Chapter 7

Don't own One Piece.

'Ok, so…this is awkward…'

Those were the exact thoughts running through Zoro's mind. Since their little "accident", Zoro can't look at Sanji in the eye. It's weird, Zoro feels embarrassed even though he wasn't the one getting caught in the act…and not only embarrassed…he is confused as hell, since when did he get turned on by a male and just not a random dude…Sanji! His new so called friend.

"Hey, Zoro?"

'God, what the fuck is wrong with me? It must be some kind ofsymptom of being sex deprived that is increasing my horniness…that's it! That's the reason…what else could it be?'

"Hey, Zoro!"

'Oh my God, does this mean I can get aroused by anything? That would be really bad…perhaps Ace was right…I AM a pervert. Soon enough, I'm going to be that one creepy dude stalking in the shadows with a sick smile while laughing hee, hee.'

"ZORO!"

"WHAT?!"

"Are you ok? You look…I don't know…like…distracted."

"I'm fine, cook. Let's just get this over with so I can drink until I pass out…" Zoro increased his pace. Alcohol is the answer, but to what question, he doesn't know…

"I'm sorry…"

It sounded almost like a whisper but the swordsman caught it. Zoro turned around finding Sanji looking embarrassed while looking anywhere but him.

"Sorry for what?"

"It's just…must have been weird for you catching us doing such things in the kitchen. I'm sorry, ok? I told Ace but he never listens. It's just that…well…he was leaving and…"

"Wha-?! Sanji, relax it's not…I mean. God, do we have to talk about this?"

"Do you think I want to talk about it? It's embarrassing…!"

"Then why are you bringing this up?"

"You're acting weird…and well, you said you want to get wasted. I just thought the reason for that was…me and…what you saw…so I just wanted to say sorry."

Is he serious? Sanji doesn't have to apologize. Sure, they probably could have found a better place for such…activities, but it's not like they did that on purpose…well at least not Sanji, Ace on the other hand…besides Sanji should be apologizing for making his mind a mess, not for having sex with his boyfriend, but he can't say that to him!

"It's not that…look, let just forget all of that, take all this shit back to the ship and…let's go and have a drink, ok? My treat."

Sanji blinked twice. Y-Yea,h sure…"

They both headed to the ship in comfortable silence. Much to Zoro's displeasure.

"How can you even lift your legs that high?!"

"S-SHUT UP, BASTARD!" Sanji's face is tomato red at this point.

Zoro chuckled. "I mean, I don't think even Luffy can manage that!"

"I swear to God, Zoro, if you don't shut up…"

Zoro was laughing hard now, but he let it go. Yeah, teasing an ashamed Sanji is fun and also clears his mind from those weird ass ideas he is getting.

Later on, in a bar…

"Aaaah…this is the life."

Sanji and Zoro found a bar near the coast with an amazing view where they can see their ship and is also cheap, so it's a win-win situation.

Sanji looked at Zoro and rolled his eyes, any place with alcohol is heaven to him, ;it makes no difference. Sanji grabbed the jar and took a sip. "Holy shit! Fuck, this tastes like piss."

"Oh, I'm sorry…should I put a cherry and a little umbrella in your drink, your highness?" Zoro asked sarcastically.

"Shut up! Ugh, I can't drink this. I'm gonna see if the bartender has something else…"

"He's going to kick us out if you keep bothering him…"

"Hey, I'm a customer and he is going to listen to every word I say."

Sanji stood up and went to bother the poor guy again.

Zoro let him be. He took another drink while watching the horizon.

This is nice…Zoro liked the view, the booze and well…the company. How stupid of him for having fought with the only person he can connect with and talk to. He loves all of his friends, but he can't chat with them about trivial things or casual shit. Luffy can't even hold a thought for five seconds least of all, talk calmly. Nami would ask him for money first and besides, she's a witch. Chopper is too young to talk about…some topics. Brook and Franky are well…strange. Robin would only nod her head while trying to read her book. Usopp…perhaps, if he managed to shut him up about Kaya for a moment. Heh…it's amazing how they can be so different and work so well together.

Zoro looked back, only to watch Sanji talking lively about something, while the bartender has this annoyed look. Zoro chuckled, better drink fast because in a few seconds, the bartender is going to explode and kill the cook. Something caught his eye, next to Sanji was a beautiful woman is laughing at whatever the cook is saying, but Sanji is oblivious to this. Funny…the Sanji he once knew would be delighted with her while declaring his love to such a magnificent angel…now, he is not even glancing her way.

The bartender now is cracking his neck, oh shit, things are going to get ugly, but before Zoro could stand up, said woman interfered and caught Sanji's attention. The bartender took his leave, it's either that or kill his blond customer. Zoro sat down again. Sanji now is talking with her and she looks so charmed by him, casually touching his arm, smiling a lot, getting closer to him. The irony was that back then, when the cook liked women, he couldn't get any, now that he is into guys, women find him enchanting. Well, Sanji is not ugly…he is actually good looking, but back then, he was so weird with the ladies acting all creepy and clingy, so it was more of a matter of strange personality instead of looks.

"Hello there!"

Zoro turned around, finding a pretty woman in front of him.

"I was wondering…since you are alone, if you would like some company. I'm lots of fun, I promise."

Zoro took a moment to reply. "Sorry, I came with someone."

'What the fuck are you doing? This is your chance…'

"Your friend seems to be having fun…"

Zoro looked at Sanji again. He does seems happy, is Sanji even completely gay? To be honest, Zoro is a little angry, here he is being ditched by Sanji for a woman, a woman, this is so…aaagh! Zoro should take on her offer, but he can't! The reason: unknown. God knows he needs this.

"Yeah, but the idiot is coming back soon so…"

"Well, how about I keep you company until he comes back?"

Zoro is running out of excuses here.

"Zoro, you are not going to believe this! Oh, hello, sorry, am I interrupting something?"

Sanji is back.

"No, you are not, she just came here to say hello." Zoro said, the woman taking this as a discrete rejection to her offer and after a quick chat with the blond, she took her leave.

Sanji sat down, hesitating a bit.

"She is good looking, what's her name?" Sanji asked.

"Don't know…"

"She work here?"

"No idea…"

"Do you know anything about her?"

"No…"

"Jesus, Zoro, no wonder she left, you need to try a bit."

"Not my type…"

"So…the tall, voluptuous and pretty is not your type?"

"…"

Zoro changed the topic and Sanji let it be. They talked for an hour or so.

"You know, she is still there…waiting for you."

"Who?"

"That pretty woman you were talking before…she keeps looking this way…"

"So?"

Sanji can't believe him. On every port, Zoro would find someone to spend the night with and here he is, ditching a promising one night stand. Is it because he is here with him? Must be…perhaps he thinks it would be rude to leave him for her…

"You know…I'm pretty tired, so I think I'm going back to the ship if that's ok…"

"Sure, I'll stay here a little longer…" Zoro replied, drinking that disgusting beverage they call "booze".

So, Sanji was right, as soon as he leaves, Zoro will make his move.

"Ok…uuhh, thanks for the invitation, Zoro."

"No problem. You are cheap after all, one drink is all it took to make you dizzy."

"Shut the fuck up, you brainless Neanderthal, I'm not dizzy. This fucking wood floor…"

"Sure…"

Sanji glared at him but let it go. Zoro watched him go.

After a moment, someone stood in front of him…again. And again, the same woman. Only this time she didn't ask for his permission to sit.

"Your friend asked me to keep you company, saying something like, 'That stupid marimo can't be alone for too long or he will do something stupid.'" She giggled at that.

'God dammit Sanji!'

"Soo…what's your name?" She asked.

Later on…

He has no right, no right, to feel this way. Zoro is only his friend. He is such a hypocrite, he keeps telling the others and himself that he no longer likes Zoro that way. But it still hurts, he was about to leave, when Zoro's stalker approached him asking him if he was leaving, he said yes and told her to keep the marimo company. After all, he was the reason why Zoro ditched her, she was pleased and went straight to him. She even giggled with him, possibly about something he said.

It was painful to watch, so he walked out faster…he is a little sad and with no Ace to distract him or keep him company, this situation is going to get difficult. But he can't make the same mistake twice. Zoro apologized to him for what he did and how he acted, he can't fuck things up. He can't throw all this improvement in their relationship in the trash just because he is a selfish bastard. Besides, Ace would be unhappy and he can't hurt his best friend…and boyfriend. 'God I need a nice drink.'

Sanji arrived at the Sunny. There is no one there.

'Great…' Sanji thought bitterly.

Elsewhere…

"This is where I live…" the annoying woman (Zoro's words) said to Zoro.

"It's nice…"

She came closer to him "How about one last drink before you go, huh?"

Here come the little voices inside his head telling him what to do.

'Go inside fool! She wants you!'

'This is what you need!'

'What the fuck are you waiting for?'

"Sure…one more drink." The woman, named Angie, smiled while stepping aside to let him inside.

"Make yourself comfortable, I am going to get changed."

On the Sunny…

Sanji is making something to eat. He can't sleep; something about being alone on the ship feels uneasy. He is a social person, he likes being surrounded by people, unlike some swordsman he knows who reminds him of a lone wolf. He is not comfortable with being alone, and even if he is not talking to someone, knowing that someone is around or close by, is heartwarming.

Sanji is moving around the kitchen with such grace as always. He is making some bacon wrapped bread with virgin oil, one of his simple but favorite dishes. He is too concentrated to notice someone entering the kitchen and slowly getting closer to him. Sanji was adding the few drops of oil when he felt someone place a hand on his shoulder. Taken by surprise, Sanji's reflexes kicked in, twisting in an inhuman way, Sanji connected his right foot with his attacker's chin, sending the poor bastard flying outside the kitchen, Sanji quickly recovered and ran straight to the bastard.

"Hey, hey stop! You fucking shit cook!" the intruder yelled.

Sanji froze.

"Zoro?"

"Who else, you fucker! Damn that hurt…"

Sanji is speechless and confused. "Wha…? What are you doing here?"

"You do know this is also my ship, don't you?"

"Not that, you asshole. What I meant is…what are you doing here now?"

Zoro knows pretty well what Sanji is trying to ask. He wants to know why he is here with him instead of being out there with her, but Zoro doesn't have an answer to that question. "Why shouldn't I be?"

"Jesus, could you please stop answering my questions with other questions? Whatever….are you hungry?"

"Yeah…a bit."

"Ok, follow me…over here."

"I know my way around our ship! …Most of the time." Zoro murmured the last part.

Later on…

"Here…"

Sanji placed some onigiri for Zoro on the table.

"Hey, those are my favorites!"

"I know." Sanji said to himself.

Zoro is eating the onigiri with such enthusiasm, funny how things work, a few hours ago, he was with a willing pretty woman at her house and somehow he ran away to be here…with the cook. Was it guilt for leaving him alone on the ship? Some 'Bros before hoes' kind of shit?

Even if that's the case, Zoro is not sorry for leaving that clingy chick, sure he could be having sex, but that woman was crazy…

"Soo, what happened? Why are you here instead of being with that pretty woman who was head over heels for you, huh?"

"Nothing happened, we drank for a bit and said our goodbyes…" Zoro lied.

Sanji is not buying it, but well, he is too tired and not in the mood for interrogation. He just wants to finish his glass of wine and go to bed.

Zoro ate all of the onigiri Sanji made.

"So, you liked them?"

"They were ok, I guess…"

"Hey, shut up, you loved them…it was all written on your face."

"How can you possibly know that?"

"You are too easy to read, you idiot. If you hate something, you crack your left hand's knuckles, if you like something you, raise your right eyebrow while you're eating, or drinking or whatever. When you're sad and don't want to show it, you go to the crow's nest and clean your swords for hours and if you're excited or uneasy, you always place your hand on the handles of your swords…"

Oh, shit!

Sanji can feel Zoro staring at him. 'Great Sanji, you had to open your fucking mouth. Quick, fix this, you idiot!'

"I digress...the point is my food is glorious and you know it."

No reply.

Sanji took a deep breath. He dared look at Zoro, and he is just staring at him as if he had grown two heads…

"Well…I'm tired, I'll try to catch some sleep, try not to break anything, especially not in my kitchen…night."

Sanji got the hell out of there. He brushed his teeth and went to bed.

He just hopes in the morning, Zoro has forgotten everything he said.

Back in the kitchen…

'That the fuck was that?!'

It took him by surprise how much Sanji knows about him…how he noticed those small details about his behavior…well, it's pretty common to know things about the person you love…correction loved. He placed his hand on the handle of one of his swords…just like Sanji said he would do if he is uneasy or excited. But which one is it? Is he uncomfortable with the fact that perhaps just perhaps, the cook still feels something for him or thrilled for the same fact?

Later on…

The crew decided to eat lunch at a fancy restaurant since this was the last day on this island. Moreover, how often was it that Nami offered to pay for them? This is a once in a lifetime opportunity.

After an hour of fighting with the swordsman to put on something more presentable, the crew was on their way to the restaurant, happily talking amonst each other.

Nami and Robin are talking about some dresses they bought on the island. Brook and Franky are in the front talking about who knows what. Luffy is talking to Sanji about how much meat he is going to eat and behind them Usopp is telling a story (lie) to Zoro.

"You fucking asshole!"

The crew stopped as well as some people nearby. Sanji recognized the woman from the bar a few days ago.

"You have some nerve leaving me like that, and without a word!" She stood in front of Zoro now, glaring at him.

Zoro looked her up and down.

"Who are you?"

That did it. She threw herself at Zoro, trying to hit him but Usopp jumped in front of Zoro, falling the ground with her.

"Waaaaahh, someone, help me!" Usopp cried.

Sanji took her away from Usopp as she tried free herself from his grasp.

"Can we all calm down for a bit?! Mademoiselle, you are going to get hurt if you keep doing that, relax." She did…a little. "Now, what is it that this idiot did?"

"Your friend here, came to my place, took off without saying anything and stole my necklace!"

"What?! I didn't steal your necklace." Zoro replied in his defense.

They began to yell at each other.

"Enough! Look, the idiot here can be rude, but he is no thief. Are you sure he's the one who took your necklace?"

"If it wasn't him, then it was because of him…leaving without closing the front door. Seriously?!"

Sanji is confused. Didn't Zoro say that nothing happened between him and this woman?

Zoro can feel Sanji looking at him, without doubt knowing already that he lied to him "Look, I don't have your necklace…but let me pay its worth so we are even… how much is it?"

"80,000 Berries."

"…Fuck off." Zoro replied.

"What?!"

"I don't have that kind of money!"

"Is there something else that you want or we can do in exchange for your necklace?" Nami asked the woman. After this, she is going to kill Zoro.

The woman began to think.

"I want an expensive and romantic date with everything. And if I am satisfied, your debt will be paid."

That was easy. "Well, I guess we can do that. Zoro will pick you up tonight for your date." Nami said, glaring at the stupid swordsman.

Zoro looked away…the witch is scary.

"No." the woman said.

"But you just said…" Both Zoro and Nami said in unison.

"I know what I said, but I don't want a date with you…I want a date with him." the woman said, pointing at Sanji.

"Me?!" He can't go on a date with this woman.

"Deal" Nami said, agreeing to her request.

"N-Nami!" Sanji yelled.

"Oh, please, Sanji, it's not a big deal, it's only a date."

But he's gay, with a boyfriend and with a crush on his best friend!

"Fine, I'll will be waiting for you tonight…and remember, you need to persuade me."

She is giving Sanji her address while Nami is hitting Zoro for being well…him. Nami stared at the couple. Sanji doesn't seem excited. She thought Sanji would be actually thrilled. How strange…

Later on…

Sanji has everything planned out. He is almost dressed now starting to tie his tie.

"You don't have to do this you know…"

"Well, this is your fault, Zoro."

"We can just go…"

"Luffy said we need to do this because we made a promise and we need to keep it. Besides it's just a dinner, Nami and I bought some flowers, chocolates, a gift, and reservations to a nice place, which should work."

'And if she wants more?'That's what he wants to ask but it's not his place. Zoro is taking his time looking at Sanji. He is nicely dressed, a navy blue long sleeve shirt, black pants and shiny shoes. He looks…well, perfect. But Sanji always dresses like this. He always looks nice. Wow…where did that come from?

"Why did you lie?" Sanji asked.

"I didn't…nothing happened between us."

"Look…" Sanji sat next to him "I don't want you to think that you have to be careful with me about these things, we are friends, right? Well, friends talk about things like this, I don't want you to think of me as an imposition, I don't want to be a burden to you…"

"You're not an imposition, I never wanted to go with that woman, you were the one asking her to be with me."

"Well, she was pretty, outgoing and willing…I thought you were holding back because of me…"

"I didn't, cook, I was the one inviting you for a drink, remember?"

"..."

"Let's make a deal, no more lies between us, ok?"

"Sure… I would like that." Sanji said with a smile.

"Cook?" Zoro needs to ask him about it, he needs to know. "About that night when we were alone in the ship…about the things you said about me-"

"About that…" Sanji interrupted him. "It was nothing, ok? Don't worry, just things I remember, that's all…"

'Is it? Is it really all?' Zoro is a little disappointed. "Sure…"

"Now, get the hell out so I can get ready for my date with your crazy stalker girl."

A few hours later…

"He is taking too long…" Zoro is at the crow's nest, looking out for bandits or pirates. Yeah, right, more like looking out for his friend who has yet to come back from his "date".

"Are you worried about him, Mr. Swordsman?"

"The fuck?! Robin!"

"Oh, I am sorry, did I scare you?"

"Like you could! I was just distracted. What are you doing here?"

"It's my turn for surveillance."

"Nah, don't worry, I'll stay here, go back to sleep."

Robin smiled warmly at Zoro. "You really are worried." It's not a question, more like a statement.

"Well, aren't you? It's really late!"

"Sanji is strong and clever…he's fine."

"I know, I know…it's just…"

"…You don't want him to be out there with her." 'Or with anyone else for that matter.'

No immediate reply. "She is crazy…"

"Can I ask you something, Mr. Swordsman?"

"Do I ever have a choice when it comes to you?"

"Sanji told me everything about that night…"

"And?"

"You're not one to miss an opportunity to have sexual intercourse with an attractive woman…why didn't you?"

"Not my type…"

"Well, I heard someone say once, that no matter how many gorgeous faces you set your eyes upon, if you already set your heart for someone, you will hardly notice anyone."

"What are you trying to say?" Zoro asked, suspiciously.

"Can't tell you. This is something you have to discern on your own…goodnight, Mr. Swordsman."

Robin went back to her room to go back to sleep.

Zoro stood up watching the blue sea. "Ok…so, first of all…what is discern?"

Proofread and edited by Coco42