Akagami no L’S Art

“Scoot over.”

“I am on the other end already,” Zoro drawled, looking at the navigator with an irritated expression on his face. “Nowhere to scoot over on so go sit somewhere else,” his good eye flicked over the expanse of the library bench. There is a lot of empty area to sit on. Why was she aiming for the spot where he was sitting and enjoying the silence?

Nami snickered knowingly. And Zoro wanted to groan inwardly. Of course she can’t help but try to get on his nerves tonight. It’s like an unhealthy compulsion, really.

The swordsman was lounging on the library bench just beside the Christmas tree the crew had set-up and decorated for the holiday. He had one of the festive mugs on his hand that they had used for the eggnog the cook made especially for the occasion. And he knew that Nami would bet all her belis that whatever Zoro had in it, is just purely booze.

And she was right.

With a Cheshire cat smile, the orange-haired woman settled down on the bench, a little too close for his comfort. She can tell that by the way a frown was now scrunching up his face.

She wasn’t bothered by his reaction. Zoro can frown all he wants but that will not be able to deter her. She’s immune to it by now. He should’ve known that.

Nami kicked of her boots, leaving it lying on the floor as she sat down. Twisting her body sideways, she brought up her legs on the bench, hugging them. Her toes wiggled inside her festive socks, the movement catching Zoro’s eye momentarily.

“Whatcha got there Zoro?” She asked, sounding childishly and looking like one with that mischievous grin still on her face.

“You really need to ask?” He grunted, taking a drink from his mug.

The way her eyes lit up at his answer made him know that she, indeed, had bet her money on what he was drinking. And she just won.

“No.” She responded, with a small laugh. She playfully poked his thigh with her foot and Zoro grabbed it to put a stop to her antics without even looking.

His head suddenly whipped towards her.

“The hell is wrong with your feet?!” He was now looking at her incredulously.

“What?” Nami jerked back a bit at his reaction. She arched an eyebrow at him as she stared down her foot which was really looking dainty against his big hand.

“Why is it cold?” Zoro hissed at her like it was her fault.

It was her turn to frown. “I get cold feet easily,” she explained with a shrug like it was the most normal thing in the world, pulling her feet away from his hand.

“You’re wearing socks already,” Zoro pointed out. “And it still feels like ice.”

“I dunno…” Nami looked like she was pondering on the reason why. “Maybe these socks aren’t as thick as I thought them to be.” She wiggled her toes again as she studied them. “I’m not bothered by it.” She said, poking his thigh again impishly.

“Tch! I am.” Zoro muttered as he put his mug down on the floor, just beneath the Christmas tree for safekeeping, looking irritated as ever.

Nami watched him with a curious look on her face. He was mumbling something about ‘troublesome woman’ and it took all of her strength not to punch him on the head.

Why the hell is he making a big deal out of this? It’s her feet not his!

He grasped her ankles with his hands, pulling her feet towards him. Nami yelped, startled by his unexpected action, her butt slightly sliding on the bench. She opened her mouth to yell at him but the sound died in her throat when Zoro lifted the hem of his sweater and without a word, tucked her feet inside his clothes… as if it was the most natural thing to do at times like this.

The orange-haired woman was astounded. She gaped at him, unable to express anything.

“Shut up.” Was the only thing Zoro said when he recognized the look on Nami’s face.

The mapmaker was quiet for a moment. Then she wiggled her feet inside his sweater, poking at his abdomen like a cat kneading. Zoro threw her an infuriated look.

“This was a bad idea.” He made a move to remove her feet from his clothes when Nami immediately seized his hands to stop him.

“No, no it’s not.” She said cheekily as she squeezed his fingers. “It’s the best idea! Better than actually rubbing my feet with your hands. Your haramaki does wonders.” She hummed as she pressed her feet against it; the feel of the stomach band he wears all the time was soft and warm against her socked feet.

“NAMI!” He grunted when she tried to slide her feet underneath it to get some more warmth.

She ignored his protest and continued humming appreciatively, throwing him a smile that Zoro doesn’t know if he’d categorize as mischievous or grateful. It did distract him enough for her to successfully get her feet under it. The texture of the socks on her feet rubbed against his bare skin and he realized that she was actually wearing thin ones.

He sighed exasperatedly. Wasn’t she supposed to be the one who knows all about clothes and stuff? Why was she wearing thing ones in this kind of weather?

His hand went to cradle her feet against him as she continued to knead and wiggle her toes on his abdomen. It wasn’t cold as it was earlier. Good.

The things he would do for this troublesome woman.

“These are really hard,” Nami suddenly spoke out as she continued her ministrations; purposely poking her toes on his abs. Zoro just stared at her unamused. He knows that if he wasn’t holding her feet, she would’ve deliberately slid one down to a much lower place where it’s not supposed to be just to tease him. He can sense her intention. He knows her too well to let an opportunity to rile him up (this time in a rather different way) pass.

The chortle that escaped her proved he was right. But she digress.

“Thank you Zoro,” she murmured softly, resting her head against the bench’s backrest looking at him with a certain fondness that he was now familiar with. “You must really like me so much to do this.”

“Shut up.”

“I like you too.”

“I said shut up.”

But he never denied it.

Nami giggled and blew him a kiss before she closed her eyes; her body relaxing as she enjoyed the feeling of being tucked in his warmth.

Zoro sighed and he gave her feet a light squeeze, a sort of affirmation that no matter how he reacts and no matter what words do not come out of his mouth.

She is right. He likes her.

That is the fact. And one that she absolutely knows by now.

“Hey.”

Zoro cracked an eye open at the sound of her voice. Nami was peering down at him with a curious look on her face. Her cheeks were flushed from the cold but the pink winter coat she had on only deepened the hue and made her looked like she was deeply blushing.

He blinked up at her in a mixture of wonder and awe. She looks… nice.

Her expression suddenly changed—her brows furrowing and forehead scrunching. In the midst of thinking about the way she looks right now, Zoro realized that she was asking him a question.

“Huh?” He managed to sound out and fought the urge to wince. Why did his respond sounded like he was a dud?

There was a sharp intake of breath followed by a disapproving look as Nami repeated her question.

“I asked what the hell are you doing sleeping out here in the cold?”

Oh. So that was it.

Zoro glanced groggily at his surroundings. He was on the lawn deck, leaning against the railing of the Sunny—one of his favorite spots to nap. He opened his mouth and yawned, taking his sweet time as Nami stared down at him with eyes narrowing by the second.

He brought a hand up to scratch his head and realized they were a bit stiff and cold from being exposed without protection while he was dozing off. He did don a coat and some proper winter clothes but opted out any head gear or gloves.

To his defense it wasn’t this chilly earlier when he first situated himself here. He wasn’t really expecting the weather to take a turn while he was resting. He was thinking it’s gonna happen much, much later.

In front of him, Nami rolled her eyes at his idiocy. She made a tch-ing sound on her mouth before crouching down in front of him and grabbing his hand.

“I swear Zoro, you’re gonna turn your ass into an icicle before the day ends.” She chastised him as she pulled something out of her coat’s pocket. He didn’t bother retorting or pulling away. He was feeling too lazy to protest.

Plus Nami’s gloved hands were warm and feels good as she randomly squeezed his in an attempt to chase the coldness on them away.

“Here.” She placed the gloves on his upturned palm. “Aren’t you listening when I said that the weather will turn colder around this time? It’ll most likely snow today.” There was that frown again marring her pretty face.

“Hnn…”

He didn’t bother affirming that he was, indeed, not listening to her. It would start an argument with her and it was too cold for that. Instead, he dutifully tucked his hands in the gloves she’d given him.

Zoro wasn’t really in the mood to be obstinate with her. She did bring it for him and he wasn’t about to let her effort be wasted. Plus, it was a nice gesture—a really nice and rare gesture coming from the navigator.

He could only hope, she’s not charging him for this.

She was silently watching him, somehow amazed that he wasn’t arguing with her about this.

A sigh escaped her. “What will you do without me?” She asked.

The corner of his lips quirked up. “Turn into an icicle, probably.”

Nami looked surprised at his answer. And she burst out laughing.

The swordsman smirked at the sound.

“Now can I go back to sleep?” He drawled, crossing his arms over his chest and leaning back against the Sunny’s railing.  

She rolled her eyes at him. “Fine.” She stood up and brushed some imaginary dust on her coat’s front. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you. If you turn to ice, we’ll just chuck you overboard.”

He snorted. And surprisingly Nami didn’t have any comeback for that. She just stared at something before her. There was a wistful look on her face and an odd, serene countenance Zoro almost never sees in her. Nami has always been a fiery, explosive force. Seeing her calm and quiet was piquing his curiosity. 

He watched her as she gazed at the island in front of her.

“What’s that you’re looking at?”

“Hmm?” Nami turned her head back to him. “Nothing.” She thoughtfully chewed her bottom lip before her she went back to watching whatever it was that caught her eye.

Zoro quirked an eyebrow. She had his full attention now.

“Tch. You’re acting off. Should I be worried?”

At that question, Nami shifted gaze to him. There was a cheeky grin was on her face now.

“Ah Zoro! That’s so sweet of you!”

“Shut up.”

Nami chortled at his reaction. “I’m just studying the island,” she explained. “I’m wondering what it looks like with snow. It’s probably like a winter wonderland.”

Zoro just stared at her. Snow got her excited huh?

Didn’t she say it’s gonna fall anytime soon?

He suddenly stood up, earning a surprised look from Nami. He gave the whole island a quick glance.

“Let’s go for a walk.”

“Huh?”

Zoro let out a disgruntled sound. “I said let’s go for a walk.” He repeated, tilting his head towards the island.

“Uh why?” Nami stared at him dubiously. Why was he suddenly asking her to go for a random walk?

The green-haired man frowned. “You don’t want to?”

“Oh,” Nami intoned. Then she placed her hands on her cheeks in a gesture of astonishment. “Oh! You’re asking me to go for a walk with you!” She exaggeratedly gasped.

“What?” Zoro stared incredulously at her and her reaction. “I mean yeah I am!”

“But to you… that’s almost equivalent to asking someone out on a date!” The mapmaker pointed out teasingly.

“What?!”

“Aaaaaw, how can I say no?” Nami flashed him an exaggeratedly sweet smile, batting her eyelashes at him. “Yes Zoro I will go and walk with you.”

He glared at her and her obvious attempt at poking fun at him. “You know what, I changed my mind.”

“Huh?” Nami blinked up at him.

“I said I changed my mind.”

“No you don’t!” She said in a deadpan manner, not amused at how he abruptly changed his mind. “Let’s go!” She made a grab for his hand, tugging him toward the part where the ladder leading down the ship was.

“Fine,” Zoro hissed. “No need to pull that hard!”

She just grinned cheekily at him and continued yanking him.

“I said I’m already coming witch.” He muttered. But he still let the orange-haired woman pull him. Whatever possessed him to ask her that, he doesn’t know and he probably never will. 

He seemed to be doing and deciding unusual things when it comes to her lately.

“You better hold my hand Zoro so you don’t get lost.” Nami suggested when they reached the ladder.

“Can it witch! I don’t get lost!”

Her warm brown eyes narrowed and she was looking at him unamused. “I’d bet my next island’s allowance that it’s not even gonna take a minute before you disappear on me.”

“Hah. You’re on.” Zoro snorted at the absurdity of her claim. He doesn’t get lost. It was them that keep disappearing on him.

“You lose, I get your allowance.” Nami stuck her tongue out at him.

He gave her a slight nudge. “Come on witch. Let’s go before the others sees us.”

Nami shot him a confused look. She stared at him for a good few seconds before she snickered.

And Zoro was already dreading what she’s going to say after that.

“Oh wow all hush-hush and just the two of us.”

The look she had on her face made him grit his teeth.

“So it is like a secret date huh?” She innocently asked.

Zoro stared at her in aghast. He felt his face heat up.

Trust Nami to definitely know how to push his buttons.

“Nami. I swear to—”

“Shush Zoro and let’s go!” She swiftly cut him off with a quick jerk on his arm and one fist pumping in the air.

They quickly made their way down the ladder. It was strange that none of the crewmates where loitering about the ship to see them. Zoro surmised that it probably has something to do with the chilly weather. Mostly everyone is probably hiding in the warmth of respective rooms doing their own things or sleeping.

They walked in silence once they disembarked, keeping a good distance between them. Zoro shoved his hands on his pocket while Nami walked beside him, her hands clasped behind her, humming a ditty she probably picked up from one of Brook’s violin sessions as they trudged along the path leading to the pine forest and onwards into the island’s town.

He sneaked a glance at the navigator. She was still humming, but this time his ears registered a rather different tune, yet still from Brook’s pieces. She looked relaxed like she was actually enjoying the hushed moment between them.

“You’re not going to ask where we are going?” He finally inquired when she continued walking in quietude.

“Hmm?” She gave him a sideway glance. Then she smiled. “Figured out where gonna head straight to town so you can drink.”

Zoro chuckled. Well that wasn’t what was on his mind when he asked her earlier. But the tavern is most likely the place they’ll end up in once they reach town.

“I just want to walk,” he said before he can stop himself. He felt the familiar warmth appearing on his face. Like he just blurted out a secret no one was supposed to know.

“Uh-huh,” Nami nodded. “With me.”

Zoro stopped walking and turned his head towards her sharply.

There was that Cheshire cat-like grin on her lips again. Along with that knowing look in her eye.

When he didn’t reply, Nami just continued to walk forward nonchalantly. Like she didn’t just drop a bomb or something on him.

Shit. It was that obvious?

“You seemed to like doing some things with me lately.” The orange-haired woman stated without breaking her stride. She was humming again as she moved farther from Zoro.

Zoro stared at her back. And stared and stared.

She was right about that. He had hoped against hope that she wouldn’t catch on that easily as he tried to figure out what was the cause of this incessant urge to spend most of his waking time with her.

Near her.

Just within her presence.

But Nami was smart and she was sharp.

Grumbling lowly about how his luck sucked and how Nami would surely have the time of her life teasing him about it, he traipsed forward to follow her.

Nami stopped walking and was looking back amusedly at him. She adored this little slip of his. It was so obvious these last few weeks that the swordsman… may have taken a liking to her.

There was a scowl on his face as he approached her. And before he can even open his mouth to start a row or whatever with her, she beat him to it.

“Don’t worry Zoro,” she smiled. “I really like that you are doing things with me lately.”

They gazed at each other for a moment. Zoro with his mouth opening and closing as if he wanted to say something and Nami with her shoulders quaking slightly from trying to stop herself from giggling as he fumbled his way to a retort, a quick comeback or a snappy remark to save his face.

But they both knew it was futile.

Something fell on Nami’s nose, then on her lashes and she blinked in surprise. Shaking her head slightly, it took her a few seconds to realize what it was.

She looked up.

“Aah! It’s snowing!” She squealed as she observed the hundreds and thousands flecks rain down the sky, falling softly everywhere to swathe the whole island in a dazzling white enchantment.

Zoro was also looking up. So there it was. It had already fallen before they even make it to the town proper.

Good thing though because it did distract Nami somehow.

He suddenly felt her nudged him on the side. She had moved closer to him while he was busy watching at the falling snow.

“You had this on mind?” She asked playfully with a hint of mischievousness behind her brown eyes. “A walk in the falling snow?”

“Definitely no.” He grunted.

Nami chortled. “Romantic.”

“Shut it witch.”

“Aaw Zoro, who’d have known you’re really are sweet underneath all that grumpiness?” Nami said jokingly as she stepped closer to him. She brushed away the fallen snow that accumulated from his coat, only for them to be replaced by another and another. A wasted attempt really. 

She looked up at him from what she was doing and smiled. 

It felt like everything stopped at that. And Zoro drew in a deep breath. 

Damn it. Nami really got him bad.

He reached out to brush his thumb against her cheek making Nami halt her ministration.