ʀᴀᴛɪɴɢ: K
ᴘᴀɪʀɪɴɢs: Nami, Sanji
sᴜᴍᴍᴀʀʏ: After the betrayal of Sanji and his arrival back to the Sunny, he couldn't help but feel shameful and guilty of his actions. The words he spat at the crew, at her, had reminded him day in and day out. He wasn't sure if she forgave him at all.
𓆝 𓆜 ––––———–––––———–⁀
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He still remembered that day as if it just happened a few minutes ago.
The day where he was "kidnapped" by Big Mom's crew and forced to marry one of her children. Although the woman they chose for him was beautiful, he couldn't shake the feeling of it being wrong. Utterly and bitterly wrong.
He wanted to go back.
He remembered Luffy had came in to rescue him when they made their way towards the castle. He was in shock, of course, but felt angry that his captain got out of his way to take him back to the Sunny. If only he knew that it wasn't his choice to betray them that day.
And Nami. Nami was there too when Luffy came for the rescue. When he fought against their captain, she slapped him. Just like that. And it hurt. Not because of the slap, no, because of the pain she showed in her eyes. The betrayal and hurt. For whatever reason, he just felt like he deserved it. He'd broken her and it's all because of him.
Was he in the wrong?
Was he wrong for protecting them?
"Sanji! I'm hungry!" The voice of his Captain rang. It had stirred him away from his thoughts. "Yeah, on it!" He replied and walked towards the galley where he was met again with his signature kitchen. Upon entering, it was dead silent. No one was in there besides him. The rest of the crew found better use of their time and did their own business outside the kitchen which he was glad for.
Although the crew had all accepted him back onto the ship, he still felt out of place. He shouldn't be here. He should have been dead, damn it.
But he wasn't.
Luffy still came to rescue him although he didn't know the full story behind it. Was he that desperate to get him back no matter what? Was he really the friend that Luffy promised to take to the end? Was he really that important to him?
Sadly, that question would never be answered in a million years.
He walked over towards the fridge and pulled out multiple stacks of meat and veggies which were waiting to be served. The man was really just in his own world. The rest of the kitchen was left unnoticed and forgotten as he danced around, flipping pans and sprinkling salt.
However, one creak of the door had resulted in him stopping himself.
"Luffy, lunch is soon. Please be patient and get out of my kitchen." Sanji warned. He instantly speculated that it was the rubber boy as it wasn't unnatural for Luffy to sneak up from behind and snatch whatever food that he saw. Sanji's basically gotten used to his antics now.
"As you wish."
He stopped.
What he was expecting was the annoying voice of Luffy whining and complaining about food. Maybe it being Zoro who happened to get lost but found himself following the scent of his dishes.
But never would he have guessed that it was her who had entered.
He looked over his shoulder to find Nami. He was only able to get a glimpse of her facial features before she turned and reached the door that led outside.
"Oh! Nami! I apologize for my rude manners. I... I didn't expect it to be you." Sanji quickly apologized. It was evident that he wasn't on her good side anymore and he knew it. She was still sour. He didn't blame her as she had every right to be mad and furious at him. "Was there something you needed?" He added which led her to stop. Her hand was already latched around the doorknob. "I was about to grab a glass of water." Nami replied. It sounded empty and emotionless. Not the Nami he was accustomed to. "I could make you juice if you'd-" "I came for a glass of water." Nami interrupted harshly. He flinched at her sudden interruption but nodded in the end. In a blink of an eye, he had already a glass in his hands and poured in water with cold ice. Only the best for her.
"Here you go, dear." Without any word, she took the glass and walked out, leaving him alone again with his food that still waited for his service.
He sighed and continued doing what he was doing. Suddenly, being in the kitchen made him sick. He didn't want to be in there anymore. Lunch was almost done anyway so it wouldn't be long till he could excuse himself outside for a breather.
"Guys, lunch is ready!"
The kitchen was then instantly packed with the Straw Hat crew. They all seemed so jolly and oblivious to his presence.
However, as much as he enjoyed seeing them all together again, his mind was still bothered by the scene earlier. There wasn't anything wrong with her, of course not, but he couldn't seem to remove that pure hatred in her eyes the moment they made eye contact.
The person he was now thinking about still had not made an appearance in the kitchen. Was she still upset? He could not know.
"Hey, love cook. Quit staring at my food!" Zoro suddenly argued. It had taken the interest of a few crew members at the table as well. "You're a bit off today, cook." The archeologist commented. "Yeah, a bit too quiet. And where's Nami?" They all looked at her spot besides Robin and found it to be empty. Odd. "I could deliver her some leftovers if she's not arriving." Brook had offered and continued eating.
"No need, Brook. I'll just deliver her food myself."
"Suit yourself, cook. I should not bother you" Replied the musician.
With that, the cook took her plates and began walking out the Galley to find the ginger maiden.
It was a bit cold out, with the breeze hitting harder each time a wave collapsed on the ship. Days like these were rare for the Straw Hats. Usually the Marines or Navy would've chased them towards another island or some baggy pirates trying to steal whatever they had. It was all too much to sink in but with this much quietness, one would get lost, especially in this big ship.
But he hadn't had to squint in order to see the woman with a white dress on which flowed with the cold breeze. She looked heavenly from the back, with her ginger tinted hair almost red tied up in a ponytail. It was a sight only the richest could afford. Yet he stood here, looking at her from a distance like a fool.
"Nami." He tried calling out to her. But she gave nothing in return. Just the wind talking back to him. So which he tried again but softer. "Nami..." This time, he inched closer to her small and petite form.
"Nami, I've brought you your lunch. If you'd like to eat, I'll be putting it on the table."
"It's fine." The feminine voice of the navigator rang.
And so, the cook placed the tray onto the table neatly and was prepared to walk off again until a shadow had formed right below his feet.
"Sanji, I apologize for the way I acted back there."
"There's no need to apologize, darling. You have every reason to be like that."
"... Yes...But you know, if you scare me like that again, I will not forgive you so easily."
He knew it, yes. "Yes, darling. I'm truly sorry for saddening you. It shall not happen again in the future."
"Good. It's nice to have you back, Sanji."
He sighed, letting out some air he didn't know he kept. "I thought you forgot about me. It had been several days that you haven't spoken to me so I've only assumed that."
"I tried to. But having to see you everyday on the ship makes it a lot more difficult." Nami frankly told. She chuckled at the end which did put a small smile on Sanji's face. "Now let's forget the past, shall we? I'm sure you could make up to your wrong doings, you have enough time."
She was correct. Although he still felt the guilt lingering around him at the time, he was still convinced he could take back the things he had done and try being the man he was before. After all, the people he was with still accepted him regardless of what actions he did and was glad to have them as friends.
"Thank you, Nami... " The cook was solemn, a bit quiet so to speak. And Nami caught on. "If Luffy trusts that you stay, I do too." She spoke. It's true that she's doing it all for the captain, but a part is doing because it's him. Sanji was her crew mate. Her comrade. Her friend. And she'd do it all over again.
A soft smile appeared on his lips as he blew out his cigar on the railing. The breeze was getting warmer, like a warm hug. Everything started to get clearer and suddenly, the tides stopped. He knew what that meant and he was glad that it stopped. Everything was quiet and beautiful and for the first time in a while, he felt like he was home again.
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