#erracticoptimism

[theallblue]

@erraticoptimism x

"It sounds like it came from a cheesy joke book." It was hard to find a reason to crack a smile because of the situation that lingered over their shoulders. Laughter seemed like something that belonged in the past, but here he was laughing now. Sanji couldn't recall the last time that he actually laughed which probably was no surprise because of the horrors that he was seen. He tended to be reserved since trust was a difficult thing especially with the situation that he found himself in, his scar would only complicate things for him. He didn't know who he could possibly trust while Luffy was the closest one here to his age. The joke was somehow able to get through the walls that he held up, a joke that was causing the familiar laugh to escape his lips.

That most likely was enough for Luffy to get through the walls that he was determined to keep up while he never wished harm against others. He was just being careful for the sake of his safety and for the safety of others. He didn't want to see anyone here get hurt by something that could possibly be his fault. He didn't mind that the empty spot next to him was taken by Luffy, he was actually starting to get used to him showing up randomly. There probably was a good chance that he would be able to befriend Sanji, a friend that he obviously needed.

The fence was one of the few things that was helping keep the dangers out, dangers that could easily appear at any moment. They had to be careful even when one was traveling during daylight because of the monsters that surrounded them. Monsters that weren't going to disappear anytime soon. He didn't have the luxury of having a good bond when it came to his siblings, things had always been tense between him and his biological family. That's where Zeff came in though, a man who didn't hesitate to take care of him. A man who didn't hesitate to claim Sanji as his own which was technically true because of those papers that had been signed. That restless energy that lingered at his side though wasn't hard to notice, Luffy obviously wanted to do something to get rid of it. He didn't have to sit here, he could wander off whenever he wanted to.

Tilting his head toward him, he did wonder if the idea running through his head was a good one or not "It's always quiet here." The silence was something that Sanji had gotten used to even if it could be annoying sometimes. There were days when he even hated that stupid silence, it was unknown if things would ever go back to normal. It wouldn't be easy for them to get that normal back. He was determined to find the people who helped raise him, but that wasn't going to be an easy matter. He didn't even know where to start, Zeff and the others could be anywhere if they found someplace safe.

"A creek?" He didn't want to know how Luffy was able to find it, but he did seem like the type who was curious about everything. He'd probably stick his nose into matters that weren't even his business, but it would be better then just sitting here. It would be different then seeing the inside of this place over and over again "Sure, it would be better then just wasting the day here."

[theallblue]

“Theeeere you are. Hi. Welcome back.”

Reunion after (physical) trauma prompts |still accepting|

Confusion was quick to enter Sanji's thoughts while trying to force his eyes to open, but that was proving difficult for him to do so. The makeshift bed which rested underneath was unfamiliar, the noises that slowly started to filter into his ears were unfamiliar, as well. This wasn't like the place that had been his home since the start of the downfall of humanity. It was something else, it was someplace different from what the blonde was used to. Where...? Where was he?

Where was this place? And where was...?

Luffy!

Everything was fuzzy while he was trying to recall what exactly happened since the two had been wandering around the streets when the silence quickly changed. It was his decision to do so for the sake of protecting Luffy from the sudden danger that appeared, he didn't want him to get hurt. He couldn't let him get hurt which was the reason why Sanji pushed the dark-haired teenager out of the way in the first place. It was Luffy who had managed to get past those walls he held up, it was Luffy who had been able to make him laugh in such a long time. It was Luffy who had his trust.

It was Luffy who he ended up falling for despite struggling to get his feelings out, feelings that eventually came into light. Feelings that Sanji could no longer ignore. The last thing that he could remember was in the pain which radiated throughout his back then nothing. Bits and pieces maybe back through, but it was hard for Sanji to focus on anything that surrounded him. There was voices? Many different voices that he found difficult to follow.

Maybe someone holding his hand? Someone talking to him? He really didn't know because the world faded into darkness once more taking Sanji along with it.

"Sanji?"

A voice had managed to break through his confusing thoughts, a voice that he knew quite well. It was Luffy. Luffy was here... Forcing his eyes to open, he glanced toward him while his voice cracked because of misuse

"L.Luffy... What? Where are we?"

[theallblue]

"Sanji!"

He's only just gotten in the dorm and already he's pulling, over-eager to go back out again but this time not alone. He'd gone in only far enough to catch hold of Sanji's arm and start tugging the blond right along with him back out the way he'd come.

"It's raining, Sanji! Come out with me!"

There's a low point in the courtyard. With the rain pouring the way it is, too hard and too fast to sink into the ground right away, it's the perfect place to go for the way the runoff gathers. It's exactly where he wants to go and of course getting soaked along the way is just the icing on the cake.

Luffy's loud voice quickly broke through the silence of the shared dorm room, a voice that caused him to break away from the assignment that he was working on. What did his loud roommate need this time? Was he wanting food or something else?

That was until his fingers wrapped around his arm causing him to pulled out of the chair that he had occupied. It was raining? He hadn't noticed because of the assignment that he was working on completing for the sake of his class. When had it started?

"Why? Is there something you want to show me?"

He didn't know where Luffy wanted to go, but obviously it was important to him since he came barging into their dorm without a second thought. He doubted that he would be able to stop the raven-haired teen anyways especially after he put his mind to something. It was down right impossible to stop Luffy whenever he got an idea in his head whether it be a reckless one or not.

[theallblue]

Shove that meme in a randomizer!? Also a reply will be had today!

a comprehensive list of scenarios |still accepting|

23.  SOOTHE :  for one muse to calm the other during a panic attack.

It was no surprise that the changes which surrounded them brought forth a lot of mixed emotions when it came to the threat that the survivors were now facing. A threat that wasn't going to disappear anytime soon even if Sanji wanted to will it away with the snap of his fingers. That was no easy task though. This was reality, a reality that none of them were unable to escape from.

How it started came out of nowhere despite everyone having the knowledge of where, he knew how it started. He didn't know how it was going to end though, the end was nowhere in sight despite how much time has passed already. Sanji knew one thing though, he was immune from the virus that covered the earth. The virus hadn't turned him into one of the many monsters that were once humans, humans who were never going to return to the lives that they had.

Sanji didn't know if he could call himself lucky, he didn't know what to think of it when those teeth sunk into his arm. He thought that he was going to lose his humanity, but that was proven wrong after those weeks passed by. Weeks that soon turned into months. This was how things were going to be now, this was their life now. This was his life now.

The blonde didn't know what triggered the panic attack, it came out of nowhere while sitting against that familiar fence. Was it anxiety? Was it the thoughts running through his head? Or was it something else, Sanji did not know as he tried his best to deal with the pressure that lingered in his chest. As he tried to deal with the tightness that lingered deep within his throat, it hurt. Why did everything hurt?

A familiar hand rested against his back, one that he knew from how many times Luffy decided to make an appearance in front of him. How Luffy ended up being his friend, a friend that Sanji desperately needed with everything that was going on. He didn't have anyone in his corner, not until the stubborn raven decided to get past the walls that he had held up. Walls that Sanji thought was impossible for anyone to get through, but somehow he did.

"C.... can't breathe."

[theallblue]

"Sanjiiiiii!"

It's pitchy, a whine of epic proportions as he hangs over the rail of the ship in a defeated slump. They're rationing--he recently had to learn that word and it really sucks--and lunch didn't get him nearly as far in the day as it normally would before he felt like his insides were trying to eat themselves.

"Sanji, I'm gonna dieeeee."

It wasn’t surprising that Luffy was the first to crack when it came to the decision that Sanji unfortunately had to make. There was no choice, he had to ration the remaining food which rested inside the pantry until the ship reached the next island. Unless luck managed to appear whether because of the life which lingered beneath the ways or they were somehow able to find people who were willing to give them food. He already felt guilty about having to ration since the last thing that the cook wanted for any of them to face was starvation. 

A small breath escaped from him “You aren’t going to die, Luffy. We should be able to find some more food soon if we keep following the way that Nami showed us.”

[theallblue]

If you could learn any language at the snap of your fingers, which would you learn, and why?

Munday Questions |still accepting|

Ooh that is a good question especially since I enjoy learning about culture, history, etc. Japanese would be my first choice while it is a place I want to visit even if that's impossible but I love Asian culture in general. I'm just very curious when it comes to their history, culture, and methods on how they create things by hand especially methods that have been around for centuries. And sign language would be second for the sake of being able to interact with people by means that is normal for them while it is just something I just want to learn more then anything. It really just looks like a fun and interesting course to take. I'm just very interested in language stuff, as well.

[theallblue]

All the kisses. All of them. Light and fleeting, butterfly-soft touches of lips move from fingertip to fingertip and up. Palms, wrists, over the forearms and to the soft spaces at the crook of the cook's elbows. Further still until those kisses are peppered from shoulder to shoulder and up over the column of that throat and up under the hinge of jaw until finally they are dropped sporadically over features to end between brows with a smile.

"Hi."

A soft bed. Fingers held up as those familiar gentle kisses made their way across his skin from the lips of his reckless captain. Kisses that were not refused since they belonged to him, they belonged to his Luffy. A touch which continued to move until they were resting against his throat, a touch causing a tilt of his head leaning into them. Eyes flickering open, a smile graced his lips as well looking up at the one who was in front of him 

“Hi Luffy.”

[theallblue]

[ FOREHEAD ]: sender lowers their head to press their forehead against the receiver’s, trying to comfort them in the process.

𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐒𝐒𝐔𝐑𝐀𝐍𝐂𝐄 𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐌𝐏𝐓𝐒. |still accepting|

The room shielded them from the outside world, a world that was filled with nothing, but danger because of the threats which continued to fill the streets. Night had fallen leaving them to fall into the familiar pattern of slumber as long as it wasn’t going to become a sleepless night for the blonde. He wouldn’t be the only one awake if his insomnia decided to make an appearance since there were guards who were making sure that nothing was going to get inside. Nothing that could be a threat to the people who were just trying to survive. They were all just trying to survive, especially Sanji because of the secret that he continued to carry, a secret which even Luffy didn’t know about yet. He couldn’t bring himself to speak about the secret even if it was something that he could trust the other with. His fear about the whole thing was causing him to hesitate because he didn’t know how Luffy was going to react even with the bond that they were able to create. 

It was true that he came bursting through those walls he hid himself behind which might have been tied to his trauma and he didn’t know who he could trust. Until Luffy came along, it was Luffy who was able to get his trust and cause that smile to appear across his lips once again. He was able to laugh because of him. 

The room was peaceful as the familiar warmth which rested against his back always brought comfort to Sanji knowing that Luffy was nearby. A presence which helped chase the nightmares away most of the time, but it seemed that it wasn’t going to work tonight. A nightmare which he has experienced before in the past, one that served as a reminder connected to the scar which was hidden underneath that sleeve. A scar which proved what happened to him probably months or longer after the end of the world started. 

Said nightmare which caused Sanji to bolt awake biting back the scream which threatened to leave his lips, a scream which easily could have echoed throughout the hallways. Closing his eyes, he leaned into the forehead that moved to rest against his knowing that Luffy was here. Hands shifted moving to grasp at the back of his shirt taking in the comfort of the warm presence who sat in front of him. A presence who was speaking to him trying to chase the thoughts of the nightmare lingered in his mind, a nightmare which caused the familiar throbbing to linger in his arm. A throbbing and nightmare which caused the tears to prick at the corner of his eyes. 

[theallblue]

“ you don’t have to be so strong all the time. it’s okay. cry. i’ll be strong for both of us. “

𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐒𝐒𝐔𝐑𝐀𝐍𝐂𝐄 𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐌𝐏𝐓𝐒. |still accepting|

With the change of the world, Sanji hid behind the walls that he had created along with the mask that tended to grace his face. He hid who he truly was behind those walls even when that smile crossed his face, a smile which wasn’t his real one. Until those walls suddenly came crumbling down, all because of that cheesy joke which was told by a reckless, hyperactive teen who decided to come bursting into his life. All because Luffy managed to get past the walls that the blonde had held up even if it was for the sake of his safety. He couldn’t bring himself to open up to others especially because of the secret which was hidden underneath his sleeve, a secret that could cause problems for him. 

The former cook’s life could be in danger because of it since the people would panic out of fear. Fear because of the scarred bite from the teeth which sunk into his arm, a scar that he had to keep hidden. A secret which he still couldn’t bring himself to tell Luffy about since he didn’t know how he was going to react. He was terrified at the very thought since there was a chance it could chase him away. Sanji didn’t want to lose the first friend that he was able to gain since the end of the world, a bond which eventually became more forming the relationship that they did have. The hyperactive teen ended up becoming his boyfriend and their feelings were revealed, feelings that he was unable to ignore. It was Luffy who was able to make everything better, it was Luffy who was able to make him smile again despite the fear and thoughts which lingered over his shoulders. 

There was one thing that Sanji found difficult to drop which was the strong act, an act which most likely was another way to defend himself from his surroundings. He knew that this was a safe place which was able to keep the wandering dead out, but it felt like a heavy burden on his shoulders which could easily drag him down. It hurt while the trauma from those hungry teeth sinking into his arm was hard to forget, it easily could bring forward nightmares. Everything about the new world that they lived in was traumatic, a trauma which started at the very beginning of this chaotic world. 

It was a difficult night as he had cracked a window open to keep his cigarette from Luffy who was snoring away in the background, he wanted him to sleep. Anxiety loomed over his shoulders while he had gotten swallowed by his thoughts too much and the concern of the secret that he continued to hide. Thoughts that he was unable to stop. 

The sudden warmth which rested against his back caused him to give a light smile, a warmth that always brought comfort to him 

“I know, Luffy. You are strong, I don’t think I can cry even if I wanted to.”

[theallblue]

I'll carry you to bed if I have to.

Lack of Sleep Starters! |still accepting|

Sleep could be a difficult thing for Sanji sometimes, especially when his insomnia decided to act up or the random thoughts that decided to run around his head. It wasn’t the first time that he had been caught dealing with the aftermath of a sleepless night nor was it going to be the last either. Luffy tended to be the first person of the day who knew that the blonde was dealing with the lack of sleep, he often found him sitting awake whether it be in the shared apartment or sitting somewhere to avoid bothering anyone that lived in this compound. The last thing that he wanted to do was cause Luffy a sleepless night especially since they were now sharing a bed. A bed that was no longer empty because of the bond that was formed between the two of them, it was Luffy who confessed first. 

A confession that he didn’t expect to happen while surrounded by nothing, but ruined streets and buildings. The world had changed from the moment that the strange virus appeared in the streets, a virus that he somehow was immune to. The scarred bite which lingered against his arm was proof of that which Luffy was the only one who knew about this secret, a secret that he thankfully was willing to keep quiet about. Things obviously wouldn’t go well for him if the truth was revealed, there was enough fear surrounding them already. Fear which could cause any survivors to panic whether he was immune or not, they were surrounded by too many unknowns. Sanji himself was confused about why he was immune to this virus, especially since he used to be a Sous Chef with his adoptive father. A adoptive father who the blonde was determined to find if he had managed to get away safely, they accidentally got separated while trying to find a safe place to get to. Sanji ended up where, but Zeff... He had no idea what happened to him while they weren’t alone because of the people they were traveling with. People who had their trust. But here, he found it difficult to trust anyone since all of them were complete strangers until Luffy suddenly came bursting into his life. It was because of Luffy that the walls he kept holding up managed to come crashing down even though he was still wary sometimes. He had every right to be though, something which his hyperactive boyfriend knew about. He knew how to deal with Sanji when he got into his head too much or when something was causing those anxious feelings to come forward. 

It seemed that the sleep decided to finally catch up with him as the blonde found himself resting on a random piece of furniture that had been brought back to the compound. He was close to dozing off when those familiar fingers made their way into his hair, a touch that he knew quite well. Letting out a sleepy breath, eyes flickered open seeing that Luffy was leaning over him with a look of concern resting across his face 

“Luffy... you don’t have to. I’m fine sleeping here.”

[theallblue]

"Sanjiiiii!"

There's only a few seconds between that shout and the door bouncing off the wall from the force with which it was opened, the sound of it loud and promptly followed by a yelp as the bounce-back has the rubberman smacking right into it in his haste to get into the kitchen. It's pushed again, much gentler this time, and Luffy rubs at his forehead with a hissed 'Owwww' that overcompensates just a tad in the conviction department as he then drapes himself miserably across the counter.

"I'm starving. You said there would be snacks five minutes ago!"

The familiar voice of the reckless captain quickly filled the air, a voice that was obviously searching for him which easily could be heard throughout the entire ship. The attempt to quickly enter the kitchen entered in failure as the door came swinging back slamming right into Luffy’s face. He would have to let Franky look at that wooden door just in case. It seemed that he was okay despite the obvious red mark that rested against his forehead, one that could easily leave a bruise, but he was a man made out of rubber. Besides the miserable state pleading for the snack told him that Luffy was going to be fine 

“I just finished Luffy, I was about to bring them out before you came bursting through the door.”

[theallblue]

@erraticoptimism x

“Has it?” 

The whining that escaped from Luffy’s lips was something that Sanji had gotten used to after they became roommates. He didn’t hesitate to go because of the events that unfolded the last time, events that caused the blonde to regret going in the first place. He knew that Luffy loved it when a party decided to appear while watching the chaos that could unfold there. He mostly went for the sake of making sure that his hyperactive roommate wasn’t going to get into trouble, he tended to avoid drinking since he was a lightweight. 

It seemed that Luffy was determined to drag him out to pull away from one of the textbooks which lingered in front of him. He tended to study quite often for the sake of making sure his grades were going to stay up, it was a promise that he made to Zeff. He didn’t want to let his adoptive father down. 

Letting out a small breath, fingers moved to close the book making sure to mark the page to come back to for later “Two hours and no more than that, no reckless decisions either while we are there, okay?”

[theallblue]

HUG

Hug |still accepting|

They were on the move after deciding to leave the safety of the compound because of the secret that had been revealed, one that Sanji had been determined to keep hidden. He couldn't do anything after the truth came out while it was difficult for him to deal with the people who once trusted them. They were wary around, they hesitated whenever he came out of the room that was once shared with Luffy. He couldn't handle those stares anymore which quickly caused him to disappear behind that door barricade himself behind it. It was like Sanji was closing himself off again when the two first met since he used to keep his distance away from anyone. He struggled a lot with trust back then especially after those teeth sunk into his arm.

Luffy was the one who was able to get past the walls he had held up, he was the one who was able to gain Sanji's trust. A trust that caused their relationship to become something more, a relationship that he never though he would have found while surrounded by the wandering dead. It was Luffy who made things better for him, it was Luffy who caused him to smile and laugh again.

Something that Sanji hadn't done in such a long time.

They had found temporary shelter for the night after making sure that there was nothing threatening inside of it. A threat that could come from the living and the dead, it was empty though. It would help protect them from the outdoor elements while they both knew that it wasn't safe to travel at night. The streets would be filled with too many dangers for them to get to their next destination wherever that was going to be. They both were on the lookout for familiar faces of family and friends, people who they could both trust while it was unknown how they would react to the truth. To Sanji's truth.

He wanted to find Zeff, he wanted to know if his adoptive father was okay. He wanted to know if he was safe. Luffy had two brothers that he was determined to find and friends that could apparently be trusted. Friends who he got told plenty about from the moment that Luffy started to visit with him, he felt like he knew them well enough by now. Would they be willing to be his friend?

Morning had arrived while Sanji had always been an early riser leaving him to hear the snores that often escaped from Luffy. A sound that he eventually got used to over time of sharing that room together. Of sharing a bed. His morning routine already started with the cigarettes that Luffy had managed to find while waiting for the sun to wake up from its slumber. Blue eyes staring out the window of a landscape that once was filled with life, it was a never changing scene now though.

He was quickly pulled out of his thoughts feeling those familiar arms move to warm themselves around his waist causing a smile to grace his lips. Seemed that he decided to finally wake up. "Good morning, Luffy."

[theallblue]

Luffy's learned to appreciate the quiet. Oh, he still prefers the chaos of being outside, still prefers the weight and tension of an adventure and that really isn't set to change any time soon, but Sanji has taught him that the quiet isn't really as boring as he thought it was. Or at least it isn't that way all the time. They certainly aren't bad when spent in good company.

Quiet is good for thinking. His head is a million trains rolling through one station at any given moment, thoughts fast and fleeting and sometimes hard to catch or stick with but it's not his own thinking that has his attention. He's watching Sanji, watching the way that pen swirls between fingertips in idle fidgeting. He's watching the way pearly whites occasionally snag at the corner of that lower lip and tug. The way that thumb strokes at the edges of the pages and ruffles them a little just for the sensation.

His advance is slow, hands and knees across the thin rug until his movements gain enough attention that cerulean hues lift from inked words to settle on him but he doesn't stop even then. Not until that book is lowered a bit and he's got hands braced on a knee and the wall. Not until he can lean in and bump their noses together.

There were times when silence was something that Sanji was fond of, especially when his attention was focused on something that was important to him. He wasn’t like Luffy who wanted nothing more, but to explore as much as possible while there was still plenty of adventure waiting for them outside the walls of their floating home. It seemed that Luffy had managed to start enjoying the silence as much as he did, there were times when it was nice. He would never say no to getting to spend time with his reckless captain though. 

It wasn’t surprising that Luffy tended to have countless thoughts running through his head when it came to his way of thinking, it was just the type of person he was. This time though his watchful gaze was pointed toward him. Sanji was sorting through his own thoughts figuring out what the next meals were going to be for the rest of this week, he liked to plan ahead. Those small movements were just habits of his which most likely went unnoticed by him depending on how focused he actually was. Habits which were going to follow him everywhere as his thoughts made their way across the paper. 

Bright blue eyes flickered toward the slow, but deliberate movement which was obviously making their way toward him that caused him to pull his attention away from the book that rested between his fingers. A gentle smile graced his lips though when that nose made its way to rest against his “Luffy, what are you doing?” 

[theallblue]

❛ don’t we deserve to be happy?

𝐯𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬. |still accepting|

It was true that things have been tense among the compound since the secret that Sanji had been hiding was revealed, tension that he was obviously struggling with on a daily basis. He did the only thing that was possible for him to avoid having to deal with those glances which were pointed his way. He wanted nothing more, but to hide for as long as possible. It was difficult for him to tell what was going through the thoughts of the others, did they want something from him? Were they angry with him? What was going to happen? 

Luffy was the one person who he trusted the most inside of this place, he was the first one who was able to get through those walls he held up. Walls that hid Sanji from the outside world which surrounded him, it was the only way to protect himself because of the unknown that he had to face daily. It was unknown what would happen if the truth came out, something that he unfortunately was facing now. 

What should he do? Should he leave? Would there be somewhere else they could go that was safe? Sanji knew that Luffy wouldn’t hesitate to go with him because of the bond that was formed between the two of them, they had found something because of that bond. One which he never thought would have appeared in the ruined land around them, they had become a couple. 

He was no longer happy here, but there were mixed feelings about leaving because of the dangers that lingered outside these walls. There had to be someplace for them though while it became obvious to Luffy that he wasn’t happy here which was causing some unnecessary tension between the two of them. None of this was Luffy’s fault, he wasn’t going to blame him for what happened. Sanji should have been careful with the secret that was a heavy burden upon his shoulders before a decision was made between the both of them 

“We do deserve to be happy.” 

That had been days ago after packing everything that they wanted to carry with them for the sake of the trip which lingered in front of them, it was luck that they were able to get their hands on a working car. They were taking turns driving until either the car decided to stop working or something happened that would cause the two to abandon it. He must have fallen asleep at some point since the next thing that he knew was that the car was sitting still with only him in it. Sitting up, he glanced around looking for the black-haired teen 

“Luffy?”

[theallblue]

@erraticoptimism x

It was impossible for Sanji to stop the words that decide to escape through his lips, his pain is quite deep. Pain that could easily leave scars on his skin for anyone to see if it was possible, pain that rested deep inside of him. It wasn’t his intention to make Luffy angry, it wasn’t his intention to cause those swirl of emotions to appear in the air that lingered between them. 

The end of the world was to blame for that pain while it was true that they both had dealt with too much already, it hurt. Everything hurt. Things might have been different if they had the chance to meet before the downfall, if they had a chance to meet when everything was falling to ruin. 

Could his mindset be changed? Could Luffy help him forget that pain? 

Head tilted downwards, he refused to look toward Luffy obviously feeling the different emotions that decided to waft off of him. It would have been enough to cause Sanji to flee, but his back against the creaking door was keeping him from doing so. He almost flinched when those hands moved to embrace his face, a touch that was able to make Sanji focus on the one who stood in front of him. The words were enough to cause his breath to get stuck in his throat 

Luffy, you...” 

He didn’t know that Luffy thought so highly of him while they were surrounded by a world filled with nothing, but pain, fear, and death. It was because of Luffy that he had actually managed to get him to laugh because of a very cheesy joke. He had gotten him to open up to him despite those walls that Sanji had put up around himself, walls that were there to keep him from getting hurt. Yes, there were still times when he could be withdrawn, but that side tends to disappear when it comes to trying to help others and passing out the food that was created by his hand. The hurt was something that sadly wasn’t going to disappear that easily, the distrust and uncertainty wasn’t going to disappear that easily. Sanji needed more time, he needed a lot of time before he would be able to let those walls down fully. Before Luffy would be able to see the real him, the real Sanji that existed besides those walls that kept everything from the outside world out. 

No words were able to escape his lips while doing his best to keep that door from opening, he was doing his best to keep it from bursting through that door. It was the only way to keep it from touching Luffy, but it was unknown how long he would be able to keep that up. A curse escaped from his lips when that disgusting looking arm decided to make its way through the growing gap, a gap which he could no longer close. It was no longer safe inside this room, they had to go. They had to run. 

Tilting his head toward Luffy, eyes flickered toward the hand that was being held out to him. There was no time to lose, he needed to get his back off that door. Fingers quickly grasped ahold of his hand, bracing himself to move away from the banging wood 

“Okay Luffy.”