Galician

Sanji stretched languidly as he climbed out of bed. The sun was just coming over the horizon and hints of light were breaking into the men's quarters. He rubbed his eyes sleepily and was momentarily jealous that everyone else got to continue sleeping. However he had a duty, as a cook and as a man, to prepare his lovely angels a wonderful breakfast. And so he would. It would be a breakfast fit for a king, grand and delicious that would just maybe make Robin and Nami realize they loved him. Of course all of this would have to happen after a shower.

He grabbed some clothes and his shower supplies and headed for the bathroom, in desperate need of the warm water to wake him up. When he exited the bathroom several minutes later he felt awake and refreshed. A smile on his lips he made his way back to the men's quarters to drop off his things. He was about to leave again when he noticed a piece of paper on his pillow that had most definitely not been there before. Glancing around he noticed that everyone was still snoring away so whoever had left it must not be in the room. The thought of one of his goddesses slipping into his room to leave him a note had his heart beating wildly and it was only by sheer will power that he managed not to break out into song.

He snatched up the note and held it to his chest for a moment before opening it to see what was written. His brow furrowed as he read what was written and he thoroughly examined the paper to see if anything else was written. But there was only the one word, written clearly in the middle of the paper in a script Sanji was unable to attribute to any one on the ship.

'Quérote.'

The word didn't seem to be Japanese and it certainly wasn't a word he knew. He stared at the paper as if it would suddenly explain to him the meaning but as expected nothing happened. Shoving the note into his pocket Sanji headed to the galley, waving to Brook up in the crow's nest on the way. As he prepared breakfast he puzzled over the mysterious note. Was it a secret message, a code for something. If only he could figure out what it said he might have a better idea of what to think.

Slowly people started to wake up and drift into the galley. Robin was the first to arrive as usual and he poured her a cup of fresh coffee while contemplating whether he should ask her. If the note had indeed been from her than he didn't want her to think he couldn't figure it out on his own. On the other hand if it wasn't from her she would be his best ally in unlocking the mystery.

Robin seemed to be acting just like any other day and even though his pride didn't want to accept it he admitted that there wasn't a good chance she had left the note. No, if Robin had feelings for him the older woman would be much more open about it. While the few others that had woken up at that point helped themselves to coffee Sanji approached the raven-haired archaeologist.

''Robin-chan?''

''Yes Cook-san?''

''I actually have a favour to ask of you.''

''What is it?''

Sanji fished the now crumpled paper out of his pocket and handed it over.

''Could you possibly tell me what this means?''

Robin took the paper and unfolded it, her clear blue eyes scanning it carefully, her forefinger tapping her lips thoughtfully.

''Well Cook-san it appears to be Galician.''

''Galician?''

''Yes, Galicia is a medieval Castilian kingdom. I don't have a firm understanding of the language but it is some kind of statement about affection. I would venture a guess as to say it means I love you.''

Sanji stared at Robin in shock. Someone had left him a Galician love note?