COAST - Luffy x Reader

CHAPTER SIX

A little more angst. Lol sorry :^)

This will be the last angst one for now, I'll give feel good vibes next chapter.

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"You look tired." Sanji states the obvious as we stand together in the kitchen, chopping vegetables for a soup he was planning on serving to myself and the girls. Though, I knew that the boys would want some, too.

The day had started out by asking Sanji if I could help him cook. I wanted to learn more about it anyway, and it seemed like a good use to pass the time. At first, he was insistent on me 'not lifting a finger for my own meals;' But, in the end, I was successful. All it took was some ardent complaining that I was bored to tears, wanting something to do other than standing and staring at the fog (which made my eyes hurt).

Well, I may have also given him my best pleading look to seal the deal. After that, he hadn't bothered to tell me 'no' again.

"Have you not been sleeping well?" My tired eyes swerve to meet his analytical gaze, to which his eyebrows twitch downwards in concern.

It was probably the first time he spoke to me normally this morning; I mean, without the fawning, hearts and sparkles. Our previous conversations had consisted of me asking a question, him having a nosebleed, and me having to redirect the conversation or cut it off completely. It was refreshing for him to be so serious now, though I wished it was about a different topic.

It wasn't like he was wrong, and I'm sure the bags under my eyes were clear enough to reinforce his worry, but I didn't want anybody to worry.

"I'm just having some trouble sleeping. New place, and all that." I smiled, before returning to the vegetables. Not entirely a lie, I could feel the ache begin to form behind my eyes from the strain of overuse.

"I'm not too used to the whole pirate ship thing yet."

"Ah, I understand." He finalizes, also tending to the vegetables on his cutting board.

Just as I start sloppily mincing the herbs, not entirely knowing what I was doing, he interrupts again.

"How's Luffy?" He asks dryly, with a very obvious hint of jealousy. I freeze, wondering if he's made the connection between my soulmate and my lack of sleep; Something else he would be correct on guessing. If so, he probably already knew the answer.

"He's... fine." I struggle to find the right word to use, wondering if I should be honest or lie to his face.

"I'm not really sure, honestly." I opt for the first choice, thinking it better to be honest, hopefully in a way that wasn't too concerning.

Silence, for a while. The only sound being the sharp slice of his knife through the potato as I get stuck in my own head, struggling to get myself out of it. My fingers fumble with the knife, and I place it flat on the counter with a sigh. I needed more distraction.

"Sanji," I start, softly, "What's the best method to cut these?"

"Here, let me show you, my lady!" He's back to his old self, and I let out the breath of relief that we've moved on to a different conversation.

More questions, more demonstration, and an hour that passes by quickly leads to a successfully made stew. Sanji ends the process, saying the pot needs to stay simmering for about an hour before serving, and I nod my head diligently at him.

"You're a star pupil! I couldn't have asked for a cuter student, (Y/n)-chan!" He exclaims, hearts in his eyes and floating around him as he twirls.

"Thank you," I say exasperatedly, "but you were a really good teacher, too, Sanji."