Chapter Text
“Son of a––”
Biting off the rest of the curse under his breath, Sanji faltered when he entered the apartment lobby to find his intolerable neighbour waiting by the elevator––Zoro. His iconic––horribly erratic––dyed green hair was hard to miss; the overwhelming stench of the alpha was keenly unique.
Every so often Sanji would arrive home from work to find the shitty alpha already waiting for the elevator––it was a rare occurrence, but frequent enough that Sanji considered taking the stairs. However––living on the twenty-first floor––he never wanted to give the bastard the satisfaction of knowing he’d gotten Sanji to make that trek.
"Stupid fucking…" With a quiet murmur of frustration, Sanji resigned himself to an awkward few minutes, “Shit.”
Schooling his features into a neutral expression and making his way over, Sanji came to a stop next to the alpha and pointedly ignored him. Zoro didn't acknowledge him either. Staring up at the neon display, Sanji could've sworn the elevator was slower than usual.
Judging from his clothes, and the distinct combination of steel and musk, the alpha was returning from work. Sanji didn't know what he did, but it worked up a sweat. Unconsciously, Sanji began breathing through his mouth to avoid inhaling the particularly pungent scent––hating how the tang of it felt delightful against the back of his throat anyway. Thankfully, Sanji hardly noticed Zoro’s scent anymore beyond his miazma of hate.
With a loud ding, the elevator doors slid open and Sanji made the gentlemanly decision to let Zoro enter first before following. Their gaze met for only a moment. Nothing was exchanged beyond indifference and then Sanji was standing next to the alpha, the button for their floor was pressed, and the doors slid shut. A short, but horribly awful journey began.
They were about half way, when Sanji could see Zoro’s head turn minutely in his direction thanks to the hazy reflection in the metal doors. Sanji’s hand unconsciously tightened around the bag of water bottles and other supplies he’d bought for his heat––he suspected the telltale scent was already discernible. Internally Sanji prayed the alpha wouldn’t say anything, but luck wasn't on his side.
“Heat?”
Meeting the bold alpha’s good eye with a cold look––the other permanently shut from some sort of accident––Sanji sneered, “Did no one teach you it’s bad manners to comment on shit like that?”
A chuckle, “Need help?”
Turning back to look ahead of himself, Sanji refocused all his efforts on just making it through the rest of the ride without it turning to violence. Glaring a hole through the elevator doors, Sanji gritted out venomously, “Eat shit.”
They rode the rest of the way up in silence, but the smug aura radiating off the alpha clogged up the elevator. By the time they reached their floor Sanji was ready to sprint off, but he didn’t want to give the alpha the satisfaction. Instead, he kept composed while stepping off the lift first, but not without a harsh shove to the alpha’s shoulder.
Sanji pointedly ignored Zoro’s soft chuckle.
Reaching his apartment, Sanji fiddled with his keys, but had the unfortunate fate of his apartment being right across the hall from the jerk. He heard Zoro messing with his keys in the same fashion. Sanji had just gotten his door open when Zoro spoke up again, and Sanji knew he’d regret it if he turned to look as the alpha addressed him.
“C’mon, I noticed you spend your heats alone.”
It was evident in Zoro’s tone that he was grinning, and Sanji stared at the doorknob in his hand as a furious chill ran up his spine at the alpha’s next words.
“I’m just offering a decent fuck for once.”
Calm exterior snapping, Sanji spun around to deliver a murderous glare, “You watching me?”
No amount of fury seemed to phase the alpha––expression calm and composed. He blinked slowly before his mouth curled into another of those smug grins. It made Sanji want to dive across the hallway and plant the heel of his foot in it.
“Didn’t answer my question.”
“Just because I’m an omega it doesn't make me easy.” Sanji snarled, “Don’t be a stereotyping ass.”
“Hey, it was just an offer.” Zoro shrugged, and then laughed, “By all means, go play with your toys.”
“Go fucking die.”
Slamming the door as hard as he could, Sanji stood seething while Zoro’s smug chuckles were easily heard through the panel; tapering off when the man went into his own apartment. Standing in the foyer, Sanji had to refrain from kicking the door out of pure frustration––he opted instead for kicking off his shoes and storming to the kitchen. Dumping the bag of groceries down along with his keys, Sanji braced his hands on the counter while attempting to stamp down his rage. That fiery annoyance mingling with a heat in his lower back that had been getting worse all day.
Sanji bit down the urge to scream.
“Ugh…”
Groaning and letting his head hang instead.
Ever since the stupid, egotistical alpha had moved in next door Sanji had hated him; he’d hadn’t even introduced himself before making a laughing comment about Sanji’s curled eyebrows. Since then they had proverbially been at each other’s throat, and it seemed like Zoro always went out of his way to irritate him; rude comments, incessant teasing, and hosting parties that were always too loud. Not to mention he walked everywhere with that arrogant alpha strut like he was better than everybody else.
Sanji wanted to kick his teeth in!
As if dealing with his intolerable neighbour wasn’t enough, Sanji had to go through this omega bullshit every month. Uncomfortable overheating, painful arousal, nausea waves––it wasn’t nearly as erotic as porn made it seem. Most of the time he was curled up in a feverish ball just wishing for it to be over so he could get on with his life; it was easily the worst part of his month. He'd wanted to go on Suppressants, but the male formulas were unaffordable––the only bright side was his job had benefits to cover his days off.
Apparently having a Heat Mate made it more tolerable––at least that was what most doctors had informed him––but there was no one he knew that he was comfortable enough to ask; and he certainly wasn't hiring a stranger. It wasn’t like he wanted to spend his heats alone, but he had yet to find anyone that saw him as more than just a prize to be fucked.
Everyone judged him based on this one facet of himself––like all his self worth hinged on it––so Sanji stubbornly denied it out of spite. He spent his heats alone. He rejected every alpha that ever made a pass at him. And he sent back every single courting gift that ever got sent to him. There was a reason he was sensitive about all of this––and why Zoro rubbed him the wrong way.
“Damn it.”
With a long suffering sigh, Sanji stopped his lamenting and shoved himself away from the counter. He lit up a cigarette to make himself feel better. Then began unpacking everything and ferrying snacks and water to his bedroom to prepare for the next few days––tidying and keeping himself busy until his heat settled in––making sure to force any thoughts of his bastard neighbour from his mind.
~X~
Blinking back a wave of fatigue, Sanji glared at his ceiling and cursed everything that was his life. Another pounding assault of hormones left his body trembling. He was just starting to hit the peak of his heat, and comfort was alluding him. All Sanji wanted was to sleep, but the ache inside of him made sure that nothing more than brief sweaty naps were allowed.
This heat was worse than the others.
Sweat had soaked through his clothes hours ago and he knew he was long overdue for a shower. He didn’t even want to think about how wet his boxers were. Despite never touching himself, the amount of slick he could feel running down his legs was obscene. His arousal was painful, and he was getting to the point where he was debating touching himself. However, he knew from experience it would just rile himself up and make it worse––without someone to actually mate with it was essentially just fanning the flames instead of putting out the fire.
Reaching out a shaking hand, he slapped his bedside table and found much to his dismay that he was out of water bottles. This heat really was hitting him harder than usual. Hand falling limply off the table, Sanji cussed, “Damn it…”
Resigned to making the arduous trip to the kitchen for more water, Sanji took several minutes to prepare himself before crawling out of bed. Arm braced heavily against the walls for support, Sanji inched his way down the hall to the kitchen. Pausing occasionally to catch his breath before shuffling a few more steps.
At the apartment door, Sanji stopped to take another breather, but froze when a familiar sound reached his ears. He could distantly hear the unique––and horribly loud––thumping as Zoro strutted down the hall. Horror flooded Sanji’s body and his eyes bugged as he realized what was going to happen.
“Shit…”
Even before Zoro’s scent reached him, Sanji could feel his knees begin to tremble at the prospect of an alpha being so close. He wanted to run, but if he let go of the wall he was going to fall down. With a final few loud clomps, Zoro stopped just outside, and there was a jangle of keys as he unlocked his own apartment. Scent of the sweaty alpha wafted under the door and effectively slammed into Sanji like a truck going full speed.
Knees buckling, Sanji slapped a hand across his mouth just before he hit the floor––biting his palm to stifle the moan of desire that sparked inside of him. He didn’t even feel the pain from his fall. Sprawled across the cool laminate, Sanji could only stare at the baseboard ahead of him as Zoro’s scent caused him to spiral out of control.
A whole new wave of heat washed over him, and the pressure building in his head was enough to get him to see black spots as he nearly passed out. Even with a door between them the smell of the alpha was enough to knock him out this badly. He’d never felt his mouth water this fast or feel slick ooze out of him this quickly before; it was ridiculous what a bit of alpha pheromones could do to his body.
That stupid, fucking alpha just had to come home from work now of all times... he’d always made sure to stay as far away from alphas during his heat to avoid this.
Sanji wanted to leave––wanted to go back to his room and forget he ever even smelled that dumb alpha but as Zoro’s scent waned, Sanji only found himself feeling ill rather than relieved. His throat burned in irritation as the air he breathed was no longer filled with satiating pheromones––a sickening sort of withdrawal starting to wrack his body with desperate shivers.
Everything was hot and painful.
Placing a hand to his throat, Sanji attempted to rub it to soothe the ache and a choked sob came out when realized he just wanted the alpha back––if only just to ease the pain his presence had sparked in his body. It wasn’t fair. He didn’t want to need him, and more than ever he was cursing not getting scent proofing on his front door. At the time it seemed unnecessary.
Through the fog of pain clouding his mind, Sanji tried to persevere but only found himself getting worse. An ache had begun in his chest. Nausea was back tenfold and he retched, but it had been so long since he ate there was nothing to bring up. Everything had been dialed to full capacity with Zoro's momentary presence and Sanji tried his best to fight through it before finally giving in.
Needing the alpha, needing some relief, needing to stop this torture...
Reaching out a trembling hand for the door handle above him, Sanji batted at it several times before he managed to get enough of a grip to pull up and twist the lock. With the deadbolt free, Sanji slumped back to the floor as the door swung open. He spent a few more moments struggling to push himself up, and soon he was leaning up against the door jam gazing across the hallway to Zoro’s door.
After taking a moment to recover from the effort––chest heaving––Sanji grabbed one of his shoes he’d kicked off earlier and hucked it across the hall to thud loudly against the alpha’s door. He waited quietly and when nothing happened, Sanji picked up and threw a second shoe. This time it wasn’t long before footsteps were heard.
“What?!” Zoro growled.
Pulling open his door, Zoro brought a wave of relief with his presence alone and Sanji's eyes fluttered as Zoro's scent started to wash over him. A groan of gratitude slipped out. Every fibre of his body reacting instantly to the alpha’s presence, and Sanji couldn’t find it in him to be ashamed at breathing in a greedy inhale of that scent that fixed him from the inside out.
It took a second for Zoro to register Sanji, and then his shock practically fell from slack lips, “Woah.”
Stopping in his tracks, Zoro looked properly startled for the first time since Sanji had the displeasure of knowing the stuck up alpha. Normally he’d be giddy at the look of shock, but instead he just shivered. Watching intently as Zoro’s gaze skittered across Sanji and his nostrils notably flared as he could no doubt smell everything currently wafting off the omega’s heat riddled body.
Letting his head rest against the door jam with a soft thump, Sanji continued panting heavily as he watched the alpha through lidded eyes. He’d never really thought of the guy as attractive, but through heat-goggles he was starting to realize that he wasn’t so bad. Poor dressing skills aside, the man underneath all those sweaty work clothes was incredibly fit and aggressively handsome.
A strong, sharp jaw. High, solid cheekbones. Stern and rigid brow line that was currently trying its best to scowl Sanji’s gaze away. He was also well built and Sanji’s dazed brain was––for the first time––appreciating that the alpha’s arms were impressively large and sculpted.
Mouth growing wet and body getting hotter, Sanji swallowed thickly and took another needy gasp of the alpha pheromones hovering in the hallway between them. A mistake. That scent of steel and sweat flooded through him––along with a unique scent Sanji hadn’t noticed while not on his heat––it immediately soothed the burning in his throat, but completely eclipsed the rational part of his mind.
All at once his reluctance fled; his body reacted readily––desperately––and Sanji was about to start begging if Zoro didn’t stop staring at him like he was some sort of prey. However, the alpha still hadn’t moved so Sanji forced himself to talk.
“Hey, dumbass…”
Impressive frown still in place, Zoro let out a slow breath. Sanji could feel himself getting dizzier, and began to slip to the floor, when the next moment Zoro was right there with a hand that caught his head before it could hit the floor. He was so close to Sanji there was nothing else he could smell now except the alpha.
It was exactly what Sanji wanted.
Needed.
Wrapping his arms around Zoro’s broad shoulders and pulling himself in, Sanji abandoned all of his remaining pride as he shoved his face against the alpha’s neck and scented him. It was terribly bold––socially unacceptable––but right now Sanji had zero restraint. He knew he’d be ashamed of himself later and that was fine, just so long as he could drown in the steely scent of the alpha in this moment––ease this horrible ache.
“Fuck, Curly…” Zoro growled, and the rumble in the alpha’s chest reverberated right through Sanji and made him whimper. He was behaving like every needy omega in every porn he had ever watched, but right now Sanji didn’t have the strength to be embarrassed, “you can’t just––”
Pressing his face insistently into Zoro’s neck, Sanji whined as he arched into Zoro’s embrace. It was incredible how even that much more contact had his body singing in relief. He couldn’t tell if it was him or Zoro that was trembling right now, all he knew was he wasn’t about to let go anytime soon.
“C’mon,” A growl and harsh breath was all Zoro could respond with, and then he was grunting, “let’s get you out of the hallway.”
Sanji made a small sound of approval.
“Can you stand?”
Embarrassed, Sanji kept his face hidden as he admitted, “No.”
With bated breath, Sanji waited for the jerk to make some sort of teasing remark––something sexist about omegas––but all Zoro did was grunt in acknowledgement. Next moment, he was gathering Sanji up in his arms and pushing himself to his feet. Sanji clung to Zoro’s shoulders, supported by the strong arm under him as his legs hung limp and useless.
It was disorientating that the alpha was actually being… nice.
Brought back into the moment by Zoro stepping into Sanji’s apartment, a wave of his own scent began to overtake Zoro’s causing Sanji to stiffen and shake his head hurriedly. It reeked too much like him in there, and right now all he wanted was more of Zoro’s scent. At first it had been an insane whim, but now he was genuinely committed.
“No.” Sanji choked out. He could feel his hands shaking as he whispered, “Yours.”
Sanji could feel Zoro swallow thickly.
There was a painfully long silence as Sanji remained in Zoro’s arms, he could feel the hard pounding of the alpha’s hurried heartbeat and practically hear the cogs whirring in his head. At this point, Sanji could only imagine what Zoro was thinking, but it was probably a good sign the alpha wasn’t pouncing at the opportunity to jump him…
Probably.
“Fine.” Zoro grumbled. “Where are your keys?”
“Counter.”
Maneuvering so he could properly hold Sanji up with one arm, Zoro strode over to grab Sanji’s keys and then he was carrying the omega out of his apartment and locking the door behind them. Sanji wanted to freak out more about what he had just requested, but next thing they were in Zoro’s apartment and Sanji felt like he was drowning.
This was the first time he had ever been close to an alpha while enduring the worst of his heat, and he’d had no idea it’d be this torturous and exhilarating at the same time. Everything reeked of the alpha, and Sanji felt like he had been set on fire. Keeping his eyes shut and tightening his hold on Zoro’s neck, Sanji whined––he had no clue what he even wanted him to do.
"You're soaked in sweat." A hand patted at Sanji’s back as if to prove his point, and then Zoro commented, "When was the last time you showered?"
Sanji made an indecisive noise––he honestly couldn’t remember.
Another exhausted sigh, but Zoro didn’t say anything else. Sanji listened as the alpha set his keys down, and then made his way through his apartment. The way Zoro carried him so carefully and effortlessly had something foreign fluttering throughout his body––a deeply instinctive side of him purring happily.
There was a pause to Zoro's jostling steps, so Sanji timidly cracked open an eye and found them stepping into the bathroom. He struggled to turn on the shower with Sanji still in his arms, but managed it. Soon he was straightening and tapping on Sanji’s back expectantly.
"Let go."
All that came out of Sanji was reluctant noise.
In this moment, the only thing holding Sanji together was his grip on Zoro, and he was concerned that if he let go he was going to fall to pieces. It was already embarrassing enough that he had latched onto Zoro like the desperate omega he was. If he let go, he had no guarantee he wouldn’t just straight up present for the alpha, and that act alone may just kill Sanji in mortification.
“No.”
"If you don't let go then I'm climbing in fully clothed."
Sanji shook his head and tightened his grip.
"Fine."
With a final irritated grunt, Zoro pulled aside the curtain and stepped into the shower with Sanji still clinging to him. Cold water rained down on them. It was a pleasant shock to his overheated system, but did very little to change the arousal vibrating through him. Standing with Sanji in his arms as they both got soaked.
Zoro turned to mutter against Sanji’s ear, “Happy?”
"I'm never happy." Sanji grumbled into Zoro's shoulder.
Zoro murmured something snide under his breath that sounded suspiciously like, ‘No surprise there.’, but Sanji decided to pretend he hadn't heard.
“I’m going to put you down now.” Zoro informed Sanji in such a polite tone that he was in an initial state of shock until the alpha prodded, “Okay?”
Still reeling, Sanji was finding it incredibly difficult to process everything nice that Zoro was doing, coupled with the his stupid alpha stank that was clogging up Sanji’s brain function. By the time Sanji had come to terms with the fact that the jock could be at all kind, he was already lowering Sanji to the floor of the shower. Zoro knelt and gently untangled himself from Sanji's cloying hands––head spacy and body weak, it wasn't that hard.
Sitting under the cool spray, Sanji looked up at Zoro in a daze. He’d never been this close except for when they were yelling at each other. Blinking rapidly to get some of the water out of his eyes, Sanji realized he’d never noticed before that the alpha had really thin lips; water was dripping from the upper one and Sanji idly wondered what it’d be like to lick.
“Damn it, Curly.” Zoro breathed out a heavy sigh, his scent washing over Sanji in a shiver inducing wave. “You are such a pai––”
Tangling his hands in soft, wet hair, Sanji gripped tight and hauled Zoro into a needy kiss, effectively cutting short whatever irate comment Zoro had been about to make. At first Zoro was stiff and unresponsive, but as Sanji dragged himself closer and moaned there was shiver detectable throughout the alpha as he broke. A breathless moment ticked by––falling water breaking the silence––and then Zoro slanted his mouth over Sanji’s and returned the kiss with fervour.
It tasted sweeter than honey.
Kissing Zoro was like drinking from the source of his relief and addiction all at once. Each hot caress of his tongue soothed the burning ache of his heat like a balm to his soul, but also ignited a craving that raced through his veins and had him trembling. It was a vicious cycle that made Sanji feel like he was going insane.
Time blurred, but Zoro managed to come to his senses first.
Breaking the kiss, Zoro ripped his mouth away and tilted his head back to gasp up into the cold water splattering his face. His chest heaved desperately. Hands white knuckled from where they remained braced against the tiled wall and bathtub edge, his body seemed to be vibrating with barely restrained energy––Sanji could feel it under his hands threatening to overflow.
After what felt like hours, Zoro slowly lowered his head and looked at Sanji with a hardened expression. Sanji’s hands were still tangled in silken hair, and he tried to pull Zoro back in only for his hands to be knocked aside. Clamping his hand across Sanji’s mouth, it was unclear whether it was for his own benefit or Sanji’s; there was a tremble to Zoro’s hand that gave him away.
“Wait here.” Zoro ordered between stiff breaths, “I’m going to get clean clothes.”
With that, Zoro released Sanji’s mouth and pushed himself to his feet. He reached out to swipe the curtain aside. Realizing Zoro was actually going to leave, Sanji found himself reaching out for the alpha instinctively, trying to grab anything he could get his hands on.
“Ah, no, don’t––!!!” Scrambling out of Sanji’s reach, Zoro misplaced his hand and slipped into the shower curtain. He flailed spectacularly as he tumbled out of the tub and fell to the bathroom floor taking the curtain and rod with him. “ARGH!”
There was a hard thud as Zoro hit the ground and a muted creak as the door slowly closed. Slumped in the tub, Sanji listened for a sound to make sure the dumb alpha hadn’t hit his head on the counter and brained himself, but there wasn’t even a groan of pain. Grabbing the edges of the tub, Sanji used all his strength to pull himself up to glance out at where Zoro lay sprawled––wrapped up in the shower curtain––rod atop him.
“You alive?”
“I hate you.” Zoro grumbled.
“I hate you too.”
Pushing himself up, Zoro glared at Sanji, still slumped in the bathtub, fully clothed and cold water still pouring down on top of him. He grumbled something to himself and then got to his feet with an annoyed groan. Reaching out and angling the shower head to make sure it wasn’t spraying any water onto the floor, he quickly stepped away again to stay out of Sanji’s reach.
"Stay here." Pointing a finger at the dazed omega, Zoro ordered, “I’ll be right back.”
A shiver travelled through Sanji at the commanding order, that on any other day would’ve had him infuriated, but for some reason had his heat-riddled mind trembling gratefully. He simply hummed in agreement as he watched Zoro leave. Eyes falling shut before the alpha was even gone. Focusing instead on the cool water washing over him that was doing very little to quell the hot ache radiating through him.
Leaning heavily on the edges of the tub, Sanji tried to get a hold of himself with this moment of solitude, but it was nearly impossible when the whole apartment reeked of the alpha. And while the cold water helped, it didn’t deter the part of him that literally ached with impatience at the alpha’s promised return. Already he couldn’t remember why he’d ever thought this was a bad idea––his other self felt like an idiot at that moment.
It was hard to hear the alpha over the spray of water, but Sanji could easily sense it and opened his eyes when Zoro made his way back into the bathroom with a set of clothes which he set down on the counter. He was still in his clothes from earlier and was still soaking. Sanji noticed that the man’s hair was a pleasant evergreen when wet.
Shutting off the water, Zoro grabbed a towel and then turned to Sanji warily, “Too much to ask you to stand?”
Sanji scowled.
Still having his stubbornness, Sanji braced his hands on the ledge of the tub and pushed himself up as much as his hormone riddled body would let him. He got half out of the tub before everything sort of gave out, and luckily Zoro was there to catch and bundle him up in a thick towel. Sanji whined when Zoro attempted to wrap his arms up so he couldn’t grab onto the alpha again––it ended in a struggle that had Zoro slipping on the wet curtain and causing them both to tumble to the floor.
A bang echoed in the small room as Zoro landed with his back and head thudding against the wall, and Sanji fell into Zoro’s lap as he latched on happily to the alpha once more. Zoro groaned and rubbed the back of his head, from what had to be the second time he'd slammed it into something, but Sanji was too preoccupied to be concerned. Because the alpha was close again, and the water wasn't smothering his scent, and everything in Sanji was spiralling.
Ducking his face back down, Sanji breathed in the heady smell of steel and musk off the alpha––mouth once again watering at how dense and overwhelming it was. Everything was a fog of need and desperation; Sanji was proverbially gone.
Captivated by the strong line of Zoro’s neck, Sanji was compelled to taste––he’d scented the alpha before and nothing bad had happened––and even though deep down he knew better than to put his mouth near an alpha’s neck it was too late. His tongue had barely dragged across the bronze skin before Sanji was lurched into motion.
An absolutely animalistic sound reverberated throughout Zoro’s entire body. Sanji was thrown against the opposing wall and Zoro was pouncing on top of him a moment later. It should've been terrifying, but instead it just fed into Sanji's arousal. Embracing the alpha readily, seated on Zoro’s thighs, the alpha’s hips pinning Sanji to the wall. There was something inexplicably arousing about the anger bubbling just beneath Zoro's stoic exterior––Sanji arched up into the alpha with an encouraging whine.
However, for all his showmanship, his hands still remained off of Sanji. One planted on the wall, and the other gripping the towel rod desperately above their heads. It seemed to be taking all his restraint to not put his hands on Sanji.
Every pant from Zoro was gushed out through bared teeth, and his chest heaved with each jilted exhale. There was frenetic energy vibrating around him. Pupil blown wide with desire and dazed desperation that Sanji could intimately relate to––Sanji's scent was overwhelming the alpha. He knew omega pheromones could be just as potent as an alphas, but he'd never seen it work this up close before. It made him wonder just how much Zoro was at his mercy as he was under Zoro's.
“You need…” Zoro’s voice was a harsh rasp, “to stop…”
Licking his lips, Sanji felt a rush with how hypnotized Zoro was by the motion––eye following his tongue with rapt attention. When he spoke, Sanji hardly recognized his own voice, so laden with arousal and need as he croaked, “Why?”
“So I can stop myself.”
Implication of the alpha’s threat loud and clear, Sanji wondered what was wrong with him that his body reacted readily to the idea of the alpha pinning him to the cold tiled floor and taking him then and there. It was such a bold leap to take––he’d gone from being utterly repulsed days ago to desperately eager. Strange what things you discovered about yourself when released from the tedious chains of inhibitions.
“What if I don’t want you to?”
A loud crack startled both apart. Effectively cutting through the haze of aroused pheromones wafting between them and bringing a bit of clarity to the situation. Zoro looked in shock at his hand. Following Zoro’s gaze, Sanji didn't know whether to laugh or apologize for the towel rod that had just been busted off the wall and was held aloft by the stunned alpha.
Slowly setting down the broken rack, Zoro glanced at Sanji and his gaze was much clearer––a seriousness to his brow that kept Sanji still and intent. His voice, however, was frighteningly soft, and when he spoke his next command it came out more as a plea.
"Stop."
Even within the selfish headspace of his heat, there was such a polarizing way about the alpha that Sanji couldn’t help but feel a tad guilty. He couldn’t figure out why Zoro was being so stubborn about touching him, but Sanji conceded regardless and retracted his hands. Curling in on himself and waiting petulantly for whatever the alpha wanted next.
With a relieved sigh, Zoro pulled away.
Grabbing the towel and once more attempting to wrangle Sanji in it, this time Sanji let him without making a fuss. His eyes sliding shut shamefully while Zoro finished bundling him up. While Sanji was busy trying to get his jumbled thoughts in order, Zoro took the opportunity to hold Sanji tight and slip his other arm under Sanji’s legs to heft him up into a fireman's carry that in any other circumstance would have caused Sanji to die from embarrassment.
Carrying Sanji from the bathroom, Zoro was carefully silent about what had just happened and kept his gaze pointedly averted. Sanji tried to ignore how instinctively good it felt to have the alpha taking care of him; his ears tinged pink as he decided to file this whole situation down as something he never wanted to internally analyze. They got to the alpha’s bedroom and Sanji was set down on the bed. There was a moment where Zoro adjusted the towel to make sure it was still wrapped around Sanji, and then he was leaving the room with a promised mutter to return.
Disappearing for a moment, Zoro returned with the clothes he had brought to the bathroom that they had failed to change into. Handing Sanji a pair of sleep pants and a hoodie, Zoro politely turned away from the omega to give him privacy to change––stripping out of his own wet clothes in the process.
Sanji sat hypnotized.
Watching the fluid way Zoro had tugged the wet shirt over his head before searching through his drawers for a replacement. His toned back to Sanji. Thankfully unable to see the way Sanji’s jaw hung open at just how muscular the alpha actually was––each movement highlighting the dips and valleys of his back––realizing that those shitty work shirts really were doing the alpha a disservice.
When the alpha located a shirt, Sanji was morose to see him covered up once more but was rewarded by the alpha dropping his trousers and boxers next––something short circuiting in his brain at the sight of his taut thighs and pert ass. He sat in a daze until a pair of sweatpants covered those as well. Leaving Sanji with simply the memory of the alpha’s rear, but unable to stop his imagination from running wild at what his front might look like.
Normally, he’d never had much interest in male alphas, but this whole evening was giving him something to think about. He wondered how much of this was the heat––and their pheromones––and how much was simply him just being in denial.
Zoro turned around––his face fell at the sight of Sanji still in his wet clothes. There was much less sarcasm in his tone––sounding closer to pleading, “Don’t tell me you need help.”
Sanji shook his head––embarrassed––but grateful Zoro hadn’t caught him staring.
Wrestling out of his wet clothes––Zoro pointedly looking away––Sanji pulled on the new sweatpants with a bit of struggle given his weak legs. He then pulled the hoodie over his head. Sanji sat for a moment inspecting the worn piece of clothing that Zoro had lent him. It was ridiculously soft and reeked of the alpha.
He’d never really understood why omegas got riled about wearing a piece of alpha clothing, or nesting in their beds, but he was beginning to understand––there was a fulfilling feeling about being enveloped in the strong scent. Sanji didn’t understand why his body was so eager to react to that, but he couldn’t deny he’d liked it.
It didn’t hurt that Zoro’s scent smelled particularly good––he’d spent so long ignoring it out of spite he’d never actually taken the time to appreciate it.
Fighting back a smile, Sanji nuzzled into the collar of the hoodie as the overwhelming scent of the alpha helped to tame some of the burning of his arousal. He still felt spacey, but at least the arousal was no longer painful. Glancing up to check on Zoro, Sanji jumped at the sight of alpha.
Frozen to the spot, Zoro was looking at Sanji much like when he had first opened the door and spotted the heat riddled omega. Only this time there was something a bit more unhinged about the stillness of his face. Coupled with the rapid breaths that caused the alphas chest to tremble––Sanji knew something had changed.
"Wha––"
A second later Zoro was right on top of him. Knee braced on the bed, and his arms caging Sanji in as he leaned over the omega––suffocatingly close, but somehow still not yet touching. His hot breath ghosted across Sanji's cheek. Each possessive pant sent a chill up Sanji’s spine as he trembled beneath the dominating alpha.
Drawing his nose along the line of Sanji’s jaw, a rumble of approval vibrated through the alpha and Zoro was quickly ducking his head to nuzzle at the neckline where Zoro’s hoodie rested against Sanji’s bare throat. Each breath was animalistic in nature, and a predatory rumble from deep in the alpha’s chest had Sanji stilling instinctively. A laugh gusted against Sanji’s neck and Zoro murmured approvingly, “You smell like mine.”
A chill spiked across Sanji’s body at the words.
They were horribly possessive, and normally he’d be indignant, but this was the first time that Sanji began to realize the weight of safety behind it. Arms reaching up to link around Zoro’s shoulders. A grumble of approval came from the alpha at Sanji’s compliance, and then Zoro was closing the distance between them. This time Zoro was one that initiated the kiss.
Pressing Sanji back into the unmade bed––a haphazard tangle of blankets and sheets that reeked of the alpha––Zoro’s arm slipped around Sanji’s waist to haul him close. Hips aligned intimately. Their bodies slotted together perfectly, and for the first time Sanji felt the heavy heat of Zoro’s poignant arousal pinned between them––pressing hard against Sanji’s stomach and right next to his own matching erection.
Sanji moaned readily.
Just like in the shower, Sanji became so entirely lost in the kiss as the alpha’s taste––just like his scent––pulled him in and scrambled his thoughts into static. All he knew was what he wanted. Needed. Everything was Zoro, and it felt like nothing would ever be enough to satisfy him.
This time a whine slipped out, and Zoro growled.
Flipping Sanji over, Zoro dumped him face down on the bed and took a commanding grip at Sanji’s nape. His palm felt like a brand on the skin there. An unbearable heat that seared right through to Sanji’s very core and stoked the origin of his arousal––Zoro’s hand on him so fierce and his scent so suffocating; all of it just escalating his need.
An unbelievable arousal spiked through him being pinned so thoroughly to the bed, Sanji eagerly arched his back as much as Zoro’s forceful hand would allow and presented for the alpha. Too far gone to be embarrassed anymore. He whined needily and immediately Zoro was straddling him––Sanji shivered as he felt the heavy weight of Zoro’s cock sliding against his ass.
Zoro’s large hand fell to Sanji’s waist, gripping him tight and pressing him commandingly into the bed as the alpha rolled his hips once more in an aggressive thrust. Even through the torturous barrier of fabric it caused a shudder to rock through Sanji. He couldn’t believe it had gotten to this point, but every fibre of his body was ready and wanting––there was nothing that could change his mind.
There wasn’t much he could do with Zoro’s weight pinning him, but Sanji managed to rock his hips back eagerly with an approving moan. He could feel the alpha’s hot breath on the back of his neck. Zoro looming over him possessively as he continued the teasing roll of his hips; his loud exhales ringing in Sanji’s ears until it was all he could hear. Reaching out a shaking hand, Sanji pawed at Zoro’s arm currently braced above him. He managed to get a weak hold of the alpha’s wrist.
Whining happily into the sheets, “Zoro~”
All at once that overbearing heat was gone, and Sanji was left alone on the bed––terrible cold replacing Zoro’s burning heat. A desperate whine slipped out at the sudden loss of contact, and through the haze of arousal he couldn’t understand what had just happened. It took several moments to realize Zoro wasn’t playing and that the alpha had actually left the bed.
Turning over, Sanji stared up at where Zoro stood at the foot of the bed looking distraught. His hands were still raised, and he was looking between them, and Sanji, horrified. Shoulders heaving and chest flexing, Zoro looked like he was trying to breathe through his panic––shame leaching from the alpha in waves.
Sanji swallowed around his own gasps.
After a long silence hung between them, Zoro appeared to gain some semblance of his composure––breathing evening out, and the tension draining from his shoulders––he slowly looked up. His eye was still blown wide with desire, but he looked much more in control. Thumbing at his lower lip nervously, Zoro looked aggressively to the side.
"Sorry." He muttered, "There's no excuse for that."
Sanji blinked blearily––not understanding.
Zoro turned to leave.
“Don’t––”
Even just the thought of the alpha leaving caused a chasm of panic to open up inside of him so suddenly and so viciously he stopped breathing. He fisted the soft fabric over his chest, pressing needlessly with his knuckles to try and squeeze out the pain that was there. His voice had abandoned him, but he needed Zoro to stay.
“Don––”
Giving up on trying to verbalize his panic, Sanji just grunted his distress to get his point across, and while Zoro didn’t leave, he did keep his gaze averted. A heavy pause stretched out between them. Filled with tense breathing from both parties as they came to terms with what had almost happened but Sanji was still too far gone to understand why Zoro had stopped.
Zoro spoke softly, “Do you have a Heat Mate I can call?”
Sanji shook his head.
“Anyone?”
Sanji shook his head again––he didn’t want any of his friends to see him like this.
Looking around furtively, it was apparent that Zoro wanted to run, but clearly felt responsible for Sanji. He bit his lip, before sighing. Rubbing a hand to his brow before dropping it, Zoro finally met Sanji’s gaze and Sanji could visibly see him swallow before gesturing weakly over his shoulder towards the door, “Try to get some sleep. I’ll––”
“Please.”
Zoro stilled.
Hands tightening their grip on the sheets, Sanji ducked his head to hide the embarrassment that was flooding his body at having to resort to begging. He couldn’t believe it had actually come to this. He still wanted the alpha––that hadn’t waned––but the threat of Zoro’s departure transformed it from a hot desire to painful desperation to just have his presence close. There was no way he’d do anything like this if he was rational, but all he knew was that if the alpha left he was going to fall apart.
Everything in his body ached.
“Just...” He bit out desperately, “stay.”
There was another long pause, this time followed by Zoro’s explosive exhale.
“Fine.”
After running a hand down his face in frustrated defeat, Zoro made his way across the bedroom and stopped just shy of the bed. He let out a short huff. Face set in determination––testing his restraint––a slow, reassuring exhale accompanied him as he knelt on the mattress and began crawling forward. When he neared Sanji, Zoro paused before letting out another harsh breath and reaching down.
Wrapping his arm around Sanji to drag him closer, Zoro hauled him up the bed while keeping a reassuring hand around Sanji at all times. There was some rearranging and then they slumped into the bedding. Zoro on his back and Sanji curled comfortably half on top of him. That urgency faded––being held by the alpha immediately soothed the ache––but now Sanji was left with his head resting on an alpha’s chest, kept awake by the steady pounding of his heart.
"I’ll stay.” Zoro said, “But I’m not doing anything; behave yourself.”
“Don’t––” Shaking his head indignantly, Sanji huffed before trying again and putting a bit of his usual fire behind his words, “Don’t talk to me like that.”
“I’m going to miss work because of you.” Zoro snorted, “I’ll talk to you however I like.”
Sanji bit his tongue––knowing Zoro had a point there.
However, that still didn’t explain why Zoro continued to refuse Sanji’s advances when all he wanted was a little release from this oppressive heat. Before all of this had even transpired, Zoro was the one that offered, and now he was acting like he wasn’t interested––he’d jumped off of Sanji as though he were burned. All Sanji could think was that there was something wrong with him; that he was such a pathetic excuse of an omega that Zoro didn’t even want him, that Zoro had been lying to make a fool out of him...
Sanji couldn’t understand what was happening.
Softly, he murmured against Zoro’s chest, “I don’t get it.”
Zoro grunted to acknowledge he was still awake.
“You asked to help me with my heat.” Fingering petulantly at Zoro’s shirt, Sanji muttered the words and struggled to keep the bitterness from his voice. Heat or not, it felt like sexual rejection at every level that the alpha refused him, “Now you won’t even touch me.”
"Yeah, well…" Zoro murmured, “This isn’t you right now.”
For all Zoro’s words were sincere, Sanji couldn’t help but remember Zoro’s offer and how rude he had been. None of it added up. It wasn’t like Zoro had ever come across as someone before now that actually gave two shits about omega autonomy. Lifting his head, Sanji sneered down at Zoro, “Why do you even care?”
At that, Zoro’s eye did finally open and he looked up at Sanji. There was no hostility, just an open sincerity. It was disconcerting, and then Zoro blinked shortly before asking, “Do you think that little of me?”
Sanji had the grace to feel a little guilty.
“No, I just––”
Placing his hands over his face to stifle his groan, Sanji lay there for a moment collecting his thoughts––that were admittedly pretty hectic given the heat swimming through his head––before trying another tactic. He pushed himself up. Using what little strength he had to straddle the alpha––who didn’t fight him, just looked slightly concerned––Sanji leaned down imploringly.
“You offered; I’m okay with it.” Sanji licked his lips, and tried again, “I want this.”
Zoro's gaze was disconcertingly steady, “You were pretty clear you didn’t want this.”
“Whatever.” Sanji hissed, tugging at Zoro’s shirt, “I was being a moron.”
“Yeah, well...” Reaching out gentle hands, Zoro gripped Sanji’s wrists in a firm hold and pried the omega’s grip free. Holding Sanji at bay as he sighed with a shrug, “You’re being a moron now too.”
Sanji responded with a mocking sneer.
Steadily losing his patience the longer they argued, Sanji jerked his hands free from the alpha’s––admittedly––lax hold and dropped them to the bed on either side of the alpha’s head––bracketing him in––and beared down to make sure he could smirk right in Zoro’s face. He rolled his hips for good measure and revelled in the way Zoro’s body went taut.
Muscle in Zoro’s jaw tensing intermittently before he turned his head to the side and stared off towards the bedroom wall. Refusing to respond. That tangible arousal was growing between them––Sanji could feel it suffocating him––made even better when Zoro warned softly, “You need to stop.”
Sanji breathed a euphoric laugh, “Why?”
“You know why.”
There was the tiniest touch of bite to Zoro’s tone, but it caused a flare of arousal to cascade through Sanji so powerful that it left him trembling. Still braced over Zoro. Body reacting readily to the alpha––Sanji revelling in it––vision starting to swim with each heady inhale of Zoro’s scent––for the umpteenth time this evening Sanji felt his consciousness wavering.
“C’mon~” Sanji purred, “I already told you I’m okay with it.”
“That’s the heat talking.” Zoro’s eye fell shut, and he pointed out quietly, “You’d say yes to anyone right now.”
“Don’t be sexist.” Sanji countered, “That’s insulting.”
“No, it's the truth.” Despite the words, Zoro’s tone remained calm and continued to ignore Sanji’s attempted advances. Waiting a moment before adding softly, “You have no control right now.”
“That’s rich.” Sanji sneered, “You’re the one that nearly bred me.”
It was a low blow––Sanji knew––he was surprised Zoro didn’t just shove Sanji off of him and storm out, but instead the alpha remained perfectly stoic. Eventually, Zoro murmured––regret ringing clear in his voice, “You’re right; I’m no better. We shouldn’t be near each other like this.”
Sanji was ready to retort, when he noticed the alpha was trembling.
Several moments passed with Sanji staring down confused at the obstinate alpha before realizing that he was meditating––an intense tension running through him. His breathing was incredibly steady and controlled. Fighting to keep himself in check while the rest of his body looked to be on the verge of snapping––Sanji only then noticed the way Zoro’s hands were clenched into fists. It was apparent that Zoro was in pain from restraining himself.
Zoro really, really didn’t want this.
A sick feeling that had nothing to do with his heat had Sanji pulling away from the alpha, his confusion turning inward but struggling with the blanket of heat clouding everything. He dropped his face into his hands, and Sanji took a moment to try and focus on his own scent––that pungent aroma of cigarettes and seasalt that had permanently stained his flesh––desperately fighting to block out Zoro’s mind warping scent. Needing some of his faculties back; needing to rethink whatever this was that he was doing. A small semblance of clarity came back to him through the heat, and arousal, and the want––knowing immediately that what he was doing was wrong.
Guilt started to break through his haze.
Looking through the gaps of his fingers at the alpha underneath him, Sanji found Zoro staring balefully at the ceiling––clearly exhausted and underslept. Sanji was starting to realize what a shit move it was on his part to trick Zoro into this. Rude offer or no, Zoro was just as much a victim here. Sanji’s disregard had ended up with them in this position. Even now, Zoro was trying his best not to cave to Sanji’s heat manipulation––for both their sakes.
Sanji lowered his hands––despite his heat, he had enough control to back down.
Carefully climbing off of Zoro and slumping back into the blankets, Sanji made a point to roll away and drag his hands to himself to make sure he wouldn’t be tempted. Zoro’s thick scent hanging heavy on the pillow he rested his head on. Rationality and guilt warred with his heat-driven desires, but Sanji curled further into himself to keep himself from turning back to the alpha and doing anything more he would regret.
Through his heat and nausea, Sanji managed on a whisper, "Sorry.”
There was a pause before Zoro spoke; a hint of exasperation to his tone, “It’s… fine.”
Forcing himself to distract himself, glaring at the beige wallpaper of the bedroom, Sanji was hyper aware of every part of him that was still minutely in contact with the alpha. That touch branding him. Especially Zoro’s broad shoulder and the length of his arm burning a scorching line down Sanji’s back––a direct line to Sanji’s heat. All of Sanji’s instincts had him yearning to roll over, but he stubbornly fought it even as the pain in his chest returned.
“You dealing?”
Sanji nodded his head, but let slip an embarrassing whimper that gave him away.
A long silence followed Sanji’s slip up, then there was some mild shifting which Sanji discovered was Zoro rolling over, and soon the alpha pressed himself against Sanji’s back and pulled him close. His face slotted against Sanji’s neck perfectly. It had Sanji shivering in muted satisfaction––having an alpha curled around him was surprisingly calming.
"Uh––"
“You’ve made it through every other heat.”
Zoro's reassuring words were spoken unfairly soft and gentle to the nape of Sanji’s neck. Having the alpha's mouth that close had him stilling instinctively––just like before when he'd scented him, or put his hand there and pinned Sanji down. Every fibre of his body itching for Zoro to move closer and touch the skin––scent, lick, bite. A shiver rocked through Sanji at the thought of being claimed––it shouldn't have been that arousing.
There was no way Zoro could know the panic-inducing vicissitudes battling within him, but he sensed Sanji's hysteria nonetheless. His hand tightened a fraction in reassurance. Readjusting so his face wasn't nearly as close to Sanji's throat––perhaps for his benefit as well––nuzzling his face into Sanji's hair and humming contentedly.
Sanji felt a forgein flutter in his chest as the alpha added on a yawn, “You’ll be fine.”
“Yeah…”
Sanji choked out the word far more steadily than he had been expecting, especially considering the panic attack he was on the verge of having at how Zoro’s words had affected him. It wasn’t a feeling he was ready to assess given he was tired, aroused, and half-cocked––he decided to shove it all down and worry about it tomorrow.
Aloud, he admitted, “but I was alone.”
Zoro shifted, but didn’t say anything.
Thinking of all the times he spent his heat alone, Sanji could admit they weren’t pleasant––they were downright terrible. He loathed them. And yet, yearning for the idea of someone was no comparison to the feeling of lying next to the object of your desires and being denied––touching what you wanted, but could never have. He knew the feelings were just a figment of his heat, but it didn’t change how real the pain was.
Hand tightening on the sheets, Sanji blushed, “This is so much worse.”
Another silence stretched out into the room––so long that he assumed Zoro had fallen asleep––but then Zoro’s arm was slipping forward to find Sanji’s hand. He gently pried Sanji’s hand from its whiteknuckled grip on the sheets. Sliding his fingers between Sanji’s, Zoro did nothing else beyond gently stroking his thumb across the back of Sanji’s knuckles until Sanji finally managed to drift off into the most comfortable sleep he’d had in days––maybe even weeks...
~X~
Morning came around and Sanji awoke feeling remarkably like his old self––he was able to breathe properly for the first time in days. His heat had broken, and like a fever, brought with it an incredible wave of relief and clarity, but also an insane amount of embarrassment. Memories of yesterday coming back full force, and the shame of his actions causing his face to light up a brilliant red.
He could hardly believe some of the things he had done...
Most of all he was unbelievably ashamed that he’d tried to force Zoro to mate with him––he wasn’t certain he could ever look the alpha in the face again. At the time it felt right, but now he just felt sick. No amount of reading up on his heat had prepared him for how out of control he became once in the presence of an alpha; it was like he had mentally checked out and a total lunatic had taken the wheel of his body.
It had infuriated him at the time, but he was unbelievably grateful Zoro had enough restraint for the both of them––though it irked his pride to admit it. Zoro saved both of them from a huge mistake. There was no telling how out of hand things could have gotten if he had given in––Sanji wasn’t sure how on earth he was supposed to thank the alpha for that.
With a soft groan of embarrassment––easily admitting this was by far the worst heat ever––Sanji cracked open his eyes and properly took in Zoro’s room for the first time without being under the influence of his heat. He recognized the boring beige wallpaper. Beyond that he noted it was pretty tidy except for a dresser and the odd bit of clothing littering the floor, and a poster on the wall of a samurai. Sanji tilted his head to get a better look, only to have a hand tighten around his waist––his eyes bugging as he realized he wasn’t alone.
Eyes lowering first, Sanji’s head soon followed the motion as carefully as he could so as not to wake the still sleeping alpha. He gazed down at the bronze arm wrapped around his waist. Heart skipping a beat at the searing warmth leaching into his side from the alpha; Sanji hadn’t been able to notice it through his heat, but Zoro ran unbelievably hot.
A warmth that had nothing to do with his heat began flooding his body as he remembered how he had felt for Zoro only hours ago. That burning desire to be near him, scent him, mate with him––his cheeks burned just at that thought alone. It was mortifying, reliving just how insane he had been. And even worse was instead of being repulsed he found his heart beating faster.
Just the memory of Zoro kissing him had––
His eyes bugged.
NO! Nope. No.
Zoro twitched in his sleep.
Another surge of warm desire washed over Sanji at the needy hold Zoro had on him––his hand hooked commandingly at the omega’s hip. Keeping his breathing slow and measured, Sanji tried not to let his excitement show over just how much he enjoyed having the alpha holding him. Feelings of arousal that were hauntingly familiar to last night began to flare up in his body.
It didn’t make sense though; his heat was over, by all accounts he shouldn’t be reacting to Zoro anymore.
Perhaps his heat wasn’t over? Or maybe something had broken inside his body from spending his whole heat with an alpha and not mating with him? Was it possible that they had done something that he couldn’t remember?! He’d thought he'd fallen asleep, but he could’ve blacked out and convinced Zoro anyway!
Sanji’s chest started to tighten.
Through all of his panicking Sanji didn’t notice Zoro woke up. A minute shift had Sanji freezing in place––mind still reeling––then Zoro was rolling away and his arm withdrew from Sanji’s waist. Instead of relief at being free of the alpha, Sanji’s eyes widened when he realized he was disappointed at the loss of contact.
What was happening to him?!
Muscling down all traces of his embarrassment, Sanji glanced over his shoulder to watch Zoro push himself up and rub an exhausted hand against his eye. He yawned. Then arched into a long stretch before finally turning to look at Sanji––unsurprised to find the omega awake.
“I’m late for work,” Zoro explained with a finger pointed at the door, “so I need to go…”
“Right.”
Sanji’s calm tone belied the way his heart was jackrabbiting in his chest.
Levering himself out of bed, Zoro sauntered over to his dresser and quickly changed into a grubby shirt and pair of worn jeans. Sanji sat up and pointedly averted his gaze. Trying desperately not to think about when he had watched the alpha change last night and failing spectacularly––a combination of arousal and horror washing over his body when he found the memory wasn’t awful.
As his body heated up, Sanji’s mind buzzed in confusion.
All of this attraction was supposed to go away with his heat––it was just superficial, hormone induced, fake––none of this made any sense. He should be back to normal. Despising the alpha for his irritating behaviour, horrible attitude, and brutish mannerisms; he wasn’t supposed to like the alpha, but apparently something had flipped.
Zoro had been… nice.
Sanji had to muscle down a gag just to admit it to himself.
Despite all the bullshit Sanji had put him through––coercing him with his heat, destroying his bathroom, and nearly tricking him into breeding him––Zoro had resisted and done the right thing. Sanji shouldn’t have been impressed by that--that was the bare minimum of expectations. Yet here he was, butterflies in his stomach and obvious attraction staining his cheeks red at the mere memory of Zoro bundling him up in a shitty towel for fuck’s sake.
Sanji didn’t even know where to begin with that!
“Oi.”
Zoro’s gruff voice broke through Sanji’s spiraling.
There was no time for Sanji to deal with his blush, and after everything last night it seemed hopeless to be bashful at this point, so Sanji schooled his features as best he could before glancing up. A blush stained his cheeks, but at least he appeared calm. He met Zoro’s gaze and tried not to let any more embarrassing memories come to mind.
“What?”
Zoro jerked his thumb at the door.
Realizing Zoro was trying to leave for work, Sanji made a noise of understanding before pushing himself to his feet––relieved to find he could stand on his own again. He nodded silently. Then followed after the alpha when he left the bedroom; down the hall, through the kitchen, and to the front door. Once out in the hall, Zoro locked his apartment before turning and holding out Sanji’s apartment keys.
Sanji took them, then glanced up––he had no clue where to begin.
“Um…” A thank you didn’t feel right, and an apology was even worse––and may come across disingenuous––so instead he mumbled the first thing that popped into his head, “I’m still wearing your clothes.”
That didn’t seem to be what Zoro was expecting.
“Yeah… uh…” Zoro scratched the back of his neck awkwardly, “Just return them later.”
“‘kay.”
A silence stretched between them that was horrendously loud in the empty hallway and Sanji could hear Zoro shift his weight between his feet awkwardly before turning away. He gave a half-hearted grunt in farewell. Walking away without a backwards glance, Sanji watching him leave while trying to process what had just happened.
TBC...