Thanks to Vergina for pre-reading again and to everyone who has read and reviewed! This is the second version, with some typing errors corrected. Thank you, Thérèse!

Enjoy ^^

Hot as Fire

Chapter 11

He hadn't seen Zoro in a week, nor had he had the urge to. He still felt weird about it, the swordsman having a thing for him. Sure, he didn't know how deep it went, he doubted the man was in love with him, and he knew he was handsome. But still. Zoro had touched him, massaged him, shared his bed… twice. Not to mention the indecent thing he did to him the night they met... Of course, Sanji didn't know how long Zoro had feelings for him, but Luffy and Nami both knew, and he was pretty sure Ace meant to fix them up. Part of him felt betrayed that he was the last to find out.

Still, he hadn't seen Luffy or the others either this week and he started to miss them. From hardly anyone in his life he had gone to many friends, and he had introduced Usopp to them. How would that work if he were to cut the swordsman out of his life?

And to be honest, he missed Zoro.

He yawned and got out of bed. It was Sunday again, his first day off that week and also the first free minutes he had to think. He was on his way to the bathroom when his phone rang. Frowning he picked it up to see who was calling, since it was still pretty early. He took a relieved breath when he saw it wasn't Zoro.

"Hey, Ace."

"Morning, sexy."

He sighed. "Not now, please. What's up?"

"We're all going to the beach today. Vivi's got a beach house there and had kindly invited us. Wanna join in?"

"Who's 'we'?" the blonde asked suspiciously.

"Well, everyone. There is me, of course, Marco, Luffy, Nami, Zoro–"

"I'm not going."

"Aww, come on. Beach's a big place, you don't even have to see him. Not that I get why you wouldn't want to, you guys were pretty close…"

Sanji sighed again. "You know perfectly well why I'm not going. Well, have fun."

He was about to hang up, when Ace added quickly: "Well, that's too bad. We need someone to handle the barbeque tonight and we were hoping you would." He sighed dramatically. "I suppose I'll have to do it then."

Images of a burning beach house flashed before the chef's eyes. After all, Ace couldn't even handle a cooker without almost burning down the house… "Take a fire extinguisher with you."

Ace snickered. "Will do. But I have to bring the girls the bad news. Did I tell you Robin's coming too? She, Nami and Vivi went bikini shopping yesterday. They were really looking forward to show them to you, since you know how to appreciate a woman…"

Sanji froze. Ace was lying. He had to be. But what if he wasn't? What if the girls really wanted to show their new swimwear to him? The rest of the men were barbarians, who didn't know how to treat a woman. He did. He would compliment them and be at their disposal, like he should be!

"Okay, I'll come."

"Great, we pick you up at noon." And Ace hung up before he could change his mind.

The time he had before he got picked up he used by making salads as side dishes with the barbeque. He had just finished packing when he heard honking outside. He carried the dishes to the van and Franky helped him load them along with his stuff.

The van was already pretty full when Sanji climbed in. Unfortunately, the only seat available was next to Zoro. The chef gave him a nod in acknowledgement and sat down.

As soon as he climbed into the van, Usopp burst into laughter. "What the hell is up with your shirt?"

Sanji looked down to his pink flowered Hawaiian like shirt. "What of it?"

"It's really ugly," his friend snickered.

"Well, I can't wear a suit to the beach, can I?"

"And this is the alternative?"

Sanji snorted. "It was a gift from the old geezer. I didn't know you were such a fashion diva."

"I'm not, but you are."

Before the chef could response, Franky said from the driver's seat: "Don't listen to him, Sanji-bro. I think your shirt is SUPERR!"

"Thanks." Finally the cook had the time to look around the van. On the seats facing him sat Ace and Marco. The first had neglected to wear a shirt. On his head was a bright orange cowboy like hat. He was leaning against his boyfriend, looking like a happy puppy. Marco looked quite relaxed. Robin was in the passenger's seat beside her husband.

Behind him were Usopp, Brook and a brown haired boy he didn't know. Luffy and Nami sat across them. Luffy introduced the boy as Chopper – at least that was what they all called him – who lived next door to Zoro. Apparently the swordsman had protected him against bullies very often. Chopper was seventeen and already in medical school.

"You're really young to be a doctor. You must be pretty smart," Sanji said shaking the boy's hand.

"Shut up, you bastard! Your compliments don't make me happy at all," Chopper answered, doing something that could only be described as a happy-dance.

Sanji looked around, but judging by the reactions from the rest, this was normal behaviour. "Aren't we going to pick up Vivi?" he asked Ace.

"She and her husband meet us at the beach house," the fireman explained.

"And he's okay with you coming?" Zoro joined in.

"I guess not, he doesn't seem to like me. Then again, he doesn't seem to like any man around Vivi, so it doesn't really matter that I'm her ex. Besides, Marco's here and he's cool with it. Right, handsome?"

The blonde next to him raised an eyebrow. "As long as you behave yourself."

Sanji smiled and shook his head when Ace pouted. The chef leaned back into his seat and chatted with the people in the car, trying to avoid looking at Zoro as much as possible.

It annoyed the swordsman how Sanji was evading his glance. Though he denied it when Ace accused him, he had tried to look his best today. He wore black trousers and a dark blue vest, showing off his muscles. Sanji obviously had neglected to dress himself well today, but on the beach that hideous shirt would come off. For now, he just tried to get the chef's attention, but the blonde didn't deign to look at him.

"Oi, Curly-brow."

That the blonde couldn't ignore. He took a deep breath and looked at the man next to him. "What do you want, Zoro?"

The swordsman looked as if the chef had just slapped him in the face. "What did you call me?"

"Zoro." Sanji cocked his eyebrow. "That's your name, right?"

"Yeah… But I didn't know you knew." The green haired man reached into the blonde's pocket, earning an indignant: "Oi!" and got his phone. He opened the contact list and scrolled down. "See? Even in here you've listed me as 'Marimo'."

The chef yanked the phone out of his hand. "Well, then I'll just have to correct that. How do you spell your last name again?"

Zoro smacked the cook's hand holding the phone down. "Don't!"

Sanji looked at him a little confused, but the swordsman's intense glare made him put away his phone.

Ace looked from one to the other, but then said to break the tension: "Hey Marco, have you already told them how you made Zoro fall on his ass?" He snickered.

"You beat Zoro? But he is really strong!" In less than a second Luffy squeezed himself in the opposite seat, almost squishing Chopper and causing Franky to yell to wear his "SUPER" seatbelt.

Marco smiled a little. "I practice aikido, which uses the opponent's strength against himself. You don't have to be strong for it."

"Then I suppose one has to be either an aikidoka or a duck to beat Zoro," Sanji snickered.

The swordsman cast him a deadly glance, though part of him was relieved the chef teased him again.

"That reminds me," Marco continued to Zoro, "in my dojo I also train a kid's class. I heard a children's kendo class is looking for a teacher. If you're interested."

"How oddly fitting for you," Ace smiled.

Zoro grinned back. "Sure, I'm interested," he said to Marco. "Business is slow lately, so I have enough spare time."

"It doesn't pay a lot," Marco warned him. "And it's a class for six to eight years old, if you can put up with that. But if you like, I'll recommend you."

Zoro nodded happily and they exchanged phone numbers.

When they got out of the van, Vivi already came running towards them, a little slower followed by her husband. She greeted her friends and introduced herself to the people she hadn't met. Last she turned to Zoro and Sanji. The smile had disappeared from her face and she placed her hands on her hips. "I have a bone to pick with the two of you! How could you lie to me like that? Pretending to be in a relationship. I made a fool of myself!"

Sanji slapped on Zoro's shoulder. "You never told her?"

"Don't you think I'll let you off the hook! I had to hear it from Ace. Well, what do you have to say for yourselves?" Impatiently she tapped her foot on the ground.

Sanji, always suave, gently got her hand and kissed it. "I'm very sorry, my princess. I was in Zoro's debt and he asked me to do this. It was all his idea, really."

She flushed a little and looked at her cousin expectantly.

He sighed. "Look, it was just a show I put up for Perona, so she wouldn't bother me."

"You mean she still wants to put you in that bear suit? I thought she pulled that off already."

"She knows?!" Sanji exclaimed. "I thought you only told me. Bastard, you made me embarrass myself by telling… a secret!"

The green haired man looked at him dryly. "I just said I destroyed all evidence."

The blonde looked like he was going to kick him, but Vivi interceded. "Still, you should have told me you weren't dating. Don't you trust me?"

Zoro sighed. "I'm sorry I lied. I won't do it again. Sanji and I are not dating, never have."

"And never will," the chef added sharply.

The swordsman's eye twitched a little, but he focussed on his cousin. "Are we cool?"

She thought for a moment, before a smile appeared on her face. "Sure. I can never stay mad at you, Mr Bushido." She wrapped her arms around him and hugged him, before inviting everyone in her beach house.

Sanji put his hands in his pockets and strolled after his friends, when someone grabbed his arm. Brusquely he turned around. "What now?"

Zoro looked at him darkly. "I know you know," he said in a sepulchral voice.

The blonde lowered his eyes and kept silent.

"Look, this is my problem and I'll deal with it, okay? Just don't get all weird on me."

Finally the blonde looked up. "But it is weird. If you like me–"

"So what? It's not like I'm gonna seduce you."

A slight smile tugged on the corner of Sanji's mouth. "I highly doubt that a brute like you could be so subtle as to seduce me." It was the best peace offer he could give right now.

Zoro accepted it. "What did you call me, Nosebleed-kun?!"

"I had a nosebleed once, Grass-head!"

Usopp and Franky were just unloading the boot and placed Zoro's swords against the van. The swordsman grabbed his weapons and looked at Sanji defiantly. The blonde lit up a cigarette and took a long draught.

Within a second Zoro was next to him and he barely had time to stop the razor sharp blades. The swordsman smirked. The blonde gave him a kick against the chest, making him stumble back. Now it was Sanji's turn to snicker. Their fight went all out, despite Usopp's pleas for a peaceful day at the beach. The others came out of the house.

"Shouldn't anyone stop them?" Vivi asked worried.

"Don't worry, they do this all the time," Nami said shaking her head.

Hearing the voices of some of his favourite ladies, Sanji turned around, almost swooning when he saw they were wearing bikini's. From the corner of his eye he saw a flicker of sunlight reflect off one of the blades. He moved and the swords missed him very nearly. He smiled reassuring to Vivi, who had shrieked when she saw the weapons nearing the blonde head.

"Would you two knock it off and help unload the van?" Nami demanded, hands on her well shaped hips.

"Right away, Nami-swan!" The chef took over the salad dishes from Franky and brought them inside.

Usopp grabbed one of the bags, almost straining his back. "Whose is this? What the heck is in it?" he moaned.

Zoro took over the bag without much difficulty and shrugged, "Just my weights, why?"

The architect looked at him with his mouth open. "Why would you– Oh, never mind!"

The green haired man was lying on his back, bench pressing a barbell and counting. Ace sat next to him looking bored. They worked out together often and the fireman acted as Zoro's safety net, but the swordsman never needed him.

The black haired man stretched himself out in the sand. "So you and Sanji kissed and made up?" he asked his friend.

The barbell almost slipped out of his hand, but even though Ace immediately sat up, he managed to hold his grip on the weight. "Damn it Ace, now I lost count! One, two– Yes, I promised I wouldn't go after him, if he stopped acting weird."

"So, you're not?"

Zoro watched Sanji remove his shirt and pants, revealing blue swimming trunks. "What do you mean?"

"Let me rephrase it. You like this guy, right? What do you want with him? Do you just want to fuck him or do you want him to be your boyfriend?"

"I want to fuck him, of course," Zoro answered in a tone as if Ace had gone crazy. "You've seen him, right?"

The fireman lay back down again with a smile. "Of course I have. And if I wasn't with Marco I would ask to join in."

"He's a keeper, eh? That arson inspector?"

Ace smiled again. "Yeah, I really like him. But you're changing the subject. Fucking him is all you want?"

"Thirty three… Geez, you have one boyfriend after numerous one-nightstands, and now you're lecturing me? And what does it matter what I want? Neither things are going to happen anyway," Zoro snapped.

"They aren't if you give up," his friend mumbled.

Sharply the swordsman sat up and threw his barbell to the side, almost hitting Usopp with it. "Ace, I swear, if you meddle with this…"

The fireman threw his hands in the air in a defensive gesture. "Easy, tiger. I'm not going to do anything." Then he leaned in and whispered: "All I'm saying is, someone has to make clear to him that a woman is not what he wants." He wiggled his eyebrows suggestively and then went over to Marco, giving his boyfriend a kiss.

Zoro scratched the back of his head and thought about Ace's words. So the raven haired man thought Sanji wouldn't be happy in a relationship with a woman as well. But how could he get through that thick skull of the blonde?

He sighed and just watched what his friends were up to. A few yards away Franky was dancing on music coming from a stereo, wearing his usual Hawaiian shirt, now in addition to a speedo. It almost hurt his eyes, so he looked away. Farther down the beach Vivi and Kohza were playing with a flying disc. Usopp apparently had brought a metal detector with him, which was now being hogged by Nami. He desperately tried to pry it out of her hands and when that didn't work he gave up sighing and just explained how it worked. Brook was seeking out the few clothed girls and requested to see their panties. Usually it earned him a smack in the face or a beating up by their boyfriends. Chopper was reading a book and Marco was talking with Robin, Ace lying next to his boyfriend.

"Zoooooooooroooooooooooooo!" Luffy came running towards him, holding a bal. "Let's play volleyball! You and I are team captains! Let's see, I pick Ace and Sanji and–"

"Whoa, whoa!" Ace put his hand before his brother's mouth. "I'm fine with playing, but you'll have to pick in turn, to make the teams equal."

The boy nodded, so the fireman lifted his hand. "Then I pick Ace," Luffy grinned.

Zoro smirked. "My turn. Curly-brow."

The blonde lifted an eyebrow. "Who says I'm playing? I don't like volleyball."

Luffy was about to protest, but Zoro lifted his hand to stop him, not taking his eyes of the chef. "I didn't know you were too scared to play."

"Scared?" Sanji snorted. "Who said I was scared? I just fear for our team with you as team captain."

"Does that mean you'll play?" Zoro couldn't hide his grin.

"Whatever."

Zoro nodded approvingly, ignoring Ace's winks.

The black haired man turned to Marco. "Are you playing too?"

"Not now. You kids have fun."

The fireman looked a bit disappointed, but didn't press any further.

"That stupid woman, stealing my equipment." Muttering insults Usopp walked by. When he noticed the ball, he asked. "What are you playing?"

"Beach-volleyball," Luffy said with a huge grin.

"Volleyball, eh? Did I ever tell you I am a champion at volleyball?"

"Really?" Luffy's eyes glistened with glee. "I pick Usopp!"

"I doubt we even need a third for our team," Sanji whispered to Zoro.

The green haired man snickered and then turned his attention to Chopper, who was still reading. "Do you wanna play?"

The brown haired boy looked up surprised. "Really? You want me in your team? That doesn't make me happy at all, bastard!"

First they agreed on the rules. Fortunately Robin knew the official rules of beach-volleyball. They would play one set of twenty-one points. Every seven points they would change court, so no one would have an advantage from sun or wind. The set could only be won with a two-point advantage.

The teams took their positions. They asked Robin to be referee, because, according to Luffy, it was like she had eyes on all sides of her head. Sanji served first. Ace on the other side of the net passed it to Luffy, who spiked it back to the other side.

Zoro nodded to Sanji, who ran towards him. The green haired man had his hands joined before his stomach. The blonde jumped on them and let himself be launched towards the ball. He hit it back to the other side, where it landed in the sand. Ace and Usopp stood with their mouths open and Luffy's eyes shone in awe. Robin blew the whistle and pointed to Zoro's team.

Snickering, Sanji and Zoro high-fived and looked at the other team. "Are we going to play or what?" the latter asked.

"When did you practice that move?" Ace asked, picking up the ball and throwing it back.

Sanji shrugged and served again.

The game became competitive. Zoro and Sanji's teamwork was amazing. Chopper hardly had to do anything aside from serve from time to time, so he just cheered them on.

When the team of Zoro had twenty points against nineteen from Luffy's, Nami suddenly shrieked. "Usopp, come quick! I found something."

The architect sighed and shook his head. "Sorry guys."

"Oi, we're in the middle of a game!" Ace yelled after him.

"I know, but she's scary. Good luck."

Zoro snickered. "Wanna give up? We only need one more point before we win the game."

"Marco! They're beating us!" Ace whined and he pouted.

The arson inspector sighed. "Do you want me to fill in for Usopp?"

Ace nodded happily.

"If it's okay with the referee."

Robin thought for a second and then nodded. Marco took Usopp's position.

Zoro snorted. "Whatever. There's no way you can win anymore."

Marco served. Zoro jumped onto Sanji's leg and hit the ball back to the other field. It looked like it would hit the floor, but at the last moment Marco moved and passed the ball to Ace. The fire fighter launched it upwards. In less than a second the arson inspector was with him and spiked the ball to the other field. It was like he was flying instead of running. Zoro and Sanji both went for the ball, but bumped into each other and both fell to the floor. The ball fell in the sand.

Robin whistled and pointed to Luffy's team.

"That's twenty," Ace pointed out.

Both men scrambled to their feet. "What the hell were you doing? I could have easily had that!" Sanji snapped to the green haired man.

"What the hell are you talking about? It was closer to me!"

They glared dangerously at each other.

"Ehm, guys? We're starting again," Ace warned them.

They cast each other a dark glare, but took their positions again.

The next ball Marco served, came straight for Chopper. With closed eyes he launched for the ball. He hit it, but it didn't went over the net. Instead of both going for the ball, neither Sanji or Zoro did something, the first being distracted by a girl that walked past, until the ball fell in the sand again.

"That was so much closer to you!"

"Like hell, you should have had that!"

"Twenty-one for Luffy's team now," Robin said calmly. "If they score now, they win the match."

They all stood ready. Marco served again. Sanji passed to Chopper and the young doctor to Zoro, who spiked the ball over the net. Ace stood ready, bumping to Luffy. The black haired boy nodded to Marco. The arson inspector launched forwards, smashing the ball over the net. Zoro, Sanji and Chopper all three ran towards it. They tripped over each other, tumbling down in a jumble of limbs. The ball fell down on the swordsman's head and rolled to the ground.

Robin blew her whistle. "Team Luffy wins."

The black haired boy laughed and his older brother launched himself on Marco, who stumbled a few paces back to brace the impact.

Chopper crawled up underneath Zoro and Sanji, who were fighting again.

"What the hell, Moss-head?! I had it! You made us lose!"

"Then why am I the only one who touched it, Love-cook?!"

"That's just 'cause your head is such an easy target."

"Don't get me started on easy targets, Dart-brow!"

Marco put Ace down and let him away by his hand. "Were are we going?" the freckled man asked chuckling.

The arson inspector smiled slightly. "I'm claiming my prize."

Sanji strolled over the beach, looking at all the happy women running around. Despite that there were enough lovely ladies to last a lifetime, he didn't feel like flirting with them. Well actually, he just felt guilty doing it. Even though he had no feelings for Zoro and never would have, the chef wouldn't like it if his crush would flirt with others. Not that Zoro was lacking attention. He had taken up his barbell again, with some ridiculous heavy weights on it. The green haired man attracted much attention, both male and female.

Sanji walked up a sand dune. He wasn't surprised Zoro was one to catch many eyes. The man had a body of a Greek god! And he was well tanned, a perfect beach body. Well, if you were into that. Next to the swordsman the chef himself was rather pale, and skinny. When he had asked what Zoro's type was, the swordsman hadn't given much information, but even if Sanji fitted his type, the green haired man was bound to see someone he liked. The blonde had no doubt that Zoro would find someone here to nail.

The chef stopped in his tracks. Was that all the green haired man wanted from him? With a friendship like theirs, Sanji would think he deserved better than that. But what then, a relationship?

He shook his head. Why was he even thinking about it? He didn't care what Zoro wanted from him, if it was more than friendship he wouldn't get it anyway. Not from him.

He walked around another sand hill. Abruptly he stopped. A few yards away from him he saw Marco standing, his swimming trunks around his ankles. His back was turned to the chef. At first Sanji assumed he must be relieving himself – though the beach house wasn't that far away. But then he saw someone kneeling in front of the arson inspector. The bright orange swimming trunks were easy to recognize. Ace tilted his head a little, his eyes closed and looking like what he had in his mouth right now was the best thing he ever tasted.

Sanji stood frozen. He knew he should leave, but his legs didn't listen. Ace was giving Marco a blowjob. The arson inspector had his head thrown back and caressed the kneeling man's hair. Involuntarily Sanji's thoughts drifted back to the night he met Zoro. He saw himself lying in front of that fireplace again. The swordsman had done the same thing with him as Ace was doing now to his boyfriend. Marco seemed to enjoy himself, just like he had… He had tried to convince himself Zoro had taken advantage of his vulnerable state, but in reality he had enjoyed it. When the swordsman had his lips wrapped around his cock, the chef had never felt better. He had tried to push the memories away, but seeing Ace and Marco right now…

Suddenly the fireman opened his eyes and for a moment Sanji thought he had been caught. But the freckled man continued his activity with equal enthusiasm.

Finally his legs listened to him again. He turned around and ran back to the beach. His head was spinning. He was embarrassed. Embarrassed about what Ace and Marco were doing, embarrassed he had caught them. And embarrassed about what he was feeling. He was aroused. How could two men having oral sex turn him on like that?

He ran over the beach. Without stopping for anybody, he dove into the sea. Maybe the cold water could clear his head.

"Nine hundred seventy two, nine hundred seventy three… What do you want, Ace?" Zoro asked without interrupting his bench pressing.

"Just wondering if you'd seen Sanji."

It sounded too innocently. He looked up to his friend, who looked back at him with what he probably thought was the look of an angel.

"I think he went for a swim," the swordsman answered slowly, squinting his eyes suspiciously. "Why?"

"No reason." A mischievous grin appeared on the raven haired man's face. "I guess having a swim is logical. After all, it's pretty hot here…"

~ To be continued

Zoro and Sanji both are wearing their Skypiea outfit. Sanji's... Well, I still don't get it XD

Let me know what you think ;)