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Chapter Text

The Fire Festival truly lived up to the hype. Everywhere Sanji cast his eye, there was a gorgeous woman (or two or three) in resplendent kimono, elaborate hairdo tied up and adorned with decorative comb like a pretty package waiting for the unwrapping. And oh, how he was more than willing! Each time he met a doelike speckled gaze or mischievous twinkling smirk, he passionately reintroduced himself as Sangoro, the gentleman soba cook, hoping they'd grace him with their remembrance. And many did! He was practically thrumming with joy at the compliments and well-wishes. But as attentive to the celebrations as the ladies were, they couldn't stick around for long (and he wouldn't hold them up). It was a shame, but it couldn't be helped. He just moved his love pitch down the line.

The party fare was enjoyable as well (though not nearly as delectable as the ladies). Even now, his cheeks were stuffed with mouthwatering takoyaki bites, and he openly eyed the candy apples of the stall across the stage. Brook's exuberant music and Usopp's far-fetched tales filled the lantern-dappled night air in the spaces squeezed between bustling, warm bodies, taiko drumbeats, and exploding fireworks. It was jubilant, it was hectic, it was pure freedom shouted out after a twenty-year-long famine. Tonight, the people of Wano could forget their shackled past and rise tomorrow to a new dawn. He was truly glad for them.

And as for themselves? Well, they had offed two of the biggest figures of the pirate era, and Luffy was now an Emperor. Everything that for so long had merely been a dream was quickly becoming a reality. At this moment, it was hard not to believe All Blue lay somewhere at the end of their voyage.

On the way to the apples, Sanji got sidetracked time and time again. He detoured around the minks and found himself at the edge of the lantern circle, in front of a stall that was handing out sparklers. The attendant greeted him warmly, lighting one up and offering it. He took it in hand, twirled it about, marveling at the simplicity of fuzzy sparks dispelling a bit of darkness, and turned around--

Someone seized his arm from behind, effectively stopping him. To his bewilderment, he found it to be Law. The Hearts Pirate captain was half-risen from his state of pseudo-slumber away from the crowd, staring wide-eyed at him as though he were a ghost. “Ah...” Law let go, seeming to realize what he was doing. “Sorry, I didn't mean... For a moment there, you really resembled someone I used to know. Someone incredibly important to me.”

Sanji blinked a few times, scrutinizing the man before him and processing his words. Law didn't appear to be hostile or insincere. His face had always been long, brooding, and intimidating, but there was an element of genuine reverence to it now, like a crack in a carefully crafted mask.

It was at this subtle expression, that Sanji understood.

“Oh?” he intoned, framing his chin with splayed thumb and finger, “My unique dashing looks?”

Law deadpanned. “Your golden blond hair, black-on-magenta kimono, and cigarette stick, to be precise. The sparkler too, I suppose. In my sleep-haze, I was sure you caught on fire.”

“But I do catch on fire,” he pointed out seriously, well-aware he was missing the point.

“Your diable jambe is not near as dumb and clumsy, trust me.” Law crossed his arms, shifting awkwardly. He seemed out of his element, but perhaps the relaxed, festive air made him more talkative. Or the reminiscing. “You have nothing on his height though.”

“How old were you when you knew him?”

“I met him when I was 10. I wouldn't say I really knew him until two and half years after that though.” Law frowned, looking off. “Just before I lost him.”

Sanji tossed his spent cigarette butt underfoot, smashing it, before lighting up a new stick. “Not long at all then.” He threw away the sparkler as well, this time in the trash. “But long enough.”

The doctor didn't reply. His silence was his acquiescence.

“I have someone like that. I know a little what it's like.” He smiled amicably. “What would he say now?”

Law looked up at him, a bit curiously, definitely thoughtful. “'You have too many tattoos, you damn emo-brat.'”

He laughed at that. Emboldened, Sanji took a step forward and placed a hand atop Law's fur-capped head before he could question what he was doing. He even ruffled and patted the material a bit. “'You've come a long way, brat. And grew up strong and healthy... I'm proud of you.'”

To his surprise, Law grasped the front of his kimono and inclined forward, resting his forehead against Sanji's stomach. “I finally did it, Cora-san,” came the soft murmuring, “I eradicated everything of Doflamingo's. The crime syndicate, his de facto rule on Dressrosa, the SMILE factories. He's in prison; Kaido's gone.”

And that was just the beginning and end of the tale. The Donquiote family had been broken up, Caesar's laboratory demolished and the mad scientist on the run, Vergo's marine face exposed, the man dead. Then there was everything related to Wano. The Underworld, for all its extent, power, and secrecy, was sure to be fraying at the seams right now. Trafalgar Law was truly a formidable force of a man. Much like his own captain.

But... “'Good. There's one more thing left to do.'” The head under his hand jolted at those words, but Sanji clamped down, locking it in place, and continued, “'Make yourself happy. Start doing things for you. You have a lot of future left.'” There was a pause. Slowly, the head nodded against him, seeming to have lost its voice. “'You know I'll hold you to it. You've grown into a good man, Law.'” As an afterthought, he added, “'Oh, and don't catch a cold.'” The answering chuckle was just loud enough to be heard.

It was a strange exchange, surreal, neither of them quite like themselves. He imagined Zeff telling him all these things; he knew that's where it was coming from. He supposed he'd like to hear it. As a child he'd been desperate to please, now he was comfortable with himself he didn't need it. (Or so he told himself.) He couldn't see it happening, though, as neither he nor Zeff were very open or honest about their feelings. They'd probably both turn into radish-red, mortified, spluttering messes if they tried. Heck, that well-wish tacked at the end alone had brought him to his knees on the Baratie.

“Blackleg-ya.” Two large hands wrapped around his wrists; Law was pulling back. With the return of that golden gaze meeting his own, Sanji's stomach flipped-flopped a little. He realized again what he had said, their proximity. The awkwardness of the situation hit him fully.

Thankfully, he was saved from his embarrassment. “Sannjiii!” That high-pitch whine was the only warning he got before a springing rubbery body latched onto his back, limbs wrapping all around him in a capture-hold. The Heart Pirates captain even had to jerk out of the way.

All of this was lost on Luffy, of course, who immediately jabbered his purpose for being there: “Jinbe was the only one who waited for the hun-zen rorry meal--”

“Honzen-ryōri,” he corrected.

“Yeah, that! And he brought me some to try, and it's suuuper good, Sanji! They had these yummy egg cakes and lotus root and mushroom soup, and the festival food is pretty good, but this stuff was special. You should check it out! No, you should make it so everyone can try it some time!”

“Alright, I hear you, so get off me, you rubber parasite.”

Luffy ignored him in favor of staring at Law. “You should get some. The meal was for you guys too.”

“Formal dinners are not my preference,” Law said, rising to his full height and dusting himself off, “Strawhat-ya, this is a good opportunity. I was meaning to talk to you. Now that Kaido has been overthrown, the agreed-upon objective of our alliance has been fulfilled. After this point, we are no longer comrades in arms. I have no interest in subordinating my crew to your new rank. We aim for the One Piece.”

“Okay. I won't go easy on you. I'm the one who's going to be King of the Pirates and get the One Piece.”

Sanji gawked at his captain. With Luffy's unique understanding of what it meant to be an ally, and his chumminess with Law in particular, he had not expected him to agree so readily to the alliance's dissolution. He looked to Law and saw the same disorientation reflected back. Law examined Luffy carefully, eyebrows drawing together in an unreadable expression. “...I wouldn't have it any other way. You won't find the Heart Pirates shrinking from the race to the top.”

His captain opened his mouth to respond, but was preempted by a new voice: “Luffy! We're about to start the rematches for the goldfish catching!” Sanji couldn't turn to look, constrained as he was, but he knew the owner was their very own sniper. “Best 5 out of 7. No cheating this time. You have to use the wands that they...” Strangely, he trailed off. “Oh, sorry! I didn't see you there, Law. If you guys are in the middle of a serious talk, I'll grab Luffy later.”

“Nah, we just finished it.” In an instant, Luffy was off of him, recoiling with a loud snap. Freakin' finally. Sanji rolled his shoulders and stretched his neck, sighing at the lost cigarette on the ground.

“Great! You want to join in as well, Sanji?”

“Pass. Luffy just gave me a task to complete.”

“Oh,” said Usopp, sounding a bit confused but not losing an ounce of cheer, “Don't overdo it, I guess. This is a time for being carefree and happy.”

“Shishishishi,” Luffy laughed, beaming at them, “It's a yummy task, don't worry.”

“Ohh.” Usopp repeated, understanding. He was going to continue, but it seemed it was his turn to be interrupted.

“Strawhat! I'm not done with you! Let's face off! Right here, right now!” Eustass Kid roared obnoxiously as he approached their group. Already, his metal arm was amassing in size, diverting the surrounding attention as his powers stole from unsuspecting firework shows, drum bands, and Flower Capital residences alike.

Luffy frowned, puffing out to confront him. “Jaggy, cut it out! You're ruining the party for everyone!”

“Why do I have to care about some party? This is more important, dammit!”

“Idiots,” Law scoffed under breath.

Sanji gave an acknowledging grunt without saying anything. He tuned the battling captains out, lighting a new cigarette. That shitty punk supernova was persistent. He was happy for Luffy, but this kind of notoriety always brought them trouble.

Usopp had scurried out of there at the first sign of a fight. Sanji was about to head out himself, but Law continued, “I didn't expect things to blow over so well between us.”

He raised an eyebrow. “You mean with the alliance? Yeah, it was unprecedented of Luffy to give up on you so easily.” A thought occurred to him. “You didn't think it'd come to blows, did you? After everything we'd been through?”

“We're pirates, rivals.”

Sanji merely shrugged off the implication, taking a long drag on his cigarette. “...Maybe he acknowledges your bid for the position of Pirate King and is respecting you as a competitor? He can be surprisingly mature about things like this. It always catches me off guard.”

“He looked angry. At me.”

“Angry?” Now that utterly baffled him. “What the hell did you do? Luffy only gets angry if it's serious.”

“Nothing that I'm aware of,” Law said dryly, as though he was discussing what he ate for lunch yesterday, “It could just be the cynical part of my mind imagining nonsense. But I can't help thinking that's what I saw.”

“Your imagination,” he affirmed, defensive on behalf of his captain.

“Of course,” Law said in a tone that was anything but conceding.

Sanji left then, still perplexed.

Chapter Text

Zoro chugged the remnants of the sake in his tankard, wiping his mouth with his sleeve. He paused, wondering when the hell the walls of the outhouse became the stronghold of the castle. He was missing out on the festivities. And more drinking.

Footsteps resounded behind him. With some relief, he turned around, only for his mood to sour instantly at the sight. “Dartbrow,” he growled.

“Marimo,” the Cook spat back, sporting his own scowl.

“What are you doing here?” he accused.

The Cook bristled predictably. “What am I...?” He stopped, and a hand flew up to pinch the bridge of his nose. “No, the one who should be asking that is me, except I know how useless that would be, you directionless piece of drifting seaweed.”

“Shut up! Don't give me that crap when you're the one that's lost!”

“You dare slander me with that word?! You?! If you must know, I'm on my way to taste the specially prepared honzen-ryōri dishes by the chefs here. Captain's orders.”

“Hmph. Like I care what you're up to.”

“You're the one that asked!”

“It was a rhetorical question. You look like a stray headless chicken with that scruffy mop of too-yellow hair.”

When the kick came for him, he was ready with his swords, quick as a panther on his prey. They scuffled for a bit, but the narrow hallways hedged their movements, stopping them before they could really begin.

The Cook pulled away. “Look, the exit is in the direction I just came from. Literally that way. Straight. You can't possibly miss the grand door. Now get out of my face.”

Zoro sheathed his katana. “Gladly.” He strode in the indicated direction, not sparing the waste of space another thought.

“Hey.” Alas, it was not to be.

He spun, letting out an irritated what. The Cook took his sweet time to explain himself, puffing out a few breaths of smoke. “Law thinks Luffy's mad at him.”

He stared dumbly. “What.”

“That's what I'd like to know. Law dissolved the alliance, but I don't think it's that.”

“Of course not,” he scoffed, “It's not something to get mad over.”

“Yeah, but Luffy wasn't acting like himself.”

“You two are overthinking it. This is Luffy we're talking about. If he was angry at Law for something, he'd let him know.” He faced away again. “Now stop taking up my time. I'm supposed to be celebrating.”

“Drunken bastard,” he overheard the Cook mutter under his breath.

“Shut it, lecher.” And he went on his merry way.

Be as it may, he did run into Luffy at some point during his booze quest, not really looking for him. Strangely, he found his captain sitting atop the rail on the stern side of their ship, staring out at the surrounding wasteland in the dead of night. (Currently, the Thousand Sunny was landlocked, as it had tagged along with the flying Onigashima island to be deposited just outside the outskirts of the Flower Capital. Zoro had no clue how they'd get it out to sea, but he'll leave those details to Franky and Jinbe.) Luffy seemed quiet, thoughtful, which was frankly as out of character as Zoro had ever seen him, as if him being there and not at the center of the post-battle celebrations wasn't weird enough. Usually, Luffy partied until he dropped dead asleep. They all did, as pirates do.

Then again, Zoro wasn't even sure how he had ended up here. He had intended to rejoin the Wano-specialized koshu-- much better liquor than anything they had in storage on board. Clearly, the petty Cook had sabotaged him with his directions. But he supposed it was as good an opportunity as any to address Luffy. He had told the Cook not to worry, and he wasn't worried; however, he had long left his careless days behind him since entering the New World. The people involved were too important to simply brush this aside. The best way to get answers out of Luffy-- if there was anything going on-- was just to ask.

So he did.

Luffy glanced askew at him, showing that he had heard, before returning his gaze to the nothingness. He leaned back on his arms, kicking his dangling feet. Zoro joined him in looking, letting him speak when he was good and ready to. It was as sorry a sight as ever. Rugged terrain of wilted, poisoned vegetation as far as the eye could see. Shuttered factories stacked on naked plateaus littered the backdrop. Eyesores, every last one of them. The Beast Pirates may be gone now, but the newly appointed Shogun Momonosuke and his Red Scabbard retainers sure had their work cut out for them to restore vitality to the place.

“Ne, Zoro? Will Sanji leave with Tra-guy after this?”

He wondered at the question. Confusion didn't even begin to describe what he was feeling. “Luffy, you know him. You know them both. Why would you think that? Is it because of the stuff with his family and Big Mom?”

Luffy shrugged. “That's the feeling I got when I saw them together earlier.”

“Captain, I know your intuition is usually spot on, but...” Zoro scratched angrily behind his head, pretty sure this was his least favorite conversation ever. He didn't need nor want to defend the Cook. “Were they talking about it?” Good riddance. If that ingrate deserted again, he wouldn't let Luffy go after him this time.

Luffy shook his head. “I don't know what they were talking about.” He frowned. “When Sanji went to his family in Big Mom's territory, I didn't doubt we would get him back. But now... I can't help but worry a little.”

He scowled. “Look, this isn't like you, Luffy. You don't sit and brood; you act immediately to confront the problem. Just talk to the Cook about it. Before it gets out of hand this time.

“You're right.” Luffy smiled a bit at that. “Hey Zoro? You know, you, Nami, and me-- we're all pirates at heart. We go after what we want, and we don't share. The others are a little different from us.”

“Sure. Robin used to be part of a criminal syndicate, specializes in assassinations, and is more like a devil. Usopp is a genuine and caring dude-- so is Chopper. Franky and Brook both have history, and I know Franky used to do some underhanded things to pirates like Nami, but they're the type who treasure close-knit friendships and always put those first. Jinbe is a through and through honorable guy, and a humble one at that... But you're still mainly referring to the Cook, aren't you?”

“Shishishishi. That's not fair to Robin. You like her and Sanji; you just don't like to admit it.”

He scowled again. “Aren't we talking about you and the Cook here?”

Luffy's smile widened at that, and Zoro was positive he didn't like it. And he usually liked Luffy's smiles. “Sanji is Sanji. He's happiest when he gives us delicious meals. He's always serving and protecting others, especially Nami and Robin. And Usopp. He doesn't keep anything for himself. Because of the hardships he went through, he'll always share his food and himself. You and I only help people we like, but Sanji helps people who are rejected by everyone else. He even chose to save his family who made him suffer for so long. Usopp, with his bravery, and Sanji, with his selflessness, are like the heroes that I admire.”

Zoro shifted uncomfortably. This conversation was only getting worse. Really, what was Luffy expecting him to say? Why were they focusing on the Cook so much? “He can be... okay sometimes.” Luffy laughed again. Maybe it didn't matter what he said. The other looked a little lost in his thoughts and feelings anyway. And that was really saying something for a guy who always lived for the moment and was observant of everything.

“If I may so rudely interpose.”

“Hm?” Zoro backed away reflexively from the mouth sprouting from the cabin wall between Luffy and himself. Speaking of devils. Her powers were always disconcerting as heck. But even more aggravating than that was how easily she crept up on them unawares. At this point in his life, it was downright shameful that he couldn't sense her presence ahead of time. Not that he had anything against the woman herself. She was infinitely more tolerable than a couple others he could name on this ship.

“Robin! You're here!” Luffy, of course, was stupidly happy to be ambushed. He swung round on his seat to face her.

Within seconds, the budding mouth disappeared to be replaced by a blossoming head and upper torso, then the woman's entire figure was free of the wood, standing beside them. She brought a lantern light and a journal with her. The lamp shed a sinister glow on her face. Probably intentional.

“Good evening, Luffy, Zoro,” she greeted, “Splendid night, isn't it? And yet by some mischief, we three are here, away from the festivities.”

“What are you up to?” he asked, “Searching for the poneglyphs that are in Wano?”

“No, I already found those. I came back to my room for my notes, then I'm off to unearth the whereabouts of the ever-elusive Pluton. I expect it to go well this time, as I have help. But nevermind me. I interrupted your conversation.”

“You were eavesdropping.”

“I overheard there may be discord between the Heart Pirates captain and our own, so I became concerned. Fortunately, that worry seems to have been put to rest.”

He raised an eyebrow. “How so?”

She turned to Luffy. “Captain, I have a hypothesis as to the source of your ambivalence. I ask that you two indulge me in a thought experiment so that we may talk it through and find out for sure.”

Luffy nodded. “Okay.”

“Then I shall begin with a question: where do you see us all in some years' time? Now that you've become Emperor, the One Piece is closer than ever. But your dream's an endpoint. All of our dreams are endpoints, except perhaps Chopper's. We will eventually move past them and keep on living. The future is an uncertain thing. As it should be.”

“We'll worry about that when the time comes,” said Zoro, “Right, Luffy?”

“Yes, I know that is how you two operate. But you did agree to indulge me. Conceptualize a little.”

“I don't want to think about it, but...” Luffy crossed his arms, considering the question seriously. “Our crew will disband when the journey's over. Just like Roger's.”

“Then if we can't stay adrift, most of us will have to settle down somewhere, find new callings for ourselves. It'll be interesting to see how it all turns out for everyone.... unless we're each captured separately by the marines and summarily executed.”

“Oi,” Zoro noised warningly before considering the question. He subconsciously touched a hand to the tsuka of his katana, thrumming the ito wrap. “I've wholly devoted myself to my dream for so long, I haven't dared thought past that. But to give a quick answer, maybe I'll go back to the dojo and help train the brats there. I'd like to return the kindness done me.”

Robin nodded. “Admirable. For myself, I can't really say until I know the whole of the lost history I am after. From then on, it'll be determining what to do with it. I've always been an enemy of the World Government, and that certainly won't change. But perhaps I'll go on the offensive and rejoin the Revolutionaries. Speaking of which... surely you will come across your family again, Luffy? Will you seek them out?”

“Hmmmm, I want to see Sabo. I don't need to meet Grandpa or Dad,” said Luffy, blunt as ever, tilting his head to the side as he deliberated, “I want to visit everybody. I can re-travel the whole world as Pirate King! And Skypiea! I bet there's places all over I've missed. It'll still be an adventure.” Robin chuckled as Zoro grinned. It was exactly the answer he expected from him.

“Since they are not here to speak for themselves, I will do my best to speculate for the others,” she continued, “After reuniting with Laboon, I imagine Brook will bring his friend with him on tour as he retakes the music scene. Jinbe will return to the inhabitants of Fish-Man Island to help them carve out a future with the residents above. Nami, Usopp, and Chopper have their homelands to go back to. The three of them are individuals of many talents and can easily make a comfortable living. Franky will refuse a co-president position at Galley-La, instead choosing to reform the Franky House into a new enterprise while continuing to take in the city's outcasts. Sanji certainly will pursue his passion for cooking with the seafood of the world's four oceans at his disposal. Although I have trouble imagining him successfully starting a restaurant--”

“No,” Luffy cut in, “I don't want that. If I travel, and Sanji stays, I can't eat his cooking.”

Zoro's brow furrowed in confusion. “Luffy?”

This wasn't like him. Yeah, they were just talking about pirates taking what they wanted, but the Strawhat captain never interfered with his nakama's goals and dreams. Heck, Luffy even held himself back when Zoro was cut down by Mihawk in the East Blue.

Robin hummed and gave another nod, as though she had been expecting the outburst-- probably had been fishing it out of him with her so-called thought experiment. What the devil fruit. “But is it his cooking you find yourself having a hard time separating from... or Sanji himself?”

Luffy frowned. He didn't respond right away, obviously contemplating the question. And that above all else showed how serious this conversation was. He was probably setting a new personal record for the amount of pondering he was doing this past hour.

Zoro wanted to give up the notion entirely. Clearly this did not fall under his radar of reasonable things in this world. It was no wonder he couldn't follow.

“You don't have to feel bad. We know how precious all of us are to you, as you are to us, Captain. But different people can be precious to us in different ways,” she prompted.

“Both,” Luffy answered, “But... mostly Sanji. I need him to become Pirate King, and I'll help him find All Blue, so after that he can... After that...” He seemed unable to finish, frowning again.

Robin smiled patiently, a twinkle in her eye. “I think you've just about realized it, but let me state it aloud. Luffy, I believe you are in love.”

“What?!” Zoro was beyond incredulous. How did it come to this? “Are you off your rocker, woman? The only thing this idiot could be said to hold feelings for is a slab of meat.”

“Oh, is that it?” said Luffy with an airy laugh, all introspection and uncertainty lost, “I get it. I'm in love with Sanji.”

“Wait, Luffy, slow down and think about it. When the Cook ran off to get married, it didn't bother you, did it? I even remember you saying you were looking forward to gaining another nakama.”

“It's not so strange, is it?” Robin pointed out, “His feelings could have changed since then, particularly during the course of the rescue mission. Or perhaps he simply didn't understand them then. He initially trusted Sanji's note that he would return. Luffy didn't express objection until the prospect of giving Sanji up for good, to another, was voiced aloud.”

“He would react the same for any of the rest of us. And he has.”

“Indeed. But that doesn't explain Luffy's reaction to the Law earlier today.”

“What? You think he was, what, jealous? Of Law?”

“It's difficult to know for sure unless he confirms it himself...” They both looked to Luffy. Robin's smile had reverted to her usual arcane smirk, seeming far too pleased with itself, Zoro glared, willing his captain to put an end to this nonsense.

“It's okay, Zoro, I'm not mad at Tra-guy. And Sanji won't leave again. He said what he really wanted was to go home to Sunny. He likes sailing with us.”

No, that's not the issue now.

Luffy plopped onto the deck. “Thanks, Robin, Zoro! I understand what to do now! Got to go!”

Before Zoro could hope to stop him, the rubberman had seized the very top yard of the mizzenmast and catapulted himself back towards the direction of the Flower Capital. He was gone. Gone with a reckless mobility no one could envy.

Zoro facepalmed. “Ughhh, I didn't realize it until now, but this is my worst nightmare come true.”

Robin chuckled. “Oh, I could imagine at least 1,002 fates worse than this.”

“Can it, devil, I've heard enough from you today.”

He stormed off, in desperate need of another drink.

Chapter Text

In the end, Sanji didn't see either Luffy or Law again that night. Too much chaos was going on, he supposed. Well, a chaotic party was meant for restoring spirits and cheer. He was sure everyone would return to normalcy after this, and that was nothing to worry over. His own adventure had involved learning as much as he could about the local cuisine from specialty and street-shop chefs alike. A grand success.

The following morning marked the conclusion of the week-long festival. Wano was rolling over with a revolution of the past twenty years. Lots of abolished nonsense edicts and cruel laws. A total redistribution of farming networks and supply routes. Turnover of the daimyo. A tree planting initiative. Revamping the education system. Dozens of new work projects and charity programs. Demolition and reconstruction plans of the weapons factories and Udon prison. And on and on it went.

Their crew wanted to help out the restoration efforts while they rested. Franky's carpentry, Usopp's all-purpose skills, Nami-san's finance and investment know-how, Chopper's doctoring of the malnourished and ill, his nutrition and food reserve planning, Robin-chan's understanding of socioeconomic feats in history, both the successes and failures, Brook's galvanizing shanties, Jinbe's leadership, and Zoro and Luffy's bullheaded fortitude. All was utilized in the effort, despite Kin'emon's duty-bound protests that they were guests. They couldn't just take supplies from a half-starving country and leave. Eventually, the head retainer gave in and put them to job as easily as he'd done during the planning stages of the raid.

After a day, the Strawhats resettled on their parked ship. Luffy still wanted to stay on the down-low, which meant they couldn't camp indefinitely in the Shogun's castle without explanation. (The people only knew that they had been part of the Ninja-Pirate-Mink-Samurai Alliance, and so they had their trust.)

It was more comfortable that way anyway. Sanji never liked to keep too long from his kitchen. Already, he was easing back into the routine of cooking three daily feasts (plus for a certain somebody). Today, he was planning something special. He had previously arranged with the gracious Nami-san (and Jinbe) to hunt the giant Dream Koi near Kuri's beach. He needed their expertise with the ocean's currents to locate one, and then he would perform the kill personally.

At the moment, he was setting up the kitchen in preparation for the butchering. He wanted to preserve the fish's freshness as much as possible. He had agreed to meet Nami-san (and Jinbe) at the beach afterward.

Or so that had been the plan.

“Ah! Sanji!”

He raised an eyebrow at his intruding captain. “Yes, you found me in my own kitchen. Why are you freaking out? It's too early to be sneaking food, even for you.”

Instead of answering right away, Luffy stomped up to the dining table, slamming both hands atop it, forcing Sanji's attention. “I've been trying to talk to you! Just us two!” he half-stated-half-yelled in his strange excitement, “So now I'm going to talk to you!”

“Okay?” His stupefaction kept the insults at bay on his tongue. Usually he had a couple choice expletives to hurl right about now given the abuse of the table.

“So it's like this: I just figured out that I love you.”

Slack-jawed, Sanji swirled the cigarette in his mouth and pulled it out. “Only just right now?” He faced away, returning to his tools. “You should save that kind of talk for the ladies. Except don't use it as flattery to get food; you need to mean it.”

“But this isn't for food, and I do mean it.”

Mystified, he turned back. “If it's not for food, what is it for?”

With crossed arms, Luffy tilted his head. “So that you know?”

Sanji stared dumbly, then returned the cigarette to his mouth, setting his carving knife down and leaning back on the counter space. “Alright, you got me right confused, rubber boy. If you keep insisting like that, I'm going to start thinking this is a love con....” He trailed off, as if wary finishing the word would make it come true.

Luffy grinned. “What's that? So you do understand.”

The intention of the other's words slammed him over the head like a househusband's frying pan upon an unsuspecting burglar.

“...Did someone put you up to this as a prank?” he questioned suspiciously, “Usopp or Brook? They must think they're so funny--”

“No. I'm serious, Sanji.”

His mouth floundered for a time before he found his ability to speak again: “Luffy, you're going too far with this. We're both guys. No wait, you wouldn't know what romance was if it was your own devil fruit power.”

Luffy shrugged. “I don't need it. The romance or other stuff. Do you?”

“I... that's besides the point. I mean, I've never seen you interested in this sort of stuff before.”

“Because it wasn't interesting.”

“So why now?”

“I don't know. That's just how it turned out.”

“That doesn't make any sense. You've had the lovely Nami-san and Robin-chan by your side this entire time. I mean, this is almost insulting to their loveliness--”

“Sanji.” Luffy fixed him with a hard stare. A chill went down his spine. “If you don't feel the same, then say that. Nami and Robin have nothing to do with this. None of that other stuff you mentioned does either.”

But it did! Because Luffy was Luffy. And he... was himself. He forever loved and loved and loved, never daring hope to receive. And that was enough for him. If he could bask in the presence of goddesses and loved ones, what more did he need? How could he be on the other side of the equation? It was only a mere couple weeks ago that he had used all his might to try to bash Luffy's head in!

Honestly, he had no clue what to think or believe anymore. But he knew himself at least.

He sighed, taking out his smoke to jab it in the other's direction. Luffy was hardheaded, so he had to be direct. “Look you, I am an appreciator of women-- the world's finest, I might add-- and that's never going to change.”

“I know, that's you,” said Luffy, not the least bit perturbed, “But no one loves you back, right?”

“Gak!” Sanji doubled over, spitting up blood as he grasped the same counter he had been leaning against for his very life. A critical hit! And he had said it so innocently and honestly too, damn him! (He was still a little soft given everything that had happened with Pudding, okay? He wasn't sure his ego would ever fully recover.)

Despite his reluctance to admit it on vow of death, he knew his love was one-sided; no one knew it better than him. But that didn't change what it was. In contrast, his relationship with the less-refined gender could only be said to run hot, cold, bloody, and acerbic.

Even so, he did value the male relationships in his life. His nakama, the cooks on the Baratie. He could go anywhere he wanted, but he always stayed with them, didn't he? He idolized and cherished Zeff, grew up attempting to emulate him in every way, more or less succeeding, even stupidly took up smoking in an effort to appear grown up and make him take him more seriously. (“You're going to ruin your taste, stupid little eggplant.” “Let me cook! I can handle it, shitty geezer!”) Luffy was no less important to him. There was no denying that now. He owed his captain everything.

But it was not that kind of love.

Sanji peeked over his shoulder. Luffy had two hands on his hips, proudly beaming down on his hunched form. “Heheheh, did my confession move you?”

“Try 'gutted', lover-boy.”

Luffy blinked cutely in obvious non-understanding. “Hmm?”

“Nevermind. So, you're serious, huh?”

“Yep!”

“No chance this is out of boredom? Curiosity? Temporary?”

“Nuh-uh.”

He sighed again, backing up to slide the rest of the way down the counter height so he ended up sitting on the floor, both arms resting over his knees. He needed another smoke for this and promptly lit up a new stick. “Alright then. What do you want from me?”

“I was with Robin--” Robin-chan knew about this?! “--and we were talking about what everybody would do after everything was over, and I'll be Pirate King! And you'll find the All Blue, and I know we'll both have things we want to do, but I want us to be together and do them together. If you want a restaurant, then make it a traveling restaurant so we can go on adventures! That's my idea!”

“That's it?” he asked a little incredulously. Was Luffy really in love? Did he know how to be in love? Why was it him anyway?

Luffy beamed. “That's what I want.”

“Then no problem. I can do that.” At least until Luffy got tired of him. Maybe this was spoken out of a desire to thwart loneliness? But in that case, he would have thought the Marimo would be his first choice. Then again, he was the most recent one to near-leave the crew. That couldn't have helped if Luffy was truly afraid of abandonment.

“No.”

In his surprise, Sanji nearly swallowed his cigarette and started hacking. “Wh-What? You just said that's what you wanted!”

“I want you to want it.”

“What makes you think I don't want to? I just said yes.”

“But you don't feel the same as me.”

Sanji stilled. There went his theory that this really wasn't about him or what it was. “Luffy...”

Luffy shook his head. “I just came here to tell you. You need to figure out what you want.” A pause. “No more weddings though. Captain's order.”

And with that, he turned and exited the room, leaving Sanji bowled over and gobsmacked.

 Δ Δ Δ

“I thought we were to meet Sanji at the beach?” Jinbe asked.

“We were supposed to, but this is a good opportunity to take measurements for my map of Wano, and I need my tools,” Nami explained as they boarded the ship via erected ladder.

(The Thousand Sunny was currently in a makeshift dry dock, held up by stone blocks and wooden scaffolding. Franky had long since finished repairs in the week Luffy and Zoro were recovering from their injuries. The plan was that when they needed to return to the sea, they were going to rely on an ex-Beast Pirate Number named Fuga to carry them there. Apparently, Fuga was on good terms with Yamato, and so Nami decided to trust them both with the latter's reassurances.)

As soon as she reached the main deck, Nami spun around with open arms, enjoying the gentle sun and breeze on her face. “It's a perfect day! I feel very motivated to work!”

“You seem excited,” Jinbe acknowledged with good cheer as he joined her on deck.

“Of course! Since Wano is a closed country, it's not featured in any current maps. This is a very special moment in map-making history, and I'm going to be the one to do it!”

“I see, that is certainly cause to celebrate.”

“Isn't it? Now let's go get Sanji-kun. He can help carry everything.”

They headed straight for the kitchen.

However, as she drew near, she heard a familiar loud voice, recognizable anywhere. “Is that Luffy?”

“It sounds like it.”

Perfect, he could help out as well! Then everything would go a lot faster.

No, wait, wait, that was a close one. How could she forget that Luffy's help wasn't very helpful at all? Nothing ever went faster with him. Things got broken, and that clinometer was expensive! He'd start trouble somehow--

What she overheard next made her stop short. “Nami?” She turned to Jinbe, holding a finger to her lips, then beckoned him to edge closer to the slightly ajar kitchen door. She could tell her motions confused her companion, but he obeyed all the same.

It wasn't long of listening in before her suspicions were confirmed. A love confession?!

She looked to Jinbe, who mirrored her shock. Okay then, so she wasn't crazy. She pressed closer still.

Jinbe cleared his throat as quietly as he could and made to leave, but she snatched his robes, holding him in place. If she was going to be caught for this, she wasn't going to be caught alone!

At one point, Sanji-kun made a lot of noise, as though he had fallen over something. She had a clear view of Luffy but not of him. She tried to peer inside to see what was going on, but at that moment, Luffy turned his head and met her gaze, as though sensing them. She felt Jinbe still under her hold, and she smiled sheepishly.

Luffy merely grinned at them before returning his attention to Sanji-kun. She knew bashfulness was not in his dictionary, but geez!

They had to listen until the end then. Although every word was serving to make her increasingly anxious and aggravated. For both their sakes.

“I just came here to tell you,” came Luffy's voice, signaling the end, “You need to figure out what you want.”

“We're nabbing Luffy as soon as he comes out,” she whispered in warning, “I need to talk to him.”

Too bad for the fishman, he didn't have time to question her before Luffy was out the door and he was rushed into taking him in arm and they were stealing into the sick bay. Oh well, it was better he understood now that she almost always got her way.

Luffy was deposited on the infirmary bed with an apology from Jinbe. Nami took Chopper's desk chair and spun it around to face him. She sat down and crossed her legs, interrogation style.

“What's going on?” Luffy asked, standing right back up, “Why are we here? Is Chopper here?”

“Sit down,” she ordered, to which he immediately complied, tight-lipped. “Good, now spill everything. Since when are you in love with Sanji-kun?”

Luffy dutifully recounted what had happened during the Fire Festival. In hindsight, it did make some sort of sense. Luffy did seem to understand Sanji-kun unusually well, despite the latter being a walking contradiction. He had infinite patience for his antics, forever looked excited to see him, adored him for his food, incessantly asked where he was. She supposed the signs had always been there, yet she didn't really notice until they got to Totto Land. She was surprised to learn Robin and Zoro knew, but then again, Robin knew everything, and Zoro seemed to know everything about Luffy. A tiny part of her was miffed she hadn't been consulted instead.

Oh well, that was water under the bridge.

She sighed, feeling bad for Luffy. There was only a sliver of a chance he wasn't going to have his little heart broken. “Luffy, I know you did your best, but Sanji-kun isn't taking you very seriously. I don't think he quite believes you.”

Luffy stared blankly. “Why?”

“How do I explain this?”

“If I may?” Jinbe interceded.

She nodded. “Go right ahead.”

The fishman sat down next to his captain on the bed. “Excuse me for getting into your personal space. I do it only to make a point. Luffy, there's this thing called intimacy. It's a type of closeness. I won't bore you with the details you don't want to hear, but when a couple gets into a romantic relationship, it's usually to initiate this intimacy. Holding hands, hugging, touching, cuddling, and the like.”

Luffy furrowed his brow. “But I do that with all of you.”

“You do a little, as do we all with family members and friends. But the feeling is not quite the same. Here, take my hand.” Luffy obeyed, circling around the webbed portions. “What do you feel now besides a warm hand? Camaraderie?”

“Yeah, you're my nakama. I'm glad you're finally here.”

Jinbe smiled wide. “And I'm glad to be here, Boss. Now, imagine this hand is Sanji's. Do you feel the same?”

Luffy stared wordlessly down at their interlocked grasps. He flipped Jinbe's hand over, examining it carefully. Then, he placed his other hand on top, rubbing the grooves in between the knuckles. “It's different,” he admitted quietly.

“By the bellies, I think he's got it. You're a wizard, Jinbe!” Nami praised.

Jinbe let out a chuckle, scratching behind his head. “I had a little practice communicating with Luffy after the War.”

“Still, it's incredible. Now Luffy, all you got to do is communicate your desire to be intimate. But try not to be too overwhelming about it and give Sanji-kun some space when he looks uncomfortable. You just need to show him how he's special to you.” She crossed her arms. “Going along with that, this is Sanji-kun we're talking about, so you need to put some effort into smelling and looking decent. That means bathing every day and letting me fix your hair.”

Luffy scrunched his face, wrinkling his nose. “That's too often!”

“How about I join you, Luffy?” Jinbe offered, “It could be a sort of bonding ritual. Would that make it easier?”

“Remember, it's for Sanji. He likes cleanliness,” she added.

“Fine,” Luffy relented with a pout.

“You're acting like it's going to kill you!”

“Wahaha! We'll enjoy ourselves, I promise,” said Jinbe.

Nami sighed. She was grateful Jinbe was here with her, she really was. “Just one thing: No matter what you do, Sanji-kun can't stop being my slave.”

“Isn't that too me-e-angh?”

Luffy's protest was undermined by her grabbing his right ear and pulling so that half his face stretched out. “I won't hear any objections,” she said with a smile. She let go and promptly stood. “I want to see you give it your best fighting chance, so I'll help you! Commence Operation Seduce Sanji-kun!”

Chapter Text

No matter how much Sanji wrapped his head around it, he really couldn't figure Luffy out, nor knew what the heck to do. He needed another perspective on this.

So he went to the Usopp Factory for advice.

“You're coming to me for advice?” Usopp asked incredulously.

Hands in pockets, Sanji nudged an open tool kit with his shoe. “You don't have to act so surprised. What's so unusual about it?”

“I always thought you carefree monsters didn't worry about anything and just strong-armed it out. Or I guess in your case, if you did worry, your pride wouldn't let you admit it.”

“Look, will you help me, or are just going to scrutinize me?”

“Relax, who do you think you're talking to?” Cross-legged as he was on the paint-splotched rug, Usopp grinned, proudly indicating himself with a thumb. “I'm the great Usopp-sama, guru of all that's worth knowing in the world.”

“Yeah, yeah, please bestow your extensive wisdom upon me, O great one.”

“So what's the problem?”

Sanji paused, second-- triple-- quadruple-guessing himself.

“Um, I can't really help you if I don't know what to help.”

“Hell.” Sanji dropped to the floor, peevishly tousling his hair. “What I'm about to say stays between us, got it?” He stopped, frowning, sighing, and rubbing his face before pouting. “Although I'm a little paranoid Nami-san might already know. And Jinbe. They both were acting strangely nice? to me when we were sea beast hunting this afternoon. I mean, Luffy's not usually one to keep quiet. But it's not like it's the type of thing he would excitedly shout around either.”

Usopp's eyebrows rose. “Luffy knows?”

“This is about Luffy.” He cut off, unsettled by the admission he just made.

“Okay. And? I promise I won't tell a soul. Regardless of who might already know.”

“Thanks.” He huffed out a breath, steeling himself. Then he confessed everything.

“Whoa... That. That was sure not in the periphery of things I thought you would say. Not even in the same dimension as stuff I have ever dreamed up.” Usopp chuckled lightly, clearly trying to bring humor to the situation to put him at ease. “I guess I should be proud of Luffy? He's growing up in the world.”

“In any other circumstance, I would celebrate with him by giving him his first magazine,” Sanji mumbled.

“You're terrible. Don't corrupt our captain like that. Wait, would he even care?”

“It's a magazine of culture. I'm a man of taste and class.”

“Yeah, he clearly didn't fall in love with you for your winning personality. Or stellar character. Don't kick me! It's the truth!” Usopp leaned far back, waving a protective hand in front of him even though Sanji hadn't moved. Yet. “Anyways, so you want advice on how to turn Luffy down...? Just tell him you're not interested that way. You know he wouldn't react badly or be pushy about it.”

“Says you,” he rejoined, sulking over the other's appraisal, “Every time I try to say no, it's always 'I refuse your refusal' or 'I'll wait here and starve to death then' or 'I can't become Pirate King without you'. Now that I think about it, he's a manipulative little tyrant, the bastard. And why is it only me?”

“You don't really think that.”

“Of course not.” Sanji briefly bit his lip, sighing. “I just want to do right by Luffy. I owe him so shitty much... He protected the Baratie where I couldn't. For the me who hated my early life, he gave me family here with you guys. He saved my hide and went along with my selfish scheme to rescue those pathetic mutants I have the misfortune of being related to.”

“And so what? Haven't you learned by now? Sacrificing yourself is not how you show gratitude.”

“I know that. I just...” His shoulders drooped. “I don't know what to do.”

“Sanji,” said Usopp, voice softening, “you could never do wrong by Luffy, not if you're honest with him. Trust me, I of all people would know.”

“I do too,” he admitted, simultaneously recalling the events on Water 7 and his own crisis. They were a right pair of idiots, they were.

“Just give it some time. Like I said, be honest. You'll figure it out.”

He sighed a second time. “I hope you're right, Long-nose.”

There was a natural lull of silence as they reflected, reminisced, and commiserated.

Then, Usopp spoke again: “Honestly, Sanji, hypothetically speaking, I could learn to fall in love with you if you didn't act like a canker sore half the time.”

“Shut up. I'm a perfect model lady charmer.” Why was everyone emphasizing how loveless he was lately?

Usopp snorted. “You should consider yourself lucky; only Luffy could put up with you. You call him names along with the rest of us poor males, and he still acts excited to see you. Really, you should learn what a filter is already.”

“No can do. That's not how I was raised.”

“Why do I even bother with you?” the sniper mock-despaired, throwing up his hands.

“I'll remember that next time a pirate ally threatens to leave you to enemy torture.”

Usopp paled. “Did I take it too far? It's just friendly advice.”

“Okay, then answer me this,” Sanji asked seriously, changing the subject, “If Nami-swan really knows, did I break her heart?”

“Unbelievable.”

 Δ Δ Δ

After talking to Usopp, he went straight to preparing dinner. It wouldn't be as formal as what was served at the castle, but thanks to the teachings of the Shogun's chefs and his own trusty nose, he could try his hand at koi-themed Wano traditional dishes: fish boiled with seaweed in sweet soy sauce, steamed fish cake, and rolled omelet mixed with fish paste. This would be paired with sides of mashed sweet potato, thinly sliced daikon miso pickles, vegetables boiled in a fish-and-kelp sauce, and of course, Luffy's tofu egg cakes. For dessert, it would be sweetened jellied bean paste. In his eagerness, he went all out. But it was well worth the praises around the table, and the busywork mercifully distracted him from his thoughts.

And so passed the first day of strangeness.

The next morning, in the early hours before he usually woke, he found himself suffocating. It really was unpleasant. There was a pressure on his chest and legs; although not crushing, it still weighed down on him. His entire front was unbearably hot. This made it difficult to breathe or rest. Something hairy and matted with sweat itched his chin.

Sanji opened his eyes. There was Luffy, his entire body draped over him like a misshapen, ill-sized blanket. The narrow wooden box hammock the Strawhat men called beds absolutely was not meant for this. He was fortunate he didn't smell. Or drool.

At least someone looks relaxed. Sanji peered down at Luffy's stupid-looking, mouth-gaping, peaceful face in envy. With a deep inhale, he wiggled a sleeping foot free and closed his eyes again.

Crisscrossing limbs, shared beds, and makeshift shoulder pillows were common occurrences in the Thousand Sunny crowded men's quarters, as they had been on Going Merry. Although they usually didn't sleep this closely compacted together. Still, Sanji would have had numerous sleepless nights if he couldn't cope with at least this much.

Or so he thought. Neither of them were boyish twigs anymore. And it was too damn hot.

He kicked Luffy against the wall. Let it be said he had fully intended to be patient.

Several groans elicited from their sleeping companions. “Really, bros?” All rolled over or flipped their pillows and went right back to sleep. As did he.

Moments later, he felt Luffy crawl back into bed with him, this time flopping over the edge of the box so he was half-dangling out, only his head and shoulders resting on Sanji's chest. It was somewhat better.

Normally, he would have just kicked him out again. He should be deterring this from becoming routine. But he found he really couldn't deny Luffy right now, especially not when he looked so content. And it wasn't as though Sanji absolutely hated to be touched. (Quite the opposite, in fact.)

When it finally came time to make breakfast, then it would be another story. But for now, he slept and cuddled.

 Δ Δ Δ

It turned out that was just the beginning.

“Sanji! I said before you're like 1,000 men when you weren't here, but you're more like 1,000 cyborgs!”

“I like you better in suits. That's more you.”

“Your hands are like mystery hands.”

Compliments. Or at least that's what he thought they were.

“Sanji, look! Tama and I collected all these big swirly sea shells. This one is my favorite. I'll give it to you!”

“I caught this today! I don't know what it is, but it looks yummy! You want to cook it, right?”

“Nami said I should give this to you and tell you it'll make the blueness of your eyes 'pop'.”

Gifts. Or at least that's what he thought they were.

As he bustled around the kitchen in preparation for lunch-- now richer an auger shell, an admiral blue tie (handpicked by the lovely Nami-san!), and a tanuki-squirrel (or maybe a rabbit-fox hybrid?) he had to figure out what to do with (probably braised in a stew or else cooked in a pie to keep the meat moist)-- he found himself with a new living growth plastered to his back. An elongated neck drooped over his shoulder to watch his every move, and yet obediently (and miraculously) kept free of the ingredients.

Quality time together? Yeah, he'll go with that.

At this point, he couldn't deny that Nami-san knew. Someone with brains and tact had to be concocting these ideas for Luffy, even if the latter enacted them in a totally unorthodox manner. Sanji was conflicted about it. On the one hand, nothing said rejection like your crush wingmanning you with someone else. On the other, he was elated to know he was on the receiving end of Nami-san's thoughtful consideration.

He supposed, as far as men went, only Luffy could get away with being in his constant proximity. It did slow him down somewhat, but he was a pro; it was workable. And honestly, it wasn't bad to have a companion and a spectator interested in this, his usually solitary art. To his unexpected pleasure, Luffy was full of curiosity, asking him why he used so many different kinds of knives, if he sharpened them like the Marimo did his swords, if the food would cook faster if he turned up the fire, why did he coat the meat in flour, and general questions like why chefs wore tall hats, how did bread raise, what was the difference between a chef and a cook, why did chefs swear all the time, why was meat so tasty, how come Sanji wasn't hungry all the time when cooking, and on and on.

Just when he thought he was getting used to the positive attention, the fates conspired an outing next in the action plan. It was too late before he realized it for what it was.

It started with a visitor shortly after lunch.

“Are you Sanji-dono?” asked a middle-aged woman in traditional blue kimono, approaching their party as they descended from their ship.

“Indeed I am,” he answered, meeting her easily, “To what do I owe the pleasure to be sought after by such an elegant lady?”

Smiling, the woman waved a hand before her face. “My, what a flatterer. It does this old woman no good to hear such praise.”

“Hey, it's you, Tea-house Obasan!” Luffy called, bounding over to them.

“Luffy-dono,” she acknowledged with a nod, “It's good to see you well.”

“You two know each other?” he asked, surprised.

“We had opportunity to meet before, but I have not met the rest of you. My name is Tsurujo, commonly called O-Tsuru. I am a tea house owner. Kin'emon is also my husband.”

Their entire group reacted to that. Only Brook said he had seen them together at the Fire Festival and had guessed their relationship.

O-Tsuru bowed towards them. “You have my utmost gratitude for all you have done for my country and my husband.”

“You don't need to say it,” Luffy readily dismissed, “Momo and them already said thanks with the party. We were after Kaido too, and Nami got some treasure.”

“I'm afraid I must insist. This is personal, you see.” She turned back to Sanji. “My foolish husband is full of regret. When he was in dire straights in a foreign land and separated from his companions, a young man risked life and limb to restore him to his proper state. He had been meaning to return the favor, but he was entirely taken up with the efforts to overthrow Orochi and Kaido to do anything about it. He felt particularly bad when he couldn't offer assistance when the young man fell upon his own disaster. Now that the war is at last over, my husband feels too much time has passed and is too embarrassed to try anything anymore. I told him that would not do, but he's rather stupid in his stubbornness. So here I am on his behalf as well as my own, hoping to ask that young man to dinner as a small token of thanks. It would be at my newly restored tea house in Kuri, which I understand is a bit of an inconvenient distance. But I promise my specialty sweets will not disappoint!”

That idiotic samurai. Making a lady come all this way because he couldn't get his act together. Much less his own wife.

“If it's your cooking, then I will be happy to attend, Madam,” he agreed.

“That red bean soup Tama ate looked so good! I want to try it too!” Luffy piped up.

“Of course, you are welcome to come as well, Luffy-dono.” O-Tsuru faced the rest of the group. “That goes for you other gentlemen and dear lady as well, if you're so inclined. There's no need to worry either; I have full access to fresh ingredients from Paradise Farm now.”

“That's kind of you to offer,” Nami-san quickly spoke up, “but I am right in the middle of taking measurements for my map of Wano, and it's hard to get away right now. I think the others are also tied up with their own business, right guys?” She fixed the rest of the crew-- currently Brook, Usopp, Jinbe, and Chopper, as Robin was mostly gone these days with her research, Franky had left early to join the reconstruction of the burned-down and abandoned towns, and Zoro was still passed out on the deck--- a meaningful look.

Sanji frowned, suspecting what was about to come and wanting to dissuade them, but Usopp was quick on the uptake, straightening up with rigid back and smiling nervously: “Oh, yeah, thank you, but I really need to stock up on some materials in the Capital today. I've been putting it off for too long.” He too looked to the others. “You guys are the same, right? It wouldn't do to impose on a meal that's meant for Sanji. Luffy's more than enough as it is.”

“Oh, it would be no extra trouble at all--”

“Ma'am, I think I should fairly warn you that Luffy has a bottomless pit for a stomach. We really are imposing on you.”

“O-Oh, well as the owner of a humble eatery, I welcome the challenge. Luffy-dono and Zoro-dono did help me out before as well.”

“Guys--” Sanji started.

“Then we must thank you,” Jinbe was next to cut in, “Sanji is our hardworking chef, you see. It's good that he can get a break. The rest of us can make do in the Capital.”

“Ohohohoho, Sanji-san needs a break indeed. It's been non-stop on the move for him since Punk Hazard. I don't think the Fire Festival was enough.”

O-Tsuru slapped her hands to her cheeks in shock, apparently noticing Brook for the first time. “A-A skeleton?!”

“I hope Luffy won't be too much,” Chopper added.

Wide-eyed, she looked down. “A t-tanuki?”

“I'm a reindeer!”

It was useless. They were all agreeing now. Sanji internally sighed, giving in.

“V-Very well then, I'll tell Kin'emon the good news and let him know we'll be expecting two,” O-Tsuru said, recovering, “but if any of you changes your minds, the offer is still open.”

Luffy waved her off. “Bye, Obasan! Thanks and see you later!”

“I'll have Kin'emon fetch you two before sunset.”

And with that, she was gone.

Ah well, Sanji couldn't really complain. He did appreciate a good break, and now he had a delicious home-cooked meal to look forward to. It's not like this would change anything. He knew Luffy, Luffy knew him. They had operated many a time together on their adventures. Drum Island, Navarone Island, and Skypiea, to name a few. Why should this be any different from that?

He did feel somewhat sorry that all of Luffy's little efforts would end in nothing, but they couldn't go on forever. Luffy would get over it. That's just how it had to be.

Chapter Text

Dinner at the tea house went as well as expected. O-Tsuru was indeed a marvelous cook. They feasted on boiled pork dumplings, grilled skewered wanizame, udon, sautéed kale, sliced apples, and matcha. Dessert, of course, was dango and red bean soup with mochi. O-Tsuru herself was a witty and engaging dining companion, plus she had a lot of regional cuisine wisdom to share. Kin'emon, on the other hand, sat there rather awkwardly, expression eternally inhibited. Sanji wasn't doing this for him, despite pretenses, so he didn't care. Truth was he had all but forgotten the matter of the talking head and severed body parts. It's not like he did what he did for a reward anyway. As for Luffy, he usually preferred rowdier meals with more people, but he seemed content with the food and company for the time being and joined in the conversation from time to time. Nothing to overthink about there.

As they ate, O-Tsuru got Kin'emon to explain their reason for being in Kuri and the Shogun's plans for rebuilding Oden castle. Kaido had completely decimated it, so it would take much time-- likely many years, and healing the land, river water, and people took precedence-- but the castle held great significance to Momo, Hiyori-chan, and the Red Scabbards, and thus, Kin'emon swore to repair it in full no matter how many decades of his life he had to sacrifice. In the meantime, Kuri would be his zone of operation as the newly appointed daimyo.

He was begrudging of his wife's tea shop, however, reminding her (not for the first time it seemed) that she no longer needed to overexert herself running a business all by herself and could retire comfortably. But she was adamant, insisting she couldn't just sit around doing nothing, cooking was her life's work, tea practically flowed through her veins, and besides, she had Kikunojo helping her out as a waitress now (which Sanji was very excited to hear about). Luffy commented that it would be a shame if she stopped sharing her cooking with others, as she'd done with Tama when she needed it most (“Sanji's the same”), and that nicely put an end to the argument. He got another bowl of soup for that.

Sanji insisted on helping clear the dishes and thought the evening was uneventfully winding down. There was some back-and-forth about whether he and Luffy would stay the night so they wouldn't have to travel in the dark, with Sanji wanting to return to his cooking duties the next morning. The matter still wasn't settled when he took time out for a smoke break, heading around to the back of the shop.

When he returned, O-Tsuru and Kin'emon were snuggling on the benches in the outside sitting area for customers. Really, these two needed their private time after being so long apart.

Noticing him, Kin'emon protested weakly: “O-Tsuru, this is inappropriate behavior in front of guests.”

“Oh, they're friends; they don't mind,” O-Tsuru readily dismissed, not stirring her head from his shoulder, “We've been separated twenty years, you know!”

He found Luffy sitting in the entryway, observing them with some seriousness. That rang alarm bells. He was probably getting funny ideas.

Sanji was quick to act, spurting over to him and clamping a hand down on his head. “Alright, you, time for a walk. It'll help with digesting a large meal.”

“But I don't need help with diguheuweh--” Luffy's words were cut off by Sanji seizing a handful of rubbery lips, like a tie around an elastic bag.

“What's that? You wish to walk?” Kin'emon called out, beginning to rise.

“You stay sitting,” Sanji barked, feeling bad for O-Tsuru. “No need to get up for our sakes. We'll just be wandering the bamboo forest.”

“It's a nice night for a walk.” O-Tsuru expressed, directing them a kind smile, “Now that the factory smog has cleared, the stars are vivid and plentiful. Do enjoy and call out if you get lost.”

And so Sanji successfully created distraction by dragging Luffy into the forest.

Which, in hindsight, made this... whatever more like a date than anything else tonight. But he was going to pretend that thought hadn't occurred to him.

“So... we're walking and staring at stars?” Luffy asked, looking perplexed.

“Shut up. Just walk,” he snapped, lighting up a cigarette.

Luffy shrugged and they meandered for a time in silence.

But it couldn't last long. “Hey, did you know stars are actually holes? The night sky's a blanket that covers the sun, except it's full of holes that let the light peer through.”

Sanji looked up, paying attention to the stars for the first time. The view was nice tonight. Countless shimmering, golden-trimmed specks dusted the richest of midnight hues, expansion endless. It was as awe-inspiring as it was mesmerizing. He wondered how many ladies in the world were gazing at the exact same stars as him and couldn't help but feel giddy at the thought. “That's stupid,” he spoke absentmindedly, “Who would believe that?”

“Ace told me when we were younger.”

“Sounds like a brat's fantasy. Okay then, where do the holes go in the morning?”

“I told you, it's because of the blanket that lays over the sun at night. And then God or somebody removes it in the morning.” Luffy gestured animatedly with both hands as he explained.

“What about falling stars?"

“Hrmmm, maybe it's a tear in one of the holes that goes across the sky?”

“You're making this up right now. A tear wouldn't disappear from sight like a falling star does.”

“Am not! That's because God fixes it right away.”

“You weren't even sure it was God before. And why wouldn't He fix the holes?”

“So we have light to see with, duh.”

“Don't 'duh' me. We have the moon, don't we? You wouldn't know this, but the serene, majestic, bewitching Princess of the Moon lives there. And who can live on a hole? Actually, she was born from a bamboo stalk like one of these.” He threw his arm out, indicating the surrounding forest.

Luffy scrunched up his face and gave him a hard disbelieving stare. He jutted out a bottom lip. “Baaaka. A princess? From bamboo? You're the one making up fairytales.”

One of his eyebrows twitched with irritation. “I don't want to hear that from you! Look, we'll ask Nami-swan when we get back to see who's right. She's an expert in meteorology and navigating by stars, she'd know.”

Vaguely, he had the sense this felt like déjà vu. Although he was sure it'd been a while since they theorized meaninglessly like this. They weren't the empty-headed boys they used to be. But maybe some things would never change when they had their guard down.

“Hey, there's a shooting star right now,” said Luffy, pointing up.

Sanji barely caught the tail end of it when he looked. “You're right. What are you going to wish for?”

He glanced aside at Luffy's chuckle and was caught off guard by the broad grin fixed his way. “You can have it. I don't need any wishes.”

“O-Oh,” he stammered, his mind still snared on the smile, processing the goodwill gesture, “Thanks.”

Luffy only grinned wider.

In that case... Well, usually he would wish he could see the Moon Princess in person right about now, grow dreamy over how breathtaking and otherworldy she must be, but that didn't seem befitting of the moment considering the person who had gifted this to him.

Instead, he went with the ol' wishing all his nakama could achieve their dreams. By extension, it would include Luffy, as if wishing by proxy, though he knew the latter didn't like to rely on cheats to fulfill what he wanted.

As he mused, Luffy walked up to a bamboo stalk and knocked on it. “Hello~ anyone in there?”

“You're not going to find anyone that way. This was just the Moon Princess. She's special, naturally.” Sanji paused as a thought occurred to him. “Although I have heard of beautiful ladies turning into trees when they're shy.”

“Usopp knew a man who turned into a talking beetle. He looked and acted like a hero. But that's probably just one of his lies.”

“Why would someone want to turn into a beetle?”

“So he can be a hero! Atlases and Hercules are the most admired bugs in the world, y'know!”

“That makes no sense.” He turned around. “Let's head back. This is as good a place as any.”

“...Sanji, what happened to your raid suit?”

“I destroyed it.”

“What?! Why?!”

“Because my shitty family did something, and I was experiencing side effects I didn't want to experience.”

Luffy grumbled, visibly dissatisfied.

“You wanted to try it that badly, huh? You do like your heroes.”

“No. I only got to see Sanji in the suit for a teensy-weensy bit during the battle. That's not fair! I want to see it again. You looked really, really cool.”

Sanji stopped short, not having expected that response at all. Gradually, he felt his face heating up to the tips of his ears and neck. Embarrassed, he lifted a hand to his cigarette to hide himself and resumed walking so Luffy wouldn't notice.

A compliment. A gift with the wish. Spending time together with the walk.

Why did this all feel so much different than all that stuff earlier? And Luffy-- the clueless urchin-- was being so natural about it too! It wasn't even anything special or romantic; it was rather simple, actually.

He shouldn't let it shake him up this much.

“Oh, yeah!” Luffy noised suddenly, coming back to him to grab his hand. Sanji just stared at their clasped grasps, wondering if this, too, was Nami-san's suggestion. Luffy grinned and pulled him along.

They were silent most of the trip back, mostly due to Sanji's abashed reticence. When they reemerged from the forest, Sanji tried to let go but Luffy held him fast.

And of course they were noticed right away.

“Oh my.”

“L-L-L-Luffy-dono?!”

Sanji hid behind cigarette and hand again, wishing he could disappear. He'd let Luffy deal with this mess he created, as apparently all he could do at the moment was uselessly attempt to repress the reemerging heat frying his brain and face.

“Is this a foreign custom among s-sworn brothers?” Kin'emon voiced with obvious strain.

“Of course not,” O-Tsuru rebuffed, “It's the universal custom among lovers.”

“Shishishi, is that how we look?” Luffy said all too happily at the same time Sanji choked out a weak “We're not”, drowned over.

“But, but, but, but--” The scandalized samurai was overworking himself to speak. “--Two men is....” He deflated. “This is similar to the garb and tone of outside women, isn't it? I must accommodate. I do not mean to offend.”

“We do apologize for our reaction. It is... a little unusual for us. But everyone knows what's best for themselves.”

“Is this like Kikunojo? Luffy-dono, do you have the heart of a woman?” Wait, what. Kiku-chan was...?

“Nonsense. Obviously that's Sanji-dono.”

That brought up some unpleasant memories. Ugh, death. Just kill him now.

“Impossible. O-Tsuru, you have not witnessed Sanji-dono's er... passionate expression like I have in person.”

“Nah, we're both guys.” Luffy put their wayward ramblings to rest.

The lingering cheer in his voice irked Sanji. The nerve of this guy, enjoying himself while Sanji stewed at his expense! It woke him from his pathetic non-action.

“Let go, you clown!” His foot rained down on Luffy's head, caving it inward. At last he was free. “This is damn embarrassing! I'm not a show!” He stood off, huffing mightily on his cigarette.

Luffy recovered instantly, blinking owlishly at him. “S-Sorry.”

Knowing Luffy, he probably didn't understand what he was apologizing for, but did so anyway. He wasn't sure what to feel about it. Madam O-Tsuru completely had the wrong idea about them now, and it would be far more mortifying to even attempt to explain. Sanji puffed a few more times irately.

“Now, now, no harm was done. Have you decided whether you two would like to stay the night?” O-Tsuru suggested placatingly.

“We're leaving,” he said immediately, “Thank you most graciously for the offer and the meal.”

“It was our pleasure.”

“Hrk!” There was another of Kin'emon's strange random noises. “This will not do! I am not satisfied with such a pitiful expression of gratitude!”

Sanji sighed. “It's fine. I don't--”

“A charm!” O-Tsuru exclaimed suddenly.

Kin'emon undulated his eyebrows. “Hmm?”

“A lover's knot! And your fruit powers!”

“Ah! Yes, good thinking! What words should be scribed?”

“Well, usually it's for letter writing. But in this case, I think the usual blessing will do. I will make the origami at once!”

O-Tsuru excitedly sped into the tea house, leaving Sanji and Luffy staring on in confusion.

Kin'emon seemed proud of whatever idea had been chanced upon. “Sanji-dono, Luffy-dono, please wait a few moments more. This should not take long.”

“Do we have a choice?” he muttered, reminding himself that it wouldn't do to disappoint a lady.

“This gift will be worth your while. It's a powerful protection!”

Luffy crossed his arms. “Sanji doesn't need protecting,”

“No, no, not in a physical manner!”

They were left to wonder until O-Tsuru returned. In her hands were two elaborately folded pieces of parchment, resembling tiny packages pressed flat like a crossed bow tie. Her husband accepted them and placed them carefully on the ground, laying a single leaf on top of each. “I've never done this on a non-human before, but how absurd would I be if I could not clothe that which I wished to clothe? I say 'poof'!”

The effect of the magical smoke screen was immediate. In its wake were two little silk brocade bags of colorful floral pattern and long-necked avian motifs, one bird per bag. The cranes were individualistically peculiar, wearing human hair and bearing an uncanny resemblance to Sanji's part and Luffy's straw hat. Kin'emon picked them up, seeming pleased with his handiwork. He held them out to display them. “These amulets are only effective if worn at all times,” he explained, “It will serve to protect your partnership indefinitely. Do not ever open them and take the parchment out. One, you will render them null and void, and two, my powers will come undone if you do.”

Sanji stiffly accepted the Luffy crane, wondering just how binding and indomitable this protection was. He couldn't help but feel a little superstitious.

Luffy immediately put his on, hanging it about his neck. He picked up the pouch to examine it closely, thumbing the raised embroidery of the Sanji crane with a smile.

Sanji found himself flushing once again, looking away. That pure unrestrained adoration was just too damn much. “Don't just wear it out in the open,” he complained, latching onto the easiest excuse, “The string will catch on something and break.” After all, Luffy wore his shirt open. It was conspicuous at all angles.

Luffy frowned but only momentarily. “I'll ask Nami to sew it into my hat like she did with Ace's vivre card.”

Sanji stilled. The very hat he treasured above all his possessions and always kept with him? How could he treat it the same as his brother's precious vivre card?

Subdued by the other's reverence, Sanji dutifully put on his own charm, tucking it under suit jacket and dress shirt. It was hidden that way, but he could feel it pressed close to his heart, material sleek and cool. The burden felt inexplicably heavy.

“How sweet,” O-Tsuru remarked.

He swallowed. “Thank you for the gift.”

“No, thank you, Sanji-dono.”

Chapter Text

Oh, woe was him.

This morning, ol' Brook-- lonesome, forgotten skeleton he was-- was left all alone on deck. He had woken up to find everyone already gone! Even, Zoro-san, his usual trusty companion!

Brook strummed pentatonic scales on his electric guitar in melancholy. He had so been looking forward to working out his fingering for some new music he had in mind today, having been inspired from a long discussion with Hiyori-san and demonstrations from her shamisen. (The sounds that emanated from that gorgeous instrument were percussive, exciting, yet so refined and elegant!) But he simply was not in the mood anymore.

This is what happened when you reached his age. The young don't see their elders; to them, it's like they weren't even there. And he was nothing but bones to boot! That's why he had to rely on “grandpa humor” like the 45-degree angle, his skull jokes, and pranking people with curses to get a little attention. It's all he had left-- aside from his natural cheer, liveliness, catching laughter, and handsome afro, that is. (Although part of him did wonder at times if some of these attributes were the byproduct of an insanity he had picked up on over decades of drifting aimlessly in the Florian Triangle. Perhaps, but his very existence was crazy too.) On the one hand, he felt far freer at this age and in this form than he had at any point in his former life, but on the other, he couldn't shake the impression he was a has-been overstaying his welcome. He did know he belonged with his crew, but some considerate reminders from them would be nice!

“Hey, Brook!”

Brook looked on in startled joy as Luffy-san sling-shot himself from the nearby wharf of Tokage Port and landed on the lawn of the deck where he sat crisscrossed with his instrument. Tears came to his eye sockets, touched as he was. “Luffy-san, you remembered m--!”

“Have you seen Sanji?” Luffy-san looked about the ship as he stood up from his landing pose, hand on hat.

Brook fell flat on his face, symbolic of the lurching downturn of his mood. (Fortunately, his rigid, angular form and tall height served to protect his guitar rather than crush it.)

He was up immediately and complaining, regaining Luffy-san's attention: “'Sanji', 'Sanji', 'Sanji', all I hear is this and that about Sanji-san lately! It's tiring!” Not really, he actually respected Sanji-san no small amount and was happy to assist him when the need arose. But excuse him for having the audacity of raising a fuss every once in a while just like everyone else.

Luffy-san lobbed his whole head to the side, creating a right angle with his neck as he considered him. “Brook, are you mad?”

“Yes!”

Luffy-san righted himself at once. Brook was curious how he would react, not knowing at all what to expect when it came to his captain. With a blank expression, Luffy-san approached to stand in front of him and began patting the top of his afro. “There, there. Anger fly away.”

Brook blew steam from his nostrils, causing the other to back off. “I'm not a child! I'm your elder by seventy years!”

Expression turning to one of confused disbelief, Luffy-san began to sweat. “That didn't work?”

He exhaled, the tension quickly leaving him. He should have known not to expect comfort from this boy. “No, I have not seen Sanji-san,” he said in defeat, answering the earlier question, “When I woke up everyone was already gone. I had to eat the breakfast that was set aside for me all by my lonesome.”

'Oh yeah, you were oversleeping from going to bed so late, and Sanji wouldn't let me eat anymore because it was your share.”

At those words, Brook stilled, a blush slowly creeping up to his cheekbones. Now that it was mentioned, he did suppose he bore the blame for his vigil into the wee hours of the morning. (He was a skeleton; it's not like he needed his beauty sleep.) And here, Luffy-san had even paid attention to his whereabouts, and Sanji-san had been considerate of him this morning. He teared up again, this time spilling forth. “You all do love me...!”

“Duh. I always said I wanted a musician, y'know. And you're a skeleton! With an afro!”

Eh, he supposed that was good enough. Those all were very cool things about him. “May I ask where you've been, Luffy-san?”

Luffy-san dropped to the lawn, putting a pinkie in his ear. “Kaido's son was pestering me about the same stuff again.”

“About joining our crew?” He was genuinely confused about Luffy-san's reluctance, but then again, they knew so little about the self-proclaimed Kozuki Oden.

“Yeah. Because of that, I lost track of where Sanji went. What am I supposed to do now? I want to leave, but Robin, Franky, Nami, and Chopper all say they still have stuff to do here.”

“Well, you're always welcome to my company, if that would do.”

Luffy-san perked up at that. “Are you going to play me your new songs yet? Teach me the words, and we'll both sing!”

“Ah, I'm not quite there yet,” he said apologetically, “I'm putting a lot of effort into this one, and it'll take more than a night and a day. But I promise it'll be worth the wait!”

His companion sagged at that, doing his best to hide his disappointment. “Okay.”

“What were you hoping to do with Sanji-san?” he inquired to change the subject, secretly thrilled at the other's excitement.

A shrug. “I don't know. Nami has a bunch more ideas, but I don't really feel like doing them. I don't think Sanji wants that from me anyway.”

If he had eyes, he'd blink a few times at that. “I don't follow. Nami-san has ideas about you hanging out with Sanji-san?”

“Yeah, because I love him, and she's helping.”

“Ah, I see.” Then the meaning of the words hit him. He leapt to his feet, becoming animated. “D-D-Don't joke with your elders!”

“Sanji didn't believe me at first either.” Something seemed to dawn on Luffy-san as he hit a fist down on his open palm. “Oh, you know a lot for being ninety, don't you, Brook?”

Brook slowly returned to his seat, still at a loss. “It's true I've been around for quite some time, but over half those years were spent in the middle of nowhere with little company. Why do you ask?”

“I want to hang out with Sanji, except I don't want to make him mad again. He lets me talk to him when he cooks, but it's hard not to eat the food that's not finished yet."

Brook stared, jawbones agape. “You're serious, aren't you, Luffy-san?” Luffy-san gave one solemn nod. And that was a lot to process, but for now... “Well... I suppose one thing I can say is... There's nothing more flattering than someone enjoying what you love and enjoying it with you. I suggest you look into the things Sanji-san likes and try engaging with him then. Perhaps this will lay the groundwork for something more to come?”

“I see! You're so wise, Brook!”

“You're welcome. I hope it helps.” Ah, this was the redeeming value of being an elder.

He looked on with a mixture of contentment, befuddlement, and curiosity, then worry as Luffy-san sped off towards the men's quarters.

He hadn't literally meant to snoop into Sanji-san's things.

“Oh dear.”

Δ Δ Δ

Sanji clandestinely made his way down the length of the wharf towards Thousand Sunny, keeping his ears open and at the same time feeling guilty for it. Truth was, at first opportunity, he had fled after breakfast. (If anyone asked, he'd tell them he had been food shopping all the way back in the Capital, which he had, but he doubted anyone would care to.) He didn't think he could handle facing Luffy for the time being, especially not if caught alone. Last night had been one thing while it was happening, but this morning he woke up and had to recall it all.

Even if briefly, he had felt feelings he was ashamed to have felt. This was Luffy of all people, the person furthest from his usual taste physically. The worst part was he didn't have an excuse for it. Saying he wasn't used to being so loved, so appreciated, tenderly touched, and openly considered just wouldn't do.

It was because of all those things and because Luffy was the one who'd done them. That was a realization he just could not come to terms with.

He made it to the ship, peering this way and that to make sure the coast was clear, before sky-walking himself up to the deck. He readjusted the sack on his shoulder and started straight for the kitchen--

The door to the women's quarters burst open. “Sanji!”

“Gah!” He dropped the food sack in shock. Either the timing was incredible, or Luffy had been lying in wait for him. His immediate impulse was to flee again, back the way he had arrived, but then it came to him that, yes, that had been the women's quarters.

It was only then that he noticed Luffy's appearance.

Nami-san's mikan-print sundress bulging with abnormal curves (was it the the elasticity or something else?!) and Robin-chan's ribbon-tied sun hat. Robin-chan's emerald, nine-centimeter stilettos and Nami-san's faux fur clutch bag. Heaps of matinee, opera, and torque necklaces. Lipstick drawn on as if by a child with a crayon. Blush and eye shadow applied liberally and unevenly.

For a time, all Sanji could do was gape. He had no words. Literally none at all.

But that quickly became too much for him. “My eyes!” Hands shot up to cover the offending sensory organs as he spurted towards the kitchen to wash them raw.

Except he had completely misjudged the direction and crashed into the railing, toppling over and falling right into the sea.

Well, that was one way to cleanse himself of unholy visions. But it was never pleasant to have water rushing in your nose from the suddenness of submersion.

He had barely registered that thought before he heard the impact of a leaden body right beside him.

Needless to say, he had to haul both himself and his witless captain out of the water. At least Luffy had the sense to cast off shoes, hat, and purse beforehand. He hoped to the heavens the women's jewelry was spared in that short interval of time. To make sure, he dashed straight to the kitchen to soak them in a soap bath. By the time he returned, Luffy had removed the sodden sundress, and he seized it immediately to wring it out and hang it over clothes line on the terrace above, shaking out as much of the salt crystals as he could before letting the natural breeze do the rest of the job. (He'd done this enough times with his own clothes to know the drill.)

Then, it was back to rejoining a wild-eyed, penitent Luffy.

Sanji dipped a hand into his pocket, half-pulling out his soaked cigarette carton and lighter to assess the damage before dropping them back in. He really needed to remember to use a waterproof case for these. He sighed and looked back to his captain. “C'mon, wash your face and get some dry clothes on. Then let me make you some soup to warm you up.”

Luffy regained his cheer instantly, letting out an excited yelp as he dashed off. Sometimes he envied that simple-mindedness.

Falling overboard happened often enough that they usually didn't bother drying off. They were all born and bred near the ocean, so the naturally occurring salt content in the air and in the water was almost like a second skin to them. Still, it always felt nice to change into a comfortable set of clothes. There would be no soggy footprints or hazardous puddles allowed in his kitchen, at any rate.

When he finished changing and salvaging his stuff, he took up the food sack again and headed inside. Luffy was already there, eagerly waiting at the table. Sanji put away the perishables before heating up a pan and starting on sautéing the aromatics.

“Ne, Sanji.” Sanji peered over his shoulder, getting an eyeful once again of a full grin. Luffy was smiling and laughing even more than usual these days. (That really couldn't be because of what was going on between them, right?) “Are you still wearing it? The charm?”

He looked back to the pan, unable to openly answer. “...I can follow directions.”

“Me too. Good thing Kin'emon made them waterproof.”

He had about twenty questions hanging on the tip of his tongue concerning the episode out on deck, but... he probably already knew the answers. At least to the most important one.

And yet, that would be acknowledging how serious Luffy was about all this, which he just couldn't do. Admittedly. it frightened him even.

Sure, he had never fairly considered the alternative before, but the basic fact was he was a staunch lover of women. He'd been so all his life. Take this most recent time: he swore to Black Maria that he would never stop loving women and would have taken the beating at face value if Robin-chan hadn't swooped in to save him.

No, that wasn't quite right. He had told her he wanted to love all the ladies.

Sanji paused, wondering why this was occurring to him for the first time. He would always love all (beautiful) ladies at all times anywhere. That was certainly true. That didn't mean he was equally dedicated to them; he always gave Robin-chan and Nami-san first priority as his nakama, and they didn't compare in affection, trust, and companionship either. He always thought he could have a lover, when it came time to developing a romantic relationship and settling down. That's what he had been hoping for with Viola-chan and later Pudding-chan. Although it wasn't the right time.

But in the eyes of these women who he cared for, was that really a fair and acceptable attitude? Would he be seen as unfaithful, as Black Maria said? Would it be possible to adhere to all his commitments if he ever took a wife?

He didn't mean to play favorites, betraying the others. It wasn't possible for him to give his whole and undivided attention. But if he couldn't provide what his other half most wanted, how could he justifiably pursue a relationship at all?

Did loving all women mean he couldn't be a lover of any single woman? Was he forever doomed to be a bachelor?

Shit, this wasn't supposed to lead to him having a crisis!

“Shit,” he said out loud, noticing he had burned the roux. What an asinine rookie mistake! To top it off, it seemed he had mixed up the cilantro and parsley. How was that even humanly possible? He had eyes, didn't he!

He cursed again, salvaging what he could as he poured it all into the stock. “Sorry, Luffy, I lost my head and ruined this batch. I'll eat this one and make you a new one quick. I have everything out; it shouldn't take as lo--”

“No, I want that one,” came the firm reply.

“I can't serve sub-quality food in good faith as a chef.”

“I still want it.”

“But Luffy--”

“No. You can make yourself another one if you want, but I want that one.” A tone of authority, permitting no objections.

Sanji huffed. “Fine. Give me a few minutes as this thickens.”

He finished the preparations and ladled it into a couple of bowls, setting it down for Luffy and himself. Ugh, the smell alone was making his skin crawl, bringing up far too many remembered blunders from his time at the Baratie.

Luffy blew impatiently on his spoon, putting it immediately in his mouth. He slurped up a few bites more without speaking.

Sanji sighed, defeated just by watching him. “Are you sure you don't want me to swap that out with something else? Do you want milk or bread to wash it down with?”

Cheeks splattered with bits of potato, Luffy paused to look at him, smiling with full blinding gusto. Like he was the damn sun. “It's good!”

“Wha, how can it be good?! Burnt food is never good!”

But Luffy only gulped down with increased ferocity. Done in a flash, he let out a content sound, holding out his bowl. “More!”

Sanji was struck. The same scene flashed through his mind in two separate instances, once in the sweet syrup rain of Whole Cake Island, and again in the medical ward of a mercenary kingdom. For a split moment, his mother's image was superimposed on the figure sitting blissfully before him.

Then it was gone. Sanji got up quickly, wordlessly fetching a second serving.

This was dangerous. Wasn't there a saying that you'll likely be attracted to people with the same qualities as one of your parents?

No sir, no way. Ridiculous. Not Luffy.

Adrenaline was coursing through him, or at least his heart rate was speeding up, palms sweaty, mouth dry.

Oh, who was he kidding?

Reining in his runaway heart, he returned to the table, handing off the bowl to a Luffy who was none the wiser.

He tasted his own soup, watching Luffy eat. Somehow, the enthusiasm of his company made the dish more palatable, almost forgivable.

He placed his spoon down, growing nervous, not quite believing what he was about to ask. “Luffy, let's say-- just for the sake of saying it, not believing it-- that we... that you and I... er, y'know. Are like that. What if someone else comes your way? I mean, someone new, man or woman of the world, who fits you better, not your crewmate who you traveled with on a tiny ship on this part of the journey of your life--”

“Sanji,” Luffy said in even tone, “I don't ever regret who I choose as nakama, and I won't regret this either.”

“Oh.” Sanji swallowed. “But for me... Wouldn't you be concerned that I'd catch the eye of some lovely lady and whisk her away?”

“I was before.” Sanji bit his lip, thinking guiltily of Viola-chan and Pudding-chan. But Luffy continued: “Hey, did you know? We met Pudding on the way to pick you up from your wedding. She lied about a bunch of other stuff, and I still don't forgive her, but she said you rejected her because you wanted to continue adventuring with us!” He smiled. “That made me really, really happy!”

Sanji looked at Luffy, really looked at him, sappy smile and all. He thought back to the time when they first met, Luffy attentively listening to him ramble on excitedly about the All Blue, saving Zeff's beloved second dream, picking him for his crew, taking him all this way. And he's done so much good up to this point, overcoming any tyrant standing in the way of his nakama's happiness, saving them from themselves, gifting them strength and a will forward. It was no wonder their whole crew was perfectly devoted to him, despite (and because of) their brokenness, the baggage they carried, their varied un-pirate-like origins. He loved them all just for the sake of loving them.

Luffy toppled dictators, world governments, warlords for them-- true to the god incarnate he'd become, a rubbery ball of possibilities and sunshine. Like a natural miracle. So profound yet also simple, absolutely beautiful in its own way.

He was beyond lucky to have been picked up by his captain.

Bowl again depleted, Luffy sprang up to dish himself a third helping, Sanji continued his own meal in thoughtful silence.

...He was in trouble now, wasn't he?

Chapter Text

That night, after making the overnight preparations for breakfast (the leftover Dream Koi was combined with local eggs and homemade artisan bread into a smoked strata casserole, to be served along with fruit salad and soba, the latter out of the remaining ingredients he still had left from his stall), Sanji returned to the men's quarters to find Luffy and Usopp overlapping each other on the tarp in front of the beds instead of in them. Somehow those two always got tangled up together. Maybe it was their age?

Sanji mentally shrugged and retired to his own bed.

But he couldn't sleep. Something was missing, and his body knew it. He had gotten too used to the press of a certain warm, rubbery form. Really now, he was getting spoiled.

He got up and returned to the men passed out on the floor, spending a few moments regarding them. Decided, he knelt down and wedged himself between them. Usopp stirred, probably half-waking up, but said nothing. Sometime later, as if sensing him, Luffy turned over in his sleep and lazily wrapped his arms around him.

Okay, so that was a little cute.

Maybe it wouldn't be the most conventional relationship (he still wasn't sure how physical attraction worked with Luffy), but he could begin to see himself by his captain's side for the indefinite future. And that was a promise of belonging, trust, and serenity he honestly wanted.

He wanted it a lot actually. After everything he and his nakama have been through, they deserved a stable bit of happiness. He deserved a bit of happiness; he honestly believed that now. It wouldn't be free of strife or challenges, but that was nothing after all this time. It would be theirs, and they would do it together.

He drifted off to those thoughts, unperturbed, no longer ashamed or embarrassed, to a growing thrum of gradual, infantile excitement.

Δ Δ Δ

On the fifth morning following the conclusion of the Fire Festival, the Heart Pirates were setting sail, and the Strawhats were there to see them off. They would be in pursuit soon enough; they couldn't give their rivals too much of a head start. Robin-chan was done with her research anyways, and the Kid Pirates had already departed the previous day.

It was strange to be saying goodbye to Law after traveling with the man since Punk Hazard, but Sanji couldn't call it sad. They weren't nakama, after all, plus they were headed in the same direction. Chopper shed a few tears, though, much to the surgeon's chagrin (eh, he probably was secretly touched).

Still, he just had to make a show of it, the proud, standoffish bastard.

“Why are you lot here?” Law complained, “We've rivals again. Enemies. And don't pretend we were ever chummy to begin with. My time with you was nonstop unnecessary grief and trouble. I bet I lost two years off my life from the stress, not to mention the constant headaches. Half of you couldn't follow a plan if it was curse-marked on your arm by vow of death.”

Luffy just laughed, putting to rest any lingering doubts Sanji had had that there had ever been a problem between them. “We'll miss you too.”

Law turned angrily on him. “I'm talking about you! You're the worst offender!” He stopped, dialing down his wrath. “I'm not a thankless bastard, though. I do owe you for Doflamingo, among other things.”

“You saved my life two years ago, so we're even.”

“Hm.”

“Do you want to be my nakama?”

“You imbecile, this is exactly what I'm talking--!”

“Alright, alright,” Sanji intervened, stepping in between them, before Law lost himself and throttled their captain. He withdrew a slip of paper from his pants pocket and held it out in offering. He had specially prepared it ahead of time, having guessed something like this would happen if they showed up. “I know you had everything carefully planned out when you proposed the alliance, and we kind of blew it off course, so here's an olive branch. Although it's not much.”

“'Kind of'? You dragged Big Mom into our fight with Kaido!” Law looked at him with narrowed eyes, snatching the paper. “What the hell is this?”

Sanji coolly lit a cigarette. “My autograph. For the fanboy.”

“I told you, I'm a fan of Sora, Warrior of the Sea. I hate Germa.” Despite his words, Law opened the note. “ This isn't even that. You just signed your first name.”

“You got a problem? It's my autograph, isn't it?”

“You could have at least put 'Stealth Black' underneath or included your last name!”

“Not a shitty chance.”

“It's practically meaningless like this.” So he said, but the North Blue-born man pocketed the autograph all the same.

“Glad you accept,” he mumbled halfheartedly, puffing out smoke.

“Sanji, I want one too!”

He faced around. “What do you want one for? I live with you on your goddamn ship. You've never even read the comic.”

“I can start now,” Luffy insisted, “...if it's mostly pictures.”

“Forget about it. It's not worth your time.”

“No.”

(In the background, their crew was getting antsy. “Where are you going, Zoro, and take me with you!”)

(“Why is everybody leaving? Law and his crew haven't left yet.”)

(“You've said your goodbye, haven't you, Chopper? Stick with us. The Heart Pirates go by submarine, so there's nothing really much to see. They'll be underwater.”)

(“Oh, that's true. Okay.”)

(“Can someone *sniff* fill me in? How long has this been going on? It's beautiful though....”)

“I mean it,” Sanji went on, too caught up in his argument with, he swore, the world's most demanding, unyielding, irrational man, “It's navy propaganda. The content's nothing, but I still rather not have anything to do with those villains on the ship.”

Luffy pouted. “But you had the raid suit on the ship...”

An unexpected valid point, coupled with a pitiable puppy-dog look! A double whammy! For the first time, Sanji realized there were things he was going to have to completely relearn with his captain because they were having a totally different effect on him now than ever before.

If that wasn't a clear sign his feelings were changing, he didn't know what was.

“Ahem,” Law interrupted before Sanji could figure out a response, “Didn't you two come here for me? If you're just going to ignore me like that...” He put out a hand. “Room.”

“O-Oi! What are you--”

“Shambles.”

Like that, Luffy was gone, replaced with cobblestone. The next to go was his cigarette, swapped with a toothpick that simply fell from loose lips gaping in astonishment.

He looked to the culprit only to find his cigarette stick in hand, held tauntingly above him thanks to Law's towering height.

Temper igniting, Sanji closed in, as he was wont to do when someone was asking for it, flaunting his full aggression and intimation. “You want a fight?!”

Law met him head-to-head, cold but unrelenting. “No. Do you want your cigarette?”

“Hah? You think I give a damn abo--”

He thought Law was going for his shirt in a classic anger grip-hold, but the next thing he knew, bony fingers had his chin, jerking his head up.

He was being kissed. Somehow. Someway.

Sanji pulled away with so much force he tripped over himself, fell back, and landed on his rear, hands shooting up to cover his mouth, mortified.

Law looked down on him from on high, smugly sporting a smirk as though he had just played a prank. The bastard! “I accept your olive branch, Blackleg-ya.”

Wha, wha, wha, wha, where the hell did that come from?! Assault! That was assault!

(Was it some sick twist of fate that he so admired women only to ever have the attention of men instead, like a mischievous god at work? In hindsight, even his fans and followers-- whatever they called themselves-- and those who felt indebted to him were all men. Monster Gun Vito, Duval and his riders, that stint with G-5, the shitty North Blue supernova band, Kin'emon, Gin. Clearly someone somewhere had it out to spite him!)

Vaguely, he registered Luffy's running approach and shout of frustration. “Ah, he got away! That's sly!”

Given those words and his powers, Law was probably with his crew in their submarine now. Conveniently, it was a craft designed not to be followed.

Luffy came to him and wordlessly sat down next to him, sharp, heavy, emotional movements. Had he seen...?

It did make him think about all this again. His heartbeat sped up, and he slowly lowered his hands. “Hey, Luffy?”

“Hm?”

Just this once. Maybe just this once it was okay to show a little insecurity. This was Luffy. “Are you really okay with me? Aren't I crude, prissy, cocky, volatile, perverted, and useless against female opponents? There's a lot of things wrong, aren't there?”

“Yeah, you are.” Urk. “But you're funny like that. You're a really, really kind person, but you're not honest about it at all. It doesn't matter, though, because I always understand what you mean.”

He was touched. He genuinely, truly was. Sanji couldn't help but hold his elbows for support, cowardly faced away as he was. “Then I'll be honest for once now. I think I love you... you shitty piece of rubber.”

In a flash, Luffy's grinning head was in front of him, having stretched out his neck to get to that position, locking eyes with him. Sanji stared, transfixed.

The head rebounded out of sight after it got its look. Luffy guffawed happily as Sanji felt a too-energetic hand clap repeatedly on his back. “Is that so? See, was that so hard to say?”

He relished for a time the pure joy emanating from the other's laughter. He hoped Luffy could always be this happy. He hoped he could always make him this happy.

He could only tolerate the forceful clapping for so long, however. “Knock it off!” He kicked Luffy away.

Brushing himself off, ears a little hot now that he realized exactly what he had confessed to, Sanji lazily rose to his feet. All the same, he waited for Luffy to spring on back, unsurprisingly latching onto him and wrapping his whole self around him.

“Sanji.” When he turned his head, his mouth was slobber-attacked. It felt like being kissed by a dog, and thankfully it didn't last long. “Bleh.” Luffy's whole expression capsized, tongue hanging out. “You taste terrible. Tra-guy's an idiot.”

For some reason, he was more peeved from the comment than the surprise wet kiss. “I was just smoking, genius. You're partnering a smoker now. Don't imitate things you can't handle or don't like.”

“I'll get better, and I order you to quit smoking. It's bad for you.”

“Captain, with all due respect, if you ever suggest that again, I'll consider mutiny. I'm not joking.”

“Shishishi, no you won't. You like me too much.”

“Gods, I'm starting to regret everything...”

With his bizarre load, Sanji started for the Thousand Sunny, a giddy restlessness to his step.

And so began, just as everything else was speedily heading towards a culmination, a new chapter in their adventure.

Thanks for the support and for sticking with this until the end!! This is a minor ship, so I wanted to fill the gap a little.

As an aside, I gave canon Luffy and Sanji a copy of this fic, and this was their reaction: