“Happy Birthday Sanji!” the crew erupted as you took your hands off Sanjis eyes, revealing the giant feast set up on the lawn deck. A giant cake in the center of the long table. Sanjis breath hitched.
He was looking down from the kitchens door, the crew standing and yelling up at him from the deck. He stood there in shock, searching for words that he couldn’t reach. His curly brows raised in surprise before melting back down into a mushy smile.
He turned to you standing behind him, peaking over his shoulder to see his reaction.
“All of this.. for me?” his voice wavering slightly. You smiled that big toothy smile he loved.
“All for you, Sanji.”
His hands sought your waist immediately, wrapping his arms as far around you as he could. Sanji buried himself in your neck.
“Thank you.” He rasped. Trying to hold himself together.
You squeezed him tightly and leaned your head on his golden hair. “You’re welcome silly. You deserve it.”
ꨄ︎
“Mon ange, how did you plan all this?”
Your eyes glinted as you smiled, the feast roaring and fire burning as you both sat on the side for a break.
“We asked the local folks here if we could borrow some kitchen space. It just took a little explaining and preparation is all.” you said, “This village was very sweet, we got lucky.”
“But making all the food? And the cake and-” he stopped. He thought about the time, the effort, the patience to set all of this up.
You chuckled at him being lost in thought. “The whole crew helped make the food” you said, “I just helped direct them. There’s a lot you can learn from watching a master chef.”
A breathy laugh escaped him as he smiled softly. “Thank you, mon chérie, really. This is more than I ever would have dreamed of.”
You snuck your hand underneath his to intertwine your fingers. “You’re silly. This is the least we could give our chef.”
He grinned as he tilted his head down closer to yours. His gaze softened as he admired you, inching closer to your lips like a child itching to get their candy. “Mon cherie…” he murmured, “May I?”
You smiled wide before bringing your free hand to caress his face as he brought his other hand to envelope yours. He rested his head into your palm as he blinked slowly, edging ever so slightly closer. You whispered his name like prayer as you pressed your lips flush against his, easing into his warmth that holds you so gently.
The kiss was short-lived as you pulled back, his hazy eyes half-lidded as he chased your lips. You shifted your thumb down over his lips as you grinned.
“You can have anything you want tonight.” you said slyly, “You’re the birthday boy, after all.”
His half-open eyes glistened with love. “Well, I might just have to indulge, mon cœr.”
