Sorry you guys had to wait three times as long for this one. On the bright side... the chapter is also three times as long!

RelationShipwreck

Chapter 8: That I Surrendered Long Ago

Sanji waited for the laughter and teasing to replace the silence following his confession. After no immediate reaction, he dared to peek up at everyone's faces.

Frey wasn't even looking at him, but rather at Zoro, who still appeared to be reeling after being called a traitor. Joss seemed lost in thought, brows creased as if troubled. Moose… was helping himself to the snack platter, just in case someone decided to throw it on the ground anyway.

Surely Paul was staring at him with smug victory, especially after the way Sanji had treated him when he first came aboard…but no. The man was staring expectantly at Royal, who was the only one who looked interested in Sanji's bitter revelation.

"Were you pretty?"

Blink blink. "What?"

"I've seen some of the guys in that town. They were scary-ugly. Did you look like that?"

"Hell, no! If I have to so something whether I want to or not, I'm at least going to do it right!"

"So you know how to do make-up properly?"

"Ah...well...that's because I always give the ladies my full attention and listen to everything they say, even if they're talking about...you know...girly stuff."

"Can you teach me?"

There was a moment of silence as the chef stared at the outgoing boy. True, Royal was rather fair of face, even if his ears did stick out a bit comically. His black hair, which was tied back as always, was long enough to reach his shoulder-blades and looked well cared for, much like Sanji's own.

"You want to be an okama?"

The boy heaved a great sigh and slouched in his seat. "Not you too. Why does no one understand?"

"Well, why don't you explain it to him?" Paul said consolingly.

"I don't want to be a woman, I just want to be pretty! Who wrote the rule that says only girls can wear make-up?" Crossing his arms, he looked plaintively at Sanji. "Some of the guys thought they'd be helpful and bought me some frilly dresses, can you believe it? As if I could work properly wearing something like that, even if I wanted to. Moose got me a fancy cosmetic set for my birthday, but I can't figure out how to use it without looking like a clown."

"So," Sanji struggled to wrap his head around the sudden turn of events, "you want me to give you make-up lessons?"

"Yeah! I'll get my stuff!" He darted off so fast that Sanji didn't even get a chance to refuse. He stared blankly across the table, where Moose was quietly munching on a sandwich with a content expression.

"You bought him a make-up kit?"

"Why not? He wanted one."

"Yeah, but...you're encouraging this?"

"It'll look good on him."

"That's not exactly what I meant."

"We're all used to Royal's eccentricities. He's an unstoppable force when he decides on something, so it's best just to sit back and let him be himself."

"Doesn't he have any manly pride?"

"How do you mean? He's got lots of pride; in his hair, in his friends, in his dreams..."

"I meant—oh, never-mind, forget it." Obviously someone like Royal, who had absolutely no problem with being different and seemed perfectly at ease with his masculinity in comparison to his companions, would be unable to relate to Sanji's discomfort with the subject.

"Guess that means the game is over," Joss pointed out. "And if Royal is going to be dragging Sanji away..." he turned to the swordsman. "Then how 'bout we start my first sword lesson! There are some poles in storage we can use, lets go!" He tugged on Zoro's arm, gesturing to Frey to help him motivate the numb man to his feet. His friend reluctantly got up to assist, still casting uncertain glances between the green-haired man and the blond cook. The three shuffled out of the galley, leaving only Sanji, Moose, and Paul.

Stupid swordsman, the chef thought as he watched the hunched shoulders disappear from sight. I don't feel sorry for what I said. What were you thinking, teaming up with some outsider against me? If you were really in love with me, you never would have told him anything for the purpose of using against me. Idiot marimo. He recrossed his arms and scowled at the table. So what if no one reacted the way I feared they would? I went through a day of hell to keep that secret, and now it was all for nothing.

Well, sort of. Truths told in Pick Your Poison were confined to the ears of other players; it was forbidden to repeat them outside of the game. The four boys and their big brother weren't really strangers anymore, not after the storm, and since they didn't seem keen on teasing him about subject, Sanji hadn't really lost anything. Even so...

Maybe, just maybe, mind you, my feelings are a tiny bit hurt.

He looked up at Paul, who was chewing halfheartedly on a madeleine. "Are you happy now? I assume this is what you wanted."

The freckled man looked up, his face unreadable. "It's a start." He took to his feet, brushing off the crumbs that had collected on his lap. "I'm going to go take watch."

"Didn't you already have a watch today?"

"Fine, then I'm going to sleep. Make sure Royal goes to bed at some point, Moose."

"I'll try," the boy said as Paul ducked away before Sanji could loose his venom on him, too. A moment later Royal came dashing back in, opening a case up on the table to reveal a quality set of paints, powders and brushes, complete with a mirror.

"What do I start with?" he asked, looking up at Sanji with wide, eager eyes. The blond sighed.

Somehow, this is not what I imagined I'd be teaching one day to admiring youths.

* * *

"So, I hold it like this?" Joss asked for confirmation, adjusting his grip on the cloth Zoro had wrapped around the bottom of the wooden staff to serve as a handle. They had brought a couple of lamps out to shed some light on the deck, since the blond-haired boy insisted on starting now instead of waiting until morning.

"Yeah, that's it, you've got it. Now swing it in a smooth motion like this."

"Say, I've seen you do these moves before, when you're working out."

"A swordsman is never too advanced to continue practicing the basics. They're the building block all other moves are grounded on."

"Wow, that's like...deep."

"Keep moving through the katas I just showed you. I'll correct you when your form is off." He moved over to lean against the wall, casting a brief glance through one of the portholes into the galley. He could see Sanji leaning over Moose, using the poor boy as a guinea pig as he instructed Royal in some sort of technique involving a large powder brush.

"Um..." came the quiet voice beside him, where Frey had taken a seat on a barrel. "Things will probably be okay. He won't stay mad forever, will he?"

"Who knows? Hell hath no fury like that bastard when his pride is injured."

Frey looked away, miserable. "I'm sorry."

"It's not your fault. It's not even your brother's, really. I'm the one who helped him against my better judgment."

"But it is my fault! Paul told me that he saw you...um, at the end of your date, on the island," he confessed. "He sought me out as soon has he returned from the bar, so don't get mad at him, please? He just wanted to prove to me that you can...you know," he turned bright red, "like men...without turning out like Rabid Dan. He knew I was so afraid of that, and that you were a good person even if you never talked much. He just wanted to make me feel better about myself."

I see, so that's where I come into the role-model picture.

The boy glanced up at his best friend, who was faithfully swinging away, paying them no mind. "I told Joss about it 'cause I was excited, and I tell him everything anyway. The first day after watching you and your nakama together, he told me that Sanji must have been the one you k-kissed. That got me thinking; Paul said the okama was pretty, so maybe Sanji-san could help Royal out?"

"So you asked Paul to help, and he asked me, huh?"

"Not...exactly. Actually he caught me looking through Sanji-san's belongings when I was trying to figure out if Joss was right or not. He told me if he ever caught me doing it again he would gut me like a fish and let Sanji make dinner out of me."

Zoro snickered before he could help himself, his mood lifting a little.

"I tried to mind my own business for a while, I really did! I even asked Sanji-san if I...could...um..." He trailed off in embarrassment. "...Approach you. He talked me out of it, though." Zoro sent a brief mental thanks to his nakama for sparing him that task. "Then I broke my arm and had nothing to do, so I started thinking again about—lots of stuff."

You get in a lot of trouble that way, don't you? I thought Paul was the one who is a meddler by nature, but it's really you, isn't it?

"I went to Paul first, this time, and he told me to keep my head down and let him take care of it. So, that's why it's really my fault. I thought Sanji-san would get angry at me or Paul, not lash out at you! I'm really, really sorry!"

The freckle-faced boy looked truly distraught over the matter, tears threatening to spill from his pale eyes. The swordsman shifted uncomfortably before patting him on the head consolingly. "Relax, kid, it's not like we don't fight all the time anyway."

"But I wanted—I just wanted—" he hiccuped, struggling to get the words out. "I wanted you two to—"

"Oi, Frey, what's wrong?" The boy had grown louder in his distress, catching the attention of his best friend. Joss dropped the pole and came over to wrap him in a hug. "Geez, don't get so worked up about everything! This is why your brother always butts in and takes the heat for you, you take things too seriously!" He helped the one-armed boy off the barrel and dug out a wrinkled handkerchief for him. Casting one last regretful look at the pole he'd been practicing with, he glanced up at Zoro. "Is it all right if we resume my lessons in the morning?"

"Yeah, sure. Take care of him."

"Will do."

Watching them disappear into the darkness, Zoro sighed, collected the practice swords and secured them with his makeshift barbell.

As if I could blame a face like that. I wonder how long it'll take for Sanji to cool down enough to let me apologize?

* * *

Royal blew on his nails, which he had colored a bright royal blue. He had quickly expressed an interest in cooler shades, perhaps to contrast with his personality. He looked rather exotic now, thanks to Sanji's recollections of Nami and Vivi discussing the styles of Arabasta. A line of black paint extended from the corners of his eyes, which were now smokey with with browns and purples, and his lips had been touched with a faint purple sheen.

"What do you think?" he inquired while admiring his new reflection again.

"It's you," Moose said, scrubbing the last of the make-up off his own face.

"It's..." Sanji struggled to find a suitable word that was honest without being insulting. "Different."

"Of course it's different; this is the Grand Line, the melting pot of the world! Everyone you come across is different! Does it look good?"

"I...guess. Sure."

Royal stared at him blankly. "If I was a girl, would it look good?"

"Oh, definitely."

The boy sighed and put the mirror down. "You and Joss sure are hung up on the funniest things."

"He thinks you're weird, too?"

The long-haired boy burst out laughing at Sanji's honesty. "No, that's not it at all! He—well, he'll probably tell you himself; he's been brooding about it ever since you came aboard. I'll just wait. In the mean time..." he stood up and looked to the door with a grin. "I'm going to go show off my new look!"

"W-wait, how will you explain where you learned—"

"I'll say I bought a book or something, relax!" he laughed over his shoulder as he pranced away, leaving the room silent like the calm after a storm.

Sanji sighed as he collected the items they'd used and put them neatly back in their case. "Where does he get all that energy?" he asked rhetorically.

Moose answered anyway. "He likes to say he leeches it out of me, and that's why I'm so calm."

The chef chuckled. "How did he get fixated on that 'make-up' idea, anyway?"

"I think it started when he spotted a wanted poster for the pirate Eustass Kid. Royal was amazed that someone with such a huge bounty ran around with lipstick and nail polish on. I guess it opened his eyes, and after that he started noticing people like that more and more."

"Yeah, well no one's about to make fun of Kid, not if they want to live to tell the tale. Royal hardly has that benefit. What are you going to do if he gets jumped by a bunch of thugs who don't like his looks? Or Rabid Dan?"

"Well...I guess I'll protect him, then."

"You're a big guy, I'll give you that, but do you know how to fight?"

"I can throw a good punch. Perhaps you could teach me some footwork?"

"You don't think he should learn how to defend himself?"

"If he wants. But we've always made an effort to make up for what the other lacks. We're like two peas in a pod who happen to be total opposites."

Must be nice. Zoro and I are total opposites who can't get along for more than five minutes without going for each other's throats.

"I suppose that works out well for you two, while you're together, but what about when you get older and go your separate ways?"

"Why would we? You already heard about our dreams. We're never going to part."

Sanji sighed, fiddling with the mirror as he tried to figure out where it fit into the case. He liked to think he was a realist, not a cynic, and he knew how important it was to believe in your dreams, but still...

"How can you be so certain? Friends break apart all the time. Fights over women, differences in ideals, lack of effort..." he gazed dolefully into the mirror in his hands. "Broken trust... angry words... how can you know for sure you won't hurt each other down the line?"

"We don't."

Moose seemed content to stop there, forcibly reminding Sanji that the boy wasn't big on conversation. He gestured for him to expand upon the subject.

"I guess...we're just confident in our love for each other."

Sanji just about dropped the mirror, forcing him to perfom an awkward juggle to catch it before it hit the floor. He stared at Moose with wide eyes before forcing out a stiff laugh. "You mean like, best friends?"

"That too."

"That too?"

"Well, Joss says we're 'way past best friend territory,' but we're not like Frey, either. We did try making out once, just to see if we could, but it didn't work. There's no point in sex if neither party's interested."

"Make—se—inter—buh?" the blond stuttered incoherently.

"Poor Frey. He was so hoping that we'd prove he wasn't alone, but we couldn't help. We were normal after all."

"Normal? How can you call that normal?"

"Wow, you really like that word, don't you?"

"I—agh! First of all, how can you say you're in love if you don't... you know... desire the person you're in love with?"

"Gosh. It's not like love and sex are the same thing. Haven't you ever seen poor, homely blokes with gorgeous wives?"

"Yes," Sanji hissed, pouting bitterly.

"Same principle, just two-sided."

The cook rubbed his temples, trying to nurse away the headache that was threatening to form. Somehow, I never imagined I'd end this hell of a day by having a philosophical discussion on the nature of romance with a boy who has a heterosexual life-mate. After having a fight with a man who may-or-may-not be somehow attracted to me.

He paused in his ministrations, peering up at the hulk of a teenager who was currently helping himself to the last apple tart, blissfully relaxed. Suddenly, he really wanted to ask him something.

"What would you do if Royal's new look made him more appealing to you? Or he decides that he likes men after all? What then?"

The boy paused, eyes searching the ceiling for answers as he licked his fingers. "I guess... we could adopt."

Sanji stared in disbelief. "What, just like that? Even though one of you doesn't feel an attraction?"

Moose wiped the last of the crumbs from his lips and stood, closing the make-up kit and picking it up to return it where it belonged. "The funny thing about those ugly men and their beautiful wives," he said as he turned to leave, "is that they always have lots of children."

* * *

Zoro was not in his bunk. This annoyed Sanji, as he had planned on making a great show of ignoring him. An inquiry into his whereabouts quickly revealed that he had kicked Mitch out of the crow's nest, insisting on taking over his watch. This left the cook with an empty bunk beneath him, and a tiny niggling of guilt trying to sneak in past his defenses.

Stop that. You have nothing to feel sorry for. He was the one in the wrong, he has every reason to punish himself.

-You called him a traitor.

Crap, not this again. I can be as unreasonable as I damn well please, thank you!

-No matter what pretty tale Paul might have spun him, you know that Zoro never would have helped if it involved betraying a nakama.

He did betray me! He told that bastard my weakness.

-How can you call it that, aren't you proud of your respect for food? Don't you flaunt it on a daily basis?

Well, he still broke our unspoken promise to keep my experience in Kamabakka quiet.

-Paul already knew about that.

Fine, he plotted to indirectly let others know!

-In a carefully controlled environment, where only people you've come to trust would hear, for the sole purpose of aiding another.

Shut up. Let me sulk, dammit.

Sanji buried his face in his pillow, trying to drown out the noise of snoring sailors and the soft chatter of those not yet asleep. That pesky need for air eventually forced him to turn his head, though, which made him recoil in surprise when he found a face in front of his. Joss was peaking over the side of his bunk with an uncertain expression.

"Are you asleep?"

"Obviously not," he responded sourly. "What do you want?"

The younger blond bit his lip. "Can I talk to you?"

Sigh. "Sure, why not? I've already had a heart-to-heart with the other three, what's one more?" He sat up and leaned back against the wall. "Climb on up, have a seat."

Joss quickly scaled the ladder and perched on the edge of the bed. He then proceeded to make things even more uncomfortable by tugging on a loose thread on his sleep shirt and not saying anything.

"I believe you requested a talk? Unless you want me to pick a random subject, you'll have to start."

The boy stopped destroying his shirt and looked around to make sure no one was listening. "You said that you were forced to dress up while on the last island, right?" he whispered softly.

"Yes."

"Well... Frey said that Paul said that he saw Zoro kiss an okama while there. That was you, wasn't it."

It was not phrased as a question, so mercifully Sanji didn't have to answer. However, he really didn't like where this conversation was going. "Is there a point to this 'talk?''

"You didn't like what he did."

"Let's just say he would be sporting a bruise across his face if his skin wasn't so dark already."

"But you're still friends."

"That's debatable, especially after this evening." At Joss's stricken look, he amended his sentence with a begrudging "But we may work things out yet."

Slightly mollified, the boy began toying with the loose thread again. "Frey and I have been neighbors our whole lives. We're best friends and always have been. But I don't like men the way he does, and I think of him like a brother. What am I supposed to do if he ever decides he likes me... differently?"

"Ah. I see." Sanji scratched at the scruff on his chin, wondering how he came to play counselor to the trials of adolescent boys. "Yes, that would be a problem. Has he shown any signs of looking at you in an un-brotherly fashion?"

Joss set his jaw, like a person expecting to get scolded for being foolish. "No."

"You know, you're probably in the clear. If he hasn't fallen for you out of familiarity by now, and if that marimo is the type he's attracted to, then you've got nothing to worry about. No offense," he added, noting Joss's wiry frame.

"I know all those things," he muttered, rubbing his arms as if he were cold. "I know them, but I still keep asking myself 'what if, what if?' I don't want to insult him by bringing it up, but I can't stop obsessing over it. I'm so afraid he'll ruin our friendship by falling for me, but I'm also afraid I'll ruin our friendship if he finds out how much I think about this!" He hung his head and hunched his shoulders.

"You could try not thinking about it," Sanji suggested, eyeballing his pillow hopefully. Joss gave him a dirty look, so he sighed and tried to think about it seriously. "Look, if it had been any other guy who tried to acquaint himself with my tonsils, I would have beat him to a pulp and spit on his corpse. Not that anyone else could have gotten that close anyway. The point is, I made an exception for that bastard because I care about him... somehow. You're worried that you'll hurt your friend because you know how you'd react to any other male who came to you with romantic overtures. But likelihood aside, if Frey ever did approach you with that in mind, I know you'd treat him differently. Crap, kid, you jumped into a raging ocean to save him! If your friendship is that important to you, do you really think you'd call it off because he makes you a little uncomfortable?"

"...No... probably not. But what about him? Wouldn't it hurt to have one-sided feelings?"

"Maybe for a while. But he's a teenager after all; someone else will catch his fancy soon enough." Quite frankly, a sweet kid like Frey's got a lot more options in that respect then Zoro.

At last Joss smiled a little, eyes crinkling in the corners as whatever amusing scene he was imagining played out before him. When he looked up again, Sanji continued. "If you still find yourself dwelling on it, then talk to him. No problem is ever solved by stewing over it by yourself. Frey seems like a caring guy; any hurt he might feel over learning how badly you don't want his affections will surely be outweighed by the concern of making sure his best friend isn't tormenting himself with doubt."

Joss nodded, un-hunching his shoulders and lifting his head. Sanji assumed that was a good sign and made a shooing motion with his hand. "Good. Now that we've got that all straightened out, get the hell off my bed." The boy grinned and hopped easily down, returning to his own bunk with a lighter step. With a sigh that turned into a yawn, the cook flopped back down and tugged the blanket around him.

Maybe I should take my own advice and talk to Zoro, once and for all. Sleep pulled at his consciousness, dragging him down into a mishmash of images and words that jumbled and replayed the day's events. In the morning...perhaps...

* * *

Zoro did not come to breakfast, either. Sanji was ready to pound his head in, but Frey assured him that the swordsman was just sleeping in late since he took over the entire night watch. That bastard better not plan on avoiding me for the rest of the journey. For one thing, how will he eat?

Despite his irritation, the chef set aside a generous portion for the swordsman before it could be eaten by the rest of the crew. Soon the din of clinking silverware and conversation gave way to the sounds of sweeping and scrubbing, and then even that was gone. Sanji gazed around the galley and kitchen, empty and clean with the exception of Zoro's meal. The sight displeased him.

The air on deck was more pleasant, especially with the addition of a calming drag of cigarette smoke. He watched the comings and goings of the ship's denizens with boredom. Dan went into the storage room with a toolbox. Mitch adjusted some sails. Frey's father went up to the crow's nest, relieving Breadon from duty. The teenage quartet fished. Paul chatted with Captain Seeker. Sailors went in or out of the crew's quarters, though there was still no sign of Zoro yet. Restless and impatient, Sanji went through another cigarette. And another.

How long is that lazy marimo going to sleep? At the rate he's going, saving any food for him was pointess; it'll be lunchtime before he's up.

Speaking of which, he thought as he eyed the storage room where the food reserves were kept, Rabid Dan has been in there an awful long time. Is this a case of him "lying in wait?"

Partly out of concern, but mostly because he was irritated and wouldn't mind beating the crap out of someone, the blond tossed the stub of his cigarette off the side of the ship and strolled across the deck. Quietly opening the storage room door, he slipped in and let his eyes adjust to the dim light.

Barrels of water, beer, potatoes, fruit, and other various items were lined and stacked against the walls, in many places reaching to the ceiling. There were narrow paths between the organized groups for access, radiating out like spokes from a small open place in the middle. Sanji had kind of hoped to find his target lying in wait down one of the paths, hiding from the view of the doorway, but instead Dan was sitting in plain sight in the center. His toolbox open beside him, he was working on the dehumidifier, which had burned out after overworking itself after the storm.

The overweight man spared Sanji a glance before returning to the business at hand. "Is it that late already?"

Trying not to feel disappointed, the cook maneuvered through the stacks to find the ingredients he would need for the lunch menu he'd planned. "No, I'm just getting started early."

Dan chuckled in a way that made Sanji's hackles rise. "Can't stay out of the kitchen, huh?"

Though the blond was sure it was somehow meant as an insult, Dan hadn't actually said anything wrong, so he tried to ignore it. "We all have our own work to do."

"Speaking of which, what's up with that pal of yours taking over everyone's watch last night? Husband and wife get in a fight?"

Sanji slammed the lid down on a barrel, viciously glad for the chance to get angry. "I'm nobody's wife."

"Touchy about that, aren't you? I bet you're a real firecracker in bed."

"Do you ever say anything that's not a disgusting insinuation?" he sneered.

"We all have our hobbies."

"Well your hobby is ill suited for your vocation. If you can't keep it in your pants from one island to another, perhaps you should consider doing something else for a living."

"I have considered it. In fact, I've been saving up for a while now so I can start a business of my own. Contrary to popular belief, I spend most of my time designing new inventions, not ogling young boys."

"...Oh," Sanji finally responded, some of his anger diminishing.

"Back to my question, though, what's up between you and Zoro? First he's sniffing after you while you tease and flirt, then he's ignoring you and you're sulking. Did he get tired of your games?"

There was so much wrong with that sentence that Sanji didn't know where to begin. "I do not flirt with men!"

"So you don't deny he's interested. If you're trying to discourage him, you're doing a poor job of it. I get that he's your only nakama at the moment, but you should probably stop doting on him like a devoted... husband... if you really don't want his attention."

"I don't!" Sanji barked, but the moment the words passed his lips they rang false and uncertain in his ears. All this time, in the back of his mind, he'd known his behavior was off in regards to Zoro ever since that kiss. Bringing him seconds at mealtimes without being asked; calmly chatting and eating side by side; fixing him special treats; thinking about him at all hours; those were things he never did back on the Thousand Sunny. In light of what he knew about Zoro, his actions seemed even more inappropriate. So far he had always dismissed it as misplaced kindness before the inevitable breaking of Zoro's heart, but wouldn't that just be making things worse? He should have been cold, should've given the swordsman some space so they could get their emotions in order.

From an outsider's perspective, especially someone with their brain in the gutter like Dan's, it probably did looked like he was leading him on. Crap! That's exactly what I swore I wouldn't do!

Dan watched Sanji torment himself with amusement, the dehumidifier forgotten. "If you change your mind about that, I'll be glad to give you some advice in that department. Seeing as you're so keen on not playing the woman and all." He grinned darkly at Sanji's repulsed expression.

"The very notion disgusts me," the chef spat, "and you're the last person I want to discuss this with, so kindly drop it." With more force than necessary, he knocked over a barrel of potatoes and deftly rolled it through the narrow aisles to the door with his feet. Leaving it there, he selected a few empty rucksacks and turned back to collect some fruits. Dan picked up a wrench and tinkered halfheartedly on the device in front of him, but his eyes were tracking the blond as he stomped back and forth. The longer he watched, the more appraising his gaze became.

I hate that look, Sanji thought as his hands began trembling with fury. I hated it when men looked at me like that back on the Baratie, and I hate it still. Like vultures staring at a piece of meat. I know I do the same thing to women; that's why I try so hard to make up for it. But there's no respect or honor in eyes like his, just filthy lust and a desire to defile.

Not like Zoro.

Patience snapping, Sanji's hands paused as he slowly turned to face the leer of Rabid Dan. He watched with smug satisfaction as the grin faded from the fat lips, a defensive and slightly worried frown taking its place. "What? I ain't doing nothing."

"Yet," the cook replied coolly as he began advancing on the scum before him. I did come in here looking for a fight, after all.

"Like hell! I'd never lay a finger on you, not with your boyfriend always breathing down my neck."

Sanji almost missed a step, startled but not really surprised at the man's confession. I didn't know the marimo was doing that. But that brought up another point. "Let me guess. You'd be laying fingers and more on Frey, Joss, and Royal if Paul wasn't guarding them like a hawk."

Dan let out a harrumph. "And damn it all if Royal doesn't have Moose, too. Did you see what he was wearing at breakfast this morning? He needs all the guards he can... get..." Belatedly he realized that perhaps honesty was not the best policy in this situation. Stumbling to his feet, the fat man retreated cautiously, hands held protectively in front of him. "Hey, now, let's not get physical."

"But I thought you loved getting physical," the chef responded, tucking his hands safely into his pockets. Dan retreated further until he realized he had chosen one of the dead-end paths, not the one leading to the door. Face darkening, he chucked the wrench he was still holding at Sanji's head, but it was deftly deflected by thick boots. Breaking into a fearful sweat as his back met the wall, he began digging into his pockets for more objects to throw at the source of his impending doom. A small oil canister, a screwdriver and a drawstring pouch all arced in succession towards the menacing face, only to be kicked aside one by one.

Well, except for the pouch. It exploded under the force of Sanji's strike, showering him in a cloud of powder. Coughing but refusing to look away, he peered through the dust so he could see the next attack.

It didn't come. Dan was staring at him in open-mouthed disbelief, shock plainly written across his face. "Do you know how much that cost? What it could've fetched from the right buyer?"

Removing his hands from his pockets, the blond waved the remaining particles out of his vision. "If it means so much to you, then don't go throwing it at people." He took another step forward only to be surprised by the heaviness of his feet. Without thinking he caught the edge of a crate for balance, then realized his mistake when he caught Dan's sly, considering gaze.

"On the other hand, isn't this what you call a 'once-in-a-lifetime opportunity?' I'd hate to let that stuff go to waste," he mumbled, wiping the sweat from his face with a dirty handkerchief. His eyes traveled speculatively up and down the cook's body, foul excitement clearly overtaking his sense of self-preservation. "Maybe... it might be worth it?"

Sanji saw red.

* * *

Zoro wandered out of the galley, licking the last of his breakfast off his lips. He'd hoped to be able to gauge the kuso-cook's mood while he ate, but the bastard hadn't been in the kitchen. A quick glance around the deck also failed to reveal the blond's location. With a sigh, the swordsman strolled over to where the four boys were fishing.

"Any bites?"

"A few," Joss said, clearly bored. Frey wiggled his pole a little with his one hand, frustrated. Even if a fish did take the bait, someone else would have to help him reel it in. Royal appeared to have completely fallen asleep leaning against the shoulder of Moose, who was holding both of their fishing rods.

"If you're looking for Sanji, he's in the storage room," the soft-spoken boy mentioned. His snoozing companion stirred at the sound of his voice, lifting his head and blinking blearily out at the ocean. Moose shifted both poles to one hand.

"Didn't he go in there a long time ago?" Frey piped up. "Surely he already left by now." Royal lifted his hands to rub at his eyes, only to be stopped by the one Moose had just freed. "You'll smear your make-up," he explained, and suddenly the boy was fully awake.

"I never saw him come out, I'm pretty sure he's still in there," Joss said. Royal paused in the process of taking his pole back from Moose. "Are we talking about Rabid Dan?"

"No, Sanji. Why, is he in there too?"

"Yeah, he went in there to fix something a long time ago. I remember because he was admiring my new look a little too much as he walked by."

As one, five heads turned to stare at the storage room door.

"You don't suppose... something happened?" Frey asked nervously.

"Che. That jerk is perfectly capable of taking care of himself," Zoro scoffed, crossing his arms.

"Yeah, but doesn't Rabid Dan still have that Doll Powder? Paul would have told us if he finally found it," Royal said, biting his glossy lip in concern. "Even Sanji would be in trouble if that got used on him."

"Dan wouldn't dare," Zoro growled. "He and I have already had a little discussion about what would happen if he doesn't get rid of that crap at the next port." Yet even as he said it, a sliver of doubt crept into his mind. The boys had already established that Sanji had been in there longer than necessary. Somehow he doubted that the two of them were capable of a civilized conversation for any extended length of time.

The boys looked at him with a mixture of concern and hope. Brow wrinkling, Zoro glared at the door. "Then again, I could use a drink," he muttered.

* * *

The green-haired man wasn't sure what he was expecting to see upon slipping quietly into the dim room, but what he got was Sanji seated casually on a crate, leaning back against a lumpy sack and chewing on an unlit cigarette with Dan's bruised, unconscious body at his feet. He arched an eyebrow at the sight. "Dare I ask what happened here?"

"We had an intellectual disagreement," Sanji said sarcastically. "Dare I ask why you're sneaking into the storage room?"

"Getting more beer."

"Not this early in the day, you're not. Take a hike."

Zoro stifled a smile, absurdly relieved to find his nakama safe and sound. Well, relatively. It did not escape his notice that, aside from his head and expressive face, the cook had not moved a muscle.

I guess it didn't occur to Dan how much damage Sanji could inflict before his drug finished taking effect. He glared at the battered lump of a man as he stepped forward, purposely ignoring the way Sanji bared his teeth like a wounded animal as he got closer. Guess he still doesn't trust me after yesterday, not that I can blame him, he thought sadly.

They stared at each other as Zoro awkwardly searched for a conversation opener. He settled upon the cigarette. "Um. Need a light?"

"In here, where the food is kept? Don't be crass."

They exchanged glares. Come on Zoro, you were hunting him down for a reason! Just open your mouth and say you're sorry. You've seen other people do it, it can't be that hard. He cleared his throat and opened his mouth, but the words escaped him. Just like displaying emotions freely, apologizing was something that did not come naturally to him.

"I... guess I'll just take out the trash, then," he settled on gruffly, taking a handful of Dan's shirt and dragging him across the floor. Kicking open the door, he tossed the body onto the deck and turned to look back at the blond once more. With the brightness of the late morning sun catching his eyes, though, all he could see in the storage room were shadows. "Perhaps I'll work out on this side of the deck today."

No one else is entering this room until you're better.

"Wait."

It was a command, but there was a hint of uncertainty underlying it. Zoro paused before stepping back inside, closing the door behind him so his eyes could readjust. Sanji was staring imperiously at him with his visible eye, looking for all the world like his current position was intentional and he just didn't feel like moving at the moment.

"Let's have a rematch." Seeing the swordsman's hesitation, he clarified. "A Pick Your Poison rematch. Two-player version, open rules. What do you say?"

Uncertain where the chef was trying to go with this, but glad for any opportunity to settle things between them, he grunted his assent and moved to the center of the room, pulling up a barrel for a seat in front of Sanji. They faced off in silence.

"I assume you're going first?" Zoro finally asked.

"Naturally." More silence. Realizing the jerk was just trying to make him sweat, he crossed his arms and gazed back coolly, refusing to be intimidated.

With a sniff of disdain, Sanji finally began. "Tell me, marimo. When you look at me, what kind of person do you see? Versus walk out that door and don't bother coming back."

I see, so that's how this game is going to go. Shifting a bit to get more comfortable, his eyes slipped out of focus as he began listing off everything that came to mind. "I see an annoying bastard who lives to piss me off. Someone who takes care of his friends and takes pride in his work. A man who smiles when he's happy and cries when he's sad. Someone who takes no crap from any man, and all the crap he can take from any woman. A person who knows he looks good but isn't a prick about it. An amazing cook and an equal fighter, but don't expect to me to admit those ever again. A man with a noble dream. A nakama."

He focused on Sanji's face again, wondering if he had said enough yet. The blond's expression was unreadable, and he didn't know if that was a good or a bad thing. "Is that all?" came the carefully neutral response.

No, but if I stare too long we're both going to get embarrassed real fast, he thought as he shifted for an entirely different reason. "You only asked what kind of person I see," he muttered, avoiding a real answer.

The corner of Sanji's lips twitched with amusement, and his mood seemed to soften. "Then I guess it's your turn. Try not to ask the impossible of me."

In other words, no dares. Sucking in his breath, he glared at his crossed arms and struggled to spit out what he came for. "Regarding last night. If I were to... apologize... what would you say?"

Nothing, apparently. When no answer was forthcoming, he dared to look up again only to find the cook looking at him with his curly brow arched. "Don't I get a second option?"

"Buy me the moon," he responded instantly.

Sanji burst out laughing. The sound seemed to pierce straight through Zoro's chest, causing his heart to beat faster and filling his body with fire. A tear of mirth glistened in the corner of the blond's eye, and it was all the swordsman could do to keep his hand from reaching out and wiping it away. "I'm fairly certain that qualifies as an impossible dare," he chuckled. "Well, I'll let it slide just this once." The droplet trailed down the side of his face, only to be dried on the shoulder of his suit by a quick twist of the neck. Tossing his head to shake his hair back into place, Sanji looked back into Zoro's eyes and tried to regain his earlier seriousness. "To answer your question; I would probably tell you not to worry about it, and that I might have overreacted. You know... if you were to apologize." He gave a little smile that seemed part amused, part forgiving, and partially apologetic himself.

Zoro let out a soft breath, uncrossing his arms and assuming a less defensive position. "I suppose that makes it your turn again." At Sanji's almost wicked grin, though, the swordsman knew he had relaxed too soon.

"Well then... Zoro," he began, rolling the 'r' so richly as he addressed him by name that Zoro felt an electric thrill shoot up and down his spine, "tell me how you feel about me, vs. walk out that door and don't bother coming back."

* * *

There's an 'oh, crap' expression if ever I saw one, Sanji thought as he watched Zoro squirm with no small delight. Okay, maybe he hadn't quite forgiven the jerk yet for last night, but seeing him suffer through a similar crisis was going a long way toward that. A cold sweat was beading on the swordsman's brow, his jaw clenching and unclenching.

But his eyes never once shifted to the door.

Before Sanji had asked his first question, he didn't really know what he was testing for. Zoro's answer had been full of insults, keen observations, complaints, and reluctant but sincere praise. In all, the answer was a reflection on the man who spoke it; brusque, coarse, unabashedly honest, surprisingly tender, and unexpectedly charming.

It was easy to get mad at someone like that, but hard to stay that way.

The green-haired man was still struggling, and not just because the words were hard to say. "Are you sure that's the question you want to ask?" he offered, trying to give Sanji one last chance to change his mind.

Yeah, I know you were willing to pretend nothing was different, just for my sake. But you know what? I don't want you to. Maybe I'm just a selfish person who hates seeing you play the noble good-guy while I get my way. Maybe I value romance too much, even if you don't. Maybe...

For a moment Sanji looked away, introspection stealing his senses. With Rabid Dan's horrid leer still fresh in his mind, he should have had no trouble recovering his old disgust over the notion of a man's touch, yet it wouldn't come; not in relation to Zoro.

"Yeah. That's the question I want."

Zoro sighed, placing his hands together as if in prayer and leaning over, his face hidden as he rubbed his forehead against the tips of his fingers. "I..."

For some reason, the cook couldn't breathe. Even though he had left the man no escape, he still couldn't believe that he was actually saying it.

"I... like you... more than a nakama should." He stilled the movement of his head as he waited for the inevitable rejection, whether it be kindly or mocking.

"It's your turn," Sanji whispered, his voice having lost all volume.

Zoro barked a tiny, self-mocking laugh. "Fine then. How do you feel about me? Versus let's pretend this never happened."

The blond leaned his head back, staring at the low ceiling. No one was allowed to lie when answering a question in this game, but what was the truth? "I... don't know. Not so long ago I would have had an easy answer, yet now I can't explain my own thoughts and actions." Zoro's head lifted just enough for his piercing eyes to peer out from under the shadow of his brows.

Why didn't I give us space? Why did I seek him out daily, be it to fight or talk, when I knew it would only push him to his realization faster?

Why did I bask under his attention? Did I think of it like a victory in our perpetual squabbles, or was getting his attention the only reason I bickered with him in the first place?

I've never been able to defeat him, or out-do him, and I always worry that I look like less of a man next to him. Am I somehow trying to "acquire" him in order to sooth my ego?

Am I that protective of Frey's feelings, a boy I've known for barely a week, or do I simply not want Zoro to look at anyone else? I've never thought of myself as a jealous person, but have I ever thought of anyone as "mine?"

Where did this possessiveness come from? Because we're separated from the rest of our crew and he's all I have left? Or do I...

The blond forced himself to speak again. "I've heard it said," and damn it all if I'll admit I took advice from a younger man, "that sexual desire and romantic love are completely different things. It makes me wonder if the reason I'm trying so hard to find an excuse not to turn you down is because... I care for you too much as well." He rushed on before the swordsman's eyes could fill with hope. "But then I also wonder... maybe I just want to feel that way rather than admit what a horrible, greedy parasite I am!"

He spat out his last words with a force that surprised himself, dropping his cigarette and bitting his lip to prevent anymore self-depreciating drivel from spewing out. Something trickled down his cheek and he realized another tear had escaped his control, thanks to his desperate confusion. So pathetic!

Once again, Sanji was rescued from the mire of his thoughts by the warmth strength of a pair of caring hands. A calloused thumb brushed the moist trail from his cheek as they guided him to meet Zoro's gaze.

Ah, there it is, that feeling that keeps dancing just out of reach. I wonder, did I come by it from looking too deeply into those pitch-black eyes?

The swordsman had moved to sit beside him on the crate, twisting his torso so they could speak face-to-face. "You're nothing of the sort," came the confident voice. "I know you, Sanji. Your mind may move in mysterious ways, but your heart is an open book. If you're clouded by doubt, then let's clear the air. You want me to try, right? That's what you really meant last night when you shouted it out, wasn't it?"

Numb with the realization, Sanji nodded slowly, not wanting to jostle away the comforting touch.

"Then I'll try. Take all the time you need, I can handle it. And if in the end you just can't feel the same, well... I can handle that too." He gave a sad little smile.

You shouldn't have to handle anything. You don't always have to be the strong one, you know. You deserve the chance to relax just like everyone else. Can't I do that much for you?

Picking up his scattered wits, the chef cleared his throat and regained his composure. "You know, this won't change the way I treat the ladies."

Zoro snorted and dropped his hands. "I would be shocked if it did."

"I had a very strict upbringing—"

"I know."

"And my eyes may wander."

"Yeah, yeah."

"Just so we understand. I wouldn't want to go into this with false pretenses."

"I get it already!"

"Good! Good. In that case I do believe it is my turn."

"Oh yeah, that. Well, fire away, then."

He raised his head as commandingly as he had when he ordered the rematch. "Kiss me."

It was very satisfying to see Zoro's jaw drop incredulously. "Seriously?"

"I can't kick the crap out of you right now, can I? It's the perfect opportunity to see how good a kisser you are."

"You couldn't tell on Kamabakka?"

"I wasn't exactly paying attention to your technique at the time."

"...What about my second option?"

"You don't get one."

Zoro chuckled. "Well then, if his highness insists, who am I to refuse?" Supporting himself with an arm against the sack that served as Sanji's backrest, the swordsman leaned in, enveloping the blond in the scent of oil and leather. He paused for one last moment, as if memorizing the scene for posterity, then pressed their lips together.

It wasn't a woman's kiss, that was certain. Women, at least all the ones Sanji knew, had much softer skin, glossier lips, and a sweeter fragrance. He couldn't exactly say it was a man's kiss either, because the only reference he had was himself, and he would have kissed a woman as gently and tenderly as possible (he hoped.)

There was tenderness here, but there was also passion, and longing, and an aggression that demanded a reaction. What Zoro lacked in polish, he more than made up for in enthusiasm. Sanji's lips had begun kissing back without even bothering to ask his mind for permission, instinctively responding to the challenge a Zoro Kiss demanded.

The swordsman's free hand had trailed up into his hair, running his fingers through it over and over. What is his obsession with my hair? Not that I mind. That feels really... good... His own hands had recovered enough movement to slide up and encircle Zoro's broad back, grabbing a fistful of plain, white shirt in each hand before his strength could leave him and waste his effort. He wanted to pull him closer, so much closer!

Zoro's breathing became labored, and Sanji flushed at the realization of what his touch and actions must be doing to the man's body. They broke the kiss without moving any further apart, gasping for air as they took in the flush painting each other's faces.

"Well," the green-haired man asked, dilated eyes searching for answers in Sanji's own. "Did you find out if I'm a good kisser or not?"

"Not yet," Sanji replied after he found his voice again. "I think I'll need another example. For comparison."

He couldn't say for sure why his heart suddenly skipped a beat, but process of elimination claimed it had to have been from Zoro's roguish grin.

* * *

Sanji had to choose something much quicker and simpler to make for lunch, but it looked like it would be done in time thanks to the aid of his gaggle of helpers. That (sort of) made up for the slew of questions they kept pestering him with.

"Did Rabid Dan try to pull something?"

"Are you okay?"

"You and Zoro spent an awful long time in there. Did you get in a fight? You looked pretty ruffled when you came out."

"What did you guys talk about? You're sure in a good mood."

"Well, I was," Sanji retorted, but he didn't mean it. Like an oppressive burden had been lifted off his back after laboring under it for days, he felt lighter than air. He was currently humming as he pulled out a stack of plates, his movements as he stepped deftly around his underfoot assistants almost like a dance. Even the appearance of Paul couldn't dampen his spirits, the older man having entered the galley to inform everyone of Rabid Dan's condition.

"The doctor says he'll be fine once the swelling goes down, but he'll have to avoid any heavy work until the bruises on his ribs heal. I don't know what you did to him, Sanji, and don't tell anyone I said this, but thanks. Dan claims he "can't take it anymore," and is going to go ahead and start up that business he's always talking about as soon as he can get off this ship."

There was a burst of rejoicing, ranging from a relieved sigh (Moose) to leaping on tables and crowing (Royal.) Paul ruffled Frey's hair, who stuck his tongue out at him as he patted it back down but couldn't stop grinning ear to ear.

"Even more things to celebrate?" Sanji exclaimed. "That settles it; lets bring out an extra barrel of beer for lunch today!"

Zoro seemed particularly thrilled by this announcement. The rest were a bit confused, though, and Frey piped up. "What else are we celebrating?"

For a moment Sanji froze; his instinctual reaction being to deny, deny, deny. Something caught his attention, though; Paul trying very hard to look like he was minding his own business, yet surreptitiously peeking at him from the corner of his eye. Paul, who took anyone with troubles under his wing.

Normally I would never tell anyone that I was dating a man, even if I knew that hiding it would be hard on Zoro, would plague him with doubt over the seriousness of my intentions. But I've already told these people my most embarrassing secret, and I know very personal things about them as well. There's no reason not to tell the truth, and quite frankly, living under the fear of my last secret nearly drove me crazy.

You don't suppose Paul noticed that, do you? No way could he have been trying to prepare me for this. That's giving him too much credit! It's already a stretch to think that he might have formed his plan—not so I would talk to Royal and Joss—but so Moose would talk to me.

Noticing the attentive audience still waiting for his answer, Sanji cleared his throat. Zoro was studiously looking away, not wanting to guilt him into saying something he wasn't ready for yet, and his consideration deserved recognition. "Actually, the marimo and I have decided to... that is, we are now... I mean," he coughed, and realized he was turning red. The swordsman looked up in amazement, and the surprised hope on his face made the cook's heart skip again. "Dating," he finished, the word taking advantage of his distraction to escape.

There was a moment of silence as the boys processed the revelation, and then the couple were surrounded.

"Oh, Zoro-san, Sanji-san, that's wonderful!" Frey exclaimed, fluttering between the two of them like an overstimulated butterfly. "I had so hoped, I really had! I'm so happy!"

"Nice job letting me down, there," Joss said to Sanji with an over-dramatic sigh. He smiled a little as he shook his head and waved off Frey's confused look, so the chef knew he wasn't that disappointed. "I'll explain later," he assured his best friend.

Royal was giving them one of his dreamy looks. "I did wonder if perhaps you two could succeed where we failed. You have such a delicious tension..."

Moose quickly came and steered his sort-of-boyfriend away. "Now, now, try not to creep them out unnecessarily," he murmured, having noticed the expressions on the hitchhikers' faces. He gave the two of them a congratulatory nod, which they accepted with better grace.

Paul hovered in the background, wanting to offer his praise but unsure if he was still in Sanji's bad graces. The chef pinned him with a cool eye, a frown creasing his lips. "Well then. Paul," he drawled, "are you happy now?"

"Yes, actually," the man replied, infuriatingly calm as always. For the first time, though, Sanji realized the sailor's poker face wasn't perfect. His freckles, so much paler then those of his shy brother, actually seemed to grow a little darker as the blood left his face; the only sign of his agitation.

The blond raised his chin. "Good. I'm glad. Because you're on serving duty until further notice."

Joss actually snorted before he could catch himself, and Paul's glare in his direction only made him burst out laughing. Royal gave the man a mocking pat on the back, and Frey hurriedly assured his brother that he would help. Paul bowed his head and moved reluctantly behind the serving table with his sibling; the meddling duo complete.

"Now then," Sanji said much more brightly, with a clap of his hands. "I do believe a barrel of beer needs to be fetched, and the dinner bell rung."

"I'll get the bell!" Royal shouted as he darted for the door before anyone else could even respond. Moose shook his head as he and Joss left for the storage room. Zoro decided to get first dibs on lunch, despite having finished his breakfast not that long ago, and shoved a plate under Paul's nose. The man sighed, already resigned to his fate.

Sanji leaned back against the counter, waiting for the crowd that would soon flood the galley thanks to the sound of enthusiastic ringing. How far a life can change in only a week, he thought with mild amazement. He caught Zoro's eyes and they briefly exchanged smiles colored with anticipation.

I can't say for sure if I'm... in love... not yet.

But isn't it a miracle that now I can't wait to find out?

~Fin~

It's over! I hope I managed to stay believable up to the end. A sequel seems likely, but don't expect one anytime soon, as I need a break and don't have any good ideas yet, anyway. I'd like to change settings, but I'm not sure I want to have them reach Sabaody yet. I was kind of hoping not to tread into unknown territory and get the story completely discredited when the manga moves on past the current story arc. Perhaps they should run into their other nakama, one by one? I don't know, feel free to provide suggestions.

Well, what did you think of this chapter, or the story as a whole? Surely there was something you liked enough to mention? Hated enough to mention? Were indifferent to enought to... wait, that doesn't work. :P Penny for your thoughts?