~ late for the prompt and Nami's birthday but here it is anyway. Will post the rest of the 32 Days of Sanji prompts here as well, hopefully closer on time ~
Birthdays for the Straw Hats were always grand affairs. They never did anything small, and birthdays were such wonderful things that Luffy demanded the best for all of them. Naturally, this meant Sanji was very busy during these celebrations, even his own. Not that he minded really. It was a joy to do what he loved for those close to him.
"Nami-swan~" The blonde trilled as he twirled with drinks in one hand and cake in the other over to the table they'd brought up to the deck. It was a pleasant day, sunny and bright but not too hot, perfect for the lovely Nami's birthday. The tray of drinks was passed around as Sanji carefully kept the cake out of Luffy's distracted reach. He had another in the kitchen to bring out in a moment, but first, Nami-swan needed to be attended to. He placed the cake down in front of her, stepping on Luffy's foot in the process to signal his part and stop him from swiping some of the icing off the top. His captain laughed as he stood up beside him.
"To Nami," Luffy began while Chopper hopped up on the table to put some candles in the top of the cake. "For getting us this far safely and being the best navigator on the seas. For putting up with me and Usopp even when we stupid stuff." She rolled her eyes even though she smiled widely. "And lending us money even though all of us, except maybe Robin, still owe her." He took the glass Robin handed him and lifted it up. "And for just being Nami! Happy Birthday!" The rest of the crew joined in with the toast, glasses clinking together and cheers overflowed. Franky lit the candles, and Brook began to play one of Nami's favorite melodies.
Sanji took a step back and stood with Zoro as Nami contemplated before leaning forward to blow out the candles. More cheers and applause erupted, mainly from Luffy and Usopp. With a smile, he headed back to the kitchen, trusting Robin to take care of cutting the cake.
"Need help with anything, cook?"
Sanji lifted his visible eyebrow at Zoro but nodded. They made their way back to the kitchen silently. The extra cake was sitting on the counter along with a couple extra dishes he had made primarily as snacks and dessert. "Here," He made his way to the fridge and pulled out two pitchers of juice and bottle of wine.
"You've been kind of quiet today." Zoro took one pitcher and the bottle in one hand with a platter in the other.
"Just thinking." Sanji muttered. He balanced the last two trays on the length of his arm with cake in hand and pitcher grasped by the handle.
"All day?" Zoro asked suspiciously, opening the door with his foot. He held it open so Sanji could go out first.
"Yes, all day." The blonde grumbled as he passed Zoro. "That might seem hard to you moss head but-"
"About what?" The swordsman interrupted.
"I don't know. Just stuff." He glared over his shoulder at Zoro. "What does it matter?"
"Well, I hope it matters somewhat, since you've wasted all day thinking about it." Zoro passed him to the table.
Sanji frowned. 'Yes it mattered.' But he kept that retort to himself. This, all of this, the laughter, the happiness, his friends and crew, this mattered. It mattered more than anything had in a long time. He stopped half way across the deck and looked up to the sky. He had come a long way and sometimes he wondered what Zeff was doing. He was once taught, by someone he didn't care for anymore, that family came first. And that was one thing he held closely to. He had a new family now, one he didn't plan on losing. Zeff and the idiots back at the Baratie, his crew right here…
"Oi, cook! You get lost on the way over?!"
Sanji shook his head and glared at Zoro. "I'm not you idiot moss!" He continued over to them, allowing Brook to take the trays from his arm and Usopp grabbed the pitcher so he could refill some of the drinks.
Family first, regardless of who his family was at the moment; that would always be true.