What's Not To Love

Chapter 14

Sanji. Sanji's conscious.

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Blinking, Zoro sat up. He stared at Sanji before glancing at the door. Looking back, he spoke. "How did you get in here? "

Sanji didn't glance at the door but instead held Zoro's gaze. It bothered him that the other was so guarded around him but at this point, there was nothing that he could do. "You left it cracked. "Sanji replied, not really caring about the little stuff.

"And that told you to come in?" Zoro asked, trying to remain in control of his feelings.

"Well, I was hoping you wouldn't mind." Sanji said, glancing down at his hands. "Franky told me about your arrangement with him. But I still wanted to talk to you."

Zoro kept quiet. There was no reason for him to explain his actions. He had no doubt in his mind that Sanji knew the reason for everything.

"I...." Sanji paused to think for a second. "I didn't mean for any of this to happen. I just wanted everything to be right, you know. I needed to make sure that you were what I wanted." Looking up, Sanji continued. "And you are."

Snorting, Zoro looked at the crib. "So now that you know you want me do you expect me to just accept what happened? You want me to act like everything is just dandy?"

"No."

Zoro turned towards Sanji. He didn't show it on his face but that wasn't the answer he was expecting.

"What I did was wrong and I guess I deserve whatever you throw at me but I still want another chance." Sanji said.

Zoro opened his mouth to speak but Sanji cut him off. "There was a valid reason for what I had done."

"Oh?"

Tell him Idiot.

'I'm trying to so shut up.'

"I'm was... I was trying to..." Sanji hesitated. He wanted Zoro to know, he did. However, what he was going to tell him probably didn't even seem like a big deal and that was why he hesitated. To him it was a problem but probably not to the one he loves.

"Spit it Out!" Zoro whisper yelled.

Taking a deep breath, Sanji proceeded with his explanation." It's because of my father."

Glancing up to make sure Zoro was listening, Sanji continued. "My old man gave me a life that I never thought I would have and all I've ever wanted to do was make him proud. I don't know his whole view of guys loving guys or anything like that so I was trying to be cautious."

"What does that have to do with anything?" Zoro asked.

Sanji cocked his head to the side, not understanding the question that much. Zoro noticed this and deepened his scowl.

"I'm saying that his view on gay love hasn't done anything to this relationship thus far so why is that suddenly the issue." Zoro stated more than asked.

"Because he's my father." Sanji stated, as if it was obvious.

"So let me get this straight." Zoro said. "You want me to accept everything you've done, accept the pain that you've caused me, because it was all for your father?"

"No!" Sanji yelled, causing Zoro to jump a little in surprise. Shocked at his voice himself, Sanji looked at the crib and was happy to see the twins still sleeping. Standing up, Sanji started to pace back and forth with a hand on his forehead.

"I don't know Zoro." Sanji said. "This is why I didn't want to tell you."

"Excuse me?" Zoro asked. Zoro hoped the cook didn't mean what he thought he meant.

Stopping, Sanji faced Zoro and sighed. "I knew you wouldn't understand."

Yup. It was exactly what he thought Sanji meant.

"What do you mean by that?" Zoro asked, standing up himself.

Backing up a few steps, Sanji tried to hide the fear on his face, "I'm just saying that I'm not the only one wrong here."

Zoro looked taken aback. "So, now I'm wrong?"

Sanji rolled his eyes. "That's not what I mean."

"So explain it to me." Zoro hissed quietly.

"Fine." Sanji said. "If you really want me to, I will. You don't understand how important this is to me because you don't owe your life to anyone."

"I don't have anyone I owe my life to, huh? "Zoro asked mockingly. "I'm on this crew because I vowed to help Luffy achieve his dream because he saved me. I owe my life to him which is why I became the one thing I use to hunt."

"That's not the same" Sanji said walking around Zoro.

Turning around abruptly, Zoro spoke. "How is that not the same?"

Stopping, Sanji faced Zoro. "He saved me, put my life above his and raised me as his own. He cut his leg off for me. Luffy gave you a choice: die or fight alongside him. You chose to live; I was lucky enough to live in the end."

Zoro stared at Sanji with tight lips. So Sanji had a point.

Turning his head to the side, Zoro spoke fast. "Whatever."

Sanji held back a smile as he stared at Zoro. He sighed, however, when he realized that Zoro was still tense.

"I just want my father to be proud of me is all." Sanji said. Stepping closer to Zoro, Sanji continued. "He's on one of the islands we're set to visit."

That made Zoro raise an eyebrow but he still refused to pay attention to the cook. Sanji noticed the sudden interest and smirked. Walking towards the door, Sanji stopped by Zoro and bent down so that he could whisper in his ear.

"And I plan to have you back in my arms so the introduction is perfect."

Sanji straightened back up and walked towards the door calmly. As he closed the door, Sanji didn't miss the curse that Zoro spoke into the open space. It was good to know that just a whisper from him could make the swordsman turn red and shiver. It gave Sanji a giddy feeling. It wouldn't be as hard as he thought it was to get Zoro back. At least thats what Sanji decided to tell himself.