Chapter 5
Don't own One Piece.
Ace couldn't be any happier than he is right now. He is outside on the deck, watching the sky and letting his thoughts wander, the night he spent with Sanji a few days back was awesome. It went better than expected, to be honest he was ready for the rejection and the awkward 'I love you as a friend' conversation, but damn…Sanji was amazing and he even confessed that he actually likes him a lot. Ace is not stupid. He knows Sanji still feels something for the 'marimo'. How? After all Zoro did is beyond his comprehension. but he is confident that he can win Sanji's heart, how great would that be? Being able to be with him in a relationship, waking up next to him, kissing him freely whenever he wants…
CRASH!
Ace turned around and stood up, he is heading to the kitchen apparently, where the sound of dishes being trashed are coming from…he has a bad feeling about this…again.
When Ace arrived, he spotted Robin and stood next to her, both not at all surprised by the sight.
There they are, Sanji and the swordsman fighting again.
"Nooo! You stupid marimo get out and leave my dishes alone! I told you already, there is no booze!" Sanji yelled, on the verge of crying.
"You're lying! Yesterday, you used some to make those freakin' fancy steaks!"
"That was wine and it's mine, you moss-head! If you didn't buy any, it's not my problem!"
"You're the cook! You should care about this stuff! After all, it's your job to feed us and keep us alive, what would you do if someone dies of dehydration?!"
"Do you even have a brain?! Booze would only make things worse, you idiot!"
"Ok, ok, that's enough." Interrupted Ace. "Zoro, Sanji doesn't have booze, you have to wait for the next island and you yourself can buy some…now, can we all calm down so we can clean this mess?"
"Calm down?! Ace, that bastard destroyed my expensive Chinese porcelain dishes!" Sanji yelled.
"Cook, you are so whiny…"
"What did you say? I am going to fucking kill you!"
"Sanji! Please!" Ace begged.
Sanji took a deep breath to calm down. "Ok…" Sanji replied quietly.
He took a mental note to replace those dishes soon to make Sanji happy…and to claim his reward of course. Oh, the possibilities, perhaps he could add chocolate and strawberries this time or something kinky with handcuffs while Sanji twists below him and-
"Tch!" Zoro glared at Sanji. "Look like Prince Charming came to save the damsel in distress again." Zoro immediately took off.
"You asshole…where are you going?! Come back and clean this mess, after all it's your fault!"
"Sanji, leave him to me, if it is not an inconvenience, can you clean the mess with Ace?" Asked Robin.
"O-Of course my lady, we will." Sanji replied with a happy grin.
"Good…" And with that, Robin went to look for Zoro, she must have a little chat with him.
Sanji took the broom and began to clean the shattered plates. 'Fucking marimo.'
"Sanji, what happened?" Ace asked, helping Sanji.
"I don't fucking know! That idiot barged in, demanding booze and all hell broke loose when I told him I didn't have any…"
"You know, you two have been fighting a lot more these days, something happen?" Ace is curious now because Zoro has been acting strange with both Sanji and him. And if Sanji didn't do anything, then that means he must have a talk with him. This situation is getting ridiculous and even if it pained him to admit it, Sanji is suffering, he cares for Zoro despite all and having the other fighting and insulting him constantly over nothing and it's starting to upset him.
"I don't think so, we have barely spoken a word since a few weeks now." 'I keep regretting having said anything to him about my feelings, I should just keep my mouth shut and everything would be ok…'
"Don't worry, Sanji…everything will be fine."
"Yeah…sure."
"Hey…" Ace said, approaching Sanji. "It will." Ace smiled at Sanji and kissed him.
God, he loves Sanji's taste. Perhaps he could take this a little further.
"Sit down." Ace commanded.
Sanji sat down. Ace kneeled in front of him.
"Ace! W-What are you doing?"
"Well, about to give you head of course." God, only Ace could be so straightforward. "You are too tense, Sanji" Ace purred as he began unzipping Sanji's zipper.
"A-Ace, I don't think is such a good idea what if someone…ohhh, shit…" Ace took him by surprise, he is not wasting any time. Sanji's right, anyone could come in at any moment.
Ace is kissing Sanji's length while stroking his balls.
"Ah…A-Ace…"
Sanji's cock is fully hard now. Time to work some magic. Ace licked Sanji's tip, placing his mouth above it, just covering the tip while moving his tongue in circles around it and slowly going down and down, until Sanji's cock disappeared into his mouth. Sanji is gasping now, he can't stop it, the sensation is too much, and Ace is really skilled with his tongue.
Sanji is a panting mess after a few minutes.
"A-Ace, I-I'm close." How is he even able to speak? Ace went faster, pumping harder, he can taste some of Sanji's cum in his mouth.
"Aaah…shit!" Sanji cursed. He can feel his insides burning, he is too close.
A few seconds later, Sanji came. Ace swallowed everything. He is not one to give head to anyone. He doesn't like it, but it's different with Sanji, the feeling, his taste, the noises…Ace released his grip on Sanji.
"That…That was amazing." Sanji panted, trying to catch his breath.
"Made you forget about the damn dishes for a moment, huh?"
"W-What dishes?" Sanji is way too high from the mind blowing blowjob he just got to properly remember why he was upset in the first place.
Ace chuckled and looked down at his pants. Damn, now he is hard. In seconds, Sanji placed himself on top of Ace, brushing his ass against Ace's pants, making Ace yelp.
"Now, let me take care of you, Mr. D Portgas." Sanji said, looking at Ace seductively.
"Well, someone is eager for more, huh? How about we take somewhere where we can't be interrupted?"
"Lead the way…" Sanji replied huskily.
A hot horny Sanji is too much for Ace, no need to be told twice, he grabbed Sanji and ran to their bedroom where he can ravish this gorgeous blond man.
They can clean the kitchen's mess later.
Elsewhere on the Sunny…
"What the hell do you want from me, Robin?!" Zoro is furious now. 'Why is everyone taking that shit-cook's side?!'
"Mr. Swordsman, I know something is going on and I demand to know what it is. You keep looking for Sanji to fight with him over nothing, what is going on?"
"Why do you care?! Are you best buddies now? Since when did you call that shit-cook by his name?"
"Sanji is our friend, Mr. Swordsman, even if you don't like to admit it. This has to stop now, so tell me."
"I don't know, I don't know, ok?! It's just….every time I see him, I get angry and in seconds we are in each other's throats… I can't stop it and everyone keeps defending him. And that fucking Ace won't leave his side!"
'Ooh, so this is about the relationship Sanji shares with Mr. Fire-user.'
"Did something happen between you and Sanji?" Robin asked.
"What?" 'Does Robin suspect something? She is very intuitive after all.'
"It is pretty obvious, actually. Anyone can see your relationship has changed. What is going on between you two? You both no longer fight like usual, you are avoiding him as much as you can, but even so, you are not making his life any easier…you are hurting him."
"Tch…he can take it, he is no woman." Zoro grumbled. 'That's the problem.'
"I meant emotionally. You know Sanji, he is really sensitive…he cares about you, Mr. Swordsman…for all of us. If not for him, do it for the crew, but this can't go on. If that's the case, I am afraid I must speak with the captain."
"…" 'Damn woman, intruding in someone else's business.,
"I'll take your silence as an acceptance of your fault and that you will make things right, now if anyone needs me, I'll be in the library." Robin said as she left.
Zoro just stood outside lifting his weights…he needs to apologize to the shit-cook, not like he has a choice. Robin made that pretty clear. But…how is he going to act like nothing happened with him? Being even on the same ship as him is uncomfortable. How he can make things less weird? And why must he apologize? It's not his doing. Well…yeah…he has been an asshole, but its Sanji's mistake for confessing.
'I love you.'
Jesus…even now, he can still replay every single little word the cook told him that night. But was the cook really in love with him? He surely forgot about him easily, you know, moving to the next guy so quickly and all. And he still can't deal with the fact that that night when he caught them having sex. Instead of feeling disgusted like he should by their doings, he felt something weird as if something was restricting the air from filling his lungs. He is not oblivious…well he is in some matters, but he knows jealously when he sees it. He is not into men but he knows he developed a sort of possessive nature with the cook, this is not new, he likes having some sort of control over him but with Ace around, he is not the only one anymore. Sure, the shit-cook would do anything for his ladies, but it's different when it comes to him. And Ace, apparently…and that is strangely something he cannot accept.
Later on, at night…
It's late now and everyone is either sleeping or turning in. Sanji is finishing the dishes and cleaning the whole kitchen. He got over the fact that Zoro destroyed his best porcelain dishes…at least a little now, after crying and cursing for hours.
Everyone was now in bed, even Ace. But before bed, Sanji wants to take a nice hot bath, drink a glass of his wine (hah, take that marimo) and then call it a day. As soon as Sanji reached and opened his secret drawer to take the wine, the door slammed open…it's Zoro.
"Oh no, oh no, no, no, this is my wine I am not going to fight with you anymore about it, Marimo".
"Shut up, cook, I am not here for your stupid wine, it ain't that great either…"
Sanji scoffed. "Unsophisticated monkey, this wine is one of the best. 30 years old, exquisite taste…"
"Whatever…look, I just came here to talk to you for a moment, ok?"
"…"
"Anyway…look, I came here to…apologize, ok?"
"Pfft, yeah, right…"
"Look, cook, I know I've done wrong, but we are a crew and we will be together for a long time, soo…let's leave this behind us and move on, ok?"
"…."
"…."
"…."
"For God's sake, say something would you!"
"Who made you?" Sanji asked flatly.
"What?"
"Last time, it was Nami with money, who was it this time? Robin? What did she threaten you with this time?"
"She didn't…" Zoro stopped, the glare he is getting from the cook is enough warning to make Zoro realize that lying is not an option here.
"…She will speak with Luffy and you know how he is about these things…"
'Figures.'Sanji knew it. He knew that Zoro would not be here by himself, but it hurts regardless. How pathetic.
"Before…before all this, before I had to open my fuckin mouth… did I really mean so little to you? I mean…was I even a friend to you?"
Zoro stared at the cook. What is the cook to him? Well, before this entire thing, he considered him as an annoying flirtatious bastard but he was still a friend, they have a unique relationship. Zoro knows he is the kind of guy who would sacrifice himself for his crew, he proved that already. But what if Sanji would be the one about to die? Would he change his life for his? Would he change his dream of becoming the greatest swordsman for Sanji's life if given the opportunity? No?
Sanji watched Zoro closely and covered his eyes with his hand and then chuckled with no humor behind it…the pain he is feeling right now…he feels like crying. Zoro is like an open book to him, it's pretty easy to know what the marimo is thinking…so he means nothing to him…nothing.
"T-Tell Robin that you apologized and…and everything is well now." Without wanting to, Sanji's tears began to flow from his eyes. 'No, no! Stop it…no more tears, no more tears!' Sanji turned his back to Zoro and began cleaning even when he just finished doing that and the kitchen look impeccable already. 'Leave…Zoro, please leave.'
Zoro took his leave slowly. He feels like his heart is going up his throat. 'Why? WHY?' Zoro went to the front of the ship instead of the bedroom. He didn't say anything…he…he left him there…crying and hurting. But what could he have done? What could he have said to make Sanji feel better? He is not one for words, he doesn't hate the cook, it's just that…their relationship is too complicated and messed up. Sanji loved him, he really loved him. For reasons Zoro cannot comprehend, he began crying.
Hours later…
The next day, the crew arrived at another island, there is not much, but everyone went to buy personal things, each one individually…except for Luffy who is being supervised by Nami.
They also went to eat…the cook awoke "sick" in the morning, so he is still in the bedroom and that meant no breakfast for anyone. Zoro bought oil for his swords and now, he just needs booze and he would be all set, but he keeps getting lost and now he is in an alley where many merchants are selling weird and exotic things. He was about to leave but one of them catches Zoro's attention…
"How much for this?" Zoro asked, pointing to one of the items.
"100,000 Berries for you, young man, I must say you do have exquisite taste. These were handmade in an exotic place, one of a kind."
Without thinking about it, Zoro bought them, there goes all of his money but this is something he must do.
Elsewhere in the town…
Ace is buying some food for him and Sanji and Chopper is taking care of the medicine. Sanji looked really bad today…strange because yesterday he looked fine…must be his night bath.
He must leave in two days to take care of some business and he wants to leave Sanji happy and healthy. That's why he is buying some soap and healthy meals…he hates healthy meals, but this is for Sanji…
Back on the Sunny…
Zoro is in front of the bedroom door, where a certain cook is in. Thankfully, no one is around. He needs to make things right, Robin is right, this went too far, he knows he has done too much harm but he can fix this, he MUST fix this. He took a deep breath and entered.
There, Sanji is sleeping. Zoro came closer and took a good look at Sanji's face; his eyes are puffy and red. How much did Sanji cry because of him? He seems to be sleeping peacefully at least, but he needs to talk to him now, when no one is around, no Nami, no Robin, no Ace, just the two of them.
Zoro cleared his throat. "Cook…"
No response.
"Cook, wake up…" Zoro placed his hand on Sanji's shoulder…he feels so warm. "Cook."
Sanji's eyes opened slowly and growled in annoyance that someone woke him up, just when he was finally able to sleep. He took his time to fully wake up and placed himself in sitting position on his bed. Zoro was there. Why is he here?
"What is happening? What's wrong? Are we under attack?"
"No…sorry, I just…needed to talk to you…I-"
"Stop! I…I can't take whatever you are going to say right now, just leave me alone…please, if Nami or Robin said something to you I will talk to them later…"
"Cook…"
"Marimo, can't I be alone for just a moment…leave."
Zoro can understand that the last person Sanji wants to see now is him but he must talk to him now or he will be restless. "No…cook, listen to what I have to say and I promise you that I will leave you alone."
No reply from Sanji. He gave up. He is too tired, too tired.
"First of all, no one sent me, cook, I wanted…I needed to talk to you alone, just you and me…" Zoro said.
"Well…what is it then?" 'Fuckin' marimo, hurry the fuck up, say your piece and leave.'
"You are a friend to me, Sanji. I know I am an asshole and I am sorry for everything I have done to you. I handled this pretty bad, I hurt you in the worst way possible, I thought I could leave it as it is, but…I treasure this weird relationship we share or used to share. I miss fighting with you like before, talking to you…you are the only one who I can do that with. I...I can't reciprocate your feelings, not like you would want them anymore, but I…I want us to be friends again. I know I have no right to ask something like this but…if you are willing to give me a chance, I promise I will never hurt you anymore…"
Sanji took a moment to think. Zoro seems serious this time. Tch…the marimo is really a piece of work. Just when he was ready to forget he ever existed, here he comes and say things like that. Friends? That would be actually a nice change and he promised, he promised he wouldn't hurt him again. But can he? Can he forgive him? For everything? No. At least not yet, but he can try.
Zoro is freaking out now, the silence is too much, and Sanji's face gives nothing away. What if Sanji says no? What then? Can he live with that?
"Marimo, I...I wouldn't mind giving you a chance…just don't pull this shit again or I will kill you…I am serious."
Zoro quickly replied, "I won't! I won't… I promise and cook?"
"Yeah?"
"It's Zoro to you…shit-cook." Zoro replied with a smirk.
Sanji feels like a moron for smiling at that simple statement.
"Sooo, I guess it's Sanji to you to…shit-head."
They both smiled.
"Oh yeah, I almost forgot…here." Zoro placed a box on Sanji's lap.
"What is it?" Sanji asked, unwrapping the gift.
"Well, I felt sorry for destroying your Chinese dishes so I got you another set…it's not the same one, but the seller told me they are one of a kind…"
Sanji stared at the dish set; they are amazing and really unique…
"How much did you pay for this?"
"Tch your taste is really expensive but no matter…it wasn't much."
"Thanks, Zoro." Sanji smiled again. Who knows, perhaps they can actually get to be really good friends.
Outside stood Ace, listening to their conversation. He is happy that they worked things out but he can't help but feel a little bit jealous, he was the one who wanted to buy the dishes…but Sanji is happy and that's what matters right? Right? Of course, but he is also worried, he hates the fact that Zoro still has so much control over his Sanji. He trusts Sanji, of course he does, it's the in denial Zoro he is worried about. How can he be so blind? Well, no need to freak out, tomorrow is his last day with the crew for a while, and because of that, he just needs to make tomorrow…unforgettable.
Proofread and edited by Coco42