Hi! So I finally have a Beta reader who helped me a lot with all my stories and grammar, and hopefully I will be updating more often with his help.

Hope you like this chapter.

Don't own One Piece.

Chapter 10

Zoro woke up, the sun's rays hitting his face. He moved a little, taking his time. He felt…he felt great actually, he slept amazingly well, satisfied and relaxed, but then he remembered exactly why he did and where he was and who it was next to him.

'The cook…'

Zoro turned his head slowly to his side fearing, more than anything that Sanji was awake already, which he was not, thankfully, but Sanji's back was facing him, so Zoro couldn't tell for sure if he was still asleep or not.

Zoro wanted out, he was panicking; he actually slept with the cook, his now so-called best friend, his crewmate! Oh, God, if Luffy knew what he had done to his cook. He slept with a man. Not just any man, oh no, Zoro fucking Roronoa had to go for the only man he shouldn't approach. What the fuck was he even thinking? Sure, last night was…it was incredible, honestly. He had never felt like that with anyone else and he has slept with many skilled bed partners, but none like this. But this felt more intimate, nothing like just sex, more like…NO, no! He is not thinking about this, no, he can't and he won't, this is not him, not him at all. Zoro, as quickly as possible, stood up, took his clothes and left silently without glancing back at the man he fucked last night. He left, failing to notice blue eyes following his every move until he was left alone in the crow's nest.

Back in the crow's nest…

'So, that's it then…'

Sanji knew it, he knew Zoro would regret it, regret them…but it still hurt like a bitch. Zoro didn't even have the guts to face him. Sanji was so scared of waking up and having to deal with their actions. He was ready for a confrontation, a bad reaction, anything…anything but Zoro leaving him like nothing…that fucking shitty marimo.

"I'm done…I'm so fucking done…"

Later on…

The crew looked like the dead, well, at least the boys. Chopper and Luffy haven't slept very well thanks to their captain and his food poisoning, keeping them awake all night at the infirmary. Usopp was making some coffee for Robin and Nami, who, by the way was beyond pissed at them for spending all their money on alcohol and food. Franky was still sleeping, thanks to a Cola overdose, and Brook is somewhere on the ship doing who knows what.

"I can't believe those guys…we left them alone for a couple of hours and they came back drunk, intoxicated or overdosed." Nami sighed.

"Well, I must say, I'm a bit envious, they look like they had fun last night…"

"Fun? Robin, look at them! They…oooooh, look who finally decided to wake up and grace us with his presence…" Nami said once Zoro entered the door of the galley, already showered and changed in clean clothes.

"Shut up, witch." Zoro grumbled.

"Oooh, someone's moody…" Nami sang in a singsong voice.

"I said-"

"Morning…" Sanji said, interrupting Zoro, who froze in place.

"Morning, Sanji. You sleep well?" Nami asked Sanji, completely forgetting her teasing of Zoro.

"I've slept better." Sanji said. Zoro flinched at that, he knew he at least owes Sanji an explanation but he wasn't ready to talk about last night yet. He himself had no idea how he feels or what he would say.

"Mr. Swordsman, are you ok? You look a little pale." Robin asked, having noticed that Zoro hasn't moved or talked since the cook's arrival. Zoro just grunted and sat, crossing his arms and closing his eyes. Robin smiled knowingly.

Nami had no idea what was going on, but she knew she was missing something. There's something in the atmosphere that felt unpleasant but she chose to ignore it…for now. As far as she could see, her crewmates were acting as they always were. Sanji was praising Robin and her like always, yelling at Zoro and talking to Usopp, nothing out of the ordinary.

"Sanji, can you make some waffles…with some fruit?" Nami asked.

"OF COURSE, MY LADY! WHATEVER YOU WISH!" Sanji exclaimed, seemingly back to his normal self.

'…'

Ok, Zoro was not expecting this. The cook was acting normal; he was cooking, cleaning, yelling and even talking to him normally. He expected the cold shoulder, the angry glares, even some spiteful words directed at him, but Sanji was the opposite. Right now, he was acting normal, too normal and that's what scared Zoro the most. He knew he hurt Sanji because he was hurting too. He cares about Sanji, of course he does, even if his actions proved otherwise. But he and Sanji as "us" is just too much to deal right now. He needs to think of what to say and to say it right because he was scared shitless of losing what Sanji and him have, or had…who knows at this point, over this.

He wasn't even near ready to talk to Sanji but here he was…heading to his kitchen to help clean the dishes because the witch made him or she would increase his debt for being "useless as always". Zoro had no idea how he was even breathing because he felt constricted. He could even hear his heartbeat pounding in his ears, and every step he took closer to the galley was killing him.

He stood by the door and knocked once…no response, so he tried again.

"GET THE FUCK AWAY! LUNCH ISN'T READY SO FUCK OFF!" Sanji yelled.

It wasn't an invitation to enter, but Zoro opened the door regardless. Sanji looked back and stared at him for a second and continued to make lunch. "What do you want, Marimo?"

"Nami sent me to help you out, so I'm here to do that." He replied casually.

"I don't need any help, I'm almost done, wait fifteen to twenty minutes and then you can call the others to eat." Sanji said with finality in his voice.

Zoro signed. "Look, cook…about last night…"

"What happened last night?" Sanji turned to face Zoro.

"W-Well, you know, about you and me…" 'God, is the cook gonna make me say it?'

"I have no idea what you're talking about…" The blond man said, turning back around and resumed chopping some vegetables.

'What?!' "Look, I know you're mad at me and I probably fucked up our friendship but-"

"Why would I be mad at you? Sure, you made me drag your drunk ass to the ship and make you some food but I'm not going to be mad about that."

"What? No, I mean-"

"Zoro…" Sanji cut him off coldly. "…nothing happened last night…"

And that's when it hit him. Sanji wanted to pretend last night never occurred. Was he doing this for his benefit? Was he doing this to give him a free pass? Is Sanji the one regretting them having sex? For some reason, that made Zoro very angry.

"Like hell it didn't!" Zoro stood closer to the cook who faced him after his outburst. "You know very damn well what happened last night, you and I had-"

"Zoro!" Sanji interrupted once again, but this time his cold face cracked. Zoro was able to see his pain and anger very clearly and now Zoro was having second thoughts. "…If we are having this conversation, if you really want to go there, know that you will absolutely have to be honest with me, no more lies…this is it, Zoro."

Zoro was between the sword and the wall here. He wanted to talk with Sanji, he wanted to let him now that last night wasn't a mistake. It didn't happen because he was drunk and horny, it happened because he cared about the cook and seeing another man hitting on him and wanting to take what Zoro, in his delusional mind, thought belonged to him drove him insane. But why was he delusional? Sanji cared about him, Sanji loved him, Zoro is the one who is going to be next to him when he discovers the All Blue and Sanji is going to be the one teasing him once he defeats Mihawk. They will be there for each other…always and forever. That's why he reacted without even thinking about the consequences…damn them. Having been with Sanji, having been inside him, kissing him, stroking him, marking him gave Zoro more pleasure than fighting any strong opponent, more than getting stronger himself…and that, that was what scared Zoro the most. No one and he meant no one should have this control over him. He was raised to control his emotions, to not let his opponent know his weakness and that's what Sanji was, his weakness. His sensei would be so disappointed as well as Kuina. He promised to her, he promised to fulfill their dream and not let anything stand in his way and Sanji was doing just that, unconsciously, but doing it still. He has been neglecting his training, his thoughts were no longer only about his goal in life but mostly having Sanji in his life instead. It's so clear to him that he wanted the cook in more than one way but he can't deal with being in love, being in love with a man, being in love with Sanji and giving him what he deserves. Their crew, Mihawk, training…he just can't, he can't.

"Zoro…" Sanji's voice cracked, catching his attention. He just realized he hasn't said anything for at least ten minutes. Zoro looked at him in the eye, he could see sadness but sadness overpowered by resolve.

"…Did something happen last night?" Sanji asked, but something told Zoro that the blond man already knew his answer. Sanji knew him too well.

"No…nothing…"

Later on…

After lunch, the crew's members left the galley to do their own thing. Zoro was training in the crow's nest. Sanji did a pretty good job cleaning the place; no evidence of their late night encounter could be spotted. He lifted weights for three hours and now he was doing some push-ups. He had no idea how many he's done because every time he started to count, his mind flashed images of golden hair, porcelain skin, of him thrusting hard into Sanji over and over again. Zoro stopped, took a break, and tried to regain control with meditation, so he sat and closed his eyes…took a deep breath and…

"Have I ever told you how I admire your determination and dedication to the things you value, Mr. Swordsman?"

"No, but I'm guessing you're not here to burst my ego…what is it that you want, Robin?"

"I merely came for conversation, Mr. Swordsman. We're crewmates after all, no reason for us not to be able to talk from time to time."

"And laugh, drink, eat, sure…but you're not here to just talk about trivial stuff."

"My, my…you're very perceptive."

"As you're obvious, what is it, Robin? I don't have time for this, I need to train and there's been a lot of lacking on my part."

"Why's that?"

"I…" Zoro looked at the floor, not able to meet her gaze. She knows damn well, why.

"You know, last night I came to the boys' room to check on all of you, but I couldn't find you or Sanji anywhere…"

"!" Zoro eyes widened. 'She couldn't…!'

"…So, logically, I got worried, I looked for you two everywhere and guess where I found you both?"

"I'm guessing the crow's nest." Zoro replied with a glare.

"Indeed…"

"Robin, spit it out."

"What were you thinking?" She wasn't accusing him, she really wanted to know what was going on inside his head and Zoro knew this. She cared for both of them.

"I was thinking that…I wanted to be with him. What happened that night…it wasn't a mistake, Robin…I…fuck…I think I like that stupid love cook."

"Then why is Sanji preparing to leave on a date with someone else?"

'What? Who could…Oh! That creepy emo bastard!'

Later on…

Zoro went to their room, noticing that the cook was changing clothes inside. He was putting a shirt on, a brief moment where that beautiful muscled back was exposed to him.

'Zoro, don't…you can't. Stop it!'

Zoro cleared his throat to let Sanji know he was there.

"What do you need?" Sanji asked.

"I came here to…" 'stop you from going on a date with that freak.' "…change my shirt, I got sweaty after training so much."

Sanji hummed back in acknowledgement and kept on fixing his hair.

Zoro and Sanji were on opposite sides of the room.

"Are you going somewhere?"

"Yeah…"

"Alone?" Zoro knew the answer but he wanted to hear it coming from Sanji.

"Not exactly…"

Zoro nodded his head.

Silence.

"Hey…"

"Tell the crew that dinner is all set. Ask the ladies to heat the food a couple of minutes, not Luffy. You know damn well what happened last night. And keep an eye on him because I'll be late."

"Late? How late?"

Sanji looked at him, trying to read him. Zoro knew he was acting a bit possessive and it's obvious he was jealous, but he chose this, he chose to ignore last night. God, he is such a fucking coward.

"Don't know, I have no idea what we're going to do."

"Well…don't do anything I wouldn't." Zoro tried to go back to just being a good friend and joke again but this conversation was killing him. He wanted so desperately to stop the cook and ask him to stay…to stay with him.

"I'm not like that…" Sanji whispered back but loud enough for Zoro to hear him.

"I know…" Zoro stood up and got closer to Sanji. Sanji looked amazing, a dark blue long sleeve shirt, some black trousers and black shoes, formal but not too much. "You look good…" he said.

Sanji looked at him and Zoro saw him swallow a knot in his throat. Sanji nodded in acknowledgment of Zoro's compliment.

They both looked in each other's eyes for a moment.

"Well…I have to go, Marimo." Sanji said as he turned around and headed for the door.

Zoro wanted…hell he wanted so many things, he wanted to say so many things. He closed his eyes tightly…he couldn't watch Sanji leave.

Sanji stopped briefly. "Y-You know, I really don't know nothing about this guy, I mean, he could actually be a serial killer or a bounty hunter…or not, he seemed nice. I-I don't know…do you think I should stay?" 'Do you want me to stay?' was left unsaid.

'Yes!' "Nah, I don't think so…I was just kidding about that, he seemed to really like you so…you should go." Zoro hated himself so much right now.

Sanji nodded and this time he actually left. Zoro waited a few minutes to leave the room because if he so much as catches a glimpse of that bastard, he would kill him and Sanji would hate him even more.

He stood outside the room, immediately noticing Robin against the wall.

"I really hope you know what you're doing."

Zoro kept telling himself it's for the best. For his dream's sake and for Sanji's sake because he has disappointed Sanji twice…who says he couldn't do it thrice?

God…Kuina would call him a coward.

"Are you ok?"

"Hm?" Sanji looked over at his companion.

"You seem distracted…"

"Nah…just hoping my captain won't eat all the food without me looking after him." Sanji then smiled, remembering all the times Luffy drove him crazy while cooking. Sure, he kicked the hell out of him but he secretly loved the fact that their captain likes his food so much.

"You sound pretty fond of him…" The other man next to him said, making a face that Sanji couldn't put his finger on.

"Yeah, well…he's a gluttonous idiot, but he's our idiot and he cares for those around him. He may look harmless but he's pretty strong; I have no doubt he will become the pirate king when the time comes."

The black haired man said no more after that. Sanji sensed that for whatever reason, his date was not happy with the current topic so he changed it.

"Do you have a crew of your own?"

"I used to…I mean, I do."

Sanji looked puzzled. "Oh! Are you here with them? Last time, as far as I remember, I saw you alone at the bar the first time we met."

The other man said nothing for a while and Sanji was sure he would ignore his question. Maybe this was a sensitive subject to talk about with a stranger. He's his date, sure, but a stranger nonetheless.

"No…I'm not with them. I have some…things to care of on my own."

Sanji just nodded, what else could he do? The other man looked…a bit sad. He never intended on making the other man uncomfortable.

"Don't think about it too much, it was my decision."

Sanji looked up at him. "Can I ask why?"

"You just did." The other man smiled at him teasingly.

Sanji pouted but waited for an answer that never came. "Well?" He asked impatiently.

"It's…private." The man replied with finality.

Sanji sighed. He could tell the other man wasn't ready to talk about his past for some reason, so he let it go and kept on talking about trivial stuff. Sanji later realized that teasing the man was turning out to be quite fun.

"You should stop teasing me." the man said.

"Is that an order?" He asked with a husky voice. Yep, he likes mocking the man all right.

"Maybe." Law answered, coyly.

"Hey, so, are you gonna give me your name at least or is that classified as well? You gonna keep secrets all night?"

This guy…he actually had the nerve to smirk back at him. "It's Law."

"Fucking finally!" At least now, he was not a complete stranger. 'Well, this isn't so bad after all.' Sanji thought.

Back on the Sunny…

"4506, 4507, fucker, 4509, stupid, 4511, idiot!" Zoro got up. "I'm going to fucking kill that son of a bitch!"

"That's the third time you've said that tonight…"

"Well, I fucking mean it this time…and why are you following me?"

"Why?"

Zoro looked at his raven haired crewmate. "Why, what?"

"Why would you kill Sanji's date? As far as I'm concerned; you let it happen and you're only Sanji's friend…right, Mr. Swordsman?"

Robin was right. He is Sanji's friend. He chose not to be with Sanji so the blond man can date whomever he wants. Zoro sighed. "…Right."

"You should be relieved."

Zoro looked back at Robin like she was crazy. "Why would I be relieved that the cook is out there with that freaking weirdo with the puffy hat?"

"Because that way, Sanji won't get in your way, right? That's what you told me. You're free to fulfill your dream with no distractions…"

"You think it's stupid…"

"No…well, a little. You know very well that we all have dreams, Sanji included."

"You wouldn't understand…"

"Try me."

"Robin…" Zoro sat next to her. "I need to defeat Mihawk, I made a promise…" Robin was about to retort when Zoro kept talking over her. "… I know I have to train as hard as I can, if I want to succeed. I was taught to control my emotions, to think before act and I've been pretty good at it. Even when in danger or facing a strong enemy, I use everything my sensei and Mihawk himself taught me, but somehow, the cook can step through that. I've never met someone as irritating, frustrating and amazing as him. I can't keep control when I'm around him; I can't control my emotions, I just snap without thinking, every fight, and every insult, he fucking crawls under my skin…and I felt that even before we became friends…even before I…" He took a breath. "I won't succeed like this…"

"Why do you keep insisting on it being a weakness?" Robin asked softly.

"Because it is! How could it not be? I was ready, Robin, I was so ready to fight Mihawk when the time was right and die trying if that's what it takes…with no regrets. But Sanji…I want to see his stupid face when we find the All Blue, I want to be there when he brings the news to Zeff, I want to be there eating his food in his restaurant. Shit…I want for us to tease and fight with each other as long as I breathe, I…want to spend my life with that shitty cook."

"Then why not have both?" Surprisingly, it wasn't Robin who spoke this time; it was their captain, startling both of his crewmates.

"L-Luffy? What?" 'Where the hell did he come from?!'

"Why not defeat Mihawk and be with Sanji? Why do you have to give up on one to have the other?" Their captain asked.

"I…" Zoro had no idea how to respond to that. Sure, it sounded amazing; getting to be the world's greatest swordsman and being with the cook, but…

"I never mistook you for a coward, Zoro."

Robin looked at Zoro who had his head down, unresponsive. Not matter how many times she sees her captain being serious, she was never going to get used to it.

It was silent for a few seconds.

Luffy glared at his first mate and exhaled. "Cool! Then, I guess I can have Sanji, right?"

"Mr. Captain!" Exclaimed Robin. The statement surprised Robin as much as Zoro.

"What?" Zoro growled, looking his captain in the eye.

Their captain glared back defiantly. "He's already my cook so-"

Zoro interrupted him. "And that gives you the right to own him?!" No, no…he's not…Sanji and Luffy? No! He won't let it happen, he can't…that shitty cook is his, his. Even if his captain wanted him, this is something he can't step away from and let happen. Zoro stood up and got close to Luffy. "The love cook is mine…"

Luffy stared back at his green haired first mate. "…Then prove to me you can take care of him, prove to me you can get stronger and fulfill your dream with Sanji by your side, otherwise…" Luffy let his threat linger.

Without saying another word, Zoro left them at the crow's nest. He was determined to prove to his captain that he is worthy of the cook, being his first mate and kicking Mihawk's ass. No more excuses, no more running. He is the pirate hunter and what he wants is what he gets. He can do this and he will.

Back in the crow's nest…

Luffy watched his first mate leave and smiled.

"You sure have an uncommon way of dealing with this kind of situation, Mr. Captain."

"Zoro just needed a push…"

"Well, let's hope everything turns out as expected." Robin said standing up.

Luffy nodded. "Robin, did Sanji leave more food for me?"

The raven-haired woman smiled and gestured her captain to follow her and he did, excitedly following behind.

"It would have never occurred to me to lie to Zoro and threaten him with taking Sanji away to make him react." Robin commented when they both reached the galley and sat to eat.

"Hmmm…yeah."

Robin looked at the boy. "You were lying…right?"

Luffy smiled at her. "Sure…" he said as he kept on eating.

Back in town…

"That was the funniest thing I have ever had the pleasure to witness even if it was at expense of a woman!" Sanji said, laughing.

"Glad I'm here to entertain you…" the man said, a bit embarrassed.

"The look on that poor girl…"

"I specifically said no bread and she brought it anyway!"

"I should remember this and tease you about it later."

"Sanji-ya…" the man warned.

"What? What are you gonna do?" the blond man grinned.

"If you don't want me to detach any body part from you, then you'll stop teasing me." Law answered looking at Sanji with a mischievous glint in his eyes.

"You have a nice smile." the blond man said.

The sudden compliment took Law aback.

"Oh, and I like how you blush too." the cook teased.

"Shut up, I'm not blushing." Law said, coincidentally covering his face.

All night was full of flirting and teasing, and strangely, Sanji liked it. The other man is a bit reserved about his life, but there's something intriguing about him and he is smart and handsome…handsome is a plus. Sanji and his date were getting closer to the ship, meaning the night will end soon and who knows if he ever will see this man again. It was kinda sad, sure, he just met the man but he liked being near him and he keeps him from thinking stupid shit, stupid shit about certain green haired swordsman.

"So, when are you leaving?"

"In a couple of days…"

Sanji nodded. They arrived at the dock, not saying another word. It would be nice to see him again before leaving. The two stopped; there was a few seconds of silence.

"Well, try not to get yourself killed…and thanks, it was actually really nice." Sanji said, facing his date.

"It really was…I was actually surprised you were able to make it."

Sanji was confused. "Why?"

"Well, that crewmate of yours, he didn't seem to be ok with you being with me if how he reacted was a dead giveaway."

"Who? Marimo?"

Law seemed to catch the nickname and his resemblance and chuckled a bit. "Yeah…"

"It's none of his business who I'm with…" 'He didn't even stop me from going out with Law.'

"I have to ask though…is there something going on between you and him?"

"No…there isn't…" And it's the truth, Zoro made it pretty clear. As soon as the words came out of his mouth he started to feel a bit sad.

Then suddenly, a hand grabbed his wrist, drawing him forward and pulling him against Law's chest.

"Law?"

Law kissed him, hard and passionately. It took the cook by surprise, but after the shock went away, he started to respond to the kiss and boy could this man kiss. Sanji wrapped both arms around his neck and deepened the kiss.

Sanji would be lying if he said that he wasn't enjoying the attention the other man was giving him and the, oh so, needed distraction, but something in the back of his head was keeping him from fully enjoying this. 'Zoro…'

Law proceeded to kiss his neck now, and biting, but not so hard to leave bruises, but strong enough to make Sanji's whole body shiver.

"I really enjoyed tonight, you know. I…it's been a really long time since I've been with someone else and actually enjoyed it. I know we will take different paths in a couple of days, but would it be ok to see you again?" Law asked, looking into Sanji's visible eye.

"I don't see why not…" Sanji grinned before he stepped forward to resume kissing this gorgeous man.

After a few seconds, there was an asshole grabbing him from behind, and wrinkling one of his favorite shirts, nonetheless. "Hey, fucker…get off me or I'll…Zoro?!"

Zoro looked murderous, Sanji knows when not push Zoro's buttons and right now, he should shut up.

Law looked composed or at least on the outside, but he glared at Zoro. "You again. Is that any way to treat one of your crewmates?"

"Oh, I'm sorry, would sticking my tongue down his throat be better?"

"H-Hey!" Sanji was embarrassed of being caught like that, but then again, why would Zoro care?

"I wasn't doing anything Sanji-ya didn't like, now if you could leave us alone…"

"And why should I?" Zoro asked.

Law glared, stepping forward and Zoro released Sanji's shirt, stepping closer to the other man as well.

This was bad, very bad. The last thing he needed was for one of his crewmates starting a fight with Law and either of them getting hurt and the crew getting involved.

"Zoro! Stop it!" Sanji placed himself in front of Zoro placing both his hands on his crewmate's chest. "Law, go!"

Law stopped and looked at him with a confused expression and not sure what to do.

"I can handle this. I'll see you tomorrow." Sanji pleaded at the other man, who looked ready to draw his sword any minute now.

"Law…" Sanji begged.

Law took a step back. "Last time…" Law said to Zoro in warning. "Sanji, he better not…"

"I can handle myself, Law. Don't worry, I can kick his ass if needed."

"Hey!" Zoro exclaimed.

Law nodded and left hesitantly before he stopped and walked back to the two. Then, looking as if nothing happened, he stepped closer to Sanji, giving said man a peck on his cheek, glaring at Sanji's crewmate.

Zoro actually growled like some kind of animal.

"See ya' tomorrow, Sanji-ya. Good night." Law said, smirking.

Sanji nodded.

Both of the Straw Hat pirates watched him leave.

Zoro was the first one to speak. "Sanji, I…"

"You and me in the galley, now!"

Zoro had no other choice than to obey. 'This could either end really good or really bad.'

ANY COMMENT OR CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM IS APPRECIATED.

Proofread and edited by Coco42