boys talk | sanami one shot
( originally posted on ao3 )
Ā« Nami-san is angry Ā»
Ā« 'Morning to you, too Ā» Usopp yawned, sitting in the same rickety corner of their long wooden dining table, personally elected as his own seat, for no reason at all.
Sanji turned his back, leaning towards the cupboard, trying to grab more cutleries and glasses than his interlocutor actually needed. The hum of their little chatter would have draw the others from their covers to the kitchen, and he could not be unprepared.
Ā« Even this morning, I notice, I'm the first one to keep you company Ā» Usopp continued.
That means, I'm going to be the very first one to be sored by your girls-related crap, again...
Still seven am, after all, but he didn't have the courage to complain.
Ā« Mh Ā», his dry and inattentive answer.
Now that he could observe his face from a better angle, now that Sanji turned again to pour him his coffee, and now that Usopp had began to give his attention to what surrounded him, he quickly could take notice of the fact Sanji looked gloomy, absent minded by something else.
Ā« Why d'you claim Nami is angry? Ā»
Ā« Actually, you've been the third to enter the kitchen... and I've been the second one Ā»
Ā« Are you telling me a riddle..? Ā»
Sanji's lips curled into a crooked smile.
Ā« I mean, Nami has already been there Ā»
Ā« And she's gone to..? Ā»
Ā« She went back to our room as soon as she heard me arrive. She actually filled herself a cup, but she's left it here, still steaming Ā»
Ā« ...So? Ā»
Sanji, an habit of him, dipped a hand in his pocket. Then the interest in lighting a cig vanished like a bubble, for him being too conscious it wouldn't be enough to sweep away the knowledge of being ignored.
Ā« Then, that equals she's mad at me Ā»
He finally turned his gaze to interlock his now-trusted-morning-confidant's. It's been a while since the two of them happened to spend that handful of minutes alone, chatting about meaningless topics or even situations that burdened the one or the other' mind.
Random ritual, but a please for both of them - not that they would've ever admit that, Usopp especially.
Ā« She might be angry, still, there's no proof this is your fault, Sanji Ā»
Ā« I must've said something that has pissed her off Ā»
Ā« You surely know her better then anyone among us... Ā»
Ā« But last night, before going to bed together, she looked ok Ā»
Ā« ...you obviously can't deny, she's quite moody Ā»
Ā« Perhaps, is my footsteps that've got her annoyed Ā»
Ā« Are you serious? Ā»
Ā« Deadly serious Ā» his voice cracked by regret, Sanji cowered in front of his nakama; his was the closest seat to stove, and the best to take a quick look to everyone who would enter the room.
Sanji's blue eyes, from their vertical location, framed an iconic red drape approaching. Red underwear, to be precise.
Franky's moral code had abolished the existence of pants a long time ago, so there was nothing to be shocked about.
Ā« We need your opinion, Franky,Ā» Usopp inserts himself into the convo Ā« on a scale from one to ten, how much Sanji ought man up? Ā»
Ā« Ehi! This is a concern of mine we are talking about- Ā»
Ā« Again, Sanji? Lemme say that! I've always been brutally honest with you, during the times it seemed you got like no possibility at all to get together with her. But now, that's clear as a day: she's suuuuper into you, and loves you, even though nobody here has grasped the reason yet, so don't worry about trying to always get her. Women sometimes tend to be a lil bizarre, you let her free of acting as they please Ā»
The person concerned frowned.
First, since when did Franky know all about women?
Secondly, how did he just understand?
Ā« But she didn't even say a brief hi to me... Ā»
Ā« Maybe, she hoped you would've instantly known something's off, kneel, taken her by the hand, asking why her delicate yet numb with sleep face was frowning Ā»
Ā« Usopp, you don't want to push me to edge Ā»
Ā« You haven't greeted her first? Ā»
Ā« If only I've got the time, she passed me by like I was invisible Ā»
Ā« Soba mask magic Ā» a whisper Usopp was lucky Sanji didn't hear.
Ā« Suuuper 100% obvious it's your fault. Neglecting a babe like her, truly idiotic Ā»
He hardly managed to repress the sudden and violent desire of engraving his foreheadās mark, repeatedly, into the wooden surface.
Ā« Can someone just explain me, for the love of God, how the hell am I supposed to behave in such circumstances? Sorry if Iām not even able to read a girlās mind, whom by the way is the first and the very last I desire to deal with Ā»
Ā« Such a softie, Sanji-san. You tell her those exact words, youāll see, everthing will be fine. Iād gladly offer my musical support, if you please Ā» Brook and Chopper sat on Usoppās right and left.
Ā« I feel that... by bringing her breakfast to bed, youāll gain both her happiness and an excuse to talk to her. I donāt know if sheās already eaten though... Ā»
The youngestās solution seemed extremely more reasonable and appetising than the ones offered by men who had lived four times his years. Sanji found himself on the same page as a teenage reindeer, the only one who took his worries seriously. He warded away the thought all this was purely paranormal.
Ā« Thank you, Chopper, you are right. I shouldnāt be torturing myself, when I get the chance to clear my mind to her immediately Ā»
Sanji got up, loaded a tray with what he knew Nami preferred and marched towards the bedroom.
Along the way, he met Robin - the crew was unfreezing itself. She kept looking at the load he was carrying in his hands and she smiled, without saying anything, guessing his intentions.
Getting closer and closer to the hallway, Sanji began to cold sweat. No one would ever say that, not even himself, but he was terrible at dealing with similar situations. He had never taken part in relationships that could be called such. In general, perceiving tension did not create major problems for him. Knowing he had messed up with a woman, however, made him go insane. Feeling rejected, unwelcome. He couldnāt stand the awareness of having made some mistakes, he who always tried his best in becoming the perfect partner, just for her.
Perhaps, that was it.
He was justā¦ too much, yet too little, too zelous, yet not enough.
Maybe she was tired of him, but given the forced togetherness she couldnāt do much, and she would have to put up with him all her life, because she wouldnāt have the courage to leave him, so as not to hurt him, and also because she was too good, she knew he wouldāve never got over her-
Ā« Sanji-kun? Is that you? Ā»
He instinctively held his breath. He had knocked, unconsciously.
Ā« Are you there? Ā»
Ā« C-can I come in? Ā» without even waiting for her answer, he was already in the room, stiff as a toy soldier.
Ā« You brought me breakfast, thank you! Put it here, on the desk. Lemme finish drawing this little corner and then Iām all yours Ā»
Sanji remained there, petrified, on the side of the door. Everything seemed fine, she was the same as always.
Did he misunderstood, in the kitchen?
Ā« Why are you so quiet? Talking when working usually bothers me, not if itās you though Ā» she continued, her eyes still glued to the map.
He couldnāt help but blush. They had been together for a while, however any sign of appreciation embarrassed him anyway. He was sensitive to criticism, as well as to compliments.
Ā« I was thinking, youāve been acting weird from before, Ā» Nami commented, Ā« something wrong? Ā»
Ā« Nami-san I thought you were mad at me Ā» he proclaimed, all in one breath.
She looked up, interlocking her gaze to his. She now, too, looked confused.
Ā« Me? But why? We havenāt even talked yet this morning Ā»
Ā« You havenāt greeted me, when I entered the kitchen, and youāve just left Ā»
Ā« Thatās not the truth! I even got up earlier to make you some breakfast, itās you who have arrived before I could finish Ā»
Ā« Ah? Ā»
Ā« You didnāt drink your tea, did you? Didnāt you like it? Ā»
Ā« That was for me..? Ā»
Ā« No, for Zoro. For whom you think it was supposed to be? Ā»
Ā« Then, why did youā¦fled? Ā»
Ā« Wellā¦ I felt likeā¦ anyway, I thought youād understandā¦ Ā»
Ā« Felt like what? Ā» eventually, Sanjiās expression stretched. He walked a few steps closer to her desk.
Ā« Sanji-kun, sometimes you just donāt get it! Doing this kind of things doesnāt really fit me, okay? You are definitely better, yet for once I attempted to reciprocate the treatment you always reserve for me, as well as for everyone else. But since Iām embarassing, unable to set up two cookies for my man... seeing you at the door has made me panic Ā»
He burst into laughing. His Nami-san, who got no half measures, to the point of acting quite bossy sometimesā¦ in those special occasions, when the little clumsy kid buried in her soul took over, Sanji always found himself loving her even more deeply.
He made up the distance still present between their bodies, to hug her tightly.
Nami, still sitting, felt his rib cage vibrating in contact with her cheek. The palpable sensation of Sanjiās laughter chased away that small pout, which used to house on her lips whenever she was awkward.
Ā« Youāre making me feel dumbā¦ Ā» she smiled.
Ā« I am too, then: spending the last half hour trying to understand whether I had done something wrong... Ā»
Ā« Would I sulk for no reason..? Ā»
Ā« ...and actually you did everything by yourself Ā»
Ā« Sanji-kun! Ā» Nami whined, struggling into breaking free from his arms. At times, his physical strength was a pain in the ass.
Ā« Donāt make a fool of me, I just wanted to be girlfriend material for you! Ā»
Ā« You are always sweet to me, and I really appreciate your gesture. Next time, however, you keep ahead for more than five seconds, so that Iāll be able to understand your intentions Ā»
Before she could ever reply, he kissed her tenderly, a morning habit the vicissitude of events had forced him to procrastinate until that very last moment.
He owed one to little Chopper.
