panic. He hadn't hurt him too much, had he?

Sanji lifted his head again, shaking it back and forth as he bit into his bottom lip. "It's fine!" He gasped between his pants. "Keep going!"

Zoros gaze lowered back to Sanjis member. He trusted the cook enough to know his limit with this at least. With his free hand, he grabbed Sanji and began to stroke, his lips lowering back onto his head to suck. His other hand started moving again, his finger going in and out slowly, only gaining speed once he was confident Sanji wasn't in actual pain.

Sanji had learned how to become an excellent actor though. Having had enough painful experiences in the last months alone, this was nothing. He wanted this, needed this and he knew Zoro did too. He was determined during his distracted state not to forget to hide any discomfort. Instead finding himself vocal yet again as Zoro added another finger inside him. He couldn't even think straight enough to pity the nail marks threatening to break Zoros skin.

Zoros fingers were doing their work, thrusting in and out while expanding, stretching and scissoring at Sanjis entrance. He teased the top of Sanji still, watching as the blonde couldn't stand still, several sensations playing at his brain. He wanted to moan softly at Zoros touch, but then escalate as his insides were prepped.

Finally Zoros third finger slipped inside him, Sanji pressing the side of his face hard into the sheets, screaming out. It almost lowered to a whimper, his eyes closing a moment with another breathless saying of the Marimos name.

"Zoro!"

The swordsman stopped again, hearing Sanjis voice alter speeding up his heart. Had he done it now? Something to really hurt the cook? Slowly Sanji peeled his face off the fabric and looked at him. There was a moment of silent conversation but then he gave a slight nod. He could handle it. If he could handle so much more, there was no way in hell he wasn't going to be able to handle making love with Zoro.

"Do it."

Zoro took a deep breath, his eye wandering down to himself. With his unoccupied hand he reached into his boxers, releasing himself from the fabric restraint. Grabbing the bottle again swiftly, he coated himself over before positioning himself. He entered slowly, torturing himself by watching Sanjis expression, watching as his mouth hung open while he wailed a powerful moan in response.

Sanjis back arched more, his eyes closing tightly. It hurt, it did, he couldn't lie. But he wanted this. He couldn't stop now. He pleaded to Zoro inside his head not to. Zoro leaned forward, his forehead softly meeting Sanjis, his earrings giving a soft jingle at his side amongst their heavy breathing.

"Relax." He finally said, lifting his chin instead to kiss him. "Sanji."

Hearing the swordsmans voice made Sanji bite hard into his lip. That voice that made him want to melt. His body, that had tensed at the intrusion, began to unwind. His hands moved up and linked around Zoros neck. Zoro, feeling as the cook relaxed around him, finally began to move slowly inside. He himself let out a groan at the feeling. He'd missed it, it had been far too long.

It took a few more slow thrusts inside and coos inside the cooks ear until Sanji squeezed around Zoro, his chin falling forward. He was getting used to it again, feeling an old sensation begin to return to him. He raised his face, looking into Zoros eyes, granting him what they both wanted.

"Faster."

Zoro watched him for a moment more before acknowledging his request. He began to thrust faster, both of them letting out moans. Sanjis face turned back towards the ceiling, his eyes sliding to a close, pin pointing his senses. The swordsman was moving faster now and the feeling was just what he wanted, especially when he hit the spot inside Sanji where he couldn't help but arch his back again, his moan echoing off the walls as he held onto Zoro.

Satisfied he'd found it, the Marimo kept hitting that spot, hearing every variant of his name from Sanjis lips. He could only respond with low growls as he worked. His hands found themselves back in front of him, his fingers wrapping around Sanjis member and beginning to pump.

They were both silently embarrassed at how fast they could feel their release coming. It had been so long and they wanted to last as much as they could. Zoro throbbed with anticipation inside Sanji as he listened to the Cook's reactions at his touch and his thrusts, edging him closer and closer to his limit. When Zoros finger brushed across Sanjis tip again though, the blonde saw white.

Sanji had reached his limit, his body shuddering as he came into Zoros hand and in between them, yelling out Zoros name as he did. His body went tense, tightening around Zoro and making him groan as he tried to continue. Even so, he only made it a few more clean thrusts before finally reaching his own limit and releasing inside the Cook, giving him a run for his money on the sound scale.

They both rested against each other for a moment, just listening to the sound of each others panting in silence. Finally, Zoro pulled himself out, falling down onto the bed beside Sanji. The blonde also fell back, his chest quickly rising and falling. They laid there in more silence, staring at the odd pattern of white paint on the ceiling.

Finally, Zoro spoke, replaying some of the sights that had flashed before his eyes. He furrowed his brow, his hand resting on his chest.

"You were in pain weren't you?" he asked, low.

Sanji didn't respond though. He was awake and aware, but being seen through his lie wasn't exactly something he wanted to admit to. He opted not to respond, perhaps the swordsman would just sleep. He didn't though, in usual Zoro fashion. Only slept in the most inconvenient of times.

"Why didn't you stop me...?"

Zoro turned on his side to face Sanji, his scowl deepening as he propped his head on his hand. He studied the cooks determination not to make contact with him as he continued his silence. It kind of irritated the Marimo.

"I could have hurt you more like before..." He began, but finally Sanji sighed and halted his words.

Zoro watched as Sanji did the opposite of him, turning towards him and propping his head. Sanji studied the swordsmans angry expression, knowing it was hardly so and more worry. He moved his arm to rest on the curve of his body and he closed his eyes for just a moment while he thought of something to say.

Yes, he was quite aware of the risks. Sanji knew much about risks these days. But did he regret this? No. Was he really in pain after this? Nothing extreme that a good rest couldn't fix. He opened his eye again and gazed into Zoro's.

"I'd rather be paralyzed this way." He grinned.

Author's Note: Squeee my first like sex scene in a fanfiction. ;u; did it meet expectations? No? Okay -commits seppuku- ANYWAY. Yup a little more filler before we hit the last slope to the end. Makes me sad just thinking about it. Q_Q Hope you enjoyed!... or else I'll cry.

Special thanks to my friend MyLadyDay or holding my hand during this and giving me advice (And beta-ing this!). And then thanks to my friend Mitsu-chan who took my other hand when things really got heated. I can never thank you two enough QUQ;;