How did I fall through the floor? (Sanji x Reader) - Part One
Summary: The Straw Hats save you from Buggy’s crew. As you grow comfortable in your new temporary home, a certain blond cook grows comfortable in your presence.
Warnings: pretty mild part one, lmk if there should be warnings!
Author’s Note: writing this instead of sleeping! Happy part one of the next series! This will come out relatively fast, it's all planned/outlined and the currently planned part five is scheduled for May 3rd! This series was initially inspired by Nobody to Show it to by Braden Bales
Read the Series! part one, part two, part three, part four coming soon
Masterlist here!
Word Count: 3.3k
Likes and comments are much appreciated! Do not repost anywhere! Works will be posted from my ao3 account soon.
“NOSE?!” Buggy’s yell wakes you up. Banging your head against the cage you’re held in, you look around to realize you’ve been left in the green room again. There’s frequent enough yelling that you know something is going on in the main tent but you have no idea what.
Glancing around, you know it’s not worth it to put in the effort to try to escape. You’re sure Cabaji will at least bring you dinner even if you’re stuck here overnight.
Only a few minutes go by before the yelling from the tent enters the green room. Lower members of Buggy’s crew drag in two people you’ve never seen before. You stay silent as the orange haired woman yells for freedom before being thrown into a cage on the other side of the room.
The green haired man is thrown up on the wheel, tied in place and left there as Buggy’s crew departs the room.
“Give it a rest. Those ropes are too strong, even for you.” Hearing the annoyance in the woman’s voice, you wonder if these two are even affiliated.
“I’ve gotten out of worse.” Watching the man struggle against the ropes, you debate if you should speak up.
You listen to the argument, finding out that the green haired man is a bounty hunter. Maybe he can save you. If he’s taken down other pirates, maybe he can take Buggy down and help you get back to any town that isn’t here. You can find your crew on your own but you have to leave this island first.
“Sure you do.” The woman tries to end the argument as you see her start to try to pick the lock on her cage. How did she manage to keep anything when she got locked up? How does she have lock picking supplies? The man grunts as he tugs on the ropes and your questions are soon answered.
The argument continues until the woman admits to the ‘clowns’ only finding three of her four lockpicks.
Hearing unknown screams coming from the tent, you see both pirates fight faster to escape. You have to speak up, they have to know you’re here if they’re going to help you. But you can’t get a word out. Too conditioned to take up no room if you’re not acknowledged first, you’re forced to just watch them try to escape while you make home in your cage.
Before either prisoner can escape, Cabaji rolls in on his unicycle. Making a pitstop by your cage to rub a careful hand down your cheek and squeeze your chin, he turns to the other two. The tears frame your eyes as you use all your strength to not move. It's always worse when you fight back.
Staring at the man, he finally speaks. “Remember me?”
The man instantly declines, “Must be some other homicidal, unicycle-riding clown.” Cabaji punches the man and his anger and pain is immediately shown as he explains how the man killed his brother.
As soon as the first knife is thrown at the man, you turned your attention back to the woman, seeing that she’s still working on the lock. This time though, her eyes are on you. The gears are turning in her head, trying to figure out who you are and why you’re here.
While your eyes are on each other, neither you nor the redhead notice Cabaji turn his attention to you. You don’t see the smirk on his face as he aims the knife. You don’t even realize the argument between him and the green haired man stopped until the knife is lodged in your thigh. Deep enough that the handle is the only part showing, you stare at it for only a moment, watching the blood seep out on the bottom of the cage and drip onto the floor before you pass out.
-%-%-%-%-%-%-%-%-
Feeling the gentle sway of the ocean, you slowly open your eyes and don't see a cage around you. Shock floods your system as you realise you're not even tied down. Remembering the knife Cabaji lodged in your leg, you look down but see the wound is bandaged.
“Morning.” Turning, you see the redhead from the other cage sitting in a chair beside the bed you're on.
A small smile escapes your lips as you point at the bandage on your leg then smile a little bigger when you meet the redhead's eyes.
Your silence seems to play to her sympathy as she simply reaches out to take your hand. Before you can consciously react, your entire body freezes, feeling the soft warmth on the back of your hand.
“I'm Nami, what's your name?” Her voice softened since her ‘morning’, seeming to understand you're scared and not used to kindness.
Looking back down at your leg and up to her - Nami's - face, you finally speak for the first time in days. “(y/n).” Your name struggles out of you and your throat is sore from lack of using your voice.
Nami's quiet for a minute, waiting to see if you'll offer anything else. When you don't, she speaks again. “Well, (y/n). Welcome aboard my ship. Be warned before you meet Luffy, he's very loud and very touchy, but he means well and he's deeply worried about you. He knew you needed help the second Zoro mentioned you and he demanded we take you with us.”
Nodding quietly and squeezing her hand, you struggle to get out a few more words. “Thank you, Nami.” She just smiles gently and sits with you while you adjust to your new surroundings.
The next few days are like this, Nami staying near you and giving you the space to quietly exist on the ship. Her presence is comforting without being overbearing. Zoro becomes your silent protector, he barely says anything when he meets you, but you constantly sense his presence nearby and know that the creeps won't dare come near if he's next to you. Luffy is excited when he finds you awake and almost bear hugs you, but he's stopped by Nami. He's a little more confused about your quietness and anxiety but is more than welcoming and asks you multiple times a day to join his crew. He almost reminds you of someone your old captain spoke a lot about but you don’t think on that for long.
-%-%-%-%-%-%-%-%-%-
By the time you're preparing to leave Syrup Village, you finally give him a nod and a small smile. It may not be your crew, but it’s definitely the best home for you until you get back.
Sailing in Luffy's new ship, Going Merry, you feel safe and comfortable for the first time since being kidnapped from your own crew. Usopp finds his favorite crew member in you as you excitedly listen to his make believe stories of adventure.
Usopp's willingness to ramble and your offering of quiet excitement take your friendship to a booth at Baratie as you wait for someone to take your order. Usopp’s in the middle of one of his newest stories as the fight that breaks out in the dining room distracts you both. Your whole group watches as what looks like a waiter takes out multiple pirates without dropping his tray of food.
“Good fighter.” Luffy’s face lights up as he watches the fight. Trying to make yourself smaller between Nami and Usopp, your eyes stay on the waiter as he calms the dining room back down and makes his way to your table.
“No cause for alarm, folks. Please enjoy your meals.” The waiter swaggers over to your table as embarrassment creeps its way up your body and you try to hide behind Usopp. He leans forward, giving you room to slot in behind him.
Zoro and Nami both catch you hiding and try to ensure the attention doesn’t move to you.
The waiter arrives at the table and gives a quick glance around at the three men, seemingly not noticing you or Nami. “Hi, welcome to our shitty restaurant where the only thing worse than the ambience is the food. My name is Sanji. What can I get for you?”
As Luffy orders the entire menu, Usopp whispers in your ear asking if you’d like water. You nod as you keep your eyes glued to the waiter.
“Giving us the hard sell, huh?” Nami finally pulls Sanji’s attention away from the boys. Your chin is rested on Usopp’s shoulder as everyone except Nami starts darting their eyes between her and Sanji. His entire persona changed as soon as he realized there was a woman at the table and suddenly he’s flirting like you’ve never seen. Not even on your old crew and some of them could be very flirty.
Nami looks absolutely disgusted at Sanji and Zoro interrupts the flirting to order a beer.
“Two beers and a water. I usually just have three beers, but -” Usopp casually orders for both of you without drawing attention to you. Sanji’s eyes are on Nami the entire time the boys are ordering their drinks and she shoots down the waiter the best she can, asking for just a normal glass of water.
As Sanji walks away, Usopp and Zoro start teasing Nami. You give her a sweet smile and nudge her arm. Luffy laughs along, mostly just happy the crew is all getting along and having fun.
Squeezing Usopp’s hand, you let him know you’re thankful for ordering for you and not letting the waiter’s attention land on you. His smile drops from Nami to you as he wraps an arm around your shoulders.
“You guys are the worst.” Nami smiles at each of you in turn, the annoyance deeply buried under the appreciatation she has for each of you.
The waiter comes back with your drinks faster than any of you expected. Usopp’s arm is still wrapped around your shoulders and you’re both leaned back, Usopp slightly further into the cushion. Sanji’s eyes land right on you as he distributes the drinks.
Expecting the flirting that Nami got, the whole table is shocked when the waiter just freezes, completely entranced by your presence. Zoro gets quickly fed up with the waiter not doing his job and reaches over to grab one of the beers off of Sanji’s tray. That pulls him out of his trance and he quickly passes the rest of the drinks out, hand lingering on your water before he quietly speaks. “Your food will be out shortly.” Leaning back up, he quickly walks away from your table.
-%-%-%-%-%-%-%-%-
A different group of waiters brings your group’s food, and the original waiter doesn’t return until the end of your meal, with the check.
Eyeing your captain for only a second to place down the bill, Sanji’s eyes return to you. “Your bill, sir.” You can feel him taking in every detail and trying to determine anything about the member of the crew that’s been silent the entire meal. Usopp leans across the table to grab something from Zoro, leaning back in a way that blocks you from Sanji’s view.
“Thank you, my good man.” Sanji tears his eyes away, looking back to Luffy and taking the bill back. His eyes light up and his smile grows as he reads what your captain wrote.
“No, sir. Thank you.” His eyes catch yours before he walks back to the kitchen.
Scooting away from Usopp, you land yourself next to Nami. The boys talk about the marines and the next plans, but you and Nami are leaned together, whispering about the flirting Nami was subjected to against her will and the fact that you didn’t completely hate when the waiter’s attention was on you. Getting a little teasing from Nami, you know nothing you say will leave your little huddle.
Both conversations at the table stop when the head chef leaves the kitchen, calling out for Luffy. As the head chef drags your captain to the kitchen, the rest of your crew decides to head to the outdoor bar. Letting Nami know that you want to head back to the ship to get some sleep, she takes you back before joining Zoro and Usopp at the bar.
Finding your book in your and Nami’s cabin, you head towards the bow of the ship to read on top of the masthead.
-%-%-%-%-%-%-%-%-
You wake up to the stressed arguing of the crew and follow it to the kitchen. Moving near Usopp, you watch the argument between Nami, Zoro, and Luffy about a duel Zoro is now having with a warlord of the sea. The argument seems to end with Luffy’s declaration that he won’t stop Zoro from doing it. “I can’t get in the way of someone’s dream.”
Nami storms out of the room as you look between the rest of your crewmates. The silence is heavy before you all find your way to different parts of the ship for the night.
The morning finds you on the masthead next to Luffy, after being unsuccessful in finding Nami. Both of you are looking out at the sea, side by side as he leans into you.
“Did I make the right choice?” He looks over at you, giving you the same worried look you used to get all the time from your old captain and it makes your heart ache. “Letting Zoro duel this Mihawk guy?”
A small smile escapes you as you look back at him. “You said it yourself, Luffy, you can’t get in the way of someone’s dream.” Luffy smiles back at you before you both climb down the masthead.
Following behind Luffy and Usopp, your eyes are on Zoro’s back as he approaches Mihawk. The three of you watch as Zoro gives it his all and Mihawk barely breaks a sweat, mocking your swordsman the entire time. You gasp, clinging to Luffy’s arm as Mihawk’s small sword stabs into Zoro’s chest.
Mihawk takes out his big sword when you notice Nami now standing next to you. Taking her hand in yours, you all watch Zoro’s three sword style against Mihawk’s main blade. Two of Zoro’s swords shatter before he stores the Wado Ichimonji at his side. You can’t watch as Zoro stands, ready to die.
All four of you freeze as Zoro falls, Luffy runs over to him first, turning to speak to Mihawk as the other three of you move closer to Zoro. Mihawk leaves your swordsman alive as he says cryptic things about the world and the future.
Grabbing one of his legs, the four of you carry Zoro into the kitchen, putting him on the table. Nami sends Luffy back to the Baratie to get a ship’s doctor. Nami and Usopp are both doing what they can to help Zoro in the meantime. You can’t move yourself from the foot of the bed, terrified for your crewmate.
Moving to Zoro’s side and grabbing his hand, you watch Zeff and Sanji come in, and the older man stitch up your friend. Sanji’s eyes bounce between you and Zoro throughout the operation.
Your group moves Zoro yet again, putting him in Nami’s bed so he can heal. They all decide Nami will get the first shift watching him, trying to keep him tethered to this world.
-%-%-%-%-%-%-%-%-
Sitting by Luffy, you help him polish Zoro’s sword, getting it ready for when he wakes up. Sanji questions that your captain isn’t eating and tells him that being a captain is the hardest job in the world. Thinking back to your own captain, you hope your absence isn’t making his job harder. You can almost see his worry in Luffy’s face.
Sanji turns to you after him and Usopp talk with Luffy. “And you, sweetheart, what can I make for you?” Your eyes shoot up to Sanji when he begins speaking to you but quickly move to Usopp after the question.
Usopp turns from you to Sanji as he answers his question. “She’ll love some rice balls. She prefers vegetables in them.” Sanji’s eyes move between you and Usopp before he starts to make your snack.
Sanji’s about halfway through the story of how he and Zeff met and came to Baratie, his audience of three having moved to sit at the counter where he’s cooking. When he places your plate of rice balls in front of you, you smile sweetly up at him and his face lights up momentarily before continuing the sad tale.
Taking the first bite, you swear this is the best food you’ve ever tasted. The comfort of the delicious meal is much needed as Sanji’s story brings tears to your eyes.
The skilled cook and your captain both comment on having someone lose a limb to save their life, and you think about how you’d lose a limb to save your loved ones. Hell, you’d lose a limb just to see your loved ones again.
Sanji clears your plate after you eat the last of the rice balls. You grab his hand before he gets too far, squeezing it in thanks before letting go. The softest smile graces Sanji’s lips as he looks at you in adoration as you move away from the counter.
Usopp swings into where you were sitting, blocking the view Sanji has of you. “That was her way of saying thank you.” Sanji’s eyes meet Usopp’s for a few seconds before they go back to your departing figure.
“Why is she quiet? Does she talk to anyone?” Sanji’s curiosity starts to get the best of him as he senses Usopp’s willingness to talk about you.
“She talks to Luffy and Nami, occasionally Zoro, but that’s it. She’s never said a word to me. We have an unspoken friendship.” The pride shows on his face as Usopp says you’re his friend.
“I’ve noticed you talk for her. What’s her story? Anyone here know?” Sanji pauses and looks up at Usopp, hoping he has an answer.
“No clue. The gang picked her up from Buggy’s crew before coming to Syrup Village. She was on the crew before me.” Sanji nods as he turns away from Usopp and cleans up the kitchen.
Usopp heads out to the cabin Zoro’s in to check on him and Luffy.
You find yourself by Zoro’s bedside as the other two boys head out of the room when Nami calls.
-%-%-%-%-%-%-%-%-%-
You find yourself on deck, watching the fight between Luffy and Arlong when Nami comes out from below deck. Seeing her holding the grand line map and heading off the ship, you call out her name. She turns to you, giving you an apologetic look before coming over to hug you. “I’m sorry. I’m doing this to save everyone. I have to save everyone.”
Your heart aches in your chest as you see Nami walk towards the fight and stop Arlong from killing Luffy. The horrified look on your face turns terrified as Luffy’s name leaves your mouth watching him get thrown into the sea. You’re off the ship and running towards him when Sanji rips off his shirt and jumps in after him.
Usopp helps you pull Luffy onto the dock as he tells your captain that Nami is part of Arlong’s crew. All four of you collapse onto the dock. The shock of the fight and losing Nami temporarily wiping you all out.
Sanji’s eyes find yours, and he mouths ‘you okay?’ with worry etching his features. A small nod is all Sanji needs to see before he puts his shirt back on and heads back into the restaurant.
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