Chapter Text
Sanji poured his coffee, then stirred in sugar and cream. As the dark brown liquid lightened, the rich smell filled his nose. When he lifted the cup, the bittersweet taste washed over his tongue. After swallowing, he sighed through his nose contentedly.
A groan from the doorway caught his attention.
Looking over his shoulder, he grinned at the sight of his disheveled boyfriend leaning against the frame. Ace’s hair was tangled, his clothes wrinkled, and his eyes barely open. Warmth bloomed in Sanji’s chest as Ace shuffled over to the kitchen table. Ace plopped down into the chair and laid his head down on the tabletop.
“You look like you need coffee more than me,” Sanji teased, earning him an acknowledging grunt from Ace. “Too bad caffeine messes with your narcolepsy. But I think I know what will wake you up.”
Sanji put his coffee cup down. Crossing to the fridge, he curled his hand around the handle. He paused to look at Ace, then opened the fridge door.
The sound of the door opening had Ace jerking his head up in an instant.
“Boyfriend’s gonna cook?” Ace asked, eyes pinned on Sanji.
Sanji chuckled and nodded. “Boyfriend’s gonna cook.”
Ace pumped a fist in the air. “Yesss…”
Then he sat up straight, watching Sanji expectantly.
Sanji brought out a carton of eggs. “How does raspberry pancakes, turkey sausage, some scrambled eggs, and orange juice sound?”
Ace licked his lips, drool already starting to pool in the corners of his mouth. “Sounds delicious, Blondie!”
“Then I’d better get started!” Sanji chuckled. He made a few trips between the fridge and counter to get all the ingredients. When the pancake batter started to cook in the pan, Ace’s stomach growled. “Looks like your appetite is awake, too?”
Ace patted his stomach. “Babe, I can always eat!”
“Don’t I know it?” Sanji giggled, then sighed. “Well, today is special for you because I don’t usually have time to cook a full breakfast for you. I’m out the door and headed for work before you even wake up.”
“But I love those little containers you leave in the fridge for me to eat when I wake up,” Ace said, gesturing with his hands to mimic a box shape. “They heat up really well! Tastes as good as fresh!”
Sanji clicked his tongue. “Reheated food is better when it’s done on the stove. The microwave sucks out all the flavor.”
Ace snorted. “Do you really want me using the stove without you here? Me? A walking fire hazard?”
“Good point.” Sanji laughed. “At least you make use of the microwave Patty and Carne got us for Christmas. Those shitheads only got it because they know how much I dislike using microwaves.”
“Well, you grew up around them, so they know how to get under your skin pretty easily,” Ace said. He rested his elbows on the tabletop, then propped his head up on his hands. “At least your old man doesn’t give you gag gifts. I bet that would drive you nuts, huh?”
“Zeff’s too serious for pranks,” Sanji replied, flipping a pancake. “That old geezer would rather focus on getting shit done. Can’t say I blame him. He had to raise a little brat like me and run a restaurant after losing his leg.”
“I can’t imagine how hard that was. But I’d say he did a great job; I think you turned out amazing!”
Sanji flushed, smiling as he finished stacking fresh pancakes. “Shut up, idiot.”
“You know you love me!”
“Yeah, I do.”
Sanji put the used pan on the back burner and then pulled out a clean one. After dripping oil into the pan, he put the heat on low. Ace watched him flit around the kitchen as he grabbed a cup from the cabinets, and then a pitcher from the fridge. Sanji paused by the table to pour Ace a glass of orange juice.
“Thanks, babe,” Ace said before taking his cup. “This is really nice - having you here so early, I mean.”
“I know what you mean.” Sanji put the pitcher down in the center of the table. “I wanna be pissed at my old man for giving me the day before Valentine’s Day off, but I can’t. Not when it gives me time with you.”
“Aww,” Ace cooed. “You’re adorable!”
“Oh, shut it.”
“Why did he give you the day off, anyway?” Ace asked, taking a sip. “I’m not an expert on running a restaurant, but I’d think he would want the extra help to get ready for tomorrow’s rush?”
Sanji rolled his eyes. “He wants to force me to have a life outside of work! And I do have a life! He just still thinks of me like a little brat that he has to be responsible for.”
Ace shrugged. “Dads are just like that, y’know? My old man still babies me sometimes.”
Sanji sent him a smirk. “Your dad is a mob boss and also parents like, hundreds of other adults. I don’t think Whitebeard is a good example of a ‘normal’ dad.”
“True, but still!” Ace laughed. “It’s in a dad’s nature to look out for their kids, no matter how old they get. Or at least, that’s what Pops tells me.”
“Well, it’s not like I can just show up at work without getting kicked out for coming in on my off day,” Sanji said, leaning in. He kissed Ace on the cheek, then returned to the stove. “My shitty old geezer will get his way for today. Guess I’d better find something to do with my day.”
The pan on it was sizzling by now; ready for the eggs that Sanji cracked over it. He mixed in some milk, water, and spices with a wooden spoon. Ace’s stomach gave another growl as the savory smell filled the kitchen. Next, the turkey sausage was cooked and neatly laid onto a plate. Sanji tucked a few spoonfuls of scrambled eggs beside it. The pancakes took up the majority of the plate and he drizzled syrup over it in a zig-zag motion.
“Done!” Sanji announced, carrying the plate across the room. “Bon appetit, Hotshot.”
The moment the plate touched the table, Ace began to dig into his meal. He scarfed it down without grace, leaving bits of scrambled egg sticking to the corners of his mouth. Sanji brought his cup of coffee to the table and sat beside his boyfriend. He smiled into his drink at Ace’s enthusiasm. Warmth bubbled up inside his chest like it did every time his food was enjoyed by someone else.
When his plate was cleared, Ace licked it clean. Then he set it back down and said, “Seconds?”
Sanji chuckled and got to his feet. “Naturally.”
He reached into his pocket and pulled out his lighter and a cigarette. After lighting it, he inhaled deeply, then exhaled a puff of smoke. With the cigarette dangling between his lips, he grabbed Ace’s plate.
As he piled it high with more food, Ace leaned back in his chair. He brought his cup of juice up to his lips and said, “Y’know, if you don’t know what else to do today, we could just have sex.”
Sanji paused. Pink erupted over his cheeks and his heart beat a little faster. The pancake on his spatula slipped off, plopping onto the plate with an audible sound. He looked over his shoulder. Ace was staring at him, stopping mid-sip to lock eyes with him.
A grin broke out on Sanji’s lips. “Help me with the dishes and you have a deal, Hotshot.”