Chapter Text
It's been a month since washing up in Wano. Things has been going smoothly so far; plans were executed, allies were made and information were gathered.
Sanji did all he could to keep up with the events and tried hard to be more useful. But it's hard when you have a throbbing head and an angry doctor running after you all the time so he was mostly forced to rest or cook—but mostly rest.
He insisted that he was feeling a lot better lately but Chopper didn't want to take the chance. Head wounds were dangerous and unpredictable he cautioned and since he is the doctor, Sanji couldn't find anything to refute his words.
Right now most of their allies were out doing undercover work and Sanji was left at the base with only a few ingredients to work with. It wasn't that bad but it wasn't good either. From what he heard about the condition on this island was that the Shogun dictates where all their food goes and the poor were left without any or rotten ones.
This angers Sanji a lot and he wished the others would storm right into the idiot's castle and kick the man off his high horse. He would love to do it himself but well....he didn't see that happening anytime soon with all his injuries and lack of muscles. He's been working to build them back of course, but that was a slow process, not when Chopper kept nagging at him to rest and take it slow.
He was getting real impatient but there's nothing he could do right now except for cooking for the others so they'll have the strength to do their missions.
But him?
He was being useless...
He was—
No! He slapped his face with both hands and shook his head hard.
No! He wasn't going to go back there again. All this self-loathing has got to stop.
His nakama has all assured him that they're there for him and that's all he needs.
For their sake, he has to ensure everyone has enough strength to carry out their missions and meanwhile, get himself into shape so that he can join in and support his captain.
Feeling a little suffocated in the hideout with only his thoughts for company, he decided to walk out onto the beach for a little fresh air and maybe for a quick smoke since Chopper has also forbidden him to do so.
As soon as he walked out onto the sand, he saw someone walking towards him from a distance.
His eyes turned into hearts as he eyed his beloved Nami-san walking towards him.
"Nami-swannn~" He sung happily. She is such a sight for his eyes and made his day brighter just by being there.
Nami stared at him with an annoyed frown and stepped past him without a word.
Sanji's heart plummeted right back down and he couldn't help but grimace at the cold shoulder he was receiving. It's been like that ever since he recovered enough to get out of bed. She would still talk to him about food expenses or anything related to their mission but other than that, she mostly stayed away from him.
Sanji knew he didn't deserve the right to ask for her forgiveness at all, not after what he put her through but his heart pained at being ignored by his goddess and he'd do anything to see her smile at him again.
He didn't deserve it but he had to try.
"Nami, I—" He turned to follow her but she whirled around to face him before he could even finish his sentence.
"If you're going to apologize then don't." Nami cut him off sharply and Sanji quickly shut his mouth, bowing his head low.
He knew he wasn't going to be forgiven by his goddess so easily. He knew it....but it still hurts so much.
Nami gave out a tired sigh and pinched the bridge of her nose.
"Sanji...kun..." She called, her voice going soft and gentle. "I'm not angry about that anymore. I understand what you went through and I don't blame you for doing what you had to do. You tried so hard to keep us away, so it wasn't your fault at all. None of it was your fault!" She said the last sentence with force, forcing the blond to look up at her and listen to her words.
"...Thank you...." He whispered. These words meant the world to him. To know that his sweet Nami-san has forgiven him and wasn't angry at him.
"I don't want your thanks Sanji-kun. I want your promise to me that you'll never leave us and go off on your own again. We're nakama and we'll always have each other's backs no matter what so don't ever think that you're a burden to us because you're not. You're so much more than that and I hope that you can see that one day." Nami stepped forward till she's in Sanji's space and before Sanji could say anything, she threw her hands around his neck and pulled him close.
Her chest presses against his but instead of throwing up a fountain of blood, all he could think of was how warm she is.
He didn't received a lot of hugs growing up and he thought he didn't need them. He had thought guys like him don't deserve showers of love and affection and he rather give it than to receive it. That's why he was always flirting with the ladies.
But right now he found that hugs were nice and comforting. The warmth of another person makes it real, knowing that he's not alone and that that are people around him who loves and accepts him for who he is.
After a moment of hesitation, he moved his arms to hug her back, pull her tightly close to him and feeling her heartbeat against his. She didn't protest, somehow knowing that Sanji needed this—the comforting touch of a love one.
Sanji felt a sob breaking out of him and he let it, too exhausted to hide it anymore. Besides, he was sure Nami wouldn't judge him for that. She seen every ugly side of him and still accepted him for who he is.
He let the first sob escape his mouth and more sobs followed. Soon, he was crying.
Tears flowed through like a waterfall but he couldn't stop it any longer. It's been too much. He pushed his tears back for all these years and now the dam has finally broken.
He cried and cried on Nami's shoulder and she gently held him through it all, constantly letting him know it was alright.
He felt like he should be ashamed of his outburst but he didn't. And for the first time in a long time, he felt so much lighter. It was like a weight has been lifted off his shoulders and he could finally breathe right.
His mind, his body and his soul felt like a feather and it was as though he was completely made anew.
He pulled away from Nami's arms, rubbing the tears off his face as he slowly calmed. And when he looked up, he realized what a mess he made on her shirt and was thoroughly embarrassed. He mouth opened to apologize but one look from her made him closed it.
Instead he said: "Thank you."
She smiled in sanctification and nodded her head, happy with Sanji's answer.
"You're welcome. I expect to see a full course meal at the table today to make up for my shirt." She smirked and winked at him before sauntering away.
"Yes Nami-san!" Sanji mock saluted and smiled warmly at her back.
He could never repay her for all that she did.
Scratch that—he could never repay any of them for what they did for him. Even Zoro.
Right now, he's here with his family—his real family and nothing's going to take him away from them ever again. He knows now that they'll fight for him no matter the cost just as he'll do the same for them.
And isn't that what family does for one another?
Just as there're happy moments, there will be sad and painful moments too, but you'll never have to suffer through it alone because family will always be there for you.
Family doesn't have to be blood-related. You just need to find the people who cares for you, who loves you for who you are and will always be there for you through thick and thin. They'll never abandon you in times of trouble and will be willing to help you out even if it's the smallest thing.
Sure, there'll be fights and arguments and some days you just can't stand them. But you'll always find a way to forgive them and let it go. And when you do, the bond between you two will strengthen once again.
Again and again—as many times as it takes.
And Sanji has found it at last. It took so long and so many hardships for him to reach here but it was all worth it.
He found happiness. He found a family. He found friends and he found love.
And that's enough for him.
END