Title: So Good So Far
Author: AoiTsukikage
Rating: NC-17 overall
Characters/Pairing:Zoro/Sanji, Law/Sanji, eventual Law/Zoro/Sanji
Chapter: 11/?
Word Count: 3433
Summary: Written for a prompt from curlybrow who requested "Sanji confesses his confused love for Zoro, but Zoro refuses him, then Sanji turns to Law for comfort, and when Zoro secretly learns that Sanji and Law are doing it, he becomes really jealous…".
Spoilers: For recent chapters

Chapter Eleven

Sanji didn't know how to react at first, because it wasn't really a kiss so much as a full-on assault. Zoro's mouth was sealed over his, his hands gripping Sanji's arms hard enough to hurt. There was no technique involved, just a feeling of being utterly claimed, and while it was positive that Zoro had finally figured himself out, this wasn't how Sanji had expected everything would go down.

It was Zoro, though; the man wasn't exactly known for his subtlety and finesse. So maybe, all things considered, the kiss-attack wasn't entirely unexpected.

Sanji brought his hands up to frame Zoro's face, tilting the other man's head so that the angle was better. Zoro hesitated for a moment before moving with him, something the cook was grateful for since normally Zoro would never let him lead without putting up a fight.

He could tell from the tenseness in Zoro's body that the kiss hadn't been a conscious decision so much as an impulsive reaction. It felt dishonest, somehow, to take advantage of that, so despite how badly Sanji had been wanting this moment to come he pulled back before it could go any farther.

Zoro looked more than a little taken aback, his eye wide and a hint of redness high on his cheeks. He cleared his throat and looked away, uncharacteristically nervous in that moment.

"So," he started, glancing back at Sanji quickly. "I think I've figured it out."

"Have you, now?" Sanji lit a cigarette to calm his frazzled nerves. His body was trembling a little, mind still not knowing how to process what had just happened.

No, Zoro wasn't a great kisser by any means, but even that rather clumsy exchange had only solidified his feelings. The truth was, he didn't give a damn if Zoro knew pretty much nothing about sex, because he was more than willing to be his…teacher in the subject.

And for somebody that generally had very little patience for other men, that might have said more than anything else.

"Yeah," Zoro brought him back to the moment when he spoke. "It's not Law. I mean, it is, but it's just because you're sleeping with him. I'd feel the same way about anybody else, too," he shrugged, seemingly unwilling to say what that meant aloud.

Sanji wasn't going to let him chicken out of this one, however. Yes, he knew what Zoro meant, but if the other man couldn't even admit it they were never going to get anywhere.

"So…" he started, drawing out the word. Zoro huffed and shot him a glare, obviously unamused, but Sanji didn't plan on leaving until he got the answer he wanted.

"So your little plan to make me jealous worked," Zoro finally looked at him again, gaze raking down his body in a way that felt entirely predatory. "I'm not okay with him touching you, especially if he thinks he can hurt you…"

"I wanted it, Marimo," Sanji couldn't even get angry at Zoro's obtuseness in that moment. He just felt drained, his body aching, and the urge to crawl back into bed was getting too strong to deny. "Trust me, I'd never let him do anything I didn't approve of."

"He shouldn't be doing anything at all," Zoro mumbled, glaring at the balcony floor.

"But you're not ready to do anything sexual with me," Sanji felt pretty safe in guessing that, at the very least, since even a kiss seemed to put Zoro far out of his depth. Sanji knew they were alike in that respect, that neither of them appreciated looking like a novice, but if this was ever going to work Zoro would need to let go of his pride and allow Sanji to guide him.

Which, the cook admitted, he was actually rather looking forward to. Not just because it was rare to be able to one-up Zoro at everything, but because the thought of being his first everything was more than a little arousing.

"I…this is all new to me," Zoro crossed his arms, scowling at nothing. "I never thought I'd ever find anybody that would be able to respect my dream and yet still be an equal partner. Now I feel kind of stupid, though, because even though I hate you most of the time you're somebody that is both of those things," he sounded strangely honest and open, his eye boring into Sanji's own It was impossible to look away and the blond felt his breath catch, stepping forward inadvertently. "But I need to figure out if I'm even able to do something that might directly impact my goals."

"You know that I'd never want you to sacrifice your dream for me," Sanji murmured, dropping his cigarette and stomping the butt under his shoe before raising a hand to rest it heavily on Zoro's shoulder. He felt that maybe he should be offended that Zoro was seriously putting him on the same level as defeating a guy who waved a giant stick around, but he knew that becoming the world's best swordsman was more important than just that. The girl, and the white sword…Zoro wasn't doing it just for himself, and Sanji understood why he wouldn't just jump into this with no hesitation. Still, he had to make it clear that he didn't expect Zoro to change anything for him…hell, if he'd been any different, Sanji probably wouldn't have fallen for him in the first place.

"You tried to do it for me," Zoro countered, eye flashing with anger now. Sanji flicked his forehead and Zoro growled at him, but there was an air of playfulness to it that was new. Sanji decided instantly that he liked it.

"So did you," Sanji countered. "And don't give me any bullshit about knowing you'd survive, because you had no fucking clue what that bastard Kuma would do to you, and I…." he stopped, swallowing heavily.

"That really hurt you, huh?" Zoro looked like this was the first time he'd realized it. "I mean, I always thought you got so pissy about it because of wounded pride, but it was…"

"Partly that, yeah, because it was fucking embarrassing that you thought I was too fucking weak to even try to protect the rest of the crew, but more than that it was because it was you," he'd never admitted it aloud before. Zoro looked surprised, blinking slowly as he digested that information.

"It wasn't that I thought you couldn't take it," Zoro finally said, gripping Sanji's elbow. "But it wasn't a chance I was willing to take. Not when I could go in your place," he sounded honest and Sanji felt his pulse quicken. They were both idiots, he decided then, because they could have worked through this years ago but now everything had become so much more complicated.

"So where does that leave us?" Sanji asked, swaying a little on his feet and glancing up when Zoro gripped both of his shoulders tightly.

"I…I really don't know, Cook," Zoro sounded like it was painful to admit that. "I don't like you sleeping with him, but I know it's not fair to ask you to drop him just because one day I might be ready for it," he leaned closer and Sanji brought one hand up. He threaded it through Zoro's hair, feeling the spiky tendrils under his fingertips. It did kind of feel like moss, he thought with a chuckle.

"I'll make you a deal," Sanji decided, trying to come up with something that would appease them all for the moment. "We're here for a week, right? So that should even give you enough time to figure out what you want," he teased. Zoro glared at him but didn't contradict his words, which made Sanji completely sure that Zoro agreed with him.

"So you won't sleep with him again?" Zoro asked, and Sanji bit his lip. That would be a hard promise to make, maybe, because fooling around with Law was great. Still, he should meet Zoro at least halfway on this, and if it meant giving up sex with Law, so be it.

"I won't," Sanji shook his head. "But if we leave this place and you still haven't given me an answer, all bets are off," he warned. Zoro looked like he was about to protest that as well before sighing.

"Okay. Deal," he held out a hand stiffly. Sanji rolled his eyes and slid his hand to the back of Zoro's neck, hauling him in for a kiss.

It was…strange, he decided, because up until now he and Zoro had resolved their differences mostly by threatening to kill each other. Still, most of the animosity between them had melted away over the years and was just habit, so Sanji was certain that eventually those habits could change.

He flicked his tongue against Zoro's lips, hearing the other man grunt in surprise, but he seemed to get the hint and opened his mouth.

Sanji stroked his tongue against the swordsman's, feeling him respond after a few moments. And fuck, the man could talk with a sword in his mouth, so even if he had no experience he obviously knew how to use his tongue, something that he seemed to be channeling now.

His hands landed heavy on Sanji's hips, gripping tightly. Sanji winced a little because he was still bruised from the night before but he was fucking making out with Zoro so he could forgive him for that one.

He wrapped his arms around Zoro's shoulders, not willing to break the kiss yet. He only pulled back when his lungs were screaming for air, panting harshly and feeling more than ever that this was what he really wanted.

"I think…I don't want you doing that with Law, either," Zoro mumbled against his lips.

Sanji wanted to protest, naturally, but he had to go at Zoro's pace on this one and if they wanted this…would-be relationship to ever get off the ground they'd need to trust each other.

"Okay," Sanji nodded, voice a little hoarse. "Do I need to kick him out of our room, too?"

That probably came out a little more sarcastic than intended, but to his relief Zoro only smirked at him.

"Nah. I like sleeping outside, it gives me time to think. And you obviously…like him for some reason," Zoro still looked confused at that, but Sanji couldn't blame him because unless somebody knew about Law's past and could see through his walls it would be easy to dismiss him as unlikeable.

"Anything else?" he asked, because pretty soon he and Law were going to be sleeping on opposite ends of the bed.

"Well, I'm still not sure about the whole cuddling shit, but I know you probably like it, so if he's into that I'm fine with it," Zoro decided, a smile playing about his lips. He looked…relaxed, Sanji thought, especially compared to how tense he'd been only a few moments before. Whether that meant anything in the long run Sanji wasn't sure, but hell, he hadn't woken up expecting Zoro to kiss him either, so he was coming to realize Zoro was far less predictable than he'd originally thought.

"It doesn't make you less manly," Sanji promised, finally sliding his arms down from around Zoro's shoulders. He stepped backward, hands in his pockets and eyes locked with Zoro's. "And if you change your mind, my bed is always open," he added in a low voice, seeing Zoro swallow visibly.

He turned on his heel then and walked away, not wanting to push his luck.

With how his life normally turned out, after all, he'd probably already pushed it too far for one day.

000

He lost most of the spring in his step when he left the balcony, Zoro's words and rules swirling around in his mind. It had been so easy to agree to it, because it was what he wanted. Since Law should have meant nothing to him stopping all relations with him shouldn't affect him at all.

That wasn't the case, though, and he wasn't even going to try to fool himself into thinking it was. He cared about Law…a lot, actually, especially considering they hadn't known each other for that long. And he had a pretty good feeling that Law felt the same way about him, no matter how much he tried to pretend that he'd be completely fine whenever their arrangement ended.

Well, Sanji guessed he'd find out in a few minutes just how 'fine' he'd be with it, and he wasn't looking forward to it at all.

000

"I thought you were getting coffee," Law still hadn't moved, eyes half-open and looking utterly relaxed. Sanji felt incredibly guilty for what he was about to do, so he decided to take the coward's way out and sat on the edge of the bed, not making eye contact.

It was easier that way.

"Is something wrong?" Law asked softly. Sanji could hear shifting and assumed that meant that the other man was sitting up. He took a shaky breath, trying to come up with the best way to explain what had gone on outside. "Sanji?"

Sanji squeezed his eyes shut, fingers curling into the sheets, because of fucking course Law would pick now of all times to finally call him by his real name.

He must have really, really pissed off the universe in a past life or something because it was out to get him at every possible opportunity.

"Zoro kissed me," he finally forced out, although his throat felt tight and the words barely formed. There was complete silence in the room for far too long, broken only by their own breathing, before Law stood up. The bed creaked ominously as he left it.

"I see. Well. I suppose our arrangement has come to an end."

Sanji didn't know how to respond to that so he kept silent. He didn't raise his eyes until Law was walking out the door, fully-dressed and looking ready to murder somebody.

Maybe he should have spoken up, said something to make him stop, but in the end all he could do was curl up under the covers and bury his nose in Law's pillow, trying to tell himself the wetness at the corners of his eyes was anything but what he knew it was.

It was his own fault for agreeing in the first place, he told himself angrily.

There was nobody else to blame.

000

He must have fallen asleep at some point, because he startled awake to somebody sliding into the bed behind him and wrapping their arms around his waist.

"Law?" he mumbled, somehow knowing it was although why Law would come back was a mystery to him.

"I had a conversation with Mr. Zoro," Law murmured in a low voice, chin hooked over Sanji's shoulder. "He truly doesn't seem to like me very much."

"Yeah. I kinda got that from talking to him, too," Sanji replied flatly, but that didn't explain what Law was doing. "So what's the deal?"

"I've come to realize, Mr. Blackleg, that while I may have told you I would be…content with what we have between us ending, I wasn't completely telling the truth," Law spoke the words as if they were a burden to get out, something guilty in his tone. It wasn't lost on Sanji that Law had gone back to his normal way of referring to him, and that stung a little. "There are…very few people in this world I would ever trust enough to reveal my past to, and even fewer people that I would allow to see me expressing any sort of vulnerability on top of that. It may be selfish, but having found both of those in you I'm reluctant to let that go so easily."

It was surprisingly honest, coming from him. Sanji had been pretty sure by now that Law was starting to feel something toward him, but he really hadn't expected any sort of confession.

"And, if I'm not mistaken, I believe that my feelings toward you are somewhat reciprocated," Law added, his voice so low that Sanji wasn't even sure he'd heard correctly. Sanji knew that it had probably taken a lot for him to say that, especially since he couldn't know for sure. After all, he wasn't the type of man to ever do something without being reasonably sure of the outcome.

Law was tense, his breath shaky and his arms rigid around Sanji's body. The cook knew he was waiting for some sort of answer, and he also knew that if he told Law he felt nothing that the other man would probably let him go and never speak to him again. It made his chest ache to think that he could undo all the progress he'd made with Law with only a few words.

And he should. He really, really should, because that would make everything so much easier. He could leave all of this behind him and forget it had ever happened. Law would be leaving soon anyway, as soon as the purpose of their alliance was fulfilled, and he was a rival captain and a warlord and everything that Sanji shouldn't get himself involved with, but…

But he was also human, and so fucking broken. Sanji was too much of a bleeding heart to be willfully cruel to somebody who needed help, especially when it was help he was capable of providing.

Well, it wasn't like he'd ever taken the easy way out.

"You're a fucking bastard and I hate you," is what he said instead, half-sigh and half-groan and all reluctant resignation. He heard Law's breath catch in a way that might have been a laugh if the man were capable of such things.

"He informed me about the…rules he's laid out," Law spoke the words as if they were immensely distasteful. Sanji couldn't say he disagreed, but he knew that keeping Zoro's trust was more important than physical pleasure if he ever wanted to get to that point with Zoro himself.

"And?"

"And, because I know how you feel about him, I assured him that I would respect them," he said the words between gritted teeth and Sanji patted his hand, sliding his fingers between the surgeon's and relaxing back into the embrace. "But I hope you know that the night before we leave I'm fucking you until the sun rises if he doesn't figure it out before then, because I'm not letting our last night in a real bed go to waste," his voice turned dangerous, teeth scraping the line of Sanji's neck. The blond shivered and nodded, because fuck, he wasn't going to say no to that.

"Okay," he agreed, squeezing Law's hand. He kind of wanted to kiss him, but he couldn't, so that would have to do.

"Now sleep," Law ordered, the doctor in him coming to the surface. "I know how hard I was on you last night and I know that, no matter how much bravado you cover it up with, there's bound to be some pain and stiffness."

"A little," Sanji knew it was useless to try and hide it. "I wouldn't say no to more sleep, though."

Law held him a little tighter, breath even and warm against Sanji's cheek. Sanji felt his eyelids getting heavier as he let his body relax.

It was far from perfect, of course. There was probably something morally wrong about what he was doing, but there also wasn't really a guidebook as to the best way to handle something as messy as what he'd ended up in.

He should talk to Robin, he thought muzzily. She'd been the first one to warn him about what could happen if he started developing feelings for Law, so she might have some idea as to how they could all get out of this without getting hurt.

It probably wasn't possible, but well, when your dream was to find an ocean that nobody believed existed, as a general rule you had to have a lot of blind faith and a lot of unfounded hope.

He'd figure it out when he woke up, he decided. Right now, he just wanted to pretend that everything was the same as it had been only a few hours before.

He realized right before he fell asleep that he still hadn't gotten that coffee and vowed to do that first thing after his nap.

Maybe this time he'd be able to get it back to the room without anything earth-shattering happening in the process.

Notes:

1. Argh, I'm not sure about this chapter. I'm trying to balance everything out and still keep it within the bounds of their characters so I hope it's not too unrealistic (even though of course this would never happen in canon, but still)…I got an amazing amount of reviews on the last chapter and I get nervous about letting people down, but I'm still very glad so many people are enjoying this fic!

2. The next update will probably be slower because I've got projects and exams and work over the next few days but I know the last chapter ended on a cliffhanger so I wanted to post this part up once I had it written!

3. Also marimoliciousness on tumblr drew fanart for this fic and I never get fanart for my fics so I'm still flailing about this, but it's Sanji wearing Law's coat from chapter 4 and it's perfect: kikokus dot tumblr dot com /post/101700641156