What's Not To Love

Chapter 31

"Zoro-"

"Don't..." Zoro paused for a second, waiting for Sanji's eyes to meet his. "...say anything stupid,"

Sanji stared at Zoro, unsure of how he should feel- thankful that he didn't say anything or sad because there's no way that he can win him back in such little time. He continued to stare at Zoro without saying a word.

Zoro bit his lips as Sanji remained quiet. There wasn't much emotion in the mans face and, if he was being truthful, his hand felt cold and clammy, two things that the Cook would get irritated about. He stared at the floor, trying to figure out what to say now that they were away from the crew. Zoro jumped slightly as something grazed the skin around his bottom lip. Hi eyes immediately flew to Sanji, who had his arm stretched out towards his face, his finger only a few millimeters away.

Sanji's arm instantly shot to his side as he turned away. "Sorry..I was just..."

Zoro stopped biting his lip and touched the skin under them. "..it's fine," He watched as Sanji avoided his gaze and spoke. "If anything is wrong...or if something's bothering you...I just thought you should know that I don't mind listening."

Sanji's gaze was on Zoro in a moment, and he watched as he nervously scratched his cheek while looking at the other wall.

"It's just..you know...we know each other better than the crew knows us..and, you know..I don't know what's wrong but whatever it is, you can do it." Zoro whispered the last part to himself two more times with a little more power.

Sanji opened and closed his mouth a few times. "No matter what it is?"

Zoro looked back at Sanji with slight confusion before everything registered. "Um...well, I mean-"

"Even if," Sanji held up their still bound hands. "Its this?"

Zoro's eyes flew to their bound hands and he felt his cheeks heat up. He hadn't realized that they were still holding hands. He opened his mouth but nothing came out. He should take his hand away...but he really didn't want to. He watched as Sanji shook their hands together, urging Zoro to say something.

"...Well,...I mean..."

Sanji waited for Zoro to continue but grew impatient after hearing jumbled sentences from him. "Zoro," Sanji stepped a little closer to the green haired man. "You just gave me permission to keep fighting for you. Do you realize that?"

Zoro didn't say anything as he stared up at Sanji. He didn't step back to put space between them and he tried to focus on Sanji only.

Sanji looked at their hands and turned them over, letting his eyes absorb everything that they could. "In 7 days....we'll meet my father," He let his blue eyes lock with gold. "I told you about it before, remember?'

Zoro nodded his head slightly, remembering what they spoke about a while ago. He let his eyes fall on their hands just as Sanji had done moments ago. "The 7 days was for that, huh?"

Sanji stared at Zoro, waiting for him to tell him the inevitable, to tell him that it could never happen.

"Well," Zoro looked at Sanji and smiled a little. "We're able to have a conversation like this," he gestured between them with their bound hands. "So I guess you're getting somewhere."

"Huh?"

Zoro chuckled at Sanji's dumbstruck expression. He unlocked their hands and folded his arms over his chest. Cocking his head to the side, he spoke.

"I mean, you've been trying your best all this time right? It's not like you'll have to work too hard. I'm not gonna give in easy but I do want to fix this...if that's possible.Lets just say we have a friendship right now. Every relationship starts that way, right?"

"Are you..." Sanji looked at Zoro with wide eyes. "Are you saying that I have a chance? That we have a chance?"

Zoro didn't say anything and instead proceeded towards the room. As he walked, he spoke. "I'm saying that I'm willing to take the girls advice and try to be happy." He looked at Sanji as he held the door open. "I'm doing this for the kids and the crew.' He paused for a moment before continuing again. " But it won't be easy. We both need to change. I'll try to be more understanding or whatever. "

And with that, he walked into the room, leaving a stunned Sanji behind.