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Going Merry is dreaming again.
It’s another party on the open seas and her sails are unfurled, a friendly wind pushing her forward. The Strawhats are in fine form today and their cheer takes up every bit of space available, sparkling in the open air. Something special is happening.
Sanji twirls in the kitchen, every footstep measured. Everything that passes through his hands takes on that light only Merry can see and she watches raptly as the fire sizzles under the pan. The light grows as Sanji throws in savory meat and vegetables that no one will turn their nose up at and all the love swirling at the tip of his fingers.
The scent carries on the wind and brings his captain running out, sandals thumping on Merry’s deck.
His first shout for food bellows across the kitchen and Sanji turns on a dime, stoppering the rest of his words with a pre-prepared snack. Luffy’s eyes shimmer with glee even as he munches down on the sandwich faster than humanly possible. He has only a moment to take in the half-ready feast loaded onto tables that groan with the weight before he is ousted from Sanji’s sanctuary.
With another sandwich in his mouth and a full plate in his hands, the image of creamy soups and delicate desserts still remains, with choice cuts of meat glistening the brightest in his mind’s eye.
Merry giggles. Her laughter is echoed by a voice that lets itself get snatched away by the wind. Robin still carries her joy like a candle, holding it tight and close. Merry wants to show her that it’s okay to be happy, that her laughter is welcome here, so she turns just a little bit. It’s enough for Nami to tip her head up curiously, wind twirling around the ends of her hair until a stronger breeze hits and takes Usopps’s paints with it.
Color goes everywhere and the captain’s laughter whips up a storm. The wind rises and rises, pulling Zoro from his light sleep so he can catch Chopper as he skids past. Merry holds them both tight in her arms and keeps the door open as Sanji flies out of the kitchen with steaming plates. Usopp is the first to run towards him, hands outstretched, knowing no one will let him fall.
Nami narrows her eyes at the mast and Merry hears her command as if she’d said it aloud and stretches her sails until they billow out to her satisfaction.
The ocean tosses and turns but her family is steady and no occasion is too small for them to find victory in. Zoro appears carrying a surprisingly dry Chopper and no one is hurt but Merry watches their doctor check anyways, zeroing in on scrapes and bruises that he’ll fuss over later.
But before that, they feast.
Lightning cracks across the sky and the wind roars while Zoro raises his second cup, cheeks barely flushed and nudges Usopp with his shoulder, eyebrows raised in amusement as another slice of meat disappears from his plate. Robin guards Chopper’s plate while Nami fends stretchy hands away from hers with a murderous glint in her eye. Sanji doles out sharp threats, sweet nothings and second helpings on the same breath.
Merry can’t help it when she cries. She’s just too happy. Everyone is here and everyone is at home, filling the room with warm noise, safe and sound. Her happiness overflows until the room glows with spots of soft fuzzy color but no one finds it odd. The relaxed atmosphere never breaks even as figures appear beyond her sight, nakama that she won’t be able to meet this time around.
Her time is up now.
It’s still the best birthday she’s ever had.
(The crew wakes up with a shared light in their eyes.
Somewhere on the Sunny, a figure with light steps slips away, leaving glowing footsteps behind.
It falls into a satisfied sleep atop a sheep’s fluffy head, dreaming, dreaming…)