Politically Correct ch. 12
So, it's been a while, sorry! Family stuff happened and writing this chapter became impossible. But it's here now~ &, honestly, it could very well have taken me another month to get the motivation to write this chapter if it hadn't been for you guys. So, as always, lots of love to you all!
Title: Politically Correct
Rating: R
Word Count: 3,900
Pairing: Zoro x Sanji
Summary: AU set in the San Francisco Bay Area Nami has decided that she's tired of Sanji constantly chasing after girls only to be taken advantage of & decides to take a more active role in Sanji committing to a Real Relationship.
Disclaimer: One Piece = Eiichiro Oda =/= me.
Notes: I caught the summer cold so my head isn't quite in the right place right now, so editing will probably be really very shoddy. But I just couldn't hold off on posting it anymore.
[Previous Chapters]
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Sanji picked up the empty plates that were scattered on the coffee table in front of his entertainment center. Usopp was sitting on the floor with his back against the couch and Sanji's laptop balanced on his knees as he stared intently at a diagram of a dissected firecracker. Luffy was sprawled out on the couch watching a generic Christmas flick, staring longingly at the snowball fight taking place on screen.
Dirty dishes in hand Sanji walked back down the hall to the kitchen. They had picked up Zoro's weights from Vivi's place on their way to Sanji's and Zoro had set up shop in front of the window. Sanji set the dishes in the sink, leaving them for later. "So, what exactly did you want to know?"
"Just enough to have an idea of what Baroque Works is." Zoro picked up his weights, immediately deciding that training through another lengthy conversation with Sanji was more appealing than sitting still.
Sanji sat on the floor and stretched out his legs, immediately deciding that stretching through another one of Zoro's training sessions was more subtle than staring.
"Baroque Works is, well… think souped up country club or old-school gentlemen's club. Membership is exclusive and highly selective. An invitation to join is a promise of wealth, power, and influence. The members practically own the country."
Earlier that day, Zoro would have insisted that, along with the sex, the ocean view was the best benefit of staying with Sanji. But, as Sanji arched his back in a particularly flexible maneuver, he was beginning to reconsider. "Okay. So they're just like the upper class here?"
"Except that, instead of relying on exploiting loopholes in regulations, Baroque Works really has no qualms with killing people who get in their way. They plant corrupt politicians for the sole purpose of starting scandals and defacing the current government. And, very much unlike the regular scenario, the Alabastan working class loves them."
"The people love them?"
"Easy to do if you control the media and easy to get away with if it's a tiny country that no one else pays much attention to. And, just to clarify, Robin only joined Baroque Works to gain access to an archaeological dig that they owned. And, while we're at it, Nami's not a terrible person either. She had a rough childhood that kind of forced her into some shady stuff as a kid and ultimately shaped her view on money. So, try not to hold it against them, okay?"
"You make it sound like I've just been itching to stick it to 'em. I don't hate women, y'know."
"Sometimes you act like you do."
"No. What I don't like are women who act like they deserve special treatment just because they're women."
"Why do I, a chivalrous knight, hang out with you, a brutish barbarian?" Sanji was now on his back, legs in the air. "Is that what happened with the lovely lady at the Baratie? Was she asking for special treatment?"
Zoro hesitated.
"No. She just looks like Kuina." Zoro picked up heavier weights. "And sounds like Kuina and wields her sword like Kuina."
Sanji watched the way Zoro's muscles bulged, the raised veins and furrowed brow. "But she's obviously not Kuina."
Zoro thought about how odd it was to hear Kunia's name come from someone else. To hear it come from Sanji. "No, obviously not." He put down his weights and sat cross-legged on the floor in front of Sanji. "But if I fought her and won… I just can't. I can't face Tashigi when I still associate her with Kuina. I absolutely understand that they're two completely different people, but part of me feels that beating Tashigi would be proving Kuina right."
Looks like I wasn't told the full Story of Zoro the first time around. Sanji felt slighted. "Right about what?" Zoro looked up with an expression as though he hadn't realized he had been speaking out loud.
"I mentioned how I was never able to beat her?" Sanji nodded. "After that last fight, which of course she won, she broke down saying that being a woman meant she'd grow weak and I'd eventually win by default. I called bullshit and that's when we made our promise."
"Well," Sanji stared up at the ceiling, head resting on folded arms, "there are certain… biological differences that could put females at a physical disadvantage?"
Zoro scowled at him. "It's also said that females have a better center of balance. And some people have asthma while others have a fantastic metabolism. A disadvantage just means that you have to work that much harder."
"Who knew you were such a feminist."
"Everyone knows you're sexist."
Sanji rolled onto his side to face Zoro. "It's not like I do things for women because I think they can't do it themselves. It's just... I want to." It's how I was raised seemed like more of an excuse than a reason.
Usopp hovered in the hallway, just out of sight. He really wanted to go to the bathroom, but Sanji and Zoro were talking.
"Psssst. Luffy. Hey. Luffy." Usopp took off his socks and threw them at his friend, whose eyes were still locked on the screen. "Sanji said he made you pot roast, but Zoro ate it all."
Luffy was on Zoro in an instant and Usopp snuck into the bathroom. Sanji got up off the floor and sat at his desk. "When you two are done writhing around on my floor, we should really start going over the plans for Chopper's birthday party. Which is tomorrow, by the way."
Several hours and a few phone conferences later, Sanji's refrigerator was full of partially prepared food, his table was covered with hand drawn banners, and Usopp had left early to work on a last minute project with Franky. By the time Sanji returned from dropping off Luffy, Zoro was finishing the final cardboard cutouts. He stood with his swords unsheathed, having found the scissors and razors that had been set out to be much too inefficient. Sanji took in the mess that was his dining area and dropped the bag of balloons he had bought on his way home and left them in the hallway.
"I'm thinking it's about time for bed." He pulled off his tie and hung it on his bedroom doorknob. "Feel free to join me."
Zoro's swords were sheathed in record time and his shirt was already off by the time he kicked Sanji's door shut behind him.
oOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo
Zoro was awake and breakfast wasn't made.
He could tell because Sanji's forehead was pressing into his shoulder and Zoro could feel the warmth of steady breathing against his arm. He shifted slowly, gently freeing his limb from the tight space between his side and Sanji's body. He stretched the freed arm across Sanji's unused pillow as the blonde's forehead resettled directly against the side of Zoro's torso. He held back a laugh as he imagined how Sanji would react upon waking up to a faceful of Zoro's armpit.
He circled his arm around Sanji and he wondered if he might be crossing some line as his fingers stroked through the golden strands of hair. But then again, they had never really drawn any lines to begin with. They had never tried to explain away why that first time had happened and why the second time had happened and now this third time.
Sanji shifted.
At this point, they probably fit under the category of 'fuck buddies'. Ace would insist 'lovers', but neither felt quite right. One seemed too detached while the other implied a level of emotional commitment that they didn't exactly have. It implied romance. And Zoro and Sanji were not romantically involved.
But then there was that kiss.
And then there was this right now. What Zoro was doing could very well be classified as cuddling with Sanji.
This was emotional attachment.
Sharing his life story was emotional attachment.
Zoro was emotionally attached.
But that doesn't make us lovers.
Zoro closed his eyes.
They really didn't need a label.
OoOoOoOoOoOoO
Zoro was warm. Almost uncomfortably so. Sanji cracked an eye open and was met with a close up view of a broad chest. He was half lying on his side and half lying on Zoro with a cheek plastered to tan skin. One hand was trapped between their two bodies while the other was constricted by Zoro's arm wrapped around his shoulders. He didn't even try to figure out the knot made from the tangle of their legs and the sheets.
It was one of the most awkward positions Sanji had ever woken to find himself in. He contemplated all the possible ways he could wiggle free without waking the other man, but was quickly losing hope.
"Whatever happened to you being used to waking up first in order to prep breakfast?"
Sanji stiffened. Then relaxed. If Zoro was awake then he could move around at will. "I have a shitload of stuff to do today and tomorrow. Making sure you wake up to the smell of breakfast is hardly a priority."
Zoro let out a big yawn and Sanji's head followed the rise and fall of his chest.
Just need to push away and I'm free. Could even just roll over. Rolling over is pretty…
Zoro pulled him a little closer and Sanji drifted back off to sleep.
The next time he woke up, Sanji could smell bacon. He found it oddly disconcerting. Though waking up to the smell of food really is quite nice.
He rolled over.
And then the idea of Zoro in his kitchen, cooking, sank in and Sanji shot out of bed and into the next room. Which was oddly devoid of the mess that had been left there the previous night.
"Did you clean? And…You're cooking." Zoro was at the stove, a dumbbell in one hand and a spatula in the other. "I always imagined this scenario would involve a lot more fire and the destruction of my kitchen. Which would inevitably end in your death, because I'd need to avenge my kitchen, and the death of anyone unfortunate enough to have actually eaten your… concoction."
"Robin stopped by not too long ago to pick up all the decorations. And just how often do you daydream about me in your kitchen? I be you've got one hell of an apron fetish." Sanji edged a little closer. Nothing smelled burnt and everything still seemed to be in perfect working order. "I have been living alone. I can at least make bacon. Who doesn't know how to cook bacon?"
"But is it good bacon?" Sanji peered over Zoro's shoulder, unconvinced. "What else are you making?"
Zoro could feel Sanji's breath on his neck. He decided to let a couple pieces of bacon burn. "What else? Bacon is breakfast enough for me. Unless your highness would be willing to stoop to the levels of toast? And I mean toast. None of that fancy shit with the sugar and fruit."
Sanji pushed him aside. "You're burning it."
"What if I just like my bacon crispy?"
"There's a difference between crispy and blackened. I do hope you realize you'll be eating all the pieces you've ruined. So much for being able to at least cook bacon."
Zoro ran a hand up Sanji's thigh. "I only burn bacon for you." He grabbed a handful of sliced bread and made his way over to the toaster. "And toast is a lot easier to burn than people make it seem." In a blur of movement Zoro found himself with the counter digging into his back and his mouth full of Sanji. He switched their positions, lifting Sanji onto the countertop and pressing close. I knew he couldn't stand having a plain and simple breakfast.
Sanji hadn't thought to pull on anything more than his underwear and was regretting it because it gave Zoro had easy access and "Not in my fucking kitchen, moss head." He had intended to push Zoro away, but was only successful in somehow pulling him closer. "I put food on this counter. There's food on this counter right now." Zoro ignored him and unbuckled his own belt. Sanji moaned out a final "I mean it," but it was lost in Zoro's mouth.
XXXXXXXXXXX
"This is… You guys are… You guys." Chopper did his best to frown, but, as always, failed terribly and instead stood staring wide-eyed at the room before him. In the center of the room there was soft pink snow drifting down from the ceiling and coating an area of the floor. Colorful banners and streamers stretched from wall to wall and several large multi-colored sticks of cotton candy acting as table ornaments.
"Happy Birthday Chopper‼"
His friends were spread out before him with huge smiles and winter coats. Not too far away was a table piled with presents and two more with food. He smiled back as he rubbed at his eyes and was soon caught in a mesh of several arms and bodies with several hands patting his head before being pulled away by Luffy.
"I always thought Candy Land was creepy enough when it didn't exist in real life." Zoro had settled on one of the couches pushed up against the wall away from the makeshift winter wonderland and across the room from where Kohza was keeping an eye on both him and Vivi. He turned his attention to Sanji, who was currently in the midst of a snowball fight. "The snow looks real."
"That little red-headed sis had quite a bit of input that made it practically authentic. She and Usopp collaborated on the snow machine," Franky answered from the seat next to him. "I installed a cooling system in the floor so it could stick because Luffy insisted that they be able to make snowmen."
Ace squeezed himself down between Zoro and Franky. "You shouldn't spoil him so much. He'll only expect greater and better the next time around." The snowball fight had ended and the construction of snowman replicas of everyone in the room had begun. "Sometimes I wonder about Sanji. One minute he's making snow thrones for the ladies and preaching about proper etiquette and being a gentlemen and the next he's doing a drunken jig with Usopp and Luffy." Sanji was, at that moment, arguing with Usopp about the best way to roast marshmallows over an indoor fire pit while Chopper stuffed several s'mores into his mouth.
"You look like a group of fathers watching their children play in the sandbox." Robin sat on the edge of the couch, hooking one arm around Franky's neck. "Sometimes I forget just how young the rest of you are."
"Babe, we're just aged to perfection." Robin smiled down at Franky.
"I do like things with more history."
Ace and Zoro quickly decided it was time for them to eat and left the two on their own. There were two long buffet tables. One looked Chopper friendly (fruits, vegetables, cheese, nuts, and an assortment of meat replacements) while the other buffet table held the opposite.
Zoro grabbed a plate while Ace lent his hat to his snowman double. "I really hope you don't think you're going to serve yourself before the ladies have had their pick."
Zoro openly groaned. "I'm not Luffy. There'll be plenty of food left once I've taken my share. Unless you're not confident that you've made enough for everyone?"
He didn't see Sanji's foot whip out before it connected with his back, but Zoro silently thanked his reflexes for saving him from flying into the table. "If you have such a fucking problem with my rules, then you can stay the hell away from my food." Sanji's eyes were angry. Zoro didn't really want to have to deal with it.
He gripped his swords and faced Sanji. The cook lit a cigarette.
"Nope. Nope-nope-nope-nope. No fighting. No patients on my birthday." Chopper had the uncanny ability of sounding much larger than he actually was when angry and, when accompanied by his overbearing cuteness, it was nigh impossible to ignore him.
Zoro's swords disappeared and Sanji put out his cigarette. "Sorry, Chopper. How about I go and serve the cake now and then you can open presents?" Chopper grinned and followed Sanji, skipping, to the large pink cake that had a table of its own.
"As a doctor, you'd think the kid would be a little more careful about his sugar intake." Zoro stood by Ace, who was now tracing abs into his snowman doppelganger.
"People tend to be hypocrites. Like doctors who smoke. Though, in Chopper's case, he is still a kid so I think he gets a bit of leeway. Unlike certain green-haired swordsmen who are no longer minors and should have, by now, developed some semblance of being a Mature Adult." Ace stood up, dusting the homemade snow off his pants.
"What did I do now? If it's about the blonde, I'd like to point out that he's the one who threw a tantrum."
"But you guys were doing so well. And I guess it's partially my fault for pointing out the fact that you guys were actually being civil towards each other, but really it's your entire fault for taking my observation as some sort of criticism." Everyone had gathered around the cake and Sanji had begun lighting the candles.
I guess I do sort of remember Ace saying something like that. "I didn't provoke him, if that's what you're getting at. At least, not intentionally. It's not my fault the damn cook is overprotective of his kitchen." Zoro and Ace made their way over to the group.
"What the hell did you do to his kitchen?"
"I didn't do anything to his kitchen. It's more like what I did in his kitchen, and, well, you're the one who told me not to kiss and tell."
Ace looked pained. "I'd love to congratulate you and exchange manly pats on the back, but I'd really just pretend we didn't have this conversation and maybe I'll still be able to enjoy the food I'm about to eat without having to think about where it was made and what surfaces it's been sitting on."
Zoro grinned at his friend as they all broke out in a loud rendition of "Happy Birthday to You" for which Franky had choreographed a dance and after which Chopper spent a full minute trying to blow out the flames before finally discovering that they were trick candles, courtesy of Usopp. Brook showed up not long after and one table was soon cleared to be used as an impromptu stage for drunken karaoke, the ridiculousness of which was further aided by the lack of an actual karaoke machine and, instead, Brook playing all songs requested despite having never even heard of half of them.
No one mentioned that the snow had stopped falling, too distracted by Usopp's tearful oration on the epic tale that was his friendship with Chopper. Nor did they see Ace disable the smoke alarm while Franky helped turn their tiny fire pit into a mini bonfire. And only Zoro noticed that all the empty dishes had been cleared and the cook was nowhere in sight.
He took a quick survey of the large room and headed towards the large glass doors that led outside. Sanji was leaning over the porch railing and staring at the darkness of the empty street in front of him. Zoro silently shut the door behind him and admired how perfect Sanji looked when he thought no one was around.
Sanji, completely at ease.
Sanji, not trying to impress.
Sanji, who was now staring back at him.
"This isn't one of your catering events. You don't have to clean up and disappear the second we've finished eating."
"And you really shouldn't feel so obligated to come out and find me every time I take a smoke break." Zoro couldn't clearly see Sanji's face, the porch lights were off and the street lights dim.
"You're still angry about doing it in the kitchen. I'd like to remind you that you didn't exactly resist." Zoro wanted to move closer. It was disconcerting, not being able to see those blue eyes. But Zoro could feel the tension and Sanji looked about ready to bolt.
Sanji wasn't moving either. "I know. I know. And that's the problem. It was my kitchen, my sanctuary, and I didn't resist, not really. In fact, I initiated it. And I couldn't resist because it was you and…" Sanji let out a frustrated sound.
"I can't tell if you're complaining or if you're complimenting my sexual prowess."
Sanji grit his teeth, he was staring at the floor. "It is not a compliment. And it isn't about the sex because, I mean, really, that first time wasn't exactly the most pleasant experience I've ever had. But Robin's right. I'm not just using you as a replacement for women to get around Nami's restrictions. I mean… shit Zoro, I've practically asked you to move in." Sanji was looking straight at him now.
Zoro moved away from the door. The tension was still there, thicker than ever, but Sanji's eyes were unwavering. "This is beginning to sound an awful lot like a confession, curly brows."
Sanji looked confused for a second. Eyes hesitant. Then he came to a decision.
"That's exactly what this is."
Zoro didn't falter in his step and soon found himself standing in front of Sanji. He thumbed the tense jaw and returned the kiss he had received that second night.
Painfully slow. Tender.
Meaningful.
The kiss didn't last very long. Sanji's fingers were pressed into Zoro's chest, slightly curling into his shirt. "So, what, am I your boyfriend now, love cook?"
"Boyfriend?" Sanji cringed. "No. No. The thought of referring to you as my boyfriend is just too weird." Neither had moved away after the kiss. Their noses were still touching.
"Then, what?" Zoro murmured into his cheek.
"I think 'marimo' is just fine."
"Good, because I think love cook is pretty accurate." Their words melted into another kiss.
Sound suddenly spilled out as the door opened and Nami stuck her head out. "Oh, good. Really glad I'm not interrupting anything." Zoro felt Sanji stiffen, but the blonde didn't pull away.
"What the hell do you want?" Zoro almost regretted his tone the second Sanji's heel dug into foot.
"Uhm. Nothing. Saying my goodbyes and heading home." She glanced at the phone in her hand and gave Sanji a distracted wave goodbye as she made her way across the porch and out to her car.
Sanji and Zoro stared after her in silence. "I thought everyone was spending the night?"
Sanji looked puzzled. "I'm more weirded out that she caught us with our tongues down each other's throats and just… walked by." He shook his head. "Well, she has been spending an awful lot of time at work, so she's probably just burned out."
"Well, whatever the reason." Zoro tugged on Sanji's wrist and pressed him against the porch rails with a more aggressive meeting of lips.
Sanji pulled Zoro closer. I can't remember the last time I kissed anyone this much and still hand my pants on by the end. He smirked against Zoro's lips and said, "Marimo."
"Love cook."
Chapter 13
Title: Politically Correct
Rating: R
Word Count: 3,900
Pairing: Zoro x Sanji
Summary: AU set in the San Francisco Bay Area Nami has decided that she's tired of Sanji constantly chasing after girls only to be taken advantage of & decides to take a more active role in Sanji committing to a Real Relationship.
Disclaimer: One Piece = Eiichiro Oda =/= me.
Notes: I caught the summer cold so my head isn't quite in the right place right now, so editing will probably be really very shoddy. But I just couldn't hold off on posting it anymore.
[Previous Chapters]
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Sanji picked up the empty plates that were scattered on the coffee table in front of his entertainment center. Usopp was sitting on the floor with his back against the couch and Sanji's laptop balanced on his knees as he stared intently at a diagram of a dissected firecracker. Luffy was sprawled out on the couch watching a generic Christmas flick, staring longingly at the snowball fight taking place on screen.
Dirty dishes in hand Sanji walked back down the hall to the kitchen. They had picked up Zoro's weights from Vivi's place on their way to Sanji's and Zoro had set up shop in front of the window. Sanji set the dishes in the sink, leaving them for later. "So, what exactly did you want to know?"
"Just enough to have an idea of what Baroque Works is." Zoro picked up his weights, immediately deciding that training through another lengthy conversation with Sanji was more appealing than sitting still.
Sanji sat on the floor and stretched out his legs, immediately deciding that stretching through another one of Zoro's training sessions was more subtle than staring.
"Baroque Works is, well… think souped up country club or old-school gentlemen's club. Membership is exclusive and highly selective. An invitation to join is a promise of wealth, power, and influence. The members practically own the country."
Earlier that day, Zoro would have insisted that, along with the sex, the ocean view was the best benefit of staying with Sanji. But, as Sanji arched his back in a particularly flexible maneuver, he was beginning to reconsider. "Okay. So they're just like the upper class here?"
"Except that, instead of relying on exploiting loopholes in regulations, Baroque Works really has no qualms with killing people who get in their way. They plant corrupt politicians for the sole purpose of starting scandals and defacing the current government. And, very much unlike the regular scenario, the Alabastan working class loves them."
"The people love them?"
"Easy to do if you control the media and easy to get away with if it's a tiny country that no one else pays much attention to. And, just to clarify, Robin only joined Baroque Works to gain access to an archaeological dig that they owned. And, while we're at it, Nami's not a terrible person either. She had a rough childhood that kind of forced her into some shady stuff as a kid and ultimately shaped her view on money. So, try not to hold it against them, okay?"
"You make it sound like I've just been itching to stick it to 'em. I don't hate women, y'know."
"Sometimes you act like you do."
"No. What I don't like are women who act like they deserve special treatment just because they're women."
"Why do I, a chivalrous knight, hang out with you, a brutish barbarian?" Sanji was now on his back, legs in the air. "Is that what happened with the lovely lady at the Baratie? Was she asking for special treatment?"
Zoro hesitated.
"No. She just looks like Kuina." Zoro picked up heavier weights. "And sounds like Kuina and wields her sword like Kuina."
Sanji watched the way Zoro's muscles bulged, the raised veins and furrowed brow. "But she's obviously not Kuina."
Zoro thought about how odd it was to hear Kunia's name come from someone else. To hear it come from Sanji. "No, obviously not." He put down his weights and sat cross-legged on the floor in front of Sanji. "But if I fought her and won… I just can't. I can't face Tashigi when I still associate her with Kuina. I absolutely understand that they're two completely different people, but part of me feels that beating Tashigi would be proving Kuina right."
Looks like I wasn't told the full Story of Zoro the first time around. Sanji felt slighted. "Right about what?" Zoro looked up with an expression as though he hadn't realized he had been speaking out loud.
"I mentioned how I was never able to beat her?" Sanji nodded. "After that last fight, which of course she won, she broke down saying that being a woman meant she'd grow weak and I'd eventually win by default. I called bullshit and that's when we made our promise."
"Well," Sanji stared up at the ceiling, head resting on folded arms, "there are certain… biological differences that could put females at a physical disadvantage?"
Zoro scowled at him. "It's also said that females have a better center of balance. And some people have asthma while others have a fantastic metabolism. A disadvantage just means that you have to work that much harder."
"Who knew you were such a feminist."
"Everyone knows you're sexist."
Sanji rolled onto his side to face Zoro. "It's not like I do things for women because I think they can't do it themselves. It's just... I want to." It's how I was raised seemed like more of an excuse than a reason.
Usopp hovered in the hallway, just out of sight. He really wanted to go to the bathroom, but Sanji and Zoro were talking.
"Psssst. Luffy. Hey. Luffy." Usopp took off his socks and threw them at his friend, whose eyes were still locked on the screen. "Sanji said he made you pot roast, but Zoro ate it all."
Luffy was on Zoro in an instant and Usopp snuck into the bathroom. Sanji got up off the floor and sat at his desk. "When you two are done writhing around on my floor, we should really start going over the plans for Chopper's birthday party. Which is tomorrow, by the way."
Several hours and a few phone conferences later, Sanji's refrigerator was full of partially prepared food, his table was covered with hand drawn banners, and Usopp had left early to work on a last minute project with Franky. By the time Sanji returned from dropping off Luffy, Zoro was finishing the final cardboard cutouts. He stood with his swords unsheathed, having found the scissors and razors that had been set out to be much too inefficient. Sanji took in the mess that was his dining area and dropped the bag of balloons he had bought on his way home and left them in the hallway.
"I'm thinking it's about time for bed." He pulled off his tie and hung it on his bedroom doorknob. "Feel free to join me."
Zoro's swords were sheathed in record time and his shirt was already off by the time he kicked Sanji's door shut behind him.
oOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo
Zoro was awake and breakfast wasn't made.
He could tell because Sanji's forehead was pressing into his shoulder and Zoro could feel the warmth of steady breathing against his arm. He shifted slowly, gently freeing his limb from the tight space between his side and Sanji's body. He stretched the freed arm across Sanji's unused pillow as the blonde's forehead resettled directly against the side of Zoro's torso. He held back a laugh as he imagined how Sanji would react upon waking up to a faceful of Zoro's armpit.
He circled his arm around Sanji and he wondered if he might be crossing some line as his fingers stroked through the golden strands of hair. But then again, they had never really drawn any lines to begin with. They had never tried to explain away why that first time had happened and why the second time had happened and now this third time.
Sanji shifted.
At this point, they probably fit under the category of 'fuck buddies'. Ace would insist 'lovers', but neither felt quite right. One seemed too detached while the other implied a level of emotional commitment that they didn't exactly have. It implied romance. And Zoro and Sanji were not romantically involved.
But then there was that kiss.
And then there was this right now. What Zoro was doing could very well be classified as cuddling with Sanji.
This was emotional attachment.
Sharing his life story was emotional attachment.
Zoro was emotionally attached.
But that doesn't make us lovers.
Zoro closed his eyes.
They really didn't need a label.
OoOoOoOoOoOoO
Zoro was warm. Almost uncomfortably so. Sanji cracked an eye open and was met with a close up view of a broad chest. He was half lying on his side and half lying on Zoro with a cheek plastered to tan skin. One hand was trapped between their two bodies while the other was constricted by Zoro's arm wrapped around his shoulders. He didn't even try to figure out the knot made from the tangle of their legs and the sheets.
It was one of the most awkward positions Sanji had ever woken to find himself in. He contemplated all the possible ways he could wiggle free without waking the other man, but was quickly losing hope.
"Whatever happened to you being used to waking up first in order to prep breakfast?"
Sanji stiffened. Then relaxed. If Zoro was awake then he could move around at will. "I have a shitload of stuff to do today and tomorrow. Making sure you wake up to the smell of breakfast is hardly a priority."
Zoro let out a big yawn and Sanji's head followed the rise and fall of his chest.
Just need to push away and I'm free. Could even just roll over. Rolling over is pretty…
Zoro pulled him a little closer and Sanji drifted back off to sleep.
The next time he woke up, Sanji could smell bacon. He found it oddly disconcerting. Though waking up to the smell of food really is quite nice.
He rolled over.
And then the idea of Zoro in his kitchen, cooking, sank in and Sanji shot out of bed and into the next room. Which was oddly devoid of the mess that had been left there the previous night.
"Did you clean? And…You're cooking." Zoro was at the stove, a dumbbell in one hand and a spatula in the other. "I always imagined this scenario would involve a lot more fire and the destruction of my kitchen. Which would inevitably end in your death, because I'd need to avenge my kitchen, and the death of anyone unfortunate enough to have actually eaten your… concoction."
"Robin stopped by not too long ago to pick up all the decorations. And just how often do you daydream about me in your kitchen? I be you've got one hell of an apron fetish." Sanji edged a little closer. Nothing smelled burnt and everything still seemed to be in perfect working order. "I have been living alone. I can at least make bacon. Who doesn't know how to cook bacon?"
"But is it good bacon?" Sanji peered over Zoro's shoulder, unconvinced. "What else are you making?"
Zoro could feel Sanji's breath on his neck. He decided to let a couple pieces of bacon burn. "What else? Bacon is breakfast enough for me. Unless your highness would be willing to stoop to the levels of toast? And I mean toast. None of that fancy shit with the sugar and fruit."
Sanji pushed him aside. "You're burning it."
"What if I just like my bacon crispy?"
"There's a difference between crispy and blackened. I do hope you realize you'll be eating all the pieces you've ruined. So much for being able to at least cook bacon."
Zoro ran a hand up Sanji's thigh. "I only burn bacon for you." He grabbed a handful of sliced bread and made his way over to the toaster. "And toast is a lot easier to burn than people make it seem." In a blur of movement Zoro found himself with the counter digging into his back and his mouth full of Sanji. He switched their positions, lifting Sanji onto the countertop and pressing close. I knew he couldn't stand having a plain and simple breakfast.
Sanji hadn't thought to pull on anything more than his underwear and was regretting it because it gave Zoro had easy access and "Not in my fucking kitchen, moss head." He had intended to push Zoro away, but was only successful in somehow pulling him closer. "I put food on this counter. There's food on this counter right now." Zoro ignored him and unbuckled his own belt. Sanji moaned out a final "I mean it," but it was lost in Zoro's mouth.
XXXXXXXXXXX
"This is… You guys are… You guys." Chopper did his best to frown, but, as always, failed terribly and instead stood staring wide-eyed at the room before him. In the center of the room there was soft pink snow drifting down from the ceiling and coating an area of the floor. Colorful banners and streamers stretched from wall to wall and several large multi-colored sticks of cotton candy acting as table ornaments.
"Happy Birthday Chopper‼"
His friends were spread out before him with huge smiles and winter coats. Not too far away was a table piled with presents and two more with food. He smiled back as he rubbed at his eyes and was soon caught in a mesh of several arms and bodies with several hands patting his head before being pulled away by Luffy.
"I always thought Candy Land was creepy enough when it didn't exist in real life." Zoro had settled on one of the couches pushed up against the wall away from the makeshift winter wonderland and across the room from where Kohza was keeping an eye on both him and Vivi. He turned his attention to Sanji, who was currently in the midst of a snowball fight. "The snow looks real."
"That little red-headed sis had quite a bit of input that made it practically authentic. She and Usopp collaborated on the snow machine," Franky answered from the seat next to him. "I installed a cooling system in the floor so it could stick because Luffy insisted that they be able to make snowmen."
Ace squeezed himself down between Zoro and Franky. "You shouldn't spoil him so much. He'll only expect greater and better the next time around." The snowball fight had ended and the construction of snowman replicas of everyone in the room had begun. "Sometimes I wonder about Sanji. One minute he's making snow thrones for the ladies and preaching about proper etiquette and being a gentlemen and the next he's doing a drunken jig with Usopp and Luffy." Sanji was, at that moment, arguing with Usopp about the best way to roast marshmallows over an indoor fire pit while Chopper stuffed several s'mores into his mouth.
"You look like a group of fathers watching their children play in the sandbox." Robin sat on the edge of the couch, hooking one arm around Franky's neck. "Sometimes I forget just how young the rest of you are."
"Babe, we're just aged to perfection." Robin smiled down at Franky.
"I do like things with more history."
Ace and Zoro quickly decided it was time for them to eat and left the two on their own. There were two long buffet tables. One looked Chopper friendly (fruits, vegetables, cheese, nuts, and an assortment of meat replacements) while the other buffet table held the opposite.
Zoro grabbed a plate while Ace lent his hat to his snowman double. "I really hope you don't think you're going to serve yourself before the ladies have had their pick."
Zoro openly groaned. "I'm not Luffy. There'll be plenty of food left once I've taken my share. Unless you're not confident that you've made enough for everyone?"
He didn't see Sanji's foot whip out before it connected with his back, but Zoro silently thanked his reflexes for saving him from flying into the table. "If you have such a fucking problem with my rules, then you can stay the hell away from my food." Sanji's eyes were angry. Zoro didn't really want to have to deal with it.
He gripped his swords and faced Sanji. The cook lit a cigarette.
"Nope. Nope-nope-nope-nope. No fighting. No patients on my birthday." Chopper had the uncanny ability of sounding much larger than he actually was when angry and, when accompanied by his overbearing cuteness, it was nigh impossible to ignore him.
Zoro's swords disappeared and Sanji put out his cigarette. "Sorry, Chopper. How about I go and serve the cake now and then you can open presents?" Chopper grinned and followed Sanji, skipping, to the large pink cake that had a table of its own.
"As a doctor, you'd think the kid would be a little more careful about his sugar intake." Zoro stood by Ace, who was now tracing abs into his snowman doppelganger.
"People tend to be hypocrites. Like doctors who smoke. Though, in Chopper's case, he is still a kid so I think he gets a bit of leeway. Unlike certain green-haired swordsmen who are no longer minors and should have, by now, developed some semblance of being a Mature Adult." Ace stood up, dusting the homemade snow off his pants.
"What did I do now? If it's about the blonde, I'd like to point out that he's the one who threw a tantrum."
"But you guys were doing so well. And I guess it's partially my fault for pointing out the fact that you guys were actually being civil towards each other, but really it's your entire fault for taking my observation as some sort of criticism." Everyone had gathered around the cake and Sanji had begun lighting the candles.
I guess I do sort of remember Ace saying something like that. "I didn't provoke him, if that's what you're getting at. At least, not intentionally. It's not my fault the damn cook is overprotective of his kitchen." Zoro and Ace made their way over to the group.
"What the hell did you do to his kitchen?"
"I didn't do anything to his kitchen. It's more like what I did in his kitchen, and, well, you're the one who told me not to kiss and tell."
Ace looked pained. "I'd love to congratulate you and exchange manly pats on the back, but I'd really just pretend we didn't have this conversation and maybe I'll still be able to enjoy the food I'm about to eat without having to think about where it was made and what surfaces it's been sitting on."
Zoro grinned at his friend as they all broke out in a loud rendition of "Happy Birthday to You" for which Franky had choreographed a dance and after which Chopper spent a full minute trying to blow out the flames before finally discovering that they were trick candles, courtesy of Usopp. Brook showed up not long after and one table was soon cleared to be used as an impromptu stage for drunken karaoke, the ridiculousness of which was further aided by the lack of an actual karaoke machine and, instead, Brook playing all songs requested despite having never even heard of half of them.
No one mentioned that the snow had stopped falling, too distracted by Usopp's tearful oration on the epic tale that was his friendship with Chopper. Nor did they see Ace disable the smoke alarm while Franky helped turn their tiny fire pit into a mini bonfire. And only Zoro noticed that all the empty dishes had been cleared and the cook was nowhere in sight.
He took a quick survey of the large room and headed towards the large glass doors that led outside. Sanji was leaning over the porch railing and staring at the darkness of the empty street in front of him. Zoro silently shut the door behind him and admired how perfect Sanji looked when he thought no one was around.
Sanji, completely at ease.
Sanji, not trying to impress.
Sanji, who was now staring back at him.
"This isn't one of your catering events. You don't have to clean up and disappear the second we've finished eating."
"And you really shouldn't feel so obligated to come out and find me every time I take a smoke break." Zoro couldn't clearly see Sanji's face, the porch lights were off and the street lights dim.
"You're still angry about doing it in the kitchen. I'd like to remind you that you didn't exactly resist." Zoro wanted to move closer. It was disconcerting, not being able to see those blue eyes. But Zoro could feel the tension and Sanji looked about ready to bolt.
Sanji wasn't moving either. "I know. I know. And that's the problem. It was my kitchen, my sanctuary, and I didn't resist, not really. In fact, I initiated it. And I couldn't resist because it was you and…" Sanji let out a frustrated sound.
"I can't tell if you're complaining or if you're complimenting my sexual prowess."
Sanji grit his teeth, he was staring at the floor. "It is not a compliment. And it isn't about the sex because, I mean, really, that first time wasn't exactly the most pleasant experience I've ever had. But Robin's right. I'm not just using you as a replacement for women to get around Nami's restrictions. I mean… shit Zoro, I've practically asked you to move in." Sanji was looking straight at him now.
Zoro moved away from the door. The tension was still there, thicker than ever, but Sanji's eyes were unwavering. "This is beginning to sound an awful lot like a confession, curly brows."
Sanji looked confused for a second. Eyes hesitant. Then he came to a decision.
"That's exactly what this is."
Zoro didn't falter in his step and soon found himself standing in front of Sanji. He thumbed the tense jaw and returned the kiss he had received that second night.
Painfully slow. Tender.
Meaningful.
The kiss didn't last very long. Sanji's fingers were pressed into Zoro's chest, slightly curling into his shirt. "So, what, am I your boyfriend now, love cook?"
"Boyfriend?" Sanji cringed. "No. No. The thought of referring to you as my boyfriend is just too weird." Neither had moved away after the kiss. Their noses were still touching.
"Then, what?" Zoro murmured into his cheek.
"I think 'marimo' is just fine."
"Good, because I think love cook is pretty accurate." Their words melted into another kiss.
Sound suddenly spilled out as the door opened and Nami stuck her head out. "Oh, good. Really glad I'm not interrupting anything." Zoro felt Sanji stiffen, but the blonde didn't pull away.
"What the hell do you want?" Zoro almost regretted his tone the second Sanji's heel dug into foot.
"Uhm. Nothing. Saying my goodbyes and heading home." She glanced at the phone in her hand and gave Sanji a distracted wave goodbye as she made her way across the porch and out to her car.
Sanji and Zoro stared after her in silence. "I thought everyone was spending the night?"
Sanji looked puzzled. "I'm more weirded out that she caught us with our tongues down each other's throats and just… walked by." He shook his head. "Well, she has been spending an awful lot of time at work, so she's probably just burned out."
"Well, whatever the reason." Zoro tugged on Sanji's wrist and pressed him against the porch rails with a more aggressive meeting of lips.
Sanji pulled Zoro closer. I can't remember the last time I kissed anyone this much and still hand my pants on by the end. He smirked against Zoro's lips and said, "Marimo."
"Love cook."
Chapter 13