it's a long way forward

[leggie]

[It's been days since he left that village behind, and he hasn't had nearly enough time to stop and rest. Every village or town he's run across has chased him off for falling out of the sky, too poor to offer any help of their own and too afraid to attempt to question his state. Desperately, he's kept his presence disguised, hiding from those other colored entities that were part of this destiny he wanted nothing to do with. He slept in trees for a couple hours at a time, moving again before too long when it no longer felt secure enough.

He was running from something he couldn't escape, but each time he tried to find somewhere to go, it wasn't right. Maybe his predecessor was right. Maybe there wasn't anyone who would take him like he is, green leg showing in the spot that his shoes don't cover. Maybe he was too much of a monster.

No. Determined, Jae-Ha urged himself forward despite that worry. No matter where he ended up, or if he had to live alone for the rest of his life, it was better than existing and waiting in that prison of a village. He wouldn't become like his predecessor. He wouldn't wait around to take it out on the next generation.

When he spots a blonde boy crouched near something in a clearing of the woods, Jae-Ha's chest tightens. This could be a chance, couldn't it? He was his age— younger, clearly, but not an adult like all of the ones that have chased him off. And better than that, he was alone. Maybe, just maybe, he could say something to reach him, to get some food other than the occasional bits of bread or fruit he's stolen from carts or nabbed from trees along the way.

His appearance comes in a flash, a green blur dropping out of the sky and right in front of Sanji. He's a mess in his dirtied robes, his face and body still badly beaten from a few days prior, his hair dirty and sticky even tied back, and heavy bags beneath his eyes from the lack of rest. When he drops down to a knee, both to temporarily hide the green of his right foot and to humble himself, it's more of a fall of pure exhaustion.

He doesn't bow his head like you should with a gesture like this, instead staring directly at Sanji with determined eyes.]

Please, let me stay with you, at least for a night. I'll do anything.

[It's about time for a desperate offer like this, isn't it?]

Comments

[lil_eggplant]

[He expects some level of violence for his yelling, because that's just the life Sanji has lived. A move to defend himself leads to a bruise, just like calling to his father for help ends in a sneer. That Jae-Ha does neither and instead offers a hand like he understands--

Sanji would stand there with blank shock written all over his face if Jae-Ha didn't suddenly pitch to the ground like his legs have given out.]

-Jae-Ha?! [Screaming the other boy's name, Sanji throws himself after him, afraid at first to touch him but then even more afraid to leave him there. He pulls until the green-haired boy is forced to lean against him for support, and there are already tears clogging his throat.

His mind echoes in the voice of his sister, calling him a cry-baby. That only spikes his fear]

You said you weren't sick!

[leggie]

[It takes him a moment to come to, even if he hears that worried call of his name. It's muffled, and his mind repeats it to himself a few times over before he forces his eyes open, staring at the smaller boy he's leaning against.]

I'm not. [There he is, even if his voice sounds a little rough.] I'm just really tired. It's been days...

[He'd explain in more detail but that is too much effort to expend. So instead, he shuts his eyes again while he leans against Sanji. It's kind of comfortable. He'd be more worried if he were less exhausted, really.] Let me catch a fish.

[He says, not moving...]

[lil_eggplant]

[Sanji's eyes have teared up to such a point he's desperately trying to blink it back when Jae-Ha clarifies, and that does very little to sooth him. Mother always promised she was just tired, too.

Didn't stop them from putting her in the ground.]

No, you can't move! [Yelled like an order, and Sanji is demanding Jae-Ha follow it] Let me get it! There's food at my house!

[leggie]

[Those big cute eyes shouldn't look so sad, Jae-Ha thinks when he blinks open his own again. Reaching up and behind to Sanji's face, he touches his cheek, as if to reassure him.]

I'll stay put, so can you bring me something? I'll make it up to you, I promise.

[lil_eggplant]

[The touch helps, a little, though at first Sanji almost flinches from the gesture, looking surprised but also soothed once Jae-Ha promises to stay put. And if it's something Sanji can help with, then...]

We've got lots of bread and fruit! [Rice, too, though that might be trickier to sneak out. His face sets with determination as he pulls back, making sure Jae-Ha is comfortable on the ground before standing.]

Just stay here, I'll be back! [Repeating it with added emphasis before the boy takes off in a blur of blond hair and blood red robes. He disappears from sight.

The Vinsmoke mansion isn't too far off if you take the cobbled path over a nearby bridge, except Sanji knows better than to use a route covered with guards. He sneaks in the back way, through a ticket of well-groomed trees that's set near the kitchens. The staff isn't surprised to see him, actually - they're all familiar with their young lord's rebellious streak, his refusal to stay out of the kitchens - but all the more reason why no one is willing to risk their necks helping him.

Sanji grabs fresh bread, fruit, a bowl of rice, and he might as well be invisible for all the attention he gathers.

He hurries back just as quickly to Jae-Ha, his heart beat not settling until he sees that the older boy has kept his promise and is just resting by the creek. Not wanting to startle the other (or simply being too excited by his success to care), Sanji calls out to signal his approach and sets down the bounty once he's close enough]

Here! I didn't know what you like so I got a bunch.

[leggie]

[Jae-Ha pushes himself to sit up slowly, looking more than shocked at the amount of food that Sanji brings back. Immediately, he reaches for the bread, but he hesitates once he pulls it close.]

This is... too much. Are you sure? Is that really okay?

[lil_eggplant]

[He's choosing now of all times to be modest? Jeez. Sanji makes a show of huffing and pointedly shoves an apple at Jae-Ha.] You're my guest! Of course it's okay.

[And if Sanji is playing such a good host, it means this is Jae-Ha's duty to eat and be happy. Another huff, and the younger boy sits down with his legs tucked underneath him]

Go ahead and eat. You can save the rest for later.

[leggie]

[Jae-Ha is quiet as he accepts the apple in one hand, holding the bread in the other. With permission a second time, he eats. It'll be clear soon enough that there won't be anything leftover. Jae-Ha hasn't had enough to eat in days, and he's been jumping so much— he will eat it all eagerly.]

Thank you. [He does manage that after everything, though.]

[lil_eggplant]

[Sanji probably has no business looking this pleased with himself as Jae-Ha eats; it's not as if he made this food himself. It's fresh for the oven, from the gardens, the raw cuisine of nature and the kitchen chefs.]

Next time I'll make you something! [And yet he still blurts out his master plan as he leans forward, all excited smiles.] I'm getting better! I didn't even burn the last thing I made!

[leggie]

Y-you can cook?

[He's a little surprised by the enthusiasm, hence the hesitation. Not only can this kid younger than him cook, but he wants to cook for him? He feels so much better just having eaten, he thinks he could probably last for a few days like this. But this offer...

Is this like having a friend?]

[lil_eggplant]

Yeah! [That fact is a mark of pride, obvious by the way Sanji tilts his head and grins.] Mother let me cook for her once and she loved it.

[It's been three years already, but he can still remember how her wide blue eyes had lit up when he'd given her the bento box, so much that Sanji thought she'd looked so pretty - like a goddess is supposed to be. And she'd eaten everything, too, ignoring how her nurses had insisted she wait and let someone taste test.

One of his fondest memories, and he keeps it locked away save for his smile, watching Jae-Ha eat everything]

[leggie]

I bet I'll love it, too.

[That's a nice expression. Jae-Ha finishes all of the food while thinking so, and once he's done, he casually slips the shoe off of his right foot, revealing the claws and bit of scale as he shifts.

One by one, while crouching here on the ground, he breaks the cuffs of his chains off by stepping on them. Carefully... And then, he slips it right back in the shoe, rubbing wrists that are raw and bloodied from being cut by the metal.]

...How can I make it up to you?

[lil_eggplant]

[Given how upset Jae-Ha had looked when Sanji had discovered his "curse", the blond boy stills in place and tries to hide the worst of his staring, face half-covered behind his knee. Even like this, he catches a peek of claws and scales - the type of stuff that comes out of a story. It also reminds him of the baby lizards that sunbathe by the creek during the summer months, except that doesn't match the excitement of what he's seeing.

So Sanji substitutes "dragon" instead, and finds a worthy fit.

And that's partly why Sanji can't hold back his protests when Jae-Ha steps on himself - you're gonna hurt yourself! - though it's with relief that he watches the broken metal cuffs fall to the ground. Immediately, Jae-Ha appears like any normal boy, albeit a dirty, bleeding one]

I already said; you can't tell Father I was here. [That Jae-Ha would have to leave if anyone caught him is irrelevant. Sanji means it, and his expression sets into a frown]

... And you can't like my brothers more than me.

[leggie]

[As Jae-Ha crouches once more near the water to rinse his wrists, not even wincing at the sting of it, there's the rare sound of a chuckle. It's short, since he doesn't have much chance to laugh at all, but it comes naturally now.

Turning over his shoulder to look at Sanji, he gives his first small smile.]

I already like you the best. [He's the first one to accept him. No one is going to pass that in his eyes.]

[lil_eggplant]

... Really?

[His voice loses its authoritative edge, and the boy returns Jae-Ha's smile with a hesitant stare. He'd-- he'd meant that last part, he'll be super angry if Jae-Ha sides with his brothers, but he thought - y'know, maybe he had to do extra stuff before they could be friends.

This seems so easy. Sanji wonders why it never worked before this]

[leggie]

Mhmm.

[Standing up and shaking his hands dry, he walks back over to Sanji, extending one of his hands to the other to help him up as well. His smile is already gone, but the way he looks at the other boy is clearly soft.]

Even though I have the leg of a monster and dropped out of nowhere, you helped me and were only kind to me. Even when I accidentally disrespected your mother... you forgave me and showed me concern. I won't forget that.

[lil_eggplant]

[Oh... well then. Maybe making friends really is this easy.]

Your leg is cool. [He offers it as compensation and pulls himself to a stand using Jae-Ha's help.] I dunno why no one likes it.

[Seriously, it's such a sticking point in the little boy's mind that he keeps talking, tugging Jae-Ha's hand briefly before turning to walk along the creek] I bet they're jealous they can't fly.

[leggie]

[He thinks it's cool? For a very brief moment, Jae-Ha's cheeks color, and he stares in surprise at the hand that's tugged before following along. He thinks it's cool... But quickly, he's reminded of everything in the village. The suffering he had to put up with, that his predecessor had to put up with, that the townspeople felt they went through... And so many generations of dragons before them, too.]

It's not really that cool. ...But the power is. [He likes being able to fly.] After I get some sleep, I can take you flying with me.

1/2

[lil_eggplant]

[Listen, Sanji's not saying Jae-Ha can't have an opinion on his own leg... but he's wrong, full stop. Dragon legs are always cool, even the cursed ones.

That detail pales in comparison, however, because--]

Really? [Aaaaaaaa he's gonna get to go flying-- That's more excitement than his body can handle, and Sanji reaches back to take Jae-Ha's hand a second time, now with renewed vigor.]

C'mon, you can sleep in my be--

[lil_eggplant]

[... Mm. Slowing his pace, and the look Sanji gives can only be called pitying]

But your clothes are too dirty.

You need new ones.

[leggie]

[He likes all of that energy, the hand grabbing, the excitement... but at the mention of his clothes, he blinks down at himself with a small bit of embarrassment.]

Oh. This was all I had... [They only gave him a new outfit when he grew too big. He plucks at the purple and red of his robes with a quiet frown.] They got worse from the way here. I kept snagging them on trees.

...If I shouldn't dirty your bed, I won't mind sleeping on the ground. That's what I did before.

[lil_eggplant]

You're not sleeping on the floor!

[Is he kidding him? What an insulting option to both himself and his guest. Sanji draws the hard line in the sand immediately and whips his head around to glare at the suggestion]

So we'll get you new ones. [DUH.]

[leggie]

Uh—

[Oh, he's so certain about it. Jae-Ha blinks quickly, his fingers curling more into the hold of their hands.] How?

[How do clothes work in places that aren't in poverty and abusing him...]

[lil_eggplant]

[The sincerity in the question is so startling that Sanji, in all his brattiness, can only stare in subdued surprise. As slow budding as the realization has been, Sanji doubts Jae-Ha is the type to make a mean joke at his expense.

So maybe he means where they'll get the money? That's a fair question, he supposes. If Jae-Ha spent most of his time chained up, the adults probably didn't give him any coin.]

We gotta buy it in the city. But I have to find Reiju first. [At only 8, Sanji is still considered too young to visit the town by himself (so of course he sneaks off at least once a week), and that means he'll have to beg his sister for spending money without making her suspicious.

It won't be easy... but compared to outright stealing or asking Father? Yeah, he'll take Reiju]

[leggie]

Should I hide somewhere while you go? I can't show my leg to anyone, and if your father can't know I'm here, no one should know at all or they might tell him.

[He's paranoid, a little, but cautious!! He doesn't want Sanji in trouble.]