"did you two have a nice chat?" (zeff being an overprotective parent let's go --)
ㅤㅤThe boy’s heated visage is a deepened shade akin to the ripest of tomatoes, the centre of his chin still tingling from the singular point of contact she’d made against it with the tip of an index finger ( peut-être qu’un jour il pourrait même se laisser pousser la barbe, mais en attendant… ), smaller stature shuffling past the old man in search of sprigs of rosemary. A hand rummages through the various containers upon the kitchen countertop, the frequent cant of the head timed with peering at intricate labels ( c’était ici il y a juste une minute… ), disgruntled rumbling intermittently emanating from the lad’s direction. Patty’s ‘ the customer’s always right ’ patter has its time and place, but the staff at Baratie didn’t usually acquiesce to providing their patrons with substitutions… and yet there’s something so utterly beguiling about this lady, Sanji’s heart repeatedly flipping from the mere thought of her that any wish she had would be at his command—
ㅤㅤㅤㅤThere’s a stubborn pout as the old crapgeezer poses the question, an avoidant demeanour and faint grunt being the sole means of initial response, the blond knowing all too well how this conversation was about to go down. Ouais, he has a crush. Ouais, the brunette’s twice his age... but by the seakings and gods of distant lands, young Sanji knows he could make her so happy if they got married - he could cook for her and compliment her, and she could continue being pretty and tussle his hair and— ( il pense trop loin: une étape à la fois ). Frustration descends in the inability to locate the requested herb, small hands balling into fists by his sides, the sudden urge for a smoke rearing its ugly head while knowing fully that one of the men has hidden his pack of cigarettes at the start of their shift, irritation dangerously flaring ( allez, respire ).
ㅤㅤ“ Yeah, it was great actually. Said she liked my new suit ♡ ” The younger had barely entered his teens by a few days, but he’s pretty certain these were gonna be some of the most momentous years of his life, a boy on the cusp of manhood with the whole world being his veritable oyster. And that’s most likely why he’d made a beeline to her the moment she stepped inside the maritime restaurant this evening, a cheery greeting afforded while assisting to seat her at a ‘ usual ’ table. “ It’s her fourth visit, she obviously has good taste. I think you’d really like her. ” The comment sounds a little sheepish despite a tone of confidence, glaucous gaze still unable to fully meet Zeff’s, delusion encroaching upon the absurdity of such an union being anything but the stuff of daydreams. Sanji tries to argue his point without sounding like a lovesick mess ( les résultats peuvent varier ).
ㅤㅤㅤㅤ“ She’s really smart, unlike some of our other regulars. I don’t think she’s a World Noble, but she seems really refined. Like, she wouldn’t bat an eyelid if meeting a king. ” There’s a pause, the teen swallowing down a pocket of air with an inner buildup of nerves, finally glancing up at the man with fidgeting hands delving into the depths of pockets. “ Maybe you should meet her too…? ”