Hellooooo everyone! So sorry I haven't updated in FOREVER but here you go! This is the final chapter of Hot to the Touch, but don't be sad.. I am working on a new Zosan fic that I will be posting soon. Enjoy!

CHAPTER FIVE: STARRY-EYED

"I say we wait for them to show up," Usopp said, pushing back his poof of black hair. "They'll come back, I know it."

Zoro held his head in his hands. He was getting some kind of terrible migraine. "How do you know that for sure?" He lifted his head to take a sip of his freshly-brewed coffee. He would have much rather had some sake to drink, but caffeine was more important at the moment.

"B-because… Ah, Zoro, don't make me go back out there!" Usopp stammered. "Even the most courageous of warriors are scared sometimes! And I, and…"

"I never said you had to go anywhere," Zoro retorted. "I'll go. Give yourself a break."

"You're sick, Zoro. I'm no doctor, but I can tell that you're not well at all." Usopp curled his hands around his coffee mug for warmth. "Besides… You'll get lost out there."

"Why is that the only thing you guys can say to me? 'Oh, you'll get lost!' I already had to hear that shit from Sanji…" Zoro trailed off, thinking of the cook, and feeling sorry already for shouting his name in enmity. "Fuck."

"Take a rest, Zoro," Usopp said, standing. "You're not acting like yourself."

Zoro couldn't help but notice that Usopp seemed a little off as well, almost like the recent incident had scared some of the childishness out of him.

Or was it because… he knew? Was it obvious? Had Zoro gone too far with showing his affection for Sanji and whatnot?

Fucking hell.

Zoro left the kitchen and walked to the guy's room. Suddenly he realized something strange. He wanted to tell someone. He wanted to brag for hours about Sanji's cute face. He wanted everyone to see him wrap his arms around Sanji and smile. And for some reason Zoro wanted those ladies that Sanji lusted after to see that Zoro didn't need boobs and a skimpy top to make the cook go all starry-eyed. It was fun to be in love, Zoro thought. But not nearly as fun if you couldn't just be open about it.

The sound of Sanji breathing sleepily in his hammock made Zoro smile. And without a second thought, he climbed right into Sanji's hammock—which was pretty difficult to do—and nestled by his side. They were pretty crammed together in that little bunk, but it was lovely and warm, and Sanji's newly-washed hair smelled nice. The blond rolled over a bit and tucked his nose below Zoro's chin, letting out a sleepy sigh that was so damn cute, Zoro just had to kiss his forehead.

And if Usopp came in, good for him.

As overwhelmingly relaxed as Zoro was, he could not make himself sleep. Okay, Sanji might have been a little suffocating, especially as he began to climb farther onto Zoro in his sleep. He was a thin guy, but he was strong and surprisingly heavy on Zoro's chest. But no damn way was he moving that cutie.

Zoro estimated that an hour had passed by. Sanji's breathing had become more regular and smooth; it seemed that a good rest was alleviating the cook's sickness a bit. Zoro, too, was finally given some relief as his tired body lay in the hammock. He let out a long sigh and started to massage Sanji's back softly, causing the cute chef to smile in his sleep. Too adorable. Zoro lifted Sanji's shirt and smoothed the soft bare skin of his back, making delicate circles over his shoulder blades and his spine. With slow fingertips, he traced the bumpy line of Sanji's vertebrae and followed it up to his neck. Then he slid his arms under Sanji's and embraced him around the chest, curling his legs around Sanji's so they lay intertwined. And the seemingly-endless session of kisses began; Zoro poked his lips all around the sleeping, unaware blond's neck and jaw. His stubble was a little scratchy, and had grown a bit fuller over the past couple of days. Zoro liked to kiss it.

Zoro's mind had melted into a soft puddle of happiness. Until a noise startled that puddle back into reality. Then there was a bump at the door.

The kind of sound that Zoro was hoping he would not hear.

The sound of the door being pushed open. Very softly. All of Zoro's previous courage had vanished.

"Shit," Zoro swore impulsively "Usopp, could you…"

The figure behind the door, lit dimly by the lights on the deck, was not Usopp's. It was a feminine figure. Tall, slim, and curvy. A long skirt swept the floor.

"Swordsman-san, you in here?" Robin whispered.

Robin.

Robin was there. In the Sunny. In the guy's room. How the hell.

Zoro snapped upright, causing Sanji's limp body to sorta roll out of place. Shit. Worst timing ever. Why, Robin.

"Is Cook-san…?" She trailed off, stepping into the faintly lit room. She took sight of the two men, snuggled into the bunk together. Her cheeks flushed pink, visible even in the dark room, and she quickly backed up from the doorframe. "Oh! I apologize. I'll just—"

"Uh—no, it's okay. Um… How did you get here?" Zoro demanded, his heart beating in humility. "How long have you been back?"

"It was an interesting journey," Robin said, her voice slow and slightly elevated. "I managed to find my way back. I see Usopp made it here as well." The pretty woman diverted her eyes from the hammock.

Well, Zoro had to explain somehow. No way was he getting out of this shit now. "I'm sorry though… This is a little… strange," he mumbled.

Robin opened her mouth a bit, as if trying to prepare a reply. But she could only smooth back her hair, shifting her gaze to Sanji, still asleep.

"I can explain it all," Zoro said, without really meaning to spill it. "I just… I, uh…"

Sanji stirred and opened his eyes, which immediately focused on Robin, standing near the door. He bolted upright within seconds. "Robin-chwan! Oh! I… I'm glad you're… safe?" It took the cook a moment to recollect that he was lying on top of Zoro. That his hands were braced against Zoro's collarbone. That his legs were twisted gently beneath Zoro's. And Robin was standing right there.

"I guess I climbed in the wrong hammock," Zoro chuckled stiffly, eyeing Robin. "I was so tired, I just…"

"No. Zoro." Sanji plunged his hand over Zoro's mouth and shoved his head down. "Don't be such an thoughtless asshole. Lying to a lady…" Sanji took in a big breath, realizing what he was in for. He was glad when Robin spoke, relieving him of an explanation.

"It's okay, you two," she said quietly. "You don't need to explain.

Zoro and Sanji fell silent. It was abnormal to see Sanji run out of words to say to one of the ladies.

"Really, don't be embarrassed. But I'm very sorry for intruding; I just wanted to make sure you two were doing well without our doctor here."

"Doing a lot better," Zoro muttered, hoping the subject would miraculously change. "It's a lot easier, ah, when we can tough it out together, I guess." He smirked at Sanji, feeling stupid.

"We're together now," Sanji blurted at Robin. "Zoro and I. If you were wondering."

Zoro, embarrassed yet charmed, watched the spreading blush on Sanji's nose. He could feel it on his own face, too.

"That's great. I'm happy for you," Robin said, smiling. She was visibly put at ease by Sanji's confession, yet her cheeks glowed nearly as red as the boys'. "And don't worry. If you don't want the others to know, I won't tell anyone."

Sanji and Zoro nodded, because they were both too rattled to try any other response.

Zoro didn't know whether he should be mad at Sanji or glad he'd admitted their love. After all, it was nice to have the secret out to someone. And strangely, more real. After all that time feeling like he was floating through a dream, Zoro finally felt comfortably grounded.

"There's something you two should see," Robin continued.

Zoro and Sanji looked at each other, slowly slipping their feet out of the hammock. Robin motioned for them to follow, and they did hesitantly, leaving the room and approaching the main deck behind the tall woman. She then paused for a moment behind the wall and turned toward the guys.

"First off, we want to apologize for how long we were gone. But don't worry. We think you'll find it worthwhile!"

Confused, Sanji and Zoro exchanged puzzled looks. But when Robin led them past the wall and onto the deck, a sudden outburst of laughter and voices shook them from all thought. Even the gray drizzling rain couldn't damper the excitement of the other crewmembers, dancing about and holding a giant "Get Well Zoro and Sanji" sign. Brook immediately began pelting a tune from his guitar.

Nami bounced over, laughing. "You guys better be grateful! We had to walk for three hours one way in the pouring rain to get into town!" She motioned behind her, at a buffet table overflowing with hot food and cake and hot chocolate, protected beneath an umbrella.

Sanji's mouth watered. Well, he hadn't made the food. But it looked so tasty, especially after all those hours of lacking an appetite.

"It was my idea!" Luffy shouted, stretching over to meet his recovering nakama. "We were just gonna go play out there but then I decided it was time to throw a party! So we got you guys a whole bunch of yummy food!"

Apparently Luffy had picked out some of the food to appeal to his own taste. He retreated to the table to devour some meat.

"We sent Usopp back here early to make sure you were out of the room when we arrived," Robin explained. "Did he play it off well?"

Zoro looked over the deck at the long-nosed guy, who was now laughing alongside the others. "He's pretty good at making up stories," he mused. "Had me convinced. But I think he was actually a little terrified of being alone. I know that part wasn't just for show."

Sanji and Zoro pulled away from the others to take some of that delicious-looking food. They piled up their plates and sat on the ground, a distance away from everyone else. Although the celebration was supposedly a get-well party for Zoro and Sanji, it seemed more like any old excuse to have fun. No one bothered to pay any extra attention to the two sick crewmates in recognition, but for this, they were glad. Just another one of Luffy's fun ideas. The crazy captain he was.

"How's that chicken?" Sanji asked Zoro, who gnawed away hungrily.

"Better than yours."

"Shut up. Shitty ass."

"Just kidding, cook."

"Oh, right. Glad to see you're feeling well enough to be sarcastic and rude, as usual."

Zoro put his plate on the ground and slid next to Sanji, his arm around the other's waist. Softly, he kissed the cook under his eye and smelled his soft hair. He didn't care if the crew was watching. His lips soon found Sanji's, and they took a moment to share a long kiss. From across the deck, Zoro caught Robin smiling at them, though she promptly turned her head away as the couple finished their kiss.

"We better get well soon, Marimo," Sanji whispered.

"I'm feeling perfectly fine right now," Zoro replied, leaning on Sanji's shoulder and closing his eyes.

End.