He wasn't aware of it the first time he met Sanji. Luffy was set on making the guy his nakama while working off his debt to the geezer owner of the floating restaurant Baratie (the kitchen crew would call it destroying the place but as far as Luffy is concerned, he was trying to help the guys) that his simple mind can't handle anything anymore at that moment. But there was something about the blond cook that made Luffy at ease, like he was certain this is a guy he can trust to sail with him. There was also something familiar about him. Well, he is a cook. And Luffy's heart is close to food and Sanji cooks delicious food (plus he is a good guy! The kind of guy Luffy would allow in his crew). It was no wonder Luffy was so bent on making him the crew's chef.

Then came trouble in the form of a pirate in East Blue named Don Krieg. Luffy watched how the blond chef fought and defended the Baratie, of course no sooner it happened the rubber captain got caught up in the fight. Dracule Mihawk suddenly appeared, and Luffy was forced to remain on the sideline as Zoro fought the man he was looking for. Zoro was wounded, but he vowed to Luffy and Luffy knew his first mate would fulfill his promise. He is a man of his words after all.

But the thing with Mihawk was all over, and they faced Don Krieg again. Suddenly, the old geezer with the peg leg got hostaged, and Luffy was soon witness to the blond's confession of how the geezer saved his life and sacrificed his leg and his dreams. Luffy thought the 'sacrificing limb' part was familiar, and he started to understand the blond's attachment to the restaurant, it was the blond who didn't see things clearly.

So Luffy did what his simple mind thought was best. He broke part of the Baratie. The blond chef didn't get it. The old geezer didn't save him just so Sanji can throw away his life for the floating restaurant. Luffy has to make him understand that. So, they were forced to fight the Don Krieg pirates again. And they won, remarkably at that. Luffy asked him again to come with them, he refused again. Then Sanji told him of All Blue. And Luffy listened, because the blond talking about his dream was so familiar a sight.

It had been months ago when Sanji first joined the crew. They're in Grand Line now. one thing led to another starting from an enormous whale blocking their path to the sea and meeting a runaway and undercover princess inside of the whale. Speaking of this princess, they're in her country right now, saving it from some dumbass guy named Crocodile.

They fought with Crocodile's forces, Luffy went on to take out the boss and in a miraculous turn of events, the Strawhat pirates won. It was now two days after Luffy beat the ass out of the sandy Warlord. Vivi, Chopper, and the doctor in the Alubarna castle was tending to the injuries Luffy sustained from his fight.

Luffy was running on high fever. It wasn't a surprise, given how exhausted and beat up his body was. Still, it wasn't usual a sight for the usually energetic rubber captain to remain in bed looking vulnerable and feverish.

Sanji opened the door to their quarters were Luffy was also staying. Vivi-chan was sitting on a chair by Luffy's bedside, watching the young captain in his sleep, a faraway look on her features.

"Tch, idiot captain making Vivi-chan worry." Sanji muttered, declaring his arrival.

Vivi, who was lost in her thoughts was startled and she immediately looked up to see Sanji approached her.

"Sanji-san," she said by way of greeting.

Sanji inhaled from his cigarette and took a seat opposite Vivi. "Vivi-chan, go take your lunch, I'll watch over this idiot now."

Vivi gently shook his head. "I'm fine Sanji-san, I'm not really that hungry yet. I want to look after Luffy for a little longer."

"Not gonna say I don't understand you. But starving yourself won't help in any manner right now." he gave her a small smirk. "Don't worry, I'll inform you and Chopper if anything changes."

Vivi was about to protest, but she understood and nodded at Sanji. She was about to get up from her seat when Luffy mumbled in his sleep.

"Sa…"

Sanji dropped his cigarette to turn to Luffy. "Oh captain, are you good?"

Luffy half opened his sleepy eyes and fixed them on Sanji.

"You… here, Sa'b…" he whispered.

Vivi immediately picked up a denden mushi on the bedside table and called for Chopper.

"What's he saying?" she asked Sanji after giving the call.

"I don't know, Vivi-chan. Hey, Luffy. It's fine. You can rest some more."

But Luffy didn't seem to want to take his eyes off Sanji.

"… here… thought… y'gone."

Chopper came running into the quarters in 5 minutes with Usopp and Nami behind him who probably was with him when he got the call.

"Luffy!" the little reindeer rushed to the captain's side and immediately did his check-ups.

"His fever dropped a little lower now, although it is still fairly above normal temperature but so far there are no other things to worry about."

Usopp and Nami both exhaled deeply.

"Good, now we only have to wait for his fever to be gone, right?" Usopp said.

"Yes, I hope his temperature continues to decrease."

Nami smiled at Chopper. "He would, after all a good doctor like you is looking after him."

Chopper blushed and did his dance. "Don't think calling me a good doctor makes me happy you bastard." And he went to replace the wet towel on Luffy's forehead, the rubber captain has closed his eyes when Chopper did so.

"He seems to be saying something, though." Sanji finally spoke up. "But we can hardly understand it."

Chopper nodded at this. "He might be having some dreams."

"Yosh, we will stay here with Luffy to accompany him." Usopp suddenly exclaimed.

"Right, we already recovered, we can do just that." Nami turned to Vivi. "Leave him to us Vivi, he's our captain after all."

Vivi gave a small chuckle. "I suppose so. I'll see you guys later." She left the quarters.

Usopp sat on a nearby bed with Nami. "What do you think is he dreaming about?"

Sanji shrugged, "I don't know. Probably some stupid dream that involves food."

Luffy stirred again and slowly raised his right hand towards Sanji's direction. He stared at the blond cook with half-lidded eyes.

"S… Sa… 'o." he called almost pleadingly.

"Sanji-san, he is calling for you."

Sanji sighed, thinking Luffy was indeed dreaming about food and requesting food from Sanji.

"Captain." He said softly, leaning closer to Luffy.

The Strawhats were surprised when Luffy rested his hand on Sanji's face, and stared at his face searchingly, tears forming on the corners of his eyes.

"S'bo… y're… al've."

Sanji, who was taken aback by Luffy's gestures but who also took note of the sad yet longing tone in his captain's voice spoke, "Yes, I am. Why won't I be alive?"

Luffy seemed to be holding back a sob, and his voice crack a little as he spoke again.

"But… I thought… thought you… gone."

Usopp, who was as confused as the rest of them were spoke. "Hey, hey, hey. Why is Luffy thinking you've been dead or something, Sanji?"

Sanji shook his head. "Like I have any idea."

"Sanji-san, I think it's better if you say something to Luffy." Nami said, getting worried by Luffy's odd actions.

''Yes, it may help him feel better, so he could go back to sleep." Chopper conceded.

Sanji looked at his captain who was still looking at him with relief and sad longing. He gently caught his captain's hand in his, noting they were warm and looked intently at the young captain.

"I'm here now, Luffy. I won't go anywhere. So please, take some more rest."

Luffy seemed satisfied and happy at his words.

"Kay, S'bo." And he slowly closed his eyes shut, falling asleep soundly.

Usopp released a breath he didn't know he was holding. "Phew, that went well. But that was weird. Guess Luffy was really worried about us."

"But why only towards Sanji-san? He never showed this much affection towards any of us before. And Sanji-san is one of our best fighters." Nami mused.

Sanji had to agree to that. In terms of injuries sustained, his was nothing compared to Usopp and Zoro. And the rubber captain hadn't even looked for the marimo, or noticed the rest of his crew in the room for that matter.

They heard Luffy started to snore softly. Chopper went to examine him quickly again. Sanji fixed his blankets, Nami and Usopp fixed the curtains to adjust the light entering the room. The four Strawhats then left the quarters as their captain went on to sleep more peacefully.