The next morning Chopper allowed the crew in to visit the heavily bandaged Zulu. When they entered the room Zulu was sitting up and talking with Ivankov. They were whispering between themselves and bursting into fits of giggles.

Looking up Ivankov slapped his thighs and stood. "It's been a blast my pretties, but I was only meant to stay the day you know, and it's now been two." He twirled and blew a kiss at Zulu "Remember what I told you sweetie, you have my number if you need me."

He handed out goodbyes was he walked past, pausing only to give Sanji a look and then a wink. He then entered back onto his small travel boat and took off into the sea.

"Well, he certainly is something isn't he?" Zulu spoke up from his bed, an amused smile on his face, chin in his hands.

Sanji, who had been watching anxiously from the door, breathed a sigh of relief and walked over. "You had us worried there for a bit." He said, placing a hand on Zulu's Shoulder.

Zulu grinned weakly at him. "Thanks, Sanji. I'll be okay, really."

Sanji's expression softened, and he looked at Zulu with a mixture of concern, and something else the Zulu couldn't quite place. "You know, your one tough bastard," he said, "I don't know how you do it."

Zulu chuckled. "I'm just lucky, I guess. And It's not like I'm on my own anymore, I have you guys to back me up."

Luffy folded his arms back behind his head. "No problem! That's what friends are for!" he exclaimed, grinning.

"But next time, try not to catch on fire, okay?" Zoro added.

They talked and laughed for quite a bit of time until Zulu's body began to sag, and his eyes drooped. Chopper started to herd the group out so that he could get some rest, but Sanji asked to stay behind for a bit. With a nod from Zulu, Chopper allowed it, thou he did receive odd looks from Nami as she passed him on her way out.

He sat down on the chair next to Zulu's bed and sighed. He turned his head and locked eyes with Zulu and took a deep breath.

Before he could talk Zulu raised a hand and interrupted him "It's not your fault, so please don't apologize."

Sanji closed his mouth and nodded, falling quite for a minute. "Then how about for when we first met?"

"What?"

"What we were talking about before the ship was attacked. I hope you know I don't think like that anymore. The last thing I want to do is offend you. To lose you as a friend."

Zulu felt a warm sensation spreading through his chest. He had always thought Sanji was a bit attractive, but his attitude had been a bit of a put off. However, as time passed, he saw how he was protective, kind, and honest. Seeing him put aside his pride to apologize to him for an already long forgiven offense made him all the more appealing. He had never expected to feel such a strong connection with the man when he first woke up on the ship all those months ago.

He smiled "I know, Sanji. It's okay, you don't need to worry. You could never lose me as a friend."

It was a few days later and Sanji stood smoking on the deck of the Sunny, lost in thought, Zulu's words echoing in his mind. You'll never loose me as a Friend, he thought in despair. I'm JUST his friend. He flicked some ash off his cigarette before taking another huff. Staring off into the vast ocean Sanji couldn't help but brood in his own self-pity.

It was only when he reached down to grab a fresh cigarette that he noticed that Zoro was approaching him. Sanji sneered and was about to walk away, NOT in a mood to talk with the swordsman, when a thick arm stopped him in his tracks.

"We need to talk."

Taken aback by the intensity in Zoro's voice Sanji looked up to see him glaring at him.

"About what?" he asked warily.

"We all know you have feelings for Zulu."

Sanji bristled at the accusation, "I don't know what you're talking about," he snapped.

Zoro narrowed his eyes, and he ground out "don't play dumb", his voice becoming more aggressive.

Sanji clenched his fists and gritted his teeth. He wasn't ready to admit his feelings just yet, let alone to Zoro.

"Look, everyone on the ship can see the way you look at him, the way you go out of your way to be near him. It's so obvious I sure even Luffy has started picking up on it.

Sanji looked away, feeling a knot form in his stomach. He had tried so hard to deny his feelings, but seemed like everyone on the crew could see right through him.

Unbeknownst to Sanji, as Zoro Confronted him, the rest of the Straw Hats had gathered in the library to discuss the brewing romance between the two.

"Did you SEE the way Sanji freaked out when Zulu got hurt? There's definitely something going on between them." Nami gossiped as she leaned in close to Robin.

Robin smirked knowingly, "Yes, it seems they aren't ready to admit it yet, but it's quite obvious."

Franky chimed in with a grin. "I've been waiting for the day those lovebirds finally show their true colors. Totally not super to leave the rest of us waiting."

"Wait!" Chopper piped up with wide eyes. "I thought Sanji only liked women! He likes Zulu now too!?"

Luffy, ever oblivious, perked up from his snack he had snuck in. "Love!? That's gross! Robin, I thought you were talking about Zulu loving Sanji's cooking, not Sanji!"

"Ehh Luffy, Just what exactly did you think we were down her to discuss?" Ussop interjected, using his hand to push Luffy to the side.

"I don't know, I just saw you all go down here, and I didn't want to be left out." Luffy shrugged.

He received only stares in response.

Back on the deck Zoro and Sanji were at a stand off.

"I appreciate your concern, moss head. but how about you mind your own dam business and leave me alone."

"Concern has nothing to do with it" Zoro retorted. "I'm tired of dealing with your distracted, pinning Ass. You need to grow a pair and just admit to him how you feel."

"I'm NOT Pining! He's a friend! What!? I'm not allowed to care about a friend anymore!" Sanji panicked and feeling corned and couldn't help the rising tone in his voice.

"That has nothing to do with it," Zoro ground out between his teeth in annoyance. "If you had just told him how you felt then you wouldn't have been flustered by Ivankov and he wouldn't have gotten hurt."

Sanji's stomach dropped. He knew Zoro was right, he had allowed his own emotions to cloud his judgment in battle, and now Zulu was in the infirmary with over half is body wrapped up and it was his own fault.

"He deserves better than me," Sanji admitted looking away.

"He deserves honesty, moron. I had thought you grew enough respect for him to at least give him that."

Zoro turned to walk away. But before he left, he threw one last look over at Sanji "and maybe he doesn't want better." With that he strolled away, leaving Sanji feeling more conflicted than ever.

It took another two days and Zoro refusing to even acknowledge his existence for Sanji to get over his own pride and head down to the infirmary. He stood outside the door for what felt like an eternity, raising his hand to knock, before lowering it. He sighed and started to pace, he could feel his resolve waning and decided to barge right in before he could back out.

Zulu was asleep in the bed, snoring softly. His dark hair was a mess around his head, and Sanji could help feel his heart melt, he looked so peaceful sleeping. He was contemplating wither he should wake him up or just comeback later when Zulu startled awake with a loud snore.

He blinked his pink eyes a few times before he noticed Sanji standing by his bedside. He tilted his head in confusion and tried to speak, but his throat was dry and he only broke into a coughing fit. When he was finished he took the glass of water Sanji was offering him, while he drank he watched Sanji nervously lower himself into the chair next to his bed.

"Zulu," Sanji said, his voice barely above a whisper. "I need to talk to you about something."

With concern etched on his face Zulu looked up at him. "What is it, Sanji? Are you okay?"

Sanji looked down at his hands contemplating, then looked back up and took a deep breath." Zulu, I.. I think that maybe, well." He was blushing furiously and rubbed the back of his head, turning his face away. "I think that Iva was right. I think I care about you, more than just a crewmate." He looked up nervous "More than just a friend."

Zulu's eyes widened in surprise; he had never considered that Sanji had been struggling in the same way he had been. He then blushed himself, thinking about the implications of what had just happened.

Sanji coughed and looked like he was about to apologize when Zulu realized that he was waiting for a response from him. A soft smile spread across his face, and he took Sanji's hands gently into his own.

"Sanji, I have to admit, I'm shocked," then raising a hand to cut off Sanji who seemed about to interrupt. "Shocked, but not displeased, I've been feeling the same way."

Before he could say anything else, Sanji leaned in and kissed him, gently at first, then with more urgency. Zulu felt his heart stop for a moment, and then start racing. He had never expected Sanji to be so forward the way he was, and he wasn't sure how to respond. But with the rush of warmth spreading through his body, he decided to lean into the kiss, wrapping his arm around Sanji's back and cradling his head in a gentle hand.

For a moment, it felt like nothing else in the world mattered, like they were the only two people in existence. But then they broke apart, gasping for breath, and Sanji looked at Zulu with a mixture of fear and hope. Both men flushed in embarrassment.

"I'm sorry, Zulu, I shouldn't have done that," he said. "You just looked so pretty, I couldn't resist."

Zulu laughed, wiping away the tears in his eyes. He couldn't help but feel a sense of amusement at the cook's antics. "You know, I think I'm starting to really like being a pirate." He chuffed, pulling Sanji in for another kiss.

END