Cherry ♡

after the navy raid, everyone was too busy celebrating another narrow escape to notice how stiffly you climbed aboard the sunny. you laughed when luffy pulled everyone into a victory hug, even though it made something sharp bloom beneath your ribs.

you slipped away before anyone could ask questions.

you almost made it to your room.

"where are you sneaking off to, sweetheart?"

your shoulders froze.

sanji leaned against the galley doorway, arms folded. there wasn't his usual teasing grin. just those careful blue eyes watching every tiny movement.

"...to rest."

"with your hand pressed against your side?"

your fingers instinctively pulled away from the wound beneath your shirt.

"...habit."

he sighed.

"come here."

"i'm fine."

"you're limping."

"..."

"and you've been holding your breath every few seconds."

you stared at the floor.

"...come here," he repeated, softer this time.

your feet carried you over before your pride could stop them.

inside the galley, sanji gently pulled a chair out for you.

"shirt up a little."

"..."

"i'm not asking to embarrass you."

after a long moment, you obeyed.

the bandage you'd tied in a hurry was stained through with red.

sanji closed his eyes.

"...you call this 'fine?'"

"sorry..."

he carefully cleaned the cut, his touch impossibly gentle. every time you flinched, he apologized as though he'd been the one hurt.

the silence stretched until he finally spoke.

"why don't you ever tell us?"

you watched your hands.

"...i don't want to bother anyone."

he stopped wrapping the fresh bandage.

"...bother us?"

you nodded.

"everyone already has enough to deal with."

sanji let out the smallest laugh. not because it was funny.

because it hurt.

"do you know what bothers me?"

you looked up.

"seeing you think you have to carry everything alone."

his hands rested lightly over yours.

"if i got hurt, you'd worry, wouldn't you?"

"...of course."

"if nami got sick?"

"i'd help."

"if chopper looked upset?"

"i'd ask what was wrong."

he smiled sadly.

"then why are you the only person who's not allowed that same kindness?"

your throat tightened.

"...i don't know."

"you don't have to earn being taken care of."

your eyes blurred before you realized you were crying.

"...i'm sorry."

"don't apologize."

he brushed away a tear with his thumb.

"next time you're hurting..."

his smile softened into something warm enough to melt every wall you'd built.

"...let us know."

"...especially me."

you gave the tiniest nod.

"...i'll try."

sanji chuckled.

"that's all i wanted to hear."

he stood, already reaching for a pot.

"now sit still."

"...where are you going?"

he glanced over his shoulder with a grin.

"making soup."

"...doctor's orders?"

"cook's orders."

for the first time in a long while, letting someone take care of you didn't feel like a burden.

it felt like home.

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