A/N: Awww, so sweet. Zoro has pledged his love for the newest crewmate, but she won't return it because she knows they can never work out … or can they? Anyways, all chapters are from Athie's point of view, unless stated … if you hadn't worked that out yet. And now I'm going to call the Merry Go, the Going Merry … the English dub sucks. XP
Disclaimer: All stuff you see in the anime/manga is Oda-sensei's. All stuff you see from the anime/manga in here is Oda-sensei's. All stuff you see in here that you do not see in the anime/manga is mine.
Athenus: Oh, joy. She owns me. Fun, fun, fun.
Me: You should be grateful!
Athenus: -rolls her eyes-
RR: Reviewer Response
Thanks to my three reviewers – Thomas Drovin, Sanji-luver and Audra Kaiba! This chapter's for you. XD
I had found somewhere to sleep on the Going Merry last night, amongst all the chaos in getting reacquainted with the ship again. Sanji had immediately gone to the kitchen, to restock the food, Zoro had fallen asleep by the mast, Usopp and Luffy were begging Sanji to make something for them, and Nami was putting away her new clothes.
Me? I was invading every part of the ship. The kitchen, the men's quarters, the main deck, Nami's room, the dining room … well, you get the point. The Going Merry looked bigger in real life – well, of course it would! But I didn't think it would be this big! I went to the kitchen, where Luffy and Usopp were busy eating … wait for it … MEAT! What a surprise!
"Mellorine, do you want something?" Sanji was leaning against the door connecting the kitchen to the dining room. His heart eye was evident, and it occurred to me that I should be able to hear his thoughts … just to get the right words …
"Athie-kun? Are you alright?" Sanji's voice again interrupted my thoughts. I looked up at him – he's an inch and a half taller than me – and nodded my head.
"I'm fine, Sanji. Truly." I gave him a rare smile from the heart, which made his jump out of his body. I now knew that underneath his demeanor, Sanji just wanted to be loved. So he tried to be a servant to all women – in hope that someone would love him back.
And I knew someone now did. That person just needed to tell Sanji the same way he had told her – simple gratitude. And she was going to – one step at a time.
"Since I've got nothing to do, why don't I help you clean up?"
"No, Athie-chwan! You don't have to subject yourself to that! I can do it myself!"
"But Sanji, I want to!" I gave him puppy eyes … they never fail … MWAHAHAHA!
"Mellorine …"
My adorable puppy eyes increased in size (can you even imagine this?), and tears bunched up at the bottom of them. I took off my sunglasses to maximise the effect … note to self, chuck them at the bottom of my wardrobe …
Sanji's face looked troubled. He obviously didn't want his Athie-chan to go to all that trouble helping him … but she looked so adorable …
I had it! Under my breath I whispered, "Baka Baka no Waves!" and immediately five minds invaded my head.
Meatmeatmeatmeatmeat … I want more meat … meatmeatmeatmeatmeat …
Hmm … how to make more money … maybe I should increase my interest rate? No, that won't work …
Kuina, not again! Why do you keep beating me! I'm gonna beat you someday! Obviously Zoro was sleeping, and dreaming about his childhood … before Kuina died (A/N: Take that 4Kids!).
I, the Great Captain Usopp-sama, defeated a ten-foot tall … no, that doesn't sound right! I need a new tale … I, the Great Captain …
I can't stop her! I want my Athie-chwan to help, but making a woman work like that … I don't want to be mean, but I can't let her … I don't want her to get dirty, helping me like that …
I smiled a cute little smile, and the impact fully hit Sanji, as my control over the mind-waves died. I need to hone that technique, I thought.
Sanji's resolve melted. "Okay, my Athie-swan, you can help."
"Thank you, Sanji." I walked into the kitchen, and as I walked past the door, I grabbed Sanji's tie, and dragged him in. He jerked forward, as I closed the door, and gave the love-cook a wicked smile. We were going to have some fun … cleaning.
No, I did not. I can't believe you thought I was going to! The farthest we got was a kiss. Okay?
Anyway, I cleaned the kitchen, while Sanji cooked … wait for it … MEAT! When he had finished cooking the meat, I gestured to come over to a secluded corner, which was in the shadows. He came willingly.
"We are going to have some fun, aren't we?"
"Yes, mellorine …" He obviously didn't have a clue in the world.
You know what I said earlier? About me not letting any man see me half-naked without my permission? Well, that's because I had another job that brought in money I saved up for gifts etc. etc. Well Sanji had it.
-The rest of this event has been censored in fear that it's going to get sicker … and sicker … actually it didn't, and Athenus and Sanji just kissed. But believe what you will. They didn't.-
We drew apart from each other; my mouth's wishes were now so suddenly fulfilled. Sanji's eye (possibly eyes, I don't really know) and heart were popping out all the way to the bow of the Going Merry.
We were suspiciously silent, as Zoro opened the door, poked his head in, and said, "Where are you, Athenus-san?" I had suddenly gone from Athie-kun to Athenus-san. I sighed silently. "We found a room for yo- …"
The reason he stopped, is that his eye picked out the secluded corner in which Sanji and I were housed. He saw Sanji's eye and heart popped out. He saw my face, fresh from the embrace. He saw the cook's face happier than he had been ever in his life. He saw our love.
He immediately hissed, "The favour is returned, Athenus-san," and stalked out and slammed the door, an indication of his anger. I sighed again, this time out loud.
"Now he hates me."
Sanji gave a snort. "He's always hated me. Anyhow, Athie-swan" – this time the name was filled with love, unlike all the times he's said Nami-swan – "what did you do to make him that angry?"
Aware that the answer would make him angry, I said it anyway.
"I loved him."
Next time on Cursed Idiot …
Athenus tells Sanji the full version about why she hates Zoro, and he hates her. But will Sanji get angry at her statement of love? Or will he bash up our favourite swordsman first?
All on Cursed Idiot next …