CHAPTER 3

Don't own One Piece.

Sanji came out from the room, leaving Ace in his bed, knowing full well there's nothing that can make Ace wake up. Seriously, sometimes, it's hard to tell if he's dead or just sleeping. Last time, he and Usopp were worried because Ace had not woken up in two days and Usopp came up with an idea. They started poking Ace with a stick because Ace is known for having fits of rage if awakened. And after a few minutes of no reaction, they got scared and he was about to call Chopper when Ace suddenly jumped up while hitting everything in his surroundings. Usopp screamed so loud, he made everyone scared, thinking something really bad was happening and well, in the end, all three of them getting hit by Nami for scaring them and destroying the room …besides, Sanji needs time for himself to think.

These days…with everything that has happened, he needs to think clearly…first he told Zoro that he loves him and he got rejected by Zoro not two minutes after. Now, Ace comes with this proposal to forget Zoro and clearly Zoro doesn't fucking mind at all what he does…but even if he wants to move on and let Ace help, it still hurts… that one of his crewmates, the only one in the crew he loves this way…thinks nothing about him. Sanji knew there was a small chance of Zoro being gay, even more, being gay and actually liking him back, but he never expected Zoro to be so cold and well…an asshole about it. Even more reason to move on, it's not him doesn't deserve Zoro, its Zoro that doesn't deserve him! He needs to start acting like a man and enjoy everything he has and has gained so far. Who knows, maybe along the way, he will find someone who loves him back…right? Someone he can share adventures and dreams with, someone he could die for and die happy with…in the end.

Sanji was too busy in thought to notice Zoro approaching him. Zoro can see Sanji is far gone from this world while looking at the horizon…so he stepped in front of him to catch his attention and he almost laughed when Sanji jumped slightly.

"S-Stop doing that! Wh-What do you want, Marimo?"

"Got you good, huh?"

"Shut up idiot. I'm very tired and I don't want to fight right now, so leave me alone." Sanji said, turning away from Zoro with a slight blush.

"Hey, I am not here to fight ok? I just came to say I'm sorry." 'And for you to entertain me.'

"Sorry?" Sanji turned around. "Why would you suddenly care?" 'Could it be that he actually feels bad for the way he treated me back then? Can we go back to the way it was before? Can we actually start fresh?'

Zoro, seeing the longing of hope in the cook's face make him chuckle. 'This is way too easy.'

"Well, yeah, it's either that or Nami raising my debt and I need the money, you know…"

"Oh..." 'So that's why…'

"So, where's your boyfriend, cook?"

'I bet this will make the cook angry enough to start a fight. Hope so, because I'm bored.' Thought Zoro

"Huh? What? My boyfriend? Are you talking about Ace?" Sanji asked.

"So you admit it, huh? Tch! Your kind is really something else; one day, you guys claim to love someone and the next, you are jumping anyone who pays attention to you!"

'MY KIND?!' "Look, Zoro, you don't know what the hell you're talking about, so don't you dare-"

Zoro grabbed Sanji by his neck, pushing him against the wall forcefully.

"I told you already…don't you ever…under any circumstance…dare use my name!" Zoro growled threateningly.

Sanji can't move. God…how can Zoro's eyes have so much hate towards him in them? He was so stupid for telling Zoro about his feelings. He is an idiot for giving his heart to him and he is a dumbass because even after everything Zoro has said and done, he still loves him…deeply and would give anything, anything to be with him. Even now though, Zoro is hurting him, all he can think of is how he would give his soul to be able to kiss those lips that are so close to him right now. How he would kill to have Zoro's body even closer than it is now and how he could die happy if love were in those eyes instead of hatred.

And then he started trembling…trembling in frustration. He can't feel hate towards Zoro, he just can't. But he can towards himself because he is so damn pathetic. Just a few minutes ago, he promised to forget about this man, he promised to man up and look forward without regrets and now look at him, trembling with his eyes closed shut to prevent tears from falling in front of the man who makes him feel like this…he promised also to never let Zoro look at him like this. How many promises can he break in one day?

Zoro is having mixed feelings now. He likes getting a rise out of Sanji, but only because after that, they end up fighting and it's fun…but having Sanji in front of him, trembling, is something else. He is not even putting a fight or insulting back…nothing, this is not fun...it's pathetic and it's making him feel guilty somehow. Zoro released his grip on Sanji's neck. What's wrong? Everything changed only because the cook has 'feelings' for him?

"I should have just kept my mouth shut…I messed up, how stupid…"

Zoro has a feeling that Sanji is not talking to him…he must be having an inner battle, but even if that's the case, Zoro wants to say something and well…everyone knows Zoro can't keep his mouth shut even in moments like this.

"Cook, look…I am going to be completely honest…the way I see it, if you can't change something then there's no need to worry about it…what we have is what's it called…well… camaraderie…we are crewmates, nothing more. We travel together, we fight together and that's all there is to it. I won't change my feelings for you because there are none and I remember saying that we would never talk about this again, but…you've changed, and it's not fun for me this way. If I can't fight with you, then what good are you? Are you really going to risk our crew and what we have for a self-serving obsession of yours? Besides…How can you even say it's love when you have never experienced it before?"

Sanji just stared…it hurts hearing the marimo that his love is unrequited. But Zoro is right, he was so reckless. He wasn't thinking about the crew, only about himself. He never actually thought about it…he could have endangered his friends because of him being distracted or being unable to fight next to Zoro anymore…for not thinking first about his actions. And besides, Zoro is right in another thing…is this love? Many would think that him being like he is would know what love is…or at least would be sure once he felt it…it surely feels like love…the ache in his heart, the longing, the dreams. But of course, he is not going to share that with the marimo, he is giving him a way out and he is going to take it…even if this time he is sure that love is what he is feeling.

"Yeah…yeah, you must be right, Marimo…must be me being alone for a while now that it's messing with my head."

'It worked?' Zoro can't believe it! After all, every time he opens his big mouth, it only makes things worse, but not this time. The cook agreed with what he said; he knew the cook wasn't really in love it was just a formality…that's all. But Zoro can't help but feel bitter…bitter? That's strange, shouldn't he be pleased? Ever since the cook's confession, it was weird looking at him, speaking to him, even fighting with him was different...he can't explain it, but something was out of place, a weird feeling. But that is to be expected because no one ever told him 'I love you' before. He knew some people who cares or cared about him, but not once did those three words come from their mouth, he himself hasn't yet said them neither…anyway it's for the best, now he can finally tease and fight the cook like they used to…no more complications, creepy conversations or that strange ache he feels in his chest every time he looks at Sanji's eyes.

"Sanji?"

Both Zoro and Sanji looked to their right only to be greeted by the sight of a freckled half-asleep pirate.

"Ace! You're finally awake, was it a good nap?"

"Yeah, I slept like a baby…uhmmm." Ace didn't know if he should leave or stay next to his cook. By the looks of it, they were having a serious talk, but even if he knows he should leave, he doesn't want to.

"How about a snack? You must be hungry." Sanji said, getting closer to Ace.

"I knew I loved you for a reason…" Ace said, smiling warmly at Sanji.

That statement made Sanji blush, he knows Ace is teasing but he can't help it. He hopes Ace has not noticed his red face, but his reaction didn't go unnoticed by the swordsman. Not once did Ace or even Sanji look back to him, not once since Ace's arrival. It's like he is not even there! They just kept talking while heading to the kitchen. That's what Zoro hates about Luffy's brother, his ability to make Sanji see no one besides him and what's all with that "I knew I loved you for a reason." bullshit? And all that touching between them. Are they actually dating? Zoro teased Sanji about that earlier, but are they really?

"Tch! Whatever…I'm gonna take a nap" Zoro turned around, heading to the cherry tree but stopped.

"…but before that, I need a drink." Zoro headed to the kitchen instead. He wasn't trying to spy on them; he is genuinely thirsty, that's all.

Zoro entered the kitchen to find the cook laughing about something Ace said…something stupid probably, but he can't help but glare…Ace has Sanji wrapped in his arms while Sanji is making him a sandwich…they look happy together…disgusting. They seemed to be too busy to notice his presence…fine with him. That way, Sanji won't yell at him about stealing the booze, so he headed quietly to the shelf. Zoro was looking for the most expensive one when he heard Ace asking Sanji something, so he stayed still to be able to listen.

"What are you saying Ace, of course I'm not angry…"

"I just wanted to be sure because it wasn't on purpose just so you know, it was going really, REALLY well. I loved that feeling, you know, having you in my arms…kissing you like that…"

Sanji turned around to face Ace, Ace still not releasing Sanji but going forward to kiss him, he couldn't help it, Sanji looks adorable like this…all shy and nervous and his face beat red, who could resist?

They are fiercely kissing each other by now. And now Zoro is thinking, 'what the hell am I going to do now?' Luckily, Luffy yelled for all of them to go and see something really funny and Ace and Sanji left the kitchen. Zoro got out of the kitchen after as well.

'So, they are actually together now. Well, good for you cook…good for you.That strange ache in his chest came back again but it was painful this time. Strange. Really, really strange.

Proofread and edited by Coco42