As always, thanks to my lovely prereaders~ And of course, all of you who've stuck by me ^^

I got a review asking who was the one who burned the former Baratie down. Of course I'm touched that you care so much that you want to know this, but I hadn't forgotten about that (pretty important) part of the plot ^^; I'm not done yet (as you can see here) So just sit back, relax and enjoy the ride (no pun intended XD)

Enjoy ^^

Hot as Fire

Chapter 19

"So, what do you want to do next?" Zoro asked after Ace had left.

Sanji hummed thoughtfully and then smirked. "I would like to fuck you. Since Ace said you do bottom."

"What the hell does Ace know?" the green haired man snorted.

"Usually I would say 'little', but he seems to know quite a bit about stuff like this. And even if he were wrong, everything has a first, right?" He grinned. "I mean, I could just kick your ass and pin you down…"

"What was that? You want to try me, you skinny bastard?!" In the blink of an eye, Zoro had armed himself with the three swords he had attempted to kill Ace with a few moments ago. Sanji didn't need more encouragement, jumping to his feet and clicking his heels against the floor to check the sturdiness of his shoes, his hands in his pockets. He barely had the time to light a cigarette – so no stretches this time – when Zoro attacked. Fortunately, even though he was using his real swords, he used the blunt side of them. The blonde stopped him easily. He took a lazy drag from his cigarette and blew a cloud of smoke in Zoro's face. "That all you got?"

"I'm just getting warmed up, shit cook."

The fight lasted for a while, but at some point the swordsman lost his swords and it became more of a wrestling match. The green haired man tackled the blonde somehow, and they rolled around on the floor. Hands that previously were trying to hurt the other were now trying to feel as much as possible. Clothes were discarded here and there and it wasn't long before Zoro was lying on top of Sanji, both only wearing boxers and both panting and flustered. A victorious smile lay on the green haired man's face. "So who beat who again?"

Sanji smirked. Zoro may have more upper body strength, but the idiot was no match for his legs. Without too much effort he flipped them over, pinning the swordsman down with his powerful thighs. "I beat you," he said triumphant.

Zoro growled, but it wasn't in anger. Sanji could feel that very clearly. "Pervert. Are you getting turned on by getting your ass handed to ya?"

"No." The green haired man sat up a little and let his hands run up Sanji's pale thighs, groaning a little when he felt the powerful muscles flex.

"You got some kind of leg fetish?" But the blonde's voice came out raspy, his throat suddenly feeling very dry. It was weird to have Zoro worship his legs like that, but he couldn't say he didn't like it.

"Maybe… I've never felt legs like this, though." The green haired man ran his hands up to only inches away from Sanji's crotch and a shiver went down the blonde's spine. Suddenly not really caring about their fight anymore, Sanji grabbed the back of Zoro's neck and smashed their lips together.

Kissing, the swordsman squeezed Sanji's legs, earning him a groan. So the cook liked him touching his legs as well. Zoro opened his mouth when the blonde nipped at his lips.

Sanji moved, moving back to sit between the green haired man's legs and no longer pinning him down. Not that the latter had minded all that much. He used the chef's movement to pull down his boxers, his own following soon after. The swordsman took both their erections in his hand and started moving up and down. Sanji moaned into his mouth, thrusting his hips forward. Sanji's deft fingers traced along the large scar on the tanned man's chest, caressing and worshipping it just as much as Zoro had been doing with his legs. "I still can't believe you survived something like this," he whispered, his voice husky of arousal.

Zoro smirked, panting. "I don't die that easily."

The blonde nodded. Suddenly he batted swordsman's hand away, the other complying confused, and pulled Zoro's head to the side by the short green strands, attacking his exposed neck with kisses and nips. Zoro, surprised by the sudden action, but pleasantly so, allowed his lover to do as he wished, not even objecting when Sanji pushed him back on the floor. The paler man's trail of kisses went down to the scarred chest. He let his tongue run along the largest of them, pleased with the shudder he received. Zoro wasn't very vocal, but it seemed that even the stoic swordsman could get unwound.

The tanned man's back arched beautifully when the chef started to suck at the scarred skin. One of his hands crept up and started to abuse one of Zoro's nipples. The green haired man growled again, in the back of his throat. The cook never realised that a sound could turn him on like that. Deciding he wanted to hear more of it, he started to suck on the other nipple, in the meantime never stopping rubbing at the first. His free hand wandered across the rock hard abs. The night before the swordsman had showed him a good time – even if it hurt like a bitch in the morning – and he almost screwed it up, had not Ace intervened. So now he felt like he should return the favour.

"Fuck me," a deep voice suddenly said, causing Sanji to look up from his actions.

"Wha–"

"I'm not gonna repeat myself," Zoro snarled. "Take it or leave it."

A smirk appeared on Sanji's face. "Then I think I'll take it." While he said it, he grabbed Zoro's neglected cock and squeezed it a little, earning himself a soft moan.

"You… You better get lube," the green haired man panted, the usual scowl on his face.

"Yeah, yeah. Don't worry. I know how much it hurt with it, I'm not gonna do anything without."

Despite everything, Zoro smirked. "That's just 'cause of your virgin ass."

"S-Shut up, asshole!"

Sanji straightened and attempted to go upstairs for the lube, when the swordsman said: "Just get some oil from the kitchen."

The blonde frowned. "I'm not gonna use my good cooking oil for that."

"Don't you mean mine?"

"You don't use it, so I claimed it. Just be patient." He ran upstairs, as fast as his current condition allowed him.

Zoro huffed and stared at the ceiling. Bastard better hurry up or he would start without him. Fortunately, those legs he admired so much were perfect for running and within a few moments, Sanji was back – though it still took too long for Zoro's taste.

"Know what to do, Cook?" he asked with a sceptically raised eyebrow when Sanji knelt between his legs.

"Of course I do, shithead. It's not my first time having sex, you know?" the blonde spat at him.

"Oh? Didn't think you would go anal with girls."

The chef's cheeks were bright red. "Don't be disgusting."

Zoro rolled his eyes. "Geez, I'm gay and even I know some girls like it up the ass. Now hurry up or I'll do it myself."

Sanji looked like he was about to spew an insult back, when his face suddenly turned thoughtful and he handed the green haired man the lube. "Do it."

The tanned man started at the bottle dumbfounded. "What?"

"Do it. Prep yourself. I wanna watch."

"Che, I don't know if you're just lazy or an incredible pervert." Still, he took the bottle and pouted a generous amount of the content on his hand and coated his fingers. It had been a while since he did it himself, or since he would be bottom for that matter, so he started out slow. Pressing one finger in, he started to move it in and out. He huffed, breath heavy with arousal, and carefully looked up. Sanji sat on the floor a few feet away, leaning against the couch. He had lit a cigarette – having taken the liberty to smoke whenever he wanted in the swordsman's house a few days ago – and watched Zoro's movements with curious eyes. Zoro smirked to himself, the pervert was actually enjoying this.

He decided to kick it up a notch and added another finger. After having moved them in and out a few time, he started to spread them out in a scissoring motion. He heard a moan, which was most definitely not his own and looked up again. Sanji took a deep breath from his cancer stick, his face flushed. His hand was moving between his legs, soft, teasing touches, needing to give his erection some attention, but not wanting to come yet.

His blue eyes, blurry with arousal, looked up and locked with dark ones. Zoro continued his movements, changing the angle of his fingers a little, until he hit his prostate. Closing his eyes, he doubled over, a pleased sound rumbling through his chest.

Suddenly, he felt another digit entering him, which wasn't his own. Opening his eyes, his lips were captured by a very turned on blonde. Zoro must have an off day, he never even noticed the man move closer to him. Deciding he didn't care right now, the swordsman pulled out his own fingers and let Sanji take over. Lying back on the floor, he pulled the blonde on top of him. "That's enough," he grumbled.

The chef hummed, but hit his prostate several times none the less. Zoro, who had been trying to open up the condom, let the small package fall on the floor when he closed his eyes in bliss again. Fuck, that felt good. Sanji's fingers may be slimmer than his own, they were also longer and reached further inside him. Zoro picked up the condom package again, ripping it open with his teeth this time and sliding it around the chef's aching cock.

"Impatient, are we?" Sanji said in that husky voice of his that screamed sex.

"Shut up and do it," Zoro snarled. Yes, he was getting impatient. Just fingers didn't feel like enough anymore.

Chuckling, Sanji applied some more lube on his erection, before positioning. Suddenly he seemed to be doubtful. "Are you sure you're ready?"

"If you don't fuck me right now, I will shove my swords up your ass," Zoro growled out dangerously.

"Alright, alright." The blonde lifted up the tanned hips a little. Slowly he started to push in. The tightness of the heat that surrounded him came unexpected. "Fffuck, Zoro." After taking a few moments to calm himself, he pushed in completely.

Zoro had closed his eyes upon impact, panting. It really had been a while. A hand caressed the tensed muscles in his stomach. "You okay?" The blonde seemed to be holding himself back, his jaw set, but still looking kind of worried.

The green haired man smirked. "Go for it."

That was the only encouragement Sanji needed. Pulling out almost entirely, he slammed back in with all the force his legs could muster. Zoro's hand clawed at the carpet, seeing stars. For someone who had never fucked a guy before, Sanji had perfect aim. Of course, it was probably by accident, but pleasurable none the less.

They soon found a rhythm, the swordsman's hips meeting the blonde's thrusts. Sanji kept on hitting the right spot after Zoro's first beautiful reaction. The chef moaned loudly, uncaring if the neighbours could hear them. It felt so good. No sex with a girl could match this, the tightness, the heat, the fact that he didn't have to restrain himself by going slow. Zoro could take it, hell, he wanted it like this, if his frantic hip movements were anything to go by.

Sanji was getting dizzy, coming closer to his climax, as he blindly looked for Zoro's neglected cock and started stroking it. The swordsman's pace got erratic, not knowing which stimulation he wanted to feel more of. His face was completely flustered and he couldn't help those few deep moans that fell from his lips.

The blonde couldn't take it anymore. Crying out Zoro's name, he came, his hips still thrusting until the swordsman followed his example. Feeling completely spend, the blonde rolled off him, reaching for another cigarette while Zoro caught his breath. They lay in silence for a while, Sanji smoking, when the blonde suddenly broke the silence. "You want to meet my old man?"

"Didn't I already meet him?" Zoro asked with a frown.

"Yeah, but not as his chauffeur or some random idiot this time." Sanji took a long drag from his cigarette. "I'd like him to meet my boyfriend."

Sanji had called Zeff to tell he would come over for dinner, and that he would bring a date. At that, the older chef had sighed and snapped that Sanji better bring some good wine, since the restaurant owner would need that. The younger blonde had been tempted to say that, yes, he would need alcohol, but not for the reasons he assumed. He thought better of it though. He didn't want to tell his foster father about his new found attraction to a man over the phone.

Zoro couldn't help but feel a little nervous as well. Of course, he had already met Zeff, but under completely different circumstances. Besides, this was the first time he would meet the father of the guy he was dating, anyway.

That didn't mean, however, that the fretting cook didn't annoy him. Sanji had been pacing up and down the whole time and had whined long enough for Zoro just to give in and wear something fancier than his usual outfit. The blonde had been so irritating, that the green haired man actually was relieved when they were standing in front of Zeff's door.

Sanji, however, was anything but. He was chewing his lip anxiously, craving his umpteenth cigarette of that day. He didn't actually think that Zeff would judge him, but telling him would mean coming out, and that would mean this thing was real. No turning back.

Taking a deep breath, his finger hovered over the doorbell. No, he would go through with this. His insecurities and the thing with Ace had shown him what he would miss out on if he screwed it up. So he pressed the bell.

The waiting was agonising.

"Will you stop fidgeting?" Zoro finally snapped at him.

"Shut up. How did you feel when you came out to your father?" he snarled.

The green haired man shrugged. "I just said I was gay and he was cool with it."

Sanji rolled his eyes. Really, what did a marimo know anyway?

Eventually, the telltale step-thud sound of Zeff approaching could be heard. Sanji braced himself and as soon as the door opened, he snapped: "About time, old man. You going deaf now?"

"I wish I was, then I didn't have to listen to your obnoxious screaming all the time. I thought you would bring a new bimbo?" Zeff huffed.

The younger chef shoved the bottle of wine into his father's hands. "I did," he muttered.

Only now Zeff seemed to notice Zoro. The older chef raised an eyebrow, while the green haired man tried not to break down under his gaze. Finally, after what seemed hours to both the younger men, Zeff snorted and Zoro could relax. The older blonde's remark caught him off guard, however.

"It's about damn time."

"Time for what, shitty old fart?" Sanji snapped.

The older man rolled his eyes. "Time that you got your prissy act together and for him to get through his thick skull that staring at your ass all day wasn't going to work." Zeff kicked his son in the shin.

"Oi!" both the younger men said simultaneously.

Zeff just shook his head and walked inside the house, followed by a confused and indignant Sanji and Zoro.

"What the hell do you mean by that?" the younger blonde snapped.

Zeff sighed and plucked his enormous moustache. "What did I tell you when you first introduced me to the grasshopper?"

"You called us an old married couple," Zoro helpfully recalled. Sanji just glared at him.

"Right. Because back then, it was already pretty obvious you were right for each other. But then my idiot of a son had to be a princess about it and you," he pointed at the green haired man, "weren't doing anything. It's a good thing that freckled friend of yours meddled, or else I would have to kick your asses myself."

"Wait, Ace? How the hell do you know…?" Sanji started.

"He dropped off his brother for work and we got to talk. Seriously, be grateful to him. If it were up to me, my leg would be so far up your asses that you wouldn't be able to roll around in the sack." Zeff snorted.

Zoro stood with his mouth agape and the younger blonde's face had the colour of a tomato. "Old fart!" he yelled embarrassed. But his voice became soft when he continued: "So, wait. You knew?"

"It wasn't too hard to guess. That Usopp-kid was right back then, you do look happy. Annoyingly so, but happy none the less. Well, until you had to be your idiot self again and screw things up. I'm serious, you should thank that freckled boy on your bare knees. Well, and then he told me about it. Though I hadn't expected you to tell me voluntary this soon."

Sanji could just stare at his foster father.

"You!" the chef with the moustache snapped at Zoro, "turn around and put your fingers in your ears."

The green haired man looked confused. "What?"

"Did I stutter? Do it!"

Confused Zoro did as him was told. Sanji was equally confused, both at his father command as about the fact that the marimo obliged without any argument. He was utterly baffled when suddenly Zeff pulled him into a hug and murmured: "I'm proud of you, eggplant."

As soon as the affection started, it stopped and the older chef let go of Sanji. "I'm going to finish dinner now. Try not to dirty any of the furniture while I'm gone."

"Shitty old fart!" Sanji yelled after him, blood risen to his cheeks. Then he just sighed and tapped at Zoro's shoulder. The man was still turned with his back to him and had his fingers in his ears.

"So what did he do?" the green haired man asked when he had lowered his arms.

"Nothing." The blonde couldn't help the blush that crept up his cheeks. "Just sit your ass down and I'll get us something to drink."

Dinner went by fairly quiet, aside from the occasional insult and kick under the table. Zeff actually complimented Sanji that the wine didn't taste like shit, which resulted into more kicks and yelling. After dinner, the younger chef and Zoro did the dishes in silence. The blonde handed the swordsman the wet plates, which the latter dried and piled up.

"How many, do you think, know?" Sanji suddenly broke the silence.

"Know what?"

"About us, you idiot. Since apparently, Ace has a big mouth."

"I think he only told Zeff if he suspected that your dad already knew something or at least if Ace felt that it was safe to do so," Zoro said pensive. "Other than that, I assume he told Marco as well. Chopper has seen us make out on the balcony…"

Cutlery clashed back in the sink as they slipped from Sanji's fingers. "So he really did know!"

The swordsman raised an eyebrow. "How do you know he knew?"

"I got a phone call from Usopp, saying that he had talked to Chopper and asking me if there was something I needed to tell him." Sanji leaned with his hands on the counter and groaned.

"So what did you say?"

"I denied it, of course. Franky already had a hunch as well, so…" He shook his head and seeing Zoro's questioning look, he said: "The bathroom stall and the tiled wall you broke."

"I broke?!"

"Whatever. So about half already knows or has an idea."

"I'm pretty sure Robin knows as well."

Sanji spun around. "No, not my Robin-chwan!"

Zoro rolled his eyes. "That woman knows all. And if not by her own deduction, I think Franky would have told her as well. Besides, what do you care? She's probably just happy not to have you drool all over her."

"I don't drool," the blonde snapped. "And such news should be brought gently to such a delicate lady."

The green haired man snorted at that. "Robin is all but delicate. Besides, if she knows, she probably let Nami and Vivi in on it as well."

He saw the look of horror on his boyfriend's face and decided to add a little extra. "And if Usopp knows, Kaya probably does as well by now. But fear not, I doubt Luffy knows, since then the whole city would have by now." He smirked.

Defeated Sanji let his head hang. "So that's about everybody then. With an exception of Brook and Luffy."

The swordsman shrugged. "If it makes you feel better, I haven't told my foster father yet."

The chef rolled his eyes at him. He dried his hands and let the dirty water flow away, while Zoro dried the last pieces of kitchenware. He leaned against the counter as he watched Sanji making coffee. "You know," the blonde said pensive, "maybe we should host a dinner party." He looked up and his blue eyes pierced the swordsman's. "To make it official."

Zoro scratched the back of his head, a little taken aback by his seriousness. "Geez, I'm not gonna marry you or something."

Sanji rolled his eyes. "I'm not proposing, you idiot." He turned back to making coffee. "It just… It would be nice not to sneak around anymore."

The green haired man bit back the comment that the cook was the one who wanted to keep it a secret in the first place, relieved that the blonde finally had come around. He wrapped his arms around his boyfriend and kissed his hair. "Sure, let's invite everyone."

They brought the coffee into the living room where Zeff was waiting. After they had finished their beverages, Sanji went outside to smoke. Zoro wanted to follow him, dreading the idea of being alone with his sort of father-in-law, when a strong hand grabbed his shoulder. "Come with me for a moment, Grasshopper."

Confused and a little scared the green haired man followed up the stairs. He saw several doors there. One of them must be Sanji's old room, he thought. He'd like to see that. Unfortunately, he was ushered into a different bedroom, Zeff's. He dreaded his fate even more now.

"We don't have much time before the little eggplant is done sucking on that cancer stick of his. Now, look under the bed," Zeff ordered.

"You want me to check for… monsters?" the green haired man carefully asked.

He was rewarded with a sharp kick in the shin by the peg leg. "Don't be a smart ass," the chef snapped. "Get the envelope that's under there."

The swordsman did as he was asked. The envelope he retrieved was a large yellow one, with something inside.

"The string bean says you're a private detective?" Zeff asked.

Zoro scratched the back of his head. "Yeah, I am. Though business is a little slow–"

"I want to hire you."

"Wha…?"

"Look inside," the chef ordered.

The green haired opened up the envelope. Inside were several papers, articles from the paper and a DVD. Quickly scanning the articles, he saw that they were all about the fire in the previous Baratie.

Zeff plucked his moustache. "This is all the evidence I have gathered about the fire. Find me the culprit."

"Why don't you just give this to the police?" Zoro asked.

The blonde snorted. "Those incompetent idiots? Have you forgotten how they accused your freckled friend and almost send him to jail?"

The green haired man gritted his teeth. No, he hadn't forgotten about that. Ace seemed to have, being on cloud nine, but he would never forget the agony he and Luffy had gone through when the fireman had been in prison.

"I'll take that murderous look as a 'no'. Find me the bastard who set my restaurant on fire. I know the police thinks it's done by some pyromaniac that targets random buildings, but it's not. This is personal."

"Why wait so long?" Zoro asked carefully.

"Like I said, the police are just a bunch of idiots. And the matter is too delicate to give to a random stranger. I want you to do it." Zeff huffed. "But on one condition. Don't tell the eggplant. He'll just get upset and do something stupid."

The green haired man nodded in understanding and followed the man down the stairs. They found a confused looking Sanji in the living room. "Where the hell were you guys?"

"I asked the grasshopper to move my bed." Zeff jerked his thumb at Zoro.

The younger blonde raised his eyebrow sceptically, but didn't ask.

Zoro filtered through the evidence he had obtained from Sanji's father. The evening there had turned out pretty good. Not only Sanji came out to the man who raised him, he also wanted to come out to his friends. Plus, Zoro finally had a job which paid relatively well.

At first he had been inclined to turn down the case. After all, it was different than the ones he usually did for suspicious wives and their cheating husbands. But that was what made this case all the more interesting. It was more difficult, as not even the police could solve it. Not that they were the brightest lights around. Zoro was determined to solve this case. For Zeff, for Sanji and of course for Ace as well. That was all the motivation he needed.

In the articles before him, Zeff had highlighted parts he thought might be important. He had been really thorough with collecting the evidence. There were even articles about Ace's trial. Sighing he leaned back in his chair. There was much stuff, but nothing seemed particularly helpful. Still, it was a start. Maybe he could ask Marco for the official arson report. But for now, this would do.

His eyes landed on the DVD, wondering what that would contain. He opened his DVD-player in his laptop and pressed 'play'. The DVD showed a black and white video of an alley. It didn't take him long to realise that this must be a copy of a security camera. The alley must be behind the former Baratie. Shuffling through the papers, he found what he was looking for. The fire started at three in the morning that night. He pressed fast forward until the timestamp said it was a little before three. From there, he let it play again.

For a moment there was nothing, only a stray cat rummaging through the container. Then suddenly, a figure appeared, carrying a jerry can. He was wearing black clothes and a hood was pulled over his head. Zoro couldn't see his face, but it was probably a male, tall and lean. The green haired man snorted. If the police had had this tape, they would have never suspected Ace. The fireman was way broader than that. Shaking his head, he continued watching. The suspicious individual poured the content of the jerry can around the restaurant, before throwing it away when it was empty. The police had obtained that as evidence, Zoro remembered, but no fingerprints were found. The culprit was wearing gloves. He got out something, probably matches or a lighter, and held a flame by the liquid. The perpetrator ran off and soon the Baratie caught alight. At that point the video stopped. The camera probably got damaged by the heat.

Zoro leaned back in his chair and rubbed at his chin thoughtful. He wondered why the police never saw the tape. Surely someone would know about the camera? And how did Zeff get it, anyway?

But more importantly, he had seen the offender. Now only to find out who it was…

Sanji hummed happily as he stirred the soup. It was lunch time and rush hour in the Baratie, but he couldn't help but be distracted. Not distracted enough to mess up the food, never, but he was planning out the dinner party he would be hosting. Sure, he was nervous about coming out to his friends, but most of them knew already anyway. And then he could just be with Zoro. No more shenanigans, just a normal relationship. Well, insofar Zoro and normal went hand in hand. Sanji snickered at that thought. The marimo would probably be lost before he could even find a hand.

A violent vibration in his pocket startled him. Annoyed he took his phone out and looked at the display. Luffy again. The boy had tried to call him several times in the past hour already. Seriously, just because he didn't have to work, didn't mean Sanji didn't. Usually phone calls with Luffy consisted of the black haired boy whining that he was hungry or bored, which was pretty much the same, as he asked Sanji to cook for him in both cases. Well, too bad, he was working now. Shaking his head, he placed his phone back in his pocket and resumed stirring.

For the umpteenth time his phone went off. Cursing under his breath, he considered ignoring it altogether. Opting for picking up anyway and yell at Luffy to stop calling him, he blinked when the screen showed Nami's name. Nami never called him. She had forbidden him to call her, and though he had said she could call him day and night, she never did. This must be an emergency! Perhaps she had broken up with Luffy and needed a shoulder to cry on? Sanji would happily provide that – not that he would be happy about their break-up, of course.

"Oi, Patty. Watch the soup, I'm taking a smoke break." Without waiting for the response, or rather the insult, he was off. Outside he picked up. "Nami-swan~ What a pleasant–"

"Why the hell didn't you pick up earlier?"

The blonde was taken aback by her shrill voice. She sounded upset. "I'm working, my lovely," he stammered. "And Luffy called, so I thought–"

"Never mind," she interrupted him again. "You really haven't heard, have you?"

"Heard what? Are you alright?" He was really started to get concerned now.

"I'm fine. It's not me." The red haired woman sounded like she was on the verge of crying. "There was… There was a car accident. It's Zoro. He is in a coma."

~ To be continued

Whoops XD Told you I hadn't forgotten about it~

Please don't kill me XD