It was nearly midnight, and Law and Chopper had been operating on (f/n) for several hours. Trying to stabilize her condition, Sanji paced back and forth in the kitchen, peeking out of the window every so often trying to get a quick glimpse at you.
"Dammit what's taking them so long?" Sanji cursed
"Give it time, love cook." Zoro answered in a calm tone.
"Easy for you to say! Stupid Marimo." Zoro gave Sanji the biggest 'Calm down or i'll knock you out' look
"Sorry...I'm just worried about her is all." Sanji rubbed the back of his neck.
Just then, Law opened the door, rubbing his hands on a towel. "She's stabilized, at least her physical form is. Magnus still has control over her body, but the greatest threat will be when the Great Separation occurs at midnight.
Everyone breathed a sigh of relief. "Can we see her?" Nami asked.
Law thought about it for a moment then nodded. "(f/n) has her mind in her possession. Strange though, the closer we get to midnight, the more control she regains over herself."
Sanji didn't wait for the crew to decide the order of visitors. He ran straight for Chopper's office and opened the door. There, was (f/n) connected to a machine with a mask covering her nose and mouth. Chopper was sitting in his chair taking her pulse when he noticed Sanji.
"Oh, hey Sanji. Listen...I don't know what Law told you, but (f/n) may be stable but she's unconscious. She won't be able to talk to you for a while."
"That's okay, Chopper. I just want to talk to her...let everything out, you know?"
Chopper gave Sanji a smile and got up, "Yeah, I understand. Take your time." He placed a large hand on Sanji's shoulder and walked out of the room and closed the door behind him. Giving him complete privacy.
Sanji walked over to the vacant chair by your bedside and sat down, and reached for your hand and stroked the top of it with his thumb. He gave a small smile and laughed sadly.
"You gave us quite the scare there, (f/n). We thought you weren't gonna pull through, but you're strong. Right?"
You didn't respond, your chest rising and falling slowly and deeply.
Sanji finally broke down, falling out of the chair and onto his knees beside you, his face buried into the sheets, and cried. He cried for a long time.
"Please answer me, (f/n)! I need to hear your voice. I...I love you, (f/n)! I have ever since I saw you that day when Luffy and Zoro rescued you."
He gripped tightly at the sheets, letting out all his emotions he had bottled up for days.
Suddenly, Sanji felt a gentle touch on his own hand. His crying stopped and looked up...you had finally woken up and heard everything Sanji said. He grinned and gave you a hug and covered your cheeks in butterfly kisses.
You giggled at his affection, then he took your face in his hands and looked your lips and then back to your eyes. How he wanted to capture your lips with his own, he wanted so badly to hold you in his arms and never let you go.
"S-sorry, Sanji for worrying you." You managed to force out. Sanji's face saddened at your apology. He pulled you into him and embraced you, stroking your (h/l) (h/c) hair.
"It's not your fault...it's all Magnus's fault," He looked down at your bandaged shoulder from Zoro's attack and grew angry. "And that stupid swordsman's."
"No, it's not Zoro's fault. I made him promise.."
Sanji pulled back and looked at you in surprise.
"What did you make him promise?"
"I told him to cut me down if I ever lost control over myself and attacked the ones I loved. I wouldn't be able to live with myself if I ever hurt you...or anyone of the crew."
Sanji yanked off your mask and claimed your lips. You didn't hesitate to return the kiss, closing your eyes as he made the it more passionate. He bit your lip, making a small moan escape you and taking that moment to introduce tongue. You slowly moved your hands up his arms, then to his shoulders, up his neck and then tangling your fingers into his golden locks. In response, Sanji slid his hands behind you back and pulled you closer to him.
You and he wanted this precious moment to last forever, but you both needed that air. You parted from him to catch your breath. A slight tinge of pink decorating his and your cheeks. From outside you could hear wolf whistles, you turned to see the rest of the Straw Hats gathered at the door. Your blush deepened, but to prove a point to his crew mates, Sanji took your chin in his hand and turned you to face him once more and claimed your lips for a second time.
The Ooh's and wolf whistles resumed and you smiled. You couldn't give a damn in the slightest. For the first time in a long while, you were happy.