Dirty Little Secret
Chapter 7
There was an island the Baratie would make port at anywhere from a day to a week at a time. This island was one we would visit once a month sometimes twice a month. It was full of fantastic produce, exotic spices and hand crafted china. When I was about 16 or so I was finally allowed to assist with stocking up the Baratie.
I'll never forget the moment I laid eyes on him; he was a spice seller with his own store front. He specialized in all kinds of exotic spices from all over the world. The moment I walked through his doors and saw him behind the counter my breath was taken away: he was so lovely, smiling sweetly to an elderly customer. When his eyes finally met mine I could tell he had a similar experience to my own. He looked amazed, in awe almost as he gazed at me from across the small room. His name was Sparrow; he was only about 20, his father died recently so he took over the shop full time. He had perfect porcelain skin, blueberry colored hair and the most incredible reddish brown eyes.
I can't say for sure if he loved me as much as I did him, but he was my first love and I will never forget his sweet smile, just as I can never forget seeing the light leave his gentle eyes.
I was rather new at having romances; I knew I liked men since I started to notice others in that way. I had never acted on it since I realized at a young age it wasn't normal. I never had anyone to talk to about it, all the other chefs always carried on about women so I never felt comfortable speaking out about my own ideas and preferences.
Sparrow was ideal, he was kind and funny. He showed me a tenderness and touch Id longed to feel from another man. He was always very careful about keeping a friendly distance in public, I didn't really understand it but he always said it was better to keep the relationship between us private. I agreed because all I wanted was to be close to Sparrow and make him happy.
It was a couple of months after we met when it happened. I was leaving his house at night to head back to the inn, just as I was about to leave I wanted just one more kiss, just one more god forsaken kiss.
The next day we planned to explore the town again as it was his day off. We had just finished shopping at the market and were heading back to his shop to cook lunch, we took the alley way we always take but as soon as we entered some men appeared blocking the path out. Sparrow paused and put his hand out to stop me.
It felt as though time had stopped, the men approached and took out bats. Sparrow pushed me slightly and said "Run Sanji, get out of here quickly."
I looked up to him, "What? I'm not going to leave you!"
I looked back to the men as one of them laughed at us. "Look at them, filthy Lavenders."
Sparrow turned around and grabbed my shoulders and looked me straight in the eyes. "Please Sanji, get out of here!" he pushed me again and I felt terror grip my guts, I turned and ran as fast as I could back into the market area. I needed to get help, I saw Zeff and some other chefs milling around before so I went to where I thought they would be.
I finally found them after a few seconds of searching; I begged them to follow me and help. I could feel my body starting to shake from the fear. They followed me quickly to the alley, when we rounded the corner I saw them kicking and beating Sparrow as he was curled up in a ball on the ground, the groceries we had bought strewn about haphazardly.
Zeff and the others immediately went to help, the men started to run off and a few of the chefs chased after them as they disappeared around the corner. I ran to Sparrows side, as soon as I got a good look at him I felt my heart break and my blood run cold. One of them had a knife; they had stabbed Sparrow a few times in the gut. He was bleeding out rapidly, panting heavily and trying to keep his eyes open. I could feel my eyes streaming as I cupped his face.
"I'm so sorry Sparrow, this is all my fault! They must have seen us last night, if I hadn't asked for that last kiss." I sobbed pathetically at my own idiocy. He had told me to keep secret, to keep our relationship behind closed doors. He knew what was at stake and I was being foolish.
"Sanji, this wasn't your fault. They had suspected me for a long time now. This is the reality of our lives; I'm just sorry you had to see it this way." Sparrow took a moment to cough, blood staining the deathly white skin of his hand. "I love you Sanji, please live on, and know I don't blame you." Sparrow reached out with a shaky hand and touched my cheek. In the next moment his hand slipped away and I watched as the light left his eyes, saw them dull until all remnants of his life had left his ruby eyes and I was alone. Alone with the knowledge I had caused my lovers death, alone in this cruel and unfair world.
This was the moment I decided I would never love openly again. I vowed I would never again put my love in danger like this, I would never ever see the light leave the eyes of my dearest again.
To be continued
A/N: Please let me know what you think, I hope I did this chapter its due justice!