ZoSan: The Flower

Chapter 53 - Zoro

A/N: @OsitoArandano, I blame you for the events in the later part of this chapter and the majority of the next. You put ideas into my head with one of your previous comments, and then I had to write them. It's your fault. And therefore, totally not mine! :)

To everyone else... sorry!

Three days after Zoro was finally off his 'light exercise' orders and fully approved by Chopper to resume fairly normal activity, the Sunny reached a chaotic wilderness of an island. Sanji was feeling better, but for the sake of being careful, he had volunteered to watch the Sunny along with Nami and Franky. Zoro, though, was anxious to explore and help gather supplies. Or just get off the ship and stretch his legs a little, really. Maybe run a little. He felt like he'd been cooped up and restricted for too long.

They'd dropped anchor in a quiet little bay, and Zoro gave his blond a soft see-you-later kiss. "Be back soon. Love you." Then he was up on the railing, preparing to jump down when he heard it.

"I love you, too."

Zoro froze to the core. Even his breathing stopped. He spun back to face the blond, jumping back to the deck once he was able to move. "Say it again?" He asked softly, not quite believing that the words had been intentional. Or that he'd actually, finally, heard them.

Sanji stepped closer, nearly (but not quite) closing that remaining distance between them, soft affection and determination in that blue eye. "I love you, too, Zoro."

They were every bit as sweet as he'd ever imagined.

In a flash, Zoro had his arms around the blond, his blond, and their lips connecting. "Again?" He asked against his lover's lips as he finally pulled back, hope and euphoria radiating out of him.

Sanji grinned, sharing that feeling. "I. Love. You."

And suddenly Zoro had picked him up, fully off the ground, and was spinning both of them. Sanji let out surprised laughter while Zoro whooped excitedly. Then Zoro tripped and they were on the grass. But their mouths were meeting again and Zoro's arms were around that trim waist and Sanji's arms were around his back and it was like everything was perfect.

"Then you're finally mine?" Zoro managed to get out quietly as he opened his eyes to a world that suddenly seemed ten times more dazzling.

"Yours," Sanji confirmed, laughter visible in both eyes, since their fall to the ground had made the curtain of hair flop upwards. Then his voice dropped to a whisper. "And tonight, I plan to show you that you're mine, too. And you better be prepared for me to never let you go."

"I could live with that," Zoro said, kissing him again, hungrily.

From the railing where they'd been preparing to leave, Usopp shouted, "Oi, Zoro, we're supposed to be leaving!" Only to be met with dark, murderous glares from the other crew members, who'd been watching the couple cheerfully. He drew pinched fingers across his lips like a zipper, acknowledging that he was shutting up.

And then Zoro and Sanji were standing up, flushed and with their arms around each other, Zoro calling out to the rest of the crew with the biggest smile on his face. "We're official, so call your damn bets!"

"SUPEEEERR!" Franky shouted and posed. "Had me a little concerned, there, Zoro-bro!" Zoro laughed, knowing they were only two days away from the period Franky had bet on.

"Finally! Let's have a banquet tonight to celebrate!" Nami grinned at the new couple.

"YES! FOOOOD!"

"A celebration would be great," Robin chimed in. "It's been so long coming, after all."