Stolen Glances and Culinary Charms. PT 4
notes : OKAY,, I'm doing a double upload to make it up for giving y'all a cliffhanger last chapter!!! Will be posting the other one later!! ~ so look out for that one! hehe
<< 𝚙𝚛𝚎𝚟𝚒𝚘𝚞𝚜 | 𝚗𝚎𝚡𝚝 >> | 𝙼𝙰𝚂𝚃𝙴𝚁𝙻𝙸𝚂𝚃
YOU WAKE UP THE NEXT MORNING with a throbbing headache, a dry mouth, and a vague sense of unease. The memory of the previous night is hazy at best, and you struggle to piece together what happened after the surreal dance with the mysterious figure.
The first thing you notice is that you're in your shared bunk with Nami. It's a relief to be back on the ship, surrounded by the familiar sounds and smells, but the memories of the night before start to flood back.
The only clear memory that haunted your mind was the image of Sanji dancing with another girl.
The jealousy and insecurity stemming from that image weighed on your chest like an anchor, making your mood grumpy and your thoughts cloudy. You couldn't shake the feeling that something had changed between you and Sanji, even though you couldn't remember the details of what had transpired afterward.
As you sit up, the hangover hits you like a ton of bricks. You groan and clutch your head, trying to alleviate the pounding pain. The room spins for a moment, and you wonder if it's a punishment for drinking too much.
Gingerly, you make your way to the ship's kitchen, hoping to find something to ease your hangover. The crew is already up and about, and they greet you with smiles and cheerful morning greetings. But you can't shake the heavy feeling that's settled in your chest.
Sanji is there, too, preparing breakfast. His attention is on the meal he's cooking, and you can't help but steal glances at him. The memory of him dancing with that girl, his smile and charm, gnaws at you. You can't bring yourself to talk to him, not with the grumpiness and insecurity that's settled in your mind.
Breakfast is served, and you join the crew at the table. The food is delicious, as always, thanks to Sanji's culinary skills. However, you can't fully enjoy it, the hangover making every bite and sip feel like a challenge.
“Hey, Y/N . . . Uh - you alright?” Usopp was the first to speak.
“Swell.” You say with gritted teeth, the grip on your fork tightening as you stab at your food.
Usopp exchanged a glance with Nami and then looked back at you, clearly concerned.
“You sure you're okay, Y/N?” he asked, his voice laced with genuine worry.
You forced a smile and nodded, though it was clear that your gritted teeth and the intensity of your gaze were anything but reassuring. “Yeah, just a hangover is all.” you replied, your voice slightly strained.
Sanji had anticipated that you might wake up with a hangover, particularly given the enthusiastic way you had indulged in drinks the previous night. The memory of how you had insisted on more drinks, his own amusement at your spirited antics, was still fresh in his mind.
With his usual chivalry and concern for the well-being of the crew, he swiftly prepared a dish of freshly cooked eggs. Their warmth and nourishing qualities were a time-tested remedy for hangovers. He placed the steaming plate in front of you, his signature warm smile gracing his features.
“Here, Y/N,” he said, his voice gentle and comforting, “a little something to help with your headache.”
You met his gaze, your eyes still clouded by the remnants of your hangover. His kindness tugged at your heart, but the unease and jealousy that had plagued you since the night before still lingered in the corners of your mind. Despite the warmth of his gesture, you found it difficult to fully embrace the comfort he offered.
As the crew carried on with their meal, a palpable tension lingered in the air, like a heavy fog that refused to dissipate. It was evident to all aboard the Going Merry that something weighed on you, casting a shadow over the cheerful morning routine.
Though their concern was unspoken, it hung in the air like an unasked question. Each crew member felt the unease that had settled among them. They exchanged subtle glances and shared whispered conversations, their worry for you etched in their expressions. Despite the curiosity and the genuine care they held for you, no one dared to intrude on your private turmoil.
After you had pushed your food around your plate, feigning an appetite you didn't possess, you rose from your seat. Your departure was as quiet as your arrival. With a nod to the crew, you left the table, your absence an unspoken invitation for them to carry on without you.
Zoro couldn't help but raise an inquisitive eyebrow as he watched you leave. His curiosity, as always, was as straightforward as his speech. He muttered with a hint of bewilderment, “What's her deal?”
Luffy, his mouth still full of food, contributed to the conversation with a nonchalant shrug.
“Beats me,” he mumbled between bites, “maybe she ate something weird.”
Zoro couldn't contain his exasperation at Luffy's seemingly simplistic assessment of the situation. He rolled his eyes and shook his head. “Not everything is about food, you know,” he retorted, leaning back on his chair.
Nami focused her inquisitive gaze on Sanji, who had been the central figure in the previous night's events. “Did something happen last night?” she asked, her voice carrying a mix of curiosity and genuine concern. “Sanji, you were with her all night.”
Sanji, who had been quietly tending to some dishes, paused for a moment, his brows furrowing as he thought of last night. He was aware that something had unsettled you, and he knew that he needed to address the situation, even if it meant sharing the hazy memories of the previous night.
“There was a dance, and we spent some time together,” he began, choosing his words carefully. “But it was just a moment, nothing more.”
Nami's gaze shifted between Sanji and the empty seat where you had been sitting. She knew there was more to the story, but she also respected your privacy. “Well, something seems to be bothering her,” she remarked.
Sanji's jaw tightened, a mixture of frustration and concern in his eyes as he realized the impact of the previous night on you. “I'll talk to her,” he promised, determined to help you work through your feelings and put the unspoken tension to rest.
The day goes on and you can't help but feel distant. You respond to your crewmates with short, monosyllabic answers, and your headache and unease keep you from fully immersing yourself in the adventures and camaraderie you usually relish.
When Sanji attempted to strike up a conversation, you couldn't help but respond with curt and distant replies. The unease and jealousy that had taken root in your heart kept you at arm's length from him, despite his genuine attempts to bridge the gap.
“Sanji, I'm fine. Can we not do this?” You sighed, the frustration evident in your voice as you tried to brush aside his concerns.
Sanji, his concern for you clear in his eyes, hesitated to press further, but the unspoken questions and a growing sense of unease weighed on him. “But -”
“Sanji - seriously. Drop it.” you interrupted, your tone final, leaving him with a sense of helplessness and unanswered questions.
Zoro, watching from a distance, muttered, “This is painful to watch.” his eyebrow quirked as he observed the situation.
Nami, never one to resist an opportunity to meddle in matters of the heart, leaned in with a mischievous glint in her eye. “Eh,” she said with a sly smile, “They just need a little push.”
Zoro raised an eyebrow at Nami's statement, his skepticism evident in his expression. “A little push? With those two, it's more like a cannonball to the heart.”
Nami's grin widened as she shrugged, her confidence undeterred. “Well, Zoro, sometimes you need a cannonball to break down the walls people build around themselves. Besides, it's about time they figure it out.”
“Figure out what?” Luffy chimed in.
Ussop shot a glance at Luffy and deadpanned, “Seriously, man?” He gestured to Sanji and you with both hands, as if the situation should speak for itself.
As the day progresses, the hangover slowly starts to subside. You find yourself retreating to your bunk, wanting some solitude to sort out your thoughts and emotions.
“Stupid Sanji.” you muttered under your breath, your tone a mixture of exasperation and affection, a dichotomy that had become all too familiar. The object of your thoughts was both a source of irritation and a wellspring of attraction. His charm, his suave demeanor, and yes, even his immaculate hair, had always held an undeniable allure for you.
The weight of confusion and insecurity bore down on you like a heavy anchor, and in your bunk, alone with your thoughts, you couldn't contain the frustration any longer. The pillow, your silent confidant in moments of despair, became a temporary vessel for your pent-up emotions.
With a muffled scream, you buried your face in the fabric, muffling the sound of your anguish as you unleashed a torrent of emotions into the cushion. The muffled cry served as a release, a catharsis for the tangled mess of feelings that had knotted within you since the previous night.
“Okay, Y/N spit it out.” A voice suddenly spoke up - Nami. She was leaning against the door, her arms folded, she fixed you with an unyielding gaze. Her expression conveyed both curiosity and encouragement, urging you to release the pent-up emotions that had been plaguing you.
You met Nami's determined gaze, her presence a reassuring anchor in the sea of uncertainty that had surrounded you. Her understanding expression encouraged you to open up, even if you were unsure of the validity of your own feelings.
Taking a deep breath, you confessed, “I don't know, Nami... It's stupid. I don't know why I'm so pent up about it.”
“Y/N, it's not stupid.” Nami replied, her voice gentle and reassuring. “We all have moments that bother us, and it's perfectly normal to feel this way. Sometimes, talking about it can help you understand your own feelings better.”
Your shoulders relaxed slightly, and you appreciated Nami's calming presence. “I just... I saw Sanji with another girl last night, and it's been bothering me more than it should. I can't even remember much about what happened afterward, but that image is stuck in my head.”
Nami couldn't help but sigh in exasperation. The complexities of love and emotions, especially when it came to Sanji, were something she had become well-acquainted with during her time as a member of the Straw Hat crew. She knew all too well that Sanji's feelings for you were far from a secret, and it sometimes left her both amused and bemused by the situation.
“This guy, I swear.” she muttered under her breath, a wry smile tugging at the corner of her lips. While she could understand your feelings and the turmoil that had arisen from the events of the previous night, Nami also knew that untangling the web of emotions involving Sanji was a task in itself. But, she was determined to help you find your way through it.
Nami's expression softened, and she leaned in closer. Her words were filled with a sense of wisdom and genuine concern. “Look, Y/N, I know this might be complicated, especially with Sanji involved, but you can't keep this bottled up. You need to talk to him. See where his head is at. You might be surprised.”
As the days turned into weeks, the growing distance between you and Sanji became undeniable. Determined to clear the air and address the tension that had settled between you, you made several attempts to find a moment alone with him. However, every time you approached, he seemed to find a reason to excuse himself or was conveniently engrossed in tasks around the ship.
His avoidance was frustrating and left you feeling dejected. You had worked up the courage to talk to him about the issue, but it was as if he was actively avoiding the conversation, leaving you with a growing sense of uncertainty and frustration.
With every missed opportunity to discuss your feelings and concerns, the gap between you and Sanji widened, creating a palpable tension that neither of you could ignore. The unspoken words hung heavy in the air, and you couldn't help but wonder how you would ever bridge the gap that had grown between you.
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