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Sanji has always been organized and responsible. From waking up early in the morning to prepare breakfast, to keeping his beloved kitchen clean before going to bed, despite his flamboyant front towards you, he's a very responsible man.
Responsible enough that even during your many parties with the crew, he NEVER goes over his limit. He usually drinks only one glass of wine anyway.
That's why you're surprised to find him slumped over in his seat, his ears stained red, his cheeks stained red, and his lips all ruddy. His usual droopy eyes even droopier now, and maybe even a little sad, he looked like an abandoned puppy among the rest of your cheery crew.
You're here because Nami went and fetched for you. You had excused yourself from the party earlier to handle a small matter that occupied you for much longer than you thought you would be. Apparently that was enough time for something to have happened and cause Sanji to let loose. As to what it was, you didn't know yet.
Nami was suspiciously vague about the situation, but you figured you could just ask Sanji what happened himself, after all, you would never turn down an opportunity to care for him, even more so knowing he was in a state you've never seen him in before. A very drunken state. It's… a little out of character for him.
Everything feels like it's spinning. His mind is foggy, and his chest strangely heavy. It feels better to sit, though he'd much rather lay down. Sanji's definitely had too much to drink, more than enough for the rest of the week, he thinks. How the mosshead downs over a bottle every day is beyond him. Being drunk is miserable. Even worse since you weren't here.
You left earlier, before the contest was even announced, and he missed you more than ever. Your beautiful smile that shines brighter than the sun, your hands that interlock perfectly with his, your eyes that fill up with so much warmth when you see him, your familiar scent with the ability to instantly relax him-
He misses you so much. He wants his wife back.
Well. Not really "wife" yet… but he was planning it. You've been together for a while, and he couldn't imagine spending his life with anyone else- he even had the whole proposal planned out. Maybe not in detail, but he had the ring in his possession, and an idea. He sighs softly, keeping his head down, letting the alcohol take a hold of his mind, riding out the intoxication with as much… grace as he could. He shouldn't have drank that much.
It started with the teasing, Nami asking how everything was going between him and you, and well of course everything was going well. Sanji had finished his one glass of wine at this point, and was a little tipsy. While Sanji would never pass up a chance to gush about you, this time he had spilled just a little too much. Too much to the opportunistic Nami, who at this point was two pints in and feeling eager to start trouble this night.
"I'm going to marry her someday… with that beautiful ring…" Sanji immediately bites his lip when those words spill out, not because he's never made such claims before, but because this time, it was different. It's different when the words come out with such sincerity absent of any showmanship. And his crew, his family, noticed. So much for keeping it a secret.
"When?" exclaims a shocked Nami, "Wait, is this why you asked for more berri the last time we docked?"
Sanji snaps up, "No, of course not! I've been saving up for it!"
"How?" Nami's eyes narrow suspiciously, "You do know I'm the one who handles all of our funds, right?"
Sanji's cheeks flush even brighter from embarrassment, "Alright, I'll admit. I'm so sorry I hid this from you until now, Nami-san, but these past…. many grocery runs, whenever I had some change, I would… keep some of it to save up. Not all of it! Just some. For the ring." he sweats nervously.
"Oh Sanji…" Nami sighs, her sympathetic smile betrayed by the sharp glint in her eyes, "You do know that's embezzlement, right? Normally I would pummel you straight into the ocean, but since I love [Name] too, I'll be merciful."
Sanji lets out a breath he had no idea he'd been holding in.
"I'm raising your debt by 3000%" she settles, taking another swig at her drink, while Sanji deflates in his corner. It was so over.
"But!" she counters with a catty grin, "You might be able to fix that if you win a game."
"Game?" Sanji tilts his head.
"Be the last one standing in a drinking contest, and I'll lower your debt by 15%!"
Sanji thinks for a moment before responding, "Nami-san, with all due respect, I think I'll have to pass on that-"
"Why because you know you won't win?" the mosshead interrupts.
"No, because the reward won't make a dent on what I owe." Sanji grits his teeth, not wanting to get all riled up over Zoro's bait.
"Every bit counts, you know." Zoro shrugs, "I'm going to owe 15% less than you then."
"That's fine, because I don't mind paying back to Nami, unlike another idiot it seems."
"Tell that to your future Misses, eyebrows, I'm sure she'd be thrilled to hear about debt you'll owe."
"I-"
One thing led to another and before anyone knew it, Sanji had drunk himself silly while attempting to compete against Zoro in a drinking match.
The debt isn't even really real.
Now he sits a little away from the rest of the crew, recovering from his loss, while taking small sips from the glass of water Robin had brought for him. Back to missing you after the excitement with the rest of the crew.
Luckily, you had just arrived on the scene, spotting him and making your way towards him while he was lost in thought.
Tapping him gently on the shoulder, you give him a warm smile, "Hey 'ji, ready to go and head to bed now?"
Sanji turns to you slowly after feeling your tap, eyes lighting up instantly at the sight of you. You chuckle, taking a seat next to him and holding your arms open to invite him closer.
"My love…." he coos quietly, falling into you. Closing his eyes as he nuzzles against your neck, breathing softly, he's so adorable like this. "Missed you…" he almost whines.
He clings to you like a koala, and if he could, his legs would be wrapped around your waist too, but your current position wouldn't allow it, and neither would your seat.
Instinctively, your fingers brush against his bangs, combing through his, somehow, still soft hair. He smiles, humming contently.
"What happened while I was gone, hon? I don't think you've ever been this drunk before…"
"Contest…" he says softly, "There was a contest, Nami hosted… I think."
"That's a dangerous game…" You chuckle softly, "What was the prize?"
"She said she would reduce the winner's debt by 15%…" he snuggles even closer, beginning to press light, lazy kisses to your exposed skin.
"That's not much…" you hum, his soft locks tickling your neck.
"It's 15%… not 15 dollars. Or at least that's what the mosshead said? 'Could still be significant…" Sanji mumbles, his words fading like his consciousness.
You laugh, shaking your head with a fond smile, "Alright, time to go now you big baby. You look like you want to lay down." you pat his back gently.
"How did you know?" Sanji chuckles gravelly, looking up at you with lidded eyes.
"Just a feeling," you smile, helping him up, "go ahead and lean on me, love, I'll help you get to our room." Sanji, being Sanji, complies instantly, taking advantage of the situation by burying his face into your hair.
You chuckle at his clinginess, looking back to stick your tongue out playfully at the teasing looks the crew threw your way as you wave goodbye for the night.
"We need to take a bath… or at least I want to take one." you hum helping Sanji lay down in your shared bed.
He reaches out to grab your hand before you could leave.
"You want to stay with me?" you ask gently.
"Yeah… I want to wash up too…" he grumbles, trying to sit back up.
"Ok then, but behave yourself."
"Mmhm…"
Steam rises in the room as you fill a bucket with hot water. It would be safer to bathe this way instead of laying in the tub, seeing how your lover could hardly keep his eyes open.
Sighing affectionately, you gently comb your fingers through his hair once, smiling when he leans into your touch with a soft purr.
You took it slow getting clean, occasionally dipping the washcloth in the basin to create more suds. You kept an eye on Sanji as well, to make sure he didn't fall asleep.
"You're doing well, love," you say scrubbing his back, "Almost done here…"
"'m sorry, want to help you too…" he sighs, you could almost picture those sad puppy ears flattening against his head in shame.
"Next time, 'ji." you chuckle, rinsing off the soap, "All done." you press a kiss behind his ear.
Sanji turns his head slowly to meet your lips, "Thank you, darling…" he gives you a lazy smile as you sit there in your fluster.
"My love-?"
You shove a towel into his arms.
Back in your shared room, you're busy grabbing a change of clothes while Sanji watches you fondly from the bed. It's quiet now, you guess the party above has died down as one by one, everyone retires for the night. You're feeling a little sleepy too. As you're thinking this, your hand catches on the fabric of a certain shirt.
"Sanji?" you call out to him.
"Hm? Yes, dear?"
You show him the shirt you pulled out from the closet, his shirt, one of his short sleeved button ups, "Can I wear this tonight?"
For a second Sanji seems to forget his drowsiness, his eyes growing so wide as he stares, "I-uh of course! I don't mind at all, you can wear my clothes whenever you want, love." he says as his cheeks heat up faster than his stove.
You chuckle turning back around to put it on.
"Do you want to get married someday?" he asks so quietly, you had to do a double take.
"I'm sorry?" you pause from slipping on the shirt.
"Do you want to get married someday?" Sanji asks, a little louder this time.
You can feel your cheeks heat up, the blood rushing up to your brain as it short circuits. Marriage…? Well, you would be lying if you hadn't thought about it. The way Sanji breached the topic so casually, in this situation however, well it caught you off guard.
"Sanji…" you murmur, sitting next to his lying form as you finish buttoning up the shirt, "You've been thinking about that?"
"For a long time…" he murmurs, you blame his bluntness on the alcohol , "Want to stay by your side for as long as you want me to…"
Oh, this sweet man.
You lean down and press a kiss to his forehead, "Oh honey…"
He smiles from the kiss, draping his arm over your lap, hugging your waist, "Do you want to?"
You hold back the tears that had magically formed in your ducts, "Yes.. I do want that. I want to stay with you too."
You feel his fingers twitch, fingers that traveled under your shirt, caressing the warm skin beneath. The gentle touch making you feel oddly sensitive as he tugs you closer.
"I would make you the happiest woman in the world…" he mumbles, taking your hand in his own, pressing his cheek against your warm touch, "I would give you everything…" you can feel the breath of his whisper before he presses a tender kiss to your palm. Then to your wrist.
"You're a goddess, my love…" he sits up, wrapping his arms around you once more and pulling you to his lap, your back against his chest, "so beautiful…"
Your breath hitches as his lips brush against your neck, almost like…
"You're teasing…" you mumble, annoyed by how lightly he's dancing around you, annoyed by the sweet chuckle that leaves his lips melting your poor heart.
"Can I hold you more?" He asks, nosing against your nape, "Can I kiss you more?"
You don't like the way your hands shake as you rest them atop his, squeezing them lightly as you gather your words.
"Mhm… please…" you manage to get out, cringing at the nervous delivery.
Sanji doesn't seem to mind though, he never minds. Because he's Sanji, where even your worst awkward moment becomes his cutest memory of you that gets him through the worst of hells. You blame the alcohol. The liquor that's given him so much courage to be so bold.
"You've been so good to me… let me treat you too." he whispers against the shell of your ear, you pray that you don't explode right then and there.
He's greedy, the way his eyes rake over you with such adoration, his thumb still massaging in slow circles on your hip. Eating you up, but making you melt at the same time. Like a bite accompanied by a lick to soothe the wound. All you could really do was just. Take it. You weren't complaining, why would you? He's covering you in kisses and rubbing his cheek against yours like you were the only two people in the world.
Suddenly he pushes you down to lay on the mattress, the pillows cushioning your head as you stare up at him in awe. His expression unreadable, but the way his thumb caressed your cheek sent a shiver to your heart.
"Uh… Sanji…?" you manage to get out, much quieter than you wanted.
"You're so pretty…" he mumbles, leaning down to kiss your cheek, "I love you so much, ma cherie…" his lips trail down to your neck, his breath so warm against your skin- you hold back the squeak that threatened to escape.
"I- I love you too.." you whisper unsure of what to do, but trusting him completely.
He smiles, kissing your nose before moving down- moving down?
There's a shift in the air, just as Sanji buries his face against your tummy with a sigh, "I just don't know what I did to deserve you…" he reminds you of a cat, with the way he's been rubbing his face against you all night. His hand reaches up to hold yours, fingers gently twining with yours, "It's like puzzle pieces…" he mumbles while you were busy trying to keep your heart rate under control.
"Seriously, I must've done something incredible in a past life…" he muses, thumb rubbing a knuckle.
You huff, hand reaching down to brush his bangs aside, "You're just you… and I'm just me, and we happened to find each other. Like you said, it's just like puzzle pieces."
Sanji pouts, "You're not 'just you', you're incredible."
"That's not what I meant, 'ji." you stifle a chuckle.
He hums, unsatisfied with your response, his hand pulling away from yours to play with the bottom most button of your shirt.
"Can I?" he asks softly.
"Can you what…?" you ask curiously, eyes widening when you catch on.
"I just want to kiss you, that's all." Sanji murmurs, taking notice of your expression.
Your mouth opens and closes a few times before you nod, "I was just going to mention that you're y'know, drunk, a little."
"Mmn, don't worry." his fingers deftly undo the button, "Just want to love you like this, is all."
You hold your breath as the buttons come undone, you weren't nervous, no, far from it, you were threatening to turn into putty under his careful touch actually.
Suddenly you feel his lips above your belly button and let out a surprised squeak.
Sanji immediately snaps up, "Are you-"
You cover your face in embarrassment, "No- no, continue… please." You're never recovering from that, that's going to be a memory that comes back to haunt you now-
A shadow comes over you, gentle hands prying yours from your hiding face, "Don't hide, ma cherie… you shouldn't feel the need to."
"I don't want to think about it, it's embarrassing…" you avert your gaze.
"No it's not, I thought it was cute." Sanji leans in closer.
"It's going to haunt me."
"It was very cute, do I really make you feel that way?"
You don't like drunk Sanji anymore, he's too smug. But you would be lying to yourself if you said you didn't like the way he was holding you right now.
"Look at me, love." he coaxes, and you do.
He smiles softly, "Can I kiss you?" he asks.
You huff, heart beating way too fast again, "Yeah.. yes, you can kiss me."
He chuckles before pressing his lips your own gently, "Thank you, darling."
Moving back down, he lets a hand hold your waist once more, "Can I continue?" he asks, pressing his cheek against your stomach, you can even feel the light scruff of his facial hair.
"You can…" you give him the go ahead.
He smiles and continues to kiss you, taking his time, moving incredibly slow to really savor you.
"You know I notice when you push yourself to work harder…"
A kiss.
"Sometimes I want to just pull you aside, serve you tea, stare into your eyes while you talk to me…"
Another kiss.
"Love when you choose to lean on me, I'll help you with anything…"
Another kiss.
Your heart rate wasn't going to go down anytime soon. Soft kisses trail up to your sternum, Sanji pauses for moment, to look up at you.
"Too much?" He asks softly seeing your flustered expression and slightly shaky hands.
"N-no…"
"But your heart is beating so fast…" he mumbles, pressing his ear right above where your heart is, "I know you feel it too."
"I want.. you to keep going…" your grip tightens against the sheets, have you been gripping them this whole time?
Sanji hums softly, trailing kisses up faster now, racing to the finish line until he wasn't. Stopping at your neck and taking his time there. You could feel it more now, his breath, his lips, the occasional bite, you might as well be drunk too with how your head was spinning.
Finally he moves back up to meet you face to face, "Hi." he smiles down at you adoringly.
"Hey…" you whisper back , feeling very dumbstruck by what just happened. It's almost silly, considering you've both have gone further before. It's just a little different this time.
In the next breath, Sanji gathers you in his arms and grunts as he lays down next to you, legs tangling with your as well, "Was that ok?" he asks softly.
"More than ok…" you admit, snuggling closer to his chest, listening to slow thump of his heart beat, "I liked it a lot…"
"That's good," he kisses your hair, "You deserve it and more, beautiful…" he trails off before you hear soft snoring.
Oh you hope you can fall asleep tonight.