TheDarkestShinobi: Hey I know it's been awhile but I'm back, can't guarantee quick updates and unfortunately that's always been my style so I apologize, but can't guarantee it'll change. That being said I hope you enjoy this short chapter.

Chapter Start

He didn't like him like that, so Luffy had no reason to feel angry when Sanji kissed her. Luffy had to let him go; obviously they weren't interested in the same type of thing. It was hard to look at Sanji knowing he had just come back from someone else, was going to leave tomorrow to go to someone else, especially since there was no chance he could become the someone else. Luffy couldn't change who he was, or what he was and Sanji wasn't interested in who or what he was. Luffy just had to learn how to accept that. Learn to let him go, he let Vivi go, let others go but somehow this was harder.

It felt as if he would have to let go of him for good, no chance to come back and relive what he had to say goodbye too. It felt as if he was saying goodbye to Ace again, the same gut wrenching pain and the terrible final-ness of it all. It was different though, he wasn't losing Sanji, he'd still be his crewmate, still his cook. They would still see each other and interact but he knew he was going to lose something. He could feel the difference in the air.

He knew he was with her now and it hurt to think of it. He stayed on the ship while everyone left and watched as they ran to explore the island, watched Sanji sprint up the hill he knew went to her house. Shanks had told him once to never fall in love with a friend, as that ended the friendship, Shanks had said things would get awkward for the one in love and unless the other loved back things would never be the same. Luffy sat on Merry's head and rocked up and down with the ship as his thoughts ran away. He knew that the unease in his stomach had nothing to do with the sea so much as the decision he had to make, it was a decision he had already made.

It didn't mean it didn't hurt.

He would be lying if he said he wasn't happy to leave the island. He couldn't contain his smile as the island faded away as they pulled ahead to a new adventure, as they left the woman who had Sanji in a way he never could. He saw Sanji watch the island fade with sadness and couldn't help feeling a tiny bit remorseful but at the same time he was happy. It was selfish of him but he didn't care right now, he had just decided to let the cook go, he just needed a bit of time to get over him.

Sanji was looking at him, again. He would keep sneaking glances and Luffy had no idea why, he didn't want to think too much into because he knew he would change what it meant into something, something that would make him want to rethink his decision.