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Sanji just wanted to clarify to everyone who cared to know, that when he decided to leave Germa behind, that included everything else that came with the territory, meaning his last name and most of all, his royal status .
He never thought there would come a day where he’ll have to use him.
But well, when has anything gone the way he expects it?
His crew and him had docked on what they thought was an unsuspicious island, he needed to restock the pantry and Franky needed to get some more cola to fuel the Sunny and this was the closest island according to Nami, so they didn’t see any harm in doing so.
Oh, but they were mistaken.
Because this island was anything but ordinary.
They were weird and they were distrusting of foreigners, to a very worrying level, they put their weapons on them as soon as they saw them.
Good thing they hid their ship, Sanji didn’t want to think what would happen if they knew they were pirates.
They also seemed very isolated, given by the fact that they didn’t seem to recognize Luffy or any of their crew for that matter which nowadays was very unusual for them.
But most of all, they seemed to worship royalty, to an insane degree, if the way the man who Sanji assumed was the mayor of this town declared that the entrance to this island was prohibited to anyone but those of royal blood was any indication.
So Sanji made a choice, the safest choice , to avoid any unnecessary bloodshed.
No matter how much he hated it.
And he feels sick to his stomach, staring down at these thugs, like they were lower than earth, but it was them or it was his crew, and the decision has never been so easy.
“W-What did you just say?” one of them asks him, fear and apprehension in his eyes.
And Sanji felt bad, knowing all too well the fear that Germa brought with it to anyone who knew about it.
But he couldn’t hesitate, not now, not with all these lackeys still pointing their weapons at his crew and sure they weren’t strong enough to take on them, but the sheer amount of their numbers could make the situation turn ugly real quick.
So with the sharp gazes of his crew on his back, their questioning stances and with the people of this island looking at him with fear and wonder in his eyes, Sanji put on his best glare and took back the title he let go of, so long ago.
“My name is Vinsmoke Sanji , third born son under King Vinsmoke Judge, Prince of the Kingdom of Germa, I suggest all of you to treat me and my companions right, lest you want my father to hear about your treatment towards one of his sons.”
The gasps that went around the lackeys plus the trembling of their bodies at his words, let Sanji know that these people knew exactly what Germa was and what it was capable of.
His crew at his back, was silent, knowing better than to interrupt, even Luffy and they all knew exactly what Germa has done to him. He would have to thank them for trusting him on this.
The mayor made his way to the front, until he was standing right in front of Sanji; he was shivering.
Sanji felt disgusting.
“I apologize, Your Highness .” He said in a level voice, before kneeling, bowing to him.
One by one, the rest of the people reunited behind him did the same.
Sanji wanted to throw up.
“Please, be welcomed to our humble island, you and your companions, we will provide you with anything you may need, until the time of your departure comes.”
“Thank you.” Sanji replied. “May I know, how long does it take for the log pose to set?”
“Of course Your Highness,” and Sanji really wanted for them to stop calling him that, it made him feel ill. “It’ll take 2 days, we can provide you with housing and food for the rest of your stay.”
At those words, Sanji turned towards his crew, focusing his gaze on Luffy, silently asking the question.
His captain nodded.
Sanji faced the mayor again. “I accept, I also wish for my companions to be placed in the same housing as me.”
At those words, the mayor finally lift his head from his bow, his expression clearly communicating that he didn’t agree with Sanji’s request but at the same time would not do anything to refuse him.
“Very well, Your Highness,” he said, albeit stiffly. “We’ll have it ready for you in a few minutes.” He turned back to the lackeys. “You heard the Prince,” and he didn’t notice the way Sanji flinched at those words, but his crew sure did. “Get to work, it is not every day we get royalty on this island.”
“Yes sir.” Was the collective answer before everybody started to move.
Before he left, the mayor threw a smile at Sanji. “I do hope you enjoy your stay here, your highness.”
Sanji gave him a smile that he hoped didn’t convey how fake it was. “I’m sure we will, I appreciate the effort.”
“Anything for the great kingdom of Germa,” the mayor said dismissively. “I do hope you’d tell King Judge about our hospitality, if it’s not much to ask.”
Sanji clenched his fists at his side and his smile tightened. “Rest assured, he’d be delighted to hear about it.”
“This place is gigantic!” Usopp exclaimed once they were brought to the place they would be staying for the next two days. “I expected something small, this is basically a mansion!”
“And look!” Franky added, signaling to the table. “That’s a whole banquet they left for us.”
“Well,” Jimbei started. “The people of this island take royalty very seriously and they are housing a Prince.”
At those words, everyone directed their words towards Sanji, who took a seat in the window bench the moment they were left alone and haven’t moved ever since, knees brought to his chest and his arms resting above it, looking at the outside.
Everyone could tell that Sanji felt uncomfortable with all the attention the people of this island were giving him.
“Sanji.” Chopper started, making his way to him, nobody stopped him. “Are you okay?”
Sanji didn’t answer, too lost in his own world.
“Sanji?” Nami tried to call his attention. It didn’t work.
“Hey cook!?” Zoro called. Nothing.
“Sanji.” Luffy's voice cut through the room, finally Sanji moved, turning his head to face them. “Talk to us.”
Sanji bit his lip, still not answering, he took a cigarette out of his pocket and brought it to his lips, struggling with the lighter and that’s when everyone noticed that his hands were trembling slightly.
“Sanji?” Luffy asked again, but Sanji interrupted him before he could continue.
“They were scared,” he said in a soft voice, the waver in it noticeable. “The people, they were scared of me , because of Germa .” He spat the last word like it was poison, his lighter finally working and allowing him to light his cigarette.
“I swore to never use Germa’s influence,” he said with a self-deprecating laugh. “And yet I did just that, I’m pathetic.”
Noises of objection raised after those words.
“I am,” Sanji continued. “I took advantage of these people.”
“Sanji, you did the right thing.” Robin said. “It would have been quite the storm if you hadn’t done what you did.”
“You know what the most messed up thing is?” He continued as if Robin didn’t talk at all and that’s how they knew that their cook wasn’t exactly here . “I called him my father ,” he spat with disgust. “And they believed me, they’re scared of what Germa could do to them if they lay a hand on me,” He took his hands to his hair, gripping it in a way that looked painful. “Little do they know, Judge would probably thank them if they get rid of his failure .”
He was distantly aware of the sounds of objections from his friends but now that he started talking, he couldn’t stop.
“Is just, is laughable really, Judge locked me up because he was ashamed that someone as weak as me had his blood, because I couldn’t kick through walls when I was a fucking baby ,” he tugged harder on his hair, his crew starting to worry that he will actually rip some of his hair off. “He didn’t kill me when I was a kid because he ‘couldn’t do that to his own blood.’ ” He started to rock his body back and forth. “I’m no Prince and I feel so disgusting and ashamed that I took that cursed title back.”
He didn’t notice, but Luffy started to walks towards him, the rest of his crew throwing glances between them, Chopper, in particular, looked like he wanted to run to where Sanji was to stop him from tugging at his hair so hard, Zoro being the sole reason he hadn’t done so, the swordsman shaking his head at him.
“And I should be better!” Sanji exclaimed. “I’m out of Germa for good, if Judge’s words mean something, he’s never getting close to me or my loved ones ever again, but sometimes all these fucking memories come back to me, all the hatred I have for myself and I can’t help but think, wouldn’t it be better if Judge got rid of me? And I know I shouldn’t think like that, I know, but I can’t help it and all these thoughts invade my head and–”
He stopped his rambling, once he felt something land on his head, startled, he lifted his gaze, coming face to face with Luffy, a hand extended, keeping his treasured strawhat on top on Sanji’s head, warm smile on his face.
“Luffy?”
“You think too much, Sanji.” His captain said, using his free hand to take Sanji’s off his hair.
Sanji blushed, suddenly aware of the rant and the stares of his friends. “Sorry.” He murmured, embarrassed.
“It’s alright.” Luffy assured him, taking a seat beside Sanji on the bench and signaling to his crew to approach.
“No, really.” Sanji said again. “I’m sorry, I’m sure you didn’t want to hear about my sob story again.”
A little weight in his lap made him look down, coming face to face with Chopper, his worried eyes staring at him.
“We’re your family, Sanji, your real family , we don’t mind hearing you vent if you need to.” The little doctor said, the rest of his crewmates agreeing with the notion.
Sanji felt his eyes get a little watery.
“We’re glad you’re here, Sanji, that you survived .” Luffy said. “You got out and you’re free .”
“And fuck the Vinsmokes and everything they entail.” Usopp continued. “You’re not like them and you could never be like them.”
“You did what you had to do to be safe, son.” Jimbei added. “Just as you did back there today, you avoided unnecessary conflict”
Sanji directed a small smile towards him. “My brain knows you’re right; but I can’t help the feeling of dread it brought me to have to take that title back.”
“I would have kicked their asses.” Luffy said, shrugging his shoulders. “I can still do it, if it’ll make you feel better.”
“I’ll help.” Because of course Zoro would be up to it, of course.
“No , no, don’t do that.” Sanji intervened, because he knew his captain and the first mate well enough to know that they were completely serious. “I just have to deal with this for two days and then we’ll never see them again.”
Luffy and Zoro looked put out, at the notion that they wouldn’t get to fight, which made Sanji crack his first real smile.
“But I appreciate it, really.” He said.
“Well.” Zoro started, crossing his arms. “For what its worth, we know you’re not a Prince, well except for the Prince of dumbass Kingdom.” He taunted
Now that , that made Sanji frown, standing up from the bench.
“What the fuck did you just say, you mossheaded bastard?!” He exclaimed, getting all in Zoro’s space.
The swordsman only smirked.
“Now there’s the curly I know.” He teased.
Sanji frowned, fighting against the smile that wanted to show in his face. “You’re an asshole.”
“Pot meet kettle.”
“Alright, alright, we get it.” Nami intervened before the two could break out in a fight. “No need to destroy the place.”
“Witch.”
“Don’t call her that, mosshead!” Sanji recriminated him and would have kicked him, had it not been for the tug he felt on his pants, he looked down.
“Are you feeling better now, Sanji?” Chopper asked him.
Sanji smiled. “Yeah, Chopper.” He looked around at his crew. “I am, thank you, guys.”
“Anytime Sanji, do remember, we’re always here for you.” Robin said with a smile.
Sanji nodded.
He was no prince, not anymore and of that he was sure.
And having to take back that title today didn’t feel great, at all.
But having his friends, his family , right here with him, reminding him of what really mattered?
Well.
Let’s just say, he is a really lucky guy, for having the people he has in his life.
People who love him and who he loves back.
He would never take them for granted.
He promised.