004↠ Action

[concasse]

[Sanji's at the bar probably with the rest of the village, holed up in a corner for a decidedly good portion of the evening/night, well after this mess. Catch him when he's depressingly sober, moderately drunk and pissed, or in the middle of destroying what's left of his kidneys.

He'll get home eventually. Somehow.]

Comments

[alabastajewel]

[Vivi isn't surprised to find him no longer in the kitchen--in fact, she'd been expecting that. She takes a little time to set up a bed for him on the couch, and only then, when she realizes she's not hearing any sounds from the bathroom, does she head there to check he's all right.]

[...and finds it dark and untouched. Where did he..? That he might have managed to stagger upstairs would never have crossed her mind, until she sees Pumpkin beginning to make the ascent. He didn't.]

[...he did. When she finds him, sprawled out on the bathroom tile, for a moment all Vivi can do is stare incredulously. Then she kneels beside him, gently shaking his shoulder.] Sanji-san.

[concasse]

... Mmm. [That's an Mmm of "I'm not dead but I wish I were." He might've emptied the contents of his stomach, but he feels even worse now, if possible, and certainly in no position to move. He very slowly turns his head and opens an eye to peer at the girl kneeling next to him.]

[alabastajewel]

[Vivi tries to keep her face placid, despite the concern she feels. She takes Sanji by the arm to assist him in righting himself.] Can you sit?

[concasse]

[Rather than answer the question, Sanji struggles until he's hunched over his loosely folded legs, using his arms to stabilize him in place. His head feels detached from his body, the way it hangs]

Chopper's gonna kill me.

[alabastajewel]

[Vivi makes no comment, but stands and dampens a washcloth in the sink, which she offers to him. Now that he's managed to get himself upstairs, it's best he stay up here for the night, and the spare room where Ace used to stay is just around the corner. Probably the best course of action.]

Do you want some water?

[concasse]

[He takes the offered washcloth without a word, and only nods at her hidden suggestion. His stomach is quieter now; water might stay down.]

[alabastajewel]

[Vivi runs the tap and fills one of the small paper cups from the container by the sink.] Here.

[Once he takes the cup from her, she wordlessly fills another, ready to hand it to him once he's drained the first.]

[concasse]

[If nothing else, being sick has destroyed the last of his stubbornness. He wordlessly follows every unspoken order, draining both the cups because he knows he has to. When he's finished, he keeps his head bowed, though inclined in Vivi's direction, waiting for her next order]

[alabastajewel]

[It's strange seeing him like this. Almost...broken. She doesn't like it.]

Sanji-san... [She lightly touches his shoulder, her voice soft.] Are you all right now? [Clearly he's not, but she hopes he'll get her meaning. Are you going to be sick again?]

[concasse]

... I won't be sick again. [And he starts getting to his feet, slow though his progress is]

[alabastajewel]

[Vivi rushes to his side, offering an arm for support, and a shoulder to lean on once he's on his feet.]

The room where Ace used to stay is closest. Is that all right? [It's more an automatic courtesy than an actual question. Once she's sure he's steady, she'll start heading in that direction. Pumpkin meets them in the hallway, giving an inquisitive mew before trailing along after them.]

[concasse]

[Sanji doesn't really answer the question anyway, already lapsing back into his now customary silence. It easier, he decides, if he just keeps quiet, doing what he can to keep his weight off her despite the support. He does incline his head in Pumpkin's direction, though, a sad smile twitching on his face. Tch, he's even worrying his cat.

When they reach the bed, Sanji slowly lowers himself back against the pillows, and his brows loosely knot when he feels that annoying vertigo rushing to his temples. It brings with it some queasiness, though it's mild at best. Compared to five minutes ago, it's not that bad]

[alabastajewel]

[Now that he's safely in bed, Vivi backs off, giving him some space. She doesn't feel right just leaving him there without first asking if there's anything else she can do, however.]

Do you need me to bring you anything? [Then, after a moment's hesitation:] Should I wake Tony-kun?

[concasse]

No.

[Fetching Chopper, while medically sound, is too much for him to handle tonight. Sanji knows he won't die; there's no need to wake the reindeer and have him tend to the chef's idiocy. Now that he has some water in his system, the most he'll have to worry about is the mother of all hangovers in the morning.]

Don't worry; I can handle it from he-- oof! [The sudden weight on his stomach nearly crosses his eyes. Of all the places for Pumpkin to jump on...]

[alabastajewel]

[Vivi gives a slight wince as Pumpkin lands on Sanji's stomach, pausing to make sure he'll recover all right. Then she nods, backing toward the door with a faint smile.] I hope you feel better tomorrow.

Goodnight, Sanji-san. [And she'll start to leave, pulling the door shut behind her.]

[concasse]

... Vivi-chan? [He calls out right before the door shuts, though half of him hopes she doesn't hear]

[alabastajewel]

[She does hear, and pauses, taking a step back into the darkened room.] Yes?

[concasse]

[It's perhaps the silliest question to ask, considering who he's talking to, but...]

Do you think less of me?

[alabastajewel]

[Her expression grows slightly pained at the question, though it's probably not noticeable in the dim light.]

No. No, of course not!

[concasse]

[Right, of course. About the answer he expected. Sanji gives her a weakened smile, nearly saying "Thank you" again for the admission, but instead goes:]

Alright. [[He's overdone the theatrics enough for one night] I'll see you in the morning.

[alabastajewel]

[Vivi nods, giving him a soft smile.] Yes. Sleep well.

[And she leaves again, the door latching behind her with a faint click.]