[ sanji & jae-ha have dinner dates ]

[alttitude]

i'll put something pretty and gay here later!!

Comments

[alttitude]

I plan on it. I even spoke to the dear Rebecca, since they're partners, with the intention of having someone else to look after her. [Because Jae-ha is thoughtful, even when he knows he has to stay away.] .... I actually don't know how effective that'll be.

[Rebecca is nice.

She's also ver self-centered.

On that note:]

A gentleman doesn't kiss and tell but I wouldn't be surprised if she's one of the ladies who made advances on you either.

[is it

better or worse

than kissing and telling if he's just calling sanji out]

[concasse]

[... I mean.

This face.






He got so called out]

O-oi, how is that your business?! How the fuck did you even figure it out?!

[alttitude]

She talks a lot.

[and jae-ha listens

really well

including being able to slowly figure out which ladies are probably the ones who threw themselves at sanji]

Was Monika another then? If she claims to be in love with you.

[this is truly fucking gossip hour now]

[concasse]

[...]

I told Monika-chan that I have a fiance, so she... apologized.

[alttitude]

..... you have a what.

[TOPIC CHANGE]

[concasse]

A fiance?

[??? Why is he getting this look]

[alttitude]

I thought you were purposefully lonely like the rest of us!!

[concasse]

Well.

Surprise.

[he is not the disaster you thought he was!]

[alttitude]

Fine, hot shot.

What's she like?

[concasse]

Pudding-chan?

[Finally turning back to his cooking, now that they're done discussing Jae-Ha and what a hot mess he is.]

Well... she's pretty, of course. Long, wave hair; big brown eyes; the most beautiful smile.

She loves to bake. Nearly taught me a thing or two when we first met.

[alttitude]

[Jae-ha listens, tilting his head. He's apparently down to follow this topic change wherever it goes.]

Oh? Did you enjoy the challenge?

[concasse]

But of course. I wouldn't be half the chef I am if there weren't people willing to share their knowledge with me. She was quite gracious about kicking my ass, too.

[alttitude]

That's always a wonderful trait in a woman.

How did you meet?

[concasse]

On an island.

[A shrug]

Pudding-chan's actually a high profile lady, so I was surprised she had any interest in me, to be honest.

[alttitude]

[ . . . . ]

I'm surprised too -

But for different reasons.

[Ones he might elaborate on in a second.]

Was it arranged?

[concasse]

I'm a pirate chef.

The fuck would I have an arranged marriage for?

[alttitude]

[And Jae-ha's answer is quick:]

If it wasn't then I can't imagine why you'd be marrying someone you have so little passion for.

[concasse]

[... Brows knitting, not that Jae-Ha can see when he's turned to the stove]

The hell are you on about? Pudding-chan's perfect in every way! She even cooks like I do.

[...]

I love her. The only thing I can do is make her the happiest woman alive.

[alttitude]

[ . . . ]

Anyway, what is it?

Blackmail? Convenience? Overbearing families? A childhood promise that you forgot?

[concasse]

[snarling]

Drop it.

[alttitude]

[ . . . hm.]

Consider it dropped.

[Though.

He will just fall into silence for a moment, thoughtful.]

[concasse]

[For a while, Sanji doesn't speak a word.

But when he does, his tone has quieted, neutral]

You wouldn't haven known, but it's not a shitty topic on the table for conversation.

[alttitude]

... if you're unhappy about it, you don't have to shoulder it alone.

[It's important for Jae-ha to say, he thinks. He's clearly hit a nerve, and he's thoughtful about it, trying to figure out what it means, even if Sanji doesn't care to actually discuss it.

But he has no intention of prying further and so he backtracks all the way around - ]

If you could keep an eye on Cardia when you could, I'd appreciate it.

[concasse]

... Of course I'll look after her.

[He's fond of her too, after all, his tone seems to say.

-- At no point does he bring up his fiance again]

[alttitude]

Then that'll help.

[And Jae-ha is happy to move on, if that's what gets Sanji to chill out again.]

... I'm fond of her, but it's an unfortunate thing. I can't bring myself to let anyone agree to a romantic relationship with me.

[He'd mentioned this to Sanji before - when they were drinking, before Jae-ha deterred the subject with an excuse of the late hour.]