Of Seminars and Men

A/N: Only one chapter left I think, then maybe an epilogue. I hope you guys have enjoyed this. I know I have. So much love to you out there who have stayed with me, and even more to those of you who have reviewed. I thank you so much!!!

Chapter 8

After a week of Zoro moping around, Ace came to a decision. His friend needed a swift kick in the ass. The melancholy look the green-haired man wore was bringing everyone down. He hadn’t even written up Ace for accessing the security feed. Somehow he even managed to get Shanks to look the other way on it. His treatment of criminals in the Hotel had softened as well. Luffy had tried to cheer him up, but even his childish antics had no effect. The poor young man went back to college almost as blue as Zoro. Ace called up Zoro’s sensei and asked him for some advice. The dojo was reserved for 1730 that day. Zoro would be getting off work around 1700, so there wouldn’t be too much time to waste in getting him there.

Zoro climbed into Ace’s Wrangler in a daze. He didn’t even notice that he was headed in the opposite direction of the Loft. Never mind that he never knew where he was going anyway. But when they pulled up in front of his old dojo, Zoro cocked an eyebrow in question at his freckled friend. Ace only smiled and motioned for him to follow.

“You looked like you needed some cheering up.” Ace wrapped his arm around Zoro’s shoulder and pulled him inside.

The area was cleared of students and bokken were laid out for a sparring session. The few remaining people stood on the edge of the mats talking quietly. Zoro grinned, already feeling more at ease. He reached up and cuffed Ace before heading to the locker room. Ace followed yelling colorful phrases of his intent to beat the ‘wanna-be swordsman’ into submission.

The watching crowd grew as Zoro yet again proceeded to ‘spank’ Ace. The raven swore he would be sitting funny for a week due to the stinging welts the wooden bokken was leaving on his backside. Each time he lunged and Zoro sidestepped, the younger man would swing back and swat his ass hard with the flat side of the practice sword. Smoker was going to have a hay day with this.

“Oi, damnit, stop that you piece of shit. I’m gonna have a hell of a time just sitting down now thanks to you! That’s supposed to be your Uncle’s job” Ace yelled. Zoro faltered and Ace swung down hard towards his shoulder. The avid swordsman barely blocked the brunt of the blow. He reached out and caught the second sword thrown from the audience. He pirouetted brought the second sword against the swollen ass.

“FUCK! That’s not fair. You know I can’t compete with you when you get the second one. Shit, no one can even come close to you when you put that fucking third one between your teeth.” A mischievous grin crossed Ace’s face. “Maybe I should try that. I wonder if your expertise with a sword in your mouth is what conditioned you to be able to make Sanji scream like that?”

Zoro’s face turned scarlet and his jaw dropped slightly. Then he took on his own grin and responded. “Must be something in the genes. I hear you screaming quite often when Constantine gets a hold of you. Besides, the video had no sound, so how did you know what he said?” His grin grew wider when Ace’s face took on the same shade of red.

Ace brought his sword up again and attacked. Zoro thwarted his attempt easily.

“Just because I didn’t hear anything doesn’t mean that the neighboring guests didn’t. From what they said, it seems you both really enjoyed it.” Ace dodge-rolled and swung his foot out to trip the swordsman. Zoro came crashing down.

“I don’t remember ever saying that I didn’t like it. He was the one who ran off” Zoro grunted and pushed up off the floor. He was growing angry again at the thought of the blonde leaving without a word.

Ace could see the situation deteriorating, so he tried to salvage what he could. “Well, he did leave his number. Maybe he was in a hurry and didn’t have time to say goodbye.” He blocked the next two swings and barely avoided the third. “You know, if he didn’t want to talk to you, he wouldn’t have done that.”

Zoro stopped and just looked at his feet. The onlookers decided that was their cue to leave. Soon Ace and Zoro were the only ones there. Zoro turned and walked to the wall holding all the practice weapons. He replaced the bokken and headed for the locker room. Ace caught his arm as he passed.

“Just call him. What do you have to lose?” Ace pleaded with him. If only Zoro knew how depressed the cook had looked, maybe he would have called him sooner.

Zoro’s answer was barely audible. “My heart.”

Ace let go and watched him disappear around the corner. Well, if they had kept off the subject, Zoro would have been in a great mood. But then that wouldn’t have solved anything. Zoro needed to deal with what he was feeling. Pushing it aside wasn’t the answer. It was time to call for reinforcements. Ace pulled out his cell and dialed the newest acquired number on his phone. He smiled when the whiney voice answered.

“Bonjour, thank you for calling Baratie. How may I help you?”

****oSaM****

Zoro’s thoughts turned to Sanji more and more often. He would turn and look every time a blonde entered the room. Rumors had spread through the hotel about how he had been dumped hard by someone from out of town. The women had all tried to kiss up to him with gifts and hugs, but he turned them down as always. Robin was a great comfort. She would just sit and listen to him ramble on about nothing. She even broke down and gave him a copy of the picture Ace had taken of Sanji in the Lobby. It wasn’t a front view, but you could still see his odd eyebrow and pouty lips holding a cigarette.

Zoro even managed to calm Usopp down enough to get the pictures from his phone as well. The long nosed bellhop was shocked when Zoro just chuckled at the picture he had taken of the Security Guard and Sanji. He then trembled in fear at the growl he received for the pictures of the Cook and the redhead.

Everyone walked carefully around the ticking time bomb. Shanks only laughed at Johnny’s plea to put the man on a forced vacation. The red haired man was happy that his favorite employee had finally acted human. He even overlooked the access to the private video feed, but that was because it automatically recorded to his office whenever the bypass code was entered. He had laughed so hard he fell out of his chair. He immediately called up his best friend Mihawk and left work early to go have drinks. They both made sure to let Robin and Ace know they would help in any way possible. Zoro was a like a son to them. That and it was perfect blackmail material.

****oSaM****

Family dinners for Smoker were a dreaded affair. Everyone was expected to show no matter what. Granted there weren’t that many of them, but still. Smoker pulled up outside the Victorian style house at 1645 on Saturday. He sat in the car for five full minutes before admitting that his older sister still scared him. He sat for another five finishing his cigar. She would let him smoke on the porch, but that wasn’t until after dinner had been eaten and the dishes cleaned. He needed his fix until then. Ace and Zoro pulled up behind him at five till and they all entered the house together.

“Hello, boys. I’m in the kitchen. Come help.” Anastasia’s voice carried to them from the back of the house.

Zoro smiled at the familiar happy tune she hummed while working. He may be a rough and tough guy, but his mother always had a way to make him smile. Or cry. He walked through the doorway to see her up to her elbows in flour, kneading dough. Her shoulder length green hair was tied back to keep it out of her face. Her black eyes shone with happiness. Zoro smiled and placed a kiss on her offered cheek.

“Hello, baby. How’s my little boy?” She chuckled at the annoyed grunt he gave her.

“Fine, Okasan, and you?” He dipped his finger in the bowl of potatoes. She kicked him hard in the shin.

“You keep out of that! Now wash your hands and help cut up the squash. I need to get it on the stove soon. Connie, you come back here. I see you hiding around the corner making out with that innocent young man. You can take yourself outside and get to work on the steaks. I know you’re just dying for another smoke before I make you sit. Just keep the ashes away from the grill.”

Ace giggled at the ‘Connie’ remark before moaning into his lover’s mouth. Smoker gave him one last smack to his ass before walking away with a smile. Ace, on the other hand let out a loud yelp.

“Ace, honey. Are you alright.” She looked bewildered as Zoro and Smoker began cracking up. They only laughed harder at each attempt she made to question their actions. The laughter died when Anastasia brought flour covered hands up and smacked Zoro and Smoker both hard in the back of their heads. “Now, while you two bumbling idiots go and get the flour out, Ace you’d better tell me what the hell is going on.” Her no nonsense attitude sobered them up quickly. Ace blushed deeply leaned up against the counter.

“Nothing much, Okasan. Zoro just whipped me good during our spar yesterday.” Ace grinned sheepishly while Zoro snorted in an attempt to keep his laughter quiet.

“So you’ve got welts across your ass from the bokken? I bet that hindered things between you and Constantine last night.” Smoker tripped and almost fell as he was walking out the door. He gave his older sister a dirty look before continuing out to the grill. “Poor thing. Don’t worry, they fade fairly quick. Zoro’s Otousan used to do the same thing to him. Although he didn’t have a male lover to account for.”

Zoro stopped behind his mother and pleaded with his eyes for Ace to keep quiet. He debated on going over the countertop at him in order to keep that loud mouth shut. If he even hinted to his mother, all would be lost. Fortunately, Ace took pity and stayed silent for the time being.

Dinner itself passed easily. The steak was perfect, the potatoes were just the way he liked them, and the squash was covered in his mother’s special sauce. He found his mind drifting to another cook. He wondered how Sanji would have prepared this meal. Would he have used any of the same seasonings? Would he like the ones that had been used? Did he even like squash? He found himself thinking about what Luffy had said about the cooking. He said that nothing compared to it. Would he like it? Zoro was lost in thought. The dead silence caught up to him and he looked around. Everyone was staring at him, smiling.

“What!?” He practically shouted.

“Ok. Who is she?” Anastasia hadn’t seen a dreamy look like that since Smoker started sleeping with Ace. She had been hoping that her only son would find love for the past 10 years, ever since he first showed signs of puberty. “I’ve been trying to get your attention for the last ten minutes. You’ve been sitting there with this far away look and a sweet smile. There’s only one reason for a smile like that. It’s because you’ve found someone special. I saw the same smile on Constantine’s face when he met Ace here. It’s the same one you wear now.” She took Zoro’s hands in hers. “Now I want to know who she is.” Her grip tightened.

“It’s no one, Kasan. Really.” Zoro tried to pull his hands away, but her grip just got firmer.

“If you don’t answer me, I’ll just start asking around. So what will it be?” Anastasia narrowed her eyes and gave him a patented Roronoa glare. Smoker and Ace tried to slink from the table. “I wouldn’t do that if I were you. Sit down and somebody better answer me.”

“Look, he’s no one. Just a one night stand that I’ll never see again. He doesn’t even live in this state. It doesn’t matter.” Zoro stopped pulling away and just settled for avoiding her face. He didn’t want to see whatever emotion that might be laying there. He just told his mother he had a fling with a guy. He prayed that they would be able to recognize his body enough to identify his remains.

The green-haired woman sat there in awe. So her son had fallen hard, and for a guy none the less. She turned to the others for confirmation. When they nodded yes, she took a deep breath and closed her eyes.

“What does he look like? What does he do? What is his name? Just where does live? I want to know details.” Her hard glare returned as she addressed all three of them.

Smoker cleared his throat and began. “His name is Sanji Blackleg. They met at the Hotel. He’s a cook from New York. Probably a year younger than the gaki, I think. He was in town for a convention or a seminar or something.”

Ace picked it up from there. “He’s got beautiful gold hair, blue eyes, and this exotically curled eyebrow. He’s always wearing suits that show off his long legs and cute ass.” He laughed at the unhappy groan that came from his best friend.

“Shut up you two. That’s enough. He’s gone! It doesn’t matter now.” Zoro managed to yank his hands from his mother and walked out of the kitchen and onto the back porch. If he had known the way things would turn, he would have stuck around to fight against them.

“Is he that impressive?” Anastasia asked. Smoker’s barely there nod along with Ace’s ear to ear grin told her yes. “Well, then someone needs to make a trip to New York.”

****oSaM****

Sanji walked into the Baratie hours after getting off the plane. Bon Kurei did his best to persuade the blonde to wait, but he refused to listen. Sanji needed to get there and check out the damage done while he was gone. He was pleased when he walked in and everyone had his place laid out for him. Patty and Carne greeted him with joyous hugs and pats on the back. Everyone smiled and shouted their hellos. By the time the restaurant closed its doors, Sanji felt 100% better. He had almost forgotten about his misfortunes of the previous days. He went home to his apartment and passed out.

The next day went by as if he had never left. He woke up and stretched. He went through his Savate exercises before taking a long hot shower. Another normal day ended when he came home to an empty bed. About four o’clock in the morning he woke up hot and hard. Tan skin and green hair played in his mind. He could still hear the baritone voice as it murmured words of adoration against his skin. Sanji rubbed his eyes with the heels of his hand trying to erase the images. He ignored the aching member tenting his sheets and thought about every vile thing he could think of. The image of Bon Kurei in a swimsuit did the job. His work suffered that day. He kept yelling at everyone for using so much green when there was only a bit of parsley on the plate.

The next morning was a repeat of the previous one. He woke up with a raging hard-on and images of a tall naked security guard. This time nothing would ease the pressure. Frustrated, he headed to the shower. His intension was to turn the water cold, but the reminder of his poor performance in the kitchen made him change his mind. He left the water warm and poured the liquid soap into his hand. He tried to clear any image out and just focus on bringing himself off. Unfortunately, his mind didn’t work that way. Zoro’s face appeared. His lust filled eyes looked up at the blonde as he trailed his tongue down the pale stomach. Sanji’s fingers ghosted the path Zoro’s imaginary lips were taking. Sanji envisioned the man kneeling before him, water running down his face as he slowly slid the hard cock into his mouth. Sanji’s hand circled around his shaft and started to stroke. His hips bucked into his hand, thinking of how good it felt to be at that man’s submission.

Sanji’s eyes flew open. Submission? He wasn’t submissive. He’d be damned if he was going to submit to some gay bastard after only one night. Sanji began pumping with more force than necessary. He was furious at the idea of not being the one in charge. He wanted to be the one giving the orders. And he wanted it to be a woman… Right? He used his free hand to caress his sack. He squeezed and pulled on the almost smooth skin. Slight stubble could be felt. He would have to take care of that soon if he wanted to keep it hairless. His finger slid back towards his opening and brushed the edge of the puckered entrance. He came hard. Disgusted with his body, he scrubbed his hands until they went from pink to almost red. His meals that day had a spicy kick to them. It only added to his reputation of being a well versed cook. It took about a week of frustrated showers to drive him nuts.

When Luffy returned to help him out, it got worse. Luffy would be happily sitting there one minute talking about his classes, and then he’d go into some story about what happened during the week after Sanji had left.

“It was really weird. Ace said he couldn’t even get Zoro to go to a fight with him. He just went back to the Loft and slept. Then Ace set up a sparring session at Zoro’s old dojo, and Zoro actually spanked Ace with the bokken.” Luffy fell off the stool laughing. “Ace couldn’t sit right for the entire weekend. He was still hurting when he dropped me off at the airport.”

Sanji couldn’t help but laugh at the mental image of Ace getting hit across the ass with a wooden sword. He kept the smile as he watched Luffy climb back up on his perch. Tonight he was trying a new sauce for the vegetables and he wanted his Taster’s opinion.

“Here. What do you think of this?” Sanji grabbed a clean spoon and filled it with a creamy liquid.

“Mmmm. It’s kinda like Aunt Anastasia’s, but her’s is better.” Luffy said seriously. “I could ask her about the recipe for you if you want.”

Sanji’s jaw dropped. That was the first time Luffy had ever said something was better than his cooking. He didn’t know if he should be impressed or mad. He decided to hold judgment for the moment. He first wanted to meet the woman. “I didn’t know you had an Aunt. Is she related to your mom or your dad?”

“Neither, she’s Smoker’s sister and Zoro’s okasan. I just call her Aunt ‘cause she won’t let me call her Kasan.” Luffy tried to dip his dirty spoon back in the pot. Sanji kicked his arm up and the spoon went flying. Patty caught it and tossed it in the sink. The portly chef gave Luffy a wink and continued with his work. Luffy pouted and rubbed his arm. “You’re mean sometimes.”

“You just told me that someone cooks better than I do, and you expect me to be nice? Bullshit! Like Hell I’ll be nice. Now get the fuck outta here before I kick your scrawny ass.” Sanji picked Luffy up by the back of his shirt and shove him towards the exit.

He watched Luffy drag his feet leaving. Immediately he wanted to take back his words. He just yelled at one of his best friends for something that wasn’t their fault. Sanji sighed and turned back to his work. So Zoro’s mom could cook, huh? Maybe… No! He was not going back there. That was final. Sanji slammed his hand down on the counter. He turned and walked out the back door to smoke. He poured himself a glass of whiskey on his way out. He kept trying to tell himself it was because he couldn’t look at wine for a while. Bon Kurei noted that the brand was the same they carried in the bar back at the hotel in Detroit.

The entire staff of the Baratie was about to strangle the blonde chef. It had been a few weeks since Sanji had returned and he was still moping. He would square his shoulders every time he walked out the kitchen doors into the dining room. He made the act look like he was preparing for a great battle. Bon Kurei had dropped hints here and there about a love interest that had come up while out of town. The crew decided that the person had something positively green about them because the color seemed to set their boss off quicker than anything. His evening glass of hard liquor didn’t go unnoticed either. Patty had invited him out several times to drink with the guys, but Sanji had refused wanting to sit alone with his stout bottle. Everyone noticed that he didn’t even drink a glass of wine with his guests anymore. Bon Kurei told them that the lack of wine was due to a bad experience that resulted in his room being trashed, and the hard liquor was to help remember a better time. Rumors began and both likely and unlikely stories were concocted. There was a bet to see which one was right. Right now, the odds that he had an affair with a married woman was on top. Sanji sleeping with a man didn’t even make the list.

The place was packed as usual on a Friday night. Orders came in and were filled with exact precision. Sanji hummed softly as he worked, until Bon Kurei came back to speak with him.

“Mon ami. There is a very rough looking man here for you. He has greenish hair…” He got no further in his explanation because Sanji had dropped the plate of food he was currently holding.

Everyone stopped. Patty and Carne ran to help clean up the mess. Orders were barked to get the food replaced. All the while, Sanji stood looking at the tall man with something akin to hope and fear at the same time. Bon Kurei cleared his throat.

“I believe he is the Detective from the Hotel. Should I seat him, or do you wish for me to send him back here to you? Monsieur Luffy’s brother is with him as well.”

“Oh, um… No. Just seat them. Their meal is on the house. Anything they want. I promised them.” Sanji mumbles and returned to re-do the meal he had just destroyed.

In the entrance, Ace was whispering into Smoker’s ear things that shouldn’t be said in public. The stoic police officer was about to return them to the hotel room when Bon Kurei showed back up.

“S’il vous plait, come with me. I’ll show you to your table. Monsieur Sanji said that it’s his treat tonight. Anything you want.” The okama bowed to the couple and led them ahead of all the other waiting parties.

A few people moved to argue, but were held back by the looks from the other staff. Whispers began to circulate. They escalated even more when Smoker adjusted his jacket. The butt of his gun and his badge could be seen as he made himself comfortable. It was said that these were personal friends of the Head Chef himself. He was even cooking especially for them. In the back, Sanji looked at the order from Ace and began laughing. The ex-security guard had taken the ticket and scribbled down everything from roast duck to bologna. The cooks stopped to look at him, relived to hear his honest laughter after so long.

Dinner was superb. Ace agreed with Luffy on the quality of food. The Whitney had nothing on this place. The vast amounts of dishes were cleared from the table and Sanji emerged with dessert and coffee. Smoker nodded to him in thanks and held out his cup to be filled. Sanji obliged and filled his own cup as well. Ace began tasting all the different sweets. Only Smoker noticed the cooks at the kitchen door trying to eavesdrop on the conversation. He noted the two in the front and decided maybe they needed to talk later.

“So what brings you here?” Sanji asked. With Smoker wearing his badge, he didn’t think it was a vacation. “Luffy hasn’t been in for a while. We… had a bit of… an argument. I threw him out of my kitchen. I really should go apologize.”

Ace’s mouth was too full to answer intelligently, so his lover took it upon himself to reply. “We wanted to let you know that the young lady, referred to as Nami, was apprehended and convicted. She had warrants all over the states. We found a few recipes but nothing else that belonged to you.” Smoker handed over a few slips of paper. Sanji chuckled before pocketing them.

“These were some of my first attempts at cooking. I carry them around for a reminder of what not to do. While they hold sentimental value, they are nothing more.” Sanji’s eyebrow cocked up. “But, you didn’t come all this way just to give me these, did you?”

“Nope, we came to see my little brother too. Old stick-in-the-mud here said he needed a break and my boss basically threw me out so we thought ‘what the hell’. Let’s go see what’s going on in New York. So, here we are.” Ace finished off his second piece of cake. He looked so much like his brother at times like this. Only the freckles stood in the way. “We tried to get Zoro to come, since you invited him too, but he said you probably didn’t want him here. He was pretty upset that you didn’t even say goodbye. I figured that he was probably just imagining things when he said you were pissed off at him.” Ace paused for effect. “You’re not mad at him, right?”

Sanji shook his head slowly. He reached into his jacket for a cigarette. Smoker’s lighter flickered in front of him before he could even get his out. A happy grinning Ace held it. When it was lit, Sanji took a deep drag and watched as Ace lit a cigar for his lover and handed it to him. His heart pulled as he watched the older man pull Ace in for a kiss. It was chaste in looks, but the hunger in their eyes belied their actions.

“So, how is he? I mean, did he get in trouble for sleeping with me. I-I mean… Sleeping in one of the hotel rooms. I heard someone say it was against the rules. I just wondered.” Sanji colored at his Freudian slip. He wanted to hide when he saw Smoker’s smile.

“No, he’s fine about that. He didn’t get caught. Fortunately, Ace here edited the video feed to the elevator, the hall and then took care of the tape of the room.” Smoker grimaced at the sharp pain in his shins from Ace kicking him. If looks could kill, he’d be history. The look on Sanji’s face was completely worth it and so much more.

“The tape?” Sanji cleared his throat. “You watched it?” Sanji almost dropped his cigarette as he took in the information.

“Well, no… not exactly, I mean… you see, well… This is how it went. I saw Zoro in the elevator with you and thought it’d be funny to follow him with the cameras. He’s always doing shit like that to me so… I figured I’d get him back. Well, then I accessed the camera in your room and recorded it to give him hell about. I didn’t know you guys were going to do…THAT. If I had, I would have minded my own business. But damn it was hot. You should see it. I mmpphhh..” Ace was cut off by a large hand place on his mouth. He gave an annoyed look to Smoker.

Sanji sat there hyperventilating. He just found out that not only had he done something like that, but there was video evidence of it. Even worse, someone had watched. He began to see his entire reputation killed in front of him. His next words were very soft and shaky. “Who all saw?”

“Um, well, me of course. Smoker. Zoro watched it because he was so drunk he couldn’t remember most of what happened. And Luffy.” The last part was mumbled, but Sanji heard loud and clear.

Sanji was shaking he was so humiliated. He didn’t know how to take it. His good friend had watched him have sex with a man. And Luffy had never said a word. Sanji’s opinion of him rose several notches. He was a true friend to be able to see something like that and not hold it against him. He finished his smoke and pulled out another. Ace lit it again for him. He didn’t even bother nodding his thanks. He just sat back in the chair and let everything sink in. It occurred to him that the tape must have left the security room for that many people to have seen it. So if that happened…

“Where is the video?” Sanji asked.

Ace smiled uneasily and reached down into the pocked of his jacket to pull out a disc. He wasn’t about to tell Sanji there had originally been two discs and that one was still in possession of the other star of the movie. He liked keeping his head, thank you. The disc was passed across the table. Ace couldn’t take the tension anymore. He had to find out exactly how the blonde felt about the whole thing.

“Sanji, look. I know I shouldn’t have watched, but you guys just looked so happy together. I mean it wasn’t just the sex. Watching you guys sleep in each others arms was so sweet. I’ve know Zoro for a long time, and I’ve never seen him so content as he was with you at his side. I was jealous. Maybe I look like that when I sleep with Constantine, but I don’t know. I just know that you two really should give this thing a chance.” Ace reached out and put his hand on Sanji’s arm. He felt the muscles twitch nervously. Suddenly, Sanji stood and turned to leave.

“I need to think. Thank you Detective Smoker for your help in capturing the woman who wrecked my room. I hope the hotel wasn’t inconvenienced too much by my misfortune. I have your number to call if I have any questions. Good night.” Sanji gripped the disc in his hand and walked to the kitchen. He had to push through all the cooks standing at the door with their mouths wide open. Bon Kurei ordered Carne to take him home. The cook readily agreed and ran after his boss. Smoker and Ace also left to return to their hotel room. Their hopes to get the two perfectly matched men together were crushed.

Sanji walked into his apartment still dazed. He had no idea what to think. At first he was angry, then horrified, then humiliated, then angry all over again. Now he just felt empty. The plastic case cracked in his hand with the pressure. He brought his hand back to throw it across the room, but stopped. He wondered just how much of what they had done could be seen. Curiosity got the better of him and the next thing he knew he was in his bedroom inserting the disc into the DVD player.

He walked over to his dresser and began to undress. His back was to the television so he didn’t realize the video had already started playing. After taking off his jacket and shirt, he slid his belt from the loops and toed off his shoes. His hands began unfastening pants when he looked over his shoulder at the screen and froze. Zoro was sucking on his nipples and stroking his cock. He paled, knowing that others had seen all of this. He let his pants fall to the floor and slowly walked over to the bed and sat down. His body shivered with the memory of that fateful night. When he came in Zoro’s hand on-screen, Sanji’s body began to awaken.

Sanji let his hands trail the path that video Zoro’s lips were taking. He watched Zoro get up from the bed and walk across the room. Oh, yah. He went for the lotion. Sanji looked to his night stand and saw the bottle from the hotel sitting there. He turned back to the TV and saw video Zoro returning to the bed. Sanji slid off his boxers and grabbed the bottle. His mind was in a haze as he poured the lotion on his hand. He knew he had enjoyed it that night, but what’s to say he would still enjoy it when he was sober? The erotic nightmares were pure torture for him. He needed to figure out a way to make them stop. If doing this would help him find closure, he could live with it. He needed to show himself that everything that happened in that hotel room… everything he was currently watching… it was all because of the alcohol. It didn’t really matter.

Sanji leaned back on his elbow and spread his legs. He let his slick hand trace the edges of the opening. He tried to suppress the shivers of pleasure that it caused. He watched his own member being sucked by the gorgeous man on the television. Slowly he slid a finger in. It was tight and warm; not unlike the insides of a woman, but no woman he’d been with was this tight. He imagined what it must have felt like for Zoro being inside him. Sanji pulled the finger out a little before sliding it back in. He spread his legs further apart and continued the motion with his hand. It wasn’t unpleasant, but something was missing.

He watched the screen and saw his eyes roll back and his body arch in ecstasy. The pleasure spot. That’s what he was missing. He inserted another finger and began to thrust deeper. There was a little more pain now, but nothing he couldn’t handle. Zoro was pushing into him and he watched his legs grip the man pulling him forcefully down into him. Sanji tried to shove his fingers deeper into himself. On the next thrust he found his prostate. His body jumped and a loud moan escaped his lips. His mouth was dry and he licked his lips to help regain some moisture. He aimed for that spot again and again. His cock was leaking a steady stream of white down the side. Sanji whimpered at his level of need. He fell back flat on the bed and grabbed the aching member and began stroking in time with his other hand. He looked up at the TV. Sanji’s silent screams on the video and the look on Zoro’s face was all it took. He cried out as he rode his orgasm. He withdrew his fingers and sighed. Just before the video ended he saw the contented expression on both of their faces as they cuddled in post coital bliss. Sanji looked at his soiled hands and felt like crying. He stood up on shaky legs and walked to the bathroom to clean up.

He pulled on a pair of lounge pants before laying down on his bed and fell into an uneasy sleep. His dreams began as always. The hungry eyes, the firm hands and chapped lips. Then it changed. The eyes became sorrowful and distant. The lips pulled away and the hands released him. He cried out in his dream for them to come back, but with every step he took the man became further away. Sanji awoke screaming Zoro’s name.

When his heart slowed down, he began searching his nightstand for his phone. He scrolled thru and found the number for Constantine Smoker and pressed send. It rang several times before an out of breath person answered.

“Ah, um, h-hai? Moshi, moshi. Ah, Ace here. Mmmm.” Ace threw his head back against the headboard as Smoker took his length deeper into his mouth.

“Ace? Oh, this is Sanji. Um, is Detective Smoker busy? I-I need to ask him something.” Sanji thought that maybe he had woke them up. Ace seemed a bit disoriented, or maybe distracted.

Ace tried to sit up, but the presence in his lap refused to budge. “Sanji, w-what’s wrong? Did something happen?” Smoker lifted his head at Sanji’s name. His eyebrow rose in question.

“Oh, um. No. I just needed to know if you could give me Zoro’s number. I, uh… I just need to… Well… You see…” Sanji had no idea how to tell them he just needed to hear the man’s voice. He needed to make sure that he was ok. Should he tell them he had a nightmare. No, that was childish.

Ace covered the mic on the phone and whispered. “He’s really flustered. He wants Zoro’s number.”

Smoker grinned and nodded his head. He then crawled up over Ace and began to enter him.

“Ahh. Oh shit. You fucker.” Ace hissed as his lover filled him.

“Ace?” Sanji started to blush. He obviously interrupted more than he bargained for. “I’ll just call back.”

“No! I mean… hang on. Let met give you the numbers. He might have his cell turned off so I’ll give you the number to the loft as well.” Ace did his best to keep his voice steady as Smoker move inside him. He gave him an evil glare as the strength of the thrusts began to increase.

Sanji wrote down the numbers and hung up the phone as quick as possible. He swore that he would never call the two of them again. He was certain he could hear the slapping of skin and every little sound that Smoker made. The mental image he received was frightening. He looked at the numbers he had written down. The first was Zoro’s cell. He dialed the number and waited. It went straight to a voicemail message saying the inbox was full. Sanji sighed and hung up. He dialed the second number. It rang several times before someone picked up.

“We’re not here. Leave a message.” Zoro’s baritone voice filled the receiver followed by a beep.

“Oh shit. Um… Hey… It’s Sanji. We met… Well, we talked… or something… But, I called because… Actually, I’m not sure why I called. So…” Sanji stumbled for something to say. Actually hearing Zoro’s voice caught him off guard and threw off his entire rehearsed speech. He was about to hang up when the phone line clicked and a horrible crash was heard.

“Sanji?”