Hello all! Let me start by apologising to any who've been waiting for ages since the last chapter, this one's been a toughie to write. I don't think chapter 5 will be though so that shouldn't take as long...


Chapter 4

The confident rap on the door was almost ignored by Ace, so distracted he was by Franky's exuberant dancing. The blue haired man had run into him on his way home from work, and somehow he and Brooke ended up coming back to his for some beers. Some had rapidly escalated into many – now they were only a few more away from a full blown party. Shouting over the din of Brooke's laughter, he called out.

"Door's open, come on in!"

When the door creaked open, of all the people he anticipated to be calling on him the freckled man did not expect it to be his green haired neighbour, particularly not looking quite so bemused.

"Zoro? What's up? Didn't you have a tournament today?"

Zoro snorted absently as he loitered in the doorway, nodding to Franky and Brooke in greeting.

"Hey Ace, have you seen Sanji?"

"No, not since he left for work this morning. Wasn't he with you at the...wait, Zoro, are you bleeding?"

Alarmed, the men moved towards the swordsman at the sight of fresh blood dripping consistently from Zoro's lower arm, through fingers where he held it in a tight grip. They gently pulled him into Ace's apartment, Brooke taking advantage of Zoro's distraction to push him to sit in an empty chair. Franky went in search of bandages as Ace kneeled level with the fighter to inspect the damage. A heavy sigh fell from tired lips as Zoro moved his hand away from the wound.

"He was supposed to be, but I couldn't find him. Thought maybe he'd been home after work." Ace shook his head, taking the first aid kit from Franky's hands.

"Well I haven't seen him since breakfast. How the hell did this happen?"

"My final match at the tournament, I just got back now." Zoro hissed as Ace began to clean the wound with antiseptic "Watch it, will you!"

Franky interrupted by handing Zoro a bottle of beer, which was greedily consumed to distract from Ace's prodding.

"Did you not get it cleaned up there?"

"Well normally the damn cook would fix it for me but he was a no show. It's the third time in a row he's missed my fight." Franky nodded in understanding and patted the disgruntled Zoro on the shoulder.

"That's unlike him. And injuries so early on in the competition year, that's pretty unlike you Bro."

"Che, it was a lucky shot. And he paid for it shortly after. And it's been getting more and more like the cook to be like this, ever since that show started."

Ace tied off the bandage he was wrapping, picking up his own beer.

"I imagine he's got a lot to do, with filming and promo and the Baratie on top of it all."

Zoro continued to sigh and shook his head.

"I know, and I'm so glad he's doing well and shit...but...it's just ever since the show started going out I've barely seen the bastard he's always so damn busy."

"It sucks, that's for sure. I remember when Robin started getting real busy at the university. It was so unsuper not getting to see her, but then once the work was finished everything was even better 'cause she had loads of free time to spend with me and was super happy with her success."

Ace and Brooke nodded in agreement but Zoro just stared down at his beer, reluctantly agreeing. He was glad Sanji was doing well, honestly, but he just wanted to chef to maintain his support in his life like Zoro was for him. It had been sorely lacking since the show aired and became an instant hit.

"I see what you mean Franky, but still, he promised he'd show."

The hush descended again, three men providing silent support as they could not think how else to reassure their green haired friend. Though they did see why Zoro was mad; Sanji was their friend too and they were over the moon to see him doing so well after working hard for so long. Though there were few more obsessed with obtaining their dreams than Sanji, Zoro was one of them that was and from the behaviour the three were watching it was clearly a struggle for him to be left behind.

The thoughtful quiet was rapidly silenced by a slamming door in the hallway and the sound of a stressed, smoky voice that set all in the apartment on edge.

"Zoro! Are you here?"

Head snapping to attention, Zoro gaped at the front door at the sound of his partner's sultry tones. Brooke opened the door for the cook, answering quietly so not to annoy the neighbours.

"Zoro-san is in here Sanji-san, come in."

The door was barely shut when Zoro's anger overrode his happiness at finding the cook, and the accusations began.

"What the hell cook, where were you?"

"Where was I? I ran all the way to that damn Dojo only to find you gone when I get there?"

Preparing to observe a battle of wills, Ace sank into the seat where Zoro had just raised from in favour of levelling the blond with a dubious stare.

"Well excuse me for leaving to look for you when the contest finished rather than waiting for your late ass! Where the hell were you anyway?"

Sanji growled, lighting a cigarette and tapping the tip of his shoe against the floor. Ace, Franky and Brooke cowered slightly, knowing this was a sure sign the cook was getting irritated. The swordsman seemed not to have noticed the thinly veiled annoyance and was practically growling as he scoffed at Sanji's answer.

"I was a work, asshole! Filming overran and then some of the producers came down so I had to have a meeting with them."

"Che, you could've told them you had somewhere to be."

"Zoro, those producers make my show. It was important! Without them I'd still be stuck at the Baratie with no way out so I kinda can't tell them fucking no! Besides you won the fight, right? Why are you so fucking upset?"

Franky moved the beer bottle Zoro had set down away from the angry swordsman, because the way his fist was tightening he thought it might get smashed pretty quickly unless it was removed, and Ace got kinda mad when his apartment was messed up. Zoro was red in the face, furious but not knowing how to answer.

Mainly because he wasn't sure why he was so bothered; he had won his fights today and got to the next round of the contest, and Sanji had seen him fight plenty of times so it was hardly the end of the world. But somehow now it just was, even if Sanji had seen all of his fights it was nice to have the support of his partner, just like he had been doing the same for Sanji all those years at the Baratie and still did now.

He glared at the floor indignantly, wanting to answer but not knowing what to say that wouldn't take this argument into dangerous territory he wasn't quite ready for yet. Though it seemed to last for hours, the tense quiet surrounding the pair only lasted a few seconds and the cigarette Sanji was smoking reached its end. As it did the blond's cut off annoyance signalled the end of the silence they created.

"I don't have time for this Zoro; I needed to be at Gin's like 10 minutes ago."

"Gin?"

It was impossible for Sanji's sigh to sound any more put out, and it was impossible for the jealousy and accusation Zoro said that name with to be hidden.

"Yea, there's this thing at Arlong Park we need to go to, Bon's hosting it."

"A Thing?"

"Yes Zoro, a thing. I'd call it a soirée but I don't think you'd be able to understand what I meant. It's to raise some money for some charity and they want me and Gin to do something with the food to earn some cash."

"...You want me to come with?"

Sanji's bangs hid his face as he chuckled softly at Zoro's put-out sounding offer to accompany him, yet the sound only made Zoro more frustrated.

"Don't bother Marimo, there are some pretty high class people there, we both know you'd hate it and I can't spend all night putting you with your whining around important people like that. I'm already late as it is, I'll see you tomorrow."

With that, Sanji took the storm of emotions with him as he promptly left.

--

The door slammed behind Sanji as he rushed out, serving to punctuate the silence left behind him. Zoro's fist was clenching tightly as he fought a vicious battle between deciding to chase after the cook and give him a piece of his mind or taking his swords to some of their kitchen's most expensive utensils. He settled instead for shaking slightly and forcing himself not to break any of Ace's furniture.

After watching the conversation pass like a tennis match, the three spectators looked between each other in shock, not knowing what to say. One broke the silence tentatively.

"Um, Zoro? You wanna drink?"

Like some sort of prophet, Ace always knew what to say to calm them green haired man down. It helped that all Zoro normally needed to calm down was something potent. The bottle was taken from Ace's hand wordlessly, and he watched his old friend drink his anger away.

"Um, Ace-san? We should get going."

Brooke looked sheepish to interrupt the tense atmosphere, but both he and Franky could tell that their fun earlier was over. Now their friend was in search of guidance and they both knew Ace was the best to do that. Ace nodded, looking grateful.

"Yea, look guys..."

"Robin is probably wondering where I am, I only went to buy some cola after all! We'll see you tomorrow Ace, dinner at the Baratie remember?"

"Sure, like I'd forget."

"Zoro-san, will we be seeing you tomorrow also?"

Broken from his reverie, Zoro looked upon the three as if it were for the first time.

"Hm? Oh, course I'll be there Brooke. And sorry, you know..."

"Don't mention it Zoro-bro, we've all been there. I hope you and Sanji sort it out soon."

Zoro watched Ace see the pair out, still tugging on the drink. When the door shut and locked Ace wheeled on him, looking somewhere south of confused and west of pissed.

"So, you wanna tell me what's been going on?"

The cushions sank under the weight of Zoro falling into the sofa, growling as he tried to grab the right words.

"...All we do these days is argue Ace, something just isn't right anymore."

Lost eyes bored into the bottle held in swordsman's calloused hands, making the D brother's heartstrings tugged slightly at the appearance. He'd known Zoro for years, he was friends with Kuina after all, and ever since she died Zoro had almost become part of the family. After Ace helped the swordsman come to terms with his sexuality he had become second only to Luffy in terms of the reticent swordsman's friendship. He sunk into the sofa next to Zoro, picking up his own unfinished drink and smirking to lighten the mood.

"You do realise you always argue, right?"

"Yea, but not like this." A hand ran through the short green hair before continuing. "I dunno...it just seems the idiot doesn't care anymore, now he's got his new friends."

"New friends?"

"Gin, Bon Clay, Paula. Everyone to do with this damn show."

Even thinking about Sanji's new companions made something angry swell inside Zoro. He hated thinking this way but no matter what the thoughts were rarely far away. It wasn't that Zoro didn't like Sanji having success or new friends, far from it. Sometimes when he heard the impressed whispers that followed when the pair went out he was so proud, and so pleased that Sanji was getting closer to earning that All Blue, but he didn't like the way he was changing.

Like not caring about his fights, or the training, or anything Zoro did these days. And the way he behaved when he was with the people from the show, more the stuck up bastard he first met rather than the Sanji he knew and loved now.

"Maybe you just need to give it time Zoro; it's a lot for him to take in after all."

Ace tried his best to look supportive but the green haired man thought he just looked as conflicted as Zoro felt. With his drink now finished, he leaned heavily into the cushions, and Ace curled up next to him, resting his head on the slightly narrower shoulder.

"What if it's not about taking things in? What if he's becoming a stuck up bastard just like those showbiz morons, if he's just changing and moving forward. Cause I gotta be honest Ace, if he is then I'm not sure what I would do."

"Don't worry about it too much, Sanji loves you, he'll realise his mistake soon."

Ace hoped he didn't sound as unconvinced as he felt, but either way Zoro was drifting asleep now so wasn't listening properly. When familiar snores filled his apartment the D brother snuggled into the shoulder and let his own eyes fall shut.

He hoped Sanji would realise what's happening soon, because he didn't like hearing his friend be like this.

--

"Just...shit!"

The angry outburst was punctuated with a glass slamming down at the highly polished bar. Managing to find a bar that wasn't full of rather high class clientele, Sanji had just finished explaining his whole issue with Zoro and the contest to Gin, who held his own wine glass contemplative manner. Unconcerned by the unpleasant frown of the barman after the manhandling of the glass, Sanji growled.

"And now he's fucking mad at me! I swear Gin; I have no idea what to do."

"Um, well maybe it's just something you have to give time."

"I've been giving it time, he's been acting off ever since the show aired. He's even more sullen than normal, and gets jealous so quickly. It's like he's annoyed that I'm becoming famous."

"I thought you said he was like that anyway?" Gin questioned meekly.

"Well, yea, but that was when I first met him, but he was a lot angrier towards the world back then. We both changed after being together for so long, but now he's just so angry all the time."

"At you?"

This made Sanji pause, thinking of the past few weeks with his partner. He thought back to the fights, the angry resignation Zoro sounded every time the cook was out in meetings or events such as these. And the murderous expression he held in Ace's apartment earlier, over everything that had been happening.

"...At everything. Me, the show, all of you, it's like he can't stand to see me happy."

Gin frowned. He and Sanji had become very close over the past few weeks, with the rigorous schedule of filming and promoting the show, and he couldn't help but feel a new level of closeness with the charismatic chef. Seeing him so worked up over his clearly devoted boyfriend was difficult.

"It must be hard for him, to see you doing so well when the leagues are still ignoring him..."

A sigh tumbled from nicotine tinted lips at that, and Sanji shook his bangs lightly.

"We've always supported each other's goals, but it's harder now. We've been so busy with the show I keep forgetting about his contests and stuff, and I know he's more hurt by that than he lets on."

"So, can't you make it up for him?"

"How? You know as well as I do we're fully booked for the rest of the month so I can't take a day off or anything; I'd buy him a gift to say sorry but I buy him everything anyway cause he still can't get off his ass and work."

"Zoro-san doesn't work?"

"No" another exasperated sound, "He says it takes up too much of his training time. Not like that's a problem, you hardly need to train that much to be in the amateur leagues." Smoke drifted as he took another pull on his cigarette. "And I just know he spends half the day playing with Luffy..."

He felt guilty even saying it, but Sanji was a little drunk and that made him prone to voice the thoughts he normally kept under lock and key. Because Sanji was a dreamer, just like Zoro, and he understood how important it was to work towards your goal. But to see the Marimo waste every day training and fighting to be getting nowhere, especially as Sanji was currently learning firsthand how easy it was to progress, sometimes hade him question whether his partner's relentless drive was admirable or idiotic. The dying embers of the cigarette were stubbed out in an ashtray as Sanji continued his rant to his attentive audience.

"I just don't know Gin. Sometimes it feels like he's anchoring me back and I've gotta be honest, I can't drag him along with me."

Whatever the problem was between the pair, Gin hoped they would resolve it soon, because he did not like seeing the chef he was so used to being bright and cheery look so lost and confused.

--

"Come on Zoro! We're gonna be late!"

Luffy's voice echoed cheerily around the apartment as he waited for his best friend to get ready. It was a rare occasion that all the crew were welcome in the Baratie at once, and Brooke was playing and the food was gonna be good.

"I want to eat some of Sanji's food, hurry up!"

Scowling as he entered the living room, searching for wallet and other belongings, Zoro glanced at the cheery boy and sighed.

"You know Zeff is going to kill you if you cause a fuss, Luffy, and I can't afford the damn cook to be any more pissed with me."

"Mnaa? Sanji is mad at you? Why?"

With the elusive wallet found, Zoro motioned Luffy out of the apartment as they headed downstairs to find Ace. Zoro explained as they descended the stairs.

"I'm not too sure. It's this fucking show, making him act like a goddamn asshole."

"But Sanji loves the show."

"I know, but all his new friends and everything...gah they just all piss me off. And then the cook shoves us off to hang with them and that just makes us fight."

Luffy watched his friend explain as they descended the stairs. He had noticed the change in the couple since the cook's popularity rose, and he was most in tune to the changes in his best friend. Zoro was more sullen and quick to anger than normal, particularly around Sanji. It instantly lead him to one thought he wanted to voice, though he did have the fear of a Zoro shaped fist hitting his head.

"Are you jealous?"

"What?"

He stops so suddenly skid marks would be left on carpet, if it were possible. Zoro scowled at Luffy but it took more than that to concern the younger boy. With a snort, Zoro turned away and sneered indignantly.

"I am not jealous of him, the bastard. There isn't even and reason I would be jealous of him..."

His friend looked almost foreignly contemplative that Luffy didn't want to mention it anymore.

"...Of course Zoro..."

He didn't need to meet the green haired man to know what he was considering, or see the quick success of the cook to figure it out. The rest of the trip to the Baratie was in spent silence.

--

The Baratie was fully booked. Between the head chef's ever-growing popularity, the sous chef's stardom making it the in-trend place to eat, and the fan base of The Rhumba's, the place had been booked maximum capacity since the show first aired.

There was still plenty of space however, for friends of the staff. And they were the largest, most rambunctious group most of the customers had ever seen.

"Luffy! If Sanji sees you doing that we'll never be allowed in here again!"

Cheeks bulging with bread rolls, drool escaping from the full mouth, Luffy chuckled apologetically and swallowed. Ace smacked his hand against his shaking head, wishing his brother would control himself.

Usopp and Kaya had booked the table weeks ago, to celebrate their return from travels. Kaya's medical training had them taking residence abroad for a few months. They were both beaming at their friends as Usopp regaled Chopper with tales of their adventures.

"...So there we were, deep in the African jungle, face to face with ferocious beasts keeping Kaya from treating the poor locals trapped behind them. Fortunately, I was there to save them..."

Poor Chopper could never tell the difference between Usopp's fake and real tales. Giggling, Kaya leaned over and muttered to Nami.

"We were staying in the city, and a small dog was in front of the child it had bit. It chased Usopp, but left me bandage the child. I did have to bandage Usopp's bites later too though."

Chopper missed the blush settling on Usopp's cheeks as he continued to weave a tale of bravery to the small doctor.

The round table was almost in the centre of the room, a bit closer to the stage so they could all see the stage. Bony fingers tinkled the ivory of the piano as Brooke performed with his popular outfit, The Rhumbas. Robin and her husband were politely applauding the performance as Franky leaned towards the stewing man sitting on his right, who was twisting in his seat in sight of blonde curtains.

"Relax, Zoro. Sanji's sure to be busy cooking, but you know he'll be here as soon as he can."

"Well he better hurry the fuck up, he promised Usopp and Kaya he'd be here."

Arms folded tightly across his shirt, and with a scowl painted on his sharp face, Zoro's angry expression clashed against the chaotic merriment of his friends. Where was the damn cook? They had been talking about this dinner for weeks, and he had said he was going to take time off so he could eat with them for once.

His sharp eyes ghosted over the restaurant, searching for Sanji or any waiter who could guide him to the cook. They had waited for him to show for 20 minutes, before Ace and Luffy broke and forced them to order food. The group had been served their starters and were anticipating the main course and still the Chef hadn't showed. And Zoro wasn't having any of it.

If there was one thing he abhorred, it was breaking promises.

A large, smartly and sharply dressed group sitting near the window all roaring with laughter caught the warrior's attention. From their appearance and attire, they all looked wealthy and slightly snobbish, and Zoro insides imploded the minute he laid eyes on them.

There, leaning over their table, smiling and joking, was Sanji.

The growl left his mouth before he even realised it, instead shocked back to the table and his nakama as Luffy laid a hand on his clenched fist. They all were looking, either at him or Sanji, with varying levels of worry and upset. Usopp looked plain hurt.

"Leave it Zoro, he's just working..."

Yet all he heard was the angry throbbing of his skull as he shook off Luffy's hand, rose, and strode determinedly towards his lover.

--

"Sanji, you must tell us how you manage to get The Rhumbas to perform at your restaurant. We've been trying to book them at our club for months!"

Smiling faultlessly, Sanji chuckled at the man. The table was full of managers and directors from the TV station, his management company and some other starts celebrities that had snatched up seats when he offered the table to them. He was going to do whatever he could to win them all over, though by the looks of things they were all already in love with the Baratie.

"Brooke and I have actually been good friends for years. He used to play here on his own before the band started, so they all come back now and again."

"Impressive! Are you hiding any more famous friends we should know about?"

He smiled again, trying not to look towards the table in the middle of the room. Sure Sanji knew his friends were here, but he really needed to impress the people if he wanted to stay on TV. Most of the night he'd been so busy with cooking it didn't matter, but the bigwigs had asked to see him, so Sanji simply avoided them.

Except now, out of the corner of his eye, he could spot an advancing speck of angry green.

'Shit'

"Um, please would you all excuse me, for just a second?"

After accepting nods, Sanji turned from the table to be confronted with a face full of dark blue shirt.

Looking up, Sanji almost saw red flash through those dark eyes. The tightly clench jaw was about to open and launch a tirade at the cook, so Sanji decided to try and grab the first move.

"Zoro. Before you start making a scene remember where you are."

The threat was muttered darkly, and Sanji glowered at him. Trembling with fury, Zoro hissed out.

"What the hell Sanji? You promised them, for months that you'd be there, Luffy had been talking about it all week, and Usopp and Kaya looked so excited when they got here, and we find you here talking to some damn suits!"

The argument was made in hushed tones and furious expressions, Zoro not wanting to make a scene and Sanji not wanting to upset the important table behind them.

"Dammit Zoro, can't you see I'm a bit busy for all this?"

"Even for your nakama, Sanji, to the ones who've been supporting you for years? For fuck's sake, Usopp is one of your oldest friends! You set him and Kaya up! They were so looking forward to telling you about Africa, and all their damn food. They even wrote you recipes and you haven't even shown them the courtesy to apologise for not being able to be there!"

"Um, sorry to interrupt Sanji dear, but is this one of your friends?"

Sanji felt Zoro stiffen when the station deputy manager cut into their mini fight, and cursed inwardly. As he moved to introduce Zoro, Paula startled as she recognised the face.

"Why, it's Zoro right? I didn't recognise you looking so smart!"

Zoro nodded in recognition at TV mogul, all his senses warning as the upmarket table turned their eyes on him. He wished he had a chance to smooth down his shirt.

"Um, this is Roronoa Zoro. He's and I have been together for about a year now."

The table looked a bit dumbstruck, regarding Zoro with suspicion and surprise. A thin woman bedecked with diamonds fluttered as she picked up her wine glass.

"Sanji dear, you never told us that you were...in a relationship."

Something in Zoro's stomach twisted as Sanji laughed and waved off the statement.

"Well, it's just never come up..."

The large man nearest Sanji turned to the swordsman.

"So, Roronoa is it? Nice to meet you boy. Do you dine at the Baratie often?"

Again, Sanji jumped in before Zoro had a chance to answer/

"Ha! No, he's here for a celebration with our friends. I'm afraid Zoro isn't really one for fine dining, or fine anything. Well, except for me of course."

Zoro felt his cheeks warm as everyone laughed. The large man spoke up again, eyeing Zoro disapprovingly like a king would a farmer.

"A simple man then, Roronoa? Well that certainly explains a lot. Tell me, what is it you do?"

"I-"

"He doesn't work, I support us both."

"Oh, how kind of you Sanji darling, helping your partner out through difficult times."

Zoro's head snapped round, eyes almost ablaze as he glared at the woman.

"I'm not going through difficult times, I compete in the national fighting leagues."

The laughter faltered at Zoro's expression, and Sanji was just about ready to kick the idiot's head in. Kicking the green haired man in the shin, he smiled apologetically.

"In the amateur leagues. The pros aren't quite ready for him, so he just trains and sleeps all day. Isn't that right, Marimo?"

It was difficult to respond through the anger coursing through his veins and the buzzing in his head, so Zoro nodded numbly. He bowed politely, ready to return to his friends before he forgot all about his swords and tore Sanji to shreds right there.

"Zoro, I hope you and all of Sanji's friends will be joining us next week?"

He saw Sanji's eyes falter at the question, and judging by Paula's explanation, he must have looked a bit confused as well.

"Didn't you know? Sanji, Zeff and the Baratie have all been nominated."

The anger receded, replaced with a leaden feeling that Zoro didn't quite want to identify in his intestines. He turned to Sanji, who looked torn between guilty for not telling him yet and elated about the news.

"You'll all come, right Zoro. To the All Blue Awards..."

-.-.-


So originally I planned for this chapter and the next to be one, but this became SO LONG I had to cut it. I found it really difficult to explain Zoro and Sanji's resentment towards their situation now, especially when both are not ones for talking about things properly. I'm saving all that for another chapter :D.

I've also noticed it seems to jump a bit, I think. I'm sorry if it seems that way when you read it. I'm trying to show everyday situations in their lives but punctuating it with the oviously important stuff. So the jumpiness in character's moods etc is just because this is happening over a more extended period, rather than the same day.

Thanks for reading, I'll try and post the next chapter REALLY soon

Pamplemoose x