Imagine being attacked and asking a stranger for help.
Word count: 1470

~

Another kick was aimed at your stomach, stars splattering across your vision as you wheeze with pain.

"Learned your lesson yet, bitch?!" The bandit screams as he levels another kick, this time aimed at your back. "This'll teach ya to talk back!"

You try to fight back tears at the onslaught of kicks but the pain is unlike any you've felt before.

All you had done was tell the man to stop harassing some kids who were playing in the street. They weren't hurting anyone by playing outside, but this ruffian had taken offence when their ball rolled too close to him.

Instinct had taken over before you could think rationally, and you leapt out in front of the children. Hands splayed wide, you demanded that he leave the kids alone.

He obviously didn't care for that.

And now here you are, splayed on the dirt, crying hot tears as waves of pain wrack your body.

Some of the townsfolk are watching on the sidelines, too afraid to move.

You meet their eyes, silently begging for help. They glance away. The people you've known for years and years, who you've helped countless times, they look away from your suffering.

That is enough to break your heart as the bandit breaks your body with another swift kick.

Struggling, you slowly start to crawl away. You're determined to at least try and escape. The odds may be against you but that doesn't mean you can give up.

Dirt scrapes your chin as you use your sore arms to drag yourself away from your attacker. He laughs at you pathetic attempt, launching into more verbal assaults. His words fall on deaf ears, your only focus on crawling away.

Your ribs sting sharply with every breath you take, your head pounding in time with your erratic heartbeat. Your hot breath blows clouds of dust with each inch you gain, and you can feel bruises forming where he kicked you so brutally.

Before you can struggle further away, a pair of black shoes comes to rest in front of you. You follow the shoes upwards to see legs and then a blond man in a black suit.

He has a cigarette perched between his lips, his expression displaying a disturbing lack of emotion.

You reach out, taking his boot in your hands and dragging yourself closer to the stranger.

You ignore the taunts of the bandit behind you, focusing on the man before you. His deep eyes meet your gaze.

"Please.. help me," you beg.

Unable to lift your head anymore, you place your cheek atop his boot.

You hear him inhale deeply, followed by the soft thud of a cigarette falling to the dirt, then a rustle of fabric.

He crouches down and gently lifts your head. You're shocked when he slides his suit coat under your head as a makeshift pillow.

"Of course I'll help you, darling," he says, his voice filled with an intense kindness that has you tearing up again.

You watch as he turns from you, his kindness disappearing in an instant as he faces your attacker.

You shiver at the intensity of his anger as he glares at the bandit.

"How dare you hurt her," he says stepping forwards. "Swine like you shouldn't even gaze upon such beauty."

Pain momentarily forgotten, you watch as he tucks his hands in his pockets before raising his right leg.

"You think I'm scared of you?! My bounty is-"

The bandit doesn't get to finish his bragging.

The blond's foot moves faster than you can track, hitting the man with a sickening thud that sends him flying into a nearby building.

Astonished, you watch as the bandit struggles to stand up. He's sweating now, realizing that this stranger is much more powerful than him. He shakes his head as the blond approaches.

"You're misunderstanding-"

Your rescuer tsks, "It's too late to grovel."

The bandit tries to turn and run now that the tables have turned, but the blond is too fast. He brutally kicks the man back into the rubble without hesitation.

"Please-"

Blood sprays into the sky as he directs a kick at the bandit's jaw.

You hear a sickening crack and watch him fall lifelessly to the dirt with a thump.

Mouth dry, you watch nervously as the suited man walks back to your side. He kneels down, eyes full of concern, the anger having dissolved right after he fell the bandit.

"Mademoiselle, are you alright? Where are you hurt?"

"Thank you," you manage to breathe out. The pain has returned full force now that the adrenaline has worn off. It makes your vision swim with tears so you close your eyes. You shouldn't be feeling embarrassed but you can't help the swell of emotion from rising up.

This handsome stranger just saved your life when no one else would.

"You need a doctor," the man states, not mentioning your tears as he glances up at the crowd. "Is there a doctor here?!"

"N-no," a voice in the crowd replies.

Frowning, he returns his focus on you, "I'll take you to our ship doctor, he can help."

He hesitates for a second, before taking you in his arms. He tries not to jostle your wounds, guessing that at least a few of your ribs are broken.

The agony of being moved makes you cry out, clutching the fabric of his shirt as he lifts you bridal-style.

"I'm sorry, darling, I know it hurts. You're doing so well," his voice is soft, soothing.

You don't even know this man, and yet you feel so safe in his embrace. His kind words of encouragement bring another bought of tears, as he begins walking.

After what feels like an eternity being held in his warm embrace, you reopen your eyes as you are gently set down.

Your saviour moves away from you, as a reindeer-like creature starts fussing over your injuries and asking questions. You can't focus on anything except the man lighting a cigarette. He takes a long drag and lowers a hand down to his side.

Against your better judgement, you reach out and clasp his free hand.

"Please don't leave," you croak out, now surrounded by more unfamiliar faces as the rest of the crew checks out the commotion you've caused.

He pauses and you're certain you've made a mistake. But that thought is squashed as he steps closer to you, "Of course."

~

You must've passed out at some point.

Opening your eyes, you already feel much better. Your chest is bandaged and your headache gone, though it still hurts to breathe too deeply.

You glance to the side and see your rescuer seated beside the bed. He appears to be sleeping.

Shuffling slightly, you turn to get a better look at him. You've only just realized that he has curly eyebrows and a small goatee.

His eyes open and you are quick to avert your gaze.

"Are you feeling better?" He asks immediately, sitting up straighter.

You nod, "Yes, thank you."

"I was worried, but Chopper said you only have two broken ribs and lots of bruising. You'll want to rest for a few weeks."

"Broken ribs sound about right."

He tilts his head downwards, "I'm sorry I wasn't there in time."

"What do you mean? You saved my life," you try to sit up but the sharp pain reminds you that you need rest. "I'd be dead without you."

He doesn't say anything. Instead, he raises his head again.

"Who are you? I want to know the name of my rescuer," you ask, smiling a bit.

"Sanji," he replies, finding himself lost in your grateful eyes.

"Sanji, my knight in shining armour," you take his hand again. "Thank you."

"And your name?"

You supply your name and he echoes it with a smile.

"I'm glad I could help you."

Replaying the events in your head you suddenly realize something.

"You called me beautiful."

His face flushes red at your sudden statement.

"No one's ever called me that," your eyes start to tear up again. "You're the sweetest man I've ever met."

He nearly melts at your words, face completely red now. Before he can utter a reply, the reindeer guy returns.

"Are you ok?! Don't move, you broke some ribs so you need rest to get better!"

You smile at his fretting, "I'm alright now thanks to you."

Sanji smiles as you reassure the doctor that you're ok. Leaning back, he lets Chopper do his thing as he smokes.

He can't help but wish that he made the bandit suffer a bit more when he sees you wince in pain. And he doesn't let himself think about what would have happened had he not been walking down that particular street.

Fate was in your favour today.