Archive of Our Own

Thousand Sunny is swaying gently on the waves today, the sun is shinning warmly on the deck and the deck is lively as always. It's been a few weeks since you joined the straw hats, and you can't believe you're already fitting in so well with them. You didn't know they could be so fun, sweet, cheerful and caring. Though, it came with chaos but you started loving it nevertheless.

You loved every straw hat and they have become an important part of your life. Each one of them is nice to you, however the cook of the ship has caught your eye. He's not just nice to you but rather very kind to you. He might swoon but he never crosses the boundary of comfort and safety. He may seem like a hopeless love chef but, you realized, he is more than that. His kindness wasn't something he showed off and it definitely wasn't just some pretty words, rather it was in his actions.

Strangely enough he always seemed to notice when you were a little down, or when you hesitated to speak up, or when you doubted if you really had a space between them. He would come to you and comfort you in the most casual way he can, like it wasn't something special, like it was the most natural thing to do.

Before you know it, you started finding solace in his presence. It wasn't about just comfort, it was more about peace of your mind. He showed his love through his actions — the way he talked a lot softer with you than others, the way he remembers your favourites, the way he remembered how you liked your tea, the way he made sure you were comfortable, the way he would just quietly stay by your side sometimes.

Today was one of those days, the days where you felt kind of down, tired. Not because you were having a hard time but just tired. You loved that everyone was lively, but you weren't used to such activeness.

You sometimes, would find a corner on the deck, somewhere inarticulate and quiet. You stood near the railing, the sound of chaos distant from you, the voice of gentle waves was filling your senses. It was nice, warm and soft.

With the soft clicks of his boots on the wooden floor, Sanji enters your quiet space with a tray of snacks in his hand. “How did you know I would be here?”, you asked, turning to face him fully.

He is looking at you with a gentle look which you have grown accustomed to; the look he always gives you whenever you're down, “You always come here, amore. Has it become your favourite spot now?”.

You smiled and nodded your head in response, “it's kind of quiet and nice here, isn't it? Luffy has been going around tirelessly”. Striding towards you softly with the tray, he presents your part of the snacks, “Here, it will go well with quietness”, he teased.

You shrug in a defensive gesture, “I don't really mean that you guys are loud, I just—”, you reply freaking out. You didn't want him to think that you thought they were loud or chaotic. “I know, capise. You just like the silence sometimes, right? I was just teasing you.”, his voice softer than usual to make sure you know he understands.

You pout teasingly at him, “seriously, you love teasing me, don't you?”. He laughed softly at your pout directed towards him and your words. He loved that adorable look you made whenever he teased you.

Your gaze falls down to the snacks he had just brought with him — again, your favourite. Your eyes sparkled and your mouth watered at the sight of them.

Sanji smiled more broadly at your reaction, “Look, you're drooling over my food~”, he teased, again. You gulp and take the tray from him, “I'm not! Quit teasing me!”, you reply munching on the snack. Savouring the delicious taste with a smile on your face. You loved his food no matter what. Without even realizing, your mood had lifted. Your chest has been filled with warmth and softness.

It was his way of making sure you are alright. Using food as a leverage to lift your mood. You know he has made them just for you, it wasn't snack time for the crew. Usually, he doesn't make snacks at this time. It was a way to lift your mood and bring a smile on your otherwise gloomy face, which has been gloomy since morning. Just like always he got to you subtly and softly..

He stayed by your side until you finished up, like a quiet solemn presence. Studying your face as you ate the little snacks with a smile on your face. He didn't leave even after you had eaten, he stayed quietly, gently, just existing with you. The atmosphere between you and him was gentle and quiet. For some reason, it didn't feel awkward or weird to be sharing the same space as him in silence. Moreover, it makes you feel safer, warmer, and much more secure. After a while, he broke the silence with his soft voice he uses only around you, “Feeling better, Belle?”.

You nod softly, “Mhm, thanks to you”, you reply staring at the gentle ocean waves. “How do you always manage to do this, Sanji-san?”, you ask out of curiosity and genuine interest. He thought for a second, tilting his head in a thinking posture, “Hm.. I, too, don't know.”, he replies softly.

You exhale softly, “Thank you for always looking out for me”, you speak softly thanking him sincerely. “It's my honour, mademoiselle. I'll always make sure that a beautiful lady like yourself is doing okay”, he replies smiling gently in your direction. The smile that feels almost home to you, the smile that makes your heart skip a beat, the smile that takes your breath away.

Sanji approached you with flushed cheeks and his hands behind his back. You raise your eyebrows with curiosity, “what is it in your hands?”, you ask. He slowly revealed the item that was hidden behind his back; heels. The heels that had broken in your last fight at the island. You squeak in surprise, “My heels! But they were broken. So, how did you..?”, you ask, your voice filled with surprise.

“It's a new pair, love. Same to the one you always wore.”, he replies kneeling down before you to keep the pair near your feet. “Try them on”, he speaks, more like requests. His gaze filled with a silent plea and kindness. You nodded and lifted your foot slipping it in. It fits perfectly, not loose, not tight but perfectly. It wasn't just the fact that he bought the exact same pair loved but also your perfect size.

“Oh my, how did you know my size? Sanji-san? They fit perfectly. And when did you even have the time to buy the—”, he stops you mid-sentence. You look at him in surprise, he rarely does this. “that doesn't matter. Do you like them?”, he asks softly staring at the bright smile that has formed on your face.

You nod happily, “Yes, I do”, you bite your lower lip to keep yourself from tearing up. He takes care of you so much, you feel like your heart is going to explode from being overwhelmed. It was too kind, too kind someone has ever been to you. He noticed every little detail, every little change, every urge, every shift in your demeanour, everything. Just like how he always makes you something special whenever you're down, provides silent comfort whenever you need, gives every bit of kindness you never thought you'd receive. And this? You never imagined in your dreams.

“Glad to know, amore”, he replied with a smile. “How did you know that I loved that pair?”, you ask sniffing slightly, holding back your little tears that are forming. “You always wore them, ma cherre, and you always treated them like they were treasure. I couldn't fix them back but I hope this works for you.”, he replies with a soft tone that fills up your heart. “Thank you”, is all you could manage.

You hated and loved how he subtly and gracefully entered your heart. He left no occasion or moment to make you feel special. And you didn't know how to return it. All you could manage was, “Thank you so much, Sanji-san”, just like always.