Broken Only to Heal Again

AN: Thank you for being patient with me. I apologize, because I've had this chapter finihsed for like a week, but when I bought my new laptop I forgot that I hadn't posted it to here yet. So please forgive me. I hope you enjoy


Chapter 23

Sanji’s heart felt like it would beat out of his chest at any moment, hammering harder and harder with each pulse of blood. The shadows and tricks of the moon kept Zoro’s face hidden, but the resulting silhouette was even more intimidating. The swordsman took slow measured steps towards them and stopped just before he walked into the light coming from the open galley door. Sanji swallowed hard and unconsciously held Teki closer to him as he panicked and prayed that Zoro had not overheard much of the conversation. The cook remained silent while his mind screamed out his love and apologies to the man before him.

“Put him down.” Zoro commanded the blonde.

Both Teki and Sanji jumped at the strange edge in Zoro’s voice. Expecting that Zoro asked him to do this so they could fight, Sanji readily complied. The cook gave his son a reassuring smile and ruffled his hair, wondering if Zoro would make him leave before tearing into him.

“Teki, go climb in with Chopper and get some sleep. We’ll talk about your punishment in the morning.” That strange tone was still present in the swordsman’s voice, and it sent Teki running immediately. Zoro waited until the boy had descended into the men’s quarters before speaking again. “You’ve got to be the biggest fucking idiot I’ve met, and that includes meeting Usopp and Luffy. … You were right, you are pathetic.”

Sanji bristled at the comment. He might be ashamed and heartbroken, but damn it he still had his pride. “Fuck you, Marimo.”

Sanji rushed forward and planted a foot to the side of Zoro’s face. The swordsman went flying back onto the deck and braced himself for next kick. He refused to draw his swords, thinking that he deserved this punishment just as much as Sanji needed to dish it out. Sanji continued his assault, his heart breaking even more as Zoro took each brutal hit. Losing his steam, Sanji stopped his foot bare centimeters from connecting with the swordsman’s injured shoulder, and walked back to his personal haven.

“Is it true?” Zoro took a step forward into the light and locked his piercing glare with Sanji’s angry one when the cook spun around.

“What?” He spat out, and for the first time since departing the Marine ship, Sanji looked into Zoro’s eyes. Emotions that he thought he would never see played across the strong features and Sanji resisted the urge to reach out and wipe the line of blood trailing from Zoro’s busted lip.

“Do you love me? It’s a simple question, shitty-cook, or did those little hits you got to the head do more damage than I thought?”

“Oi, I had the shit beat out of me fucker! I’m not a solid mass of shit like you. Unfortunately when I get hit by a fucking lunatic, it tends to do damage. If I wasn’t trying to protect Muteki by not fighting, I would have sent those bastards to hell on my own, so shut the fuck up about me being pathetic!” Sanji came nose to nose with the swordsman and fisted his hands into the new white shirt, his cigarette dangling precariously from his lips.

“With the way you’ve been moping around lately, I wouldn’t believe that. Even the girls have noticed, and frankly I’m tired of everyone treating you like you’re a piece of glass. The fact that you haven’t noticed makes you even worse.” Inside, Zoro sighed with relief that Sanji had started fighting with him again. At least his spirit wasn’t completely broken.

“Bullshit! Everyone’s walking on eggshells because of you, asshole. All you’ve done for the last week is growl and snarl at everyone in your path. I think that glare is permanently fixed on your face because every time you look at me you’re always pissed off! It seems that stick you finally managed to pull out of your ass got shoved back in twice as far. To top it off, now you’ve fucking left us! Look, if you want to be mad at me for causing her death then fine, but don’t take it out on the rest of the crew and especially not on Teki. He needs us, almost as much as we need him.”

“Why the hell would I blame you for what happened to her?” Zoro lost any hint of his happiness at having the blonde act somewhat normal and backed up a step.

“She died protecting me! She died because I got caught! She died while I did nothing but get fucked over by that fucking monster!” Sanji shoved Zoro away and turned his head in shame. He spoke softly. “It was because of me that you lost the one person you loved. Of course I’m to blame”

So this is what was going on. Sanji mistook Zoro’s anger for what had happen to the cook as Zoro being mad at him. It still didn’t account for why Sanji jumped every time they touched, be it on accident or if Zoro had put his hand on the blonde’s arm for some reason. To be this close to him on a daily basis and yet have the cook further from him than ever was pure hell. His dream of having a life with his cook was gone, taken away by a man he wished he could kill a hundred times more. Leaving the ship was still his only choice.

“It hurt like hell to have her die in my arms, and I guess in some way I did still love her, though it would have never worked. But, she died trying to protect the people she had entrusted her son to. Would you have me blame Nami if you died while searching for All Blue?” Zoro reached out cautiously and wiped a stray tear from Sanji’s face, sighing when the cook drew back. “If anything you should be pissed at me for bringing you into all of this. I should have just stayed in that cell and waited after Luffy escaped with Teki. Then maybe Takuya and Saya both would still be alive… and you wouldn’t flinch when I touch you.”

Sanji’s eyes popped open to meet the sad expression of the swordsman. He opened his mouth but nothing came out, his voice too shocked by the revealing words he had just heard. Slowly Zoro walked away and jumped over the railing, wandering back the way he had come. With a half hearted wave over his shoulder, Zoro disappeared.

Sanji was so lost in thought that he didn’t hear the descent of the night watchman from the crow’s nest. The eavesdropper came to stand by his side and waited for a moment to see if the cook would realize his presence. When Sanji remained clueless, he spoke.

“Sanji-kun?” Usopp was caught between laughing and running for his life at the sight of the ruffled blonde. “Um, gomen, but I wanted to talk to you… about Zoro.”

Sanji pulled himself back together and shook his head at the marksman. “I don’t want to hear it. It’s all just too fucked up.” Sanji started for the galley.

“Did you know I was given the task of taking her safely to Merry?”

Sanji froze mid-step, eyes wide at the new information.

“I failed to protect her too. I thought Zoro would hate me forever for it. I kept apologizing to him and you know what he told me?” Usopp paused and waited for Sanji to face him again. “He said that I should be happy for her, because she fought for her dream, and if I tried to take the blame for her death it would be like dishonoring her memory. Now, I have no idea what really happened in there, but from what I heard, she only did what any one of us would have done. She tried to protect someone who was important to her.”

Sanji let it all sink in and laughed at the irony of it all. “So, basically we’re both idiots.”

“Exac… Hey!” Usopp shouted, but started laughing too as he realized Sanji was right. “Yah, we are. So are you going to track him down before he gets too lost?”

TBB,OTHA

Zoro wandered for a bit before coming upon the Strawhat’s Archeologist leaning against a tree. She pushed off and walked in step with him, guiding him silently back to the inn. At the door she paused, wondering if she should speak or not.

“I think I’ve heard enough tonight, Robin. No more.” Zoro held his hand up to stop any words from escaping her lips. “I just want to get some sleep. Will you have Chopper bring Teki here in the morning for me?”

“Of course Bushido-san.” Robin smiled at him. “You know, he really does love you.”

“Even if he does, he still can’t stand me to touch him.” The swordsman sighed heavily. “The best thing is for us to just move on. Maybe he’ll find the right girl somewhere down the line and fall in love with her.”

She watched as Zoro headed back into the run down building and wondered how long it would take for Sanji to get there. If he came, she could lock the doors and refuse to let them out until they talked it out. As if on cue, she could hear running footsteps coming down the road. Sanji skidded to a stop in front of her, panting to catch his breath.

“He’s on the second floor, last room on the right.” Robin laughed at the blush that appeared on Sanji’s face. “Hurry before he falls asleep. I’d hate for you to have to break down the door.”

Sanji picked her up in a tight embrace and spun her around in the street. “Thank you, Robin-chwan! Thank you so much.” He sat her back down and rushed into the inn.

He took the stairs three at a time and forced himself to stop at the top of the flight. He smoothed out his clothes and ran a hand through his hair, trying to tame it from the windblown look he was currently sporting. His fingers itched to light a cigarette, but he had smoked the last one while talking to Usopp and didn’t stop to get more before he left. Pacing himself he went to the last door and knocked. Receiving no answer, he tried again, slightly harder. Sanji leaned his ear against the door and was concerned to hear nothing, not even the familiar snores. He reached for the doorknob and found it opened easily. There was no one in the room, but all of Zoro and Teki’s things were strung all over. Had Sanji not lived with the man for the last few years, he might have thought that the place had been ransacked, but he knew that this was just the way it would always look at night. In the morning, everything would be straightened and in place. Sanji entered the room and shut the door behind him.

The blonde began picking up things, chuckling at the new clothes that the two boys had picked out. Zoro rarely changed, and for that Sanji was grateful. He folded the shirts and placed them back in the bag and reached for the pants when the door opened. Zoro entered the room with his shirt thrown over his shoulder and his pants barely hanging on his hips. Sanji’s breath caught in his throat as he drank in the sight. Zoro eyed him warily, unsure if he was really there or a subconscious mirage. He closed the door and tossed his shirt to the side, never breaking his gaze.

“Did I forget something?” Zoro asked.

“Yah, you forgot to tell me why you shoved the stick back up your ass.” Sanji narrowed his eye at him. “You figured out that I’ve been upset because I blamed myself for not protecting Saya, but I still don’t know why you’ve become an even bigger asshole than before.”

“Look, it doesn’t matter now. We’re leaving in the morning on another ship so you’ll be rid of us. You can go back to your skirt chasing and everyone will be happy.” Zoro toed off his boots and kicked them to the side of the room. He was tired, he was stressed, and the last thing he needed was to get into it with the cook.

“Like hell it doesn’t! I… I need to know. Before you leave, I need to know why.”

Zoro stomped up to him and yanked him forward by the lapels of his suit jacket. He brought them nose to nose for the second time that night and fought with the urge to just kiss the blonde senseless.

“I finally had you, and then that bastard fucked everything up. You can’t even stand to hand me my damn plate at dinner, always asking someone else to fucking do it. You have no idea what torture it is to watch you everyday and not be able to hold you the way I did that night; to be this close and never know what you taste like.” Zoro released his hold on Sanji’s abused jacket and flopped down on the bed, staring at the ceiling. He rubbed his hands over his face and gave a humorless chuckle. “Besides, why the fuck you would you want to be with me after what I let happen?”

Zoro stilled as he felt the pressure increase on the bed and pulled his hands from his face to look up at Sanji’s back. The cook had sat down on the bed beside him, but had stubbornly turned his back to Zoro. Hesitantly, Zoro reached out but dropped his hand short, refusing to make things harder than they already were. He watched as Sanji’s hand came over top of his and slowly intertwined their fingers.

“Fuck don’t let me be wrong.” Zoro mumbled as he sat up and pulled Sanji into his lap.

His free hand tangled into soft blond hair and the swordsman could barely think as he pulled Sanji in for a fevered kiss. Zoro moved his lips against Sanji’s hesitant ones, savoring the taste of nicotine and tears; one that he would never go without, and one that he never wanted to taste again. Steadily, Zoro deepened the kiss, adding more pressure as he nibbled and sucked on Sanji’s tender bottom lip. The cook hissed in annoyance at the added abuse to his busted mouth but made no move to back away. Zoro gave a tug, tilting Sanji’s head back, and began trailing his mouth down the long pale throat bared to him.

Sanji moaned delightfully when Zoro ran his tongue from the hollow at the base of his throat back up to his chin. The cook found himself whimpering slightly at the loss of heat when Zoro stopped his ministrations abruptly. Clear blue eyes opened with worry, searching for any hint as to why the pleasure had stopped. He could see dark eyes focused on the battered left side of his face and tried to turn his head to hide it from view. A sharp pull to his hair reminded him that he was at the swordsman’s mercy.

“Why?” Zoro’s simple question sounded more like a plea for an answer. He released his hold on the blonde’s hand and gently cupped the bruised jaw before him. “This happened because of me. Why would you want me near you?”

Sanji furrowed his brow and growled. “Not everything is your responsibility shitty-swordsman. I only let myself get like this to protect Teki. I’m not made of fucking glass. I can take a shit load more and still stand tall.”

“Not while I’m around you won’t.” Zoro brought their lips together again in a hard kiss, drinking in the taste that he had long for all this time. Sanji’s hand came up against his chest and pushed him back, breaking the connection. Anger was intensified in Sanji’s stiff frame as he glared at the swordsman.

“How the fuck will that work when you’ve left the fucking ship? Did you ever think of that shit-head?” Sanji shook his head and chuckled at Zoro’s puzzled expression. “Seriously, asshole, why did you leave? And don’t give me that bullshit about training. I know that’s a fucking lie. You’d get better training by staying with Luffy and everyone knows it.”

Zoro’s cheeks flushed slightly as he realized just what he had said, and how right Sanji was to question it. Honesty had never failed him before, so why should he try for something different now?

“I couldn’t stand the thought of being on that ship with you day after day and never be able to touch you again. Fuck, do you have any idea how long I’ve wanted to be with you?”

The swordsman trailed his hands down from Sanji’s face and hair to his shoulders and leaned back, pulling Sanji with him as he laid down on the mattress. Sanji’s hands on the firm chest helped keep a margin of distance between them as they sprawled out on the double bed, their legs tangled together as they shifted into a comfortable position. Zoro let his hands caress down the back of the black fabric and back up, noticing the shift in the cook’s body as he touched tender areas. He rubbed up and down the clothed arms, across the back of the slender neck, and down to sharp hipbones currently moving in a very minute manner.

Zoro leaned up and whispered into Sanji’s ear, letting his lips graze across the outer shell as he increased his grip on the cook’s hips. “I need you, Sanji.”

Sanji whimpered softly as he turned his head to capture Zoro’s lips, doing his best to take control. He caught Zoro’s bottom lip in his teeth and tasted blood from the small would he had caused earlier on the deck of the ship. Releasing it, he lapped the blood up with his tongue, slipping a little more into Zoro’s mouth with each lick. With a lustful groan, Sanji was met with Zoro’s forceful tongue invading his mouth, seeking out every corner. The cook’s tongue battled with its mate as each fought for dominance.

Zoro’s breathing hitched as pale hands began exploring every inch of tanned skin they could reach. He began pulling out the blue dress shirt from the black slacks, itching to explore and touch what had been forbidden to him for so long. Sanji took the hint and straddled Zoro’s hips before sitting up, kicking off his shoes in the process. Zoro looked up at him with hooded eyes, hoping beyond all hope that he would never wake up, for surely he was dreaming.

Sanji looked down at his shipmate, taking in for the first time the vulnerability that the swordsman was displaying to him. He sat still as Zoro leaned up and eased the jacket off his shoulders and down his arms, tossing it to join the numerous amounts of other clothes everywhere. He smirked at the usually skilled hands fumbling with the tiny buttons of his shirt, and quickly assisted least he lose a good piece of clothing. Sanji could feel Zoro’s growing arousal pressing against his as they shifted against each other. The cook traced the welts on Zoro’s back as kisses and nibbles were being placed on his now bare chest. Sanji arched his back in pleasure, fisting his hands in Zoro’s short green hair as the swordsman teased his nipples with a rough tongue.

Zoro wanted to tear out of the inn and resurrect Fanton’s body just so he could kill him again when he saw the bruises on Sanji’s body. Knowing that the cook would kick his ass if he tried to be too gentle, Zoro settled for distracting him with pleasure. He nipped and sucked at his collarbone, leaving small marks to show proof that this was really happening. Fighting the urge to just rip their pants off and forego any more niceties, Zoro found the cook’s mouth again. They panted into each other’s mouths, licking, biting, moaning and vying for the upper hand. Ready to burst with longing, Zoro gripped the Sanji’s arms and wrestled the blonde to the bed.

Sanji huffed in annoyance for only a second before he felt Zoro’s lips trailing down his chest to his stomach. This time there was no fumbling as the swordsman deftly unfastened the belt and pulled the black slacks down leaving wet kisses down Sanji’s legs as he removed them. Calloused hands caressed long lean legs as Zoro stared at Sanji’s naked form, committing the perfect form to memory should there ever be a time when they were apart.

“You’re perfect. Absolutely perfect.”

Sanji let his eyes roll back in his head as a wet tongue licked the drop of pre-cum from the tip of his arousal. He’d been sucked off before, but never did he think it would be by another man, especially this one. He watched Zoro’s lips close around his head and little by little his hard cock disappeared into the swordsman’s mouth. Sanji ran his fingers through short green hair and shuddered as vibrations from Zoro’s moan sent him over the edge to his first orgasm of the night.

Zoro was surprised at how fast Sanji had reached his peak. Hot liquid filled his mouth and he swallowed it without reservation. His own erection was straining painfully against the fabric of his pants, begging for release. He let Sanji’s softening dick slide from his mouth and immediately shoved his tongue into the cook’s mouth, forcing the blonde to taste his own essence on the swordsman’s lips. Zoro unfastened his pants and had just edged them over his hips when strong hands joined his to finish removing the bothersome article of clothing. Together they pushed his pants off onto the floor.

Sanji couldn’t take his eyes off of Zoro’s sculpted body. The light sheen of sweat enhanced every line, every curve of muscle as the larger man crawled over him and pressed their naked bodies against each other. Sanji could feel his cock growing again as Zoro ground into him, wondering just how Zoro could control himself like this. Would he even be able to satisfy the godlike man again? The swordsman only had to suck once and Sanji had cum. It worried the blonde, because Sanji had always been such a proficient lover to women, and here he was failing miserably in the presence of the most important person in his life.

Zoro put his legs on the outside of Sanji’s and sat up, rubbing his ass against Sanji’s hard cock. The cook dug his nails into tanned biceps and released a lustful moan, his member twitching in excitement and poised right at Zoro’s entrance.

“Wait, no!” Sanji choked out. He felt a slight pang of guilt when a panicked look washed over Zoro’s face. “I just…”

“I’m not going to hurt you, Sanji.” Zoro bent down and kissed him passionately, letting their tongues chase each other as they vied for dominance. Sanji gave him a shove upwards and Zoro broke the kiss reluctantly.

“I know. I just… I want to do it this time.” Not sure how to word it, Sanji pleaded with his eyes for Zoro to understand what he was asking for.

“You cant, you’re hurt.” The swordsman brushed his lips against Sanji’s cheek as he spoke, the thought of being buried inside the blonde allowing a low moan to escape.

“I’m not glass asshole, remember? I’m fine. I want to… with you.” Sanji closed a hand around the swordsman’s dripping member and began pumping, beaming at the loss of control he was causing in the stoic man.

“S-s-stop, I won’t last.” Zoro pleaded as he felt his climax draw near. Sanji’s other hand palmed the swordsman’s balls and Zoro came with a strangled sound all over the cook’s stomach and chest.

Sanji looked at the white liquid on his hand and tentatively stuck out his tongue and tasted it, finding it to have a bitter but not completely unpleasant taste. Taking a longer lick, he realized that Zoro was watching him with his jaw dropped in awe. A small smirk appeared at the corner of the cook’s mouth and he began to suck and lick his fingers slowly, sensually. Black eyes followed every movement in complete fascination, making Sanji’s smirk spread when he felt Zoro’s cock twitch back to life.

Almost frantically, Zoro crushed their lips together and searched every part of Sanji’s mouth, loving the taste of himself on his cook. He slid off Sanji’s hips, trailing his lips over the pale shoulder and spread the blonde’s legs apart so he could straddle his right thigh.. Sanji watched curiously as the swordsman reached up and ran his left hand through the now cooling essence on the cook’s chest and coated his fingers thoroughly. Zoro lifted Sanji’s free leg up over his shoulder and rolled him on his side. The swordsman placed kisses along the blonde’s inner knee and calf as he let his fingers trace the still tender ring of muscles.

Sanji stiffened at the tentative touch, fisting his hands in the rumpled sheets beneath him, but soon relaxed as the pain he expected never came. There was pressure as Zoro slid one finger in, pumping it a few times before adding a second. A stitch of pain caused his muscles to contract and Zoro paused, his dark eyes never leaving the clear blue ones as he waited for the cook to adjust. A barely there nod and the fingers began moving again. Zoro bent down and captured Sanji’s mouth in a heated kiss and he searched for the blonde’s prostate, stretching the tight muscles to help prepare them for Zoro’s impressive size.

A slow burning pleasure had settled in the pit of Sanji’s stomach as he began to understand why his partner had enjoyed this act so much. Low moans and gasps filled the room as Zoro held his desire at bay, wanting to make Sanji’s first time as pleasurable as possible. Large fingers brushed against the hidden gland and the cook let out a surprised cry. Blue eyes went wide with wonder and searched the swordsman’s face for an answer as to what caused that jolt of pleasure. Zoro sat up as he removed his fingers and used the remaining semen to coat his aching member. He rubbed the tip against Sanji’s opening, giving the cook one last chance to say no before he wouldn’t be able to stop.

“I’ll go slow so you can adjust. Just tell me when you’re ready for more.”

Zoro kissed him deeply as he pressed the head of his dick against Sanji’s loosened opening. The tip slid in and the swordsman paused to make sure Sanji was ok. The cook’s labored breathing was the only sign of his discomfort, his fists relaxed their hold on the sheets and were now caressing tanned muscular thighs. A slight shift of the slim hips encouraged Zoro to continue and slowly his cock disappeared into the beautiful pale flesh below him. When he was fully seated he bent down and kissed the damp forehead of his lover, softly asking if he was ok. Sanji tightened his muscles around Zoro’s member and gave a short growl of annoyance at being coddled.

They shared a sloppy open mouthed kiss that was barely more than their tongues lapping at each other. Both of them were lost in the sensation of feeling whole for the first time in their lives. As the cook relaxed again, Zoro began thrusting very slightly, lengthening his strokes little by little. Sanji dug his nails into Zoro’s legs and pulled him in hard on his next thrust. They both let out loud moans and the swordsman increased his pace.

“Oh, fuck Zoro. Don’t stop, please don’t stop.” Sanji mewled and arched his back trying desperately to meet each hard snap of Zoro’s hips as the lust driven man pounded into the cook mercilessly.

Zoro wrapped his rough hand around the blonde’s dripping cock and began stroking counter to his own movements, losing himself in the erotic scene before him. Sanji had released his hold on the swordsman’s legs and hooked one hand behind Zoro’s neck, not pulling him down, but merely finding purchase in keeping the man where he was. Zoro pressed the pale leg up further, both ignoring the pain and possible damage the position might be causing.

“Sanji.”

The sound of his name on Zoro’s lip triggered his orgasm and the blonde cried out as he came hard, his semen shooting onto the sheets and down the large tan hand stroking him. The feel of muscles tightening around his cock, combined with watching his cook cum, brought Zoro over the edge and he too peaked and released into Sanji’s convulsing ass with a poorly suppressed primal roar. Zoro lowered the cook’s leg to relieve the pressure on Sanji’s ribs and abdomen, then all but collapsed on the bed next to the exhausted blonde. He reached out and gently pushed the curtain of hair from Sanji’s face and kissed him tenderly.

“You’re my everything.” He mumbled sleepily, pulling Sanji into his arms and promptly falling asleep.

The cook followed him into slumber quickly with a whispered “I love you” falling from his lips.

TBB,OTHA

Sanji woke first in the light of the breaking dawn, slightly dazed and confused as to his whereabouts. The strong arms wrapped around him helped to clear up any doubts that last night was indeed real and not a dream. The ache in his ass sealed the deal. Sanji chuckled as Zoro pulled him closer and buried his nose in the blonde’s hair. Everything was so surreal, he wished it would last forever. Unfortunately, being part of the legendary Straw Hat Pirates doesn’t allow any time for serenity.

“Oi, Sanji-kun! Oi!” The bellows of the ship’s captain could be heard, more than likely, all over the island. “Oi, San… OW! OW! OW! Naaaammmmiiiii…”

This time it was Zoro’s turn to chuckle at the annoyed groan the poor cook emitted. Sanji turned to glare at the swordsman feigning sleep. Cautiously Zoro cracked an eye open and frowned at the unreadable expression on the blonde’s face. Sighing, Zoro opened both eyes loosened his hold on the cook and watched as he searched his jacket for the cigarettes that weren’t there. Tossing the useless lighter on the side table, Sanji sat on the bed and cursed in anger. Suddenly, a pack of finely hand rolled smokes was held before his face. The cook’s curled eyebrow raised in question but Zoro just shrugged as if it were no big deal and laid on his back staring at the ceiling.

“Baka-marimo.” Sanji scoffed and leaned over to plant a quick, hard kiss on the swordsman’s lips. The blonde walked to the table to retrieve his lighter and missed the blissful smile that spread across Zoro’s face. Wanting to enjoy the robust flavor, Sanji took his time with the first cigarette of the morning. He stood naked by the window, staring at the village coming to life, unsure just how to proceed.

“Teki will be here soon, and it sounds like your captain needs his cook. We’d better get dressed.” Zoro stood and searched for clean clothes.

“You’re not planning on still boarding that ship this morning are you?” Sanji narrowed his eyes at the swordsman, preparing to strike should the reply be yes.

“I thought I made it pretty clear what I wanted last night.” Zoro answered the challenge with his own glare.

The sound of running footsteps on the stairs nudged them into action and they both hurriedly pulled on clothes. Sanji had finished buttoning his pants and slid his arms into his shirt when the door to the room burst open. Zoro stood in just his pants and an annoyed expression on his face.

“Ohayo gozaimasu, Tousan! Kasan, you’re here! We were worried about you.” Teki hugged his father tightly before running to Sanji and skidding to a stop. “Um, Kasan is it ok to hug you? I don’t want to hurt you.”

“It would hurt more if you didn’t hug me.” Sanji bent down and picked the boy up, kissing his cheek. “Let’s get back to the ship and make something to eat… All of us.” The cook looked pointedly at the green-haired man.

Teki started running as soon as his feet touched the ground, gathering all his clothes back into their bags. With their belongings secured, they left the room and met Chopper outside the door. He and Teki took off running for the ship leaving Zoro to carry all the bags. Shifting everything to one hand, the swordsman reached out and linked his hand with Sanji’s. The cook blushed slightly but didn’t pull away. They wandered through town hand-in-hand, Zoro’s thumb caressing the pale flesh each time Sanji smiled and bid Good-morning to a beautiful woman and kept walking.