hollower | Appointments

[Guess that's the best answer he can hope for: approval, however ambiguous it might seem. Well, he's a patient guy. Sanji looks on pleasantly, deciding that if nothing else, having dinner with her this one time isn't so bad. No need to overthink it.

That thought in mind, he abandons his self-doubt for the day and enjoys the rest of the meal with gusto, idle chatter crowding the table as they finish their meal. And once finished, Sanji scoots up from his chair before Perona latches onto the chance. He grabs his plate and hers]

Here, let me wash 'em. It's the least the guest can do after enjoying Perona-chan's angelic hospitality~!

[He beat her to it. Oi. At first, Perona makes a face, then sighs and nods her head with a resigned smile. He really can't sit still, can he? It's a little frustrating when she'd like to be the one to pamper him once in a while - he certainly deserves it after all the kind things he's done for her - but she'll let him have his way this once.

Kind of.]

You wash, I dry. [And don't you dare argue. She's already pushing her seat back and standing up.]

[Doh-- He grins over his shoulder like he's offering her an apology for acting like a fidgety ten-year-old.]

Yeeeeeees~! [But really, is he going to turn down her standing next to him while they perform domestic, household chores? B| Hell no. If he were less aware of the shit coming out of his mouth, he'd probably preen about the unspoken romance of such an act - washing dishes with your sweetheart.

My god, it's hard holding himself back.]

Next time it'll be my turn to treat Perona-chwan~! [He hands her rinsed dish] Maybe by the sea -- or at the hot springs~!

[Perona didn't exactly think about the novelty of what they were doing until she was standing beside the chef, being offered a dish and wiping it dry calmly. Wow, this is actually rather relaxing...and very, very cute. F-Friends can do this together, right? They can have dinner together and wash the dishes afterward side by side, right? It's fine...it's fine!

Her fingers brush against the back of Sanji's hand when he offers another dish, too long in her musing, but Perona blinks and snaps out of it quickly. Oh my, she's really got to stop that. He might start thinking she's crazy or something, or not interested in his company.]

Eh...d-dinner by the sea? [O-Oh my ahchvgd that's kind of really romantic, isn't it?! Perona huffs and turns quickly to put the dry dishes back into the cupboards.] It you really think it's necessary, then I won't stop you! I haven't been to the sea here in a long time...

[Is that a wistful, kind of gloomy sigh? Yes, yes it is. God, she misses the Grand Line.]

Of course it's necessary~! Only the very best for Perona-chan~! [The more he dwells on the idea, the more set he becomes. He could pull it off, no problem. And maybe they could make an afternoon of it too.

Though the real question would be can he keep it rated PG for their entire dinner? Shit, it seems ever since she kissed him, Sanji has found himself examining every aspect of his actions and how they can be interpreted. It's exhausting work.

He pulls himself out of his thoughts long enough to catch the tail-end of that sigh, and blinks down at her with curiosity. That's a sigh he's familiar with, in his own way, and a smile forms on his face]

Why not? It doesn't take any time to reach it.

[He turns back to the dish in his hand, watching the suds dry and dull] I can't stand to stay away from it longer than a week.

[Ah, he really does spoil her. Perona doesn't mind, but she still wishes she could give back half as much as Sanji puts into to making her happy. It doesn't seem very fair now, does it? She never used to care about things like that, she'd always just take and take, but now that she's grows a little (or a lot) closer to him, Sanji really does deserve to be rewarded sometimes.

And the more he goes on about it, the harder it is for her to find a reason not to accept. It'd just be a friendly dinner like this was! M-Maybe.]

It's been too cold these months, and with everything that happens here, I haven't had the time, really. Or my plans get ruined. ...But I would like to spend time with you there, if you'll have me, Mr. Cook, thank you. Oh, and for coming here, too.

[Sanji slowly nods along to her words. Yes, the shitty cold would be a reasonable deterrent (being born in North Blue doesn't mean he loves the stuff).]

In that case, would you rather wait until shitty spring gets here? [He hurries up and cleans the next dish before presenting it to her, that smile from before sharpening into a pleased grin.]

Maaah, you don't have to thank me for that! I already told you how I wanted to see you.

[They're really going to have that beach-side dinner, aren't they? He's not kidding. Perona can't help the breathy chuckle that shakes her shoulders and can't look at Sanji for fear he's see the color on her face. He's just...ugh. She can't stand how good he is. Stupid man. ♥]

Whatever you'd prefer. [She takes the dish after another moment, and begins drying it clean, fighting off the urge to want to lean closer against Sanji's side and possibly give him a kiss on the cheek. That's much too much if she wants to keep their relationship friendly only. B-But a hug...maybe she can get away with a hug later?] You spoil me too much! I'm starting to feel guilty that I can't return the gesture, or that I just take it without anything in return! ...I don't like having to to do that.

[She usually just likes taking things from people, but it's different when it's him.]

[Yes, yes they are. There will be beach shenanigans, so help him. He's already got half the evening plotted out in his head, too.

That said, those are words Sanji never thought he'd hear uttered from this particular girl, and when he turns, he comes dangerously close to asking her why, when he's obviously more than willing to kiss the ground she walks on. He's met women who take advantage of this fact, or outright reject it, but never someone who wishes they could return the favor.

... Except he knows the reason why; it's the same reason he dots on ladies in the first place - because he cares.]

But wouldn't you say treating me to dinner is returning the gesture? [He smiles, offering his statement like a truce]

[Good lord, man, you're kind of giving her mixed signals here. 8| But at least she'll enjoy it to the extreme.

Perona frowns, more a pout really, and crosses her arms over her chest. That seems like a bittersweet deal, but she'll accept it. There's really no changing his mind that she can see, so she may as well. It's hard enough just to get the crazy cook to sit still and let himself be waited on and pampered a little, so she'll just give in this one time. But goodness, he's killing her here.]

Mmhhm...fine. You're very difficult, you know. [And she's kick you for it, but you're too darn nice and she loves you. BT]

... Am I that bad? [A little frustrating at times, that he can live with, especially if the subject up for debate is enthusiastic pampering. Being called "very difficult" is another matter.

Beware Perona, he's not adverse to pulling out some of his puppy expressions.]

You are! [Yes, she's exaggerating, but this is a serious issue! She loves being pampered, yes she does so very much, but it's a little strange now, to be doted on, when she wants to return just as much love and care that Sanji gives to her almost daily. It feels unfair of her to just take his affections and not give back.]

Let yourself be selfish, and stop catering to me once in a while! ...Even if it is nice being waited on by you... Eh--but! It's still exhausting just watching you twirl about sometimes!

[HUFF.] Next time you're not allowed to lift a finger, do you hear me?! Not one! And no complaints!

[It's like she's speaking words but they don't make sense by the time they reach Sanji's ears. Haha, not allowed to lift a finger?

The fuck does that even mean?

He nods swiftly only because it's clear this is important to her, and a lack of comprehension won't snuff out his inclination to keep Perona happy. Not lift a finger. Right. He can... do that. Sit still and let her do the work. That's not going against his nature if it's a request!]

...

So I shouldn't do the dishes either?

[8D;; Defensively holding a plate in front of his chest, just in case that question unleashes an unholy amount of rage]

[...Really?]

[Really?]

[Wordlessly, Perona snatches away the plate-shield combo Sanji was holding and glowers at him, unimpressed and unamused. Another second later and her arm is extended outwards, pointing to the chair he was sitting in previously.

No more dishes for you, chef, you're getting a time out.]

[if he had a tail, it would be drooped and caught between his legs in shame, but Sanji does a marvelous impression of a chastised dog anyway. He trudges over, defeated, to the chair.

;; Fine, he didn't want to do your shitty dishes anyway. Except he did. And now he can't. Weh.]

[Perona watches him go, her frown forming into a pout - because he looks awfully cute and sad like that d'aaaww...like a puppy, the poor thing - but huffs and turns right around to finish up her work. No! Not falling for it! Not this time is she going to be suckered in by your adorable sad faces and wibbly eyes and stuff!

SCRUB SCRUB.]

Insufferable man...you're as bad as that vegetable sometimes. [OH, BURN.]

[Perona, those are words liable to send a chef into a meltdown.]

As bad as the shithead?! [He visibly balks, then tucks his legs close to his body, pouting in an upright fetal position. Insult his pride, insult his cooking, but comparing him to Zoro?

That is below the belt. ;A; HE MISJUDGED YOU, LIGHT OF HIS LIFE.] Perona-chan, no one's as bad as him!

[Okay, yeah, it's taking a lot of effort not to laugh and tease him right now. That reaction was hilarious, and the more sadistic side of Perona - the side that just delights in bringing people down to their very lowest point - wants to continue on this route, but she just can't bring herself to. Sanji's too sweet, and too cute.]

Mmhhn...yes, you are right. No one could possibly be as bad at him. And you are much, much cuter. You're just troublesome sometimes, too. [Putting away the now clean and dry dishes, she leans against her countertop with her arms crossed, a smirk on her lips.] But it's fun having you around! So thank you for coming here, Mr. Cook, I enjoyed myself.

[She's just going to keep casually referring to him as cute, isn't she? Though Sanji is far from embarrassed in this case, when he's coming out on top of the idiot swordsman. His head perks up a bit, invisible tail giving a brisk waggle. He will take whatever victories he can.]

Awaaaaah, it's so good to hear that Perona-chwan's enjoyed me~! [Er, that's... not exactly what she said, chef]

Does this mean I have permission to come by again~?

[Shush, you love it. B| And it's like she can actually see that so-called invisible tail the chef sports, because Perona giggles when his emotions do a visible 360. She's half tempted to pet and ruffles his hair, much like she would her darling Cerberus. He really is rather cute, especially when he acts like a sweet, adorable, little puppy.]

Mmm... [She hums thoughtfully, pushing her hair behind her shoulders and taking her time to answer, just to make him sweat a little.] I suppose that would be nice. You can come over whenever you like, Mr. Cook.

[Hey now, he doesn't sweat at all! Not... too much. >> Though it does cross his mind Perona might prefer they resist spending too much time in each other's company, lest they drive straight into awkward town again. And that he would certainly respect.

Still, cue a moment of relief when he's granted permission. He sets his feet back on the floor, leans against the table his chin propped against one of his hands, and favors the woman with a wide, honest smile.]

Well then, I'll look forward to it.

[It's difficult for Perona to really let go of the things and people she care for deeply. It always has been, and Sanji's certainly become more than just a friend to her, no matter how hard she'll try to deny it. She wants him close by, even if he makes her so flustered and twitchy and nervous, Perona just can't help it. But she gave him the choice - he can come if he wants, when he wants. She won't turn him away.

...Especially not when he looks like that. UGH. Nearly choking, the poor woman turns around and covers her mouth with both her hands to quiet her giggles and...well, she's doing a wonderful impression of Sanji himself, wiggling like a jellyfish. That smile! That smile is adorable! He's so cuuute! Too cute! Ugh! She can't handle it!]

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