Sanji was always used to being in solidarity.

He was accustomed to his routine on the Sunny — waking up before everyone else to make breakfast, and going to sleep after everyone else to clean up the kitchen after dinner.

No one really asked to help — nobody except you. You always wanted to look more into him and why he preferred this over spending time with the rest of the crew when he could. Maybe it was because he liked the silence most of the time, or that he felt secure with knowing everything was in order because of him.

Your sudden persistence to be in his company — helping him clean, waking up early to catch him off guard, even helping with the cooking sometimes if you could — wasn’t lost on him. He found it kind of peculiar, but he definitely didn’t deny your request to help him. He’d accept any kind of attention from you after all.

After another boisterous dinner on the Sunny, with drinks and laughter, you lingered behind as everyone else went to their respective rooms, just so you’d be able to get Sanji alone for a few minutes.

You’d been having nightmares for a while now. With no idea as to how they occurred or why, they’ve been getting worser lately every time you’d stay in your room alone. You were vulnerable then — and whatever was plaguing your thoughts took advantage of your solidarity.

When you asked him if you could sleep in his room for that night, his eyes practically lit up like Christmas morning.

"Of course, my love! I’d never say no to you!" Sanji cooed lovingly, gently taking your hand and leading you up towards his cabin.

His room was just about everything you’d imagine — dim, with only the moon and candles illuminating its contents. It was quite romantic, even for his standards.

Sanji looked as if his life was complete once he felt you snuggle in his arms, hearts in his eyes when he felt you initially fall asleep contentedly, your breaths matching in sync.

He couldn’t help but admire you before falling asleep himself. You looked so beautiful when you slept. A smile curled up on his face at the sight of your face illuminated by the shimmers of the moonlight.

"I could look at you all night," he murmured, pressing a gentle kiss to your forehead. "And i'd always find something new to love about you."

It wasn’t long before the nightmare you had been dreading finally started to set in.

This nightmare was even worse than all of the other ones combined. You didn’t even know why. All the other ones were awful, but tame compared to the one you had while you were with Sanji. You thought his protective hold would ease your anxiety, even slightly, but it only made your visions even worse.

He felt your grip against him tighten as well, your trembling figure against him shocking him awake like he’d been electrocuted.

Sanji grew to recognize movement against his body, even unconsciously, which caused him to wake almost instantly. His gaze softened as his eyes landed on you, realizing that you were having a nightmare.

"Hey..Hey.. are you alright, sweetheart?" He gently asked, holding you even closer as you shook against his body. Whatever fatigue he had in that moment evaporated into sharp focus.

The question felt bitter in his mouth when it came out — why the hell would he ask that if you obviously didn’t look alright?

Sanji slowly sat up in his bed with you in his arms, cradling you close to his chest as he tried to lull you.

"Shh..shh.. it's okay. You’re here with me." He repeated over and over again as tears beaded in your eyes. You trembling in front of him was one of the hardest things he’s ever had to witness.

It broke his heart. You two were supposed to be inseparable. Why didn’t you tell him? Him? Why were you too scared to speak up about these nightmares? He would have held you for hours and hours on end, reassuring you that you would’ve been safe with him.

He could say it once or a thousand times.

As long as you were safe, he’d do everything in his power to make sure it stayed that way.

The steady, calming breaths of Sanji contrasted heavily with yours, erratic and uneven.