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As far as Sanji can remember, he’s always been fascinated with the subject of love. Maybe it had something to do with his upbringing; gods know love wasn’t a thing he saw much in his home (he’s not entirely convinced his father knew the meaning of the word at all and let's not mention his siblings). His mother had loved him, he thinks, and short as their time together had been, he treasures those precious memories zealously and he’s always longed to feel that warmth once again.
Back when he was a chore boy working on a passenger ship, he’d sneak into the ship’s library and spend long nights reading every romance novel he could get his hands on. A curious hobby for a child perhaps, but he’s always loved the daring tales of forbidden love and star crossed lovers, of soulmates meeting in the most unbelievable and often undesirable circumstances. Tales of flourishing love, even in the darkest places and everlasting love, even against the worst of odds.
Later, when he joined Zeff at the Baratie, the old man would bitch and bemoan about his taste in literature, but he would always come back with a new novel for him after every shopping trip. If a bookseller happened to come into the restaurant, Zeff would let him pick whatever he wanted from the inventory, all the while complaining about the eggplant making him waste his money .
Goddess, he misses the old jerk so much sometimes.
He’s dreamed of finding that perfect love for himself since forever. His efforts so far have come to nothing and he’d be the first one to admit that maybe his delivery is not the best or the most conductive to finding everlasting love, but he honestly has no idea what else he can do. In books it’s always so much simpler: circumstances conspiring to either keep the pair apart or throwing them together into unlikely circumstances depending on the plot, but the connection is always there, the instant spark of something ever present. Depending on the type of story, the protagonists seem to either loathe each other on sight or fall madly in love the moment their gazes meet. They all have their own special charm, Sanji thinks and he has spent endless afternoons daydreaming about in which scenario he’ll find himself. His new crewmates joke he falls in love too easily, but that comes from his belief that, given the chance, anyone could be the one .
His new friends don’t understand, of course. Nami is too focused on her newly acquired freedom to care about anything but that, and Usopp already has a lady love waiting for him back home (and gosh, isn’t that a lovely tale? What he’d give to have a story like that!). Luffy doesn’t seem to care about anything that doesn’t bring him closer to finding the One Piece (or food) and the mosshead doesn’t have enough brain cells to care about anything other than his swords.
(Yeah, they’re still not in the best terms)
Sanji has his own dream, of course, but for him, finding love is just as important. What’s the use in getting everything you ever wanted if you have no one to share it with?
He’s hopeful for the future, though. The Grand Line is full of danger and adventure, what better setting for a love story? He has no doubt their journey will lead them to meet a whole lot of new people and chances are, he’ll find his beloved if he keeps his eyes and heart open.
It can’t be that hard, really. He’d think half of the things his newfound crew has gone through already are far less likely to happen than him meeting the love of his life: Luffy has a knack for attracting trouble, but he’s also been blessed with a lucky star, so hopefully a bit of his good luck will rub onto Sanji.
One can only hope.
“Oh, thank you,” Nami says, taking the offered pastry in between her delicate fingers. She seems surprised by the gesture, but she smiles at him all the same and after she takes the first bite, her face lights up immediately. “This is so good!” she praises, taking another bite, this one bigger, seemingly no longer concerned with making a mess.
A crumble of the tart sticks to the corner of her mouth once she’s finished and Sanji holds his hands behind himself in an attempt to stop himself from reaching out. “I’m glad you liked it, my sweet Nami. Your tangerine trees make for wonderful ingredients.”
She hums, smiling at him as she cleans her mouth with her hand, finding the crumb. “It’s really good,” she repeats. “You’re welcome to my tangerines, as long as you keep making delicious stuff.” Sanji nods, pleased and then she frowns, considering. “Don’t tell Luffy, though. If I give him free reign over the tangerines, we won’t have any left in less than a day.”
That’s very likely, actually. “Of course, Nami dearest.”
She sighs, leaning against the rail. “Listen Sanji, I don’t-- I’m flattered, really, but not interested,” she tells him, straight to the point and Sanji does his best not to wince. He knew it already, of course, but rejection is never easy.
She sighs, taking in his hurt expression no doubt. “I--”
“It’s fine,” he interrupts her gently, plastering a smile to his lips. “I get it.”
“It’s not you,” she says and Sanji can’t help the disbelieving laugh that escapes him. “No, honestly. It’s just…” she sighs, biting her lip. “Your tastes and mine might be more aligned than you think.”
Sanji blinks, processing, unsure of what that might mean. Nami makes a face, nose scrunched in displeasure. “I like girls too,” she says finally and Sanji blinks once more.
“ Oh, ” he says and at Nami’s unimpressed look, he hurries to continue. “That’s-- that’s great, really!” She arches her eyebrow, unbelieving and Sanji blushes, but continues. “I just mean-- we can exchange tips, maybe!”
Nami looks at him for a couple of seconds and then she snorts, amused. “Sure,” she agrees easily, smile bright and full of fondness. “I’ll be your wingwoman any day.”
Sanji chuckles, content. This particular hope has been dashed, but he doesn’t suppose it matters overly much. They’re crewmates and Nami is his friend , which is just as important (and just as unexpected), so it’s fine.
“Did you make more of those tarts?” Nami asks after a brief awkward pause and Sanji grins, relieved for the change of topic, nodding as he points in the direction of the kitchen. They head that way, making idle chit chat, as he explains the recipe he tried and why tangerines worked better for it.
When they arrive at the kitchen however, he realizes someone has beat them to it.
Luffy turns to look at them with a guilty expression, crumbs all over his face. He’s still holding a couple of tarts in his hands, but the second Sanji tries to say something, he shoves them into his mouth, swallowing without chewing. Nami laughs, amused, while the marimo, who seemingly had been assisting their Captain in his thievery, snorts.
“No lunch for you,” he announces very seriously and Luffy gives him a wounded look, all the while reaching for one of the cupboards. Sanji narrows his eyes at him, getting into a fighting stance, which has the mosshead reaching for his swords. “Don’t you dare,” he warns, but Luffy is already pulling out the salted fish he had been meaning to make lunch with later.
He launches himself at their Captain and Zoro moves at the same time, intercepting him. Luffy takes advantage of the commotion to slip out, pulling Nami with him, laughing as he escapes and Sanji would go after him, if the stupid marimo wasn’t standing in his way.
Fine, he thinks, glaring at the other man. He could use a distraction and he can always make more tarts later, since Nami has given him free access to her trees.
He’s never making Luffy any desserts, though. That should be punishment enough.
Usopp’s besotted expresion makes Nami huff in annoyance, although there’s fondness in her gaze. Sanji chuckles a little, amused by his friend’s expression too and also a little wistful: how lovely would it be, to get a letter from a lovely lady!
How Kaya has managed to find a news coo that could find Usopp to deliver a letter is anyone’s guess, but the girl is clearly resourceful and determined. Sanji envies Usopp; Kaya must love him very much if she’s willing to go through so much trouble just so she can send him a letter.
“She saw my poster,” Usopp says with a grin, eyes glued to the letter.
“Luffy’s poster,” Nami corrects with a roll of her eyes, her own eyes glued to her navigation charts, frowning as she plots their course. Usopp waves a hand dismissively, evidently too caught up with his letter to care overly much about the details.
Sanji smiles, looking up at the bounty poster in their own gallery. For all the marimo had complained about Luffy’s bounty making things more complicated, he had seen how happy it made their Captain and, showing there is indeed a working brain underneath that mosshead, he had hanged it where they all could see it.
Luffy never fails to beam every time he walks in, throwing a smile in the first mate’s direction.
And speak of the devil-- “Sanji! I’m hungry!” comes their Captain’s call from somewhere on deck and Sanji huffs, amused. Nami rolls her eyes once again, but there’s an affectionate smile tugging at her lips.
“You’ve just had lunch!” he calls back just as the door gets thrown open, revealing Luffy. He’s currently being carried by his first mate, bridal style, as he dramatically whines and protests about dying of hunger.
“You’re not dying,” Nami protests, looking up from her charts. “We’re never getting anywhere if we keep having to make stops to get more food.”
“Naaaaaamiiiiiii,” Luffy pouts, but of course their navigator shows him no sympathy, instead turning to glare at the marimo. “Do you want me to starve?” Luffy continues, flopping dramatically.
“Stop encouraging him,” she tells him very seriously and the swordsman rolls his eyes, readjusting his grip on Luffy as the Captain continues with his dramatics, pretending to faint.
“Captain’s hungry,” Zoro states, his gaze on Sanji. “Isn’t that the whole point of getting a cook?”
“Ah, so now I’m a cook,” Sanji argues, mostly to annoy the other man, crossing his arms over his chest. “Thought I was a waiter.”
Zoro opens his mouth to argue, his annoyance clear on his face and stance and Sanji grins, relishing the chance to blow off some steam, but before the mosshead can reply, Luffy grabs his attention once more. “Zoro, I’m hungry!” he whines, loud and dramatic. “Nami and Sanji are being mean.”
This makes the older man sigh. “Come on, I’ll fix you a sandwich,” he says, turning on his heel as Luffy whoops cheerfully. “Can’t be that hard if the waiter manages.”
“Zoro’s the best!” Luffy declares and Sanji scowls.
“Oi! Don’t mess with my kitchen!” he calls after the pair, but he gets the feeling he’s about to be ignored. He sighs, figuring his best shot is to go supervise the idiots or they’ll run out of food either because Luffy will have it all or the marimo will manage to ruin it. “I’ll go keep an eye on them.”
“You better,” Nami agrees. Usopp is still caught up with his reading, so it seems he hasn’t noticed a thing, which makes Sanji smile fondly even if he’s a little envious. “Would you fix me a snack, since you’re going?”
“Of course, Nami dearest!” Sanji agrees readily and the woman gives him an amused smile, adding a playful wink for good measure.
Ah, if only-- Sanji thinks as he hurries in the direction of the kitchen.
Sanji is aware his kind of flirting can come across as too much, making people feel more uncomfortable than flattered. He’s tried to tone it down, honest, but he can’t help himself most of the time: he just doesn’t know how to hold back.
One day, his over the top compliments and eager to please attitude will sweep someone off their feet, but not today.
With a sigh, he turns to look around for his companions. Nami has settled herself at a betting table and, by the looks of it, she’s winning big. Usopp has gotten himself into some friendly throwing darts competition, grinning widely each time he hits the bullseye (which is every-freaking-time). Luffy is at their table on his own, finishing what might be his third dinner (or is the fourth?), seemingly unconcerned by the fact that the rest of his crew is scattered around the bar.
Sanji frowns, considering. When he got up to go talk to the lovely ladies at the pool table, the marimo had been keeping Luffy company, even though he was being his usual sulky self, content enough with just continuing to drink. Now however, he’s nowhere to be seen.
Confused, Sanji makes his way back to his Captain.
“Everything alright?” he asks as he takes a seat, earning himself a pleased hum from the younger man. Sanji looks around, still searching for their swordsman, but not wanting to actually ask about him: it’s not like he cares, after all.
He finally spots the other man by the bar, clutching a mug of beer to his chest as a lifeline, trying not so subtly to escape the grip a young woman has on his arm. He’s being his usual curt self, judging by his body language and his one-word answers to whatever she says, but he’s avoiding being outright rude: while there isn’t a marine base nearby, this town is known as a meet point for mercenaries and bounty hunters, so the least thing they need is to cause an scene and drag attention to themselves.
“Some just have all the luck,” he complains out loud, only half joking. The mosshead’s interest seems limited to swords and booze, but Sanji has noticed all the hopeful looks he drags whenever they walk into a bar/ restaurant/ inn and the likes. He’s not bad looking, he’ll give him that, but his personality leaves much to be desired and the fact that the other man is far more likely to get a date if he ever bothers to try than Sanji himself never fails to baffle him.
“What?” Luffy asks, following Sanji’s gaze. “ Ah ,” he murmurs with the unhappiest expression Sanji has ever seen on his face. It’s fleeting, gone in a blink, but it was definitely there.
“You’ve got nothing to worry about, you know?” Sanji says, reaching out to pat Luffy’s hand comfortingly. “No one's gonna try to steal your swordsman,” he assures him. He hasn’t known the Captain for long, but from what he’s seen, he gets the feeling he might have some… eh… issues with people leaving.
Luffy turns to him with big, worried eyes, but before he can actually reply, their companion finally succeeds on his escape attempts and joins them back on the table. He slides on the booth next to Luffy, extending his arm over the backrest, his fingers grazing Luffy’s shoulder and the Captain beams up at him, any trace of any remotely negative emotion completely gone of his face.
“Not your type?” Sanji jokes and the marimo scoffs, sipping his beer. “And here we were worried you might leave us for greener pastures.”
Luffy makes a face, unhappy once again and the other man throws him a dark glare, before turning his attention back to their Captain. “ Never ,” he assures him, tone a little too serious for something that’s just supposed to be light banter between crewmates. “I promised, didn’t I?”
Luffy grins, nodding. “Zoro promised,” he agrees, turning his attention back to his meal.
Sanji huffs, turning to look at the poor dejected lady now standing by the bar on her own, still throwing Zoro dejected looks.
What a waste, he thinks morosely.
As lovely as all love stories can be, Sanji has always yearned for that instant connection, looking at someone and knowing they’re the one you’re meant to be with. Lovely as Usopp and Kaya’s story of childhood sweethearts is, it’s not the story Sanji has envisioned for himself (not that he had any childhood friends to begin with, of course)
No, he longs for coming across his one true love, seeing them across the room and just knowing it . He dreams of finding someone who understands him at a glance, someone to dedicate his whole life to and who will dedicate their life to him in return. Someone whose fate is intrinsically linked to his own, someone for whom achieving their dream comes hand in hand with Sanji’s.
They’ve stopped at yet another small island to get yet more provisions and the Captain had insisted they should get a snack before getting back to the ship, because by the time they would be done, he would be dying of hunger and Sanji took forever to cook dinner (his words, of course). They had agreed to meet at the island's only inn after they had finished their individual shopping and Sanji is pleased to see most of his crewmates made it back in time (the exception being the Captain and his first mate, which isn’t one tiny bit unusual, really.)
Since it’s a very small island, the inn is also the only restaurant, so it was quite crowded despite the early hour. They had managed to secure a small two-person table in one corner, somehow managing to fit two extra chairs. They had all taken their seats by the time the Captain came barreling in, dragging his first mate along and before anyone could even open their mouths to say something about their current predicament, Luffy had shoved Zoro down on the empty chair and had proceeded to drop himself on the other man’s lap, seemingly not seeing anything odd about the arrangement. Sanji had blinked, puzzled, and had turned to look at Nami, who had just shrugged and gestured for him to ignore them. Since the marimo wasn’t protesting, Sanji figured it was alright and there were no other available tables anyway, so he supposed it was for the best.
Their waitress is a young woman around their age, daughter of the innkeeper. She had been more than a little surprised when all the food she put on the table got devoured in less than a minute by only one person, but she had laughed at Luffy’s attics and she had brought them a second serving. She was clearly nice and sweet and quite pretty too, so--
Sanji returns back to their table after trying to talk to the girl with a mournful expression, pride and heart slightly bruised after the somewhat brief interaction.
He’s used to being shot down, really and he’s too much of a gentleman to press a lady who’s not interested, but--
“No luck?” Nami asks, not unkindly, but with a knowing expression. Sanji sighs, dejected, sinking onto his seat. Usopp pats his back in a comforting gesture and Luffy gives him a puzzled look, but doesn’t stop eating. “What happened?” Luffy says, pausing his chewing just long enough to ask.
Sanji then goes on a long detrabble of his latest failed attempt at romance. Nami and Ussop roll their eyes, but don’t offer any comment, quickly losing interest in Sanji romantic wooes. Luffy, while still stuffing his mouth with his so-called “snack”, proves to be an attentive listener however, nodding along Sanji’s tale, offering sympathetic looks, which, at this point, is really the best he can hope for.
The mosshead, thankfully, seems too busy drinking himself into oblivion to care.
“That’s not very nice,” Luffy points out once Sanji is done, brow furrowed. Sanji shrugs, still hurt but unconcerned: it’s not the first time he’s been rejected and the evidence suggests it won’t be the last. “No, but Sanji! It’s not nice to mock someone’s dream!”
Ah, so that’s what’s bothering the Captain. To be honest, that had been the part that had rubbed Sanji the wrong way too: he knows the All Blue sounds like a myth and there is no tangible proof of its existence, but--
“A partner should support your dreams,” Luffy declares, deadly serious. Sanji smiles a little; he knows Luffy takes dreams way too seriously. “They should believe in you!” To Sanji’s slight horror, he turns to the marimo then. “Right, Zoro?”
The swordsman's gaze flickers to Sanji quickly, a sarcastic comment ready no doubt. But then he catches Luffy’s gaze and he rolls his eyes dramatically. “Aye, Captain,” he agrees, continuing to drink his beer in order to avoid adding anything else, pointedly looking away.
Luffy grins, vindicated and Sanji offers him a fond smile; he’s so adorable sometimes.
Luffy goes back to eating, having said his piece, the matter closed as far as he’s concerned. He’s right, Sanji thinks, the last thing he needs is someone who will hold him back from his dream.
He finds himself thinking of that day at the Baratie, seemingly a lifetime ago (although in truth it was less than a couple of weeks ago). Luffy’s quiet conviction he had done the right thing, even considering Zoro’s injury and the rest of his crewmates’ concern and anger. He had refused to step in the way of the swordsman's dream, even if anyone with half a brain could have told you how that fight was going to end.
“You haven’t eaten anything, Zoro,” Luffy comments, shoving one plate in said man’s direction. “Eat,” he orders, seriously.
“Not hungry,” Zoro argues, continuing to drink instead but when Luffy’s gaze narrows, he lets out a dramatic sigh and finally accepts the plate. Luffy grins, pleased, going back to his own food.
“Are you going to share with us too?” Nami asks, playful and Luffy pulls what’s left of his snack closer to him.
“If you want something else, you should order it, Nami,” the Captain advises sagely, prompting laughter from their navigator.
Sanji smiles.
It’s past midnight when Sanji is finally done with the dishes.
On a normal day, he’d be asleep at this time, but they had a late start this morning, all of them oversleeping after spending the night before trying to get as much distance as possible between them and a marine vessel chasing them. A late breakfast meant a late lunch, which of course meant a late dinner and Sanji expects it’ll take a couple of days for them to go back to their usual routine, but hopefully it won’t be too bad.
He steps out of the kitchen, taking a deep breath, enjoying the night air. The scent of Nami’s tangerines gets carried by the light wind and, attracted by the smell, he heads in that direction, intending to just sit for a little while and relax before bed.
He sits underneath one of the trees, closing his eyes and letting the sea breeze wash away his thoughts. For a while he simply drifts, blind and deaf to his surroundings, enjoying the peace and quiet. He’s fairly certain the marimo has the night watch and considering their animosity, he doesn’t expect he’ll come to bother him.
The sound of soft giggles eventually pulls him out of his slumber.
Sanji looks up at the moon, in order to estimate how much time has passed. Less than an hour, it seems, but the ship is now even quieter than before, their surroundings hidden in total darkness. He can hear the waves breaking against the ship’s hull, but he can’t really see much around him, the only light coming from the waning moon and a few stars.
With a sigh, he determines to head for his quarters, stretching his back one last time before he leaves the groove. The sound of giggles reaches him again and he frowns a little, following the noise before he realizes it. He recognizes Luffy’s soft laughter, but he wonders what the Captain might be doing up and about this late at night.
He better not be ransacking the kitchen , he thinks with a fond smile.
Before he makes his way down towards the deck, he spots the Captain and his first mate, although neither notice him at all. Sanji stands still, watching them in silence, his mind trying to make sense of what he’s seeing.
Zoro is sitting on the floor, the Captain happily sitting atop him, gesturing wildly as he half whispers half shouts something that Sanji can’t make up. The wind is blowing in the opposite direction, carrying the words away, but judging by the first mate’s indulgent smile, it must be some funny tale.
It’s not such a rare sight, really. Luffy has no sense of boundaries and of all their crewmates, Zoro is the one whose personal space gets invaded the most, the Captain seemingly always reaching for him, always touching. But there’s something about the scene--
Apparently done with his tale now, the Captain waits for his companion to say something. The swordsman replies softly, his voice an actual whisper and Luffy grins some more, pleased. He leans forward, just the slightest bit and Zoro meets him halfway, pressing their foreheads together.
Oh, Sanji thinks, his heart giving a little flutter, a smile breaking across his face.
In love stories, the couple often look at each other and understand they’re meant to be, from that point forward being one in mind and soul, only one look needed to understand the other.
While he’s always longed for his own love story, if he’s honest, he had thought that was the sort of thing that only happened in books. As much as he hoped for such love, a part of him whispered it was all wishful thinking: there’s no way there’s one person perfectly made for you out there, there’s no such thing as soulmates, not really.
But--
The mosshead says something that makes the Captain laugh, a little embarrassedly, pulling his straw hat down to hide his expression. The swordsman smiles, pushing the hat away, still talking and Luffy chuckles, now hiding his face in his partner’s neck. Zoro’s hand comes to rest on Luffy’s back, keeping him close while also holding him, still talking apparently, his mouth pressed to the younger man’s ear so he’s the only one who hears.
As discreetly as he can, Sanji makes his way back to his room, leaving the pair to their devices.
He's seen enough.
“I’m going to be King of the Pirates!” Luffy declares with his usual confidence and Sanji looks up from the paper he had been reading. He smiles at the Captain’s enthusiasm, wondering what exactly has gotten into him now.
They’re all one deck, each busy with their own devices. Nami seems to be figuring out the best route to take now, using the spyglass to look for something and so paying the Captain no mind. Usopp is tinkering with some sort of electronic device and while he looks up at Luffy’s grand declaration, he only smiles, going back to his work. The marimo had been training the last time Sanji looked at him, but now it seems he’s entertaining their Captain, seeing said man has drapped himself across his back and he’s the one he’s addressing as he continues with his loud proclamations.
“It’s only fitting that my first mate will be the World’s Greatest Swordsman,” Luffy continues and Sanji rolls his eyes fondly, turning his attention back to his reading.
“Aye Captain,” Zoro agrees, tone full of fond amusement. It’s a conversation they’ve had before or at least some variation of it, but Luffy’s steadfast conviction in all of them achieving their dreams is more than a little charming.
“And then we can get married!” the Captain continues, which isn’t at all how Sanji had seen this conversation going and neither had the rest of the crew, he’s fairly certain, considering the surprised gasps all around him. He doesn’t know if anyone else knew about the Captain’s and first mate’s… thing, but clearly it wasn’t exactly a secret they were keeping, at least not in Luffy’s eyes.
Surprised as he is by the words (does it count as a proposal?) though, he’s not exactly surprised by the Captain’s declaration.
They all look at Zoro, waiting for him to reply. The swordsman looks a little flustered, noticing all the attention on him, blushing a little, but his gaze lands on Luffy and then all he can do is nod, smiling. “Aye, Captain,” he agrees, easy as that, his words half drowned by the cheerful whoops from Usopp and Nami amused laughter.
Luffy joins in laughing, happy and pleased and Sanji smiles, watching the couple with increasing fondness.
He’s always wanted to find his great epic love story, but a part of him had begun to think those sort of things only happened in books. But now, as he watches his Captain and first mate look at one another, expressions full of fondness and affection, his faith is renewed.
If those two could find one another, he’s certain his own love story is waiting for him out there.