It was hard not to be absolutely taken with their new crew member. Leave it to Luffy to not ask any questions before recruiting someone seemingly in distress. To see such a beautiful woman isolating herself feels like a crime- especially due to a deadly illness. While some of the others have a bit of trepidation in her presence, Sanji doesn't feel he has a reason to be worried.
Her relationship with food worries him, but he'd say that of anyone who only ate out of necessity or wanted to starve themselves. It's no way to live. Learning that her condition causes everything to taste like ash is heartbreaking- he can't imagine life being unable to enjoy flavors. Which is why he makes it his own personal mission to find something with a flavor powerful enough that she can enjoy it. Why not try to make the most of whatever life she's got left?
"This is crispy rice with spicy salmon, pickled vegetables, and miso soup." He gestures with a hand at the spread he's put before her before offering a shrug as he wipes down his prep station with a rag. "Maybe it is, but consider this an experiment in texture and taste. I cook like this for everyone, food shouldn't be boring."
She stared at the food in turn as he named them, lower lip worried between her teeth. She felt bad. Sanji's food looked incredible- smelled it, too, from the very faint hint that managed to permeate her otherwise useless sense of smell. And maybe that was a good sign - if she could smell it, even a little, maybe she could taste it, too. She didn't have high hopes, but she also wasn't going to outright tell him he was wasting his time. It was rude and he was sweet. Too sweet.
"I've always eaten boring food." She admitted. "Even before I got sick - I mostly cooked to survive." Rabbits and deer and anything she could hunt, always unseasoned and cooked over a wild fire. This was. Vastly different.
She took a spoonful of soup and blew on it, raising it to her lips with a tentative sip; expecting nothing and finding just a hint of saltiness hitting her tongue. "Whoa."
“I know how frustrating that must have been, eating what was available and unable to enjoy it. I promise you won’t ever have to worry about that while you’re on the Merry with us.”
She will never eat another bland, boring meal out of necessity as long as he’s got something to do with it. While he’s not anticipating anything from this particular first test, his heart soars when she takes her first sip. He grins in excitement, leaning on his elbows across from her.
“I was hoping that the umami would come through! I used a bit more seasoning than normal. How is it?” He is poised and ready to take notes on what works and what he needs to work on. He will find her the perfect meal if it kills him.
She chuckled after taking another sip of the soup. If nothing else, the heat felt nice on her ever aching throat, and that subtle tang of flavor was more than she had had in years. "Umami?" Forgive her Sanji, she knows not of cooking terms save the obvious ones. "Sounds hilarious, but if that's what you're doing you should keep doing it. It's like - savory? I can kind of taste the salt, too."
The fact that he was so invested in her thoughts on the food she could only just taste was endearing, and she again felt something akin to guilt for almost wasting the food before her by not being able to embrace the flavor fully. "Good. It's really good." She added as a proper answer to his question. "Your crew is lucky- I'm pretty sure most pirates don't eat like this."
Even if that was the only win for her, he would take it in a heartbeat. A baseline is a baseline, right? "Yeah, that's right, savory. Things like mushrooms, meat, your salty broth. Okay, okay, I'm dying to know what you think about the other things, too!"
While she eats, he's going to try not to hover, but there's only so much in the kitchen he can clean right now and he'd rather watch her expression change if the flavor hits again. He jots down the recipe he used for the soup so he can play with the balance later.
Sanji beams at her from across the table, pride swelling. "I'm sure they don't, but most crews don't also have the best chef in the East Blue." And he winks, unapologetic.
"Okay, okay." She laughed. It was probably for the best she didn't load up on soup anyway. Night Sky never could eat much, especially now, and she'd be full before she tried anything else.
"Lucky them, and lucky me."
The crispy rice and salmon was equally as good as the soup, the texture and spice nice on her tongue, hitting her tastebuds just enough for her to know what what she was supposed to be tasting. Those pickled vegetables, though? Those she really tasted. And as she put a spoonful into her mouth, she had to stop, chewing slow and purposeful.
It was so stupid - but she felt tears stinging the corners of her eyes. "Holy shit, Sanji." She murmured, ducking her head down slightly to try and hide her face. "This is so good..."
He can't help but wait with bated breath as she tries the main course, letting out a sigh of relief when she seems to like it. When she stops to very clearly savor those pickled vegetables? He can't help but be over the moon that he's found something that she can actually taste and enjoy the way she's meant to.
"That makes me so happy. I'll make it for you every day if that's what you want! This gives me so many other ideas that I hope will be this good."
Sanji reaches over the counter to rest his hand on top of hers, giving it a gentle squeeze. "Whatever I can do for you, I want to do it."
There was a reflexive twitch of her fingers, fear shooting through her the moment be touched her that even the proximity might infect him with the disease destroying her from the inside. But she had already been there a while and, so far, everyone seemed fine. Maybe it was dumb luck, but either way, it was luck enough to assure her, perhaps stupidly. So she turned her hand to squeeze his in turn after that initial surprise, biting her lip to try and quell her tears.
It didn't help.
"I don't know what to say." Her voice, already raspy from her ceaseless aching throat, cracked as tears fell from her eyes. "Thank you- I don't know how I can repay you, even for this. But thank you."
He doesn't want to be dismissive of her concerns about her condition being passed on, but he's never been sick before, so to him, it's the last thing on his mind. What's at the forefront is making sure she can enjoy the life she has left (and he hopes that it's much longer). He's there for her, whatever she needs- or wants.
Sanji never takes seeing a woman cry very well, especially when it's someone he's come to care for. He shakes his head, offering her a strained smile as he fights to keep his own composure. No one should have to go through what she's going through and she's so strong. He's glad he could do this one thing for her.
"You don't have to say anything, okay? I'm so happy I could do this for you and I'd never think to ask anything in return for it." With his free hand, he reaches out to gently brush away the tear from her cheek. "I didn't mean to make you cry."
For whatever it was worth, they were mostly tears of joy. The fact that someone cared so much about her to put as much effort in as Sanji did was just so overwhelming. And at this point it wasn't just the food. The contact; that touch of his hand in her own and the brush of his fingers under her eyes was enough to make her gasp aloud. How long had it been since she touched someone? How long had it been since she wasn't terrified of being close to another person.
Night Sky leaned into his hand, and when she feared it might move too far, reached up to grasp it with her free hand and insistently press his palm to her cheek. "I'm sorry." She murmured. "I'm not upset- I'm happy. You've given me so much more than I have had in years." She closed her eyes and sighed. "Gods, you're so warm."
Tears of joy, tears of pain.. there's little difference in how it makes his chest feel just a bit tighter, but he's glad she's not in pain. His smile softens to something less pained when she presses his hand insistently to her cheek, and he'll keep it there, stroking her cheekbone lightly with his thumb. Her fingers feel cold over his, but he doesn't mind.
"There's nothing for you to be sorry for." He's quick to assure her, there's no apologies necessary for something he's passionate about. "Making sure people eat- and can enjoy eating is one of the most important things to me. So thank you for letting me."
Sanji hums, and because he can't help himself, "I'll help keep you warm anytime."
Night Sky closed her eyes and basked on the warmth of his hand; the tender brush of his thumb. Her fingers remained curled lightly around his, unwilling - or perhaps even unable in her instinctive desperation and need for the touch of another - to release him until he made any indication he wanted to pull back.
"You're a good man... for a pirate." A tease, her eyes fluttering open again as the blush upon her cheeks only darkened; freckled skin warm under his palm. "You shouldn't tease me like that, Sanji. Because I would give anything to have your arms around me right now." But he shouldn't, right? Her expression faltered slightly, voice lowered to a whisper. "I don't want to hurt you."
He won't move his hand so long as she's occupied with holding it. What kind of monster would he be if he deprived a beautiful young woman of his comfort? She teases, perhaps, but there is truth to it. The Straw Hats are a good crew full of good people.
"I would argue that I am a cook first and a pirate second." Turning his hand so he may capture hers in his grasp, he moves with ease around the table to stand behind her. Sanji only lets go so he can wrap his arms around her shoulders, speaking lowly next to her ear. There's no question to him what the right course of action is.
"Well my point still stands. Although 'you're a good man, for a cook' really doesn't have the same oomph to it." She was laughing when he grasped her hand, the sound petering off as she watched him, curious and a little alarmed. He wasn't serious - he couldn't be.
But he was, apparently. She was tense in his embrace at first, fearful she might infect him just by existing at such a close proximity. She tried to think logically even as her mind was racing and her heart was hammering in her chest - him and the entire crew would have already contracted her disease if they could. She had been around them long enough. Coughed enough to spread it but no one seemed even remotely sick, and especially not Sanji, the man who had been the closest.
"Sanji..." she murmured, the tension ebbing so she could lean back into him, hands raised to grip his arms. "You're out of your mind." She chuckled softly. "But please, gods, don't let go."
Sanji's never been one to shy away from a challenge. While there's nothing tangible to fight as a deadly disease ravages Night Sky's body, he can still fight to ensure she feels loved and wanted. Her illness isn't what defines her and no one deserves to be alone when all they should be receiving is comfort. Even if it's the last thing he ever does, it will have been worth it- but he doesn't plan on dying before he's found the All Blue.
She has nothing to worry about.
"I've heard that one before, tell me something I don't know." He rests his chin on the top of her head after planting a kiss in her hair, arms squeezing a bit more firmly. "I won't, but you should eat."
"Okay." She probably couldn't eat much more, even if it was absolutely incredible. Night Sky's appetite had been all but suppressed for years, and she was small enough that the amount she had eaten was already making her feel full. But Sanji had put a lot of effort and heart into the meal, and she'd be damned if that sweet man's efforts went to waste.
She kept one hand on his arm, squeezing and kneading every once in a while. The weight of him against her was a comfort she hadn't experienced in a long, long time, and it was damn near rivaling the comfort she felt from the meal he had made. "You're going to have to carry me out of here, I think. I haven't eaten this much in years." But the soft hums of approval while she chewed probably suggested that was not a complaint. And when all was said and done, most of the food was gone.
It's okay if she can't, nothing goes to waste on board and it gives him a good idea of what portions she'll be able to handle when he makes everyone different meals during feasts. He enjoys putting effort in and making everything beautiful. Food is supposed to make a person feel things, and it starts with the presentation.
Sanji keeps himself in place, arms draped around her as she finishes. He hums, releasing her as she finishes, moving to clear her plate and bowl away. "I think I can manage that. I'm really glad you were able to get your fill, it means a lot to me that you're well-fed. Can I get you anything else?"
Night Sky sighed as he released her, leaning back in her seat to assure she was not in his way. She was tempted to offer to help - but Sanji seemed the type to insist against it. "Food-wise? No, I think I'm good." She said, "but if you're offering anything besides that... I might have a few suggestions." A dangerous game to be playing, but his insistence that she could not harm him may have made her just a little bolder.
He puts the used dishes in the sink, and he makes moves to wash them until she says that. Sanji stops, turning to look at her, eyebrow arched. The smile on his face betrays the skepticism he was trying to project as he strides back over to her. He sits on the edge of the table in front of her, leaning in.
"I did say anything, didn't I?" He reaches out to tilt her chin up, leaning down to press a kiss to her lips.
She almost rescinded her offer with that initial look, uncertain how far the line was and if she had accidentally crossed it. But then he was there, warm fingers under her chin; warmer lips on hers. Night Sky hummed softly and lifted her arms up to wrap around his neck, hesitating for a split second before she pressed a little harder into the kiss.
The arms around his neck are the consent he needs to wrap a steadying arm around her waist, pulling her closer. The hand at her chin slides to the side of her face, his fingers gently tangling in her hair. She smells of earth and flowers, like the scent of soap. Sanji's tongue licks at her bottom lip, a silent plea to deepen the kiss.
There are plenty of better places they could be doing this, not wanting her to be uncomfortable, but the galley makes all the sense in the world right now.
Night Sky wondered how upset he might be if she disturbed his workstation; if there was some secret chef code not to make out with a woman on top of where they prepped the food. Oh well. If it was an issue, he could adjust her - she was light and his grip was strong enough she had no doubt of that. So while parting her lips and allowing him as much access as he desired, she shifted to lift her butt out of her seat and plant it instead on the top of the counter, raising her so she was more level with Sanji and he wouldn't have to bow down to meet her while she slipped her own tongue into his mouth.
Nobody else gets to make out on his workstation, that is his solitary right as the chef- and as long as everything is sanitized, it's fine. He hums into the kiss, tongue sliding against hers in the hungry press of their lips. She's sitting next to him, but it's not enough. Scooting a bit further back on the table and, as gently as he can, hauls her onto his lap. He keeps a hand at her waist for a bit of extra stability.
When he does pull away, it's only so he can give her a moment to catch her breath if she needs it. He doesn't go far, resting his forehead against hers.
There were no objections on her end as she happily and eagerly shifted to settle into his lap, hands cupping his cheeks or carding through his hair. Her lungs (useless things that they were these days) were already burning, but she did not break away until Sanji did. Even then, with their foreheads pressed together, she stole little kisses with careful tilts of her head. "Gods." She murmured, tongue sliding over her teeth. "Dessert tastes just as good as dinner did." Not that she could taste much at all, but that was not the point. "You sure you want to mess up your kitchen?"
He will have anyone's head that decides to come into the galley right now, it's decided. He meets those achingly tender kisses with his own, rubbing gentle circles on her back.
"Heh. I don't know about that, but I'm happy to serve." If he's been smoking a bit more recently, it's only because he's stressed about how fucked Night Sky's situation is. It makes him angry that such a wonderful person is stuck with something so rotten. "You won't hear any complaints from me." Sanji pulls away to better look her in the eye, his brow furrowed with concern. "Unless you'd like somewhere a bit more comfortable?"
"No." She said quicky. Even if she did want to move somewhere more suitable for what they were going to do, she didn't want to be away from him for even a second to do so. "This is perfect." She smiled, stole another kiss, and hooked her finger into the loop of his tie, tugging to loosen it. When she spoke again, her voice was low. "I've wanted you since we met, you know. I didn't think I'd actually get the chance..."
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Her relationship with food worries him, but he'd say that of anyone who only ate out of necessity or wanted to starve themselves. It's no way to live. Learning that her condition causes everything to taste like ash is heartbreaking- he can't imagine life being unable to enjoy flavors. Which is why he makes it his own personal mission to find something with a flavor powerful enough that she can enjoy it. Why not try to make the most of whatever life she's got left?
"This is crispy rice with spicy salmon, pickled vegetables, and miso soup." He gestures with a hand at the spread he's put before her before offering a shrug as he wipes down his prep station with a rag. "Maybe it is, but consider this an experiment in texture and taste. I cook like this for everyone, food shouldn't be boring."
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"I've always eaten boring food." She admitted. "Even before I got sick - I mostly cooked to survive." Rabbits and deer and anything she could hunt, always unseasoned and cooked over a wild fire. This was. Vastly different.
She took a spoonful of soup and blew on it, raising it to her lips with a tentative sip; expecting nothing and finding just a hint of saltiness hitting her tongue. "Whoa."
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She will never eat another bland, boring meal out of necessity as long as he’s got something to do with it. While he’s not anticipating anything from this particular first test, his heart soars when she takes her first sip. He grins in excitement, leaning on his elbows across from her.
“I was hoping that the umami would come through! I used a bit more seasoning than normal. How is it?” He is poised and ready to take notes on what works and what he needs to work on. He will find her the perfect meal if it kills him.
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The fact that he was so invested in her thoughts on the food she could only just taste was endearing, and she again felt something akin to guilt for almost wasting the food before her by not being able to embrace the flavor fully. "Good. It's really good." She added as a proper answer to his question. "Your crew is lucky- I'm pretty sure most pirates don't eat like this."
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While she eats, he's going to try not to hover, but there's only so much in the kitchen he can clean right now and he'd rather watch her expression change if the flavor hits again. He jots down the recipe he used for the soup so he can play with the balance later.
Sanji beams at her from across the table, pride swelling. "I'm sure they don't, but most crews don't also have the best chef in the East Blue." And he winks, unapologetic.
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"Lucky them, and lucky me."
The crispy rice and salmon was equally as good as the soup, the texture and spice nice on her tongue, hitting her tastebuds just enough for her to know what what she was supposed to be tasting. Those pickled vegetables, though? Those she really tasted. And as she put a spoonful into her mouth, she had to stop, chewing slow and purposeful.
It was so stupid - but she felt tears stinging the corners of her eyes. "Holy shit, Sanji." She murmured, ducking her head down slightly to try and hide her face. "This is so good..."
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"That makes me so happy. I'll make it for you every day if that's what you want! This gives me so many other ideas that I hope will be this good."
Sanji reaches over the counter to rest his hand on top of hers, giving it a gentle squeeze. "Whatever I can do for you, I want to do it."
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It didn't help.
"I don't know what to say." Her voice, already raspy from her ceaseless aching throat, cracked as tears fell from her eyes. "Thank you- I don't know how I can repay you, even for this. But thank you."
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Sanji never takes seeing a woman cry very well, especially when it's someone he's come to care for. He shakes his head, offering her a strained smile as he fights to keep his own composure. No one should have to go through what she's going through and she's so strong. He's glad he could do this one thing for her.
"You don't have to say anything, okay? I'm so happy I could do this for you and I'd never think to ask anything in return for it." With his free hand, he reaches out to gently brush away the tear from her cheek. "I didn't mean to make you cry."
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Night Sky leaned into his hand, and when she feared it might move too far, reached up to grasp it with her free hand and insistently press his palm to her cheek. "I'm sorry." She murmured. "I'm not upset- I'm happy. You've given me so much more than I have had in years." She closed her eyes and sighed. "Gods, you're so warm."
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"There's nothing for you to be sorry for." He's quick to assure her, there's no apologies necessary for something he's passionate about. "Making sure people eat- and can enjoy eating is one of the most important things to me. So thank you for letting me."
Sanji hums, and because he can't help himself, "I'll help keep you warm anytime."
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"You're a good man... for a pirate." A tease, her eyes fluttering open again as the blush upon her cheeks only darkened; freckled skin warm under his palm. "You shouldn't tease me like that, Sanji. Because I would give anything to have your arms around me right now." But he shouldn't, right? Her expression faltered slightly, voice lowered to a whisper. "I don't want to hurt you."
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"I would argue that I am a cook first and a pirate second." Turning his hand so he may capture hers in his grasp, he moves with ease around the table to stand behind her. Sanji only lets go so he can wrap his arms around her shoulders, speaking lowly next to her ear. There's no question to him what the right course of action is.
"You don't have the ability to hurt me."
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But he was, apparently. She was tense in his embrace at first, fearful she might infect him just by existing at such a close proximity. She tried to think logically even as her mind was racing and her heart was hammering in her chest - him and the entire crew would have already contracted her disease if they could. She had been around them long enough. Coughed enough to spread it but no one seemed even remotely sick, and especially not Sanji, the man who had been the closest.
"Sanji..." she murmured, the tension ebbing so she could lean back into him, hands raised to grip his arms. "You're out of your mind." She chuckled softly. "But please, gods, don't let go."
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She has nothing to worry about.
"I've heard that one before, tell me something I don't know." He rests his chin on the top of her head after planting a kiss in her hair, arms squeezing a bit more firmly. "I won't, but you should eat."
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She kept one hand on his arm, squeezing and kneading every once in a while. The weight of him against her was a comfort she hadn't experienced in a long, long time, and it was damn near rivaling the comfort she felt from the meal he had made. "You're going to have to carry me out of here, I think. I haven't eaten this much in years." But the soft hums of approval while she chewed probably suggested that was not a complaint. And when all was said and done, most of the food was gone.
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Sanji keeps himself in place, arms draped around her as she finishes. He hums, releasing her as she finishes, moving to clear her plate and bowl away. "I think I can manage that. I'm really glad you were able to get your fill, it means a lot to me that you're well-fed. Can I get you anything else?"
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Besides, you won't know if you don't ask, right?
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"I did say anything, didn't I?" He reaches out to tilt her chin up, leaning down to press a kiss to her lips.
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There are plenty of better places they could be doing this, not wanting her to be uncomfortable, but the galley makes all the sense in the world right now.
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When he does pull away, it's only so he can give her a moment to catch her breath if she needs it. He doesn't go far, resting his forehead against hers.
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"Heh. I don't know about that, but I'm happy to serve." If he's been smoking a bit more recently, it's only because he's stressed about how fucked Night Sky's situation is. It makes him angry that such a wonderful person is stuck with something so rotten. "You won't hear any complaints from me." Sanji pulls away to better look her in the eye, his brow furrowed with concern. "Unless you'd like somewhere a bit more comfortable?"
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