[ it doesn't go unnoticed, the way she makes efforts to indulge him, little gestures that bring a satisfying and almost overwhelming warmth to his chest. even for their subtleties, sanji tends to spend so much of his time trying to care and treat others that it still sometimes leaves him stumped to experience the reverse of it, as if he's not even sure how to properly receive it.

luckily, aerith is at his back during their little trip to the bath that it gives him a little time to cope with his flustered face, the feeling of flowers blossoming from his cheeks lasting the entire trip it takes to get there. except, when they do get there and she takes a seat at the edge of the tub, it just gives him another reason to stand there stunned and red in the face.

for a moment, he's caught between the look of it, radiant and so very beautifully naked, and the things that are coming out of her mouth, thrilled by the concept of her visits lasting longer than they have in the brief past. ]

Is that a promis—ah! Stop that! You look like a glowing bath angel right now!

[ the stop that seems to reference nothing at all since it's really nothing that aerith is doing except merely sitting there, his eyes dancing with hearts all over again. even the hangover won't stop his helpless reactions, though there's a chance, it might just be making it worse.

ultimately, he covers his eyes with a hand, using memory to move about, as he steps over to the other side of the tub to find the collection of bottles set beside it, peeking between his fingers to look for the proper soap. ]

I have no idea how I'm supposed to focus with you looking so stunning.