A shudder ran down Sanji's spine, more due to his thoughts than from the cold, relentless rain. His vision clouded over-from the water or his tears, he couldn't say. He leaned forward, clasping his hands in front of him once more, praying to any heavenly entity that would listen to him. Water droplets ran down his face, lingering on his eyelashes, tracing his cheekbones, before finally dripping from his chin, onto his hands. His clothes had been soaked hours ago; clinging to the curves and the dips of his muscles, making every groove of his slender frame stand out. The park bench was overflowing, thanks to the continuous stream of water; the puddle at his feet almost up to his ankle.

Overhead, the birds chirped, and the leaves swayed in the breeze, as the soft rays of dawn gently coaxed the the clear, cloudless sky out of its deep slumber.