Future

Chapter 17: Luffy - Captaining

Luffy only realized how bad of a Captain he was being when he pushed open the galley door to see Sanji cooking, and realized it was the first time in nearly thirteen days. A wave of guilt crushed him, and he was unable to stop himself from wrapping gently around his nakama.

"Whoa, hello! That's not Zoro," Sanji yelped, trying to turn awkwardly on his one good foot. "Luffy? What's wrong?"

"I'm sorry, Sanji," Luffy muttered into the blond's shoulder, almost in tears. "I've been a bad Captain again. I was supposed to do better and take care of everyone now, but when you and Torao both came back weak and hurt, I almost ignored you! I've been focusing on Torao so much, but you were hurt worse and you've been my nakama for so long and -!"

"Luffy," Sanji interrupted quietly, folding his arms around Luffy to complete the hug. "He's your husband. It's right that he should be your first priority. That's what love's about. You made vows to him." The cook carefully disentangled himself, pointing with a spoon to the bar. Luffy took the hint and sat as Sanji continued. "Besides, I've barely been able to tolerate Zoro fretting over me constantly. If you'd done it, too, I'd have exploded already."

"I should've been at least a little more attentive to you, though."

"What, do you want me to explode?" Sanji teased, laughing gently. But then he sombered. "Honestly, Luf, not having extra attention on me right now is for the best. It's hard enough to pull myself back together when I can't even cook properly."

The door swung open again, this time to Zoro carrying a large woven basket filled with potatoes. "You still can cook properly, you just-"

"- need an extra hand, yes, I know, you've said," Sanji finished exasperatedly. "It's not the same and you know it. Luffy, will you get my big skillet for me from that cupboard, please?" Sanji pointed to a cupboard just out of his own reach.

"What are you making?" Luffy asked as he retrieved the desired pan and set it on the stove.

"Chicken vesuvio with parmesan gnocchi."

"Vesuvio?" Luffy asked. Sanji's dishes always had so many fancy words and Luffy frequently wondered how his friend kept all those words in his head.

"It's just chicken roasted in a garlicky, buttery, white wine sauce. You've had it before. You'll recognize it."

Zoro had sat down at the table, facing Luffy as he peeled the potatoes easily. "So what has you needing to pay extra attention to Sanji right now, Luf?"

"He got hurt and I've only been paying attention to Torao... But it's not that I don't care about Sanji, too!"

Zoro laughed softly. "He knows. And so do I. But Torao needed you, and that's okay. It's okay for your husband to be your priority. It doesn't mean you love the rest of this crazy family any less. You knew Sanji was in good hands, you trusted me to take care of him while you took care of Torao. But we know you. And I am reasonably certain that if I hadn't been around to take care of Sanji, you would've already given him more of your focus."

"Exactly. You remember back on Drum Island? When Nami was so sick and we were trying to find Kureha and, though we didn't know it at the time, Chopper? And I got hurt by the avalanche? You scaled that stupidly sheer mountain with one crewmember on your back and one hanging from your freaking jaw. Dealing with frostbite and tearing up your hands and feet, too. You could've left me — after all, you already had one unconscious crewmate to look after, and you knew that I would've wanted you to prioritize her— but you didn't because you needed to make sure I was looked after, too. This time, you knew you could leave me and I'd be looked after, so you did. It doesn't make you a bad captain, or a bad friend. And look! I'm cooking again! It's a simple meal, and taking a lot longer than I'd hoped, but I'm getting there."