Chapter Text
Leaving work late – as he’d been inclined to do the past several weeks – Sanji slowly made his way through Sabaody Park while tonguing at the finished cigarette that currently hung loosely from his lips. He watched the amble of his own feet. Not too concerned with getting home in a timely manner, as he’d begun coming home later and later to avoid any chance of running into Zoro, but the cold weather and obnoxious holiday merriment was beginning to test his resolve.
All the celebration only made Sanji feel terribly lonely amidst the bright lights, jovial music, and incessant cheer. However, given he was still in the painful process of trying to move on – and failing spectacularly – he wasn’t exactly in the mood to risk seeing the alpha. It had already been a month of trying to convince himself that he’d made the right choice, but the only conclusion he’d reached was that he was miserable without Zoro.
He missed everything .
Their elevator rides together after work, their evenings spent sharing a meal, and their mindless chatting interspersed with occasional heated debates. He missed sitting on the couch with the alpha while watching something completely inane, and he missed glancing over to catch him sleeping—usually with his mouth unflatteringly open. And he missed those little moments – brief glances and accidental touches – where he pretended they were more than what he’d allowed.
All of it taken for granted, and now Sanji was left to suffer the withdrawal.
It was so bad that Sanji had been terrified of his most recent heat – after months with an alpha to satiate him, he’d expected the worst – but even that had been affected by his dour mood. He’d Heat-Locked his phone, and padlocked his door as a precaution, but it all ended up being unnecessary. All three days just consisted of him staring at the wall with a mild fever, terribly morose, and playing a fun little game of how many times he could roll onto his back to keep himself from ever actually shedding a real tear.
Sanji was relieved no one had witnessed it.
A sharp evening breeze picked up—it ruffled his hair and pinched at his ears making him regret not bringing a toque. His hands slipped from the safety of his pockets to reach up to pop the collar of his jacket to protect against the bitter wind. Plucking his finished vice from between his lips, Sanji shook off the sullen thoughts and focused on the present. Flicking aside his cigarette in a trash bin that he passed before his hands rummaged around his pockets to locate his pack to dig out another smoke.
Footsteps alerted Sanji to an approaching couple, prompting him to glance up out of habit to offer a polite nod of recognition only to be met with the sight of a very familiar alpha ahead of him. His bright green hair instantly recognizable. However, even without it Sanji would be able to recognize that steely scent in a room full of people.
Seeing Zoro was horrifying enough, but what really made the situation go from bad to worse was the bubbly omega dangling off his arm. Her effervescent personality a radiant contrast to Zoro’s permanent scowl. All of it exacerbated by the hauntingly genuine smile on the alpha’s face that Sanji had only seen a handful of times…
Sanji stopped dead in his tracks.
An entirely different sort of numb that had nothing to do with the cold flooded his body leaving him swaying in place. He felt like he was watching the inevitable disaster in slow motion. Unable to stop it as the couple stopped chatting and turned to glance at Sanji—their eyes met, and Sanji's pack of smokes hit the ground along with his broken heart.
A wave of emotions Sanji hadn’t been prepared to process came rushing towards him like a tidal wave that he was powerless to stop—numbness replaced with a roaring intensity that had him fighting for air.
He couldn't do this right now.
Blindly turning away from the alpha – and the omega on his arm – Sanji shamefully embraced his instinct to flee rather than stay and fight. His first couple steps were stunted. As graceful as a newborn deer – more of a stumbling fall where he only barely caught himself in time than an actual gait – Sanji forced himself to keep moving forward over the pieces of his proverbial heart that had shattered at his feet.
It was only on the fifth step Sanji felt his foot connect with the earth – a surge of energy electrified him – and he was blasted back into his body before launching into a full on sprint. Sanji wasn’t even sure where he was running to. All he knew was he needed to get as far away from the alpha as possible—as far away from the reality that it was too late…
It was over .
Fleeing back down the path from where he came, Sanji didn't make it very far before the distinct sound of pounding footfalls trying desperately to catch up with him had his heart leaping into his throat. Sanji didn't even need to look back to know it was Zoro. His body reacted instinctively to the chase. Adrenaline thrumming through his veins as his fleeing morphed into an innate compulsion that he could no longer control, Sanji realized far too late his mistake by initiating a chase, but he had no clue how to get out of it.
Once properly mated, there were certain triggers that were flipped for alphas. Sanji hadn’t even considered what they’d done to be mating, but obviously he was wrong. Alphas had a knee jerk sort of reaction to their mates when they ran. A lot of mated pairs got off on it––the chase, the hunt, the adrenaline. It was supposedly an amazing thing to experience but he hadn’t thought that Zoro would still react to him after all this time.
All he could do was flee until the alpha caught him. His instincts forced him to keep running away just as Zoro’s were no doubt forcing him to pursue. Heart hammering in his chest as Sanji desperately tried to think of anything that he could do short of running both of them to exhaustion.
Quickly changing course from the pavement through the wooded area of the park, Sanji ran through the forest as swiftly as he could manage; melted snow turned the ground to wet, muddy sludge—slowing his pace, but also Zoro’s. Sanji felt a shiver shoot up his spine at just how close he could tell Zoro was behind him. He was probably just staying out of reach. One bad step would have him caught.
Darting expertly between a cluster of close trees, Sanji took the opportunity to throw a short glance over his shoulder and catch the alpha’s gaze—it was only for a moment, but it was enough.
A clarity washed over the alpha’s clouded vision – like a storm front rolling back to reveal a bright sky – Zoro completed three more aggressive strides before purposefully tripping himself. He bailed into the forest floor, but it was already too late. All of his remaining momentum sent him hurtling forward to clip Sanji’s heel—sending them both down in a flurry of leaves, twigs, and mud.
Everything became a blur—Sanji couldn’t make sense of what was up or down, until he finally came to halt on his side. His joints ached and his muscles stung. Things had bent in awkward directions, and the hard ground had succeeded in knocking the wind out of him.
Sanji rolled onto his back.
Breathlessly mouthing around a groan that he couldn’t get out, Sanji lay convulsing until finally managing to suck in a lungful of air. His hearing returned a second after. A guttural wheeze fell from Sanji as he blinked away the tears that had formed from the bail – nothing else, certainly not because of the alpha, and definitely not because he was still coming to the realization it was all his fault – finally getting his sight back.
Gifted with a remarkable view of the evening sky through the sprawling oak trees, Sanji caught his breath while basking in the sight of the remaining leaves that had stubbornly managed to hold on despite winter's chill—dancing happily in the bitter breeze. Twisting and fluttering. Some broke free to flit off on the wind while others trembled but remained steadfast in their position. It was all a pleasant distraction from the pain – both physical and mental –as the cold mud was a relief to his bruised body.
Both of them lay sprawled amongst the damp mulch of mid-winter debris while desperately fighting to recover from the cascade of errors. Sanji could hear Zoro recuperating at much the same rate that he was, but was hardly ready to face the reality that was the alpha. He could distantly hear him struggling through a cough, then the subsequent – disturbingly wet – splatter of hacked up saliva. It had Sanji realizing that he also managed to get a decent amount of dirt in his mouth, and the faint taste of copper confirmed he’d bit his tongue, but Sanji hardly had the fortitude to care.
It felt like nothing mattered anymore…
Out of his peripheral Sanji could see the alpha in the process of picking himself up off the ground and knew he couldn’t escape his fate for much longer. Sanji slowly sat up as well – pulling his legs in to sit comfortably cross-legged – but refused to look over at Zoro. Poorly feigning interest in himself as he brushed dirt off his sleeve and picked a few leaves out of his hair to flick aside petulantly.
Zoro finally found his voice, “—the fuck , Curls?!”
Sanji had already ducked his head in shame, but risked a glance up.
Through irritable groaning, Zoro had managed to push himself into a slumped – but seated – position while cradling the side of his head gingerly—blood stained his temple, hair, and fingers. His shoulders flexed from his labored breathing and his cheeks were even a little flushed, but Sanji had a suspicion that it wasn’t from the running, so much as it was the impromptu mating chase he’d just been subjected to.
Sanji chewed on his words before managing a quiet, “Sorry.”
“You don’t run from an alpha you’ve mated with!” Zoro snarled through his heavy pants. “Fucking asshole! ”
Visibly embarrassed, Sanji shouted in an attempt to scare the blush off his face, “I didn’t know it was that bad!”
“Of course it is!” Zoro barked back, “That’s why they tell you NOT to!”
“ Excuse me!”
Both men turned at the shrill voice to find a stuffy, elderly woman standing on the path a little ways from the edge of the woods they’d just run through. Sanji stiffened immediately at her tone. Already feeling guilty for whatever had caused the old lady distress as to be that disgruntled.
“There are children ,” the woman enunciated the word like it was their first time hearing it. With a final upturned nose she snapped, “Keep it in the bedroom.”
Sanji gave an apologetic wave in agreement, but Zoro muttered back, “It was an accident—won’t happen again.”
She didn’t seem satisfied, but walked away regardless.
Not bothering to wait to be out of ear range, Sanji let a distressed moan wheeze from between his lips while dropping his face into his hands. He was so embarrassed he wanted to die. Praying, hoping, needing the earth to open up and simply swallow him whole for this entire unfortunate circumstance.
He was the worst.
Outing himself so thoroughly to the alpha, as well as everyone in the park, there wasn’t much else he could’ve done to make it worse short of presenting in public. He subjected Zoro to a public chase, and he'd forced the alpha to abandon the other omega he'd been courting. Worst of all, Sanji couldn’t even deny hating it – his blood was still rushing from the adrenaline spike that enveloped him the moment he realized Zoro had been chasing him – as he muscled down a groan of dismay.
“Shit. Shit shit shit shit shit.” Sanji ground his face in his hands, “Shit!”
A long silence followed Sanji’s cursing as the world continued to move around them. People on their journeys through the park – sending them curious glances when passing – as they sat together in the cold mud in the falling evening. Failing light prompting the rustic lamps littering the park to flicker on in a haphazard order.
Surprisingly, Sanji wasn’t even cold anymore—just tired.
Tired of not allowing himself the things he wanted out of fear of judgement, tired of hating himself for something he had absolutely no control over, and so fucking tired of this terrible feeling that he’d missed out on the best thing he’d ever had.
Slowly lifting his face out of his hands to finally look at Zoro, all Sanji could do was think about how much he had missed him—everything. His hopelessly erratic hair. His ridiculously hardened brow. His endlessly expressive mouth that always had either a quip or a sneer at the ready.
More than a month of avoiding the alpha had done nothing to temper the perfection that Sanji had come to see in every fiber of Zoro’s being. If anything, it’d been heightened. Somehow Zoro managed to look better than his memory had supplied, even – and maybe especially – covered in dirt and blood.
Zoro finally broke the silence, “What the hell was all that about?”
Sanji felt more hopeless than ever.
“Is it not obvious?”
Slumping back on an arm, Zoro’s gaze flicked up to the head injury he still cradled and then back to Sanji balefully. Gifting the omega a slow, purposeful blink before finally drawling, “You can forgive me for not thinking quickly right now.”
Feigning playfulness – and failing – Sanji tried with a weak smile, “Since when have you ever thought quickly?”
“So you lured me into the forest to insult me?” Zoro drawled, “Nice.”
Sanji wanted to snap at the attitude, but couldn’t find the energy.
“ Look , I—”
Breeze picking up once more in a flurry of leaves brought with it a wave Zoro’s scent, and subsequently the sweet scent of the omega, that took the wind completely out of Sanji’s sails. His words died. All of this was so stupidly pointlessstill—Zoro had moved on. Spilling his guts over someone that no longer wanted him was a new form of self flagellation.
“Forget it,” Sanji muttered defeatedly while moving to get up, “It’s too late…”
“Woah,” Zoro interrupted with a commanding bark. His tone jarring enough to halt Sanji’s attempted escape. Glancing over to the alpha with wide eyes and waiting while Zoro inspected him shrewdly before demanding, “What’s too late?”
“Well, I—” Sanji balked, then made a weak gesture, “You…”
“‘Me’ what? ”
There was a cautionary frigidity to Zoro’s tone that told Sanji to be very careful with his next words, but the alpha didn’t even give Sanji the opportunity to respond before elucidating further.
“ I never called it off, Curls.”
“But…” Sanji pointed vaguely in the direction they came from, “She…”
Confusion warped Zoro’s face while tilting his head before understanding quickly had the alpha’s face going lax. His hand slowly lowered while the corners of his mouth – miraculously – began twitching. Eventually breaking into a full out smile as Zoro slumped back with a humorous chuckle.
“My sister?! ”
A chill that had nothing to do with the winter cold swept over Sanji—echoing with dawning horror, “Sister?”
“Yeah, ‘Ron,” Zoro chuckled, “She’s in town for the holidays.”
Sanji blinked, then croaked.
Allowing his embarrassment to fully envelop him, Sanji crumpled forward to catch his burning face in muddy hands. He couldn’t believe this was happening—didn’t want to believe it. Outing himself over a simple misunderstanding to Zoro, his sister , and anyone else that had the misfortune of coming to the park today.
Sanji sat for a while.
Head in his hands while his brain existed in a static blur of mortification until his faculties slowly began to come back online. He couldn’t believe he’d just outed himself in such a needlessly dramatic fashion. All this could’ve been avoided if he’d had a modicum of patience – allowed Zoro to introduce them – instead of running away; there was no way he’d ever live this down.
Groaning loudly into his hands, Sanji could only imagine what Zoro was thinking of this whole juvenile debacle—if there was one silver lining it was that the alpha hadn’t confirmed his fears that it was too late. He even seemed… reciprocal, but that would require looking him back in the eye after his humiliation. Scrubbing his face with finality – knowing he couldn’t sit here forever – Sanji dropped his hands wearily into his lap and lifted his head to once more meet the alpha’s gaze.
A smidgen of sympathy quirked Zoro’s lips, but unfettered amusement made his eye sparkle tellingly.
“Were you jealous? ”
Sanji stiffened.
Blush returning tenfold to envelop not only his face, but his ears, neck, and shoulders too, Sanji snarled in hopes to frighten it away, “Fuck you! It was an easy mistake!”
“True,” Zoro smirked while scratching absently at his chin, “we look nothing alike, but now that you mention it…”
Reaching inside his jacket to retrieve his phone, Zoro began fiddling with it as Sanji looked away to feign interest at a couple walking by. He wasn’t about to complain. Anything to take the heat off of him was welcomed as Sanji still wasn’t entirely certain where to go from here.
Zoro wasn’t involved, but that put them exactly where they were a little over a month ago.
“Aaand she left,” Zoro muttered aloud before pocketing his phone. “Ah well.”
“I’m sorry,” Sanji repeated his remorse. "I didn’t mean to ruin your evening.”
Moreso apologetic to the lovely woman that he’d left stranded at the cusp of twilight than the alpha he’d forced into an impromptu track and field conditioning before adequately testing his tumbling capabilities.
“Don’t worry about it,” Zoro waved Sanji off before dropping the hand to his knee. Moving to stand as he added, “I was just walking her back to her hotel.”
“She’s not staying with you?”
“Oh, she wouldn’t stay with me under threat of death,” Zoro shook off the idea with an incredulous laugh. “My place don’t exactly have room service and five star amenities.”
Something had flipped the alpha’s demeanor as he pushed to his feet; a radiant energy buzzing around him—downright affable. Sanji followed his every movement with rapt attention. Previously glowering in the mud with all the approachability of a cornered honey badger, Sanji hardly recognized the chipper alpha currently dusting himself off.
Zoro glanced down, then asked, “So, do you—”
Sanji’s heart was back in his throat.
Unsure of what Zoro was about to ask, but foolishly willing to say yes to whatever it was he wanted, Sanji found himself leaning forward despite himself. He knew his expectations were delusionally high. Obviously Zoro wasn’t going to ask any of the things Sanji wanted to hear, and he prepared to force himself not to be disappointed when the offer was as innocent as to be expected.
“—want a ride?” Inclining his head in the general direction they came from, Zoro added, “Home?”
Sanji tried desperately to ignore the flutter in his chest at the word when spoken from the alpha—how ridiculously badly he wanted it to mean something more.
“Yeah,” Sanji smiled softly, “sure.”
Artfully masking his turbulent emotions, Sanji nodded and pushed himself to his feet; mimicking Zoro as he brushed himself off as best he could. He noted a tear to the elbow of his jacket and quietly mourned the loss. Not about to complain though, considering the whole debacle was his fault in the first place.
Once feeling a bit more presentable, Sanji shoved his hands in his pockets and glanced to Zoro. He offered a weak, but sincere smile. Nodding towards Zoro’s head injury and murmuring playfully, “I should probably make sure you get home safely; you need all the remaining brain cells you have left.”
“Head wounds tend to bleed a lot,” Zoro shrugged, but turned away before Sanji could argue. “C’mon.”
Slowly carding his hand through his already thoroughly mussed hair – fingers no doubt leaving even more tracks of dirt – Sanji watched the alpha walk off and marveled at the events that led to this moment. There was still a weird tension between them. Things left unresolved and unspoken, but it felt like they were on a path to fixing it given time.
Sanji dropped his hand, then followed.
Initially every step felt distant as he followed after – almost as though he weren’t even in his body – but soon he felt himself a little more grounded until he was comfortably astride the alpha with a casually affectatious mien. He simply enjoyed being next to the alpha once more. Able to smell the distinctly metal aroma that was so uniquely Zoro and so incredibly soothing to the ache Sanji had been struggling with for the past several weeks.
It distracted him long enough that by the time Sanji felt a little more level-headed he realized they were still in the park—Sanji was positive the alpha took him in a circle, but kept his opinion to himself. It was only on the third pass of the large tree at the center of the park that Sanji finally put his foot down and voiced his concerns.
“Are you sure you don’t need to go to the hospital?”
Zoro rounded on Sanji with a stern look, “Why?”
“Just cause…”
Trailing off in awkward uncertainty – unsure of how to approach the possibility of brain damage – Sanji pointed weakly towards the large decorated tree that they had now passed for the third time. Zoro glanced at it, then back to Sanji. Raising both eyebrows expectantly at Sanji in a clear illustration that not only did he not know what Sanji was implying, but he also didn’t recognize the tree.
“We’ve passed that tree three times now,” Sanji broached very slowly. His concern mounting as he explained, “You’ve been leading us in circles.”
Zoro’s face was carefully blank, but his eye widened imperceptibly.
It was hard not to feel guilty about pointing it out, but Sanji was definitely getting close to wanting to call an ambulance. He tried running through his mental rolodex of signs to look for in a concussion. Stepping closer to try and get a look at Zoro’s pupil only to have the alpha take a swift step away and rear back.
“You should probably see a doctor,” Sanji urged.
“That…” Zoro murmured through tight lips. “won’t be necessary.”
“No, seriously, I don’t think you should drive,” Sanji reasoned as he began digging for his phone, “At the very least lemme call a cab and we can get you looked at—”
Zoro’s face went bright red instantaneously.
“ Stop! ”
Sanji froze at Zoro’s tone.
“I—” Biting off the sentence as though it pained him, Zoro’s eye fell shut and he turned his head to the side while taking a deep breath. He exhaled just as controlled. Finally turning back to Sanji and meeting his gaze to admit, “Sometimes I take wrong turns.”
Sanji deadpanned, “That’s called getting lost.”
Zoro’s lips thinned.
Eyes slowly narrowing at the alpha, gaze darting away, then back—still not entirely sure what exactly was going on before pieces started to connect. He began to realize certain timing issues. They’d never really done anything outside the apartment, but Sanji was beginning to understand that Zoro didn’t have a chaotic schedule…
“Is that why sometimes you’d be on time at the elevator, and others you weren’t?” Sanji pressed with a dawning realization, “You were lost? ”
“I— the—” Zoro balked. “ Listen .”
“Oh. My…”
Starting with incredulous disbelief, Sanji quickly switched to a hysterical cackle as the hilarity of the situation sunk in. He started howling. Only barely managing to calm himself long enough between laughs to extend a mock hand of concern towards the alpha.
“And you’re certain you were always like this?”
“Curls—” Zoro warned.
“No! Shut up!” Sanji barked through a laugh, “Lemme have this.”
They stood on the side of the path – occasionally passing strangers glancing at them – Zoro standing stock still while looking off into the horizon in palpable exhaustion while Sanji curled over in front of him. Hands braced on his knees as he laughed himself breathless into the ground for several minutes. Inevitably straightening while wiping away a stray tear, heaving a sigh while meeting Zoro’s unimpressed moue.
“Alright,” A laugh barely smothered as Sanji reassured poorly, “I’m done.”
It was Zoro’s turn to gift Sanji a deadpanned look, “Sure?”
And just like that, the last of the tension had broken entirely.
“Yes,” Sanji managed with significantly more aplomb. “Now, where’d you park? You don’t get to lead anymore.”
Despite the pain in his expression, Zoro divulged, “By the big clock at the corner entrance.”
“Great.”
Hooking a hand at the crook of Zoro’s elbow, Sanji inclined his head with a fond, “C’mon.” before guiding them off in the correct direction. He never removed his hand, and Zoro let him without complaint. Neither saying a word for the remainder of the short walk until they exited the park and were met with the sight of Zoro’s gorgeous white and gold bike parked nearby.
Upon seeing the motorcycle, Sanji realized he’d quite foolishly forgotten Zoro didn’t own a car and that the ride home the alpha had offered was going to be infinitely more intimate than expected. He continued to stare in mild horror as Zoro stepped away. Moving to the bike, and with a bit of fidgeting, had a helmet removed and then extended in Sanji’s direction.
Taking the helmet from the alpha, Sanji artfully ignored the way their fingers touching sent his heart into a frantic fluttering of fervency. He could feel his palms getting unnaturally clammy. Becoming suddenly mesmerized by the helmet in his hands as if it were a fascinating contraption, Sanji inspected it thoroughly before pulling it on—it fit quite nicely, even if the padding around his cheeks was a little snug.
After pulling on his own helmet, Zoro grabbed the bars and swung a leg over; hauling the heavy piece of machinery to a comfortable balance point before jerking his heel back to flick up the kick stand. Sanji knew the bike should be heavy, but seeing the way the alpha’s body flexed to initially move it gave Sanji a whole new appreciation for it. Patiently waiting on the sidewalk and watching Zoro quickly go over everything before starting it up with an aggressive motion of his leg that Sanji was embarrassed to say he found attractive.
He was relieved the helmet hid his blush.
Engine grumbling to life with an obnoxious roar, Zoro then looked to Sanji before tilting his head invitingly to the passenger seat. Sanji stared blankly before realizing where he’d be sitting. Thankfully, the helmet also hid his momentary mortification before shaking it off and clamoring onto the bike quite tactfully—avoiding touching the alpha as best he could given their proximity.
“Arms around me.” Zoro tapped his hip before pointing sharply to the handles positioned just below Sanji’s seat, “Or the bars.”
Sanji knew it wasn’t a challenge, but he took it as one anyway.
Abandoning any former constraint in regards to their tenuous relationship, Sanji wrapped his arms boldly around the alpha’s waist and held on with an intimate familiarity. His hands clutched at the soft leather of Zoro’s jacket. Pulling himself in close so he could feel every line of the alpha’s muscular back, his only regret was the helmet that kept him from burying his face into the alpha’s back and getting a proper inhale of his scent.
Zoro was unnaturally still.
Neither moved as they sat together on the bike with Sanji holding them together – the first real contact they’d had in over a month – Zoro eventually came back to himself with a carefully constructed aplomb.
“Match my balance,” Zoro instructed before reaching up to flip his visor down. “I’ll go slow.”
Arms tightening with a reassuring squeeze, Sanji countered, “Don’t.”
There was no way for Sanji to hear or see Zoro’s reaction – smirk, surprise, or otherwise – but he could feel the thrill as it swelled through the alpha’s body and an excitement caused him to vibrate beyond the grumbling of the engine. Sanji knew Zoro was grinning ear to ear. All he could do now was hold on tight, close his eyes, and wait as the bike lurched into motion to take him – them – home.
~X~
In the lobby, they both stood at the elevator while watching the neon display steadily count down to the ground level. Even if they weren’t talking, it was just comforting to be in the alpha’s presence again; partaking in this silly little ritual that had existed long before things had gotten so complicated, and had become such a bright part of their relationship these past few months.
Sanji felt his chest ache—he’d missed this.
As the numbers fell lower and lower, Sanji felt his heart pounding faster and faster, until the doors were opening with a ding. Sanji glanced to the alpha, but found him already watching him. Gaze unwaveringly on Sanji as he reached out blindly to place a palm to the doors before inclining his head politely at the elevator.
A painful snort crackled in the back of Sanji’s throat before he could stop it at the unfamiliar formality.
“What?” Zoro grunted.
“Since when are you so polite?”
Zoro’s face deadpanned.
Rolling his eye exhaustively – even throwing his head into the motion for good measure – Zoro shouldered past Sanji to step onto the elevator first, but poorly hid the grin that spread across his face. Sanji entered the lift just as Zoro turned around to expose a full smile. Matching it proudly, Sanji swiveled to a stop by the alpha’s side, then once more looked ahead of himself at their distorted reflections in the smooth metal.
Their ride up was silent.
They still hadn’t uttered a word about them , or what was happening, but Sanji could feel what this was all leading to—and yet, they continued with the formalities. He could feel his excitement rising in his chest along with the ascent of the elevator. Chancing a convert glance at the alpha, Sanji watched as Zoro pointedly kept his stare ahead of himself while his hands twitched a few times before swiftly shoving them into his pockets.
It was reassuring Sanji wasn’t the only one that felt unsure and fidgety.
They soon reached their floor, and exited, making down the hall just as innocently until they arrived at their separate apartments. Standing in the hall together with neither making a move – either to leave, or take this further – they stared at each other until Sanji broke the connection by glancing to the dried blood coating Zoro’s temple and back.
It prompted Zoro to reach up to touch it gently, before his hand fell to his chest and he looked down. Plucking the front of his ruined shirt to inspect the myriad of dirt, blood, and stains – though it was questionable whether those were there prior to Sanji’s interference – Zoro gave himself a once over before releasing the garment.
“Need a shower,” Zoro stated, but made no move to leave.
“Yeah,” Sanji cast a look down at himself, then up to agree, “same.”
Tongue darting out to nervously wet his lower lip, Zoro cast a glance towards his apartment before back to Sanji with a hopeful – if shy – smile. He then extended his hand – silently inviting – but giving Sanji a clear out if he wasn’t ready.
Sanji snagged Zoro’s hand immediately.
It was a surprisingly gentle hold for how urgent it felt, but Sanji was too distracted by the edifying sensation of feeling those familiar callouses once more. His fingers slid between Zoro’s bony knuckles perfectly. That worn, warm hold healing everything that had come apart the last few weeks.
An adorable , toothy smile lit Zoro’s face – exposing a far more guileless and sunny disposition – causing Sanji to offer his own in return—he felt privileged to see this side of Zoro again.
After some fiddling with his keys, and then the door, they quickly kicked off their shoes – Zoro’s hand never released its steadfast hold on Sanji’s – before they finally began making their way through the alpha’s apartment. Zoro led the way with notably tentative steps, even the lines of his back were agitated. It caused Sanji’s smile to twist into something far more tender as he could wholly empathize with Zoro’s nervousness.
Even after the ride here, the walk inside, and the wait for the elevator, Sanji was still uncertain of where to begin with the mountain of things he wanted to say. He wanted to apologize, first and foremost, but was also worried that once he opened his mouth he’d spill his guts. There was so much more going on with him than just them.
When they reached the bathroom, Zoro finally released Sanji’s hand to turn on the shower – never looking back lest he break the spell – testing the water a few times before straightening to shoulder off his leather jacket with an arousing amount of ease. He set it aside on the bathroom counter. Then climbed in without taking off any of his other clothes, but considering the amount of dirt and blood on him it made sense.
As soon as the hot water hit Zoro’s hair it transformed the spring green to a darker more mesmerizing emerald before leeching further down to the dried blood on his temple which quickly melted under the heat. It began to run down the alpha’s face in hard lines of enticing garnet. Curling over high cheekbones and around a sharp jaw to follow the line of his neck, but by then the red was diluted to nothing more than a faint pink—a bit of the collar stained, but for the most part the water was washing it all away.
Inspecting his own filthy clothes, Sanji decided to follow Zoro’s example and carefully stepped into the shower after removing his own jacket. Zoro wrenched the curtain shut as Sanji stepped under the full weight of the spray. Initially uncomfortable, Sanji waited as the shower properly soaked through his clothes before finally succumbing to the soothing heat.
Sighing happily as the hot water pouring down began washing away some of the mud from his hair and shoulders, Sanji let his eyes slip shut and simply stood under the delightful cascade of water. He felt not only his aches and pains ease up, but a tension that had been knotted in his chest all month finally loosen substantially. He let a slack smile crest his lips. Head tilting back to allow the hot water to patter across his skin, sending rivulets coursing down his face and over parted lips.
Eyes eventually sliding open to find Zoro hovering mere inches above him; a burning intensity in his gaze that made the shower feel ice cold in comparison.
He was waiting—for what, Sanji was uncertain.
Gaze dropping to the alpha’s lips and back up, it felt like everything that had happened so far was leading up to this moment; they’d clash and everything would be forgotten. Sanji was getting impatient for it. Already tilting his head back by the time Zoro slowly leaned in with all the signs and intentions of kissing Sanji, but he didn’t do it—deviating at the last moment to rest his forehead against Sanji’s gently.
Sanji hated how penitent the alpha felt.
Leaning away from Zoro just enough to bring the alpha into focus as his hands tracked up to cradle the alpha’s jaw. He hadn’t moved from where Sanji had left him. Brow pinched and eyes shut, as though moving would ruin this moment, or worse—Sanji could only speculate at what Zoro was thinking of this whole situation.
“Hey,” Sanji murmured. Hands pausing in their reassuring petting to give an extra squeeze to force the alpha to open his eye. Thumb rubbing gently over the scar indenting the flesh on Zoro’s cheek, “Look at me.”
Zoro’s eye fluttered open—droplets of water flicked from the ends of his lashes.
“What’re you thinking?”
“I’m…” Zoro grumbled, “I just…”
A wistful sigh caused the alpha to shrink substantially as he curled in closer, his gaze listing away to track across Sanji’s face to inspect incalculable minutiae. He paused here and there. Darting about like he was trying to memorize everything all at once before coming back to meet Sanji’s gaze with his own burdensome one.
“I never meant to make you feel like—” Zoro’s lips barely moved as he divulged his thoughts. Sober and alert, but whispered with all the surreptitious quirks of a drunk. There was a notable frustration to his words as though attempting to punish himself, “Like you’re something to own …”
Sanji felt his lungs seize up.
Even though he knew this was where they were headed, Sanji hadn’t expected Zoro to come out of the gate so swift and blunt, but he knew he should’ve expected it by now. However, it was forcing him to come to terms with everything he’d been avoiding ever since their confrontation in the stairwell—his desires, his hypocrisy, his expectations.
It was such a contradictory set of emotions, but having those feelings coupled with years of prejudice from people made it more complicated than it should be.It didn’t mean he didn’t want it; it just made it harder for him to accept it. He knew there were certain things Zoro couldn’t control—it was the same for him. All he wanted was a way to meet in the middle so he never had to feel that sense of invalidation he’d been forced to feel since he’d presented.
“I wish I could promise I won’t do something like that again, but I…” Zoro trailed off with a sigh.
Lifting his hand to inspect his own palm, Zoro stared down at it as the water pooled in the center and tracked paths along the creases and down his arm. It took Sanji a moment to realize the alpha was looking at the scar from the broken bottle. Swiftly hidden by Zoro closing his hand into a rigid fist, Sanji tracked it up as Zoro pressed the knuckles to his brow, ground them there, and grumbled furiously.
“I literally just tackled you in the park.”
Releasing Zoro’s face to snag his wrist – gentle, but firm in his actions – Sanji pulled the alpha’s hand away and refused to let go until he unfurled his fist. He got a momentary glimpse of the scar—it was healed for the most part, but a bit of the skin was still a little reddened. Glancing back up, Sanji found Zoro staring down at the scar too, so he waited until the alpha looked back up before speaking.
“That wasn’t fair—” Sanji cut himself short as Zoro’s mouth opened, and silenced any objection, “Shut up; lemme finish.”
Zoro’s mouth shut with a click.
“I was looking for any excuse to push you away cause it was easier than dealing with everything else…”
Hand twitching in its grip on Zoro, Sanji forced himself to release the alpha’s wrist only to grasp his own hand to wring them nervously. He felt like he was preparing to step in front of a firing squad – the potential of being shot down was very real – and all he really wanted was a cigarette to temper the situation. Eventually, he managed to release his hands only to blurt loudly, “I’ve been fucking miserable.”
Zoro blinked.
Despite the vulgar candor, the alpha listened to Sanji with an unnerving intensity that loosened Sanji’s tongue too. He felt a rush of affirmations bubbling up. So many things that he’d wanted to say for months, and even more than he’d been wishing he’d said before everything went so horribly wrong.
“Only getting you once a month was killing me,” Sanji insisted. He ran a hand through his wet hair and pressed his bangs out of his face as he started to ramble, “You didn’t seem to mind, and I didn’t want to think about it, so it was just easier to pretend I didn’t want more, but I hated it. Then everything happened all at once, and I panicked, but I should’ve just—”
Sanji stopped short as regret clipped his words—grimacing at his underwhelming admission.
Reaching up to rub at his forehead – knowing he wasn’t being at all transparent – Sanji sighed while struggling to find the right words to this whole predicament. He chanced a glance up at Zoro. All his fidgeting stopped when he found the alpha staring down at him patiently; ready and open.
“I want you.” Sanji murmured. “This— us .”
Surprise eclipsed Zoro’s face before revealing an ecstatic smile as he nodded and said with a frightening amount of sincerity, “Okay.”
It had Sanji terrified for what he needed to say next.
“I don’t need you to promise me anything—just…”
Finally reaching the uncomfortable truth that he’d been avoiding, Sanji trailed off as they stared at each other with only the humming of the shower to fill the din—a heaviness to the situation somehow louder than the water.
Juggling the knowledge of what he wanted with the acknowledgement that there were certain things neither of them could control was a tumultuous balancing act, but Sanji was beginning to see that he didn’t have to do it alone.
"Just try—and I will too. I can’t promise I’m going to get over all of… this ,” Sanji gestured helplessly to himself, “right away, but I will—I want to.”
That smile still hadn’t wavered from Zoro’s face, even as he murmured, "I can wait."
Sanji felt his heart flutter.
“It might be a while,” Sanji warned.
“I’m not going anywhere.” Zoro didn’t even miss a beat—the conviction to his words was disarming, “I’m yours .”
Sanji felt his heart painfully skip a beat.
Of all the times, of all the conversations, of all the people… No one had ever told Sanji that simple little word, no one had let him feel like he deserved it. Always owned and always wanted , but never in the position to be allowed to have —he suddenly felt on the verge of laughter in the hysterical euphoria that washed over him—he hadn’t known how much of a relief it would be to hear it, especially from Zoro.
Sanji moved.
Hands grabbing the alpha’s face commandingly and dragging him down into a ready kiss, Sanji poured all of his gratitude, desperation, and relief into every fiber of the collision. Zoro returned the longing with an ardent enthusiasm. Everything he couldn't quite put into words was woven into his touch.
Arms slipping around Sanji with a tender, but urgent desire – hands caught between gripping and caressing – they would begin to wander only to come back and snap around the omega’s body as though to make sure Sanji was still there—that he wasn’t going to leave. It was nearly imperceptible, but the alpha was trembling. A quiver of uncertainty in the tips of his fingers as they glided over Sanji’s body with a cautious reverence.
It reminded Sanji of their first kiss – in this exact same spot – how overwhelmingly hot, and intense, and dizzying it had been to taste the alpha. High on his heat; at the time it had been incomparable. So tantalizingly euphoric Sanji couldn’t imagine anything ever comparing again, but somehow the clarity of mind made this reality all the better.
Perhaps it was the separation, but Sanji didn’t buy it – they’d spend weeks not touching between heats – rather, there was something real beyond the fabricated desire of his raging hormones. More than what his body wanted, it was what he wanted. Nothing was going to ever compare to the sensation of holding Zoro with reciprocated feelings.
Ending the kiss with a reassuring suckle, Sanji struggled to release Zoro now that he finally had his hands on him once again, but thankfully the alpha got impatient first. Zoro released Sanji's hips with a downright frustrated whine, then stepped back to struggle his wet shirt over his head—a tad frantic in his endeavor.
Getting the hem up was fairly easy, but once the alpha had to wrestle the wet fabric over his large shoulders he began to struggle. He got it partially over his head before finally getting stuck. Allowing the alpha to struggle a little – much like a cat in a bag – Sanji took pity and intervened.
“Stop, moron,” Sanji chuckled.
Zoro deflated with a sigh.
Slumping into Sanji’s outreached hands to accept his help, Zoro waited patiently as Sanji managed – after a bit of finagling – to stretch it high enough for Zoro to free an arm. He wrenched the fabric the rest of the way off his head before freezing. One arm was still raised in the air with the wet shirt dangling in a heavy, sodden bundle, but the task was thoroughly forgotten once they’d locked eyes.
Sanji licked his lips again, and that was it.
Arms falling – shirt whipped to the ground with a wet smack – Zoro bundled Sanji up in a desperate hold and hauled the omega around to pin him to the wall. His lips slanting over Sanji’s as he crowded him against the tiles. Hands falling to Sanji’s pants to begin tugging desperately at the buckle of his belt while his tongue slipped greedily into Sanji’s mouth.
Groaning happily at the kiss – and Zoro’s enthusiasm – Sanji began assisting by hurriedly undoing the buttons on his shirt so he could pull it open just as Zoro finished getting his pants undone. Zoro pulled back with a playful grin before wrenching Sanji’s pants and briefs down until the wet fabric caught mid-thigh. Sanji’s length popping free to bob readily between them. A little bit of kissing and the promise of what was to come had already gotten Sanji ridiculously aroused, but then Zoro fell to his knees.
Sanji whimpered as his cock twitched.
This wasn’t the first time Zoro had sucked him off – not by a long shot; the alpha was very attentive – but it was always in a bed. Which was nice , however it meant there were certain experiences they were woefully lacking in. This being one of them, and there was something powerful about seeing the large alpha on his knees between Sanji’s feet.
Wasting no time, Zoro planted his hands on the tiles on either side of Sanji’s hips and engulfed the omega’s cock in one easy motion. Sanji could feel the head squish against the back of Zoro’s throat. Tongue and muscles there squeezing in a blissful swallow that had the last of Sanji’s mental faculties sliding out of his head, down his spine, and finally circling the drain to be washed away.
Hands falling to brace on Zoro’s massive shoulders, Sanji allowed the alpha to take all his weight as he slumped forward and succumbed to the pleasure. His head hung low. Water from the shower pounding on the back of his head and causing his hair to spill around him in strings of silken gold.
Fingers flexing and twitching with every skillful suck, Sanji struggled to keep his eyes open while watching Zoro’s head moving between his legs. Sanji tightened his grip to make sure he wouldn’t fall. Slowly releasing a hand to glide along the alpha’s broad shoulders – across silky, wet skin; hot and hard – over to Zoro’s neck where he could drag his palm against the smattering of soft hair there and feel it bristle enticingly against his palm.
He loved the feeling.
Such an intimate sensation that had become so routine between them, so often Sanji’s hands would end up clutching the back of Zoro’s neck. Fingers tightening and stroking through the short hair there while the alpha worked inside of him, except this time he was inside Zoro and he was coming dangerously close to spilling his load.
Sliding his hand higher to tangle in the longer hair at the top of the alpha’s head, Sanji gripped tight – perhaps a little too eager, but didn’t receive a complaint – wrenching Zoro off him and panting heavily down at the alpha. Zoro allowed the rough treatment happily. Staring up at Sanji with an expectant look even as the water from the shower beat down on his flushed face and water traced around swollen lips.
Sanji wanted to taste them again.
Giving an insistent tug, Sanji ordered, “ Now .”
Nodding a tad dazedly, Zoro fumbled a bit as he reached out to tug Sanji’s soak pants the rest of the way down for him to step out of before jumping back to his feet and wrestling with his own pants with trembling hands. Sanji slumped against the wall. Watching as the alpha struggled – a tad adorably – with getting the wet fabric over his large thighs and then stepping out of the entanglement without falling.
Kicking all of their discarded clothing aside, Zoro straightened to once more stand in front of Sanji and gifted him with a remarkable view. Zoro’s chest was heaving. Water tracking over the corded muscles in mesmerizing rivulets that had Sanji’s gaze darting about hurriedly attempting to take it all in and his mouth aching to track every course—largest of which was that prominent scar.
Sanji had missed tracing it with his fingers.
Hands flexing at the urge, Sanji moved towards the alpha – Zoro surging forward in the same moment – they collided with ease into a fervid entanglement. Sanji's hands caressed that scarred chest while his lips found Zoro’s. Meanwhile, the alpha’s hands trailed up Sanji’s legs before hoisting him up in the same motion, sliding Sanji up the wall as the omega’s legs snapped around the alpha’s waist and his ankles locked them together.
Fingers traced the cleft of his ass until they were deep enough to slide over Sanji’s entrance; massaging his opening with slow, calculated presses so the tips just began to slip inside before moving away. Sanji’s body readily reacted to the teasing as precum began to leak unabashedly from the tip of his swollen cock. A horrible, taunting, incredible sensation that was a promise of what was to come.
“Stop wasting time,” Sanji hissed impatiently.
Zoro’s laugh was a strained combination of delight and desperation.
Without any more delay Zoro’s hand retracted and Sanji could feel him fidgeting below as he grabbed his length and proceeded to align it with Sanji’s entrance. He swept the head over it a few times to get it drenched in slick before bringing it back in place with intent. There was a second to allow Sanji to ready himself, and then Zoro was thrusting in as he pulled Sanji down.
Sanji’s head fell back against the tiles.
Eyes rolling back and lashes fluttering at the filling sensation that had the air slowly squeezed from his lungs as Zoro steadily pushed himself inside. Once seated fully inside after weeks of separation had Sanji realizing that even outside of his heat he was so woefully desperate at this point he wasn’t going to last for very long. He could feel the edge of his orgasm flickering inside him. A few well timed thrusts were going to have him completely unraveling for the alpha before he even had the chance to do anything.
“Fuck,” Sanji bemoaned. “ Shit .”
“I know~” Zoro purred.
Rolling his hips into a deliciously fluid thrust, Zoro had Sanji slipping up the wet tiles in an effortless motion; unevenness of the tiles and roughness of the grout creating a delicious cascade of rippling pleasure across his skin. That single motion had Sanji nearly tripping over the cusp. His grip on Zoro’s arms tightened to a punishing degree. Managing with a hoarse growl, “ Stop. ”
Zoro did immediately.
“You okay?”
Sanji wanted to laugh at the concern.
“Yeah,” Sanji gave in and allowed a mildly hysterical laugh to bubble out before recovering his composure. He glanced down at Zoro. Giving a weak smile and admitting, “I’m just… I’m gonna cum.”
“I can wait,” Zoro murmured.
His double entendre caused Sanji to blush.
Draping his arms comfortably around Zoro and dropping his head to rest on a broad shoulder, Sanji breathed through the arousal ebbing dangerously within and focused on all matter of dumb things to bring himself back down. Zoro waited patiently—incomparable self control. It wasn’t long before Sanji felt he could continue without embarrassing himself, and twisted his head up until his lips brushed the shell of Zoro’s ear.
“Okay,” Sanji whispered, “I’m ready.”
A pleased growl rumbled in Zoro’s chest.
Without dislodging their embrace, Zoro adjusted his stance while keeping Sanji held as close to him as possible and began to move with a hungry intent. Every thrust was a glorious grind that had Sanji sliding up the tiles, bouncing off Zoro’s thighs, and bringing him dangerously close to release again. He tried thinking of anything he could to hold off. Riding that perfect pleasure for as long as he could—never wanting it to end.
As they perfected their pace, Zoro slowly pulled back to watch Sanji; his gaze was heavily lidded, but he never allowed his attention to waver from Sanji.
“‘M close,” Zoro slurred against Sanji’s lips.
“Same,” Sanji moaned.
A whimper of relief flitted from Zoro as Sanji’s hands tightened with a permissive squeeze—encouraging the alpha to bring them to the brink. Zoro’s hips jerked readily, but his brow hardened defiantly. Tense lines of his bared teeth rubbed against Sanji’s lips as a whine slipped from Zoro, before he stopped moving completely and voiced his thoughts through an uncharacteristic bashfulness.
“I want it,” Zoro murmured.
Through the heady fog of arousal it took several seconds for Sanji to understand what the alpha was referring to – even pulling back to level a confused look – before the desperation in Zoro’s face finally caused the request to click. His body heating up at the idea, but his stomach twisting nervously. It was an enormous thing to consider, and he didn’t feel nearly in the right headspace to decide.
He could feel that panic start to build again.
“I—” Sanji struggled with a weak shake of his head, “I’m not—”
“It’s okay, you don’t need to—you never need to,” Zoro reassured as a blush began to pinch at his cheekbones. He glanced away. Bashful behavior odd enough that it had Sanji coming back to himself in time for Zoro to look back at him and admit, “I meant me; I want you to.”
Sanji blinked.
Time steadily ticked by as the reality of Zoro’s offer fully settled in; something he’d never even considered as an option, or at least, not one that’d ever be given to him. Bonding marks could be reciprocal, but alpha’s undeniably prioritized their own—let alone requested to be claimed without getting anything in return.
Even in the shower, Sanji’s lips were suddenly dry, “Oh.”
“You don’t have to,” Zoro continued, but his chin tilted up at the words. Offering his throat in a minute gesture of submission, “I just wanted you to know you could, if you wanted…”
Sanji could feel his face turn red.
“Oh, wow,” Zoro’s head dropped forward to rest on Sanji’s shoulder. His throat was still angled towards Sanji. Body trembling and grip biting as he grounded himself with a few harsh pants to Sanji’s wet skin before muttering, “you got fuckin’ tight.”
“‘Course I did,” Sanji grumbled through tight lips. “Sayin’ shit like that…”
“Not sayin’ what I want got me into this mess—so I’m just gonna be honest now,” Zoro stated with an endearing conviction. “I want to be yours—I want that proof.”
Sanji’s blush was going to start turning the water running down it into steam.
Pressing a chaste kiss to Sanji’s neck, Zoro reassured, “You do what you want; ‘m gonna finish us off.”
Zoro began to slowly return to his thrusting.
Hands shifting a little higher up Sanji’s thighs so his fingers rested at the crease where leg met rear, Zoro’s grip solidified as he pressed Sanji into the tiles and began to make good on his promise. His hips snapping up with a perfect cadence. Every motion timed entirely to bring Sanji to his peak – the alpha knew Sanji’s body embarrassingly well – the entire time keeping his neck angled up to Sanji.
Swallowing nervously, Sanji’s tongue darted out to drag over his lips – catching the water currently running down his face – in a desperate attempt to gain a bit of control. He couldn’t deny the offer was tantalizing, but already he could feel himself overthinking why he should refrain. Stamping down that part of himself, Sanji forced himself to focus on the simple notion of what he wanted —his answer was instant, obvious, and undeniable.
Leaning down and dragging his nose down the length of Zoro’s throat, Sanji paused at the alpha’s scent glands and nuzzled the skin to simply get a little high off the scent. It was so crisp. A flavor that had previously caused him to burn, now had him relaxing blissfully—he was certain his heats were never going to compare to this.
Zoro was getting notably close, so Sanji made his move.
Taking care to angle his mouth just right along the juncture of neck and shoulder, Sanji held with only the faintest press of his teeth while gauging Zoro’s reaction. Zoro’s hips stuttered, but recovered quickly. Pace picking up as Sanji could feel the alpha’s girth swelling impossibly and had his own breathing get a little jilted—the alpha felt huge .
Sanji was all too familiar with how overwhelming it was to have someone in this position – the power, the control, the dominance – Zoro was handing it all over to Sanji willingly.
Emboldened by Zoro’s obvious enthusiasm, Sanji lowered his mouth a little further to properly suck at the scent gland and was rewarded with an animalistic growl from the alpha. Zoro surged under the attention. Pinning Sanji to the wall and fucking him into it at a brutal pace – coupled with the taste of Zoro’s scent on his tongue – had Sanji moaning blissfully and giving an encouraging suck that had the alpha vibrating .
“ Fuck, ” Zoro growled. “ Sanji~ ”
Sanji’s stomach twisted happily at the sound of his name coupled with Zoro’s unhinged reverence.
Caught up in the desperation and pleasure that had Zoro practically turning to putty in his hands had Sanji completely forgetting about his own impending orgasm as he continued to urge the alpha on with his mouth. Sucking and nipping all in an effort to get Zoro there. Feeling as the alpha got steadily more erratic in his movements as he got blindsided by his more base instincts.
“ San —” With a breathless groan, Zoro all but whined, “‘m gonna cum.”
“Do it,” Sanji goaded happily.
Lifting his mouth only a moment to let Zoro know it was alright before lowering back to his throat; he felt the alpha begin to reach his peak and Sanji finally surrendered entirely. He bit down as hard as he could. Teeth sinking into the shallow flesh as Sanji’s mouth flooded with the alpha’s taste, so overwhelming that Sanji tipped over immediately.
Release punching out of him had his jaw locking in place on Zoro’s neck as his body trembled harder than it ever had in his life; Zoro’s forehead pressed against Sanji’s shoulder as a guttural groan wheezed from the alpha—his knot swelling inside him bringing tears of ecstasy to his eyes. He clung desperately to the alpha holding him up, but beyond that contact, reality around him had melted away. Mind wholly clouded by the heady scent of Zoro that had blocked out everything.
It was akin to drowning—needing air, but unable to draw in a breath.
Struggling to unlock his jaw from the alpha, Sanji clung on for a shred of sanity through the aching release that had his entire body feeling like it were being wrung empty. His heart was thundering in his chest. It was only after Zoro had stilled his grinding and his hand had finished wringing every last drop from his aching length that Sanji managed to force his mouth to let go.
His mouth hovered over the bonding mark.
Every inhale was riddled with Zoro’s scent – the flavor on his tongue was crippling – so Sanji let his head fall back in an attempt to catch his breath through the haze of alpha . It took a while, but eventually he felt like he could breathe once more. Dazedly dropping his head down to find Zoro was still struggling to recover while miraculously keeping them both upright.
Deciding to leave the alpha to his recovery, Sanji glanced at the mark he’d left that now sat prominently – and a little bloody – at the juncture of Zoro’s shoulder. Sanji leaned down to lathe his tongue lazily across the mark to clean the last traces of blood. A rush of connection welling up was enhanced by the happy moan that rumbled in Zoro’s chest; Sanji could only imagine what the alpha was feeling – that bonded sensation – and he couldn’t deny that he was eager to know what it felt like one day—hopefully soon.
When Sanji lifted his head, Zoro was already there waiting for him to slant his mouth across Sanji’s in a deep, slow, and reverent kiss. There was very little grace to it given their exhaustion – more of lazy smushing of lips – but it was still delightfully perfect.
“ Fuck ,” Zoro groaned against Sanji’s lips.
Sanji’s eyes fluttered open.
Blinking through a haze of ecstasy and shower water to find Zoro looking up at him with slack-jawed euphoria. He almost looked drunk. It was a flattering thing to see—reassuring to know that Sanji wasn’t the only one that felt this way.
“You taste like mi— ” Zoro cut himself short.
A thoughtful – slightly self-reprimindful – frown warped Zoro’s brow as he mulled over his own choice of words before leaning in again to press his lips chastely to Sanji’s. Barely a kiss, briefest of touch. Slowly pulling back to allow his gaze to skitter over Sanji’s face as content understanding crooked his mouth.
“ Us ,” Zoro corrected.
Sanji’s lips pulled into a tight, embarrassed smile; Zoro always knew the right thing to say, but Sanji was no longer surprised.
Fondly running his hands through Zoro’s dark hair, Sanji leaned back in to lazily mush his lips against the alpha’s and revel in the taste of them . Sanji’s eyes fell shut and he lost track of time. Only when his arms got lethargic in their petting did he realize Zoro was still holding them up, and he pulled away to murmur curiously.
“You gonna pull out?”
Zoro hummed his disacension.
“I’m not in a rush,” Zoro inevitably explained with a happy groan. He nuzzled against Sanji happily, before stilling and lifting his head. Still a bit dazed, but concerned nonetheless, “Do you want me to?”
“Nope,” Sanji smiled—content.
Zoro's face relaxed, “Good.”
“I wouldn’t complain about moving to the bed though…”
“Done.”
Blindly reaching out for the controls, Zoro found the lever and killed the flow of water with one swift jerk. His hand quickly returned to support Sanji. Readjusting himself before carefully leaning back to take all of the omega’s weight and stepping out of the shower.
“Don’t trip,” Sanji chuckled.
“ You tripped me, you fuckhead,” Zoro grumbled.
“Hm,” Sanji hummed with a playful innocence, “Did I?”
“First time? Yes. ”
“I don’t recall…”
They left the bathroom continuing to fondly bicker.
~X~
A warm ambiance hung over the apartment – cleanly scraped plates and empty wine glasses littered the table – as the amount of guests steadily declined. Nami was now the only one left. Having taken her time to finish her drink before calling for a lift to take her home despite Sanji’s multiple offers for her to crash with them. Even as he grabbed her jacket from a nearby hook while she busied herself with pulling on her boots, Sanji flipped it over his forearm and pressed a final time.
“You sure you don’t wanna stay?”
“It’s fine ,” Nami huffed after finally managing to get her heel into her shoe. She straightened with a reassuring smile, before casting a glance at Zoro, “Besides, I’m not interested in messing with whatever plans you two have—despite his carefree attitude, he’s a phenomenal pouter.”
Zoro made a face, but didn’t say anything.
“I can recognize a losing battle when I see one,” Sanji gave in with a smile.
Holding out the jacket readily for Nami to easily slip a sleeve into before releasing it and stepping back as she finished getting sorted. She swiftly flipped her hair out from where it’d gotten tucked, then did the jacket up halfway. Given the spring weather it was fairly comfortable outside, but the evening still carried a bit of a chill. With all of her effects in hand, Nami finally turned back to Sanji and beckoned him in for a hug which Sanji happily obliged—when she pulled back she was smiling.
“Again—Happy Birthday, darling.”
“Thanks, Nami.”
Giving his shoulders a friendly squeeze, she stepped to the door and pulled it open—pausing to say with a wink, “Don’t have too much fun.”
“With this one?” Sanji jerked his thumb at Zoro, “You don’t have to worry; I don’t think he knows the meaning.”
Zoro rolled his eye—turning away with a mutter, “See you at work.”
“ Bye .”
With the door shut and the last of their guests departed a sudden silence filled the once boisterous apartment as the evening finally reached its conclusion. Sanji immediately dug out his smokes as Zoro began clearing the table. Twiddling the cigarette between his fingers to get Zoro’s attention, Sanji inclined his head towards the balcony, “‘M going out for a smoke.”
Zoro gave an absent wave.
While Zoro continued to mill about collecting spare cans and bottles, Sanji made his way over to the patio and – after politely closing the door behind himself – lit up his cigarette with a grateful inhale. He’d been deprived of the nicotine for several hours. With cooking dinner for all their guests, coupled with not wanting to excuse himself while they were over, Sanji had been putting this off for a while now. However, despite his desperation for a smoke, Sanji couldn’t have been in better spirits.
Over the past few months, Sanji had managed to slowly introduce himself properly to all of Zoro’s coworkers and it had gone even more seamlessly than he had hoped. He was still building up to much more complicated obstacles – like his family – but everything would come in its own time. For now, Sanji was content simply having something that actually made him happy.
When the patio door opened, Sanji cast a glance back to find the table mostly cleared and the distant rumbling of the started dishwasher. Zoro even had a bag of recycling by the door ready to be taken out. Even though they still had separate apartments the unspoken routines they had fallen into made it feel like they would be moving in together inevitably.
Gaze flicking back to watch Zoro shut the door, Sanji watched as the alpha came to join him at the patio railing with a beer in hand. He slumped back on his elbows with a content sigh. Eye falling shut while basking in the solitude as Sanji began building up the nerve to request one final thing from the alpha…
It had been something he’d been wanting to do for a while, but the romantic in him had wanted to wait for the perfect moment—which felt like now. Just the thought had a smile touching his lips.It didn't go unnoticed by Zoro who immediately raised his brows expectantly and grunted, “Hm?”
“What?”
“What ‘what?’?” Zoro echoed. “What’s with that look?”
Sanji feigned ignorance, “What look?”
Lips thinning to match the flat line of his unimpressed brow, Zoro gifted Sanji an exhausted look – really waited to allow it to settle – before sighing and giving in. He took a sip of beer. Then pointed at Sanji around the bottle still clasped in his hand, “ That look—the one where you have something you wanna say.”
Sanji was in too good of a mood to be bothered by how well the alpha knew him.
A delighted smile broke out across his face that threatened to cause his cigarette to tumble to the ground. He caught it swiftly between deft fingers. Flicking off some of the ash while given the opportunity before finally laughing.
“You know me too well,” Sanji titled his head back to expel a large cloud of smoke. He watched it dissipate before dropping to gift Zoro a playfully irritated look, “That’s annoying.”
Zoro smirked, but it quickly faded.
“Did I get the wrong knives?” Zoro grumbled, “‘Cause Nami assured me—”
“Naw, they’re perfect.”
Swiftly assuaging Zoro’s fears, Sanji couldn’t help but smile at the sudden distress displayed by the alpha over his gift. Ever since they'd begun actually courting Zoro had been unexpectedly timid when it came to his courting gifts – really making it apparent that he’d truly never done it before – but clearly trying his best at every opportunity. That alone was enough to make Sanji happy no matter how lackluster the offering.
“But I was hoping for one more thing.”
“More?” Zoro echoed skeptically.
Sanji nodded playfully—enjoying Zoro’s confused irritation just a little too much.
Really taking his time to finish his cigarette – curious to see how long he could draw out the suspense before Zoro tried to shake it out of him – Sanji inevitably got to the filter and reached out to snub the smoke into the nearby ashtray. He returned to stand in front of the alpha. Fingers drumming agitatedly on his beer bottle giving away the casual indifference Zoro was so clearly attempting to convey--he arched an expectant brow.
Sanji bashfully tapped his finger to his neck.
An uneventful silence followed Sanji's request as Zoro just continued to stare down at him unphased, and perhaps, even a little confused. His gaze darted to the side thoughtfully. Upon finally looking back at Sanji and beginning to lean in, with a frankly insulting amount of wariness, it had Sanji pulling back sharply.
"What are you doing?"
Zoro immediately straightened and barked, "What do you want me to be doing? "
"What do you think you're doing?"
"I don't know !" Zoro huffed, "Scenting you?!"
Sanji gaped incredulously.
Zoro’s brow twitched, " What? "
"Forget it," Sanji shook his head with a chuckle. Snagging the beer from the still bewildered alpha, Sanji tilted it back to take a hearty swig after muttering at the lip, "Moment's gone."
Zoro blinked, "We were having a moment?"
"Half of one, apparently," Sanji drawled.
Handing the beer back to Zoro – who took it absently and immediately set it down on the nearby table – while Sanji busied himself with digging out another cigarette. His failed attempt at subtly had killed the moment. Just as he’d begun to finger out a cigarette, Zoro’s hands came up to clasp around both of Sanji’s to halt his movements and forced Sanji to once more look up at the alpha.
"Seriously, Curls…" Zoro pressed, "what'd'ya want?"
"This is so much less cool," Sanji muttered to the side.
Zoro pointedly ignored all the whining and stared intently.
Shaking off the alpha's hands, Sanji took his time tucking his pack of smokes back into his pocket before heaving a sigh and finally admitting, "I wanted you to give me a bonding mark."
An embarrassing silence followed the admission as Sanji could see the cogs turning in Zoro’s head as the alpha cycled through his initial, instinctive excitement before progressing to a more tender jubilation until inevitably reaching his expected irritation.
Zoro gave a dry scoff, "Then say that."
"I was trying to be romantic ." Enunciating each syllable with a punctuated vigor, Sanji added in an eyeroll for extra flare and a curt, “Shithead.”
A stubbornness cemented Zoro's brow, "You want romantic? "
Lunging at Sanji with a ferocity that belied any sort of amorous intentions, Zoro soon had the omega bundled up in his arms with a rigidity that ensured no amount of squirming would allow for escape; Sanji allowed it even as his face went red from embarrassment.
"How's this?"
"It's a start," Sanji quipped, voice dripping with sarcasm.
Once it became clear Sanji wasn’t going to flail, Zoro took his time to readjust Sanji from the wrestling hold he’d locked him in and shifted into an actual dignified carry. His shirt was still riding up, but at least his knees were no longer touching his nose. When Sanji glanced up, Zoro’s proud exterior faltered as he gazed down at Sanji cautiously.
“You’re not doing this because of me, are you?"
Pointedly looking down at himself still in the alpha’s arms – giving Zoro the opportunity to get the hint – Sanji drawled, “Since when have I done anything I don’t want to do?”
A bright smile lit up Zoro's face.
“Ugh, I regret this,” Sanji groaned with a laugh. “You’re grinning like a fucking idiot.”
“Too late,” Zoro chimed smugly. “You’re stuck with me.”
Leaning down to accompany the cheesy statement with a chaste kiss, Zoro’s arms tightened a fraction happily as Sanji reciprocated by hooking a hand at the back of the alpha’s neck and pulling him in to deepen it. They took their time to relish the moment. Until Sanji finally pulled back to murmur, “That’s more like it.”
“Yeah?” Zoro smirked.
He turned swiftly to head inside, but stopped at the shut patio door—arms full.
“What’s the plan now, genius?” Sanji drawled.
Zoro’s face fell, but was swiftly replaced with a smug grin.
Without hesitation Zoro hefted Sanji up and tossed him over his shoulder before wrenching the patio door open and stormed inside—hardly shutting it behind himself with a flick as he already was striding towards the bedroom. Sanji allowed the undignified position. Burying his face into the alpha’s back with a furious blush and an ecstatic smile.
~The End~