Bound by Blood and Sea || Sanji || Zoro

A Competition

A few weeks passed, and Zoro continued to find excuses to touch me at every given opportunity. When we sat next to each other, his knee would brush against mine. While resting on deck, he made sure I was comfortably leaning against him. And whenever he needed to pass by, he'd move me by grabbing my waist, just like he did that night in the kitchen. But despite all these subtle touches, nothing more ever happened.

As the days went on, I found myself growing more aware of every little gesture, every casual brush of his hand. It was like a silent game we were playing, one that left me both excited and frustrated. The tension between us was palpable, but neither of us seemed willing to take the next step.

Then one evening, when we were all sitting on deck and telling each other scary tales, Zoro pulled me into his lap. A shriek left my mouth at the sudden movement but I didn't resist. 

Our crewmates glanced over at us for a moment but didn't bother commenting. I suppose Luffy would've said something if he weren't so captivated by the story Robin was telling. Nami smirked as Zoro possessively wrapped his arms around me.

Then I looked over to Sanji, who was clenching his jaw so hard, that one might think his teeth would shatter. I furrowed my eyebrows, confused by his reaction. But then a thought came to mind. Could it be that he was jealous? 

Come to think of it, we did have our moments. Like the time I threw myself at him after our soufflé turned out perfectly, and we hugged, laughing together. Or the time he comforted me after one of my nightmares, holding me close until I felt better. Sure, those situations weren't charged with the sexual tension I felt with Zoro, but they still meant a lot to me. They were sweet, romantic even, and they made me feel all giddy inside. And every time he called me one of those pet names, I felt my heart flutter.

God, I was horrible; thinking of another man, when I was in Zoro's arms. I needed to figure out my own feelings. I had to choose. 

"Zoro, for a word," Sanji broke me out of my thoughts. The man behind me let out a loud sigh, as if anticipating this would happen, and got up, following the cook under deck.

- Zoro's pov -

I followed curleybrow under deck. I knew this would come. He wouldn't sit by forever and let me have my way. It was all just a matter of time.

I had been watching him over the past week and he actually changed. He wasn't fawning over Robin and Nami anymore. Sanji still told them they were pretty and gave them extra treatment over us guys, but he wasn't obsessed anymore. It was like his whole attention was on Aileen. Could it be that he was actually serious about her? Nah, that couldn't be. After all, it was Sanji we were talking about. He was a womanizer and it would probably not take long until he found a new "love of his life".

The cook turned around to face me, anger visible. "You know," he said through gritted teeth, "this isn't some game, Zoro. You think you can just waltz in and act all possessive? She's not your's"

I clenched my jaw, anger rising in me as well. My eyes narrowed, my usually calm demeanour slipping as I glared back at Sanji. The tension between us crackled in the air, heavy and charged.

"Last I checked, she's not yours either, cook," I shot back, my voice low and edged with a warning. I took a step forward, closing the distance between us, refusing to back down. "So don't act like you've got some claim on her."

Sanji's fists tightened at his sides, his frustration boiling over. "I'm not claiming her!" His eyes flashed with a mixture of anger and something deeper, something more vulnerable. "You don't get it, do you? She's important to me. And if you hurt her—"

"I won't," I cut him off, my voice firm and unyielding. The intensity in my gaze was unmistakable. "But stay out of my way, cook."

The chef's frustration was palpable, his face flushed with a mix of anger and protectiveness. "Like hell, I will! You think I'd just give up and let you have your way with her? Never! I'm not giving up on her."

I met his fiery gaze with one of my own, my voice steady as I replied, "Neither am I."

"Fine!" he spat, his voice dripping with bitterness, before turning on his heel and storming off.

- Sanji's pov -

I made my way back to the others, trying my best to calm my ire. But it was of no use. I was furious. How could that mosshead dare to act like he owned Aileen? She was a human being, not some object of his desire! I should've punched him. Maybe that would have knocked some sense into him.

But I had to admit, it was unusual to see him act this way. It wasn't like him at all. He never showed interest in anyone before. Strange, indeed.

Still, that wouldn't stop me from going after Aileen. That stupid swordsman may not have realized it, but she was really precious to me. I've never felt this way about anyone before. Sure, I've always admired women—how could I not? They were so beautiful and elegant, cunning and caring. 

However, my feelings for Aileen were different. They were deeper, more intense. This wasn't just simple admiration—it was something much more profound.

I desired for her to be by my side, never to be parted again. The thought of holding her close, feeling the warmth of her body next to mine, filled me with longing. 

When the world would feel too heavy for her, I wanted to be the one she turned to, the one who could chase away her fears. I wanted to be there when she woke from a nightmare, soothing her until she drifted back to sleep. I imagined us laughing together, sharing tears, and embracing every joy and challenge life had to offer. A lifetime with her, through both the good times and the storms, was what I longed for. Growing old together, our bond deepening with each passing year; that was what I wished. 

At that moment I realized the simple truth.

I loved her.

And I wouldn't—couldn't—let Zoro have her. The thought of living without her was unbearable.  

She was my one and only love, the one who completed me in a way no one else ever could.

I knew this was crazy. After all, I had only known her for a few weeks. But in that short time, she made such an impact on my life, that the mere thought of losing her made my heart ache. I knew, with every fibre of my being, that she was worth fighting for, and I would do whatever it took to get her to love me too.