Week 2, Saturday Post-Trial - Sanji

[fragileprophet]

[For the most part, Ion's spending his evening sequestered in his lonely, partner-less room. But if Sanji goes to look for him, he won't have to search far. He'll catch a glimpse of the boy in the kitchen, searching through the cupboards with an obvious sense of purpose.]

Comments

this was a deliberate strike against my life

[concasse]

[...]

Yeah.

[Still smiling like everything's fine, Sanji tugs Ion close, wrapping his arms around the boy's shoulders]

I know you can do it.

SAME THOUGH

[fragileprophet]

[Everything is supposed to be okay right now. But the illusion shatters as Sanji holds him, and Ion instinctively grasps onto his front, his small hands holding on fiercely as he sobs and shakes, hiding his face.

I’m so scared.

Please, help.

I’m not okay with any of these things.

But it isn’t fair to let these thoughts out of their cage, so he holds them staunchly inside.

In just a moment, he’ll be Fon Master Ion once more.]

[concasse]

[As if he can't hear a child's pleas through a hug.

And his heart breaks behind his ribs because of it, Sanji forced to remain silent as Ion cries out his fears and frustrations. He tucks his chin over the other's hair and just. stares out for a while, noting the tears on his own face and doing nothing to wipe them.

Zeff always told him men don't cry. It's one of the things they always disagreed on.

Only when Ion's tears seem to start receding does Sanji pat him on the back, once. Twice.]

Oi, c'mon.

He's waiting for ya.

[fragileprophet]

Right.

[Ion takes a deep breath. His fingers loosen their hold. He wipes his face. And taking a step back again, he's smiling. It's an exhausted, resigned sort of thing--his mask of composure having slipped so far, but it's the best he can manage in the moment, with his cheeks so red and his eyes puffy.]

I'll bring him the coffee first, while it's still hot.

[He only has so many hands, after all. He plans on spending the rest of the night down there, so there's time.]

Thank you, again. I hope I can learn something else another time, too!

[It's a much nicer way of saying he hopes that he'll be alive after tomorrow to have the chance.]