Disclaimer: See Chapter One
Chapter Twelve
The thing I miss the most is
Waking up next to you
When I look into your eyes,
Man, I wish that I could stay,
And I can't lie
-Simple Plan, "I Can Wait Forever"
xxx
"So, is there anything you particularly want to talk about, Sanji?" Brook had asked as they were seated in the small coffee shop.
Sanji shook his head and glanced down at his tea, pursing his lips. He had never been much of a coffee person, but Earl Grey in the afternoon never failed to soothe him. "It's been going well. At least, as well as it can be going when you know that someone's out there to kill you."
"Ah, I see. And can I enquire as to who picked up the phone this morning? He had a most pleasant voice," Brook noted.
"Kaku. Or am I wrong?" Robin arched a brow as Sanji turned to her and nodded. "You and he are getting along again?"
"Yeah, we're fine."
"And you and Zoro-bro?" Franky asked, taking a gulp of his extra large iced sugar-and-coffee-abomination as Sanji shivered. "You guys hook up yet?"
"I…guess you could call it that. Last night," Sanji admitted, looking down.
"Super, bro! I'm not sure how much more sniffing around I could have taken. You've been making eyes at each other since you got back from Japan," Franky clapped him on the back.
"Making eyes?" Sanji grimaced at the choice of words.
"I'm not implyin' that you were acting like women, man," Franky assured him carefully. "It's just a saying, y'know?"
"Okay," Sanji conceded. "But let's get back on topic. Robin my dear, I was wondering if you could offer me any advice as to how to approach this situation?"
"More than you would think," Robin sighed and glanced into her coffee cup, her blue eyes distant and full of sorrow. "I have had previous experience with Rob Lucci and the members of Cipher Pol Number Nine, you see. Have you ever heard of a man named Crocodile?"
"The guy that tried to take over the Nefertari corporation?" Sanji blinked. "Vivi was talking about him yesterday."
"Did she tell you about a woman who went by the alias of Miss All-Sunday?"
"No."
"Miss All-Sunday was Crocodile's second in command. She was a very powerful woman who was used to getting her way and persuading those around her to see things from her point of view. It was through her that he was able to gain the trust of Cobra Nerfertari's employees so easily and eventually get herself and Crocodile admitted into the heart of the corporation," Robin explained slowly, and Sanji put his teacup down with a rather noticeable clank as a gasp left his lips.
"You. You were Miss All-Sunday."
"I was," Robin looked ashamed. "But it was something that I could not help. My mother died in a tragic accident when I was only eight years old, and with no home and no other family to turn to, I ended up on the streets. People felt sorry for me and took me in for a few months or a year, and I ended up finding a rather nice family that paid for my tuition through grade school…in exchange I only had to do some chores and volunteer work. That's how I met Nami.
"But then I met Crocodile when I was fifteen. He promised me everything I could have ever dreamed and even gave me money for University, and without knowing he was a criminal I accepted it and learned that either I would have to work for him or he would kill me. As you probably know, once you get yourself involved in one of these organizations, there are very few ways out. I did the work for him and managed to get my archaeology degree and a stable job at the museum, although on the side he still had projects for me to complete.
"Of course, by this time I was a little older and a lot wiser, and I informed Cobra of Crocodile's plan and suggested that he get somebody to take care of it. With the money that the Nefertari family has, he hired the best he could get so as to clear me from any suspicion in Crocodile's mind. And the best, of course, was Cipher Pol Number Nine. Crocodile never suspected that it was I who eventually gave the mission away, and now he and highest subordinates are rotting in jail," she finished.
"Robin, you…"
"You can see why I've never told any of you," Robin's long fingers clenched around her coffee cup as she closed her eyes and stared at the table, seemingly afraid of what Sanji's reaction to her admission would be. "Cobra decided that it would be best if we never even told Vivi about it." Franky gave his soon-to-be wife a comforting smile and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "Forgive me for not mentioning it. I'm sure that finding out one of your friends is an ex-criminal probably isn't the best thing at this moment."
"Robin, I'm not angry," Sanji finally admitted. "I think it would be impossible for me to be angry with you. You did what you had to do in order to survive. I can understand that," he said, shifting in his chair. "After…"
"You don't have to tell us," Brook held up a hand to forestall the explanation. "We're here to help you, not force you to think about your past, my friend."
"Thanks, Brook," Sanji smiled at the tall man. "But really, Robin my dear, the last emotion I feel toward you at this moment is anger."
"Thank you," Robin looked moderately relieved, and Sanji reached across the table to take her hand and give it a light squeeze. "But the point of that revelation of mine is simple: trust CP9, Sanji, and above all do not try to get in their way. Remember that their job is to protect you, and if that means sacrificing themselves, they will gladly do it without hesitation. I warn you only because it's obvious that you're close to a couple of them, and I know you to be the type of man who would not accept having somebody do something such as take a bullet for you. That is one of the reasons they remain as cold and indifferent as they are: it's easier for the people they're protecting to lose a guard than it is for them to lose a friend."
Sanji worried his bottom lip as he thought, bowing his head so that his eyes were hidden by his long bangs. "I suspected as much," he replied after a few seconds. "But I try not to think about things like that. I can't…I'd feel guilty for the rest of my life if Kaku or Kalifa or even Lucci did something like that for me."
"You're strong, bro," Franky said with uncharacteristic seriousness. "And these guys know it. Besides, it's not like they're gonna look for bullets to jump in front of," he added.
"True enough. But if it comes to it…" Sanji shook his head and took a sip of his tea, more than ready to change the subject. "Oi, Franky, what happened with you and Iceburg?"
"We're fine now," Franky nodded. "Imagine, all these years and all we would have had to do was sit down and talk it out. We're even gonna build a boat together soon," he grinned. "It's gonna be super! Ow!"
Thankfully, that topic change started Franky off on a tale of how this was going to be the greatest ship ever built in the city of Vancouver, and Sanji didn't think about Robin's story for the remainder of the afternoon.
000
"Aw, come on, old man! You can't expect me…"
"Can and will, eggplant," Zeff pointed a condescending finger at the young man as he stirred a large pot of soup with his free hand. "You're a whiny little cretin, but you're fast, and we need speed during Sunday brunch. All of our other waiters are run ragged, but I know for a fact that you can carry five full plates at a time without breaking a sweat, so if you ever want to see the inside of this kitchen again, you're going to work."
"Head Chef? If I may intrude?"
"Go ahead, boy."
"I believe that this change can be accommodated, but I must remind you that young Mr. Blackleg here needs to have a rather fixed schedule. The members of Cipher Pol have rather full timetables as it is, and we're run thin trying to find free persons that can be here for all of his shifts," Kaku said politely. "I think I can call in a favour for tomorrow…"
"Don't worry about it," Sanji waved him off. "I'll make Zoro or Ace come in…"
"No," Zeff said emphatically. "That D boy will eat everything off the buffet table if he doesn't have a narcoleptic attack first, and from what I've heard, Roronoa's quite fond of sleep himself."
"It's perfectly alright, Sanji," Kaku patted his shoulder. "Paulie owes me anyway. He's always calling Rob or I to come help him up at the marina, and they're closed Sundays."
"See? Nothing to worry about, kid," Zeff shrugged. "Now, run off with you and have your break. Here," he shoved a plate of food at Sanji, who took it and grumbled as he trekked out to the balcony and slid onto a bench, staring at the flickering lights and multi-coloured buoys on the dark water.
"Hey, Kaku?"
He hadn't heard the agent follow him, but he knew that he was there regardless. "Yes?"
"Do you know a woman named Robin Nico?"
"I know of a woman named Robin Nico," Kaku scratched his nose. "I assume you're referring to the Nefertari case?" At Sanji's nod, he continued, "It happened only a couple of months before I started working for CP9, but I learned about the case in-depth. I know that she is one of your close friends."
"Yeah," Sanji nodded, taking a forkful of his salmon. "She told me about the whole Crocodile thing today, and she also said something else about you and your team-mates."
"What?" Kaku sounded suspicious.
"That if it came down to it, you'd sacrifice your lives just to keep me safe."
There was complete silence from behind him after the words, but the sudden press of hands on his shoulders said more than any words could have. Kaku started to gently knead his shoulders as Sanji continued to eat, waiting for the older man to make the first statement. "I believe you know the answer to that, my friend."
"And you expect me to just let it happen? You may be here to protect me, but the last thing I'm going to do is…"
"You must," Kaku said emphatically. "Because if you don't…"
"I'm not letting any of you die for me!" Sanji tried not to sound as angry as he felt. "How do you think I could live with myself if I…"
"Sanji, don't make this more difficult than it is," Kaku's voice came from near his ear as the man bent down. "Remember that it is my job to do so. If I did not do my job properly, I would not have one."
"So your job mandates that it's better to be killed than to be saved, is that right?"
"That's correct. All of us know the dangers involved in this profession, and we accept them gladly because we know that what we're doing is the right thing," Kaku replied rather monotonously. "Justice, Mr. Blackleg. Above all, justice must be dealt out to offenders."
"You sound like Lucci."
"Rightly so."
"I don't like it."
"I don't expect you to like any of this," Kaku told him truthfully. "But unfortunately we can't choose the path our lives take. We're doing all we can to bring Krieg's men in, but until that time, I'm afraid that you'll have to put up with us and our rules. And trust me, we won't be voluntarily putting our lives on the line if it can be helped."
"That's what Franky said, too," Sanji admitted.
"He's right."
"Do you know any of this Don Krieg's underlings? Somebody else I should watch out for?" Sanji asked as he finished his meal. He had been wondering about this for a while, especially since pictures of the infamous Don Krieg seemed to not be forthcoming. He had spent a fair amount of time on the streets in the East end of downtown as a child, and chances are he might know some of the people who'd now fallen in with Krieg.
"Only his second in command. They call him the cold-hearted demon," Kaku said.
"What's his name?"
"Gin."
"Hmm…" Sanji stroked his beard thoughtfully. After all, it wasn't like 'Gin' was a common name…
He'd have some phone calls to make later, that's for sure.
"I think it's best if we don't see each other publicly for a few days," Kaku continued after a moment's silence.
"Why?"
"Truthfully, I should not have even come tonight," Kaku admitted. "But I was the only one who could. The more often the same person is with you for your entire shift, the more suspicious Krieg's men will become."
"Well, true enough," Sanji shrugged, sighing as Kaku continued to massage his shoulders. "Don't be a stranger though, hey?"
"Of course not. I'm still young Mr. Roronoa's trainer, after all."
"That you are," Sanji smiled.
"How much longer do you have?"
"Fifteen minutes," Sanji shrugged. "I don't keep track. If the geezer needs me that badly he can yell."
"You have a lot of respect for him."
"I respect what he's done. I don't respect him one bit," Sanji replied with a feral grin, reaching for a cigarette. "But come on, sit down. Unless you want to keep doing that, of course," Sanji gestured vaguely with the white stick in his hand. "It feels good."
"Whatever you wish," Kaku replied in a rather off-hand way.
Deciding that he'd worry about Gin later, Sanji closed his eyes and leant back, feeling relatively at peace.
000
"Oi, Zoro! I'm home!"
"About time," Zoro grunted from his position on the couch. He yawned and sat up, blinking sleep from his eyes. "I waited up."
"Liar. You were sleeping."
"Fine. You look mad again," Zoro commented, beckoning Sanji over to the couch.
"Nah," Sanji took off his suit jacket and hung it carefully in the closet, smoothing the fabric down as best he could. He undid the knot on his tie and pulled it off as well, hanging it under the coat. "But I have to go in at ten tomorrow."
"Seriously? What for?"
"Stupid old geezer wants me to work brunch because I'm fast on my feet or something stupid," Sanji lit a cigarette and leant back, one knee bent so his foot was against the wall as he smoked. "Kaku nearly had a fit, though, because their little coterie has nobody to cover me."
"I'll…"
"No, I suggested you or Ace. Old man says that Ace'll just eat everything and you'll fall asleep. Kaku says he can get Paulie to come in," Sanji informed the younger man.
"Well, good then," Zoro continued to stare at Sanji, who continued to smoke, until he finally blurted, "What, cook, do I need a flashing neon sign? Get over here!"
"You're so impatient, little Marimo," Sanji chuckled. "What did I tell you this morning? Just because we're in some sort of 'relationship' doesn't mean we have to be touching each other twenty-four hours a day."
"Fine, then. But tomorrow I'm taking you out for dinner."
"How are you gonna take me out for dinner, idiot? You don't have a job!"
"Well, we'll go somewhere cheaper, then," Zoro shrugged. "But…"
"Hang on a second," Sanji grabbed his book bag from the closet and rifled through it before pulling out a piece of paper, which he examined with a groan. "I can't, Zoro. I've got an essay due Monday, but I completely forgot with everything that's been going on."
"Okay."
Sanji glanced up, not failing to notice that Zoro seemed dejected, so he sidled over to the couch and dropped onto the swordsman's lap. "Hey, we'll have plenty of time for dinner once this is cleared up," he tilted Zoro's head up and kissed him gently as Zoro pressed up against him.
"How was work?" Zoro asked as he pulled back, his eyes still glued to the cook's.
"When is work ever anything but work?"
"No more men out to kill you?"
"I've got enough as it is," Sanji snorted. "Oh, wait, I did get a shoulder massage out of it. That was nice."
"What are you and Kaku doing together?" Zoro looked unimpressed.
"Hey, he started it," Sanji protested.
"Something's bugging you again," Zoro surmised. "And I'm sick of your denials, love-cook. What's up now?"
"About coffee today," Sanji began, sighing as Zoro pulled him close. "Robin told me that she'd heard of CP9 before and that to them, the life of their client is more important than their own."
"So you're worried that one of them is going to get hurt because of you, and you know that your pride couldn't stand the guilt, right?" Zoro asked.
"Am I that obvious?"
"I'd feel the same way," the other man shrugged. "But you haven't known these guys as long as I have, Sanji. All of the ones that I've met are brilliant fighters, and it'll take a lot more than wannabe gangsters to bring them down. I mean, it's not like they're going to…"
"Throw themselves in front of a bullet. Yes, I've heard that one several times today," Sanji rubbed his temples.
"Then isn't it time you believed it?" Zoro chuckled.
"Whatever. Can I ask you something?" he glanced at Zoro, once again wanting to get the subject away from the information he had been plagued with all day. Zoro was being extremely forward again, and before this went too far, he had to know some specifics.
"Yeah," Zoro shrugged.
"Are you a virgin?"
Zoro blinked before raising his eyes and studying Sanji's face carefully, but the derision that he thought might be painting the cook's features wasn't there, and instead there was only sincere curiosity. "Yeah. Yeah, I am."
"Then how can you be so…calm…about all of this? I mean, the first night I was with Ace it only happened because I was hammered, but…"
"The difference is that you thought you were straight," Zoro surmised after a moment. "I've never had any illusions, Sanji. And just because I never made a move on girls or guys didn't mean that I don't have natural urges. I've just trained to control every facet of my body for nearly my entire life, and I can shut those parts down without a second thought."
"Hmm," Sanji made a non-committal sound, his mind elsewhere. If Zoro really was completely inexperienced, would that mean he would have to make all of the first moves? Because really, they'd kissed, but that about drew the line as far as sexual interactions went. And he was still trying to figure out if Zoro would be okay with being the bottom, because sometimes guys (himself included) were reluctant at first because it made them look less 'manly'. But then, he thought, Zoro really didn't have a need to prove himself to anyone, so Sanji really couldn't see that harming his pride in the slightest. And as far as he and Ace were concerned, they really had no set seme or uke, to use the Japanese terms. It depended on the night, that was all, and Sanji sure as heck wasn't giving that up. He may have accepted being the one receiving once in a while, but he was not going to play the proverbial cabin boy just because Zoro was bigger and had more muscles.
"Oi, cook, you look like you're thinking too hard again," Zoro grunted, and Sanji blinked at him.
"Nah, just wondering whether you'd let me top you."
"Whether I'd what?" Zoro looked confused.
"You…" Sanji groaned. "Never mind. If you can't understand that…"
"Wait, are we talking about sex?"
"Hooray, your two brain cells are running at top speed today, aren't they?" Sanji flicked the green-haired man lightly on the forehead.
"So what? You're asking if you…"
"Yes, idiot," Sanji sighed. "Because let me tell you something: I am not being your bum boy, got it? We're equal in this relationship or it doesn't happen at all."
"I never said we weren't! I just didn't think you'd be moving that fast!" Zoro protested. "I mean, we've only been 'together' for a day, and…"
"Hey," Sanji set his hands on Zoro's shoulders and leant to give him a slow kiss. "The one thing I'm never going to do is rush you, Zoro. You should know that. I mean, yeah, if we're really going through with this, I'm gonna need something more than kisses, but not until you're ready to take that step. I…I know how important it is, and I kind of blew my first time being dead drunk, but I'm thankful that it was Ace and it all worked out for the best. I'm not saying that you have to say you love me or anything silly like that…heck, if you did, I'd be a little tentative…but just let me know what you're ready for. Okay?"
"Don't treat me like I'm some sort of child," Zoro snorted. "I can handle whatever you throw at me, love-cook."
"Did I say that you couldn't?" Sanji rolled his eyes. "I'm just telling you to tell me when you're ready. For anything. And don't be afraid to talk to me about whatever you want just because it's kind of a sensitive topic. Or heck, talk to Ace or that trainer of yours if it weirds you out to talk to me."
"Anyone else you can recommend?" Zoro asked, sarcasm heavily coating his tone.
"Lucci, but I doubt he'd be very useful."
"So Kaku and Lucci are…"
"Were," Sanji corrected him. "And don't tell them I told you."
"I won't," Zoro promised. "But really, what do you plan on doing?"
"Whatever you want," Sanji shrugged. "But you're going to have to bear with me, here, because I have no idea what you like."
"Well, that…" Zoro swallowed. "That thing you started doing last night…that was…"
Sanji pondered this for a moment, knowing that Zoro was not likely going to elaborate on what this 'thing' was. So after they started really making out, he had… "Oh. You mean this?" he leant forward and sucked Zoro's earrings into his mouth, his tongue tracing the sensitive lobe of Zoro's ear.
"Yeah. That." Zoro's voice sounded strained.
"Ear kink, hmm?" Sanji's breath was hot and Zoro forced himself to stare straight forward, not giving the blonde the satisfaction of seeing him shudder. However, his control slipped a notch as Sanji pressed a trail of kisses down his jaw and nudged his head up, sucking on Zoro's pulse as teeth just barely grazed his neck. "Take your shirt off."
"What makes you think you can order me around? You've got work tomorrow, cook. It can wait," Zoro sounded marginally normal and was rather proud of himself for it, even though Sanji let out a growl at the words.
"Take it off unless you want it ripped in half," Sanji's teeth weren't so gentle now, and Zoro complied, but the shirt was barely away from his torso before Sanji was moving again, tongue and hands tracing everything they could reach. Zoro could feel his composure leaving him rapidly, and when Sanji's tongue dragged up his scar, sending odd sensations along the tender flesh, he finally clamped his hands onto Sanji's hips and pushed him farther onto his lap as the cook chuckled. "You've never had anyone do this before, have you?"
"What did you expect?"
"You ever kissed anyone?"
"A few people. Mostly when we were both drunk. Nami, for in…" he hissed as Sanji bit down hard between his neck and shoulder, just now appreciating that, yes, the other man's teeth could break through skin.
"Nami?! My swan?!" Sanji stood up, an angry glare levelled at Zoro.
"Look, it wasn't a big deal. She's like the only person in the world who can out-drink me, and I was dead drunk, so obviously we weren't in our right minds. It didn't last long anyway because I fell asleep." He reached up and touched the tender skin on his shoulder, feeling the slow trickle of blood. "You're too protective of her, love-cook."
"I…" Sanji looked ashamed. "I mean, if course my angel could win a drinking contest with you! You're probably a lightweight anyway," he crossed his arms. "I'm going to bed."
"Oi, get back here."
"No, I'm doing it again," Sanji sighed. "Just like I did last night. I tell you that I'll let you decide how fast to go and then I push on anyway."
"Believe me, love-cook…if I didn't want it, I wouldn't let you do anything. So get back here."
Sanji did, draping himself back across Zoro's lap as his mouth found the bite mark, and he licked up the blood apologetically. "Sorry about that."
"I've been hurt a lot worse, believe me."
"It's not hard to," Sanji traced the scar with one finger. "But really, Marimo, you can tell me: what do you like?"
"I told you, I don't…"
"You really are a virgin," Sanji looked almost awed. "Guess that means I have to find out for myself, eh? But if I do anything that doesn't feel good, stop me, okay?"
"Okay, I…" Zoro sucked in a breath as Sanji's thumb flicked over his nipple, and Sanji grinned, dragging the pad of his thumb over the hardening flesh slowly. "Sanji, you…"
The cook gave him a perceptible eyebrow quirk before he dropped his head, tongue lightly lathing the nub before he began to suck on it, and Zoro grunted and seemingly unconsciously arched his neck back when Sanji's fingers moved to the other nipple and similarly played with it. "Stand up," he finally said, and Zoro obeyed, even though he was sure that his legs were shaking. Sanji kissed down his chest, tongue dipping into his navel while he grabbed the back of the couch for support. "That good?"
"I…" Zoro started, only to find his throat dry.
"Never knew the body had so many pleasure sensors, right?" Sanji was undoing the button on his jeans as he talked, and he slid them off the younger man's hips slowly, not really surprised to see that Zoro had yet to really show any signs of arousal. "Want to stop? I don't want to take this too far."
"Yeah. Okay," Zoro shivered a little and his mouth opened in a soundless gasp as Sanji exhaled over the front of his boxers, the heat doing odd things to his body. "I thought you said we were going to…"
"Stop. Yeah," Sanji stood up before claiming Zoro's mouth, his knee coming in between Zoro's legs and rubbing slowly up and down.
"Sanji, I mean it," Zoro moved his legs together, trapping Sanji's and staring into the blonde man's eyes. "Not tonight. You've got work and an essay and…"
"If you don't want me, just tell me, Zoro," Sanji drew his leg carefully back and stepped away. "I'm sure I can handle it."
"It isn't that," Zoro moved forward and cupped Sanji's face gently, tracing the ridge of his cheekbone with a thumb. "It's just…everything you're doing you're so good at. I've never had to think about sex or pleasing anyone because the thought that there was someone never crossed my mind. Nothing interested me, and while what you're doing feels good, there's still something inside of me that's not letting me fully admit it."
"Alright," Sanji moved away again, a little disappointed. He understood where Zoro was coming from, of course, but he was pulling out all the stops here and the green-haired man wasn't even a little bit aroused. The cook glanced at Zoro again and sighed, undoing the buttons on his shirt as he moved toward the bedroom. "Bed?"
"Yeah. I'll be right there," Zoro assured him, and Sanji kept his morose expression firmly intact until he entered the bedroom, a grin immediately coming to his face as soon as the door closed. He had one more trick he could pull tonight and then he'd stop teasing, because he did need to be rested for tomorrow…but he couldn't resist.
One way or another, Zoro Roronoa was going to succumb to him.
He'd make sure of it.
Notes:
1. Updating a day early due to the fact that I'll be away for a couple of days, but next week's update should be on-time. I've had a hard weekend…I need to get back into the swing of my job after I've been slacking in Uni :P
2. The weather here is still poop, so I've been tired and apathetic the last few days…:(
I'm working on a kind-of angsty song-fic for my series over at , and I'm only about half-done the next set of mood drabbles, but they're coming along as inspiration hits. I got a full chapter of this one done in the last week or so, so progress is slow but steady.
I think that covers it!
Oh, and a note to jesus-of-suburbia2o2o: Huge Green Day fan, who is disappointed that their tour isn't taking them near where I live :( I'm consoled by the album, but I still really want to see them live.
Anyway, hope you all enjoyed! Thank you so much for your continued reviews, and please keep them coming:D