Pompom Fan ♡ (and Sanji Too Ig)

They don't look at you with pity, or disappointment, or annoyance, or worry, they don't…. Look at you with anything at all, actually. Completely silent like the rest of the night. Can stars even see?

If they could, what have they witnessed?

"Some of the brightest stars in the sky that you can see, are already dead," whispered the memory of Robin near your ear, "dead before any of us were even born really." She finished off her usual morbid one-liners.

A bright remanent of what once was. You think it's beautiful still. It's a remanent that would last for generations, though you weren't sure if the thought helped to soothe you in any way.

Your gaze drifts downwards, to the soft waves below, the scent of salt stronger from below as you catch the faint glimpse of your reflection in the near-still waters that cradle the Sunny.

"Everyone here loves you just as much as you love them. You're not a burden."

The words repeat in your head like a mantra, the only clear thought that would fill the emptiness in your head when it eventually tired itself out.

You haven't spoken directly for a few days now, the rational side of you knew he was just giving you space, but the other side was steeped in a vat of boiling stress and anxiety. It was numbing. A dull ache that didn't go away, and you knew of why.

You had snapped at him. That evening while watching the sea. You had let your emotions get the better of you again and lashed out at the one guy with the ability to let your guard down. You want to apologize— you SHOULD apologize, but your feet feel like they're stuck in glue. Stiff and unmoving, you were once again falling back to the same old habits you had sworn before to grow past. You couldn't keep doing this.

You can't avoid Sanji forever.

You don't want to.

Not when your heart has already latched onto him so. You let out a deep sigh, stepping back from the railing and flopping onto the grass, fully embracing the sky above, stars winking back at you.

"Can I tell you a secret?" you whisper.

You would've felt silly if you weren't on the brink of a breakdown.

"I really like him. I like him a lot, but I think it would be best if I didn't…"

You couldn't stop yourself now that you've started.

"I'm more trouble than it's worth, too many issues. He deserves someone better than that."

Your throat feels dry, but you continue, the words coming out shaky the tear ducts of your eyes filling at the brim.

"Even still… I want him to look at me like that more… like I mean something. I don't want to be just another girl… but that's silly, isn't it? I'm being selfish again. Asking for more than I should…" the stars above seem to blur against the dark backdrop, like drops of milk in a puddle of ink.

"I only started noticing because he treats me so nicely… like he does to every girl after all…"

You start to feel an ache around your eyes, a sudden sniffle surprising you out of your confession. Quickly, you sit up, wiping away the gross fluids from your face with the sleeve of your shirt. Your fists ball up in the process, and your figure shifts into a curled up ball to quiet your sobs.

Pitiful honestly.

You curl in tighter.

A soft foreign crunch in the grass startles you out of your misery, and you sit up straight, looking around frantically, eyes landing on a handkerchief in front of you.

"Here." says the owner, quieter than a mouse, like any louder would scare you off.

You stammer out a quick word of gratitude, hesitatingly taking the soft fabric, and gently dabbing the farthest corner against your sore eyes before handing it back. You wipe the rest on your sleeve.

"Thank you…" you murmur, nervous about your voice sounding more scratchy than you'd like.

"Can I make you something to drink? Maybe a warm cup of tea?"

You stiffen up, gaze drifting to the one you hadn't wished to see you in this state regarding you gently. You nearly yelp in surprise.

"Wha- What are yOU-" you burst into a fit of coughs before you could finish your sentence, and Sanji immediately crouches down next to you, hesitatingly rubbing your back in and up and down motion as you ride it out.

"Couldn't sleep…" he replies after you've finished, like you were the one to have found him in a messed up state and not the other way around, "came out for a quick smoke, it… helps relax me."

You side eye him curiously, he doesn't seem bothered at all by your… situation. In fact, he seemed eager to get another word in with you.

"That cough sounded painful, I'll make you something to drink, is that ok? What would you like?"

Your mouth opens and closes like a fish, and you settle on a simple nod, making him chuckle slightly.

"Alright." he stands up, holding out a hand for you to grab, "Let's head to the galley then."

--------------------

You seat yourself at the bar, fidgeting nervously while Sanji works, smoke wafting from the cigarette poised between his lips, upturned on one end as they usually did when he was focused on something. Neither of you had spoken much at all since entering the galley, with you being too anxious to breach that bubble. He had been so kind… he always is. But he was once again being too nice to you, without expecting anything at all in particular.

"Order up," he says lightly, sliding a warm cup of tea towards you.

"Thank you, Sanji." you say sincerely, your leg bouncing anxiously.

"Of course," he replies with a reassuring grin, one you don't deserve.

Your leg bounces more intensely as he leans back against the counter behind him, holding his own cup of tea. He doesn't push, he never does if you don't want to. You bite your lip again, the tea burning your heavy tongue.

"I'm sorry." you say suddenly.

Sanji's eyebrow quirks up in surprise, "Sorry… for what?"

"I'm sorry about what I said… What I said that day. I was being rude to you, and you were only trying to help. I'm sorry, Sanji, you're a very kind person, and I didn't return that kindness back towards you."

"Whoa, hey hey hey-" he says setting down his cup of tea, moving quickly to the bar and resting both hands on the edge, "You don't have to-"

"I do." you interrupt him, "I was being rude, I'm sorry, Sanji, and… thank you. For.. for the tea."

Sanji pauses, lips parting without a word, so you fill in the space, "I don't want to avoid you anymore, I want to make up. We're crewmates after all."

You take another sip of the tea before you continue, "And you're a good friend of mine too… so…"

Sanji smiles softly, "I forgive you."

"You're not just saying that right?" you surprise yourself with your own words.

"'course not…" he chuckles, "I forgave you days ago."

"You're…. something. Mr. Black-Leg." you let out a breathy, humorless laugh.

"Is it something good?"

"… yeah. It's something good." you hold out your hand to him, "so… friends again…?"

He takes your hand and presses a teasing kiss to the knuckles, "Never even considered we stopped in the first place."

Your cheeks felt warm as you pull your hand back with a soft huff, "You never change… always the lady's man you are, huh?"

"Perhaps… but hopefully I can be something more to you soon enough."

"You shouldn't tease so much… People will get the wrong idea y'know." you finish your tea, the sentence having ended a tad more somber than you'd like.

Sanji immediately stiffens up.

"I would never give you the wrong idea…" he says softly.

You look up from your empty teacup.

"I…" Sanji starts, reaching towards you, before grabbing your teacup and bringing it to the sink.

He coughs awkwardly into his hand, quickly washing the two cups, scrubbing aggressively.

"You don't have to lie to make me feel better, Sanji. I appreciate it, but really, I'll be ok—"

The water instantly shuts off with purpose as Sanji places the cups in the dish rack to dry, wiping his hands against the hand towel before rushing towards you with a stern look in his eye.

"Enough of that." he says, "You're always saying things like that. Always…." he sighs, hand waving in the air as he finds the words stuck in the back of his throat, "You mean so much to us ok? You mean a lot to me, you just can't see…"

You lean back slightly, startled by this sudden outburst, "You don't have to—"

"I DO. I do have to." he huffs, resting his hands on your shoulders with a firm grip, one that was grounding, "I love your laugh, I love the way you brighten up when I make your favorite foods, I love the way you tear up over sad stories, how excited you get over things you love-" he pauses for a moment, "but you make yourself smaller. You always excuse yourself, you slink into the background, you hide away you…. less. You make yourself less."

You tense up slightly shifting uncomfortably, causing Sanji to back away, "Sorry—" he quickly apologizes, "I didn't mean to get in your face sweetheart, I just didn't know how else to tell you… it matters to me you know? To all of us. We all want to know you."

"No you don't." you reply quickly, instinctively.

"I do." he replies firmly, "Ma cherie, you don't understand, how much…" he pauses, licking over his lips nervously, "Shit… this is… a really bad time to admit it…"

"Then don't."

He gives you an awkward smile, "You really are… the sweetest girl I've known…" he mumbles, running a hand through his hair, "Then… can I hug you instead?"

You think for a moment before nodding, letting him in.

He steps forward, entering your space, his arms wrapping around your midsection, securely, not too tight, maybe even a little loose, easy to pull away if you got claustrophobic. You return it, you hug him hesitantly, and then tighter, nose burying into the collar of his shirt like it was the last time you would ever see him.

"I'm a mess…" you admit plainly.

"I know." he replies.

"Doesn't it bother you? I've got problems…"

"A lot of us do."

"Why are you so nice to me?"

"I care about you."

He hugs back tighter this time.

"This might not change much…" you say, even quieter now.

"That's fine." he says, "you can take as much time as you need."

"What if it takes years?"

"We have years."

"You really are too nice…" you laugh sardonically.

"No… you've just met people who care."

And maybe you'll start to believe him.

You weren't disgusted or bothered or anything of the sort, you just weren't used to such positive attention, not to mention from a such a guy eager to give it. Your anxiety quickly took over, he was messing with you, or just fooling around. It was confirmed when you saw him throwing his affections at another lady, one of his crewmates. Guys like that just scream trouble. So you started looking the other way, giving indifference, in hopes to save yourself. It was easy enough…

But you took notice, of course you did, of him. You weren't sure why, but he was hard to ignore, when his attention wasn't on you. You watched him throw himself at other ladies, walking off rejection like it was nothing and continuing to serve them or others. He was never offended at your cold shoulder, he continued to treat you all the same. With the same patient smile, the look in his eye that never expected anything back. He even started noticing how uncomfortable you seemed near him, and stopped being so loud with you, getting so close, and giving you space.

It confused you.

It pissed you off.

You weren't sure how to react to the warmth that bloomed in your chest whenever he was near. You weren't sure what to do about these feelings towards a guy who always cared. Who always cared about everyone around him, who made sure to ask if everyone was alright, who loudly loved, who loudly got pissed off, who loudly cried, who loudly- Who was just allowed to be.

You groan scratching at your scalp, almost threatening to tear your hair out. You don't like looking at him, you tell yourself. You hate him! Actually!

…

It's easier to be small. It's easier to not take up space. It's easier to do what you can, and what you must to help out, and not inconvenience others. And yet… look at that idiot. Twirling around on one foot to deliver tea to Nami. Fighting loudly with Zoro on the deck. Making a fuss at small things and then laughing it off or getting even more pissed in the next moment.

Not getting shut down when he shouts. Not getting told he's too much when he loves. Not getting shunned when tears fall.

"[Name]-chan!"

You're stunned out of your thoughts as Sanji rushes over to you excitedly, eyes wide with an even wider smile. He looked like an excited golden retriever.

"Look!" he shows you… a flower, in full bloom. The soft pink petals spread out in such perfect unison, not a petal was damaged.

"A… flower..?" you ask, not able to hide your awe.

"Beautiful, right?" he gives you his signature toothy grin, tucking the bloom behind your ear.

Your cheeks heat up a little, but before you could respond, Sanji had turned and rushed away, to give the last flower to Nami if you heard him yell out loud correctly. Well, the flowers are beautiful, you hold yours gingerly between your index and your thumb to examine it further. What a perplexing guy.

You start softening up to him one night, you thought everyone would be asleep as you prepare yourself something warm to drink, not wanting to think about the nightmare that left you with shaky hands.

It wasn't a good idea to take a mug from the high shelf of the cabinet in your frazzled state.

That was the thought that went through your mind as you stared in horror at the shattered ceramic pieces that littered the tile floor of the kitchen.

You don't know why, but the next thing you knew, you were curled up in a ball, back pressed up against a wooden cabinet as you tried to stop your sobbing. It's annoying when the tears don't stop when you want them too. After a few minutes of that nonsense, you had to pick yourself off the ground to clean your mess, and prepare an apology for the pieces they'll inevitably find in the trash tomorrow morning.

"Shit…" you whisper, pricking your finger on one of the pieces. You were so focused on your task you, jumped in your seat as another pair of hands appeared out of nowhere in front of you to grasp yours.

"Sanji?!" you whisper yelled.

"Let me help, you've already cut yourself." he murmurs quietly, a tone you were entirely unfamiliar with. For a moment you thought it wasn't Sanji, but when you looked up, and spot his droopy eye and curly eyebrow, well you were mistaken. He didn't leave any room for objection, and still recovering from, well, everything that has happened in the past five minutes, you sat aside while Sanji cleaned up the rest of the broken pieces.

"Did you have a hard time sleeping?" He asks softly, looking up you with a little worry in his gaze. You avoid it.

"Yeah, something like that. I wanted to make myself something to drink that would help… I'm sorry about the mug." you reply in an even softer tone.

"Never mind that, let me see your hand." Sanji says, reaching out, into your personal bubble.

Hesitantly, you place your wounded hand in his.

"Good… looks like that cut isn't that deep." he murmurs before standing up, "I have a small first aid kit in one of the drawers, you know, Choppers insistence on one in every room." he tries easing the tension in the room.

It helps a little.

Following close behind him, he leads you to take a seat on the couch across from the kitchen.

"I'll help you with the bandage, it'll be more secure with the help of another pair of hands."

You let out a small snicker, and he notices. Thankfully, he doesn't comment on it, only smiling as he bandages your hand.

"What were you planning to make before all this?" he asks standing up and dusting his hands off, a small habit of his, "I'll make it for you."

"Uhm… some kind of tea to help with sleep… I don't know what we have though."

"We have chamomile, and lavender." he offers, "Both help with sleep."

"Chamomile, please."

"Right away." he gives you a thumbs up before heading back to the kitchen.

One of your first real interactions with him.

After that night, you let your walls down a little, not too much, but enough that you start giving him a smile whenever you thank him.

Sanji on the other hand seemed to be vibrating with excitement at every new step forward in your relationship. Barely held back as he continued to act gentlemanly with you. The only evidence of this excitement being shown in his eyes, he always had a hard time holding back with those.

Sometimes you sit in the galley while he cooked, doing something else, but staying within his sanctuary. It was peaceful, comfortable, you were warming up to him. It bled into the things you did. It didn't help that he had some recognizable features that made him fun to doodle. You didn't like how an image of him would pop up in your head when you passed by a food stall, imagining how he would react to it. And most of all. Perhaps he was rubbing off on you a little.

"Stupid mosshead, it's like he doesn't know where the ship starts or where it ends," Sanji was muttering to himself while cooking again, after another heated tussle with a certain swordsman, "Next time, I'll leave him stranded on a flat empty plain with the Sunny in plain sight-"

You let out a small snort.

Sanji looks up from his chopping momentarily as you struggle to not crack beneath the pressure.

You couldn't take it anymore, bursting into a fit of laughter, you weren't even sure over what anymore, but you couldn't hold it in. Sanji pauses again, this time to watch you try and fail to stop laughing. It was probably the most beautiful sound he had ever heard, but it didn't last as you excused yourself out of the galley minutes after.

You were beating yourself up internally. You laughed too loud, and no one else was laughing. You have gotten too comfortable, really it was your fault you had started slipping again. Deeeep breaths, no big deal, just don't do it again.

You started avoiding Sanji again. It was like all the progress you had made before had suddenly been erased, like it didn't happen. You didn't want to ignore Sanji, but you didn't want to annoy him while he was cooking and needed to focus! He was frustrated too, your laughing probably added onto it! Deep breaths, it's no big deal! Sanji is an understanding and forgiving person, he'll let it slide! But for how long?

You pick up your favorite book and start reading, you have to stop thinking about this, or you'll actually start spiraling.

"[Name]?" Sanji joins you at the railing while you were watching the sea, "Can I join you?"

"Huh? Oh uh- yeah sure." you say before looking back out to the sea, biting your lip as Sanji lights a cigarette beside you.

"Do you think I'm annoying?" you ask quietly.

"Wha- huh?" Sanji drops his unlit cigarette in surprise.

"I mean-"

"No, of course not." Sanji says softly, "You're not, and have never been annoying."

"Ok but… ok this sounds stupid."

Sanji didn't say anything, just waited for you to finish what you had to say patiently.

"That time I laughed..?"

"A few weeks ago…?" Sanji asks softly.

"Yeah…"

"…"

"I know it's stupid, I just-"

"I thought it was beautiful, your laugh." Sanji hums, lighting another cigarette, "I've never heard you laugh before, actually." he turns to face you.

You pause, mouth slightly agape as you process his words.

"Well… I mean, you weren't annoyed?"

"Why would I be?" he asks, his eyebrows furrowing in confusion and… worry.

"I mean, never mind! Don't worry about it, I just thought I sounded weird and got embarrassed because, I don't laugh much-"

"How long have you been thinking like that…?"

"…Like what?"

"Like you can't be yourself."

You pause, feeling your fists ball up as you look back out to the sea, arms crossed over the railing. The urge to lash out was strong, but the last thing you wanted was for Sanji to hate you, and for the rest of the crew to find out, there's no amount of damage control that could fix that.

"[Name]…"

"I'm… sorry Sanji, I don't think I want to talk about that right now."

The silence is too loud, you should leave, or he should leave, either way, you didn't want to be around him any longer.

"Right… I'm sorry for prying like that." he shifts, snuffing out his light before turning to leave, "Just… know this [Name]. Everyone here loves you just as much as you love them. You're not a burden."

You don't reply. And you don't turn to watch him leave.

♡ always gives you the biggest (and best) portions of whatever he's made

♡ if you ever wake up hungry he's always willing to sneak off with you to make whatever midnight snack your heart desires

♡ almost never leaves your side, obviously he gives you your space, but if he had to choose who to be with, no questions asked, it would be with you

♡ whenever he can't seem to find you on the main deck, the first place he goes to is the library, where he find you and Robin sitting together reading your books in silence

♡ knowing you don't like being disrupted well deep in a book he merely sits beside you gently resting his head against your shoulder

♡ bonus if you give him head scratches! to which he always finds himself leaning into your touck

♡ loves whenever you ask for him to teach you how to cook a dish! he gets so ridiculously giddy, and immediately begins preparing all the cooking utensils and gets you a matching apron (he bought it at the last town in preparation for this day), pink laced and frilly with the words "Kiss the chef" in bold black letters (yes, he did that on purpose)

♡ loves it when you play with is hair, just feeling your fingers brush against his golden locks is truly a gift from heaven

♡ always leaves little encouraging notes in your lunchbox

♡ whenever you lay your head against his chest he swears his is working double time to keep up with the heavenly sensation of you being so close

♡ on that note he also loves it when your head is resting on his lap, your hair spilling across his thighs as he runs his fingers through your hair

She shivers, the puffy petal pink dress and shorts she's wearing flying in the breeze. A breeze that also shakes the net a little, causing her to let out a couple more panicked squeaks.

Sanji bites his bottom lip, turning to you with pleading eyes.

"I did try, love." You sigh, eyebrows knitted and twitching with worry, "That's why I called you over, you know how she likes to reach for you more."

"And it doesn't seem to be enough.." he laments sadly, "my poor girl…"

"What's going on you guys?" Luffy calls, walking into the scene with Zoro following close behind, "Why are you guys just standing around here?"

"Er, well you see…" you start pointing upwards to where Sora was still stuck.

"Oh wow!" Luffy shouts, "You're so high up, Sora!" He laughs, "great job!"

"No- it's not great unfortunately," you pinch the bridge of your nose, "she—"

"She's growing up." Zoro smirks, "soon enough she'll be able to lift a sword on her own."

Sanji whips his head in his direction, "She'll learn to kick her enemies before her delicate hands touch ANY blade other than a knife." He hisses.

"Why don't we see what she chooses to try out first?" Zoro taunts.

"Well we can't, not now." Sanji glares before his mood shifts in realization, "Because… because she…" his lower eyelid twitches, "She can't get down!" He sobs to the side, hand pressed to his chest solumnly.

"—Yes." you confirm with a breath, "She's stuck up there…" you scratch the back of your neck, looking up. Sanji stands next to you, foot tapping against the grass floor anxiously.

"What do you mean? She's not stuck!" Luffy tilts his head, "You can do it, Sora!" He calls, "You can get down!"

"I can't!" She's shouts back, "I can't- I'm too scared Unkle Luffy!"

"Yes you can!" He insists, "you just gotta take the first step! One, two! You know?!" He marches in place to demonstrate, not that Sora saw, but you appreciated the sentiment.

"Just do the reverse of what you did to get up there, baby curly!" Zoro calls after, "climbing down is easy after the first step!"

Sora whimpers, and now everyone stands there frozen over what to do.

"I can grab her." Luffy offers, punching his fist into his palm.

"Absolutely not." Says Zoro, his eyebrow twitching.

"If you have a death wish, be my guest." Said Sanji, snuffing out his cigarette.

"Appreciate the offer captain, but respectfully, no." You replied, with a polite but threatening smile.

"Hey you guys, have you seen Nami? I just fixed up her climatact, and I can't find her in the library—" says Usopp opening the door to the deck.

Your eyes widen, "Usopp!" You exclaim, rushing over, "You're good with kids right?" Your hands clamp down onto his shoulders, surprising him.

"Er- maybe, I guess?" He blinks at you, "What's going on? Is Sora ok?!"

"She's fine!" You wave your hand frantically, "it's just that she… well." You gesture to the net on the mast.

"Oh. OH!" Usopp exclaims, looking up, "Wow! You're so high up, good job-"

"Yes we can congratulate her later- can you help her get down?" You ask hurriedly, "You're good at talking right?"

Usopp blinks.

"Well I mean sure but.." he turns to Sanji.

"Sanji." Usopp says, "Can't you literally fly?"

…

…

…

…

Usopp's stares unamused at the dumbfounded adults in front of him, "Did you guys seriously forget—"

A sudden yellow blur whizzes past all of you as Sanji boosts himself high into the sky, faster than you've ever seen him move in your life.

"PAPA'S COMING, SWEETHEART!" He shouts racing to the top.

You breathe a sigh of relief.

Luffy lets out a hearty laugh.

Zoro watches silently as usual with his arms crossed.

Usopp shakes his head in wonder with an exasperated grin.

Sora yelps as she feels another strong breeze shake the net.

"Papa! Mama!" She cries out.

"Papa's here sweetheart." Sanji pants, keeping himself afloat next to her.

Sora hesitates before cracking an eye open, her fearful expression quickly replaced with one of pure glee.

"Papa!" She exclaims, instinctively reaching out—

And slipping.

For a moment, she felt a sharp thrill for the first time in her life, from freefall. Her little voice lost in her throat as her foot, the one keeping her clung to the net slips- and she falls—

Right into Sanji's chest as he catches her.

"No need to fear, mon chou, I got you." Sanji chuckles cradling her close and pressing a kiss to her head, whispering words of relief and gratitude into her hair, words she couldn't completely grasp- but it didn't matter. Not that she was focused on that in the slightest.

The high of the thrill finally dies down, and the reality of what happend come crashing down on little Sora as her wide eyes blur and bubble woth tears.

"Papa!" She sobs, throwing her arms around his neck, burying her face into him, "That was so scary!" She cries.

"Shh.. shhh I know…" he murmurs patting her back.

She sniffles, squeezing so tight he almost chokes, "aCK- Sora- sweetie-! Not too tight-"

Sora instantly loosens her grip, but keeping her little face buried in the crook of his neck.

"'M sorry…" she mumbles in a little voice.

"Shhh no no, what are you sorry for?" Sanji murmurs, gently prying her away from his neck to face her, "You climbed today! So high up. That's a big accomplishment!"

"But you and mama were scared…" she says, looking down.

"We were yes, but that's because we didn't know how else to get you down safely, remember what I said about taking big bites?"

"I'll choke...?" Sora sniffles wiping her nose.

"Exactly." Sanji wipes away her tears with his thumb, "You took a big bite today, and you got far! But you couldn't come down… so what will do next time?"

"… not climb?"

"But why did you climb then?"

"I wanted…. the sky is pretty."

"Was it pretty?" He asked gently.

Sora pauses before nodding her head. Sanji grins.

"Don't you want to see it again?"

Sora nods again.

"So what are you going to do next time you want to climb?"

"Uhm…. Climb?"

Sanji chuckles, "Yes, you're going to climb, but you climbed so high up today."

"… climb a little bit?" Her eyebrows furrow.

"Mhm," Sanji grins, "and then you climb back down, and then you do that over again, climbing a little higher each time."

"Like taking little bites!" Sora exclaims, her eyes lighting up.

"Exactly." Sanji nuzzles his face against her cheek making her giggle.

"Papa! Stop! Your beard tickles!"

Sanji laughs pulling away, boosting himself up a little higher, sun high in the sky, the deck below so small it could fit in the palm of your hand.

"Sora look." He whispers, gently guiding her to look out around them, "It's the sky."

Her eyes widen, one hand grips her fathers shirt, while the other reaches out towards a cloud, giggling as another breeze washes over them, this time secure in the arms of her father.

You place the final lemon slice in the glass, taking the tray of drinks out onto the deck.

"Are the still not back yet?" You ask Zoro, who was busy maintaining his blades, dabbing them with a ball of cotton.

"They're busy flying around." Zoro responds without looking up.

You chuckle shaking your head in amusement before setting a drink down next to him, "I'm glad that was settled, I can't believe I forgot he could do that."

Suddenly, you feel a strong breeze come down as your husband lands with your laughing daughter in his arms.

You scramble to balance the drinks before they fall, gasping as one tips over- only for Sanji to catch it, placing it back onto the tray and kissing your cheek while Sora squeezes her eyes shut and sticks out her tongue in faux disgust.

"We're back," Sanji greets with a grin, "our little girl all safe and sound." He pokes her cheek and Sora giggles out in response.

You place your hand on your hip, "Just in time, I finished making some refreshing drinks." You hand Sora a small cup of juice, "Here you go, honey."

"Thank you!" She exclaims, taking a big sip, Sanji helping to tilt the cup back a little before she spilled the drink on her clothes.

"And for you, my hero." You grin handing Sanji his glass.

"Thank you, darling…" he smiles, taking it gratefully, "flying around was fun, but it is a little tiring…"

"How was it up there by the way?" You ask, handing a drink over to a passing Franky, "Did you have fun?" You ask Sora.

"Lots of fun!" She exclaims, "Again!" She tugs at Sanji.

"Maybe later sweetheart…" he laughs, "I have to prepare dinner in a bit."

"Can I help?" She asks, blinking at him with wide, enthusiastic eyes, the ones Sanji couldn't refuse.

"Of course! I'll need the help of my little sous chef to make it perfectly." He squeezes her in a tight hug.

You laugh watching them both, leaning in to press a kiss to her cheek, and then his. Your precious cooks.

She shivers, the puffy petal pink dress and shorts she's wearing flying in the breeze. A breeze that also shakes the net a little, causing her to let out a couple more panicked squeaks.

Sanji bites his bottom lip, turning to you with pleading eyes.

"I did try, love." You sigh, eyebrows knitted and twitching with worry, "That's why I called you over, you know how she likes to reach for you more."

"And it doesn't seem to be enough.." he laments sadly, "my poor girl…"

"What's going on you guys?" Luffy calls, walking into the scene with Zoro following close behind, "Why are you guys just standing around here?"

"Er, well you see…" you start pointing upwards to where Sora was still stuck.

"Oh wow!" Luffy shouts, "You're so high up, Sora!" He laughs, "great job!"

"No- it's not great unfortunately," you pinch the bridge of your nose, "she—"

"She's growing up." Zoro smirks, "soon enough she'll be able to lift a sword on her own."

Sanji whips his head in his direction, "She'll learn to kick her enemies before her delicate hands touch ANY blade other than a knife." He hisses.

"Why don't we see what she chooses to try out first?" Zoro taunts.

"Well we can't, not now." Sanji glares before his mood shifts in realization, "Because… because she…" his lower eyelid twitches, "She can't get down!" He sobs to the side, hand pressed to his chest solumnly.

"—Yes." you confirm with a breath, "She's stuck up there…" you scratch the back of your neck, looking up. Sanji stands next to you, foot tapping against the grass floor anxiously.

"What do you mean? She's not stuck!" Luffy tilts his head, "You can do it, Sora!" He calls, "You can get down!"

"I can't!" She's shouts back, "I can't- I'm too scared Unkle Luffy!"

"Yes you can!" He insists, "you just gotta take the first step! One, two! You know?!" He marches in place to demonstrate, not that Sora saw, but you appreciated the sentiment.

"Just do the reverse of what you did to get up there, baby curly!" Zoro calls after, "climbing down is easy after the first step!"

Sora whimpers, and now everyone stands there frozen over what to do.

"I can grab her." Luffy offers, punching his fist into his palm.

"Absolutely not." Says Zoro, his eyebrow twitching.

"If you have a death wish, be my guest." Said Sanji, snuffing out his cigarette.

"Appreciate the offer captain, but respectfully, no." You replied, with a polite but threatening smile.

"Hey you guys, have you seen Nami? I just fixed up her climatact, and I can't find her in the library—" says Usopp opening the door to the deck.

Your eyes widen, "Usopp!" You exclaim, rushing over, "You're good with kids right?" Your hands clamp down onto his shoulders, surprising him.

"Er- maybe, I guess?" He blinks at you, "What's going on? Is Sora ok?!"

"She's fine!" You wave your hand frantically, "it's just that she… well." You gesture to the net on the mast.

"Oh. OH!" Usopp exclaims, looking up, "Wow! You're so high up, good job-"

"Yes we can congratulate her later- can you help her get down?" You ask hurriedly, "You're good at talking right?"

Usopp blinks.

"Well I mean sure but.." he turns to Sanji.

"Sanji." Usopp says, "Can't you literally fly?"

…

…

…

…

Usopp's stares unamused at the dumbfounded adults in front of him, "Did you guys seriously forget—"

A sudden yellow blur whizzes past all of you as Sanji boosts himself high into the sky, faster than you've ever seen him move in your life.

"PAPA'S COMING, SWEETHEART!" He shouts racing to the top.

You breathe a sigh of relief.

Luffy lets out a hearty laugh.

Zoro watches silently as usual with his arms crossed.

Usopp shakes his head in wonder with an exasperated grin.

Sora yelps as she feels another strong breeze shake the net.

"Papa! Mama!" She cries out.

"Papa's here sweetheart." Sanji pants, keeping himself afloat next to her.

Sora hesitates before cracking an eye open, her fearful expression quickly replaced with one of pure glee.

"Papa!" She exclaims, instinctively reaching out—

And slipping.

For a moment, she felt a sharp thrill for the first time in her life, from freefall. Her little voice lost in her throat as her foot, the one keeping her clung to the net slips- and she falls—

Right into Sanji's chest as he catches her.

"No need to fear, mon chou, I got you." Sanji chuckles cradling her close and pressing a kiss to her head, whispering words of relief and gratitude into her hair, words she couldn't completely grasp- but it didn't matter. Not that she was focused on that in the slightest.

The high of the thrill finally dies down, and the reality of what happend come crashing down on little Sora as her wide eyes blur and bubble woth tears.

"Papa!" She sobs, throwing her arms around his neck, burying her face into him, "That was so scary!" She cries.

"Shh.. shhh I know…" he murmurs patting her back.

She sniffles, squeezing so tight he almost chokes, "aCK- Sora- sweetie-! Not too tight-"

Sora instantly loosens her grip, but keeping her little face buried in the crook of his neck.

"'M sorry…" she mumbles in a little voice.

"Shhh no no, what are you sorry for?" Sanji murmurs, gently prying her away from his neck to face her, "You climbed today! So high up. That's a big accomplishment!"

"But you and mama were scared…" she says, looking down.

"We were yes, but that's because we didn't know how else to get you down safely, remember what I said about taking big bites?"

"I'll choke...?" Sora sniffles wiping her nose.

"Exactly." Sanji wipes away her tears with his thumb, "You took a big bite today, and you got far! But you couldn't come down… so what will do next time?"

"… not climb?"

"But why did you climb then?"

"I wanted…. the sky is pretty."

"Was it pretty?" He asked gently.

Sora pauses before nodding her head. Sanji grins.

"Don't you want to see it again?"

Sora nods again.

"So what are you going to do next time you want to climb?"

"Uhm…. Climb?"

Sanji chuckles, "Yes, you're going to climb, but you climbed so high up today."

"… climb a little bit?" Her eyebrows furrow.

"Mhm," Sanji grins, "and then you climb back down, and then you do that over again, climbing a little higher each time."

"Like taking little bites!" Sora exclaims, her eyes lighting up.

"Exactly." Sanji nuzzles his face against her cheek making her giggle.

"Papa! Stop! Your beard tickles!"

Sanji laughs pulling away, boosting himself up a little higher, sun high in the sky, the deck below so small it could fit in the palm of your hand.

"Sora look." He whispers, gently guiding her to look out around them, "It's the sky."

Her eyes widen, one hand grips her fathers shirt, while the other reaches out towards a cloud, giggling as another breeze washes over them, this time secure in the arms of her father.

You place the final lemon slice in the glass, taking the tray of drinks out onto the deck.

"Are the still not back yet?" You ask Zoro, who was busy maintaining his blades, dabbing them with a ball of cotton.

"They're busy flying around." Zoro responds without looking up.

You chuckle shaking your head in amusement before setting a drink down next to him, "I'm glad that was settled, I can't believe I forgot he could do that."

Suddenly, you feel a strong breeze come down as your husband lands with your laughing daughter in his arms.

You scramble to balance the drinks before they fall, gasping as one tips over- only for Sanji to catch it, placing it back onto the tray and kissing your cheek while Sora squeezes her eyes shut and sticks out her tongue in faux disgust.

"We're back," Sanji greets with a grin, "our little girl all safe and sound." He pokes her cheek and Sora giggles out in response.

You place your hand on your hip, "Just in time, I finished making some refreshing drinks." You hand Sora a small cup of juice, "Here you go, honey."

"Thank you!" She exclaims, taking a big sip, Sanji helping to tilt the cup back a little before she spilled the drink on her clothes.

"And for you, my hero." You grin handing Sanji his glass.

"Thank you, darling…" he smiles, taking it gratefully, "flying around was fun, but it is a little tiring…"

"How was it up there by the way?" You ask, handing a drink over to a passing Franky, "Did you have fun?" You ask Sora.

"Lots of fun!" She exclaims, "Again!" She tugs at Sanji.

"Maybe later sweetheart…" he laughs, "I have to prepare dinner in a bit."

"Can I help?" She asks, blinking at him with wide, enthusiastic eyes, the ones Sanji couldn't refuse.

"Of course! I'll need the help of my little sous chef to make it perfectly." He squeezes her in a tight hug.

You laugh watching them both, leaning in to press a kiss to her cheek, and then his. Your precious cooks.