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Sanji was exhausted and you could tell. The cook had just made a large celebratory feast for the crew, spending hours in the kitchen making heaps of food. There were so many different dishes, and the portions were massive.
Even though Zoro and Usopp had helped with the clean up, there was still so much to do. By the time that everyone had cleared out, Sanji was smoking a cigarette while he polished the glasses.
You walked up behind him and wrapped your arms around the cook’s waist. You felt him startle, an almost unnoticeable jerk before he realized who was behind him, and he was relaxing instantly.
“Sanji… baby you need to take a break.” You murmured, gently pulling the glass out of his hands and setting on the counter. You held his hands in yours and had him turn around to face you.
You smiled at him and kissed his cheek. Gently taking his hands, you focused on one, gently rubbing it and working on the cramped muscles.
Hours of cooking every day made the cook’s hands hurt; not that he ever mentioned it. This was your routine with him. The two of you usually sat down and you would quietly work out the kinks and cramps in Sanji’s hands, and he would watch you adoringly.
To people on the outside, it wasn't obvious that you and Sanji were in a relationship. He still fawned over women, bending over backwards to be polite and do anything for them, and you didn't stop him. To ask Sanji to stop was like asking him to stop cooking, which wasn't possible, but you were used to it. You didn't mind because at the end of the day, the two of you were together, and he wasn't trying to date any of those women.
To be honest, Sanji adores you. He loves to cook for you, or be with you in the kitchen. He treasures every moment with you. It's exhilarating, fighting beside you, and afterwards, the two of you would sit quietly and patch each other up, unless it was serious, and then someone was getting dragged over to Chopper.
He likes to share his recipes with you, experimenting with meals, while you taste them for him. Sanji has never said anything, but you are terrible at cooking. He has tried to teach you, but whatever it is you make only comes out semi-edible. There have been many times when he teased you over it. Now, for the sake of his ingredients and pans, he doesn't let you cook.
The time slid by slowly, like grains of sand falling through an hour glass. Sanji's hands were cupped in between yours, even though they were bigger than yours, but they were nice and warm. You ran your fingers over the familiar calluses, created from hours working with knives.
You look up at him, eyes crinkling from your wide smile. "Better?" Sanji huffed and leaned forward to kiss your forehead. "Much better, thank you, love." You felt your cheeks heat as you nodded. You pushed his smug face away. "Alright, alright. I just wanted you to take a break. You work very hard." Sanji hummed and pulled you close so he could rest his head on your shoulder.
Sanji sighed and they stood pressed together. It wasn't as long as a break as you would have liked him to take, but you supposed this was good enough. The two of you separated when the door slammed open and Luffy came tumbling in with Usopp and Chopper. The Captain whining about being hungry and wondering when lunch was done. Sanji sighed before yelling at the trio for being so loud. He dished the food from where it was being kept warm on the stove top.
Luffy stole all of the food, including Usopp's and Chopper's plates, before running out, his laughter trailing behind him.
"Well, at least he's not making a mess here." You chuckled. Sanji shook his head and kissed your temple before moving around, plating the rest of the food for the rest of the crew that was soon to follow. You watched him in his element, navigating effortlessly. You leaned against the bar, resting your chin on your crossed arms.
My handsome cook.