Of Seminars and Men

The first part of this Chapter is co-written by kala_aira She had the bright idea to interpret what was going on, on Zoro's side when Sanji left his message on the answering machine. I loved it so much that I asked if I could use it. She willingly let me chop it up and past it into what I had already written. I love her to pieces for that. So make sure you go to her LJ page and check out the original version she created for me. It's hilarious.

Much thanks again to my beta Ichigo_usagi for all her hard work. I LOVE YOU BUNNY!!!

OK. this is the last chapter before the epilogue. Yes, I know that means the end, but I do have plans for another story. Hopefully it will be as good as this one.

Thanks to all of you who have been patient with me.


Chapter 9


Zoro sat on the couch staring at the TV. Well, the flickering lights flashing from the TV to be more precise. He stopped watching that horrible sit-com that was on hours ago, but hadn’t felt any urge to get up and change the channel. He had even less ambition to find the remote that had been missing since yesterday; Ace always dropped the thing in the oddest places. Once, Zoro found it in the microwave. The lethargic man mentally shrugged, he didn’t care. He was alone and if he wanted to stare zombie-like at a flashing box, while his late night chocolaty Coco-Puffs supper went squishy and tasteless in his hand, then he very well could.

He tapped the spoon against the bowl idly wondering what Ace and his uncle were up to right now. Where they out at a club? Where they interrupting Luffy’s studies with loud stories and endless jabs? Where they screwing each other senseless on the nearest flat surface? The spoon clanked as Zoro let it fall into the muddy brown milk. Some of the liquid splashed up onto his hoodie and he glared down at it almost with a pout.

Yes, Ace and his dear old uncle were most certainly delighting in each other while he spilled milk all over his favorite sweatshirt and wallowed in a pit of despair that was dug, just for him, by a sexy blond with bright blue eyes and sinfully long legs.

He set the bowl down, roughly, on the side table next to the couch, on top of a certain slip of paper that he was trying to forget. He should just throw the number away, but every time his head worked up the nerve, his body wouldn’t let him. So it sat there, staring at him, ‘02’ just visible from beneath the bowl’s edge. He let his head fall back against the couch… ‘Thunk’ ‘thunk’ ‘thunk’. It didn’t take him long to fall asleep.

Zoro woke up with a start. He had been dreaming about something, but he couldn’t remember what. An uneasy feeling settled over him and he reached for his phone. Eleven times he picked it up to call, but each time he closed it before pressing send. It was the middle of the night and there was no good excuse for calling at this hour. Besides, Ace had to be wrong. Sanji didn’t want him. He didn’t even want to remember their night together. Zoro was tempted to travel to New York just to kick the cook’s ass for not getting out of his mind.

His phone began beeping, signaling that the battery was low. Annoyed, he plugged it in to the outlet by the couch. The cord would be hanging in the way, but it wouldn’t matter unless he needed to go to the kitchen. He rubbed his neck trying to ease the knot there from falling asleep in an odd position. Maybe what he needed was a shower to help him relax.

Zoro had been standing in the shower for a while. The water had turned from steamy to tepid. Goosebumps adorned his skin. He heard the phone ring in the main room. Considering the hour, it had to be important. He hoped it wasn’t work. He turned off the water and heard the answering machine pick up. Good. They could leave a message. The person on the other line made his head snap in the direction of the voice.

“Oh shit. Um… Hey… It’s Sanji.”

Zoro tripped getting out of the shower.

“We met… Well, we talked…”

Zoro tried to grab a towel but missed as he ran out of the bathroom and into the main area of the loft. He had to make his way around the couch to get to the phone in the kitchen. Why they didn’t just put one in the living room, he didn’t know. The off-duty security guard tripped over his cell phone cord, landing flat on his face. Growling into the carpet he just imprinted his face into, he pulled himself to his feet, sending his phone scattering somewhere, and promptly tripped over the side table.

“Or something…”

The table crushed under his weight sending pieces of it, and all the items cluttered on top of it, flying across the room. The stereo remote hit him on the head and the accursed bowl of soggy, and now very nasty, cereal toppled onto the back of his legs. Zoro let a growl of frustration slip through his lips as he crawled to his feet.

“But, I called because…”

Zoro’s arms flailed as his wet feet slid on the slick linoleum and he slammed his side into the edge of the kitchen island. Half of the island’s content clattered to the ground including a jar of lemon drops that Ace had stocked up on for Luffy’s visit. The jar opened on impact and the candy scattered everywhere. Wrapping his arm around his aching middle he stumbled for the phone.

“Actually, I’m not sure why I called.”

Zoro was reaching out for the phone, but then his foot slipped on the demon lemon drops and he was falling down to the ground. It was like an old horror movie, everything moving in slow motion, as his body plummeted down and his fingers only brushed over the receiver. No, no, no, no!!!

Almost to the ground, his finger closed around the dangling phone cord-

“So…”

-and pulled the phone off the counter and onto the floor with him. The phone tumbled from its cradle and clattered to the tile, as did many other cups and pans that were shaken from the counter by the impact of Zoro’s body against the lower cabinets. The crash that followed was horrible and ear splitting loud, but Zoro pushed all the rubble aside, pawed for the phone, and nearly shouted into the other side…

“Sanji?” The line was silent for a few seconds before he heard an answer.

“Um, yah. Are you ok? Never mind. Look. Sorry for calling so late. I just…” Sanji was mentally banging his head against the wall. Why the Hell did he call right then? Why didn’t he wait until at least morning? Just what was he thinking?

“How did you get this number?” Zoro stood up shakily and braced himself against the counter. He knew that the only number he gave the blonde was his cell. He groaned as he remembered the voicemail on it was full.

“Ace gave it to me.” Sanji scowled. No ‘how are you doing’ or anything. He just began demanding answers to stupid questions. What was his issue? This was such a bad idea.

“Ace?” How in the world did he get Ace’s number? And why was he talking to Ace instead of him?

“Yah, when he came to the restaurant.” Ok. Now Sanji was getting angry.

“What?! When he came? You mean to New York?” Zoro’s brow creased in confusion. Something was off.

“No, dumb ass, to Africa. Yes to New York. He and Smoker are here. Didn’t they ask you to come?”

“Come where, to New York? Why would I want to go there?” Immediately, Zoro regretted his words. “I mean, when you left… I thought…”

“Well, maybe that’s the problem, Marimo. You. Thought. Shit. This whole thing is a fucking nightmare. You know what, just forget it.” Sanji fell back on the bed.

“Oh Hell no! I am not going to just ‘forget it’! I got out of the fucking shower to answer this damn phone. I had to crash through half my furniture and destroy my kitchen to get to the damn thing. Now I’m standing here naked, dripping water everywhere in the middle of my floor, where anyone can walk in and see me, talking to you at fucking 0300 in the morning! Don’t you dare tell me to forget it!”

Sanji couldn’t seem to get past the word naked. He had caught him in the shower. With no clothes on. Washing his godlike body with his strong hands. Hands that were used to do oh so many dirty things to him. The naked body that just wouldn’t get out of his dreams. Sanji could feel the blood dripping from his nose. He used the bed sheet to press against it.

“So what the FUCK do you want, love-cook?” Zoro growled out. The pent up frustrations of not being able to get the cook out of his head were taking a toll on his patience. He didn’t have the strength to be led on, and his hope was hanging on by a very thin thread.

“What do ‘I’ want? I want to know just what the fuck it was that possessed you to think I was the kind of person who would be willing to roll over and be your bitch!” Sanji got up and started pacing. “Just where do you get off screwing with me like that? Seriously! I was perfectly happy with the way my life was before you came along. I had my good looks, plenty of women, my restaurant, everything I could possibly want. Then you came.” Sanji paused for a breath.

“Oh, yeah! You were soooo happy that you were drowning yourself in a bottle of … who knows what, down in Robin’s bar. You needed that night just as much as I did!” Zoro froze. He hadn’t meant to say that. He closed his eyes and waited for Sanji’s comeback. Nothing came, just silence.

Sanji stood looking out at the rain. He wanted to deny it. He really did. His mind kept telling him he was a ladies man, he was an alpha male. He tried to block out all the pleasure he had received; both from Zoro and from his own stimulation while thinking of the man. Every part of his head said NO. But his body… That was a different matter. His body craved the rough hands, the forceful kisses, the bites and bruises, the feeling of being dominated. Even now, he ached for Zoro’s touch.

“Yah, I guess I did.” Sanji whispered and hung up.

Zoro stood there looking at the phone for several minutes trying do decipher just what that might mean. Only one thing was clear. The blonde had just admitted he was thinking about their night together. Zoro hung up the phone and began grinning. He had work to do. But first, someone needed some payback. He headed to Ace’s room with a maniacal grin and a sadistic laugh. He hadn’t felt this good in years.

****oSaM****

Shanks looked at the request in his hand and just blinked. He was drawing a blank. It made absolutely no sense. For the first time since Zoro had started working there, he was making a demand for vacation. Well, not exactly vacation. It was a request for leave to attend a seminar for new surveillance video and security systems.

“Um, you want me to send you somewhere to go look at a new set of cameras? Why does this seem odd to me? You’re not trying to get ones with sound this time are you?” The redheaded man laughed at the baffled look on his employee’s face. “You didn’t know that every time someone bypasses the system it records up here? … Oh this is priceless!” Shanks laid his head on his desk and pounded it with his only fist while laughing.

Zoro’s expression went from confused to embarrassed, and then to livid in under 10 seconds.

“You Son of a Bitch! You watched it too? Shit! How many people have seen the damn thing? Fuck! I’m so going to kill that Portgas! He is so dead!” Zoro began pacing the room. “I save his fucking job by not reporting him, and you already know. Great! First Luffy, then my uncle…”

“Wait... haha… wait… Luffy!? He showed it to Luffy? Oh my God!” The hotel owner fell out of his seat to the floor. He was laughing so hard he was crying.

Zoro stood over him debating on if he should kick the shit out of him or just walk out. Considering he needed the job, and not a lawsuit, he turned around to leave.

“Oh, come on. Loosen up.” Shanks sat up and wiped his tears on his sleeve. “Besides, you need a vacation. Let me send you somewhere nice and warm. How about St Petersburg?”

Zoro paused with his hand on the doorknob. “Just send me to New York. I’ll even bring back proof that I attended the damn seminar. I just need to get there, and I don’t want to dip into my savings to do it. But if you refuse, consider that my letter of resignation. I’m going to New York. That’s final.” Zoro opened the door and left.

Shanks walked over to his desk and picked up the request. Sure enough, the seminar was being held in New York next week. “Well, now. If he had told me that, I’d have sent him no problem.” He looked at the closed door and smiled. “Go get him, son. Find your love.”

When Zoro got the approved travel plans the next evening, he couldn’t keep the smile off his face. He caused one of the maids to run into a pillar and had the entire staff worried for their safety. Only a handful of them actually knew what was going on. Robin took out her phone and snapped a shot of her happy friend and dug around for the number to a well known restaurant out of state. She had a partner in crime to conspire with.

****oSaM****

Patty and Carne had enough of Sanji’s unexplained depression. They finally cornered Bon Kurei after closing one night in the freezer with a butcher knife and a cleaver. The story was spilled and pictures were shown.

“You see, Monsieur Sanji spent the evening with Monsieur Zoro. They had a bit much to drink, and one thing led to another… S’est la vie.” Bon Kurei sat a dirty table in the closed dining room. He was sipping a cup of tea while the curious staff looked on. Sanji had left early that evening. “I was not able to see the two of them together much, but from my bon ami there I’ve been told, the manifique guardsman there is lost without our lovely chef. And from what we’ve seen, our Sanji seems just as bad.”

“Well, then we should do something about it.” Carne slammed his fist on the table.

“Definitely!” chorused the others.

Bon Kurei’s phone rang, filling the air with the sounds of Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairies.

“Oui? Robin, cherie! So good to hear from you… Ah, he is the same… Next week? I’m not sure… Of course… Adieu.” He batted his thick black eyelashes and sighed with a happy smile. “Our answer has come. Monsieur Zoro is headed to New York.”

Shouts of joy and cheer resounded off the walls.

Outside, Sanji turned to look back at the restaurant. He had gone for a walk trying to clear his head and ended up back outside the Baratie. His shoulders slumped as he heard all the laughter from inside his business. He knew they would have more fun without him. He picked up his head and looked at the person standing in his path. Blue jeans, red shirt, straw hat. It was none other than Monkey D. Luffy.

“Heya Sanji.” Luffy kept his expression blank as he looked over the cook. Sanji had lost weight, and his eyes had a distant look now instead of their usual spark. Luffy’s heart ached for his friend.

Sanji brought his cigarette to his lips and took a long drag. He sighed before beginning. "Shit, Luffy, I'm sorry. So much has been going on lately, ever since that trip to Detroit. I let it all get to me and then took it out on you.” Sanji’s head dropped as he continued. “I guess you know what happened between me and your brother’s friend. I wanted to say thanks for not judging me. It wasn’t supposed to happen. It just did.”

“Are you mad that it did?” Luffy cocked his head to the side in question.

Sanji blinked and looked up. Was he? It was a reasonable question. “Actually, no. I’m just mad that I can’t get it out of my head.” Luffy’s laughter eased the tension. The childish young man grabbed him in a big hug and swung him around. “Hey, hey, Luffy! Put me down! This is really embarrassing.”

“Not till you cheer up! I won’t stop until I see you smile again.” Luffy started spinning faster. Sanji gave up and starting laughing along with him. When they stopped they were both dizzy and fell onto a nearby bench. “You should call him. I think he misses you.”

Sanji lit a cigarette and took a long drag before answering. “I already tried that. Bastard just yelled at me.”

“Did you interrupt his training? Or maybe wake him up? He always yells at Ace for that. But even so, Ace is still his best friend. No matter what.” Luffy patted his shoulder and stood up. His stomach growled and Sanji chuckled.

“Come on chore-boy. It’s way past time I cooked something new for you.”

“Yosh!”

****oSaM****

Zoro walked off the plane in New York completely miffed. He had been stuck between two older women who must have been suffering from some type of mental disorder that kept them from understanding the words ‘No, I’m not interested.’ He swore that he had bruises on his ass from the force of their pinches. The only hands he wanted there belonged to a very flexible blonde cook that he needed to find as soon as possible. Unfortunately, he also needed to check in to his hotel first and register at the seminar. He told Shanks that he would bring back proof that he had actually been there. He wouldn’t go back on his word. At least, not this early in the game. Who’s to say what would happen if he got distracted and forgot to show at one of the allotted times. Zoro claimed his bags and hurried to find the exit. He needed a cab.

The hotel was nice, but he preferred the one back home. The gold and rust color scheme seemed out of place. He tipped the bellhop and began to unpack. He would be here for almost a week. Shanks had insisted that he take a few extra days. Actually, he booked the flight and made the return flight unchangeable. Even Ace had helped him out by packing his clothes. Sadly, Zoro was too busy laughing the entire time to do much packing anyway.

Ace had come home to a menagerie of traps. First, his sheets had been dusted with itching powder. Then when he went to was it off, the water was bright green, causing his skin to be tinged a strange color. The toothpaste made his teeth and gums blue. All of his shirts had been shrunk and his white Vans were now pink. If that wasn’t enough, his father and grandfather had received very improper photos of him and his lover, causing a big family meeting. If Smoker thought that his sister was evil, nothing compared to a dinner with the D’s.

Zoro chuckled as he thought back to his best friend. He took out the clothes Ace had picked out for him and hung them up. They weren’t his usual style, but even Robin had agreed that they looked good. Many of his friends appeared to be rooting for him. They were very supportive, even calling in favors to get things done quickly. Shanks had pulled some strings to get him on the seminar list that was supposed to be full. Robin had called up that weird whiny Frenchman and found out Sanji’s schedule. Luffy promised to try to keep the cook busy when it came time. Smoker, after recovering from his traumatic dinner, offered to drive him to the airport.

“That shitty-cook better appreciate all this.” Zoro mumbled. He closed the closet door and headed down to the lobby to sign in. Opening his phone he called Luffy to let him know he had arrived. It was time for the hyper friend to hold up his end of the deal.

The green-haired man had just about had enough of the teenage giggling behind him when it suddenly stopped. Unfortunately, that meant that the girls had gained enough courage to approach him. His baser instincts told him to run. He should have listened. There were three young college age girls staring at him in awe.

“Um, hi. We, um, like, we really, um…” The girl was giggling so much that Zoro could barely make out any intelligent words.

“What we mean is,” another started, “we saw you at the last tournament in Chicago. You like totally kicked ass.” The brunette stared up at him with dreamy stars in her eyes. It made him sick.

“Are you here for another fight? Are you going to be using all three swords again? That was soooo awesome.” A third girl latched herself onto his arm. A deep cough in front of them made Zoro look up. He sighed in relief and had a strong urge to hug the man.

“Roronoa, this isn’t the time. We’re late.” Brook shook his head. He had met Zoro a couple of years ago at a conference. They weren’t exactly friends, but he did feel a bit sorry for the man. He really looked like he was about to snap with those girls hanging off him.

Zoro shook the girls off and hurried to walk in step with the tall skinny man. “Thanks. I owe you.” He shook Brook’s hand as they hurried to get to the meeting on time.

****oSaM****

Sanji wanted to strangle Luffy. He couldn’t help it. The grinning fool had gotten a call yesterday and had been bouncing off the walls since. For some reason, Sanji couldn’t get him to go home. He even spent the night at his apartment last night. It was the first morning he had woke up with out a hard-on in over a week. Maybe he should have the ball of energy over more often. Or not. Luffy squealed with laughter as he raced across the room on a wheeled serving cart. Right beside him was Koby, one of the newest dishwashers. The cooks were lined up placing bets on who would cross the finish line first.

“Damn it Luffy! Stop this shit right now! Koby, if you don’t fucking get to work you’re fired. Patty, you’re docked pay for showing them how to do that! Everybody! Back to work!” Sanji was red faced with anger. His entire staff had been plotting against him today. Luffy’s good mood had spread the moment he walked in. He hadn’t heard this much laughter in a long time. He rubbed his face and longed for a cigarette. He had to finish this new sauce first. He looked over the trays of food going out and smiled inwardly. He wouldn’t admit it to them, but it looked like their good mood was bleeding into their work. Everything was perfect.

Bon Kurei floated back and forth between the kitchen and the dining room. He had no official title here, but liked to think of himself as the unofficial maitre’d and restaurant relationship counselor. He had been keeping an eye on the doors this evening, waiting for a special guest to show up. The table at the back, close to the kitchen doors had been reserved especially for Sanji since he would often use it to entertain his lady friends. A few of the frequent female guests looked at the table with hope. Maybe the handsome blonde had gotten over his broken heart and decided to start dating again.

Zoro exited the cab and stood outside the doors to the restaurant. He felt odd in his current clothes. Not bad, just odd. He wore his favorite jeans, a pair of new black leather boots, an un-tucked white button down shirt, and a black leather sports coat. His three dangling earrings were replaced by diamond studs, a gift from his mother. He was very comfortable, and very much noticed. Women and men alike turned to get a glimpse of him. He didn’t pay them any mind. He focus was on the blue doors. Behind those doors lay his prize. He could only hope that it wouldn’t turn into a bull fight first. ‘Here goes nothing’ he thought as he opened the door.

Bon Kurei knew the instant he entered the establishment. Conversation dropped to a different level. The ladies picked up their fans to cool themselves, and the men moved closer to their women as if to keep them from wandering off. Bon Kurei struggled to keep from shouting across the room at the Adonis who just entered. He hurried around the tables to greet him.

“Monsieur Zoro, Monsieur Zoro. So good to see you! S’il vous plait, come with me. We have your table ready.” The flamboyant man took Zoro’s arm and guided him towards the reserved spot. “We’ve been waiting for you to come. You don’t know how happy we were to get Mme Robin’s call. Monsieur Sanji has been so depressed lately. Just go easy on him.” His grip got tighter on the muscular arm. “And remember what I told you about breaking his heart.”

Zoro scoffed at the meaningless threat. He had to get his hands on the chef’s heart before he could break it. Zoro sat down at the table and scowled at the elaborate place setting in front of him. There were too many forks, spoons and glasses for his taste. He never did like all this fancy stuff. An excited waiter came to take his order.

Zoro looked over the menu for a moment and settled on marinated steak with some kind of vegetables in sauce. It didn’t really matter to him. Luffy said the food here was the best so he should like anything they brought. He made sure to inform the giddy young man that he didn’t want appetizers and such. Just bring him the dinner. Oh, and something stout to drink. The waiter nodded and headed to fill the request. Zoro scowled at the staring patrons. This was another reason he didn’t like fancy places. A moment later a bottle of whiskey was brought out. It was left on the table with two glasses. Zoro took a deep breath and poured the first of what he figured would many glasses that night.

Sanji looked at the clock and decided he could finally take a break. He had just finished the last dish with the new cream sauce for the vegetables. He knew he should go out and greet his customers, but tonight his heart just wasn’t in it. He would return to that soon, but for now he just wanted to wallow in self pity. He reached for his bottle and met air. He scowled and turned his anger on his staff.

“Alright! Where is it?” He let his eyes settle on Luffy, who looked completely guilty.

“Um, hehe, we decided it was time you got out of the kitchen so we set it on your usual table out in the dining room. We got you something started to eat too. You looked like you could use it. I’ll come out and join you as soon as I’m done here.” Luffy pointed to the stack of treats that had been piled in front of him. Several new recipes were being tried out tonight.

Sanji sighed in defeat. He knew there was no way to argue with them. None of them would go get the bottle for him and if he went out there, he’d have to stay and talk. Sanji walked to the small bathroom and fixed his hair and attire. He had to make sure he was presentable. The dark circles under his eyes were still there, but hidden by the same concealer he had used on his neck. It was getting ridiculous. Soon he would be as bad as Bon Kurei.

Zoro had just put his glass to his lips when Sanji walked out. His breath caught as he looked over the slender build of the man. Black eyes met blue and all hell broke loose.

“What the fuck? Why are you here?” Sanji stuttered.

“You invited me, remember? I’m in town for a security seminar. Ace kept going on and on about how good the food was here and I decided to check it out.” Zoro stood up and took off his jacket. He laid it in the empty seat beside him and walked to the other side of the table. He pulled out the chair. “Join me?”

Sanji admired his outfit. The jeans looked like they might be the same ones he wore the night they met. With the way the green-haired man was slightly bent over holding the chair, he could see the defined pectorals through the opened buttons. The scar that ran diagonal across his chest called out to him. He found himself wanting to trace it with his fingers again. He could see the shift of the muscles under the thin white fabric. The sleeves were cuffed to mid arm and it accented his broad build wonderfully. It was the perfect blend of classy and casual. Sanji was about to take the seat when it hit him. “Fuck you, Marimo. I’m not a woman. I can get my own damn chair.” It didn’t help that he was blushing. Whether it was from embarrassment or anger he didn’t know.

Zoro smirked and returned to his place. He watched Sanji take the offered seat anyway as he pulled out a cigarette and lit it. Zoro poured the blonde a drink and sat back to watch the slender object being place between the pink lips. Zoro licked his own in anticipation. Sanji followed his tongue and blushed when he was caught. He picked up his glass and looked at the amber liquid. Zoro raised his glass in a toast.

“To Seminars…. And Men.” Zoro smirked as Sanji continued to blush. He lifted his glass to his lips and took a slow drink, enjoying how the blonde’s eyes followed his every move. Sanji drained half of his before putting it on the table. He sat down the glass as their dinner was served. Zoro’s was the dish he had just finished before walking out. He watched anxiously as the guard devoured every piece. His pride swelled at each appreciative sound the larger man made.

They fell back into easy banter just like they did at the Hotel bar. Bon Kurei watched from across the room. He smiled at how natural the two looked together. To everyone else they appeared to be old friends. To him, they were just lovers waiting for the right moment. He almost squealed with delight when they both reached for the bottle of alcohol at the same time.

Sanji’s hand met the glass first. Zoro’s was on top of his right after. Trying to keep his courage, Zoro let his fingers caress the back of the cook’s hand. He met Sanji’s worried blue eyes with his own calm black ones. He held the stare as he let his fingers trace invisible lines up the back of Sanji’s hand and to his wrist. Slowly he withdrew his hand and merely picked up his glass in a silent request for a refill.

Sanji swallowed hard as he poured a drink for them both. He tried to slow his racing heart. He chastised himself for getting this worked up over a simple touch. His skin still felt like it was burning where the fingers had been. He picked up his glass and took a sip. Did this mean Zoro wanted those things again? Was he being used? Did he care? Yes, actually he did. He was tired of being walked all over. As much as the man excited him, he didn’t want just a quick fuck.

Zoro hid his smile behind the rim of his glass. He could see how worked up the blonde had gotten by the simple touch. It was about time for phase two. He drained his glass sat it down heavily, the noise attracting the attention of a few of the nearby people. He reached for his wallet in an attempt to pay.

“Look. I told you I’d treat you when you came. Put it away.” Sanji scolded him.

“I don’t take charity. I’ll pay. Besides, with you leaving Luffy alone back there you’ll probably need all the money you can get.” Zoro pulled his wallet out of his back pocket.

“And I said I wanted to do it. Look Marimo, you took care of me when I was at your place, now let me do the same for you here in mine.” Sanji was annoyed. Here he was trying to do something nice for the buffoon and he was refusing.

“Buying me drinks is one thing, but dinner usually constitutes a date. I’m open to the idea, but you made it clear you weren’t. So, I’ll pay.” Zoro went to open his wallet but Sanji’s hand on his stopped him. Though the table was slightly secluded, there were a few tables close enough to hear the conversation. Hushed whispers began to circulate.

“I never said that.” Sanji shocked himself with his response. He took his hand away and reached for another cigarette. “Look, it’ll never work. You live in another state altogether. Besides, I’ve never dated a guy before. I don’t know what it would do to the reputation of the restaurant. I don’t want to risk it.”

“Yah, well this is new to me too. But I have about three months of vacation saved, so I thought I could use it to come to New York every so often. I could visit Luffy too. He’s a good kid. We miss him back home.” Zoro could see Sanji wasn’t budging. It was useless. He shook his head and stood as he put his wallet back. “I guess I understand. Sorry to have bothered you. I’ll be gone in a week. Tell Luffy I’m going back to the hotel. He can come see me there.” Zoro picked up his jacket and left.

Sanji faced his internal battle. Did he go back into the kitchen and work, or did he run after the guy? A wealthy middle aged woman came up to him. She whacked him across the back of the head with her purse. He rubbed his head where she had hit and frowned.

“If you let a gorgeous, kind man like that get away from you, you’ll never forgive yourself.” She winked at him. “I’d hurry if I were you. You don’t even know which hotel he’s staying at.”

Sanji blinked twice before he grabbed her up in a big hug and kissed her cheek. Shouts of encouragement rang out from the kitchen. Sanji blushed and rushed to the front doors. He ran out into the street as Zoro was driving away. Ironic, wasn’t it? Zoro had watched the same scene just a few weeks ago. He turned back to the Baratie to see Bon Kurei and Luffy standing at the door.

“So, do you want him?” Luffy asked.

“Yes.” Sanji’s reply was more solid than he had realized.

Luffy grinned and slapped him on the back. “Yosh! Then we’ve got work to do. Believe it or not, Zoro really likes to eat. He says it’s important to his training. He likes almost anything as long as it has meat and vegetables!” Luffy kept his arm around Sanji as they walked back into the restaurant.

Zoro found Brook that evening charming up some of the lovely ladies in the lobby. He rudely pulled him away and dragged the skinny man to the hotel gym. Brook was no match for Zoro, but he was able to help him blow off some steam. They stopped when they realized they had an audience consisting of the college girls from earlier.

Zoro was still upset over how everything turned out, which caused him to fall into a fitful sleep that night. Sad blue eyes haunted him at every turn. He awoke the next day growly and uncooperative.

On the third and last day of the seminar, there was a trade show. Booths had been set up all around for vendors to show their new ideas to the top men of the hotel security industry. It was closing in on lunchtime and Zoro was hungry. The food at the hotel’s restaurant was bland compared to the dinner he had shared at the Baratie. He headed up to the food stands and started looking for something he could stomach. His fight or flight instinct kicked in when he heard giggling behind him but there was no where for him to escape. The girls latched onto him with vice grips and he had a strong urge to scream.

“Hi Zoro.” They all three chimed.

“Would you like to eat lunch with us?”

“We’re going to this new diner down the street.”

“It’s our treat.”

Zoro’s eye began to twitch. He was about to light into all of them when a familiar smell of nicotine breached his senses.

“Hey, Marimo. You forgot your lunch.” Sanji stood there in his black suit, and light green shirt, his tie straight and narrow. “Ladies, if you’ll excuse me.” Sanji walked towards them. The girls stepped back but didn’t let go of Zoro. Sanji presented him with a bento and a thermos.

“Thanks.” Zoro reached out to take the offered items, slightly confused. His were movements hindered by the additional appendages. Scowling, he shook them off. He opened his mouth to question the visit when Sanji stepped in closer.

“Make sure to eat it all. You’ll need your energy for later.” Sanji leaned in and brushed his lips against Zoro’s ear. “Dinner. My place.” He whispered. With a wink to the flushed man, he left. His step lighter than it had been in weeks.

Zoro’s little grin slowly spread into a full smile. He looked down to the girls and spoke. “It looks like my lunch has been taken care of for me. Now get the hell away from me so I can eat it while it’s still hot.” He pushed through them and walked away.

Finding a spot to eat proved to be difficult. A few of the guys noticed him looking and waved him over. They started drooling at the smell emanating from the box when it was opened. Zoro picked up the accompanying chopsticks and dug in. He savored each and every bite. It had been years since he had a traditional Japanese bento. The surrounding people looked on with envy. Zoro opened up the thermos and discovered green tea. He poured it into his cup and breathed in deep. Luffy popped up behind Zoro and stole a piece of meat.

“Mmmm. Sanji did really good. You’re lucky to have him.” The dark haired boy tried for another bite. Zoro shoved him away.

“Why don’t you go to work and bug him there?” Zoro growled.

“But he doesn’t make special bentos for me. Besides he told me I have the day off, so I came here to see you. That and I’m supposed to give you this.” Luffy handed him a slip of paper.

Zoro took it and pocketed it quickly. It was the address to Sanji’s apartment and the time he was supposed to be there. He looked at the remaining food and sighed. He wasn’t full, but he also needed a way to thank the kid. Luffy’s whooping drowned out all the disappointed grumbles. Shouts of ‘not fair’ were heard here and there. Zoro laughed as he stood from the table. He spent the rest of the day showing Luffy around and introducing him to some of the heads of other hotels. The wealthy men were interested to meet the adopted nephew of the well known Shanks from Detroit.

Early that evening, Zoro said goodbye to Luffy and headed up to his room. After a quick shower, he looked at the clothes left in the closet. Comfort had always been his priority. He didn’t see why that should change now. He grabbed his favorite jeans. He had already dressed up enough times for his liking in the past month. So instead of the nice button down shirt that Ace had picked out, Zoro put on a basic blue t-shirt. It fit snug across his chest and accented his well built physique. He had taken his diamond studs out the other day and never replaced them. Today he put back in his favored dangles. Confidence at an all time high, he left the hotel and hailed a cab.

Sanji was putting the final touches on dinner when his doorbell rang. He opened the door to the green-haired guard leaning against the doorway holding a bottle of whiskey.

“You should never come to dinner empty handed. Since I can’t cook, I brought the next best thing.” Zoro placed his gift in the blonde’s hands. He stuck his own hands immediately in his back pockets to keep from grabbing the cook.

Sanji had removed his tie and opened the first few buttons of his shirt since Zoro had seen him that afternoon. The loss of his jacket showed off his ass nicely when he turned to walk back into the apartment. Zoro struggled to keep his hands behind him. It wouldn’t do for him to attack Sanji right now. He wasn’t sure about the reason for this dinner. It could be just an apology, or maybe something more. He hoped for the latter.

The food smelled wonderful. Zoro sat at a stool by the counter watching Sanji work. It was fascinating to see how quickly the nimble hands worked. He found his gaze taking in every aspect of the cook as he finished with dinner. The slender build, pouty lips, long neck, firm chest and stomach, narrow hips, long legs; Sanji was a gorgeous person to look at. He thought back to how the blonde’s lips had grazed his ear when he invited, well more like ordered, him to come. So many meanings could be read into his words. Zoro did his best to let the cook lead the way.

Sanji’s nervousness increased the longer he felt the dark eyes watching his every move. He had discussed what he should cook for dinner with Luffy, and then spent a full day gaining the courage to go though with everything. Seeing Zoro surrounded by the babbling fan girls had finally convinced him. He chuckled as he remembered the panicked look quickly replaced by relief when he interrupted them. What possessed him to get so intimate though? He remembered the heat from the tan skin as he leaned in close. A little like the heat he felt right now.

Sanji felt Zoro walk up behind him and look over his shoulder. The green-haired man took the spoon from his hand and brought it to his lips. Sanji watched from the corner of his eye as the dark pink tongue licked the spoon.

“Mmmm. It’s good.” Zoro turned and brushed his nose against golden hair.

Sanji angled his head and touched his lips to the taller man’s. The touch was light but still enough to send tingles of pleasure. He blushed and turned back to the stove. He took the spoon still resting in Zoro’s hand.

“Hand me the plates. It’s ready.”

Zoro did as asked, smirking the entire time. He just needed to go slow and have patience. He’d been waiting for an opportunity like this for his entire life. He wasn’t about to rush things and ruin it now.

Zoro followed Sanji to the table and sat down. During dinner, Sanji asked how the trade show had been, and Zoro asked how Luffy was working out in the kitchen. They stood side by side washing dishes afterwards. Sanji began letting his hands linger a little longer each time he handed something to Zoro. When they were done, they headed to the veranda to enjoy the evening sky.

Zoro watched as the cook lit another cigarette. It would never cease to fascinate him how sexy it looked. They stood in comfortable silence for a few minutes before Sanji decided to speak.

“You realize that this doesn’t mean you can just fuck me anytime you want, right?” Sanji kept his back to Zoro as he spoke. “I meant what I said about not wanting to be someone’s bitch. There’ll be rules. I’m not quite ready to go all public with this.”

“It almost is anyway. Apparently my boss has a copy of the video too. I’m not sure just who all has seen it yet, but every time I ask, the number increases.” Zoro ran a hand through his short hair. “My mother has already threatened that if I don’t bring you to dinner soon, she’ll come here to meet you herself. You really don’t want that.”

“She’s cool with your… um, choice of lifestyle?” Sanji looked over at him.

“Yes.” There was no hesitation in Zoro’s reply.

The cook sighed. “It seems like everyone wants us together. Even Luffy got in on it.” They both chuckled.

Zoro walked over to stand next to him by the railing. He took the almost spent cigarette from between the long pale fingers and tossed it over the edge. He caught Sanji’s lips in a hungry kiss when the cook started to argue. His mouth moved slowly over the blonde’s, licking, nipping and sucking on the pouty bottom lip. His wrapped on arm around the lithe body and pulled them closer together. His free hand wove itself through silky blonde hair and tugged slightly.

Sanji grabbed Zoro’s hips and ground them into his own. The tug on his hair caused him to gasp slightly and immediately his mouth was invaded by a warm wet tongue. They battled against each other, each wanting the upper hand. Sanji moved his hands to Zoro’s waist and began yanking his shirt out of his jeans. As soon as he could he slid his hands up the guard’s bare back.

“Bedroom. Now.” Zoro panted out.

Sanji nodded in agreement and began pushing the man back inside. He got out of the man’s grasp and walked backwards towards his room, unbuttoning his shirt as he went. Zoro trailed him with hungry eyes and practically ripped his own t-shirt off as he began his pursuit. He caught Sanji as he crossed the threshold of his bedroom and began attacking his mouth again. He slid the green shirt off the pale skin and began kissing down his neck. Sanji had rolled up his sleeves when they washed dishes, so this time it came of easily. Zoro’s hands fought with the cook’s belt. He growled as he contemplated just ripping it off. Sanji, worried for his clothing’s safety, decided to turn the tables.

He spun the taller man around and pushed him back onto the bed. His shoes were toed off and kicked to the side. The sight of Zoro’s arousal trying to break free of his jeans gave the blonde the confidence he needed to continue. Slowly he unbuckled his belt. With one hand he played with his navel, letting his fingers trace the edge before slipping into the center and back around. With the other, he let it slide up his torso, caressing his skin as if were his lover’s body. He threw his head back and let both hands wander to his nipples, giving them each a slight pinch. His left hand continued up to his hair, bringing it back and out of his face, while the right released the fastenings of his pants.

“Oh, fuck.” Zoro gave a strangled moan. This had to be the most erotic thing he had ever seen. He kept his eyes on the show before him and removed his boots. He unzipped his jeans and sighed in relief. The sigh turned into another low moan as he watched Sanji slide his hand inside his boxers and begin to pump himself. “Kami, you’re sexy.”

Sanji rolled his hips as he continued to stroke his cock. The lustful moans were driving him crazy with need. He took his hand from his hair and slid it down his neck. He bit his bottom lip to keep from letting out his own cries. The hand continued down to his chest, bypassing the hardened nubs completely, and settled on his waistband. He stopped pleasuring himself long enough to push his pants and boxers off his hips. The loose material easily slid down the rest of the way to his ankles. He stepped out of them and looked down at Zoro.

“It’ll work a lot easier if you take off your pants.”

Zoro couldn’t take his eyes off the cook’s groin. Sanji’s cock stood proud and long above his hairless sack. Zoro stood up and began yanking down his tight jeans. Wild lust impeded his progress. Sanji couldn’t hold back the appreciative groan as he noticed the green-haired man had gone commando. When the jeans were at knee level, Sanji pushed him back on the bed again. He grabbed the cuff of the jeans and pulled them off. They each took their time looking over the other, relishing in the fact that this time they were both very sober, and very well endowed.

Sanji edged Zoro’s legs apart and knelt between them on the floor. Zoro’s breathing stopped as he realized what was about to happen. He felt Sanji’s hands on his knees and then slide up to his hips. He closed his eyes as he felt warm breath against his sensitive skin. He tried to buck up at the first touch of a wet tongue to his cock. Sanji’s hands gripped his hips hard and held him in place.

“Oh shit. Fuck.” Zoro’s eyes rolled back in his head and he gripped the comforter beneath him.

Sanji ran his tongue up from base again. He curled his tongue around the tip and cleared the white substance leaking from it. The taste was bitter, but not completely unpleasant. He let his lips encircle the head and slowly take it in. Zoro cried out and fisted his hands in the golden hair. Sanji dug his nails into Zoro’s hips to show is annoyance at the mistreatment. The green-haired man got the idea and loosened his hold. He kept his restraint as Sanji began to bob his head up and down his shaft. Sanji reached down under the mattress and found the tube of lube he had stashed there earlier. He squirted the cool liquid onto his fingers and let it set for a moment to warm up. He relaxed his jaw and took the large cock deeper into his mouth. After a couple sucks he reached between his own legs and inserted one finger into his tight ass. Sanji had already masturbated once before Zoro showed up, so prepping himself wouldn’t take long. He began to hum and moan as he inserted the second and third fingers. He could tell Zoro was having a hard time keeping still. Sanji took out his fingers and wiped them on the pants by his knees. With one last hard suck, he released Zoro’s member from his mouth and stood up.

Zoro’s eyes were screwed shut in pleasure. Feeling his cock rub against the contours of Sanji’s mouth had almost sent him over the edge. When the blonde started humming, he had to fight to keep from yanking him up and fucking him senseless. So, when he abruptly took his mouth away, Zoro almost cried. He opened his eyes and the hungry look on the cook’s face made it all worth it.

“Move up,” Sanji ordered.

Confused, but horny, Zoro scooted back until he was in the middle of the bed. Sanji crawled on top of him and leaned in for a kiss. Zoro ran his tongue over every part of Sanji’s mouth. He searched for every last taste of himself on the man. He gripped the slim hips and prepared to roll them over.

“Not this time, Marimo. I’m calling the shots tonight.” Sanji pried the large hands from his hips and pinned them above Zoro’s head. Their kissing became a rough clash of lips and teeth. He rolled his hips and hissed at the glorious feeling of Zoro’s shaft rubbing against his. Rising slightly, he was able to make Zoro’s cock skim across his prepared hole. Zoro bucked his hips at that moment and his head started to slide in.

Zoro’s eyes went wide. He stilled and searched the blonde’s face for any signs of displeasure. He was met with needy moans and felt his shaft being taken deeper in. He watched as Sanji sat back and impaled himself on his large member. A single tear from the clear blue eyes was the only indication of pain. Zoro placed his hands on Sanji’s face and pulled him down for a tender kiss. When he felt the blonde responding he moved his hands to caress his lower back.

Sanji felt himself adjusting to the size of the man. This felt so much different than just his fingers. The tender kisses weren’t enough. He deepened the kiss and sighed into it as he felt the large hands stroking his back. He lifted his hips and felt the shaft slide almost out of him. Zoro gripped his hips and he came back down. Sanji was in heaven. Nothing had ever felt this good to him in his life. He lifted his hips again and back down. The knowledge that he was the one who was making the man below him lose his mind was empowering. He increased his pace and sat up. The new angle had Zoro hitting his prostate dead on. Sanji cried out and came down harder each time. Zoro watched the blonde ride him. Nothing could have been sexier. He could feel the pressure building and knew he wouldn’t last much longer. He let go of one of the blonde’s hips and grabbed his dripping cock.

Sanji’s hips bucked and his pace became erratic. Zoro tried to help guide him with one hand on his hip and the other pumping his shaft. Sanji dug his hands into Zoro’s biceps as he called out his lover’s name. Sanji came with a loud cry and almost collapsed against the firm chest below him. Zoro gripped both of his hips and pounded into him a few more times before he too fell into orgasmic bliss.

They lay there panting in each other’s ears for a moment, each trying to get their hearts to slow down. Sanji nuzzled into Zoro’s neck. He sighed as Zoro wrapped his arms around him and held him close. Sanji lifted himself up to his elbows and looked deep in to warm black eyes. He felt his heart skip a beat as Zoro spoke.

“I’d gladly move to New York to be able to go to sleep like this every night.” Zoro lifted his head and kissed him softly.

“Not every night.” Sanji argued. “I need to be able to walk at work” They both chuckled softly.

Zoro tried to sit up. Sanji hissed as he felt Zoro’s softened member slid from him. The guard shifted him to his lap and pulled back the covers. He reached over and picked up a towel sitting on the nightstand. After cleaning them both up, Zoro lay down with Sanji under the covers and pulled him close. Sanji fell asleep feeling the butterfly kisses Zoro was leaving down his neck.



Thanks again to everyone.