[ sanji & jae-ha have dinner dates ]

[alttitude]

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

Comments

[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.]

[concasse]

[Given his current mood, Sanji almost doesn't want to ask what Jae-Ha means.

... But he supposes it'd look damning if he didn't. So.]

... You got shit going on back home, I take it?

[alttitude]

Not in the same vein as you - so don't be so stubborn. We're talking about me now.

[god sanji!!!]

Loosen up, I don't like this face of yours very much.

[concasse]

... You don't need to talk about yourself just to save my feelings, you know.

[alttitude]

Then shall I keep this tidbit shrouded in secrecy forever? Lost from this moment forward from between the two of us?

[concasse]

[ROLLING HIS EYES.]

Shit, fine, just spit it out!

[alttitude]

Well, you shouldn't aim for any romantic entanglements when you know you'll die in five years.

[sanji said to spit it out

so]

[concasse]

[Yeah Jae-Ha sure did.]

-- What do you mean "you know"? Are you sick?

[alttitude]

It comes with being a dragon.

[Well, that's a suitable distraction away from the awkward air that remained earlier. Jae-ha thinks that it's a little uncomfortable that he had to bare a part of his soul for it but - he supposes that it's fine. He wanted to tell Sanji this anyway. He shuts his eyes.]

The Dragon Warriors - a new one will be born in every village, so that there will always be someone available to serve the King when he returns. It's more of a curse, than a blessing... a least from my experience. But typically two to four years after the new dragon is born, the former dragon dies.

On average, dragons don't live to 30. [And he tilts his head.] I'm 25.