Chapter Text
Flames of Winter
By Tenkk
Chapter 1
Sanji was in the woods outside his home looking for mushrooms to pick for his new meal. He carried a book to help him identify which mushrooms were safe to eat. In his basket, he has found a few good mushrooms, but they wouldn’t be enough for a dish. The dish he is making is for his mother, who was sick in bed. He had read that a mushroom and leek soup is good for sickness.
He came upon another group of mushrooms he couldn’t identify, so he looked them up in the book. These mushrooms were unsafe to eat, so he continued on through the woods, humming softly. Sanji paused when he heard something behind him. He turned around but saw nothing. He figured it must have been a bird or a small animal. He continued onward but heard the sound again; it was footsteps, not an animal. For a moment, his body froze in fear, but then he turned around to look at what was following him. Suddenly a bug net came at him and it went over his head.
“Ha ha! Look, you guys! I caught an omega cockroach!”
Sanji quickly lifted the net from his head and glared at his brother Niji. Ichiji and Yonji were with him, each with their own net. They had all just turned 8, but that didn’t change their bullying.
“I’m not an omega cockroach!” Sanji protested. “Go away, Niji!”
“We’re out here looking for big bugs,” said Ichiji. “But we found you instead! What are you doing?”
Sanji held the basket and book away from them. “It’s none of your business! Leave me alone!”
Sanji tried to keep his things away from them, but he was outnumbered. Ichiji wrestled the basket away from him as Niji and Yonji held his arms down.
“They’re just a bunch of smelly mushrooms!” Ichiji dumped the mushrooms and the book on the ground. Then, he stomped on the mushrooms. Niji and Yonji let Sanji go to join their brother in crushing the mushrooms.
“STOP IT!” Sanji shouted at them. “Those were for mom!”
“What would mom want with mushrooms?” Yonji asked.
“They’re to help her get better!” Sanji answered.
“Or mother is a weak person; like dad said, she’s sick because she’s weak,” said Ichiji.
“I don’t care! I want to help mom!” Sanji shoved Ichiji. “Go away!”
That one push turned into a brawl and Sanji couldn’t beat all three of them. They beat him into the ground until he gave up and they got bored. The brothers laughed and pointed at him before turning to leave with their bug-catching nets over their shoulders. Sanji gritted his teeth and wiped his tears away as he looked at all the crushed mushrooms. He would have to start looking all over again.
Later in the day, after he had found enough mushrooms, he went to the kitchen with them. The cook was very friendly to Sanji and helped him to cook. Sanji loved to cook, it was one of the things he liked to do. He loved how one can experiment with ingredients to make new dishes. His mother always liked his meals.
When the soup was done, the chef helped him ladle the soup into a bowl. It was placed on a tray with a soup spoon and cloth napkin. Sanji smiled as he carried the tray through the house, heading towards his mother’s chambers. But on the way, he ran into his brothers. Yonji had stuck his foot out from the other side of the hall and made Sanji trip. Sanji tried to keep the soup balanced but he fell and the contents of the soup lay spread on the floor.
“Hey, watch where you’re going, dumb-dumb!” Said Yonji and the three brothers laughed at him.
Sanji grits his teeth and tries to hold back the tears at the spilled soup. There was still some left in the bowl, so he picked the tray up and continued without looking at them. Luckily, they didn’t follow him. He got to his mother’s chamber and pushed open the door. His mother was sitting up in bed and Reiju was with her. At least his sister is nicer to him than his brothers.
“Hello Sanji,” his mother smiled at him. “What brings you here?”
“I made you some soup,” he said. “But, I spilled most of it on the way here. I’m sorry,”
His mother giggled softly. “It’s alright, Sanji. I can’t wait to taste what you made.”
Sanji beamed happily and gave his mother the tray of mushroom and leek soup.
“It doesn’t smell good,” Said Reiju, pinching her nose.
“But it’s going to help get you better, Mom,” Sanji told her.
“Let me taste this soup. It smells and looks delicious.” She took a spoonful. “Mmm. It’s wonderful, Sanji! You have such a talent for cooking!”
Sanji blushed sheepishly at the praise. His mother was the only person who ever praised him.
But the soup did not help her, and eventually, she passed away. Sanji was heartbroken and cried at her grave, ignoring his brothers’ mocking him for being a crybaby.
Sanji opened his eyes to see that it was morning. He must not have heard the servant come in and open the curtains. He had that dream again, and he hated it. It was just a replay of how he lost his mother and the bullying of his brothers. His brothers still pick on him, but their mother is gone, and Sanji often misses her. She was the only one who truly loved him and was always kind and protective. Today was the anniversary of her death, and Sanji knew he was going to be depressed all day.
Nobody ever tells him when it’s time for breakfast because his brothers don’t want him sitting at the table with them, unless their father says otherwise. Instead of sitting with the family, Sanji usually takes his meals in the kitchen where he can eat in peace and talk to their chef.
Sanji got dressed for the day, putting on his white, puffy-sleeved undershirt followed by a golden vest that buttoned in the front. He threw on his princely red cape and secured it with his mother’s favorite broach. It was made of gold and had the engravings of a swan with a small sapphire for the eye. Sanji rarely left his room without it. He put on his tall black boots and left his room, heading for the kitchen.
But on the way, he ran into the Master of Servants, who told him that his father wanted him to be at breakfast. Sanji frowned, he didn’t want to eat with them. But if his father said he was needed at the table, then something must be going on. Sanji changed direction and went to the feasting hall. When he entered, he saw his brothers, sister, and their father at the table. His father, of course, was at the head of the table. There was a place set for him next to Reiju. Sanji didn’t say a word and just took his seat. He had nothing to say to any of them. He’s the only omega in the family, and he is supposed to be seen and not heard, which is fine by him. Although sometimes it got to him. He found himself to be lonely most of the time. But he busied himself with learning how to cook and exploring the outdoors; anything to be away from his family.
However, as he began eating, he noticed that no one else was doing it. He stopped and put his fork down. All of them were looking at him. His brothers were smirking at him, Reiju’s features remained reserved, and his father was looking at him with a frown. What did he do now, he wondered.
“Sanji, I have good news for you,” started his father, his voice always hard and stern. “You’re finally going to be of use to this family.”
Sanji frowned, he already didn’t like where this was going.
“The King of the East Blue has asked for you to be his omega mate,” Judge held his hand up to keep Sanji from talking. “You will go to the East Blue kingdom and marry the king. With this alliance, the Germa Kingdom will prosper even more! We get access to their mines for materials and they in turn will get to use our weapons. All you need to do is marry and provide an alpha heir to seal our alliance. This is a far greater opportunity for you than you deserve, Sanji.”
Sanji felt like he was going to throw up. The East Blue king was a very old man who was known not to bathe since he thought it would cause illness. The King had visited here last year and no one wanted to sit next to him because of the smell. To think he would have that old man flopping around on top of him furthered his disgust. Was this supposed to be a punishment of some kind?
“I don’t want to do this!” Sanji protested.
“You don’t have a choice,” Judge said. “You will no longer be my charge but the charge of your mated husband. This is a high honor for any omega. You should be rejoicing. In his letter, he said he was very smitten with you during his last visit.”
Sanji tried to ignore the snickering of his brothers.
“You get to be a queen, Sanji!” Laughed Niji. “We’ll make sure you have nice dresses to wear!”
“Let’s hope your offspring isn’t as useless as you are,” said Ichiji.
“Shut up! The both of you!” Sanji snapped at them. How could they pull this on their deceased mother’s anniversary?
“Silence, all of you!” Judge’s voice boomed in the room. “Sanji, you’re going to accept this wedding deal and you’re going to like it. I don’t want to hear any complaints out of you unless you want to go back to your ‘second’ room until you change your mind?”
Sanji thought about it. His ‘second’ room was a cell in the dungeon where he was often kept as a child after he presented as omega. If he were to go to the second room, then maybe he wouldn’t have to endure this marriage. However, Sanji wasn’t sure how much of a real threat that was coming from his father. Being in that dark cell could drive anyone crazy, but he had always managed to keep his wits about him.
“I don’t want to do this,” Sanji said again. “Put me in the dark if you want, but I’m not going through with this marriage!”
“Sanji,” Reiju said his name softly. “The East Blue king is indeed an old man, but he’s so old he’s on the verge of dying. He doesn’t have any living heirs. You’ll be free to reign your own kingdom and choose an alpha of your choice. You should carefully consider this marriage,”
“Well said, Reiju” Said Judge with a smirk.
Sanji didn’t like it, but Reiju made a strong point. The idea of picking his own alpha and ruling a kingdom far enough away from his family appealed to him. He sat back in his chair and crossed his arms.
“The king is sending two men to stay with you for the winter,” Judge said. “You’ll go to your new husband’s home come the spring. These two men will teach you all about the East Blue Kingdom. One is a great alpha swordsman and the other is a strong beta fighter. I want you to learn from them.”
“Fine, I’ll do this,” He looked at his father. “But I’m not happy about it.”
“Your happiness isn’t worth anything,” Judge said harshly. “You have a duty to perform, and you will do it. Every time I see you I’m reminded of how shocked I am to have somehow brought forth an omega child into this world. You must come from your mother’s side.”
Sanji tensed in his seat and refused to let any angry tears fall. “Don’t talk about her that way!”
“She’s gone, Sanji,” Judge said. “It’s time to stop mourning her!”
“Sanji’s such a mama’s boy,” Yonji jested.
“He’s more woman than man,” Niji added and the brothers laughed.
“Don’t pick on Sanji at the table,” Judge warned them.
Sanji wanted to lash out at his brothers but it would do no good, especially in front of their father. He just had to keep his anger in check. Sanji had lost his appetite and shot up from the table, leaving the hall. He walked to the garden door and went outside. There was a slight chill in the air that meant winter was coming. Sanji fought through the cold and walked the gardens’ path.
He couldn’t believe he would have to marry an old man. What Reiju had said gave him a small ounce of hope for this marriage. He could rule his own kingdom. That was a fine idea. But, he had to wait for the old man to die. He did feel a little guilty for thinking that way about another human being who didn’t do anything to him. He shouldn’t think such thoughts, but he couldn’t help it.
And who were these men coming to stay with him? A swordsman and a fighter? Why would the King of the East Blue send fighters instead of proper diplomats? Would he like these men? He would have to spend the entire winter season with them learning about the East Blue Kingdom. The situation he was in isn’t going to change. The only thing he keeps telling himself is that he will be away from his family, and that brings a smile to his face. Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad.
///
A week later, the ship carrying the two men from the East Blue Kingdom had docked. Judge received word by raven, and he told his groom to alert Sanji.
Sanji was sound asleep at his desk, using a cookbook as a pillow. He woke up in a daze when there was a knock at the door.
“Master Sanji, your father requests an audience. The two men from the East Blue have docked and should be here shortly.”
“Yeah, yeah, I’ll get ready,”
Sanji went to his wardrobe and picked out a brocade-patterned red doublet and white undershirt. He clipped his mother’s broach to the center of his doublet. His black pants and boots remain his favorite article of clothing. They were easy to move around in. He had earned the nickname Black Leg Sanji by the people in the manor since he fought with his feet and legs. His father didn’t want an omega training with a sword, so Sanji found other ways to use his body as a weapon. Maybe he could get these two guys to teach him how to improve his fighting. A swordsman and a fighter? They would make great teachers. He didn’t care about learning things from the other kingdom. He was eager to meet them.
///
“Luffy, don’t squish your face against the window,” Zoro said.
“But I’m just so excited!” Luffy said, removing his face from the glass. “I wonder what kind of adventures we’ll have staying here!” Luffy sat opposite Zoro in the carriage. The carriage was complimentary from the king.
Zoro didn’t like all the rocking and bumping of the carriage. “I just want to get there and get the hell out of this thing,” All the rocking was starting to give him a headache.
“Hey, Zoro, what do you think Prince Sanji will be like?”
Zoro crossed his arms. “Well, he’s a prince, so I’m sure he feels superior and entitled for simply existing. If it wasn’t for the money, I wouldn’t even be doing this.”
They had been summoned by the King of the East Blue to prepare the Germa prince for the marriage. The old king held them in high regard and wanted them to educate the prince. They had a debt to pay off along with past-due rent. Very past-due rent. Their king never paid them much, and it was harder to live. At least they both had jobs in the royal government. The king was usually stingy with money, but when Zoro heard the amount he was willing to pay them, he immediately took the job with Luffy.
“I was just getting bored where I was,” Luffy said. “I’ve fought and sparred with everyone but none of them were any good!”
Zoro smiled softly at that. Luffy was a very strong beta who didn’t boast about his strength, power, and skill. Luffy always let his actions speak for themselves. Zoro closed his eye for one moment before Luffy planted himself in his lap. Luffy’s legs straddled his waist and he wrapped his arms around Zoro’s neck. He planted a kiss on Zoro’s lips.
“I hope we get some alone time while we’re here,” Luffy said after the kiss.
“I’m sure we will,” Zoro replied. “Now get off before you fall. This is the bumpiest road I think I’ve ever been on.”
Luffy grinned and chuckled, sliding from Zoro’s lap and taking a seat. “I wonder if we’re almost there? I’m getting bored,”
Zoro knew a bored Luffy was a troublesome, annoying Luffy. He offered to play cards with Luffy, who happily agreed. After a few different games, they felt the carriage come to a stop. Luffy pressed his face against the glass again. He told Zoro that he could see a big house. The footman opened the carriage door for them and Luffy quickly jumped out, smiling and stretching. Zoro stepped down after him and looked at the house.
It was very large for a home, almost as big as the king’s castle back home. It had a steeply pitched roof with multiple overlapping, front-facing gables. Most of it was beige stone with half-timber framing throughout its exterior. It was shaped like a huge rectangle with multiple windows and four columns at the entrance. The courtyard was spacious and well-maintained with hedges, shrubbery, and a fountain. To Zoro, the size of the three-story house looked as if he could fit twenty of his and Luffy’s home into it. Luffy tried to run ahead but Zoro gripped him by the back of his shirt.
“Stay here. Don’t go running off,” Zoro told him.
A well-dressed man came out from the large duel doors and approached them. He introduced himself as the head of the household servants and told the pair to follow him. Luffy tried to race ahead again but Zoro stopped him, pulling him back to walk alongside him. They entered the huge house and first noticed the marble flooring in the entryway. A large set of red carpeted steps stood in the middle of the room. Luffy imagined himself sliding down the long stairway railing. But with the size of this house, chances are that Zoro would get lost. The swordsman had no sense of direction, so Luffy would have to help him until Zoro learned his way around.
They were taken to the grand hall where the King of Germa sat on a dais with all five of his children. They didn’t know which one was Prince Sanji. The head servant announced their names and then took a few steps back. Zoro gave his head a quick bow and Luffy just stood there, seemingly zoning out.
Sanji looked at the pair who were to be companions and tutors. His gaze first went to the one with green hair named Zoro. Zoro was missing his left eye and had a large scar running the length of his torso. His traveling attire consisted of a regular brown open-necked tunic with a thick belt around his waist and dark green pants tucked into black boots. On his left hand side rested three swords, a type he has never seen before. Zoro was the alpha of the pair, and Sanji felt a little twinge of desire. The other one named Luffy was dressed almost the same as Zoro but with a thin belt, black pants, and brown boots. He didn’t feel the same twinge he felt with Zoro, but that could be because Zoro is an alpha and Luffy is a beta. But Luffy had dark brown hair underneath a straw hat and friendly eyes, wearing a smile. Luffy’s joyful expression made him feel a small sense of happiness.
“Welcome to our home,” Judge began. “You will be treated as guests with your own quarters and free range of the manor and its grounds. Your things will be brought to your rooms for you.” Judge then told all his children, except Sanji, to leave the room. The brothers and their sister left and Judge waited to make sure they weren’t eavesdropping. “This is Sanji,”
“Hi Sanji!” Luffy said merrily. “I’m Luffy!”
“I’m Zoro,” he stated flatly and calmly.
“I’m sure your king briefed you about your duties here?”
Zoro nodded. “Yeah, we know.”
“When are we going to eat? I’m starving!” said Luffy.
Zoro gave Luffy a smack on the back, silently scolding him. Sanji tried not to chuckle and Judge became annoyed.
“Let me explain a few things,” Judge started. “While you are guests here, there are still some restrictions.” He pointed at Zoro. “You’re an alpha, but you cannot take any of my omegas residing here. You want omegas, then visit a brothel in the city. That goes for both of you, but to you more,” he pointed to Zoro again. “And it’s important that you do not touch or disrespect Sanji in any way. You are his tutors and nothing else. Sanji’s omega virginity needs to be intact for his wedding night. Make sure he doesn’t try to defile himself to get out of this arrangement. If he proves to be too rebellious or stubborn, you can let me know and I will deal with him. Sanji is finally going to be of use to the family, and I don’t want any part of him sullied. I have written permission from your king that I can punish you in any way I see fit should something happen between you two and Sanji. Do I make myself clear?”
Zoro said he understood and never bothered with omegas. Sanji was attractive, but he was still an omega as well as a prince. Both he and Luffy are commoners who rose to higher ranks based on their skills alone. Judge Vinsmoke did have reason to warn them about keeping Sanji pure. Zoro would be working alongside Sanji and not only as a tutor but as a guard as well. The same went for Luffy. They had talked about it on the carriage ride. He would have to keep Luffy from getting into trouble while they were spending the winter here.
Luffy listened to everything the king said but found most of it stupid and zoned out halfway through. He was too hungry to be bothered with what the king had to say. He would hear more about it from Zoro. Luffy did keep his eyes on Sanji, though. The man was tall, about the same height as Zoro, with blonde hair and curly brows. While Sanji was handsome, his face was in a scowl. Luffy figured that Sanji didn’t want any of this, but he and Zoro would follow through with their instructions anyway. In time, Luffy was certain they would become friends.
“I’ll leave you both to get settled in, then I will have a meal served for you both,” said Judge. “Sanji’s education starts tomorrow.”
“Alright! I can’t wait to eat!” said Luffy.
The Master of the Servants came when Judge called for him and he guided the two out of the grand hall. Luffy walked closely with the man and Zoro stayed a few steps behind. They climbed three sets of stairs and reached the third floor. The hallway was long with a handful of doors. The Master of Servants went to the first door and opened it.
“This will be Alpha Zoro’s room,” he said.
Zoro walked inside and looked around the spacious room. It was twice as big as his room back home. There was a full-size bed with crisp white sheets and fluffy pillows. There was a table with chairs, a fireplace, a window, and a sofa. Zoro could live here and be content.
“Beta Luffy, this is your room,” the room was identical to Zoro’s, only the bed was on the other side.
“Awesome! A huge bed!” Luffy ran to it, kicking his boots off so he could bounce on the mattress.
The Master of Servants looked concerned at Luffy jumping on the bed, but Zoro’s strong hand landed on his shoulder.
“Don’t worry, he’ll tire himself out eventually,” Zoro told him.
“Oh…yes. Of course. Your things are on their way, please take to resting and relaxing,” he said while his eyes were following Luffy’s bouncing form. “Um…”
“Trust me, this is only a quarter of his energy,” Zoro said. “Luffy! Stop jumping on the bed!”
“But it’s so soft and bouncy! Join me, Zoro!”
“No thanks. I’m fine over here.”
“I’ll just…leave you both to get settled,” the Master of Servants hurried off.
Zoro looked at Luffy, who had stopped jumping. “Are you happy now? You upset that guy,”
“Eh, he’ll get over it,” Luffy laid back on the bed and rolled around. “It’s so soft! I could fall asleep right now!”
“Well don’t. Remember, we also have food coming,”
“Oh yeah! That’s right! Foooood!” his stomach growled loudly and he dramatically fell back on the bed. “I’m so hungry! I’m going to starve to death!”
Zoro finally approached the bed. “It really does look soft,” he thought about their old mattress back home that had some broken springs in it. Sometimes, he’d wake up with back pain from one of the springs. Whenever they had sex, the act was more…bouncy and noisy. Zoro then placed his hand on the bed and pushed down. It was so soft! He removed the swords from his waist and flopped onto the bed as well.
“We’re going to have a comfortable winter here.” Zoro stated, his face muffled in the bed.
Luffy rolled over and laid on top of him, resting his chin on Zoro’s head. “I think I’m going to like it here. I hope we can become friends with Sanji,”
Zoro turned his head so it wasn’t muffled by the bed anymore. “I’m not expecting too much. He’s a prince, and they’re usually snobbish and cold. Entitled bastards who look down on other people for being poor or different. If we didn’t need the money, I wouldn’t have agreed to take this job.”
“You’ve said that already,” Luffy said. “You really don’t like royals much, huh?”
“I’ll do my best to pretend. But did you see Curly Brow’s scowl? He looks like a real pain in the ass,”
Luffy chuckled and hugged Zoro’s head. “I’m sure he’s not that bad.”
“I guess we’ll see,”
///
Judge looked over at Sanji who was just standing there with his back turned and arms crossed. He didn’t care for the men the East Blue King sent to him. One was too proud and the other too loud. He might have to set more ground rules in the days to come.
“Sanji,”
“What?”
“Don’t disappoint me. Learn everything you can and more. You’ve always been nothing but a failure in everything you do. DON’T mess this up for us.”
Sanji couldn’t take any more of his father’s insults and voice, so he left the hall. He was on the way to his chambers when he suddenly tripped. He landed on the floor and used his hands to keep from hitting his face. He looked up and saw Niji grinning at him.
“Watch where you’re going, loser. You stepped on my foot.”
“You tripped me on purpose!” Sanji got up from the floor. “Leave me alone, Niji!” He frowned heavily when he saw his other two brothers appear.
“So, how did the meeting with those two guys go?” Asked Ichiji.
“It went fine,” Sanji said harshly. “I’m going to my room. Go talk to dad if you want to know more,” Yonji stood in his way. “Back off, Yonji,” Sanji warned.
“It’s nice to know that we get to pick our own omegas,” Ichiji said with a smirk. “You got an alpha assigned to you. An old, crippled man who smells of rotting fish and dead rats on a hot day.”
“That would fit right in with your nasty omega smell!” added Niji.
Yonji laughed and added, “We’ve already taken bets on your offspring being an omega failure like you!”
“If you can even have offspring, that is,” Ichiji said. “I wouldn’t be surprised if you failed in that, too.”
“For the last time, get out of my way! Find something else to do!”
“Make sure to give us all the details of what being fucked by an old cock feels like! We’ll get hot pieces of ass!” Niji said and he laughed along with his brothers.
He roughly pushed past Yonji and they didn’t follow him, of which he was grateful. His stupid marriage will only be a new ongoing joke for his brothers to pester him with. Sanji got to his room and flopped on the bed. His ‘schooling’ begins tomorrow. It was already getting dark and he wasn’t hungry.
Sanji decided to take a bath after thinking about the smelly old man and his brothers. He turned the water on and let the claw foot tub fill up. He poured some lavender oil into the running water and then inhaled its relaxing aroma. He stripped naked and got into the warm water, laying back and letting out a long, low sigh. Sanji relished in the silence of his room. But he wouldn’t be alone for long.
He heard his door open and waited to see who it was. He heard Reiju call his name, and he called out to her. She had a faint smile on her lips as she took a seat on the side of the tub.
“What do you want, Reiju?” Sanji asked, a little annoyed now that his quiet time was interrupted.
“I just want to say a few things that I couldn’t in front of the others,”
“Like what?”
“Like how mother would be very proud of you, omega or not. I know you don’t want this marriage, and I don’t blame you at all. If I had power over our father I would do my best to not let it happen. But that’s not how things are. You may think I don’t understand, but I do, in some ways. I may be an alpha female, but I’m still a woman, which makes my worth less than that of an alpha man. Our brothers are celebrated more than the both of us.”
“I never saw you that way,” Sanji told her. “I never looked at you any different from the rest of us,”
She smiled. “Hm. That’s because you’re just like mom. Let me offer some advice, Sanji. These two men who are supposed to educate you…make friends with them.”
“What if I don’t like them?”
“Then you’ll just have to do your best. But don’t you want friends with you when you go to the East Blue Kingdom? You won’t know anyone in that realm.”
Sanji thought about it and knew that Reiju was right. Zoro and Luffy looked like opposites of each other. Zoro seemed stoic and cold while Luffy was bubbly and friendly.
“You’re probably right,” Sanji said, sinking further into the tub.
“And I can’t wait to be an aunt,” she said with a teasing little tone.
Sanji narrowed his eyes at her. “I don’t want my child to be a part of this family. They will stay in the East Blue Kingdom where our father and brothers can’t get to them. I’m not going to have their life belittled like mine if they turn out to be an omega. The stupid king likely wants a boy. I hope to have a girl, at least that way I can protect her from them. They won’t be interested in her because she’s a girl, even less so if she presents as omega.” Sanji didn’t think he wanted children at all, but he knew it was his ‘duty’ as a royal omega. There was no escaping it. But no child should have to suffer like he suffered.
“Well, I hope you change your mind about children,” she said softly. “I’ll leave you to your bath now. I just wanted to share that with you. Make friends. You deserve friends, Sanji.” Then she left.
Sanji slipped further in the water until his head was submerged. He stayed like that for a few moments, then came back up. He washed his hair, rinsed it, and got out of the tub. He dried off and threw on his robe, finally feeling a little less stressed. Sanji flopped down on the bed in his robe and just stared ahead, wondering how his life could keep changing like this. Nothing was getting easier.
TBC