I'd like to thank Thérèse and Vergina again and all you lovelies for reading and reviewing :3 (apparently using "lovelies" is a thing, so I'm spreading the word XD)

Hot as Fire

Chapter 16

Gin's approval had been the last thing he needed, apparently. As soon as his friend had showed his support, Sanji couldn't wait to leave. Gin had protested, but the blonde told him this was payback from when the dark haired man had ditched him for a girl. After that, he had dashed out.

Now he was making his way to Zoro's house. For some reason it had seemed a good idea to ride his bicycle to the bar where he had met Gin. He should have first gone home and get his car. But he couldn't wait to get to Zoro. They would finally resolve the tension between them. Sanji was so exited, he didn't even mind the rain that was pouring down on his head. Sure, it would ruin his suit, but what better weather than the same as they met in? He was drenched already, but that still didn't wipe the smile off his face.

Finally the swordsman's house came in sight and Sanji was once again very happy he didn't have the marimo's sense of direction. Not even bothering to lock his bike, he let it fall in the grass and ran to the door, ringing the doorbell like there was a fire.

Nobody answered.

He waited a while before ringing again, but still no one came to the door. He started to panic. Zoro should be home, shouldn't he? He always was, it wasn't like he had much work to do. The blonde pulled his phone out of his pocket, debating whether or not to call him. It never occurred to him to think about what to say to the green haired man when he finally saw him. He assumed it would come to him then.

But calling? Would he know what to say then? Or was Zoro not being home some sort of sign?

Suddenly all the energy that had been rushing through him had drained away and left him feeling weary. Maybe he had been prevented to make a huge mistake. Where would he find a friend like Zoro again?

Numbly he walked to his bicycle, picked it up and slowly started to peddle in the direction of his house. He should be happy. The universe or whatever had prevented him from making a big mistake. Really, what had he been thinking? He was Sanji, womaniser. And no guy would be an exception.

Then why did he feel this empty inside?

Lost in thoughts he cycled past Luffy and Ace's house. He didn't notice the boy until he shouted Sanji's name. He thought about pretending he didn't hear Luffy, but he called out again and this time it was impossible to ignore. Really, the whole neighbourhood knew he was cycling past!

Sighing he braked and came to a halt. "Hey Luffy."

"You're all wet." The boy frowned, leaning on a stick he had been playing with.

"Yeah, it is–" 'Raining,' he wanted to say, but much to his surprise he noticed it was dry now. When did that happen? He was too much wallowing in self-pity to notice. He sighed. "It was raining."

"Where do you come from?"

"Never mind that. Why are you outside? It's cold."

Luffy cocked his head to the side a little. "That's just 'cause you're wet," he said grinning. "But," he continued in a whining tone, "I'm so bored! Will you cook for me?"

"I don't really feel like cooking right now. Is Ace with Marco again?"

The boy nodded. "They're at Marco's dojo." He placed the stick he had been leaning on against his shoulder like a rifle and started to pace up and down.

Sanji bit his lip before asking carefully: "Do you know where Zoro is?"

Luffy stopped pacing again. "Zoro? He's with Ace and Marco, of course."

"He's… what?" Suddenly images of Zoro along with a naked Ace and Marco filled his head, even though that didn't make sense if they were at the dojo, but he desperately wanted to get rid of those pictures. So he was very grateful when Luffy said: "Marco got him a job as a kendo-instructor. This is the first day he trains the kids by himself."

The blonde wanted to slap himself in the head. Of course, he knew that! The marimo had been so excited about that! But it still didn't change the fact that perhaps it was better for them to stay friends.

"Were you looking for him? I can give him a message," the black haired boy offered.

But Sanji shook his head. "No thanks. I'm just going home and take a bath. I'm cold and wet."

"So you're not going to cook for me?" his friend pouted.

"Sorry, not today." He patted the boy on the head and started peddling his way home.

The light blue car pulled up on the driveway. "Are you sure I don't have to drop you off at your place?" Marco asked.

"Nah, Ace promised me beer," Zoro said with a grin on his face.

"You're coming too, right?" the freckled man asked his boyfriend.

But the blonde shook his head. "Not tonight. I have to finish a report before tomorrow morning."

Ace pouted a little, but then pulled the man in for a kiss. Zoro stepped out of the car and walked to the trunk to get his sports bag. He was happy for Ace, and Marco was very nice as well, but seeing them all happy and couplely made him feel… Well, like the odd man out. So he was grateful that Luffy sat on the doorstep pouting. "Hey Lu. You're waiting for us?"

The boy jumped up and would have probably wagged his tail if he had one. "Yes! I was so bored!" he made it sound like they had been gone for days instead of two hours.

"And Sanji was so mean! He didn't even want to cook for me," Luffy continued pouting.

Zoro raised an eyebrow. "Did you call him?"

"No, he stopped by."

"Really?" Ace just stepped out of the car. Marco waved at them, before driving off. The freckled man walked over to his brother. "Why did he stop by then?"

"Well, he cycled by. First he didn't see me, so I called his name," Luffy explained. "And then he said he was looking for Zoro."

"Me?" The swordsman frowned. "Why would he be looking for me?"
"He said he was wet and wanted to take a bath with you. Wait, is that right?" The black haired boy pulled a face like he had dropped something heavy on his foot, but by now Zoro had learned that was just his thinking face.

He doubted very much that was what Sanji had said, but Luffy seemed pretty sure the chef had been looking for him. He looked at Ace, still thinking about the promised beer.

The freckled man grinned at him. "If you're not going, I will."

That was enough of a threat to make him leave right away. But he barely was on his way when Ace stopped him. "Er, Zoro? Sanji's house is the other way."

The bath had done him a world of good. He still wasn't quite sure what to do about Zoro, but at least now his mind had come to a rest and he felt pleasantly drowsy.

That was why he was extra annoyed when the doorbell rang. He just wanted a quiet evening. Sighing he opened the door. And almost closed it again.

On the doorstep stood none other than the marimo himself. Sanji gulped when all the feelings he had desperately tried to push away came all rushing back to him. He stood completely frozen.

"Luffy said you were looking for me," the deep voice he had come to love so much said.

He swallowed a few times before answering: "I told him it wasn't important. So you can leave now." He attempted to close the door, but Zoro's strong hand prevented him from doing that.

"Well, I'm here now, so why don't you just tell me?"

Panic started to overcome his still drowsy brain. What should he say? He still hadn't figured it out when his body started to move on its own. He grabbed the back of the swordsman's neck and pulled him close. Their lips touched for a brief second before Sanji let go again and walked towards the living room.

Zoro was stunned, to say the least. He stood frozen, his brain not quite able to comprehend what just happened. His lips still felt the touch of the others'. Sanji had kissed him. Sanji had fucking kissed him!

Finally his body listened to him again and he followed the blonde to the living room. The chef was sitting on the couch, smoking a cigarette like nothing happened. "Took you long enough," he said casually.

Zoro was stunned again, but this time recovered quickly. "What the hell was that?!" he brought out.

Sanji took a long drag. There was no use denying what he did and to be quite honest, he wanted more of it. He wanted to kiss the swordsman. So he said: "I kissed you."

"I got that much! But," his tone became softer, "why?"

The blonde looked at the floor. He had no trouble declaring his love to a random woman walking down the street, but saying to a guy he liked him? To Zoro? He gulped and took another drag. "Because I like you," he whispered, barely audible.

The green haired man flopped on the couch next to him, a little too close for comfort. The blond tried to look away, but the swordsman grabbed his chin and forced him to look his way. "Are you drunk?" he asked in a tone like a father would ask his teenage child.

Sanji pulled away. "No."

Zoro let himself fall against the back of the couch. "You like me?" he asked a little doubtful.

The blonde pulled a cushion against him. "No, of course not. You're an asshole and I hate you."

A silence fell, until Zoro suddenly burst into laughter, startling Sanji. "What the hell is wrong with you?" he snapped at the swordsman, putting out his cigarette in the ash tray with angry movements.

"I hate you too, Love-cook." Before the blonde could react, Zoro had pinned him down on the couch and caught his lips with his own. The chef tried to struggle, but gave up when the green haired man licked at his lips. Hesitantly he parted them. Zoro immediately claimed his mouth, causing the blonde to gasp a little. Kissing Zoro was very different from kissing any girl he had ever tried it with. Just when the swordsman thought he had pinned Sanji's tongue down with his own, the blonde hit back. It was a fight, a competition, like everything they did.

The swordsman's hands roamed his body and tugged at the bathrobe the blonde was still wearing. He gasped a little, biting Zoro's lip. All his doubts had disappeared. He wanted Zoro and it was quite obvious the green haired man was still interested in him as well. At least a certain part of him, that was currently poking against his thigh. The blonde knew he should be embarrassed, but he wasn't. Quite frankly, he was feeling the same.

Suddenly Zoro pulled back, panting, and stared down at Sanji. The chef's cheeks were flushed, his lips red from the violent kissing. As it was for the blonde, this was by far the hottest make-out session he had ever had. That was why what he was about to do next so hard – no pun intended – having the cook all hot and bothered.

Sanji looked at him questioning, surprised at the sudden stop. He was just starting to enjoy himself.

"I'm gonna leave now, before I do something you'll regret later," the green haired man grunted. He hated himself right now, but he knew he would even regret it more if he pushed Sanji too far. After all, the blonde had just discovered this side of himself.

Sanji nodded. It was probably for the best, though his body told him that Zoro could do whatever he wanted to him. Not that he would ever tell him that.

"Marimo?"

The green haired man stopped in his tracks.

"Please don't tell anyone. Not yet."

The swordsman thought for a moment, but then nodded. He looked at the hot body on the couch with a pained expression on his face one more time before walking to the door. The cold air outside did him a world of good, taming his arousal. It was still tempting to run back inside and drag the blonde up to the bedroom, but they were in no hurry. Not now Sanji had finally given in to his feelings.

He started to stroll in a random direction and found himself back at the house of the D-brothers. Ace did promise him beer. A smirk crept on his face. Making out with Sanji and booze? This night kept getting better and better.

He opened the front door with his own set of keys, as both the D-brothers had the tendency to lose their own. He found Ace and Luffy sitting on the couch playing video games.

"Zoro!" the latter called out excitedly. "You're in?"

"Sure. But first beer." The green haired man walked towards the kitchen.

"Now, just wait a second!" Ace stopped him, before he could leave the room. "How did it go with Sanji? What did he have to say?"

Zoro flashed him a mysterious smile he knew didn't agree with his friend and fled into the kitchen. As predicted, he was soon followed by Ace.

"Don't you do that to me! What happened? Tell me!" The freckled man was looking like a puppy begging his owner to throw a stick.

The swordsman grabbed a beer from the fridge and took an unnecessary long draught, just to mess with his friend. After that he sighed contently and said evilly: "I can't."

Ace puffed his cheeks in an offended way. But then he seemed to realise something. "Wait, that must mean something happened between you two. Now you have to tell me!"

"I can't," Zoro repeated.

"That's so mean! I always tell you everything."

The green haired man snorted. "Did you ever stop to think I might not want to know what you do in the bedroom? Or wherever you have sex."

"Of course you do, especially during your dry spell. Which I'm guessing is over now?" He studied Zoro's face on any indication he was right. But the swordsman gave nothing away, much to his friend's annoyance. "Come on! I've deserved it. I've been rooting for you two the whole time!"

Zoro sighed. "I promised not to say anything." He thought for a moment. "But if you were to guess…"

Ace's mood veered around right away.

"But," the green haired man warned, "I'll only answer three questions, and I'll only shake or nod, understand? So pick your questions carefully."

The freckled man bounced up and down excitedly. "Did you guys have sex?" He had obviously been dying to ask this question.

Zoro shook his head, causing Ace's face to cloud over.

"Alright. Did you kiss?"

It wasn't even necessary for him to nod with the grin that spread across his face. The fireman started to laugh and clapped his hands. "I knew it! I told you he only needed a last push! How was it? No, that wasn't one of my questions," he interrupted himself, probably realising Zoro wouldn't be able to answer that with a shake or nod. He seemed to think really hard, his face resembling Luffy's thinking face. Eventually he took a deep breath and asked with a serious face: "So, are you guys dating now?"

At that Zoro had to shrug. He had no idea what they would do next. Hopefully something that ended with him fucking the blonde, but he understood he had to take things slow if he wanted to make it work with Sanji.

"Wait, so you made out with him, and then left him alone all hot and heavy?"

Zoro scratched the back of his head embarrassed.

"Oh my God, Zoro! You are such an idiot!" Ace made a gesture like he had given up on his friend.

The next day Zoro found himself standing in front of Sanji's house again. Ace was right, they needed to talk. And perhaps he was an idiot as well.

It took him a few minutes and deep breaths before he finally rung the doorbell. Sanji opened the door, fully dressed this time. "Marimo," he said a little surprised.

"We need to talk." For some reason his voice sounded very grave.

The blonde noticed and his face fell. "Yeah, sure. Come in," he mumbled and let Zoro walk past. "You hungry?" he suddenly asked.

The swordsman nodded – like hell he would pass up a free meal cooked by Sanji – and took a seat on the couch. He didn't really know what to say anyway, and if the blonde would cook first, at least he had some time to think about it.

Nervously Sanji took out some pots and pans and started on a simple but delicious meal. Cooking always helped him to calm his nerves and that was exactly what he needed right now. He knew very well that he and Zoro should talk, but that didn't mean he was looking forward to it. Zoro had sounded like someone had died, so that couldn't mean good news. Did he change his mind? Was he only interested in sex and had he decided he didn't want to risk their friendship?

He forced himself to focus on his cooking. He would hear soon enough what the marimo had to say and if he didn't like it, he would just have to change Zoro's mind.

A while later he walked into the living room, holding two steaming plates. Zoro looked at his a bit weary. To him it seemed like dry tagliatelle with mushrooms and some herbs, but when he took a bite he was pleasantly surprised by a sour tang of lemon and garlic [*].

The blonde sat down next to him on the couch. They ate in silence, while Sanji cast worried glances Zoro's way every once in a while. Finally the swordsman put down his empty plate and sighed contently. "'s Good, Cook."

"I know." Still he smiled a little. Wanting to just get their 'talk' over with, he said: "So, what do we have to discuss?"

The swordsman let himself fall back against the back of the couch. "Us. Well, this." He gestured to himself and Sanji.

"Okay." The blonde placed his plate on the coffee table. "What is this?" He mimicked Zoro's gesture. "I've told you how I feel. So what do you want?"

"You."

The answer came so abrupt and honest, Sanji looked up in surprise, blinking at the swordsman. "Me?"

"Yeah, didn't I made that clear last night?"

The blonde felt his cheeks flush. "So, now we're like… dating?" he asked carefully.

Zoro thought for a moment. "I guess so," he eventually said. "Just remember, Cook, I'm not a girl."

Sanji snorted. "I know that. That's what started the problem to begin with."

"I mean, don't get all Love-cook on me. You know, be your idiot self."

"Like a Neanderthal like you would even deserve my attention that way!" the blonde flung back.

A smirk appeared on the swordsman's face, catching Sanji off guard. "What?" he asked insecurely.

"I just remembered why I liked you in the first place."

A flush made his way to his cheeks. "Idiot," he mumbled embarrassed.

Zoro laughed again and pulled the blonde against him.

They ended up watching an old horror movie, Sanji resting with his back against Zoro's stomach. Even though they were now 'dating', it felt like nothing had changed, aside from the occasional stolen kiss or astray hand.

When the movie ended it was already quite late.

"You wanna stay over?" Sanji asked, a pink stain on his cheeks.

The swordsman nodded and followed the man upstairs. The blonde hoped he didn't get the wrong idea; he was very grateful Zoro had stopped yesterday where he did, the cook wasn't ready for more. Not yet.

In the bedroom the green haired man threw off his shirt and pants and lied down in bed before Sanji was ready. "Glad you feel at home," the blonde said sarcastically. Still he crept into bed after putting on his pyjamas and brushing his teeth, lying close to Zoro. The green haired man wrapped his arm around him, making him feel… warm, and safe for some reason. Which was stupid, because he could perfectly well take care of himself. Still, the feeling wasn't unpleasant.

Sanji woke in the middle of the night. He didn't know what woke him, but he didn't have to feel to know he was hard. Behind him Zoro was snoring softly. He tried to untangle himself from Zoro's grip, but the man instinctively only held him tighter.

The green haired man opened his eyes, being waked by Sanji's struggling. "Whatyadoin'?" he mumbled sleepy.

"Nothing! Just let go of me!" He struggled some more, causing Zoro's hand to slide down.

Surprised the green haired man felt the large bulge under his hand. Then his mouth curved into a smirk. "Where you dreaming about me?"

"As if! Like I don't see your ugly mug enough during the day. Now, let go of me!"

"Actually, I was planning on doing just the opposite."

Sanji sat frozen as Zoro's hand slipped into his pyjama trousers, cupping his erection. He hissed when contact was made with his sensitive flesh. The green haired man sat behind him and started to pump his hand up and down. The blonde let his head fall back against Zoro's shoulder, sighing in pleasure. It felt so good to have someone else touch him like that. Especially the marimo's large, calloused hand.

The swordsman watched the other man intensely. He looked and sounded so hot… The blonde moaned and moved his hips back and forth in rhythm with Zoro's hand, pressing his ass against the green haired man's crotch in the process. Watching the chef like this had already been arousing, but feeling his body against his own, made Zoro just as hard.

Sanji closed his eyes. It had been a long time since he had felt this good. The last time had been… when Zoro gave him his first blowjob. God, if he hadn't been so stubborn he could have felt like that many times since then… He heard Zoro pant in his ear, getting just as excited as he was, judging by the poking he felt in his back. He would have thought he would be grossed out by turning a man on, by feeling a man get turned on, but if anything, it aroused him even more. Nearing his limits, he couldn't control his voice anymore, moaning: "S-shit… Zoro…!" before his body collapsed against the green haired man.

The swordsman swallowed hard. Though the chef hadn't resisted nor was drunk, he still had no idea what the fickle cook would do once he came down from his high. He was just trying to figure out how he would get out from under the sprawled out cook, when the blonde suddenly turned around, pinning him against the bed and frankly, catching him completely off guard. Their lips locked before he could say anything and deft fingers made their way into his underwear.

He gasped and his hips buckled automatically when a slim but strong hand wrapped itself around his neglected cock. Sanji was lying on top of him, still kissing him while his hand pumped up and down. All this time without any kind of physical contact – because since he had met Sanji, he hadn't dated anyone, nor slept with anyone – feeling this soft yet slightly calloused hand, which was not his own, pleasing him, it soon became too much. Though he wanted to last longer, he couldn't. The muscles in his stomach tensed up, before relaxing completely. He suppressed a moan, but couldn't help but bite Sanji's lip when he came.

Finally stopping to kiss him, the blonde rolled off his new lover while Zoro tried to get back to reality. The chef's brain still couldn't wrap itself around the fact that he had just pleasured a man. He didn't know what had come over him when he threw himself on Zoro, but he didn't regret it either. It had been quite hot.

Zoro finally managed to scramble his brains together and he wrapped his arms around Sanji's waist, pulling him close. The blonde didn't struggle, he had always been a cuddler after sex. They were both sticky, from sweat and cum. The swordsman nuzzled his nose in the blond strands. "So you quite liked your first handjob from a man, hm?" he chuckled in Sanji's ear.

"Whatever," the chef mumbled.

"I expected a little more enthusiasm. After all, you did moan my name…"

The blonde was happy it was dark and Zoro couldn't see his red cheeks. "I did not! Now shut up and go to sleep." But he did creep a little closer to the warm body beside him.

The next morning he fortunately woke up before the swordsman. He didn't really know what to say and the stupid grin that was plastered on his face didn't really help. Like hell he would show the swordsman that!

He showered, made breakfast and got pen and paper to write a note he had to get to work. While he was writing, Zoro came down, yawning and still in his boxers. When he noticed Sanji was already dressed and about to leave, he raised an eyebrow. "You weren't going to wake me up?"

"Well, I assumed last night was the first time you got any in a while, so I thought you needed some more time to recover," Sanji remarked snidely. He mentally slapped himself. He had planned to avoid the topic until absolutely necessary. Oh well, being snide about it was probably the easiest way to deal with it.

And it was. Zoro snorted. "Yeah? Like it has been busy in your bed lately."

"Working at the restaurant is a demanding job. What's your excuse?" The grin found its way to his face again, but now at least he could pretend he was making fun of Zoro. Which, of course, he was doing.

Before the swordsman could make a snide reply, the blonde shoved the plate of food in his hand. "Here, eat. I have to go now. I would say: 'Make yourself at home', but I've seen how you live. Please make sure I still recognise the place when I get back." With that, he pulled the door shut.

On his way to the restaurant in his car, the annoying grin reappeared. He thought back to the night Zoro and he met. If his car hadn't broke down, they would never have bumped into each other. Or if he would have accepted the lift the arson inspector offered... Damn, he didn't even know the marimo that long and he already couldn't imagine his life without that green haired idiot.

Focussing on the road again, he picked up some words of the song playing on the radio.

'Sometimes I hate every single stupid word you say
Sometimes I wanna slap you in your whole face'

He couldn't help but smile. That could easily be about him and Zoro.

'You push all my buttons down'

Yes.

'You're an asshole but I love you'

Defini... Wow, wow, wait! What? Love? That was a bit too soon, wasn't it?

'But I hate you, I really hate you,
So much, I think it must be
True love, true love'

Quickly he turned off the radio. True love? No way. The scary thing was that the rest of the song was spot on… He hated the marimo, but at the same time he wanted to be with him. But that just meant he really liked him – not loved him. Pushing these thoughts aside, he parked the car in his own parking space labelled head chef and entered the restaurant.

"You look awfully happy," Zeff greeted him gruffly.

Sanji tried to wipe the smile off his face, in vain. Stupid Marimo. Who would have thought that green haired idiot could actually make him this happy? "Don't think that's 'cause of you, old man."

"I know that grin." Out of nowhere Usopp suddenly stood behind him. "You always look like that when you have just fallen in love–"

"What?!" Sanji shrieked. "I'm not in love!" Damn, even without being here the marimo worked on his nerves.

Usopp looked at him curiously. The blonde bit his lip. That must have looked quite suspicious. He never had problems telling about his new lady-love. But this time the lady part was missing. And the love part!

Flushed he turned around and started working.

Zeff plucked his moustache and looked at his adoptive son. "That reminds me. The boy that that woman forced me to hire is coming this afternoon, so show him around the kitchen."

"What?! But today the food will be delivered!" Shaking his head he turned to the architect. "Usopp, when Luffy gets here, it is your job to guard that food with your life, understand?"

His friend's knees started to shake. "B-but… You know what Luffy's like when it comes to food!"

"That's why you're the man for the job. I don't really care if he eats you." With an evil grin Sanji entered the kitchen.

That afternoon Luffy bounced into the restaurant. "Oi, Sanji! I'm here!" he yelled loud enough that the blonde would have heard it if he were at home.

Rubbing his still ringing ears, the chef led the excited boy hastily to the kitchen, exchanging a look with Usopp.

"Alright, your job is very simple. Collect the plates the waiters and lovely waitresses have placed over here." He pointed to a counter. "Just scrape the plates clean of the leftovers – we don't like to waist food here, but I doubt I have to tell you not to throw it away."

Luffy nodded, his face serious.

"Then you place the dishes in the dishwasher and when it's full, turn it on like this." He demonstrated. "You understand?"

The boy nodded again, still looking serious, but somehow Sanji got the feeling Luffy had not been listening after the word 'food'. He sighed. This was bound to become a disaster.

~ To be continued

[*] A recipe by Nigella Lawson from her cookbook Nigella Express. It´s really good :3

Lyrics are from True Love by Pink and Lily Rose Cooper.