Chapter Text
Sanji dragged on his cigarette and squinted through the galley window. Morning sun, calm sea and the seagulls making their usual racket.
Good.
After last night’s storm, the Thousand Sunny deserved some peace. Frankly, he did too. His shoulders still ached from helping the others before things got bad enough that he'd been forced inside. Luckily, the damage was minor.
He cracked six more eggs into the pan. The yolks spread out golden and perfect. Bread browned in the oven, filling the air with that smell that always got everyone out of bed. He'd already cut up fruit, set the table and even prepared Nami-swan's tea exactly the way she liked it.
"Breakfast is ready, you morons!" He kicked the door open with one foot, balancing the platter against his hip. Cigarette bobbing between his teeth, he dropped it onto the table with a satisfying thunk.
They came in one by one. Nami poured her tea, and Sanji found himself watching her hands. They were graceful even in something as simple as lifting a cup. Robin settled beside her with that serene smile that somehow made the chaos of the galley feel more civilized.
Usopp was already bragging. "Three plates, minimum! Maybe four if you didn't burn anything this time!"
"I never burn anything, long-nose," Sanji muttered, lighting a fresh cigarette.
Zoro stumbled in last, half-asleep as usual, and slumped into his chair like he'd done all the work.
"Finally," the moron muttered, already reaching for the nearest plate without so much as a thank you.
Of course you're last. Probably got lost on the way here.
Franky struck a pose, sunglasses catching the light. "A SUPER breakfast for a SUPER crew!"
"Where's Luffy?" Usopp glanced around, fork frozen halfway to his mouth. "He's usually drooling on the plates before Sanji even puts them down."
Sanji's jaw tightened. "Maybe he's in the pantry." His voice came out darker than he meant. "If he ate before breakfast again, I'll break both his legs."
Sanji reached for another cigarette, then stopped. Luffy didn't sneak food and miss breakfast. He snuck food and still showed up first.
"It's unusual," Robin said, calm as ever. "He's always the first to arrive."
Nami set down her teacup. "He hasn't missed a meal in… ever."
"Maybe he's still outside." Sanji stubbed out his cigarette, already scanning the galley like Luffy might be hiding in a corner. "But that's weird. He's always the first one to..."
"...steal all the meat," Zoro finished, not even opening his eyes.
They waited. Sanji refilled Nami's tea. Checked the bread. Wiped down a counter that didn't need wiping. Minutes crawled by.
Still no Luffy.
"Perhaps he overslept," Robin suggested, though her tone said she didn't believe it either.
Usopp's fork clattered onto his plate. "Overslept? Luffy? Are you sure we're talking about the same guy?"
"Maybe he got tangled in his hammock!" Brook leaned forward, skull grinning. "Yohoho. what if he's stuck?!"
Nobody laughed.
Sanji stared at the empty chair. The food was getting cold. The crew was getting quieter by the second. This is wrong. Somewhere in the back of his mind, a small alarm began to ring. The same one that always did right before everything went to hell.
For the first time he could remember, Luffy was late for breakfast.
That idiot never misses breakfast.
And that wasn’t right at all.
Something was wrong.
Luffy opened his eyes and immediately regretted it. The light shining through the window was too bright. He groaned and tried to turn over, but the hammock swayed under him, twisting his stomach in a way he really didn’t like.
His head hurt. Like someone had stuffed it full of cotton and then punched it a few times.
He wiped his face and his hand came away wet, gross. His nose was running and his shirt stuck to his skin, damp and cold. When did he start sweating? He sniffled hard, but it didn't help much.
Weird.
He shoved himself upright or tried to. His arms shook. His whole body was heavy, like he'd been fighting for three days straight. But he hadn't, right?
The storm popped back into his head. Big waves, loud wind and rain that hurt a little when it hit. He’d stayed outside through most of it, laughing every time the sea slapped him in the face. It had been fun.
Now? Not so fun.
He rubbed his eyes and blinked hard. The room was empty. Everyone else was already up, probably eating breakfast. His stomach should have been roaring by now. It always did. Loud enough to wake half the ship.
But today there was nothing.
He frowned and pressed a hand on his stomach, but no response.
That was weird.
Maybe if he ate something, he’d feel better. Food always fixed things.
Luffy swung his legs over the side of the hammock and his knees almost buckled when his feet hit the floor. He grabbed the post to steady himself, breathing harder than he should've been.
"Come on," he muttered. "Move."
He forced his legs to work, one step and then another. The door seemed miles away. When he finally opened it, the deck hit him like a slap in the face: salty air, bright sun, and the sound of waves. He squinted into the distance, but everything looked watery. Finally, an island came into view. He grinned without meaning to.
How long had it been?
They had been sailing for so long and hadn't encountered a single island since Thriller Bark. And that wasn't even an island, but a gigantic ship. According to Nami, they were almost at the Red Line and he could hardly contain his excitement.
He could already picture it: cliffs to climb, beaches to run on, maybe a jungle with strange animals. His legs felt like lead, his arms hurt, but his mind was already racing. After weeks of nothing but ocean, the thought of solid ground under his feet made him grin despite how awful he felt.
"Can't wait," he mumbled, dragging himself toward the galley. "Land. Adventure."
The smell hit him even before he opened the door. Eggs, bread, and something sweet. Sanji was cooking. Normally, that smell alone would have been enough to make him run.
Today, he just pushed the door open and stumbled inside.
"There you are!" Usopp's loud voice. "We thought you'd fallen overboard or something!"
Brook laughed that rattling laugh. "Or been abducted by ghosts! Though I suppose I would've noticed, being one myself. Yohohoho!"
Zoro didn't even look up. "You're late."
Late? He was never late for food.
"I'm here now!" Luffy dropped into his chair, grinning even though it felt like his face might crack. "Sanji, food!"
Sanji shoved a plate at him. “Eat before I change my mind.”
It was eggs, bread and some fruit. It looked good.
He picked up his fork and poked at the food before finally taking a bite. It tasted wrong and heavy in his mouth. He swallowed anyway, even though his stomach twisted. He tugged his hat lower, hoping no one was looking. His nose was wet again. He sniffed and wiped it on his hand.
"Uhm... Luffy." Usopp was staring. "You're not eating like you usually do."
Damn it.
He quickly stuffed another bite into his mouth, chewed hard, and tried to act normal. But the food lay like a stone in his stomach. His throat tightened. His mouth began to water, tasting sour.
Oh no.
He slapped a hand over his mouth and bolted. "Luffy?!" He heard Nami's worried voice behind him.
He didn't answer. Couldn't. He just ran... out the door, across the deck, straight for the railing. He barely made it before everything came up.
Robin didn't rush, but decided to check on her captain. By the time she stepped onto the deck, Luffy was already bent over the railing.
The retching was violent and ugly. His whole body shook. She saw that his knuckles had turned white as he clung to the wood and that sweat was soaking through his shirt. When he finally breathed again, he sniffed and wiped his nose with the back of his hand.
He slowly stood up, as if it hurt. He wiped his mouth and then pulled his hat down low over his eyes.
"…Don't tell them." His voice came out scratchy. "I'm fine. I don't want them to worry."
Robin studied him and saw the white knuckles gripping the rail, the tremor in his legs and the unnatural flush climbing his neck. She said nothing.
Fine.
She wanted to say something, but decided against it. She didn't want to push too hard.
Instead, she nodded with a gentle look.
"Understood."
He looked at her quickly and uncertainly. She didn't correct him.
"Shall we go back inside?" she asked.
He nodded and took a step back from the railing. He was unsteady for a moment, but Robin stayed close to him as they walked.
The galley went silent when Luffy walked back in. He could feel everyone staring. He forced a grin, his usual one, but his face didn't move right. His nose was still running and he sniffled hard, wiping it with his sleeve.
"See?" he said, dropping into his chair. "I'm fine."
Sanji twirled his cigarette between his fingers while keeping his gaze fixed on Luffy.
"You call that fine? You didn't even finish your plate and you look as white as flour."
"I'm eating!" Luffy shot back, grabbing his fork and shoving another bite in. He chewed it and swallowed it. He was nauseous and had to make an effort to keep it down.
Okay, bad idea.
Chopper had been watching him the whole time. Now the little reindeer hopped off his chair, ears flat. "Luffy. Come with me. To the infirmary. Now."
"I said I'm fine!" The words came out harsher than he meant and his voice cracked halfway through. Then he sneezed. It was sudden, wet and he barely caught it in time.
Chopper's hooves tugged at his arm. His big eyes were serious now. "Please. Just for a moment. Privately."
Luffy wanted to argue. He opened his mouth to say no, to tell Chopper to stop worrying, but the words didn't come. He was too tired.
"...Boring checkups," he muttered, but he let Chopper pull him toward the door.
The infirmary smelled funny and something strong.
Herbs? Medicine?
Luffy flopped onto the bed with his arms crossed, hat over his eyes. His nose itched again. He rubbed it and sniffled.
Chopper climbed up on a stool and pressed his hoof to Luffy's forehead. hooves clung to the chair. "Whoa, you're burning up! I could fry an egg on you!"
Luffy tried to grin. "Cool. Breakfast's on me, then."
"Not funny!" Chopper's ears drooped. "You have a high fever! And your nose... look at it! it's all red and raw..."
He grabbed a thermometer and hesitated. "Um... to get an accurate reading, I need to... check rectally."
Luffy blinked. "Re... what?"
"Through your bottom," Chopper said, ears twitching. "You have to pull your pants down a little. Just enough."
His jaw dropped. "My what?! You're kidding, right?!"
"Nope!" His doctor shook his head, all serious. "It's the most accurate way. Just relax, it'll be over quick."
He stared at him. "You're weird, Chopper."
"It's medical! Now hurry before your fever gets worse! Lie on your side."
Luffy groaned but flopped over anyway, yanking the blanket halfway over himself. "This is so weird... I'd rather fight Moria again."
Why does being sick have to be so embarrassing?
"Okay, pull your pants down a bit."
He hesitated. "...Like this?"
"And your underwear."
"...Seriously?"
"A little more."
"...Now?"
"Perfect. Just stay still."
"Lucky me," Luffy muttered into the pillow.
"Relax your muscles," Chopper said. "Just a small pinch, that's all."
"Wait, what small—"
The thermometer slid in and he flinched, eyes going wide. "Ah! Hey, that's cold!"
"It's supposed to be! Now hold still or you'll mess up the reading."
Luffy groaned into the pillow. "Being sick is the worst..."
Finally, Chopper pulled it out and checked. His eyes went even wider. "40.5°C! Luffy... your fever is dangerously high!"
His mouth fell open. "F-forty point five?!"
"You got sick because you stayed outside in the storm yesterday, soaking wet while the rest of the crew hid!" His doctor stamped his hoof. "What were you thinking?!"
"But... the ship..." Luffy mumbled. "And the wind was fun..."
It was fun. The waves. The way the Sunny rode them. He felt alive.
"Fun?! You're lucky you didn't get pneumonia!"
Chopper pulled the blanket up tight around him.
"You can't just do whatever you want, Luffy!"
"You guys worry too much..."
"You need rest. Fluids. Medicine. No exceptions."
Luffy sulked. There was no winning this one.
A knock. Robin stepped in and behind her the rest of the crew crowded the doorway.
"So?" Nami's voice was tight.
Chopper turned to them with a grim face. "He has the flu. A bad one. It'll be a few days before he's back to normal."
Silence.
The only sound was the creak of the ship and Luffy's ragged breathing.
Nami crossed her arms. "We can't just drift here. Our supplies are low. We need to dock soon."
Luffy pushed himself upright, but his body trembled. "See? I told you! We should go—"
"You're staying right here," Chopper snapped, shoving him back down.
Zoro stepped forward. "Then we split. You all go get supplies. I'll stay with him."
Nami looked at him and then nodded reluctantly. “Fine.”
“Tch. Moss-head playing nurse?” Sanji muttered, lighting another cigarette. “That I gotta see.”
“Shut up, cook,” Zoro said flatly.
Then he heard Robin's voice “It seems decided, then. Luffy won’t be left alone.”
"I don't need a babysitter..." Luffy mumbled.
His first mate smirked. "Too bad. You've got one."
He wanted to argue. Wanted to tell them he was the captain, he made the decisions, they couldn't just leave him behind.
But his head hurt. His body hurt and he could barely keep his eyes open.
"You guys make it sound like I'm dying," he muttered, trying to grin. It didn't work. He saw Chopper's stern face.
"Luffy—"
"I'm telling you, it's not that bad!" He sat up again, ignoring how the room spun. "Look, I can sit, I can talk, see? I'm fine enough to go to the island and—"
His stomach lurched.
Oh no.
He barely turned his head before he gagged, hand gripping the bed as everything came up again.
"Bucket! Now!" Chopper yelped.
Sanji pushed one into Chopper's hooves just in time. Luffy kept retching over and over. This time, only bitter acid came out, burning his throat. When it finally stopped, he slumped forward, trembling and breathing heavily.
Nobody said anything.
"Damn it..." Sanji muttered.
Chopper's ears drooped. "You see? You're not fine. Your fever's getting worse."
Luffy couldn't answer. His face was wet, maybe sweat? And then, out of nowhere, he started shivering.
"Cold..." he mumbled, pulling the blanket tighter.
Robin came closer and put a hand on his arm. She didn't say anything, just pulled the blanket up higher.
Cold. No, warm. Huh?
Chopper noticed it right away. "Fever chills. We need to keep him warm. No more moving around."
"Not my hammock?" Luffy asked weakly.
"No hammock. Bed only. You're staying right here."
And then something in him snapped. He sat up fast. "No way! We can't stop now... I'm the captain! I have to go to that island, and—"
"You're staying put," Zoro cut in firmly.
"Zoro!" Luffy snapped. "That's an order!"
Their swordsman didn't even blink. "That's the first order I'm ignoring."
Luffy stared at him. His first mate. His friend. And Zoro just stared back, arms crossed, completely unmoved.
"For once, I agree with the moss-head," Sanji muttered.
Nami stepped closer. "You're not setting foot on that deck, Luffy. We'll go to the island, stock up, and come right back."
"But—"
"No buts!" Chopper's voice was loud now, almost angry. "You're sick! You can't fight, can't lead, and if you don't rest, you'll just get worse!"
Luffy opened his mouth. Nothing came out. The fire in his chest flickered, then died.
He looked away. "...I hate being sick."
Zoro sighed. “Guess that’s settled. I’ll stay here with him.”
Chopper nodded. “Good. He shouldn’t be left alone.”
His shoulders slumped and he sank back into the bed.
I hate this. I hate that they're right.
Before they docked, Robin handed him clean clothes. They were soft and nice. His skin liked them way more than the sweaty stuff.
"These feel nice," he mumbled.
He saw her smiling. "They're made for resting."
Once he was dressed and buried under a pile of blankets, Sanji smirked. "You look like a burrito."
"I feel like one," Luffy grumbled. Only his eyes and messy hair were visible now. "A hot burrito."
Their doctor mixed something in a cup. The smell hit Luffy's nose and he gagged.
"What is that?" Zoro asked, frowning.
"Medicine," Chopper said. "For his fever."
Luffy looked at it suspiciously. "Smells like something died in there."
"Just drink it."
"What if I throw up again?"
Chopper's tone went dangerously calm. "Then I can make it an injection instead."
Luffy's eyes went wide. He snatched the cup and chugged it in one go. It was awful. Bitter, thick and somehow worse than it smelled.
"BLEH! Chopper! That's awful!"
But the doctor folded his arms. "Good. That means it's working."
Sanji chuckled. "Never seen him move that fast outside of mealtime."
Luffy slumped back, grimacing. "I hate medicine..."
"Then don't get sick next time," Chopper said, but his voice was softer now as he checked Luffy's pulse.
The crew started filing out. Nami paused at the door. "We'll head to the island for supplies. You just... get better, okay?"
From under the blankets, Luffy mumbled, "...Don't forget meat."
A few quiet laughs. Brook wished him a speedy recovery, and Franky said they could call if they needed anything. Then they were gone.
Zoro stayed. He pulled a chair up, arms crossed, watching.
Luffy's eyes were already closing. Maybe from the medicine, the fever and the exhaustion.
Just for a little while. Then I'll be fine again.
He felt Zoro pull his blanket up higher. He could still hear the crew talking somewhere, but the words didn't reach him anymore. And then, finally, he slept.