I'm back!

Sorry to make you wait this long, but I now will go back to my every-three-weeks updating :) Thanks to everyone who has read and reviewed :D

(Oh, and I will try to post the second chapter of Reborn in Fire somewhere next week. This chapter of HaF, like the previous one, contains some spoilers of RiF)

Hot as Fire

Chapter 9

With screeching brakes a van with the text 'Franky's Contracting' stopped right in front of them. One of the side doors slid open and the figure of Usopp appeared, a large grin plastered on his face.

"Usopp?" Sanji said surprised, crushing out the butt of his cigarette. "What are you doing here?"

His old roommate folded his arms and threw his head back in laughter, like he did often when he told a made up story. "Ah, didn't I tell you? I own this corporation, with over ten thousand employees—"

Luffy's, as well as Ace's, eyes started to shine. "Really?"

Sanji gave them both a kick in the head. "The van says 'Franky's Contracting'. So really, what are you doing here, Usopp?"

The long nosed man jumped out of the van. "I told you I did a work placement? Franky's my boss. He told me you guys were going for a drink, so I decided to come along. I had borrowed the van for reasons I can't explain here in broad daylight, but it involves a secret plan to rob the museum…"

Sanji ignored his former roommates ramblings and imaginary plans, while Luffy and Ace listened with glee. Robin and Franky got out of the front seats. "So why did you hire an architect?" the blonde asked the latter.

"He was very enthusiastic to work in the field instead of always behind the drawing tables, but he also helps me out with the designs. His drawings are SUPERRR," the contractor explained. "He was also very excited to work with you. Usopp said you two have been roommates."

"That's right. Oi, Usopp," a mischievous smile had appeared on Sanji's face, "you do realise you will be working for me, right?"

The architect stopped mid sentence and gulped, making both Sanji and Zoro snicker.

The green haired man strolled over to Robin and said a little reluctantly: "Thanks for getting Ace out of prison. I must say I misjudged you."

"You see, I told you a woman as beautiful as Robin didn't have a secret agenda. Isn't that right, Robin-chwan?" Sanji meddled in.

The lawyer smiled mysteriously, making the blonde almost swoon. "I was just doing my job."

"Doesn't that bother you?" Zoro asked Franky, gesturing to the cook, who was practically radiating hearts.

The contractor burst into laughter. "Nah, I get it. Robin is SUPERRR. But she married me." He winked at the swordsman, before continuing: "Shall we get something to eat first?"

"Yay, food!" Luffy stopped listening to Usopp's made up story and almost danced towards them. "I'm hungry!"

"When aren't you?" Zoro asked, shaking his head.

"I know a nice pizzeria nearby, if that's okay with our chef," Franky said.

Sanji chuckled. "Pizza sounds fine to me."

One by one they crawled into the van. Usopp introduced himself to Ace – he had forgotten that, being caught up in his tall stories. Sanji pouted because he couldn't sit next to Nami or Robin, the latter being in the front seat and Luffy sitting next to his girlfriend. So he had to put up with sitting next to Usopp and opposite Zoro.

"So how was prison?" Luffy asked his brother.

"Not as fun as everyone claims it to be." Ace pouted a little. "I mean, I was in my cell all night, alone–"

But before the raven haired man could finish his sentence – which Sanji didn't really mind, because it was likely to end dirty – Franky braked hard, launching the blonde almost in Zoro's lap despite wearing his seatbelt. "What the hell?" he exclaimed.

Franky turned around to face them. "We're here."

"Geez, I thought you'd almost hit something," Sanji muttered.

Nami was shocked as well and Usopp looked like he almost had a heart attack. "I never get used to his driving style," he mumbled.

Zoro on the other hand appeared to be just bored, though in reality he was fed up with the seatbelt Sanji was wearing. He would happily hold the cook in one place, against his own body.

Ace and Luffy were rather amused, the first giving the swordsman a knowing wink. Zoro glared at him, but he was really glad he had Ace again to talk to about Sanji. Nami wasn't really an option, as she would hold what he told her against him and would probably use it to blackmail him. Luffy probably wouldn't understand. Even though the boy had a girlfriend, he still was very innocent.

On their way to the pizzeria they saw a very tall man approaching with an extremely large afro. Sanji was about to greet him, but Luffy was quicker. "Oi, Brook!" The boy waved with both his arms, even though the musician was only a few yards away.

The tall man stopped and took off his top hat, standing high on his big afro. "Ah, good evening, Luffy-san, Sanji-san." He bowed towards the ladies. "May I please see your panties?" Sanji kicked him, before Brook turned to him. "It's been a while. How have you been, Sanji-san?"

"I'm doing fine. Busy and all," the blonde answered.

"But you two work together, don't you?" Nami furrowed her eyebrows.

"You're so beautiful when you're confused, Melorine~! But I quit that job a while ago, because I was too busy with rebuilding the Baratie," the blonde explained. "Didn't I tell you that?"

"You told me," Zoro said. He couldn't help but feel a little proud for knowing something before the rest did.

"We're going to eat," Luffy told Brook happily. "Pizza. With a lot of meat! Are you coming too?"

"Perhaps I should eat more, since I'm hardly more than skin and bones. Yohohoho~! But I have already had dinner," he excused himself.

"We're going for drinks later as well. Do you want to join in?" Sanji asked.

"That would be nice, thank you."

"I'll text you were we're at."

Brook nodded and lifted his hat, hooking his cane over his arm. "I'll see you all later tonight then."

"Bye Brook." Luffy waved again until the musician had disappeared. "He's so funny."

They entered the pizzeria. Sanji put on his reading glasses and got the menu. While trying to decide which pizza he was going to get, he caught Ace staring at him. "What?"

"I didn't know it was possible, but with glasses you're like ten times as hot," the black haired man answered grinning.

The blonde smirked. "I know, right?"

The waitress came by and they all ordered. Sanji flirted with her a little, it had been a while since he had the chance to fawn over women he had a chance with. When their orders were brought, the chef chewed his pizza deliberately. It was okay, but he could do it better. Well, what couldn't he do better when it came to food?

He looked at Zoro, who was staring at his pizza. "What's wrong, Marimo? Got lost on the way to your mouth?" he teased.

The swordsman glared at him dangerously, but then said: "It's missing something. I just can't figure out what."

"Let me try."

Zoro picked up a piece he hadn't eaten from yet and handed it to the blonde, but instead of taking it, Sanji just took a bite and chewed thoughtful. The green haired man stared at him, did he really just fed the blonde?

"Well, it needs more oregano for sure, but I think you can solve a little with just pepper." The chef handed Zoro the pepper mill. The swordsman followed his advise and ate the slice with relish, trying not to think how this could be considered an indirect kiss.

The chef leaned with his head on his hand and smiled. "See?"

"Sanji, you're gonna cook for me, right? 'Cause I was good in the courtroom?" Luffy asked, his mouth full with a slice of his second pizza.

"Hm, I don't know. You did yell at that beautiful psychologist that she was a liar," Sanji answered, partly teasing, partly accusing.

The boy pouted. "But she was lying! And she had no right bringing Sabo in!"

"I agree," Ace stepped in. "For a gorgeous blonde, she was rather a bitch."

"Don't talk about a lady like that!" the chef burst out, but Luffy started to whine again.

"Sanjiiii~, cook for me! I was good!"

Annoyed Nami pinched the bridge of her nose. "Oh, for Pete's sake, just cook for him! He did behave, considering his usual behaviour."

The blonde's attitude veered round immediately. "Anything for you, Nami-swan!"

"That's so unfair! You should cook for me too, I haven't had anything beside prison food and this pizza in a long time," Ace pouted. "Usopp must have tried it like a hundred times and Robin told me you also offered to cook for her and Franky. I shouldn't be the only one left out! Zoro, has he cooked for you already?"

"Actually, he has made me breakfast twice already." The green haired man smirked.

Sanji stiffened when everybody stared at him suddenly. It was true of course, but the way Zoro said it made it sound so… gay.

"I'm sorry, was that supposed to be our secret?" the swordsman teased.

Sanji kicked the man under the table and said to the others, who were still staring at him: "It's not like that! The first time I stayed at his place because it was pouring and he lives all the way across town. And the second time he stayed at my place so he wouldn't get lost in the dark."

Robin chuckled and both Nami and Ace shot the green haired man a knowing look. Annoyed the swordsman continued with his pizza.

"So you'll cook for me too?" Ace asked Sanji hopeful.

He rubbed his temples. "Fine. Geez, when did I became everyone's personal chef?" He tried to sound irritated. There was no need for them to know he loved to cook for his friends, that would only lead to a full time job. He gave Usopp, who knew he liked to make dinner for his friends, a warning look. His former roommate went pale and shoved a too big of a bite in his mouth. Sanji nodded approvingly.

"The minute you walked into their lives," Zoro answered his question.

After dinner they walked back to the van to find a bar. Sanji put a cigarette in his mouth and Zoro wanted to light it, but unfortunately for him Usopp also carried a lighter and this time the cook let his old friend light his cigarette. Gritting his teeth, he watched the blonde leaning in. It still looked hot though. Ace gave the green haired man a pat on the back.

"By the way, Marimo, have you bought groceries yet? Remember I told you to? After I left your place the first time," Sanji inquired exhaling smoke.

"I kinda had too." When the blonde looked at him intrigued, he continued smirking: "I was outta beer."

"That's not what I meant, Muscle-head! I meant healthy food, instead of that greasy take-out."

"What, worried I might get fat?" Zoro asked challenging.

Sanji eyed the man in front of him. He was wearing a tight white t-shirt, which showed off his abs nicely, if the blonde was interested in that kind of thing. Which he wasn't.

"Maybe you should put on a few pounds. I could snap you like a twig now," the swordsman taunted.

"I like to see you try with your brains kicked to pulp."

"Bring it." Zoro got ready just in time to avoid a deadly kick.

The others watched, some annoyed, some in awe and some were cheering them on. "O-oi guys, stop it!" Usopp tried. It didn't work. Franky stepped in, but was just pushed aside. In the end it took a fed up Nami to give them both – and the cheering Luffy – a smack on the head for them to stop.

"Damn Sanji, I didn't know you could bent like that." Ace bit his lip.

The chef decided to play along. "You haven't seen anything yet."

The black haired man pretended to swoon, while Nami gave him a smack on the head for good measurement.

Franky drove them to the nearest bar and Sanji texted Brook their whereabouts. While drinks were ordered and they waited for the tall musician, the blonde asked Usopp: "By the way, what happened to that cute brunette from a few weeks ago?"

"Ah, while you were fighting she gave me her number and we went out a couple of times. She was really cute, but unfortunately she got a job offer in Japan." Usopp sighed.

A teasing smile appeared on Sanji's face: "Poor Usopp. So you've been dumped, hm?"

His cheeks flushed. "I-I wasn't dumped! She got a really good job offer!" He sat up straight and snorted: "You're just jealous because she was interested in me, and not you."

"Why would I be jealous when I could have the other two?"

"One," his former roommate corrected him. "That short girl liked Zoro."

The swordsman looked up when he heard his name, but as the conversation was about girls, he focussed on his beer again.

"That's just 'cause the lighting was bad and she couldn't see the seaweed that grows on his head."

"Than the other must have been blind not to notice your freakish eyebrow," Zoro commented.

"There was nothing wrong with her. It's not my fault she got good taste."

"How do you know she even liked you? You haven't even gone out with her, Curly-brow."

"That's because you got us kicked out of the bar, Muscle-head!"

Both were standing by now, leaning on the table between them and scowling at each other.

Ace looked at them in amusement. "They didn't have this kind of entertainment in prison."

That earned him both a kick and a punch at the same time. Sanji and Zoro both sat down, scowling at each other.

At that moment Brook entered the bar with a loud "Yohoho!" and the tension seemed to drain.

They were without a doubt the loudest table in the room. More than often they got curious or annoyed looks from the other guests, but none of them cared. Brook, Usopp and Luffy were singing songs, while the latter stuffed his face with bar food. Sanji was partly amazed, partly disgusted of how much fitted in his mouth. Nami was annoyed at first, but then struck up a conversation with Robin. The two women seemed to get along. Franky showed some dance moves, which were first admired and then tried to be imitated by Luffy and Usopp. Ace told Sanji and Zoro how it was like in prison and they filled him in on what he had missed. The black haired man practically rolled over the ground in laughter when Vivi's wedding came up, causing Sanji to flush and Zoro's eyebrow to twitch irritated. When Ace was done hiccupping, he said: "It's a shame I missed it though. I'll call her soon."

Sanji was about to comment when he noticed a familiar head of blond hair sitting at the bar. Ace turned around and followed his gaze. A large grin appeared on his face when he recognized the arson inspector.

Marco raised his beer bottle towards them, before turning back. Ace sat still for a few seconds, before jumping up and making his way to the bar. Sanji was a little amazed how easy the raven haired man struck up a conversation. The chef himself didn't have a lot of male friends because he always remained distant and polite towards men. Of course he could talk to Usopp, they had been living together for almost a year. Ace was easy to talk to and for some reason Zoro was as well, when they weren't fighting. Talking to girls on the other hand was his nature. Well, Ace being bi, he probably could both talk to men and women.

It didn't take long before the black haired man dragged Marco over to their table, his eyes shining with glee. "Guys, this is Marco. Marco, this is my brother Luffy and his girlfriend Nami," he gestured towards them, "my awesome lawyer Robin and her husband Franky…"

"It's SUPERRR to meet you." Franky struck a pose, holding his arms pressed together diagonally in the air.

"…Usopp, Brook and Zoro with his boyfriend Sanji," Ace finished introducing.

The swordsman almost choked on his beer and the blonde shot out of his chair. "He's not my boyfriend!" the latter exclaimed.

"Really? Because I saw you guys holding hands in the courtroom," Nami said devilishly.

"We weren't holding hands, he was trying to break my hand!"

"And you were hugging," she continued undisturbed.

"Again, he was breaking my ribs, Melorine~!" The last part sounded almost begging and he had to remind himself he was talking to a lady. "Besides, I've already met Marco."

"Eeh?! You're dating my friend behind my back?" Ace stared at Marco accusingly, who raised an eyebrow.

Sanji rubbed his temples. "He's an arson inspector. My restaurant burned down by arson. How do you think we've met?"

"Oh, that's right! Marco, sit down." Ace tapped with his hand inviting on the seat next to him.

Sanji exchanged a look with the other blonde and then walked towards the door.

"Where are you going?" Ace said a little worried. "I was just kiddin'…"

The chef held up a cigarette. "Getting a smoke. Usopp, can I borrow your lighter again?"

"Oh, that reminds me." The freckled man got something from his pocket and handed it to Sanji.

The cook looked surprised to the object in his hand. "My lighter? Where did you get it?"

"I found it."

"Where?"

"Outside the court." It almost sounded like a question.

"Why didn't you give it back then?"

"I didn't know it was yours?" The black haired man put up an innocent face.

Sanji looked from the lighter to Ace. "It has my name on it!"

"Really?" Zoro looked over his shoulder. "It doesn't say 'Curly-brow' anywhere."

"That's not my name, Moss-head!"

"You don't seem to know mine, either!"

They stood facing each other, their faces mere inches apart. Sanji snorted and exited the bar. It took him two cigarettes to calm down. That damn Marimo always got on his nerves. And it seemed that Ace had taken lessons to annoy him with the swordsman. But he could forgive the black haired man, after all he had spent the last few weeks in prison. But Zoro…

When the nicotine had done it's job, he returned to his friends. Ace had crawled unto Marco's lap. The older man didn't seem to mind at all.

"Watch this," Sanji heard Usopp whisper to Ace, before the architect cleared his throat. "Sanji, what are the basic ingredients to pancakes?"

"Flour, milk and eggs, a pinch of salt. Why?" he added suspiciously.

Before his former roommate could answer, Nami asked: "Sanji, could you get me a drink?"

He twirled around, hearts fluttering all around him. "Right away, my beautiful Nami-swan~," he sang.

"Che, do you think they found a cure against idiocy yet?" Zoro smirked.

The blonde turned sharply around on his heels. "What did you say?"

But instead of a snappy remark, the swordsman's grin grew wider and the others at the table started laughing as well.

"What's so funny?" the blonde snapped.

"See, I told you! It's like he's got three personalities." Usopp slammed his hand on the table in laughter.

Sanji's aura turned dark dangerously fast. "So this was your idea, Usopp?"

The architect want pale and gulped. "T-take it easy. It was just a joke… Don't kill me!" He hid behind Franky's broad back.

"Don't pull me into this, Usopp-bro!" His boss tried to step away.

Before anyone could get killed however, Nami tapped the blonde on the shoulder. "Sanji, my drink…?"

"Right away, Melorine~!"

Zoro watched the cook dance away. The smile had disappeared from his face. "Che, idiot." Still he couldn't help but stare after the love struck chef. Suddenly he noticed Robin looking at him, wearing an all-knowing smile. Quickly he focussed on something else. He didn't need that damn woman knowing about his business.

"Who wants to play darts?" Usopp asked after the chef had returned. Franky wanted to join in, saying he was super at darts. Sanji shook his head. He knew better than to challenge the architect at this game. His former roommate sometimes reminded him of a sharpshooter. In college he was three years in a row champion darts.

"Zoro! Could you get me another beer?" Ace asked the green haired man, who was already on his way to the bar. His friend nodded.

"Are you sure that's a good idea?" Nami asked a little worried.

"Ah, you're so beautiful when you are concerned," Sanji swooned.

Ace pouted. "Come on, I just got out of jail! Let me have a little fun."

The orange haired girl shrugged. "Fine. Whatever."

"You're so beautiful when you don't care, Melorine~!"

Zoro came back, placing a beer bottle in front of Ace, before pressing one in Sanji's hands. "Thanks," the latter stammered.

The green haired man grunted something that sounded like "You're welcome," before sitting down. The conversation continued. They talked about all sorts of things, every now and then interrupted by an exclamation of "SUPERRR!" by Franky, or "Usopp, you're so cool!" by Luffy.

Suddenly the friends heard a muffled bang. Ace had landed face first in the plate of chicken wings that was standing before him. A loud snoring sound arose.

Nami rubbed her temples. "That's where I was afraid of."

"You mean this is normal?" Sanji asked a little startled.

She nodded. "Ace has narcolepsy. When he drinks too much alcohol, eats too much or over exhausts himself, he spontaneously falls asleep. Like this."

Marco carefully lifted up the black haired man's head and wiped his face clean with a napkin. After that, Ace's head rolled against the shoulder of the arson inspector. They looked rather cute together.

Franky walked up to them. "I think I'm heading home. It's getting late and otherwise I won't be SUPER in the morning."

The others got up as well, as Franky was their ride. "The guest of honour is asleep anyway," Nami shrugged. "Oh Marco, could you be a dear and bring Ace home?" It was more an order than a question.

"And you better bring him home safe," Zoro added in a threatening tone. Ace may seem to like the arson inspector, but that was no reason for him to trust him yet.

"Come on, Marimo. In the worst case scenario, I know where he lives." Sanji nodded to Marco and then grabbed the swordsman's arm. The green haired man let himself be lead along.

It was a few days later when Zoro stood hesitantly on the doorstep of a certain blonde cook's home. Marco had brought home Ace safely and the two of them had gone out on their first date. The black haired man was walking on air. Zoro couldn't remember seeing him this happy ever, so the swordsman was glad as well. He had just came from Ace's place and the raven haired man had gone on and on about how great Marco was. Zoro had smiled but at some point he couldn't take it anymore and had fled.

And now, early in the evening, he was standing in front of Sanji's door, debating whether or not he should ring the doorbell. He decided to risk it.

It took a few minutes before the front door was opened and a sleepy blond head appeared. The chef was wearing a loose shirt and sweatpants. "Marimo? What are you doing here?"

"I was in the neighbourhood."

"Does that mean you were lost and happened to recognize my house?" Sanji teased.

Zoro growled something, but took the offer when the chef stepped aside to let him in. "Did I wake ya?"

"Hm, I might have dozed off." Sanji stretched himself, revealing some pale, well toned stomach. "Have you eaten yet?"

Zoro looked at the clock. It was half past eight. He completely forgot about dinner. "Not yet. I just came from Ace's place. He kept blabbering about Marco."

Sanji disappeared into the kitchen and the swordsman heard some rumbling around. When the blonde came back, he said: "I'm heating up some leftovers. But I'm glad those two are hitting it off. Marco seemed to be pretty upset when he found out Ace was arrested. He definitely has a crush on him."

When the food was warm, the chef handed Zoro a plate and they sat down on the couch. The TV was still on, showing the news. While eating, the swordsman watched Sanji from the corner of his eye. He hadn't seen him in something other than a suit often, except when he was wearing boxers in bed or, well, nothing. He couldn't help but snicker at that last thought.

"You didn't just stop by so I would feed you, did ya?" the chef interrupted his thoughts.

"What? Afraid I only like you for your cooking?" Zoro teased. He put his now empty plate on the coffee table. Sanji snorted, but the green haired man thought to see a glimpse of insecurity in the chef's eyes. "Don't worry. Nobody likes the shit you call food."

The blonde kicked him and it would have become a full fledged fight if the swordsman hadn't noticed that Sanji was rubbing his own shoulder with a pained face. "Does it hurt?" he asked.

"Just a bit sore. Work's a little stressful lately."

"Take off your shirt."

The cook stared at him. "'Xcuse me?"

"C'me on. I'll give you a massage."

Slowly and a bit cautious Sanji did as he was told, revealing increasingly more well toned chest. Zoro tried not to stare, instead snapping: "I haven't got all day!" When the sweatshirt was thrown aside, the swordsman commanded him to lie face down on the couch. In his head he was still debating whether or not this was a good idea, but his hands were itching to touch the sexy cook.

When Sanji had done as he bade, the green haired man gently rubbed the slightly muscled shoulders, earning a soft moan. Shit, he hadn't thought about that. He applied more pressure, but that only resulted in a louder moan. The sounds of the chef's voice went straight to his groin. He tried to think about things that turned him off, like Luffy's smelly socks, or the time he accidentally bumped into Nami in the shower. The cook didn't make it easy for him though. He continued to make all kinds of sexy noises. Zoro's pants started to grow tight, so he had to think of the ultimate turnoff. One time he had seen old lady Kokoro, one of his neighbours, sunbathing in a bikini. That worked. A shiver went down his spine and he no longer had to worry about an erection. He gave Sanji's now relaxed shoulders one last rub, before sitting down on the couch.

He watched Sanji sit up, sighing contently. "Holy crap, Zoro. I think you missed your calling as masseur."

He smirked. "So you liked it?"

"Are you kiddin'? I need a cigarette after this."

All kinds of thoughts were running through his head right now. He opened and closed his mouth a few times, before finally getting out: "Yeah, the neighbours probably think so too."

Sanji had just lit up a cigarette he had conjured up from somewhere and cocked his eyebrow. "What d'ya mean?"

"Really? The way you were moaning…"

He flushed. "I wasn't moaning!"

"Like I fucked you raw."

The cook's face had the colour of a tomato by now, but the swordsman decided to push him a little further. "I was surprised you didn't scream my name at the end."

He had expected the kick, but still he couldn't prevent the foot from crushing into his stomach. He gasped for air. Shit, even without shoes those kicks were deadly.

"Ass," Sanji muttered and hugged a pillow.

They sat together in silence for a while, watching some old movie. From the corner of his eye Zoro saw Sanji's head slowly tilt to the side. The blonde was drifting off. Zoro got up from the couch, turning off the television and laying a blanket over his shoulders. After placing the plate in the kitchen, he silently closed the front door behind him.

He looked from right to left and back. Which way was his house again? He sighed and picked a random direction, making a mental note never to tell Sanji about this.

~ To be continued

I hope it was worth the long wait ^^ Please let me know what you think :)