[... If Akira had left it at the first sentence, Sanji would have bristled too.
Because nothing pisses him off like someone selling him a happy fairy tale he can't bank on, even if he and everyone else are gunning for the same thing. His expression coils, flashing with irritation-- but then it cools into bemusement, perhaps even a touch of uncertainty when the other keeps talking]
Oi. Everyone's working just as hard. I just got lucky and was saddled a role, is all.
[This isn't cooking. This isn't a passion. He's working hard because it's expected of him, because there's no one else, and he can't let...
He can't let anyone lose save himself.
A pause, and then Sanji runs a hand through his hair, sighing]
Listen, I'm not saying abandon my ass if it's better to save it. Just... don't beat yourself up trying to twist me up in a miracle, too. You don't gotta.
[and that's where they differ. Akira isn't doing this just because he was given the responsibility. he's doing it because he truly believes in what he's pursing. for him. . .?]
[it is a passion. just. . . a different kind]
I'm going to, whether you want me to or not.
[there's a fire that burns in his eyes as he says that, too. no matter how exhausted or tired or guilty or resigned he may feel, it will never go out]
[It's a dismissive noise, delivered with the vaguest of irritation now, and Sanji abruptly digs into his suit pocket for his cigarettes. Something to sooth his soul so he doesn't have to keep looking Akira in the eye... because:]
Stubborn shit... just like my captain.
[Luffy, who refused to give up on Sanji, who hounded and followed him halfway across the goddamn sea even when his chef begged him to leave him be, and demanded to hear from Sanji's own mouth what it was that he truly wanted.]
[that brief moment-- that moment of quiet wistfulness-- doesn't go unnoticed. but Akira won't press into it for now. some things should be kept to oneself, like a secret shared between two friends that Akira isn't privy to]
Hah. [almost defiant, the corners of his lips twitching upwards] There isn't anything you could've said that would have stopped me.
And I wouldn't ever want you to go easy on me in the first place.
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Because nothing pisses him off like someone selling him a happy fairy tale he can't bank on, even if he and everyone else are gunning for the same thing. His expression coils, flashing with irritation-- but then it cools into bemusement, perhaps even a touch of uncertainty when the other keeps talking]
Oi. Everyone's working just as hard. I just got lucky and was saddled a role, is all.
[This isn't cooking. This isn't a passion. He's working hard because it's expected of him, because there's no one else, and he can't let...
He can't let anyone lose save himself.
A pause, and then Sanji runs a hand through his hair, sighing]
Listen, I'm not saying abandon my ass if it's better to save it. Just... don't beat yourself up trying to twist me up in a miracle, too. You don't gotta.
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[and that's where they differ. Akira isn't doing this just because he was given the responsibility. he's doing it because he truly believes in what he's pursing. for him. . .?]
[it is a passion. just. . . a different kind]
I'm going to, whether you want me to or not.
[there's a fire that burns in his eyes as he says that, too. no matter how exhausted or tired or guilty or resigned he may feel, it will never go out]
1/3
Tch.
[It's a dismissive noise, delivered with the vaguest of irritation now, and Sanji abruptly digs into his suit pocket for his cigarettes. Something to sooth his soul so he doesn't have to keep looking Akira in the eye... because:]
Stubborn shit... just like my captain.
[Luffy, who refused to give up on Sanji, who hounded and followed him halfway across the goddamn sea even when his chef begged him to leave him be, and demanded to hear from Sanji's own mouth what it was that he truly wanted.]
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He misses his crew.
He misses when the loneliness wasn't quite so crushing]
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-- Godddamni-- fine. Fine.
[Grumpily turning away and folding his arms]
Do what you want. I won't stop you, you bratty pain in my ass. Just don't expect me to go easy on you, ever.
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Hah. [almost defiant, the corners of his lips twitching upwards] There isn't anything you could've said that would have stopped me.
And I wouldn't ever want you to go easy on me in the first place.