An Illusion (Sanji x Reader)

Sometimes when the world beats you, hurts you, and tears you apart, we resort to making our own versions of a reality. An illusion of sorts to escape whatever the world is currently throwing at you. Sanji used to do this often. He would create these fantasies to escape his real life growing up. Once living with Chef Zeff and deciding he wanted to be a chef as well, little by little his fantasies or as he called it his illusions started to just disappear. For the first time in his life, he felt that he didn't need anything to cope and could conquer anything that came his way. That had lasted him a long time until more recently after joining Luffy's crew. For a good while he was fine, but then you came along. It was shortly after they had saved Robin when you had joined. You were Franky's best friend and he insisted his friend the blacksmith came along. Luffy agreed mostly cause he thought you were cool and your weapons were beautiful. You wielded a giant axe and moved almost like a ballerina. Sanji loved women. His fantasies had plenty of women in them. They were the only thing his fantasies consisted of lately, but after three months of you there...His fantasies started to change. His 'illusions' of the women and finding the all blue became consumed with thoughts and images of you. He imagined how it'd be waking up with you each day. How you would feel in his arms as he cuddled you. The feelings of your lips on his cheek and face as you would try to wake him from his slumber. He didn't even think of Nami or Robin anymore. He had considerably changed. Nami and Robin of course were the first to notice. He no longer swooned for them and treated them as if they were the sun. He only treated you that way. Sanji took every opportunity to be with you. Every grocery trip he had asked you to come along and at any moment you no longer had a smoothie or a cup of water, he was there to give you a refill within seconds. Zoro was the second to notice his behavior, when you were around he tried to avoid fights with Zoro for fear of hurting you or scaring you. Loud noises like yelling scared you. Zoro respected Sanji for that and both made a silent agreement to not fight near you. Franky and Usopp noticed after how Sanji would do anything to make you smile, even if that meant falling face first into the ground. Luffy had been the last to notice. He didn't exactly understand how Sanji saw you. He just knew that you were special to Sanji and that is why during breakfast,lunch, and dinner you would be served first. Everyone on the ship had noticed, except for you. Franky had tried to bring it up, but you would always shrug it off as that being his usual behavior. Sanji was absolutely smitten with you though. He didn't know that you felt the same way.

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You were better at hiding your emotions. Growing up around expressive people who made you feel as if your problems were small does that to a person. No one had any idea just how in love you were with Sanji. No one except Zoro. If there was one person who knew anything about hiding emotions it was the swordsmen. Like you, he believed actions showed more than words ever could. It was the little things that you did that made Zoro realize you felt the same. You would take time out of your day to sharpen Sanji's knives whenever they started to grow dull. Anytime he needed help in the kitchen, without a word you would enter and begin to do whatever he hadn't done and set the table for him. Anytime he grew stressed over the amount of rations, you were there to stop Luffy from sneaking food and go fishing for him. Everytime he needed help grocery shopping you would always agree to go with him when he asked, even if you'd rather go somewhere else. Zoro had just wanted the both of you to stop going around each other and just be together already. Sanji had tried to tell you, but things would happen before he could. Today though...Zoro had swore no matter what Sanji would grow a pair or you would and just tell each other. It had been the perfect day. You had all just arrived at a new Island and Sanji had once again asked if you'd accompany him. "Sure Sanji-kun! If you don't mind do you think we can stop at some more shops? I need to buy some more welding items!" Sanji smiled nodding. "Of course Y/N-swan! Anything for you!!" You laughed grabbing his hand dragging him along. Nami smiled seeing you both run off. "They really just need to kiss already." Robin nodded along. "Couldn't agree more..you up to anything today?" Nami shook her head before smirking seeing Robin get a mischievous look. "Nope got anything you want to do." Robin nodded "Yes I do."