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Their latest attack on the enemy left their hands and arms glowing hot, smoke still leaving the skin. They hissed and groaned to the pain. Tensing their body to endure the agony.
Sanji, who's escaping with them in his arms; away from the front lines, notices their hands and arm's current states and gasps in horror.
'Oi!!! YOU'RE BURNING!!! DON'T WORRY WE'RE ALMOST TO THE SHIP OH YOU POOR THING YOUR GORGEOUS LUSIOUS DELICATE HANDS!!!! WE'LL GET YOU FIXED UP AND I'LL MAKE YOU YOUR MOST FAVORITE MEALS SO YOU CAN HEAL AS FAST AS POSSIBLE. DON'T WORRY MY LOVE!!!! IF I ONLY I WAS THERE TO TAKE THE HIT FOR YOU SO YOU DIDN’T HAVE TO RESORT TO USING THAT ATTACK, DAMN IT PLEASE FORGIVE ME!!'
He stretches his arm that's supporting their limp legs to gently wrap his hand around theirs. Ignoring their scorching glow, their comfort and relief is the only thing Sanji want’s them to feel at this moment. He hopes that this helps even if it was just a little. Their dearest crewmate bearing pain alone wasn't going to happen on his watch, at first he hissed just the same as they did but he gritted his teeth and didn't move his hands an inch. Sweat formed at his temples but he kept a steady hold he even started to gently rub his thumb on the back of their hand. Memorizing the grooves of their knuckles as he ran his thumb up there too with care.
They scream and wriggle in his arms to get him to let go but his gentle firm grip on them was not budging an inch. Tears starting to prickle in they cried out "No!! you'll burn your hands!!!! You love your hands they're your most precious treasure!! Sanji!! Let go, please!!!"
'My heart, these hands of mine are treasures to me because I now see that not only can they help me cook nutritious meals for my loved ones...'
He looks down to meet their gaze with the softest blue, grey eyes and smoldering toothy grin. His gaze didn’t leave theirs for even a second he was absolutely enraptured by the beauty being carried in his lucky embrace. He leans in inches from their face, a comforting aura radiating off of him and continues…
'But they also allow me to help my dearest in their time of need. Ever since Wano I can now handle heats I couldn't before. This is the absolute least I could do for you right now because when we get to the ship, I swear, I will spoil you rotten so you heal properly. You will not be laying a single finger on anything or have to stand up for anything. His hold tightens a little. I mean it. You really helped us back there. We were in a super tight spot that could have turned ugly really quick and your attack gave us the opening we needed to get closer to taking down the enemy. Thank you. He kissed their knuckles, steam leaving his lips as he keeps them there for a couple seconds longer. I'm just so sorry it hurt you this bad in the end.'
He gives them the most charming heart melting smile as he notices his sweet words soft gestures does the trick he was hoping for. Their hands and arms had started to simmer down. 'Heh...my sweet please don't...you mustn't do this to me. My heart can’t take it I will surely die if this goes on any further.' His heart pounds a hundred miles a minutes and a soft glow starts to creep on his cheeks.
Their shoulders trembled, sniffles were pouring out now and the deepest blush was raging on their face. They shut their eyes tight and hid their face into his chest, absolutely wrecked. Their wobbling lip was still visible from his point of view, he couldn’t take it anymore and planted a soft kiss to their head. He lets them take in the comfort of his hold and let out any pent up emotions they had from the battle.
"....Th...thank you Sanji, I *hic* I really appreciate it. *hic*" They hiccupped out from their sobbing state that was being muffled by his chest. Their heart was full form his kindness and they were finally able to fully relax into his hold. The Sunny was still a couple miles away from where they were at. Over time his own body heat was surely replacing the previous agonizing heat that he felt earlier coming from their tired and overworked hands. His focus on that fact was cut short when he saw the familiar Jolly Roger swaying in the wind in front of him. They were docked in a secluded part of the island surrounded by trees.
'Ah, we made it to the ship my love! I hope the ride over wasn’t too bumpy I did my best to give you an oh most comfortable ride. After all, you deserve the absolute best…eh?'
“….”
He looks down at them with a curious tilt of the head and cocked swirly eyebrow when they didn't answer. His curly brow relaxes and a smile forms across his face as he discovers they fell asleep in his warm embrace with their hands still in his. A warm blush was spread across their cheeks. Left over tear droplets laid resting on their lashes, sparkling as the stray rays of sunshine that cut through the trees kissed their face.
'Let's get you to bed, I'll give your arms a nice massage.' He says as he brings them up an affectionate hug, their cheek touching his own.
He stayed with them while the rest of the crew finished off the fight in the enemy’s territory. Bringing them dessert after dessert and juices, re-applying the healing ointment Chopper would use on Zoro when he got bad burns from battles every hour on the hour, and serenading you with devastatingly sweet words and praises. He would caress their head and move to meet their gaze each time they would shy away, a snicker leaving his lips each time. His hands were unsurprisingly soft to the touch and smooth from all his rigorous hand care maintenance. His slender toned muscular hands worked their magic through their sore muscles. Thumbs glided through their forearms like butter and his lengthy fingers firmly rubbed down the other side. Gracefully transitioning to their bruised hands, he ever so soothingly worked both his thumbs into their palms to release any tight knots that could be remaining. This elicited a sigh of relief from them, signaling that the massage is working. A warm comfortable silence filled the room as he continued. He combed his fair back with his fingers with a deep exhale through his nose. He rolled his sleeves back down once the ointment was thoroughly rubbed in. He stood and beamed with pride and accomplishment at the site below him.
They had fallen asleep again with a small smile resting on their sleeping face. Their chest rises and falls at a steady rate, Sanji's heart fluttered at the beautiful sleeping ethereal being in front of them. Adoration and warmth is the only thing he’s currently feeling. He leaned down one last time and planted a long tender kiss to their cheek; his hand cupped their other cheek and rubbed his thumb across their supple skin. He stood and quietly left the room without a peep so that his beloved dove may continue to sleep undisturbed.
'Good night, Mon amour. <3'