sunday | post-execution

[concasse]

[If Monika's interested in seeking Sanji out, she'll know where to find him. The relatively good news of the trial (Sandalphon's death aside) has put him in better spirits than he was expecting, and he celebrates the moment by doing what he does best.

The recipe of the day? Devil consommé, a broth that requires vigilance and experience to pull out all the impurities, leaving a soup so clean you can see straight to the bottom. He's busy scoping out another round of film by the time he senses an audience, and turns with a smile.]

Ah, Monika-chan~! Here for another lesson?

Comments

[concasse]

[Aah...

That's what she meant then?

For Monika's sake, Sanji won't undermine the importance of his role if it helped her, though he still feels... he could've always done more. Instead his expression softens into a smile]

... Between you and me, I understood because I've sorta been there, once.

[A short laugh]

Shit, I mean -- not nearly as bad as you've had it, of course! But. [A shrug. He glances away for a moment, smile still present but a tiny bit distant. Maybe even sad.]

It's easy believing your life isn't worth a damn unless you got people reminding you you deserve your place in the world, so if I can provide that for you, I'm glad.

[unromanceable]

[ Monika sighs around the tightness in her chest. She wants to touch him so badly, and it's a sign of her respect for him that she doesn't -- he's working on that consommé, after all. ]

Don't devalue your experience. I'm sure you mean it, and if you know what it's like... that just makes you even more amazing, for still being such a wonderful person despite everything you've been through.

[ very softly, as she curls her hands together over her heart ]

I really love you so much, you know?

1/2

[concasse]

[Wow so he's either dead or dying, not sure which one yet, he must've hallucinated those words.

-- She meant that platonically!

Obviously.

Jesus his face and neck and ears are so red]

Monika-chan really doesn't hold back, does she...

[concasse]

[Suddenly laughing -- this bright, charming sound he's never shown, but is as honest as he always is.]

Aaaah, but how it warms my heart~! ♥ What a lucky guy I am~! ♥

[unromanceable]

[ Monika is startled into blinking when he abruptly laughs, but the sound of it makes her heart swell so big she suddenly wants to cry. All she can do is laugh, instead, laugh to vent all the love in her heart. ]

Sanji... I don't even know what to say! I'd do anything to stay by your side.

[ Impulsively she'll hug him, trying not to burst into tears. Her face is quite pink with the effort, but the way she smiles up at him is very purely happy. ]

I won't ask you to love me back. Especially when you're, um, taken? [ HMM. ] I'm just so happy that I can spend time with you like this. I wish these moments didn't ever have to end.

[concasse]

[Listen he will take all lady hugs, though despite his random burst of energy from before, here it's much softer now, his arm coming to wrap around her shoulder with obvious fondness.]

Oi now, you make it sound like they're gonna end soon. We still got time. And I promised to teach you how to cook, didn't I?

[No, perhaps he can't love her the way she means, but that doesn't mean there's no love to give her. Sanji likes to think he's got plenty of that to spare]

To tell ya the truth, I always look forward to seeing you in the morning. Really brightens my day.

[unromanceable]

No, no! I don't mean it that way. [ she can't help but laugh. ] I just want you to know how much the time we spend together means to me.

[ She'll gently disengage, not wanting to linger too much. Not wanting to push.

Though that compliment does make her turn pink. ]

Thank you...! [ a giggle. ] I feel the same way. Knowing I'll get to spend time with you in the kitchen always keeps me motivated to get out of bed and start my day.

[concasse]

[Sanji nearly says "well, here's to seeing you in the kitchen for at least another week", except that is too foreboding for him to accept, and the sentence dies in his mouth while he smiles]

I'm glad I could give you something to look forward to, then.