week 5 | Thursday

[concasse]

[Listen, Sanji promised Cardia an apology breakfast, and that's exactly what she's going to get come Thursday morning.

Should Sanji be on his feet? ... Probably not!

Doesn't stop him from knocking on her door in the morning, voice sing-songing from the other side of the door]

Cardia-chwaaaan~! As promised, I have brought you breakfast!

Comments

[concasse]

-- Then why not just consider this a gift, then? From me to you~!

[HE'S NOT GOING AWAY.]

[discardia]

... Come in, then.

[ And she'll shuffle aside to let him do that. ]

I wanted to give you one of those bottles, anyway.

[concasse]

Thank you, Cardia-chwan~!

[He is going to dance his ass right inside, somehow never spilling the food.

His poor injuries, though. Why must he be like this.]

-- And nonsense, why don't you keep both?

[discardia]

... Because I don't need both. One of them is something I can already do.

[ Oh. ]

[concasse]

[So Sanji didn't look at those bottles very carefully.

But once he puts down the food, he will, and he--

Oh boy.]

... Are you pairing up the partnerless?

[discardia]

[ Cardia glances down at her hands, briefly. ]

Yes.

[concasse]

Oi now, I'm not going to tell anyone.

[Said immediately]

[discardia]

Oh-- I mean, thank you, it's just...

I'm sorry-- that I couldn't save everyone. I'm only allowed to save one pair a week.

[ And she still feels terrible about 2B and Rapunzel. ]

[concasse]

[With a sad smile]

That's what we all figured. It'd be too good to be true if you could save everyone, after all.

[...]

But I guess there really is no point in you keeping the seashell.

[discardia]

That's right. I'd prefer for you to hold onto it.

[ Keep yourself safe. ]

[concasse]

[Slipping that into his pocket, then.

Jeez, after a reveal like that, he's a little more somber, and only with some effort does he perk up]

Oh, right! I brought you crepes... wasn't sure what you preferred, so I went with something sweet.

[at least they look delicious!]

[discardia]

Oh, they're... really pretty.

[ And they make her brighten, bonus?? ]

[concasse]

[thank goodness, he's doing something right then.]

Eat up, they're all for you~!

[And he will be good and not bound all over the goddamn room while she eats, instead sitting politely in a chair or something. SEE, HE WILL BEHAVE]

[discardia]

You're not hungry?

[ Honestly, neither is she, but she'll pick up a fork and eat it anyway. ]

[concasse]

... I mean.

If you don't think you'll finish it all...

[discardia]

... Please join me. I'd hate to waste food.

[concasse]

[Well, can't resist a request like that, can he?]

Alright, let's go half and half.

[He'll scoot over and share the food with her.]

[discardia]

Are you feeling any better? Do your injuries still hurt?

[ Of course she has to ask. ]

[concasse]

Trust me, I'm pretty sturdy. It takes a lot to keep me down.

[Which doesn't quite answer the question, but his smile is at least honest and bright. He's not all that worried about himself.]

[discardia]

... It still hurts, doesn't it?

[concasse]

... A little.

[discardia]

......

If you push yourself, I'm going to be very angry.

[concasse]

Y-yes Ma'am.

[SITTING UP STRAIGHT LIKE A SCOLDED CHILD]

[discardia]

Rebecca was also very worried about you. So don't do it again.

[ Even Cardia gets these moments. ]

[concasse]

-- She was?

[Not that he's surprised but oooh, the scolding he is getting.]

I won't, I promise! I'll be careful for both of you!

[discardia]

Be careful for yourself!! Your crew is still waiting for you, aren't they?! You nearly sacrificed yourself for me!

[ oh, Sanji, she's been steaming over this allll night. ]

1/2

[concasse]

[Funny that.

For a brief second, Sanji stares at her as if

uncomprehending]

[concasse]

[--But snaps back with an awkward, guilty laugh, rubbing at his neck.]

You're right, you're right. They'd all beat the shit outta me for being an idiot, right?

[discardia]

I think they would.

[ after taking another bite of crepe. ]

[concasse]

They really would, trust me.

[They'd scold him for being an idiot, getting distracted by pretty ladies, thinking Cardia-chan would be okay with the idea of him sacrificing himself for her...]

... I really do promise I'll keep that shit in mind next time, so... don't worry too much over me.