Author's Note: Sorry this took longer than I thought, and if it's crappy. I've been going over it loads and I'm sick of reading it so it get uploaded today =)
Thank you for the follows and the review. I really didn't expect any responses at this point so it really is appreciated.
(By the way, I do know where I'm going with this fic. It's mostly all planned out in incomprehensible notes. Right, I'll stop blabbing now.)
Chapter One
A faint, droning succession of beeps was the first thing Sanji heard as he approached consciousness, but then the sound of soft murmurs began to lull the obnoxious noise. He was unable to make out what was being said and felt a curious urge to know who was talking and what they were saying, so he slowly peeled open his eyes.
He was instantly greeted with a cold, dazzling light hanging from a clinical white ceiling, just above his head. He scrunched his eyes in response and wondered where the hell he was and why the hell someone would put such an overly bright directly in someone's field of vision. With the damaging strain on his eyes, a painful ache started to spread across his forehead.
Am I hung-over? Was his preliminary thought, but then, with the pain, more common sense surfaced.
Fuck! Beeps. Unfamiliar room. Head feels like shit… Am I in a fucking hospital?
Sanji noticed that the hushed mutters were now much clearer. It was the whispers of two simple words, randomly arranged and repeated over and over without pause for breath:
"Please, Sanji, please please please, Sanji, please please, Sanji, please-"
His eyes shot open, this time avoiding the annoying light, and landed an instantly recognised body. It was slumped on a chair beside him, looking void of life save for its soft speech and the tight grip that two hands had on the chair's armrests. His head was drooping and the straw hat on his head looked close to toppling off.
"Luffy?" Sanji questioned with an surprisingly weak voice.
Luffy's neck snapped upwards and welcomed Sanji with a shocked yet delighted face.
"S-Sanji?!" he near shouted in disbelief.
Sanji gripped at his hair. Fuck. Now it felt like his whole skull was vibrating and on fire. "Yeah, Luffy." He said through gritted teeth, looking around the room for a moment to confirm to himself that he was in a hospital.
Upon releasing his hold on his hair, Sanji felt a peculiar sort of bump on his head. Tracing his fingertips across the contusion he deduced from how it spread across his entire forehead and its slightly coarse texture that it was bandages that were wrapped around his whole head. Head-wound? Fuck! He also noted that his hair that felt thinner and greasier than he last remembered.
"What's going on? Where are we? And who the fuck puts a shitty, blinding light right above someone's head for them to open their eyes to?"
Luffy's face dropped of its previous happiness. The shock still remained but now there was confusion too.
"Wha-?" he looked at an equally confused Sanji for a few seconds before he shook his head abruptly and dismissively. "Shit. I'll go get Chopper." He said quietly and quickly before jumping out of his seat.
Sanji stared after the boy who had scampered out of the room before he had a chance to stop him.
What the fuck was that all about?...And what or, quite likely, who is Chopper? He shrugged it off and figured that Luffy was probably just getting weird meat deficiencies or something equally stupid… However, the kid didn't even mention anything about food. To be honest he didn't say a whole lot at all. No real greetings or questions, not even an explanation as to why they were in hospital. Nor did he try and hug him or grin and laugh incessantly for no real reason at all…
Weird.
Sanji glanced around the room trying to analyse the situation for any more clues as to what was wrong with him. He only took in the surroundings - the bland, stale white, poor excuse for a colour-scheme, a bedside table to his right, a locker-closet looking thing further right and the chair Luffy was sat in to his left – before his mind started to wander again. It was difficult to control your thoughts when it was so freaking painful just to think. He rubbed his temples lightly through the bandages and sighed. The pains eased momentarily, though he starting to feel a slight soreness in his propped up arm, so Sanji took it as his opportunity to think things through.
He really couldn't remember what he had been doing last to get himself into such a state. He just had memories of his usual, unexciting routine he'd been living for the past few years: Waking up early, cooking himself breakfast, showering, dressing, walking to work, cooking interspersed with smoke breaks, charming beautiful ladies and yelling at his useless co-workers, possibly having a visit from Luffy or paying him one in the evening. Then arriving home late and getting to bed after either a glass of good quality wine or a bath. Repeat until the old man forces him to take a day off.
Nothing significant struck his mind though. What had he done to get himself into hospital? As well as with no memory of why he was there. Maybe I have amnesia, he pondered to himself. I must have been in a pretty poor state considering Luffy's whole 'Please, Sanji, please' thing. He figured it would be good idea to consider what he did know about his situation.
So I have a head injury-
The sharp pains returned in the area of said injury and he winced.
Maybe not.
Sanji took a few deep breaths and told himself to man up. He peered down at his mostly hidden body and stretched out the arm, which was completely bandaged, to lay it flat against his body. He hesitantly shifted around to try and locate any more sources of pain or determine any other injuries. He instantly felt dull, but definitely present, throbs of pain spreading throughout the sides of his torso, ribs, arms and his thighs. Everywhere else was pretty much okay and the soreness he did feel seemed as if it was decreasing in severity and that he was healing. The worst of the pains were over.
How long have I been unconscious if I've had time to heal?
The door of the room opened and Luffy briskly entered with another teen, who was considerably shorter than Luffy but looked about the same age. Luffy had his hand rested firmly on the boy's shoulder before he gave it a squeeze and returned to stand at Sanji's side, but refraining from settling in the chair. The gesture indicated to Sanji that the two were familiar with each other (although it could have just been more evidence for Luffy's poor understanding of personal space).
Looking back at the other kid, he saw that he had brown, fluffy hair and a frankly adorable, but nervous-looking, face. He had a little, button nose, a small mouth pulled into a slight frown and huge brown eyes that weren't meeting Sanji's at all for some reason. Sanji's gaze dropped to find that he was wearing…A doctor's jacket! No way is this kid a doctor!
The brown-haired boy's eyes were down-cast and he looked even more anxious as he picked up a clipboard hanging off the foot of the bed has he approached Sanji.
He took out a pen from the breast pocket and gulped audibly. "Mr Black," he began with a shaky voice and Sanji cringed internally, both at the formality of the phrase and the boy's lack of confidence. "h-how are you feeling?" He was looked blankly at the clipboard, trying to appear unperturbed, but Sanji noticed the hand poised above the medical document was shining with sweat and trembling.
What is up with this kid?... Maybe he's one of those child-geniuses fresh from medical school and is just inexperienced with facing patients. Maybe he has no confidence…Or he could just be one of those people who are terrified of other people… Poor kid.
Whatever it was, Sanji wanted desperately to ease his worries, but avoid appearing pitying of the young doctor. He smiled warmly at the boy. "I must say I've felt better. I've got a killer headache but that's all really. Oh, and have I been in a coma or something?" he asked, perhaps too casually, presuming though that that was the case.
The kid finally looked up at him perplexed and surprised. "Uh, yes you have." He answered quietly, in a sweet, but frightened, high-pitched tone. He looked away. "How did-?" he stopped himself and gasped. "Er, never mind. Sorry!"
"Hey," Sanji started instinctively as he placed a hand on the boy's shoulder, "don't be so nervous, okay. I won't bite. I'm guessing you're new to this." He said softly. The brunette furrowed his eyebrows at Sanji, looking confused and insulted.
Shit.
Sanji pulled his tender arm away and raised both defensively. "No, no! Shit- I didn't mean anything bad by it. I totally trust in your abilities as a doctor." He said all too quickly. "I mean considering your age you must be pretty damn smart, right?" He said genuinely, trying a small laugh and smiling again.
The kid's jaw dropped and his face blushed furiously.
Sanji couldn't help but smile more at the cute and innocent response. He laughed softly again and closed his eyes. He hummed enquiringly. "I must be right. Perhaps I could even go as far as assuming you're a medical genius?" Opening his eyes and seeing the boy's face, the grin vanished from his own. The doctor's whole face was glowing red but instead of looking flattered, the boy was clearly bemused and unnerved. He was glancing over at Luffy, agitated.
"Luffy?" he said in his wavering, childish voice. This kid worried Sanji a lot. He was so shy and uneasy and yet seemed so young and innocent. I mean, the way he blushed at that tiny compliment. What made Sanji a little sad was to see an aura of fear and worry surrounding him, and it concerned him that a child-like person was troubled such anxieties.
Sanji glanced over at the dark-haired boy too, to see a shocked look on his face also. Luffy stood silently for a bit just staring questioningly at Sanji.
Sanji just watched the boy and waited for something to happen.
He cleared his throat awkwardly. "Luffy, are you okay?" he said, genuinely quite worried. "You're looking at me as if I've just chopped off one of my hands." Luffy only drew back further with even wider eyes. His jaw was still slack and he didn't respond.
"Careful, Luffy. Widen your eyes any more and they'll pop out of your skull." Luffy just blinked at him, but this time it looked as if was trying to say something but couldn't produce the words.
Sanji's jaw clenched slightly in irritation. "Goddamnit it, Luffy. Spit it out! What's the shitty problem?" he turned to the nervous doctor, "Am I speaking English here?"
He looked down. "Er-"
"Sanji." Luffy said shakily, bringing Sanji's attention back to him. Luffy watched him uncertainly and didn't move for long enough for him to become annoyed again.
"Come on, Luffy, spit it out or I'll kick your shitty teeth in." He threatened with casual impatience rather than malicious intent.
Luffy pulled that disbelieving expression for possibly the tenth time. "Y-you-… Sanji, you sounded like…" the kid gulped, "you didn't really mean that."
Sanji rolled his eyes. He had absolutely no clue what the kid was talking about and he had lost the patience to put up with his weird behaviour. "Of course I mean it you little jerk," he half-lied, "now tell me what's going on!"
The kid swallowed thickly again and looked almost…nervous. Just what the fuck is up with him?
"Talk." He said simply. Sanji just pulled a confused face. Luffy noticed it and went on. "Tell me about something. Anything." He ordered clearly.
"Luffy wha-?"
"Just do it, Sanji!" he demanded looking at him desperately, his dark brown eyes boring pleadingly into Sanji's. "Just say anything- Tell me about yourself." He urged insistently.
Another throbbing sting flashed across his head and he gritted his teeth. All of the confusion was not helping his pounding head.
He noted Luffy's serious plea, rolled his eyes then closed them in an attempt to calm himself down and avoid flaring up any more pains. He sighed heavily. "I'm Sanji Black and I'm confused. I just woke up in a shitty hospital after being asleep for god-knows how long, where I'm apparently speaking a foreign language. I'm a chef with a 9-to-9 job at the Baratie restaurant and a 24/7 occupation feeding my black hole friend that is Luffy Portgas. My favourite colour is blue."
He opened his eyes expecting to shoot a 'happy now?' look at the confusing boy but he was met with a slightly different expression. Yes there was still the oh-so familiar shock being given off, but there was a small glimmer of hope and maybe…relief?
"Sanji… I'm your friend?"
Sanji looked baffled at the kid for a moment then scoffed incredulously. "Luffy," he said loudly and amused at the insane question, "you're my only friend."
Sanji watched Luffy, who's chest was now rising and falling rapidly. He was about the ask what the meaning of the stupid behaviour and questions was, but he was stopped by Luffy diving onto the hospital bed and wrapping his limbs around Sanji and squeezing him.
"Ow! Fuck! That hurts you shitty brat." He yelled at the boy as his sore muscles sang with pain.
Luffy ignored him and looked him in the eyes with a beaming face. "S-so you're a chef?" he asked excitedly.
"Yes, you oaf! Now wh-?" Sanji attempted.
"And you work at the Baratie?"
"Of course! Luffy wha-"
And you'll cook me meat?"
"When you get off me, dufus-"
Luffy covered Sanji's mouth with his hand and he fixed him with a slightly more serious look.
"Now…" Sanji saw Luffy's eyes beginning to glisten.
Is he…? Is he gonna cry?
"…nod…if your dream is to find All Blue."
Sanji mentally rolled his eyes at the question but didn't after noting the look on the boy's face. He nodded quickly.
Luffy grinned the most stunningly joyful smile he had ever seen as tears formed in the corner of his eyes. He took his hand off his chef and tugged it snugly back underneath him. "Sanji!" he squealed happily, squeezing the cook even harder. "You're back!"
Okay, now what the shitty fuck was he spewing? "Luffy, what the hell-?" he tried exasperatedly.
"Um, Luffy." The young doctor finally said urgently and both men on the bed shot their glances towards him. "Mr Black is still in an unfit condition for any physical straining." He looked at Luffy worriedly.
"Noo~" Luffy said, turning his face away from the doctor. He was smiling softly to himself despite his grumpy sounding refusal.
The doctor wasn't having it though. "Luffy!" he scolded. Sanji smirked a bit at the kid's sudden assertive change in attitude.
Luffy made an upset whining noise and nuzzled his face into Sanji's chest.
"Listen to the doctor, Luffy." Sanji said smiling at him as his cheeks reddened adorably. Luffy whined again but reluctantly rolled off the cook. Chopper looked astonished from the blonde to the suddenly obedient teen and Sanji winked at him.
Chopper's mouth quirked in amusement for a second before it halted and vanished quickly.
Luffy's sandal-clad feet planted on the laminate floor with a two light smacks. "It's okay," he said repositioning his straw hat, "we can cuddle when you're better."
"Like hell I'd cuddle you, you clingy, little monkey."
Luffy just laughed loudly at his comment. "Sanji, I need to ask you some more questions about what you remember 'cos it looks like you have forgotten some things." The kid's smile lessened before he said the next sentence. "Things aren't how they used to be. Things have changed a lot." He looked over at Chopper, "But right now I need to speak to Chopper about some stuff."
Again, Sanji was confused and annoyed with the kid's cryptic words, but decided to leave inquiring for now. It hadn't done much good up to this point anyhow.
Luffy turned around, walked to the door at the end of the room and opened it, "C'mon, Chopper."
Chopper looked down at his clipboard and stuttered out an attempt to refuse.
"I'll just be two minutes. You can examine him after, okay?"
The boy sighed quietly through his nose. "Okay." He mumbled and the little kid jogged out of the room and Luffy followed, closing the door with a soft click.
Sanji was suddenly now much more aware of the monotonous bleeping of the heart monitor, as the room felt even more silent then it had before - almost as if all of Sanji's unanswered questions were hanging in the air. It was so bizarre to him how a room could hold so much tension whilst only one confused person resided there. There was no conflict, humiliation, anger or fear at hand, yet it was almost as if Sanji could feel a heavy weight pressing on his body. Something bad had happened, was happening or was going to happen. It made him feel on edge.
I really need to know what the hell is going on. Luffy better not take too long. When he gets back I'm going to get some answers-
A particularly painful wrench in his temples jerked Sanji from his thoughts. He growled in frustration.
And hopefully something for this shitty headache… Something fast-acting please.
