Sorry about the delay on this one guys. I wanted to have this chapter out sooner and then have the next posted on this day, or even have two chapters posted today but circumstances didn't allow for that. Long story short, my beta is missing so I'm back to editing on my own. On that note though, chapter 14 is written, just needs a quick look over so I hope to have that up soon.

And Happy Birthday Usopp! I'm gonna give you some belated gifts my bby sniper, just you watch! (I missed Sanji's though - so I guess this is your super belated birthday gift dear cook... or last chapter was an early gift.)

Day 13, Sunday

At first, Sanji hadn't thought much of the call. In fact, when he woke up later that morning he had hardly even remembered much of it. But like when his ingredients in the kitchen were reaching their expiration and his obsessive-compulsive side was constantly prompting him to use the food before it went bad, the conversation slowly niggled at him. Eventually, he was so wound up about it that by the time he went to work Sunday afternoon, he found himself so anxious to talk to someone he had almost pulled Zoro aside to have a heart-to-heart with. Luckily, he spared himself the pain of that undoubtedly unintelligent conversation with the lazy seaweed-head when he recalled that he and Nami worked cross-shifts today. She would be toiling over the one-to-nine swing while he would be going in for the four-to-midnight night; so, they would have a few hours together where their schedules met.

His opportunity came just shortly after he got there.

In the restaurant business there always seemed to be a 'quiet before the storm' that preceded each meal rush. One instant they only had a few customers, the next the building was full with hungry patrons as if they had all heard the same dinner bell calling for them. As a cook, Sanji had always used that brief time to pre-prepare any ingredients the fridge could keep chilled so he could later focus on cooking any meats to the customer's satisfaction and get the plates out quicker. The time saved when he had vegetables already chopped and ready to toss onto a skillet or sauces chilled and waiting to be warmed on the stove was often the only thing that kept him from being overwhelmed.

However as a waiter his job revolved entirely around servicing the customers as they were there and the lull in activity tended to leave him with little to do. He could only clean a table or check on the guests so many times until the actions grew irritating. With Nami about, he often repelled the boredom by talking with her. (Of course, being in her presence alone would have been enough for him, but understandably that did little for her. What kind of gentleman would he be if he did not to engage her in riveting conversation to help break the tedium for her as well?)

When the quiet fell today, it was the same as always. Sanji handled his occupied tables then cleaned and bussed the vacant ones, almost dropping a plate in his hastiness, and once things were taken care of met Nami in their customary spot by the 'order-up' counter. It was a perfect place to chat because if a manager grew suspicious, it was easy to excuse their slacking by saying they were waiting for an order.

"I need your advice on something my dearest Nami," He said right off, leaning his hip against the counter and trying hard not to fidget his hands.

"On what?" She replied, reaching out for a ketchup bottle another waiter must have left there.

He chose his words carefully, not wanting to betray his friend's confidence or tarnish his pride. "Ah well as much as I adore you Nami-dear, I can't go into specifics but well uh… basically, Usopp called me in the middle of the night yesterday and he was really upset over something. But it was really weird. He told me what it was but when I tried to ask more he avoided me and got off the topic." He noticed the way the woman started and he internally cursed himself for his stupidity. Of course she would jump to that conclusion! "It had nothing to do with any of us though. I swear."

Appeased by that, Nami hummed thoughtfully while she turned the ketchup around idly, "Well, maybe he called you to get his mind off of it?"

"I thought that too but then why bring it up at all? And at that time of night? And why call me as if he has the intentions of sharing only to back out, instead of talking to someone he trusts more?" Like his shitty boyfriend. He thought resentfully then sighed, drumming his fingers along the counter. "I dunno. I guess I just want to know if you think I'm overreacting."

One orange eyebrow rose patronizingly. "Sanji the day you don't turn everything into a big drama is the day I will stop obsessing over money." He looked away, chuckling feebly. "Honestly, I wouldn't read too much into it. Who's to say he hasn't told anyone else before this? But maybe he wanted to talk to you about it because he thought you'd understand it better and did call meaning to tell you but backed out for whatever reason. I mean, he seems pretty withdrawn as it is and you're right, you two don't know each other that well yet."

He considered that, realizing it made sense. Of course Usopp had probably brought up this friend of his with Kuro already. But it was unlikely the other man had any actual experience with it himself and could only offer apologetic comfort. So it would be only natural to want to talk to someone else who had had to deal with it firsthand.

Sanji rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly, ashamed for having thought he was on such a high pedestal in Usopp's mind. His obsession with the artist was getting a little out of control, wasn't it?

Oh, who was he kidding? It had always been out of control.

"I guess that's true." He conceded finally.

"Just be patient for once." Nami continued. "He obviously trusts you enough to bring it up; when he's ready to talk more, I'm sure he will."

"Yeah. Thanks Nami darling, you've truly calmed my heart. And captured it too!"

She waved him off. "Yes, yes. Anyways, how was the movie?"

"Eh, a little too Disney for me, but Chopper seemed to like it."

"I wish I didn't have to work. I can't believe he's already heading back home."

It seemed that was the end of that matter as they changed subjects and, soon enough, got back to work once the rush started. Yet, despite his best efforts to just let it go, he couldn't shake the persistent feeling that something was amiss. He knew it was ridiculous and that he really had no reason to believe this. In fact, he wouldn't be surprised at all if subconsciously he was hoping something was wrong just so he could swoop in to save Usopp. His sister had once told him he had a bit of knight-in-shining-armor complex when it came to people he was crushing on.

Though, he thought as he pulled out his phone, I never understood psychology anyways.

In between taking orders back to the kitchen, he tapped out a quick text. 'Lunch? Tomorrow?'

Hours later, just as he was doing the last few sweeps with the broom, his phone chimed with a response:

'Sure.'