inbox for golden peacock

[chiffonades]

@sanji

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[chiffonades]

[ She gives him an out and anyone sensible— anyone reasonable— would take it without a moment’s hesitation, begging off the strain of preparing a full meal in exchange for something simpler. But she’s not the only one worried, not the only one whose brow furrows with concern even as heat sweeps along his skin, leaving it as damp as it flushed. Does it feel like every second that passes is a long, torturous minute to her, head as ablaze with pain as her chest is full of that damnably unflappable rhythm?

Sanji has no way of knowing precisely what she’s going through— by now, he at least knows that these symptoms seem to favor those like them, with diamond marks stamped on their skin— but it’s easy to guess, easy to suppose that her existence feels as full of discomfort and pain as his does right now. She’s not the kind to complain— at least, he doesn’t think she is— too solid and composed and restrained to give voice to this kind of discomfort. Something about that hits close to home— more than he’d care to admit— but for now, it makes that protective urge he has for those closest to him flare, even as his eyes are squeezed shut and lightly calloused fingertips massage his temples, a silent prayer for even a little relief. None comes, and while he can’t do anything to stop this, anything he can do to help her feel even a fraction better sounds like the best damn use of his time. ]

never been more sure. cooking will help take my mind off of— well, all of what’s happening right now, you know? that plus the excellent company.
promise it’s no bother. i wouldn’t have offered if i didn’t want to cook for you. it’ll help me feel better, i bet.

[ All of which is true, even if he feels a little shaky just getting out of bed. ]

i’m gonna send you the location to the elevator up to my suite. meet you down there?

[saults]

[ whatever extent of these feverish symptoms might run parallel between their respective bodies, there's a warmth that washes over her that she doesn't think is entirely related to the susceptibility of her mark, but rather the eager kindness sanji seems to carry within him. the stubbornness is recognizable, if he does feel any of it, since she knows with any reversed roles, she's likely to do much of the same, pushing to feel herself offer any kind of usefulness no matter the extent of weakness in her own body, but there's a point made in his words too.

she thinks she would like that shared company, the distraction offered by his gentle presence, like a calming palm to the erratic noise of the last several days, and if nothing else, it's an excuse to look in on him too. she can imagine he carries the kind of kindness that wouldn't ask of it. ]

okay, if you're really sure of it, then i'll come. besides, i like seeing you. i think that'll be as much of an energy and mood boost as the food.

i'll meet you there.

[ which she'll do after she tidies herself and freshens up a bit, her own symptoms eased enough that at least the dizzy spells aren't present. her clothes remain cozy enough to stay comfortable, not bothering to dress up too much, slipping on a knit sweater and a pair of black shorts before she steps out and follows the sent directions towards the elevator. ]

[chiffonades]

[ Relief seeps through him the moment he sees Tifa's message, something warm and fond swelling in his chest when he reads i like seeing you so plainly written out. They're kindred spirits, he thinks, and not just because of the diamond-shaped marks they both have stamped on their bodies. Maybe it's just his own preconceptions, his own biases favoring someone else who’s spent her days perfecting her craft and providing the kind of quiet, unassuming care that Sanji believes every cook and bartender should aspire to convey through food and drink, but… he doubts that very much so. Even back in that awkward moment where they'd first met, something about her had put him at ease, an ease that left her deeply easy to chat with.

So no wonder the thought of cooking for her– of finally getting to show her that his skills eclipse whatever bragging he's done– helps give him strength. ]

see you soon.

[ He's waiting for her there when she rounds the corner, skin still slightly flushed and damp from where he's only just washed up, head pounding and swimming at the same time, but he’s there. While he's not bothered to dress quite as snappily as normal either– there's no blazer, no tie, no vest– it's not far off from his usual style, either, dark blue slacks and an off white button-up shirt, the top three buttons undone and sleeves rolled up to his elbows.

Despite the ruthless grip the distant thunder of that beating heart has over him, there's no hiding his naked delight when she steps into view. His lips curl into a broad grin, as wide as the sky and brighter than any candle, and he gives her a little wave by way of greeting. ]

Hey, you. [ Impulse makes his body prickle, the urge to wrap his arms around her in a quick hug almost too much to ignore. It's part protective instinct– that part of him that wants to make her feel better– and part memory of the closeness they've already shared once. Instead, he settles for offering her his hand with a quick wink, that grin tugging a bit wider even as he feels a tendril of dizziness slide across his sense of balance. ] Ready to go share a meal with your favorite chef?

[saults]

[ there's a brief moment of considering this to be a bit of a mistake, if only because being on her feet and putting the effort of walking reminds her of that consistent battle against the ever present heartbeat. but she quickly learns the even stronger effect of an ever powerful smile, because the sight of sanji's does seem to instantly relax her, the earnestness of his grin that makes it easy to curve her own lips upward, giving her own light wave, like he can somehow command the helplessness in smiling as soon as he looks at her. maybe it's the way that he's managed to bring relief in all kinds of ways since they'd met, her own anxiousness somehow quelling from simple conversations and sweet reassurances, that a simple look really is all it takes now. that overarching pulse continues but the movement of her feet are more driven to continue along the way until she reaches him. ]

Hey, back. [ she gives a light sideways tilt of her head as she looks up at him, giving a light quirk of her lips. ] Favorite chef? A little presumptuous. Might still just be in the top three, but you can keep working on it. [ the tease comes out lightly, a small playful chuckle in her words, drawing back on their first conversation, where he had somehow successfully made it so easy to exchange the light banter with him.

her own body remains a little warm from the physical symptoms, which has otherwise made her want to withdraw further into herself, but the invitation of his held out hand is one that she finds ease in gravitating towards as she slips her own hand in his, instantly feeling that exchange of heat from his fingers. it differs, though, from the sensation of his hand at the bar, when waves of lust had washed over her so unexpectedly; it's the kind of warmth, now, that she knows comes from trying to hold themselves upright.

she gives his knuckles a gentle squeeze and a slow stroking caress with her thumb as her expression softens with concern, her other fingers lightly curling around his forearm as she takes a step closer into his space, the honest ruby of her eyes peering up to him. ] You sure you're okay?

[chiffonades]

Top three, huh? [ It’s easy to laugh at that, to let himself indulge in the playful banter that had come so easily back in the shower, lips pulling into a small grin that’s full of unrestrained amusement. ] That’s not too bad, but— gonna have to see what I can do to pull ahead. You know, really curry favor with you. Guess it’s a good thing I’m already planning on wowing you with whatever I make, yeah?

[ He winks at her, still playful, even with that incessant percussive throbbing in the distance still maintaining it’s sway on him. It’s easier to be strong, he knows, when it’s for the sake of someone else and it’s that thought that helps root him against the dull pounding in his head, the warmth that’s seeped into his skin, the unrelenting way his body aches as his heart marches to alien rhythm. These are not easily ignorable things, not when his strength is completely used up after days of fighting against these symptoms with only this strange fear to keep him company.

Just seeing her is boon enough, but feeling her hand in his— soft, warm skin mixed with the scars that give proof to the fact that she’s a fighter, through and through— redoubles that again. His grin spreads a little wider, his eyes brighten, his shoulders unknot some of their tension. And yet still, she’s not the only one who recognizes the warmth found as skin touches skin, who knows how hard they’re both trying right now.

Maybe that’s another reason for him to remain resolutely on this course— because she’s already trying so damn hard to keep moving forward that he can’t afford to just lay around in bed all day— as he smiles at her and nods determinedly, bright eyes the color of the sky on a cloudy day full of resolve, nevermind the slight signs of strain around them. ]

Don’t you worry your lovely self, Tifa. I’m not feeling great— [ It’s an understatement, but all the same, he’s too busy threading their fingers together, too busy softly squeezing her hand, too busy guiding it up and up and up, just so he can gently brush his lips across the back of it, to let that be known. ] —but cooking for you will help. Promise. Really been wanting to make something for you, you know?

[ It’d been on his mind for days, now, prior to when the heartbeat first started and only uncertainty around how much time, how much space he ought to give her following their little soiree at Red Cardinal had held the offer back. The expression on his face changes just slightly, the kindest smile he can gave spreading across it as gives her hand another reassuring squeeze followed by a playful tug. ] Now, c’mon. You didn’t get to really see much of my suite before. Let me give you a quick tour and then— then, I’ll make you something so tasty, I really will be your favorite cook in this whole shitty resort.

[saults]

[ his returning banter is met with a rather fond smile, even more easy to sprout now since the day they'd met, now that it's much more welcome exchange. it isn't often that tifa openly welcomes a man's attempts to impress her, often waving it off with casual disbelief, the way she'd first responded to sanji's flirtatious commentary, but the brightness of her smile now would suggest her invitation for it is wide open, aware that it's become less of an if he can impress her and more of a delightful curiosity in learning how. ]

Hmm. I guess I can do a little reevaluation of the ranking again if you can really manage to make something to make my toes curl. Just remember I'm a pretty tough grader.

[ less so now, in his favor, because even if she weren't convinced that he could actually make something completely wondrous, it's his sweet willing effort that's already scored plenty of points. because he doesn't have to do all of this, doesn't have to work to impress, especially now when she knows how he's feeling, but then his words continue to reassure her of his insistence, softness in his voice that speak so much of the kind of man he is, the selflessness in every action, the way he looks at her even in this moment as if he isn't looking at anything else.

he lifts up their hands between them and she sighs a soft breath when his lips find the back of her hand, soothing warmth that lingering even when he draws away. ]

Okay. [ she gives an agreeing nod, worry still present in her watchful eyes, but willing to compromise. ] Just ... take it easy, okay? I'll stay by you the whole time — just in case.

[ it's the least she could do, even in her own weakened state, determined to stay firm on her own feet for his sake too, to get through this trial together if it means pushing through the symptoms that have lasted far too long.

she returns the gesture of his squeeze with one of her own, giving another step forward closer to him to follow his tug. ] Alright, then! Lead the way, chef. Let's see you knock me off my feet with these impressive skills of yours, huh?