My Tropetember 2022 contribution for the prompt : Whump.

I'm sorry for the mistakes, English is not my native language. I hope you like it.

Disclaimer : One Piece belongs to Eiichiro Oda.

The One Feeling That Pain

The carriage was headed for his destiny. A destiny that Sanji did not want. He put his hand on his face, tears were running down his cheeks. He heard the giggles of his brothers. He also heard Luffy's voice telling him that he would wait for him, that he would not move and that he would not eat anything until Sanji cooked it. And as stubborn as he was, Sanji knew that Luffy would keep his promise.

He could not get the pictures of their fight out of his head. Sanji hitting him and Luffy not defending himself. Why was not he defending himself ? When he had insulted him, when he had hit him, why did not Luffy react ?

Sanji knew why. He was his friend. He was his crew's cook and Luffy would risk his life for a Straw Hat member. Luffy had understood from the beginning that Sanji had no choice. Everything he did was to protect the people he loved.

The sun reflected off his bracelets. Those damn bracelets that would explode if he ever tried to escape. His hands clenched, opened, and clenched again and again to the rhythm of his frantic heart. He hated his family. He hated being a Vinsmoke. The first eight years of his life had been hell because of them. His brothers beat him whenever they had the chance. His sister did not stop them for fear of being their new victim. And his father had told everyone he was dead and he locked him in a cell, forcing him to wear an iron mask. What kind of father did that to his child ? But that this man in front of him was no longer his father. For Sanji, his real father was Zeff. He was the one who had raised him, who had taught him to cook and who had not hesitated to sacrifice his leg to save him.

Sanji put his hand on the still sore cheek. Nami had a lot of strength. It was not the first time she had hit him, but this time it was different. She could never forgive him for what happened. Sanji took a deep breath. He had to forget what had just happened, otherwise he would not last. He was in pain, but he should not show it. He had to stay strong to protect Zeff and his companions.

The end