Saving Me, Saving You | Sanji

Cause for Celebration

Don't do it, girl. It's only going to end one way. The hiss echoed in Reyna's mind.

"I'm done listening to your nonsense," Reyna shook her head, her nose leading her further into the center of the party.

You'll come back to us. You'll see.

"No, I won't," she mumbled forcefully.

A group of children stood in front of her, gushing about how delicious the food lining the table smelled, followed by how it was going to taste if the aroma was so succulent. They were in for a big treat, that was for sure.

"Thank you!" the four children bowed their heads in appreciation once they were handed their plates.

"Of course. Bon appetite."

The children ran off and Reyna stepped forward. How Sanji was able to prepare and make such a delectable meal in such a short amount of time was beyond her, but oh, how excited she was to try it.

"What can I-" Sanji stopped mid-sentence.

Never in his life had he ever been left speechless. With just one look at the radiant beauty standing before him, he knew he was a goner. His breath caught, his heart thudded loudly in his ears, and his mouth dropped.

"Sanji?" Reyna snapped her fingers in front of his face. "Are you all right?"

"You are absolutely breath-taking," Sanji couldn't help himself.

"Thank you," Reyna smiled. "The village seamstress has quite a talent. I take it you boys made it back fine and everything's all right between the four of you?"

"Just fine and only minor injuries. The doctor was able to tend to them rather easily," Sanji answered. "Were you and Nami able to salvage anything?"

"Some," she nodded. "Luckily, the bar was almost fully stocked, so we were able to snag some good booze."

"Thank goodness, I was worried we were going to run out," Sanji joked. "And your concussion?"

"Minor," Reyna sighed, taking the warm plate of food from his awaiting hands. "So no strenuous activities for a while. The usual."

"As long as you are all right," the look in his eyes made Reyna's insides squirm. "But what am I doing? You're probably starving. Go and eat, we can talk after."

"It's a date," Reyna winked before finding a place to enjoy her meal.

She decided on a small set of stairs leading up to one of the small houses nearby. A place where she could get a nice view of all the festivities happening around the campfire directly in the middle of the village. By the fire sat Usopp, dozens of children crowded around him as he recounted their latest adventure with extremely inflated detail. Nami was still enjoying her people-watching from across the way. And Zoro was making his way back over to Sanji for a second helping.

Oh, he's going to get some ridicule for that.

She couldn't wait to watch the exchange.

The green-haired man got in line behind Nojiko, who was also raving about the delicious meal.

"I'm going to need to get this recipe," Nojiko said to Sanji, handing him her empty plate.

"I'd be happy to give it to you," he replied.

"And maybe some private lessons," the blue-haired woman leaned over the table.

Reyna dropped her head, staring at the half-eaten plate. Like a punch to the stomach, Reyna's once uplifted mood immediately collapsed to her feet. Dred and discomfort filled every nook and cranny in her chest. She felt exposed and utterly embarrassed.