THEY KNOW FEAR AGAIN.
There's the smell of something burning and setting her lungs ablaze, the taste of sea salt, and the cold water splashing against her skin. Drowning into the blue sea. It overwhelmed and swallowed her whole and for a moment, dea...
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CHAPTER FOUR, bleed for you
Tomorrow morning.
That would give her enough time to pack everything, the little things she had and say goodbye to everyone. Sanji hitched his breath for a moment and that little glimpse made her wonder if he reciprocated everything she felt, too. The smiles and laughter they shared. Jie knew her time on the Baratie was coming to an end. Maybe it was the perfect time to admit to everything, especially as she wouldn't see these people again.
"What...?" Sanji muttered weakly, the cigarette hanging between his fingers. The smell of ash was overpowering, something Jie couldn't seem to rub off her skin no matter how hard she tried. A scent that reminded her of a certain cook who favored them.
"I'll ask Zeff to prepare a boat tomorrow," Jie said, adding to what she spoke about earlier. She bit her lip, thinking about the dread that came with the realization. "I should make my way back home and explain to my aunt what happened. You know, I was supposed to be on that boat with my father. But if he wasn't there with me, then I guess...he won't be coming home with me."
As if not wanting to bring her mood down further, Sanji nodded and smiled charmingly like he always did. His eyes seemed to waver, as if wanting to say something else entirely.
"It's too bad we're losing a lovely lady like you."
Jie shook her head. "Sanji, I think I like—"
The sound of plates being shattered took their attention immediately. It came straight from the kitchen. Perhaps the dish boy, Luffy had gotten up to something mischievous again. With widened eyes, Sanji seemed to get the gist of what she was trying to say but his attention turned to the broken dishes first.
"Sorry." Luffy apologized when they both came inside. His round, dark eyes glistened with guilt and Jie felt that it truly was an accident, not unfortunate timing that he interrupted something very important. Regardless, the confession of her feelings lingered and it made standing next to Sanji extremely difficult without trying to hide herself in a corner. Luffy pushed the cart full of dishes aside, clattering as it came to a halt.
Luffy bent down to pick up the pieces of broken porcelain, but Jie stopped him and took out a broom. It seemed like he didn't care one bit if he cut his precious skin by picking up the shards...
"Don't do that, you'll hurt yourself," She said and handed him the cleaning supplies, which made Luffy give her an awkward laugh in return as he took the broom in hand. "You should be thankful Sanji saw instead of Zeff. The chef would be livid if he saw you breaking one of his dishes."
