Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

What is in a name?

Sanji’s been wanting to know ever since he realised their true power. Ever since he realised what they could do, what they could break, what they could mould. It all began on a rock in the middle of the ocean with a pirate who refused to tell him his name. 

It had been days without food. The pirate who survived the sinking with him hadn’t come over once. Sanji doesn’t know why but he feels a sense of unease every time he thinks of the man.

There’s nothing visibly wrong with him but dread still curls around his spine when those cold eyes meet his. Weeks, months go by. Still, not a peep from his saviour. So Sanji - little, starving Sanji - decided he would go to him instead.

“What are you?”

Surprisingly enough, it wasn’t Sanji that had asked that. The strange, fear-causing man was asking him . Sanji tilted his head and the man flinched. What did he think he was ? How could someone like Sanji - weak, pathetic Sanji - scare a man like the pirate? 

“I’m Sanji.”

He says this like it explains everything, like his name is the key to the very universe. He doesn’t quite understand where that inflection and tone came from. All the same, the moment the word left his mouth, the air grew thick.

The pirate tilted his head down, avoiding Sanji’s eye, “I acknowledge you, Sanji .”

And, Seas, that felt incredible ! He wasn’t quite sure what the man had done but suddenly he felt rejuvenated, he felt alive . Sanji tries to remember the last time somebody said his name. With a sickening horror at the thought, he realises it was his mother.

To Judge, he had always been ‘ failure ’ and to his brothers, he was merely ‘ weakling ’ or ‘ punching bag ’. To Reiju, he had been ‘ brother ’. He liked that one the most but it still wasn’t his name. 

Sanji’s eyes widen and he can feel everything . He can feel the ocean rushing through him, can hear the fire in his bones. He can understand the stars as they sing, can taste power and blood on his tongue. He can see the beating heart of the earth. 

Sanji giggles and is shocked at the fact that his voice has been multiplied. It is not just him in this body. The others there are. . . strange. He knows they’re not meant to be there but he feels as though they’re meant to be there at the same time.

Without meaning to, Sanji looks once more at the man and gasps. The man no longer looks human. There are golden runes carved into his skin and an impossibly bright light emitting from his chest, where his heart should be.

There’s a slight point to his ears and his hands have curled themselves into claws. Sanji only now realises that one of his legs is missing, the blood spilling from the wound as golden as the sun. There’s a desperation, a fear, in his eyes that Sanji is all too familiar with. 

“Thank you. I’m not sure what you did but thank you.” His voice is still braided with many.

“It is deserving of no thanks.”

Sanji smiles and the man flinches once more. Electing to ignore the stiffness of the man’s body, Sanji kneels beside him. With a softness Sanji didn’t know he was capable of, he allowed himself to trace the rune right above the wound.

Listen. It speaks. What is it trying to tell him?

Without warning, Sanji is attacked with an onslaught of information and images. There is so much pain that his head spins and he hates it. He grasps onto that pain without thinking, pulling on that little string he knows he’s not meant to touch.

When he opens his eyes, the wound is fully healed. Where once there was gore and blood and pain now lies a smooth expanse of skin. He wasn’t expecting to bring the man’s leg back but it was a comfort to know he managed to stop him from bleeding out. 

“Then take this as a token of gratitude. Red-Leg Zeff .”

Sanji watches what a name does to a person. Zeff’s posture relaxes, he inhales and exhales with a sigh, eyes fluttering shut. His hair and moustache shine with health and the bags under his eyes fade noticeably. 

He cracks open a singular eye to analyse Sanji’s still-kneeling figure.

“You’re just a kid, ain’t’cha?” 

“Mhm!” Sanji nods.

“Anyone ever told you about names?”

“No, sir.”

Zeff stiffens and all the relaxation drains from his body. He leans forward and his arms latch on to Sanji’s arms, dragging him impossible close until their noses touch. Sanji’s going a bit cross-eyed but Zeff looks serious.

He had been so terrified of Sanji mere moments before but now he was manhandling him without a care in the world! Zeff was weird. 

“You listen to me, you never give someone a title, not even something as small as that. Whenever addressing someone, you use a nickname, a meaningless one. Only use a name with allies to grant them power. Got it?”

“Yes, Zeff.”

Zeff releases him and leans back with a sigh, “Good.”

They sit there for a while, silence enveloping them. Taking the opportunity, Sanji inspects the man once more. His eyes are always drawn to that glowing light in his chest, without fail. He needs to know what it is, what it means.

“Zeff, why do you glow?”

Zeff sighs and Sanji is beginning to think it might be his favourite thing to do, “‘Course you could see something like that.”

“What do you mean?”

“First, answer me this. What are you?”

“I. . . I’m Sanji.”

Zeff groans this time, “Oh, for fuck- you don’t even know ?”

“Am-am I meant to?”

Zeff scrubs a hand down his face, “Okay, kid, you’re mine now.”

“ Huh?! ”

“I, Red-Leg Zeff, Pirate of Cook Pirates, Fae of the East, Weaver of Taste, take Sanji, Nameless, Spirit of Spirits, as my own.”

A shiver runs up Sanji’s spine, “What did you do ?!”

“You’re mine now, kid.”

“What, so just anyone can take me as their own?!”

Zeff shakes his head, “No, of course not. The ritual is only half complete. You’ll have to agree to it for there to be any real power. But by my pledge, the Spirits know of my intentions.”

“Huh. That’s weird.”

“Not as weird as you, kiddo.”

“ Hey! ” 

They stayed on that rock for a while. When the hunger got too much, they’d whisper each others names in the night. It became a ritual of sorts. They’d both decided to turn their back when speaking their name, to keep that rush of power a private display. It became sacred.

Eventually, they got off that gods-forsaken rock. They built a restaurant together, named it the Baratie and got to work. Zeff taught him about names, about offerings and gods, about all the creatures that roamed the earth and ocean and sky. 

They never did figure out what Sanji was. But that didn’t matter to Zeff. A few years into knowing each other, Sanji completed his half of the ritual. It was now acknowledged and known by any magical creature that Zeff was Sanji’s and Sanji was Zeff’s.

Patty and Carne were strange things because despite all their quirks, they were entirely and utterly human. It had thrown Sanji the first time they had called him by name so carelessly. Zeff had had to sit them down and teach them the basics.

The Baratie had become home. He couldn’t imagine it differently. That was, until, a rubber boy with a straw hat crashed into his life. Literally.

—

“I’m Monkey D. Luffy and I’m gonna be King of the Pirates! Join my crew!”

“I refuse.”

“I refuse your refusal!”

“Wha- that’s not how it works !”

Strawhat snickered and grabbed his hand. Sanji found himself being dragged through his own restaurant to be introduced to a crew he wasn’t joining . Spirits, he can practically hear Zeff laughing at him and teasing him.

“Hey! Guys! I found us a cook!”

Sanji grumbled and tried to pull himself away from the rubber man’s tight grip, “I’m not your cook!”

A long-nosed man trembled slightly, “L-luffy, did you just kidnap someone?! ”

Sanji glared at Longnose and snarled, “Tell him to let me go. Now.”

Longnose squeaked and hid under the table. The lady seemed on edge at the mere sight of him and was subtly trying to press as far away from him as she could. The mosshead looked him up and down before scoffing and continuing to chug his beer.

“Oi, Luffy. We can’t take that one.”

Surprisingly, it had been the mosshead to say it. Lady sighed in relief, not nearly as silently as she hoped she’d been. Longnose, however, didn’t even try to hide his sigh of relief. Rubber pouted and whined.

“But Zoro !”

“No buts. He’s not human. Whatever he is, it’d be bad luck to bring him on board.”

Sanji writhed in Rubber’s grip, “Listen to the Mosshead or I’ll curse you to Hel and back.”

“Shishishi, that sounds fun! Let’s do it!”

Sanji groaned. Suddenly, the tell-tale drag of a wooden leg on floor came from behind him. Seas, he wouldn’t be able to thank Zeff enough for this. He tried not to laugh at the absolute beating Rubber was about to get.

“Oi. Chore boy. What do you think you’re doing to my Sanji.”

This time, Sanji did giggle. The use of his name flooded him with glee and he knew he had a slight glow due to the gasps from Rubber’s crewmates. Not only that but Zeff had staked his claim with his emphasis on ‘my’ and Rubber was about to get his ass beat.

“Oh, hi, chef-guy! I want him to be my cook!”

“Not happening.”

Zeff then picked Sanji up by the ankle and threw him gracelessly over his shoulder before stalking off to the kitchen. Damn, he’d thought he’d get to see Rubber at least a little bruised and bloody before being escorted away.

“Why won’t you let him come with me, chef-guy?” Rubber called after him.

“Because. He’s bonded with me , not your silly crew. If you truly want him, then show me.”

“We will, chef-guy!”

“No, we won’t! ”

And that was the end of that. Or at least, that's what Sanji had thought. 

–

It was not the end of that. Rubber had saved Baratie and made a stupid pledge to Sanji’s dream that meant he practically had to go with him. Tch, shitty Rubber. Then Sanji was dragged into fighting a bunch of Fishmen.

This should’ve been a piece of cake. However, the golden cuffs on Sanji’s wrists were drowned in magic suppressants. Sanji was terrified to show the crew his true power, show them what he was capable of. So he’d sealed his magic away.

Now, they were having a party in celebration. Sanji had cooked for the whole village but when Mosshead had finally gotten up to get food, the air grew thick with tension. Mosshead sniffed at the food and quirked a brow.

“Is this gonna put me in debt to you?”

Sanji scoffed, “No. Food is food. Eat it.”

“Prove it.”

“ Pro- how the fuck am I supposed to prove it ?!”

“I know there’s a spell to reveal magic. Do it.”

“No.”

“Then I’m not eating.”

“Oh for Spirit’s sake, I. . . I can’t.”

“Why not?”

Sanji wordlessly lifted his hands and tapped at his golden cuffs. Mosshead tilted his head. 

“Did you suppress your own magic?”

“Duh. Everyone’s scared of it. Why would I put them through that fear? As monstrous as you might think I am, I’m not that mean.”

“You’re kinda pathetic, aren’t you?”

“Yup. Pathetic as they come.”

Mosshead took a huge bite of food before chasing it down with - you guessed it - alcohol. He chewed on it slowly, lazily. Then he leaned forward, gaze locked onto Sanji.

“What’s your name?”

Sanji stiffened. He still didn’t trust them enough to give them his name. A name was a powerful thing. It was even more powerful when wielded by someone like Rubber, like Mosshead, like Lady, like Longnose. 

Did he even know what he was asking? They could enslave him with his name. They could make him tear himself apart with his name. They could do so much wrong with his name

“I’m afraid I can’t tell you that.”

“You’re weird. Nami’s weird too, I think. You should go find her.”

Sanji frowned, “I don’t think she’d be comfortable with me witnessing her in a vulnerable state.”

“Maybe. But I’m pretty sure her mother was like you.”

Mosshead walked away after that, bottle in hand. Sanji stayed frozen there for a little while longer. He made sure everyone was fed before taking a deep breath and deciding to check on Lady. Gods, he hoped she wouldn’t kill him.

He found her curled into a hospital bed, bandages wrapped around the brand on her skin. She was shaking with tears, her hair covering her face. He could practically smell the pain, the fear, the despair. But above all, the relief .

Sanji sat in the chair beside her. He waited for her to say something before remembering that he was rather proficient in the art of silence and she likely hadn’t even heard him come in. He cleared his throat.

Lady stiffened immediately. Her head whipped round so her teary eyes could stare at him, wide with fear. She clutched onto her brand like it could save her. Like the ownership someone else had over her would be enough to stop him from making his own claim on her soul.

“I have some food for you. Non-magical.”

There was silence as she inspected him and the offered food. He wondered what she saw. So far, she’d seen him hold a beaten man up by the face, snarl at her crew and captain like a beast and give a thorough beating to a bunch of Fishmen. 

“I understand if you wish for me to leave. I only came to give you the food. Well, that and the Mosshead thought you would find my company enjoyable. I disagree with him. I will leave as soon as I make sure you’re eating.”

Lady blinked and gulped before reaching for the food. She took a small, delicate bite out of the offered meal. The second she swallowed it, Sanji stood. He began to make his way out of the room, almost at the door.

Then Lady called out.

“Wait!”

Sanji stiffened. He prepared himself for insults, for slurs and curses and fear, for her blame, for anything she could possibly throw at him (verbally and physically). He could feel his magic itching at its suppressants but he fought against it.

“Why. . . why are you suppressing yourself?”

Sanji turned his head over his shoulder to look at her. She had crawled to the bottom of her bed, hand outstretched like she could reach him and pull him back. There was a desperation in her voice that hadn’t been there before.

“Because. I don’t much fancy being burned at the stake or drowned in a barrel.”

Lady flinched, “That wouldn’t happen here.”

“Of course it wouldn’t.”

Lady shook her head, “No, no, I swear it wouldn’t! We-we used to have a protector. She was like you. Or. . . I think she was.”

“Yes, I know.”

“What? How?”

“I can sense her. Her soul was rather bright and protective, it’s still staining this village. A powerful Guardian. I believe she used to be a pledged Valkyrie before her retirement, was she not?”

“A-ah, she never told me. I knew she was a Marine and that she was magic. You can sense her?”

“Mhm.”

“Is. . . is there a way to tell if she’s happy?”

Sanji’s eyes softened. He held his hand out, palm up and allowed her soul to collect in a cluster around his fingers, weaving between them. Her soul was fuchsia in colour, and vibrating with pride.

“She’s happy. And quite proud of you.”

Lady began to sob quietly. 

“Thank you, thank you, thank you-”

“It is deserving of no thanks.”

Lady leapt from the bed and rushed at him. Sanji stiffened once more, rallying himself for a punch or a slap or a kick. Sure, she might’ve thanked him but maybe she was thanking him for giving her the opportunity to hit him.

Lady threw her arms around Sanji’s neck and squeezed, pulling him down into a. . . a hug?

“Lady. . . what are you doing?” Sanji whispered.

“Showing you my gratitude.” She whispered back.

They stayed there for a while, simply breathing in each other’s space. Lady smelled of tangerines and magic and blood and so much relief that Sanji almost keeled over. But he didn’t because it would be rather rude while she’s still attached to him.

“You. . . you called me lady. Why? I’m sure you know my name.”

“That I do, Lady. But name’s are a powerful thing. Even now, just by giving you a title, I am granting you power.”

“I think I’d trust you with my name. Use it.”

“I’m afraid I can’t do that.”

“Why not?”

“To gain a name, I must give you one in return. You are unaware of the power you’d hold over me but I do not much like the thought of it.”

“Hm. That’s alright, I guess. But whenever you get comfortable enough to give us your name, I want to be the first.”

“Understood, Lady.”

–

That marked a strange friendship blossoming between Lady and Sanji. Lady’s food was always served first and Sanji was always the first to know about a change in weather. But it went deeper than that.

When Lady woke screaming from nightmares, she’d politely drag Sanji from sleep and into her room. There, he would strip himself of the magic suppressants and allow light and strength to dance over their skin.

It was a strange ritual but it never failed to calm her and lull her to sleep once more. Longnose had tried to tease Lady about it but she had immediately shut it down. Mosshead had been suspicious at one point but he didn’t care enough to comment. Rubber was clueless as ever.

Longnose was still terrified of Sanji. Even now, he would sniff and poke at his food before devouring it. Whenever Sanji entered the room, he would straighten and keep a wary eye on him. Sanji didn’t know what he could do to make him stop.

Mosshead would follow him. Weird, yes, he knows. Mosshead would always open his mouth like he was about to say something, something important. But then he’d second guess himself and goad Sanji into another spar.

Rubber was by far the most normal around him. He treated Sanji like any other crew member. There was the occasional strange question or request to do with magic but Rubber never forced him to show him his magic. So he didn’t.

Life was good on their little ship. 

What Sanji had forgotten was that a full moon was quickly approaching. Shit. He didn’t want to scare his crew but there was something he needed to do. He’d been doing it for years now and the last time he missed a full moon, he’d been sick up until the next moon rotation.

Sanji sighed. The only solution he could think of was to wait until everyone was asleep to do it. But Lady might have another nightmare. Or Rubber might want to cuddle. Or Mosshead’s weird sixth sense for Sanji could activate. Or Longnose would wake up as soon as Sanji went on deck.

Seas, so much could go wrong but he needed to do this.

He waited until they’d all gone off to bed, using the excuse of doing the dishes to grant him time. Hovering outside Lady’s room, he confirmed she was asleep before doing the same for the boys. 

Then he went about gathering everything he needed.

A small platter, painted with whorls and runes. A candle. A spoonful of honey, rich and golden. A jar of salt. A bowl of water. And finally, a small knife, crystals embedded in the hilt. A gift from Zeff.

Sanji took his collection up to the deck, letting the full moon gaze upon him. Gods, he could practically feel the power oozing into the night. He shook his head to clear his thoughts. Best to get this over with so he isn’t caught.

He shucks the magic suppressants and sets them down in the platter. With a small swish of his wrist, the candle lights itself. The salt is distributed in a circle around him and Sanji whispers to it, telling it to keep him safe while he does this.

He offers the honey to the moon and a beautiful silver light envelops it before it disappears. Light giggles and whispers of thanks echo around him. Sanji cleanses the water with the moon’s offered help.

Then carefully, he lets the knife rest in the water. Slowly, almost cautiously, the dark spirits lurking on the ship and on his crew come forth. Enticed by such a promise, they try to take the knife. Only to be sucked into it.

Sanji has been cleansing evil spirits for years but he’s never been as scared as he is now about it. See, by spending a certain amount of time with a magical creature, humans become beacons to evil spirits. 

Humans are influenced by the presence of magic so as thanks for not throwing him overboard, Sanji cleanses them and protects them from it. Under the light of the moon, he sheds part of his disguise.

He never used to be able to do this, stuck in his more mortal form. But with Zeff’s nurturing and the growing of his magic, he managed to peel away that disguise. He only fully revealed himself in front of Zeff and that was only once. 

Now, Sanji only ever shows the least monstrous parts of himself when shedding. The whites of his eyes have turned black and the blue is no more. Now his eyes are glowing and golden, animalistic even. 

The runes on his legs and arms shimmer in the moonlight as he reveals them. His hair unravels itself from the bun at the base of his neck and weaves through the night, like strings of sunlight.

It’s as far as he’ll go with his form. The rest of him is too monstrous or too vulnerable. He lets his magic free as much as he can. Gods, he probably looks a sight. Every part of him is glowing like an ember in the dark.

He lets himself sit in the peace of his magic. 

A gasp from behind him draws him out of his thoughts. He swivels on his heels to find the crew all crowded around the doorway leading to the deck, still in their sleepwear. Ah, shit. How did he not hear them?

Lady’s jaw is practically on the floor as she takes in the obvious display of power. She’d grown naive, only seeing the smallest amounts of his magic and growing used to it. This was something else entirely.

Rubber looks as though this has made his entire day, bouncing on his feet. He looks like he wants to reach out and touch. There’s no fear in his eyes but the fascination might just be worse.

Mosshead’s brow is furrowed as he looks between Sanji and the sword in his hand. Wado Ichimonji if he recalls it correctly. He looks confused but at the same time as if everything has become clear to him.

Longnose. . . Longnose is staring at him like he is a divinity. There are stars in his eyes as he looks at Sanji and his knees tremble but not in fear. Similarly to Rubber, he looks as though he wants to touch the power.

Sanji is so fucked.

“Wah, you look so cool !”

That’s all it takes for Rubber to launch himself out of the doorway and onto the deck, running at Sanji before stopping in front of the line of salt. He squats down in front of it so he’s eye level with Sanji - Sanji who was kneeling in front of his offerings.

“Is this your true form?”

Sanji slowly, cautiously, shakes his head. This only makes Rubber’s grin widen. Lady is the next to approach them. He sees her out of the corner of his eye, unwilling to look away from Rubber.

“You’re. . . Are you saying that what you’ve been doing for me is- is similar to a party trick?” Lady asks.

Sanji shrugs slightly, sheepishly. Having the light dance was relatively simple but he didn’t want to humiliate Lady like that. So, giving her an answer without answering was the best he could do.

Mosshead tilts his head, “You’re not what I thought you’d be, Curly.”

Sanji copies his gesture, “What did you think I would be?”

His crew gasps once more and Sanji’s hands fly up to cover his mouth. When he’d spoken, a thousand others had spoken with him. He’d forgotten that part, and how eerie it was. How did everything keep getting worse?

“I thought you were a Soul Spirit. Guess not.”

Sanji’s eyes widen in realisation. That’s how Mosshead had known so much about the mythical. He’d known one. A Soul Spirit. Soul Spirits were people that could sense souls and even influence them.

They tended to be very passionate and the most powerful Soul Spirits would embed their soul into an object before passing so they’d live on to see their goals achieved. Sanji looked at Wadou Ichimonji and it looked back at him with the eyes of a young girl.

Longnose has a tight grasp on the doorframe. He looks Sanji over, taking in all the differences, all the power. Sanji rallies himself for shrieking, for fear, for him to start begging Rubber to kick him off the crew.

Instead, a small trickle of blood comes from Longnose’s nose, trailing down to his lip. A shiver goes through the man and he continues to stare at Sanji. Then, in the smallest of whispers, as if afraid to be heard, he speaks.

“You’re beautiful. ”

And he says it like he believes it. Like it’s the only truth he knows. Sanji knows he’s blushing, that the literal heat of a fire has settled in his cheeks. He moves his hands from his mouth to his face in hopes of covering the evidence.

He elects to ignore the Longnose’s words, “Sorry you had to see me in such a state.”

He begins to pull on his more mortal skin, letting the runes fade away from his skin. He lets his hair settle itself back into a bun and lets the moon leech all the excess magic away from it. With every blink, his eyes return back to blue and his whites return to being, well, white.

Longnose suddenly stretches out a hand like he can stop him, “Wait! Why can’t you stay like this? Or maybe even in your true form?”

The rest of the crew nods.

“Ah, uh, well. . . it’s dangerous for unmarked humans to be around me in such a state. I wouldn’t want to hurt you.”

Mosshead cleared his throat, “I’m marked. You’d be fine with me.”

“What does marked mean?”

“I’m hungry~!”

“I’ll die?!”

“You’re marked?”

Mosshead sighs and pulls down the edge of his trousers enough to reveal his hip. There, on his left hipbone, sat a rune. Sanji read it quickly. A Soul Spirits rune, done by a youngling by the name of Kuina. 

“I’m afraid Kuina and I differ greatly, Mosshead, and that rune will do little to protect you.”

Mosshead jerked slightly, “How did you know her name?”

“She embedded it into the rune. She must’ve been pretty young to leave so much of herself on you.”

Now they all look confused, “Left herself?”

Sanji nods, “When performing any type of magic, magic-users will usually leave traces of themselves. Lady’s mother had performed a protection spell over the village so remnants of her spirit remained.

“Kuina marked you and subsequently left part of her spirit in you. But she also managed to transfer her soul to your blade. She is almost completely whole and one day you might even be able to channel her.”

“Channel her?”

“Quite similar to possession, I believe.”

Mosshead plops himself down in front of Sanji, cross-legged and focused, “What’s the difference between a spirit and a soul?”

“Everyone has a soul, even humans and plants. A spirit is the equivalent of the magic’s soul. Magic and magic-user are two separate entities. You have to work with it and it has to allow you to work with it.”

“Magic sounds complicated.”

“It is.”

Lady jerks her head towards the salt, “So what’s all this for?”

Sanji sheepishly rubs the back of his neck, “Ah, well. . . I’ve grown accustomed to cleansing the evil spirits from the Baratie. Whenever I fail to perform a cleansing, I get rather ill until I do perform it.”

“Will I die if I touch the salt?”

“Unless you’re an evil spirit, no.” Sanji tries not to laugh at that question.

“Great!”

That’s all the warning Sanji gets before Rubber is launching himself at him. Rubber wraps long limbs around Sanji and Sanji falls back from the impact, wheezing slightly. Rubber laughs and only holds him closer when Sanji tries to protest.

“You should show us your true form, Cook!”

“I’m afraid I’m rather terrifying in that form, I would not wish to give any of you nightmares.”

Mosshead scoffed slightly, “Come on, you can’t be that terrifying.”

Sanji raised a brow at him, “The only person that’s seen my true form is Zeff and he pissed himself and then couldn’t sleep right for a month. Didn’t look me in the eye for two.”

Longnose’s eyes widened and blood continued to trickle from his nose.He hadn’t said anything during this whole exchange apart from, ahem, the compliment . Sanji was a little worried for him if he was being honest.

“Are you. . . alright?”

Longnose nodded quickly, eyes still locked on to Sanji’s. Lady looked at Longnose for the first time that night and snickered. Rubber joined her. Mosshead smacked Longnose upside the head and wrinkled his nose at him. 

“You’re disgusting, you know that?”

Longnose only sighed, still not looking away from Sanji, “Mhm.”

Rubber grabbed Sanji’s face, “Oi, Cook, why do you call Zeff by his name but not us?”

“Because he was the first to say mine in years. And, by magic law, he’s my father.”

Lady frowned slightly at that, “Okay guys, I think that’s enough questioning. Let’s head to bed, yeah?”

Everyone began shuffling awkwardly away before Lady called out once more, “Oh, and Cook?”

He turned to face her, “Yeah?”

“You don’t need to hide from us.”

His eyes widened. Around him, he could see the rest of the crew nodding along to her words. It was strange. The only person to accept him for who he was was Zeff and he wasn’t exactly human. 

He ducked his head, blushing, “Thank you.”

“Shishishi, Sanji’s glowing!” Rubber grinned widely.

Shit. His magic was always more responsive during a full moon and it seemed that it had responded to the comfort and reassurance offered to him. His hair was the most noticeable, coming undone once more and transforming into strands of pure light.

Mosshead huffed, “Do I need to start carrying hairbands around for you, shitty Cook?” 

Lady smacked him, “Don’t be mean, he’s obviously overwhelmed!”

Longnose sighed, “He’s pretty.”

Rubber whined, “I’m hungry~!”

Sanji smiled to himself. Maybe this could be home.

Chapter Text

The second Miss Wednesday saw Sanji, she began screaming.

Mr 9 jolted in shock and stepped forward to offer some semblance of comfort but what could he do when he had no idea why she was so scared? Miss Wednesday took several steps back to distance herself from Sanji. Mr 9 followed.

Luffy tilted his head, “Huh? Why you screaming?”

Zoro snorted, “Pretty sure she’s scared of the cook, Captain.”

Luffy began laughing, “Really? ”

Sanji took a careful, measured step towards her and she immediately clamped her hands over her mouth. She hunched in on herself and seemed to bare her neck to him. She was shaking all over but she couldn’t tear her eyes away from him.

What the Straw Hat’s found interesting was Sanji’s reaction to all this. There was a noticeable shift in the air as he let his only visible eye shine golden as the sun. If they looked closely, they could see that the way he walked was almost animalistic.

They half expected him to begin walking on all fours but it was Miss Wednesday that fell to her knees. She tore a bangle from each of her wrists and held them up as if they were offerings. Nami distantly wondered if that was exactly what they were.

Usopp wondered what type of offerings Sanji would prefer. 

“I assume the coat you’re wearing is a glamour?”

The woman nodded hesitantly. Sanji sighed and crouched in front of her, ignoring the way she flinched back. He seemed to scrutinise her for a moment, two, until finally his lips quirked up to reveal a flash of teeth.

“No one’s taking it from you. If they try, I’ll rip the soul from them and make a feast of it.”

She bit down on her lip hard before she began sobbing. Miss Wednesday tried desperately to wipe her tears away and Mr 9 awkwardly patted her back. She seemed to hesitate before throwing herself into Sanji’s arms.

He caught her, obviously, and Usopp couldn’t help but grumble under his breath. Sanji stroked his hand through her hair and they all saw as she shuddered at the contact. She pulled away just enough for him to see her face.

“Thank you. Thank you . Please. . . can I?” She asked, voice trembling with emotion.

Sanji’s brow furrowed, “You understand the consequences of this, yes?”

“Yes. Please, please, just let me. . .”

“Alright then. My name is Sanji “

“My name is Vivi.”

“I acknowledge you, Vivi.”

“And I you, Sanji.”

The Straw Hats and Mr 9 watched in awe as the power of a name enveloped the two. Sanji’s hair shone in the sun and unravelled to fall in waves down his back. His eyes shone with power and he radiated health and joy. The bags under his eyes disappeared and his spine straightened.

Miss Wednesday sighed and tilted her head back as her hair turned wet, flowing like water through the air as if it were alive. The coat still wrapped around her shimmered before turning into a seal skin before their very eyes.

Mr 9 blinked, “Okay, either I’m hallucinating or she just turned into a fucking seal! ”

Usopp rolled his eyes, “She’s a selkie, dumbass.”

Nami lifted an incredulous brow, “And how do you know that?”

Usopp, who had previously been full of confidence, withdrew into himself, “U-um, I. . .may have possibly began res-researching stuff .”

Zoro snickered, “Right, researching .”

“Shut up! ”

Luffy threw himself at Usopp, “Shishishi, if you’re in love with my Cook then just say so!”

Mr 9 clutched his head, “I’m so fucking dead.”

Usopp frowned, “Wait, hold on, why don’t I know either of their names?”

“You can’t get out of this, Usopp.” Nami shook her head.

“No, genuinely. They just said their names, right? So why don’t I remember them?”

Zoro scoffed, “All that research and you don’t even know about name giving.”

“Zoro, you are literally the only one of us that has ever interacted with Magic outside of our cook.”

“You don’t know their names because they didn’t give it to you. They gave it to each other.”

“ Hey, I’m Zoro and I know everything about Magic because I’m special.” Usopp said while pitching his voice higher.

“Fuck off, I don’t sound like that!” 

“I’m Zoro and I sound exactly like this !” Usopp continued in the same voice.

“Oi, Witch, Longnose is making fun of me!”

Usopp sputtered, “Wh- don’t get Nami !”

Nami pinched the bridge of her nose, “Zoro, did you deserve it?”

Zoro huffed and crossed his arms, “No.”

“Usopp, what did we say about getting jealous because of our Cook?”

“I’m not jealous!”

“Did you or did you not just make fun of Zoro because he knows more about our Cook than you?”

Usopp turned his nose up, “So what if I did!”

“You’re on watch for all of today and tonight.”

“ What? ! But he never goes to the crow’s nest! You can’t take away my Cook privileges!”

“I can and I will unless you apologise to Zoro!”

Usopp grumbled under his breath before turning to Zoro, “I’m sorry that I made fun of you.”

Nami leaned against Luffy, sighing heavily, “I never wanted to be a mother this young! I thought I had built in protection when I came out but, apparently , the universe hates me!”

Luffy whined and hugged Nami, “I’m hungry~!”

Miss Wednesday blinked at the Straw Hat crew from Sanji’s arms. She was no longer a seal, merely wearing the skin as if it were a cloak. She wrapped it tighter around her to hide her nakedness.

She knew humans were a bit flighty and weird about being naked.

Sanji smiled at her, “Are you in need of clothes, Haseena ?”

“Yes, please, Chava .”

Usopp leaned forward, “Are those your names?”

Miss Wednesday shook her head with a smile, “No, merely nicknames.”

Usopp leans back with a groan, muttering something along the lines of, “Met for less than a minute and already have fucking nicknames , what the fuck , I want a nickname-!”

–

That was their last moment of peace before Miss Wednesday revealed she was in fact Princess Vivi of Alabasta and that she was going after the head of Baroque Works and Nami was sick. 

Out of all those things, it was Nami’s sickness that affected them most.

Day and night, Sanji would wait at Nami’s hand and foot. She’d get soups and broths, a cloth placed on her forehead, wrapped in blankets. Sanji would press his fingers to her chest in the middle of the night and breathe as much health as possible back into her.

Vivi would whisper his name over her head so he could hold that spell of health and peace for longer, sometimes spending whole days like that. Until, one day, Vivi finally decided to find a doctor before continuing on to Alabasta.

That’s how Sanji, Nami and Luffy ended up at the top of a mountain with two doctors fussing over them. Nami had taken the priority as Luffy had commanded before passing out and she was slowly but surely getting better.

Luffy was already running around the castle. He was trying to chase down the little reindeer doctor that smelt an awful lot like meat but a lot more like a friend. However, the reindeer kept running from him.

During this, Sanji finally started waking up. The second his eyes opened, the doctor was upon him, knife held to his throat and holding his arms down with her knees. Her hair fell in a curtain around the two as she panted heavily.

“ What the fuck are you ?”

Sanji hummed, “You know, you’re not the first to ask me that.”

“Answer me, beast!”

“Not the first to call me that either.”

She prepared to dig her knife into his neck, just a bit, just to warn him. Suddenly, the man’s hand clamped down around her knee and she shivered at the cold that rushed through her. Holy shit, she can’t die here.

“Hello there, Doctor Kureha .”

“How do you know my name?”

“I think I’d recognise the most famous follower of Ragana.”

Doctor Kureha pressed the knife deep enough to draw blood. Her grip on the knife shook. She wasn’t one to frighten easily but this creature - if he could even be called that - was terrifying . What had Straw Hat done to be cursed with him ?

“Answer. My. Question .”

“I’m not too sure actually.”

“What do you mean not sure ?!”

“I mean exactly what I said.”

“Are you gonna hurt my boy?”

“Not unless he hurts me first.”

Kureha sighed and leaned back on her haunches, “Guess that’s as good as I’m gonna get.”

“Is your son the half-wendigo?”

Kureha stayed silent. She blinked blankly at the thing she was still kneeling above. Then she lifted her palm to press into her eye until colour burst from the darkness. What the fuck. How did he know Chopper was a half-wendigo? Kureha didn’t even know that until a month ago.

“Will you take care of him when he goes with you?”

“Of course, Doctor Kureha.”

“Don’t call me that, you freak. Gods, do I even want to know how you know so much?”

“Probably not. You might cry or get really scared to the point where you start chewing on your own peg leg to calm you down. That last one might only be applicable to Zeff, though. I think I stress him out a lot.”

“Are you usually this talkative?”

“No. But you put me on drugs and Ragana upped them so I couldn’t hurt you. I would never hurt you, though. Well, maybe if I was scared and didn’t know you only wanted to help. But I know so it’s fine.”

Kureha got up and began tugging Sanji down the twisting hallways, “Come on, you’re meeting my son.”

“The half-wendigo?”

“Yes, the half-wendigo.”

“Do you think he’s actually a quarter human?”

“He ate the Human Human Fruit but he’s still half-wendigo, half-reindeer.”

“Do you think he’ll be scared of me?”

“If you make yourself look a bit more monstrous then probably not.”

Sanji hummed, “Good to know.”

Before Kureha’s very eyes, she watched part of his glamour fall. The whites of his eyes turned black, the blue turning into a shining gold. Like twin beams of light in the darkness. His hair swirled around him, reminding her oddly of snakes.

His teeth had all turned impossibly sharp while his canines extended to the point where he was forced to hold his jaw open so he didn’t stab himself in the mouth. His nails disappeared, instead the skin at the end of his fingers hardened and sharpened into claws.

He was impossibly pale, even by Kureha’s standards and she lived on a winter island. His limbs seemed to thin out and elongate until he was tall enough to have to duck through the doors and thin enough that it was eerie.

“So, where’s this windigo son of yours?”

“ Half. ”

“Others won’t see it as that. Either he’s Magic or he’s not.”

Kureha sighs, “He’s struggling to come to terms with it, I think. You better help him or I swear-”

“I’ll help. As much as I can, anyway.”

“That’s all I ask.”

Suddenly, their conversation is interrupted by a scream and a small, brown blur crashing into Kureha’s legs. It clutches on to her, shivering violently and sobbing its eyes out. 

“The rubber man is trying to eat me!”

Sanji tilted his head, “Rubber’s awake then. I wouldn’t take offence, I’m pretty sure he tried to eat my hair once. He means well, though. Hey, are you the wendigo?”

The sniffling child peeked up at Sanji and his eyes widened immediately. Subconsciously, the hold on some of his more monstrous traits slipped. He looked less cute and more eldritch-creature-willing-to-rip-skin-off.

He wiped his eyes quickly, “Y-you’re beautiful .”

Sanji smiled and the full force of his sharpened teeth was revealed, “Thank you. Will you tell me your name? Or shall I call you mon petit loup ?”

“W-will you tell me yours if I- if I tell you mine?”

“Of course.”

“Okay. I’m Tony Tony Chopper.”

“I’m Sanji. I’m afraid I have no other name to offer.”

“That’s alright. Hello, Sanji.”

“Hello there, Chopper. I acknowledge you.”

The second Sanji spoke his name, Chopper transformed into a wendigo. He would’ve looked like a full-blooded one if not for his soft, warm colouring. He was also noticeably. . . fluffier than your average wendigo.

Kureha watched in awe as her son gazed in pure admiration at a complete stranger. She wondered if he’d ever looked at her that way. Wondered if he’d ever looked at Hiriluk that way. Or maybe this was reserved for those that could really understand Chopper, those with Magic.

She hoped Chopper didn’t forget her.

“Are you on the rubber man’s crew?”

Sanji nodded, “Rubber is my captain and I am his cook.”

Chopper tilted his head in a childish manner not suited for his current looks, “You don’t use his name?”

“He doesn’t understand the way we do. And I have a rather bad track record with humans knowing my name.”

“But he’s your captain.”

“Yes. And he understands that it will take me some time to offer my name to him.”

“Who else knows your name?”

“A girl, one whom I call Haseena, knows my name and I know hers. She’s a selkie and we’re going to help her save her kingdom from a rather vicious man. She’s beautiful and I’m sure she’d share her name with you if you asked nicely.

“There’s a man in East Blue, the owner of the Baratie. He’s one of the Weavers and he saved me. He was the first who spoke my name as it should’ve been spoken in a very long time. I consider him a father to me.

“And. . . there was a woman. I don’t think she knew what she was doing but she gave me so much power when she spoke my name. She’s gone now. Has been for a while, but I’ll never forget her.

“What about you Chopper, who else knows your name?”

“Doctor Kureha knows my name. And-and there was another doctor, Doctor Hiriluk. He was like your Weaver to me. He’s. . . he’s gone now but I’ll remember her in the same way you remember your woman.”

Sanji smiled softly, “Come, Chopper, let me introduce you to our Captain.”

Chopper grinned, watery but wide, and Kureha knew he would be okay. 

–

“Hey, Cook? Did you adopt a tanuki while we were separated?”

“He’s not a tanuki, Mosshead.”

“You didn’t deny that you adopted him!” Luffy gasped, pointing at Sanji.

“Oh, for fuck’s-”

“Sanji? W-would you ever adopt me?”

Usopp shot up, “Wait, a tanuki knows your name before me ?!”

“He’s not a tanuki! And, Chopper, dear, what do you mean?”

“Well, I’ve never really had a mum. Or a dad. But Doctor Hiriluk always told me that a mother is supposed to be nice and take care of you and make you happy. Y-you’re like that, to me.”

“ You exchanged names ?!”

“ Shut up, Usopp, they’re having a moment !”

Sanji smiled, soft and warm and motherly, “If you wanted me as a parent, I would gladly take you as my son.”

“Wait but Cook’s not a girl? I thought mum’s were always girls?”

Sanji tilted his head, “Uh, you guys know I can change forms, right?”

Nami’s eyes widened, “Wait, are you telling me there’s been another girl on board this whole time and it was you?! ”

“I guess? I usually switch between the two but Suki was mostly to attract more customers at Baratie.”

“You call her Suki?! ”

“Zeff named me. We needed some way of differentiating me when I was masculine and feminine so. . . Suki.”

“That’s so interesting! Does your bone structure change to? Ooh, wait, why can they hear Suki but not Sanji?”

“Um. I don’t know about the bone structure thing but Suki. . . Suki is like Miss Wednesday. She didn’t need a proper introduction because she’s not real. Sure, I could use Suki as one of my titles but it’s not. . . official?”

“How would you make it official?”

“I would need blood and an eclipse and sea water and a bunch more stuff. It’s really complicated so I never really got around to it.”

“No one is asking the proper questions here!” Nami leaned forward to grab Sanji by the shoulders, “Can you show us Suki?!”

Sanji stared at her, wide eyed, before nodding, “I mean, I’d need to borrow some of your clothes, Lady, but yeah.”

Nami squealed, running off to get some of her clothes. Chopper stared up at Sanji with stars in his eyes, his teeth subconsciously sharpening. Zoro glanced at Usopp, who was already blushing, and snickered to himself.

Nami came back in record time, pushing clothes into Sanji’s hands. Sanji rolled his shoulders and suddenly his body became distinctly feminine. His facial features softened and he grew, ahem, breasts. It was mostly subtle but it was noticeable.

What was most noticeable was that Sanji’s shirt was now straining to the point Chopper began worrying about buttons flying off and causing potential injuries. Sanji spun around so that his -her?- back was facing them.

Then she started stripping.

Usopp’s nose began bleeding rapidly, already looking light-headed. Zoro smiled and looked almost prideful (?) at him no longer being the only one shirtless. Luffy tilted his head in curiosity at the sudden change in Sanji.

Chopper seemed to be scrutinising any and all changes he could see, muttering to himself about how impossible it was. Nami was giggling and clapping her hands together while Vivi looked in utter awe of Sanji- Suki?- .

When San- Suki turned around, she was no longer in her classic suit shirt. Instead, she was wearing one of Nami’s bikini tops, showing an awful lot of skin. It was strange to see her so feminine when they were used to the masculine version of her but she was beautiful . 

Usopp seemed to think so as he passed out the second she fully turned around. 

“Oh! Um, is he okay?”

Even her voice had changed! 

Nami lunged to grasp Suki’s hands between her own, “Suki- Suki, look at me.”

“I’m looking,” Suki giggled. Giggled .

“You look so hot. ”

Suki blushed, “That’s very kind of you, Lady.”

“No, I don’t think you understand. I would wine and dine you. Suki, I would spend money on you.”

Zoro poked at Usopp until he opened his eyes, “Oi, Longnose, the Witch is stealing your girl.”

Usopp sat up abruptly, “Nami, you stay away from her!”

“Fuck off, you would never treat her as good as I could. Suki, look at me, I would be a much better boyfriend than Mr Breaks-His-Hand-Every-Time-He-Throws-A-Punch.”

Usopp gasped dramatically, “Says you, Miss Blackmails-Zoro-Into-Fighting-All-Her-Battles!”

“Oh, you take that back!”

“Nuh uh!”

The two lunged at each other and began weakly slapping at each other with their eyes closed, missing half the time. Luffy began laughing and cheering them on while Vivi sighed with a look of love in her eyes.

Zoro nudged Suki, “Oi, Cook. You look good, yeah?”

Chopper nodded his agreement, “You look beautiful, Suki! But you also look beautiful as Sanji! Maybe it’s a Magic thing. . .”

Suki ducked her head, blushing viciously, “Thanks, guys.”

“Can. . . can I call you mum?”

“You can call me whatever you want.”

“Okay. . . thanks, Mum.”

Usopp began sobbing, “She’s so gorgeous, it’s so unfair!”

“You're pathetic, Usopp!” Nami smacked him once more.

He pointed at her, “You’re crying too!”

“I’m allowed to cry over pretty girls!”

“If you are, then I am too!”

The two looked at each other in silence before clutching onto each other and sobbing hysterically. They both muttered about pretty girls and unfairness and their fight was soon resolved.

Chapter Text

“Uh, hey, Doc? Are you gonna eat us?”

Chopper shrieked, “What?!”

Luffy snickered unhelpfully, “Shishishi, we don’t mind if you eat us, tanuki!”

“I mind! I very much mind! Please don’t eat me!”

Usopp went ignored as Chopper looked down shyly, “I won’t eat you .”

“So what will you eat? It says you’re a carnival in one of Usopp’s Magic books.”

“He means cannibal.” 

Chopper blushed and his form flickered between cute reindeer and creature that would eat your soul in less than five minutes. His eyes darted to Sanji, currently in his masculine form, seeking comfort from just the sight of him. 

“I, um, I eat a lot of bone marrow. Or-or the yucky bits of meat that nobody else eats. Sanji saves them for me and he makes them taste great!”

“That’s because Cook’s the best cook, shishishi!”

“Cook’s the best, full-stop!” 

Chopper giggled, “Thanks for not thinking of me any differently, guys!”

“Dude, Luffy inhales his food in less than five seconds. You have manners. I’m definitely more scared of Luffy’s eating habits than yours.”

Luffy snickered before gasping, “Oi, Doc, do you know if Cook has any strange eating habitats?”

“Habits, Luffy.”

“That’s what I said.”

“Um, well, he can technically eat spirits?”

“What.”

“That’s so cool!”

“I would let him eat me.”

Nami shrieked from across the boat, “Usopp, my Usopp-is-simping-over-Cook senses just went off! Don’t taint our Doctor with your thoughts!”

“But, Nami !”

“ No! ”

“Shuddup, all of you!” 

“You did not just tell me to shut up, Roronoa Zoro!”

Chopper was so thankful he’d found his crew. They may be a bit chaotic and loud and didn’t really understand personal space. But they were home.

—

When they first met Ace, most of the Straw Hats agreed to keep him as far away as possible from their Cook. Luffy, however, didn’t seem to get the memo.

“Hey, Cook, this is my brother, Ace!”

Ace’s eyes widened as they took the sight of Sanji in before he grinned and tipped his hat, pressing a kiss to Sanji’s hand, “Well, aren’t you a pretty thing. What’s your name, beautiful?”

“None of your business, flames for brains.”

“Ooh, feisty, I like that in a lover.”

“Unfortunately for you, you’re not my type.”

“I could be.”

“You couldn’t if you tried .”

Usopp loudly cleared his throat before grabbing Sanji by the wrist, “Hey, Cook, need you for somethin’.”

Ace whistled under his breath as he watched Sanji walk away. He nudged Luffy and jerked his chin in the Cook’s direction.

“Seriously, what’s his name? Might invite him to be my cook, if you know what I mean.”

“Oi! You can’t have him! He’s mine!”

“And you can’t have his name.”

“Why not?”

“Take a guess.”

Ace blinked before his eyes widened, “ Really, now? Well, my, I’m real interested in ‘im now.”

Zoro glared at him, “Don’t be.”

“What, he yours? We could share.”

“You’re disgusting.”

“Nope, just horny.”

—

The Straw Hats really couldn’t catch a break. 

They had just had a tearful goodbye with Vivi, ending with Sanji throwing a charm at her, telling her to remember them, that she always had a friend with them. Of course, being in such an emotional state, the magic-users had let their glamorous slip.

Meaning Miss All Sunday was greeted by pure power within a humanoid shape when she revealed herself. Sanji didn’t take his eyes off her once.

In an eerie reflection of their first meeting with Vivi, Miss All Sunday took a tentative step towards Sanji.

“Hello, there. Didn’t think I’d ever meet one of you. Especially not in this part of the ocean.”

Her voice was smooth and controlled but her eyes told a different story. Cold, cold eyes with a horrifying glint that promised a torturous death. Yet, Sanji didn’t flinch.

“Demon Child.” He spoke in a hundred voices, “You are a rarity yourself. What are your intentions?”

“I merely wish for a debt to be repaid. You’d know what that’s like, wouldn’t you? I can practically smell him on you.”

“And you reek of corpses. Tell me, Demon Child, do you wish for blood or bandage?”

Miss All Sunday chuckled, lowly, “How naive of you to think bandage is even a choice.”

“How naive of you to think we are not powerful enough to carve our own choices.”

“I will not interfere with your spirit. I ask you do not interfere with mine.”

Sanji hummed, “Are you sure? She seems rather lonely.”

“She is fine .” Miss All Sunday snapped.

There was a moment of silence between them. The rest of the Straw Hats looked cautiously between them. Chopper inched his way towards Sanji and Luffy didn’t take his eyes off of Miss All Sunday.

“Would she wish to join me in the moon ritual?”

“She does not wish to interfere.”

“Hm. How about this, I give you my name and you give me yours. Then we will be on the same footing. And you can join me for my rituals.”

Miss All Sunday sucked in a breath, “Are you mad? Do you have a death wish, perhaps?”

“I merely want to help her where I can. You understand that , don’t you?”

“We are not alike.”

Sanji smiled and there were too many teeth in his mouth, all too sharp and gleaming dangerously, “Aren’t we?”

Miss All Sunday glared, “I will not do the exchange here.”

“Fine with me.”

The two go into the kitchen of the ship and the Straw Hats try to restrain their curiosity. They come to know Miss All Sunday a little more as the days go by.

However, everyone is aware of the fact that their Cook is the only one able to get her to show emotion. Their Doctor manages to get a smile, the rest of the Straw Hats a nod at most .

But Sanji?

Sanji makes her laugh. He makes her grin and clap her hands in delight, he makes space for her in his heart and forces his way into hers. They didn’t know how he managed it but he did.

It was common for them to find the two discussing magic and spirits in depth or reading the same book, shoulder-to-shoulder. He lets her trace the runes on his arms and she lets her glamour slip the tiniest bit around him.

The others don’t trust her - apart from Luffy and, at times, Chopper - and she doesn’t trust them either.

One day, in the heat of the afternoon, while Sanji is still in the kitchen, Miss All Sunday sits all of the crew down with her. She looks them each in the eye before beginning to speak.

“I understand that you do not trust me. I do not trust you either. But I want you to know that I would never hurt Sanji and if it came down to it I would lay my life down for him.”

“Why do you trust him so much?” Nami asks.

She stares at her for a while before answering, “You do not know what he is, do you?”

“Do you?” Usopp asks, suddenly a lot more interested.

“I do. I will not tell you, as that is his story to tell, but I assure you, you are lucky to have something, someone, like him on your ship.”

“What are you ?” Zoro asks gruffly.

She smiles, “Me? I’m surprised none of you have figured it out yet. I’m a Djinn.”

“You’re a chin?”

“No, Luffy, Djinn . J-I-N.”

“That is definitely not how you spell Djinn.”

“Well, why don’t you try it, Mr Knows-Everything-About-Magic!”

“Usopp, what did we say about getting jealous of Zoro?”

“To not be because he’s too smelly to ever get someone like Cook, I know, I know.”

“Hey! I am not too smelly! I could totally get Cook!”

“Yeah, okay, sure.”

“. . . That sounded sarcastic.”

“Genius, you are. You guys hearing this?”

“Oh yeah, he’s so smart.”

“Wha- I am !”

“Why you getting mad, thats what they’re saying?”

“Luffy, you idiot, they don’t actually mean it!”

“. . . Huh?”

“I should’ve stayed with Doctor Kureha.”

–

Robin finds Sanji in the late hours of darkness and curls herself into his side. He doesn’t even blink, merely opening his arms for her to have easier access. She sighs as she settles down properly and feels the hum of his spirit in her own chest.

“I don’t understand them.”

Sanji chuckles, “Me neither.”

“You said they saw your unglamoured form but they still don’t know what you are?”

“They only saw me partially unglamoured. But it doesn’t matter because to them, it doesn’t matter what you are but who you are.”

“Aren’t you scared they’ll die with such a mindset.”

“Oh, they terrify me. But they’re home. I-I think some of them might even start shifting at some point.”

“Really?”

“Mhm. Its only happened with two other people before and they were the first chefs we hired back when me and my old man first built the Baratie. They were able to exchange names and could even weave small taste charms.

“That was from the old man mostly but from me. . . I think I turned them a little more beast than man. They would snap their teeth at whoever pissed them off and I swear they grew fangs. And their eyes. . . like a sharks.”

Robin hummed, “I don’t think Longnose would mind if he began shifting.”

Sanji blushed, “Why-why do you say that?”

Robin blinked, “He’s so ridiculously in love with you that its kind of pathetic.”

“Robin!”

“What, its not like I’m lying!”

“You know, one day, you’re going to fall in love and I’m going to make fun of you so much.”

“Then I just won’t fall in love.”

“Come on, who’s your type?”

“. . . Well, I do like. . . a taller man. Someone bigger than me. Powerful.”

“Oh, you’re a freak . You just wanna see a big man cry for you, don’t you?”

“I mean, its a benefit -”

Sanji cut her off with a laugh. Robin giggled slightly. Here, now, in the dark, they were just two souls who’d found each other. It didn’t matter what they were or where they came from, simply that they were laughing together.

“I’m glad I met you, Robin. Even if you were kind of a bitch when we first met.”

“I still am.”

“Yeah but I like that about you.”

“Sanji. . . Thank you.”

“For what?”

“For being kind .”

Sanji smiled sadly and pulled her closer, “For you, Robin? Always.”

“Longnose is going to get jealous.”

Sanji huffed, “Shuddup and go to bed.”

Robin hummed.

“. . . Hey, Robin?”

“Yeah?”

“I love you.”

“. . . I love you too, Sanji.”