evilishei

She stood albeit cockily—hands on her hips, a pout on her lips, one perfect eyebrow raised as she quietly observed the scene before her.

Outside, the sound of the waves splashing against the Thousand Sunny’s hull filled the night. The rhythmic sound served as a lulling melody against the silence of the evening.

Nami’s bare foot unconsciously tapped against the metal floor in time with it….

One…

... the sea water hitting the side of the ship.

Two…

... the sea pulling the waves back to its embrace only to let it go again… pushing it forward to splash against the ship’s wooden body.

And the cycle continues…

She exasperatedly blew at her bangs and let out a sigh. The figures lying down the crow’s nest’s floor hadn’t moved an inch at all—lying splayed on the makeshift bedding of crumpled blankets, still oblivious to the world.

They stayed deep in their sleep—breaths even; the rise and fall of their chests in sync... in time with the waves and the tap of her feet.

Nami crouched down and peered at them.

Well... don’t they look… rather cute together?

She couldn’t decide what makes the scene before her downright adorable.

Was it because it was Chopper? Who—hands down—is all cute and all to begin with? No arguments with that fact of course.

Or was it because it was Zoro—fearsome former pirate hunter that he is—had let the little reindeer snuggle on the crook of his arm as they slept.

Nami pursed her lips. Maybe it’s both. All that cuteness balancing that grouchiness...

...it’s a sight that’s kinda hard to resist.

The navigator continued to watch them some more, in awe at how homely they looked sleeping side by side.

Like father and son. Nami thought wryly and she tried to dismiss the warm, fuzzy feeling that notion was awakening deep inside her.

Her eyes shifted towards the green-haired man. She studied him for a moment, enjoying how soft Zoro looked...

How unguarded...

How his brows weren’t furrowed or how that certain frown he often wears while sleeping is not present. How his expression wasn’t tensed like he was just waiting for someone to jump him while he’s resting.

She fought the urge to reach out and touch him. Instead her eyes riveted towards Chopper.

And she marvelled at how content he seemed in Zoro’s arm... like sleeping beside the swordsman like this was the most natural thing in the world.

Of course Nami knew that Zoro had a soft spot for their doctor. They all have.

And she had to admit... she felt rather... envious at how easy their relationship with each other was right from the start.

It was hard to pull out any sort of affection with the ever-stoic swords master after all. Zoro was too hard when it comes to some people... especially those who don’t deserve his sympathy or emotion.

But there are those who seemed to be... exempted from that. Those who managed to snagged that rather miniscule soft spot Nami believes was almost non-existent.

She had seen how different he is when it comes to Chopper, Usopp and of course Luffy.

Guess he does have his favorites.

She glanced at them, a bit wistful.

Compared to that, she and Zoro have a rather tumultuous dynamics. Peace was not something one would expect from their relationship—mostly because they really clash all the time.

There weren’t a soft spot for each other. Not a bit slightest.

If it weren’t for those two years apart that definitely matured them, they’d never even find a neutral ground.

Nami fought the urge to chuckle at her ruminations.

The Thousand Sunny dipped slightly to the right as a rather strong wave hit its side. Nami paused for a moment, her navigational and weather instincts on alert in case there is a sudden change in the wind and the waves.

But there was nothing. Just a usual random shift in the waves.   

She let out a soft exhale.

The other two occupants of nest were unbothered by it, still deep in their respective slumbers.

Oh well, best not to disturb them.

Nami stood up and brushed some imaginary dirt from her shorts. She should go back to her own bed because from what it looks like...

... there is no place for her here.

With a small, disappointed smile (because she did went up to the crow’s nest with a purpose in mind), she gave them one last look before heading back down.

Then Zoro’s free hand suddenly brushed against her feet and she almost yelped in surprise, her heart jumping in her throat.

Nami’s hands flew to her chest as she tried to catch her breath and calm herself. She immediately threw Zoro a murderous glare just as he opened his eye.

They stared at each other for a moment. Him, studying her with a brooding eye. And Nami, pondering on whether or not he deserves a kick in the face for startling her like that.

The soft purring sound coming from the reindeer doctor broke their stare off. They both turned their attention to Chopper who seemed to be mumbling something. 

“Do not touch cotton candy Usopp,” his sleepy voice uttered out. “Or I’ll...”

His voice trailed off, followed by a soft giggle before he went silent again, still asleep.

That made Nami chuckle, the sudden surge of irritation that wanted to snap out of her earlier was gone in an instant. Zoro was looking at the reindeer amusedly before his gaze snapped back to Nami.

She just shook her head and made a sginal to Zoro that she’s gonna head down and leave the two of them alone. 

He didn’t say a word. Instead, he slowly extended his arm on the floor while still looking at her.

Nami’s brows drew together at that. The green-haired man was staring at her expectantly.

Was he actually...

Nami stole a glance at Chopper and Zoro merely raised an eyebrow at her, his lips tightening into a frown.  

It was a silent invitation, a signal of some sorts... Zoro was making a space for her on his other side asking her to claim it.

He doesn’t seem to be bothered that Chopper was on his other side deep in his slumber. Nor does he look bothered by the fact that if she accepts his invitation, they would have a lot of explaining to do if Chopper sees them.

Then Nami shrugged her shoulders. Oh well, if Zoro wasn’t bothered by that... then why should she be?

She couldn’t very well turn down his invitation right? After all, it was rare for him to offer...

Nami stepped closer, crouching down as Zoro moved his arm, so he can help her smoothen out the blanket underneath him so she can lie down on it.

Then she settled comfortably on the crook of his arm, head resting against his shoulder as his arm automatically wrapped around her waist, drawing her closer to him.

He dipped his head down and kissed her on the forehead.

She unconsciously let out a satisfied hum at that, her fingers curling against his the fabric of his shirt.

“Took you long,” he mumbled against her skin, lips brushing against her forehead.  “Chopper beat you.”

“Hmm… it’s okay,” she whispered back. “He’s your favourite after all.”

She felt his lips twitched at that and she tilted her face towards him.

“After Luffy,” Nami added teasingly. “And Usopp.”

She looked up to him with eyes twinkling with amusement, the sparkle in her brown orbs vivid even in the dim light of the crow’s nest.

Now both of Zoro’s eyebrows are raised as he regarded her with a curious gaze. She instead patted his chest reassuringly.

“I’m good ranked below them,” she said with a quiet giggle.

His arm around her tightened as he pressed her closer to him, hand squeezing the curve of her waist—a gesture that says he is not amused at all.

“That’s not how it is,” he said lowly.

“Really now?”

He nudged her nose with his, making her tilt her head some more.

And pressed his lips against hers.

She eagerly returned it. Softly, quietly, careful enough not to wake their fluffy friend who was still sleeping serenely on Zoro’s other side.

She felt the distinct and familiar warmth settling inside her. One that only he could evoke.

Calming and steadying.

Reassuring.

The same kind of warmth that made Chopper sleep oh-so-peacefully near his presence.  

When Zoro pulled away, he muttered begrudgingly. “Go to sleep.”

Nami let out a soft snicker. “Yeah...”

“For the record. You rank higher than you think.”

“Oh?” She gasped quietly, exaggeratedly. “I am absolutely flattered.”

He squeezed her against him again. “Yeah. Now go to sleep witch.”

Nami laughed almost inaudibly as she nuzzled closer into his neck.

“Hmmm... well that’s good to know then.”

------------------------

Chopper’s blue nose twitched slightly and he woke up to the familiar smell of tangerines.

His nose twitched again and he inhaled the sweet, citrusy scent that he knows belongs to a certain person in their crew.

He blinked sleepily. Is Nami here? He thought groggily. Because he knows this is HER scent.

The gears in his head started turning. Wasn’t he sleeping beside Zoro last night? So why was Nami’s signature scent all over the room?

Maybe she went up to check on the weather this morning like she often does before breakfast?

That’s probably why her scent still lingers in the air.

But if she did... it was surprising that she didn’t wake Zoro up. Just like she usually do. Zoro had grumbled more than once that Nami has a weird penchant for waking him up in the morning right after she does. Like she made it her life’s mission to disturb his slumber every time.

Chopper didn’t dwell on it too much. The two have some weird quirks he had long given up trying to understand. Usopp had said that’s just how it works for them. And it’s best not to get involved in it.

He sat up blearily, rubbing the remnants of sleep in his eyes.

He looked over to Zoro to check on him and his eyes widened.

Nami was there alright. Asleep on Zoro’s other side...

...snuggled comfortably beside the swordsman—who had one arm wrapped around her like he didn’t want to let her go even in his sleep.

The navigator’s head was tucked under his chin, her hand resting just above the Zoro’s chest. Their breathings synced in quiet rhythm.

Chopper blinked and blinked again.

What…

What is happening?

He stared open mouthed at his two friends, tangled in an embrace that could only mean...

Oh.

OH.

He immediately clamped both of his hooves against his mouth to stop himself from giggling more loudly. He doesn’t want to wake them up. Not when Zoro and Nami looked so content and comfortable cuddled against each other in what Chopper would call a very, very rare sight indeed.

He stiffened when Nami suddenly stirred. Chopper held his breath as he watched the map maker sidled closer to Zoro, her arm sliding to wrap itself around his waist almost possessively, as if she was burying herself into him.

She shifted some more, trying to get comfortable in her unconscious state and only settled down when Zoro turned to his side, draping the arm Chopper was using as pillow earlier around the navigator, and caging her to him in a tight embrace as they continued to sleep.

Chopper let out a soft giggle even as he tried to cover his eyes. His ears twitched with excitement and apparent delight.

He smiled, as bright as the sun that was already shining way up above, happiness brimming in his eyes.

“Zoro and Nami...” Chopper whispered as he watched his two friends still fast asleep, curled around one another.  

Downstairs at the galley, Sanji’s voice carried over the expanse of the Thousand Sunny as he started shouting that breakfast is ready.

Chopper quietly stood up. As silently as he could, he exited the crow’s nest leaving his two nakamas behind to get some breakfast before Luffy hogs all the fluffy pancakes.

All the way down the crow’s nest, the cute reindeer doctor was trying to figure out how to best keep this secret for now...

He had been sulking and glaring, scowling as if everyone had officially offended him…

…all day long.

Nami had shrugged it off at first—chalked it off as something caused by the usual bickering with their blond chef. Maybe Sanji-kun walked away the victor this time and that was why the green-haired man was in such a foul mood.

But as the day waned and softly crawled towards the evening, she somehow realized that wasn’t the case.

His glares had turned sharper, his silence more unnerving and his scowls deeper.

And they were all directed to her.

Nami—being clueless as she is—was starting to get annoyed to be at the receiving end of all that to say the least.

She pursed her lips as she watched Zoro stood up and quietly left the dining table. He walked out of the galley, his stare piercing enough to create a hole in the ship’s wall.

Even the most oblivious ones in their crew had picked up on his mood.

“Ne,” Luffy whispered to his right where Usopp was enthusiastically taking a bite of his chicken. He was also looking at the door which had closed right behind the swordsman. “Is Zoro mad?”

The sniper turned to his captain, swiftly batting the rubber man’s hand when it tried to grab the remaining piece of meat still on his plate.

Nami shifted her attention to Usopp as well, waiting for his answer.

He nodded. “Uh-huh. Looks like it.”

“Why?”

“That I do not know,” Usopp answered with a shrug of his shoulders. Zoro rarely gets mad to the point of spending the whole day in silence. He actually noticed it when he came back to the Sunny earlier that afternoon. Zoro seemed more irritated than usual, looking scary enough that Usopp decided not to approach him and ask why.

He also made it to a point to stay clear of the katana wielder’s path because he looked like he was gonna murder someone in a heartbeat.

“Think he got in a fight with Sanji?” Luffy asked before shoving a piece of meat (which he successfully nicked from Usopp’s plate) inside his mouth, chomping loud and proud.

Before the other lad could react to both the question and the stolen meat, a plate suddenly slammed down in front of them. Both he and Luffy flinched and looked up to see their cook glaring daggers at them while holding out a plateful of mini cakes, cookies and doughnuts for the dessert.

“Whatever shit is happening to moss head, I have nothing to do with it!” The blond snarled hitting both Usopp and Luffy’s head. Then as if a switch was flicked on, his mood did a total three hundred sixty degree and he twirled towards Nami to serve her the special tea he got from the island earlier.

“Nami-swaan! Here’s your after dinner tea!” He set a delicate and intricately designed teacup in front of the navigator before pouring a uniquely blue colored tea in it. “Butterfly pea flower tea as the locals here calls it, perfect for unwinding after a long day.”

“Ah! Thank you Sanji-kun!” Nami smiled as she looked at the tea in amazement. Trust their resident chef to find something utterly pretty to serve them. “What a beautiful color!”

“Of course for my Nami-swan I—”

“But Sanji…” Luffy’s whiny tone suddenly cut off the supposedly romantic declaration of the chef. “Zoro only gets irritated like that when—”

A perfectly timed kick landed on him at that.

“I have nothing to do with it shitty captain!” Sanji growled, peeved at the rubber boy’s interruption and accusation. “He’s been like that since lunch!”

Nami blinked. Lunch huh? She pondered a bit as she quietly took a sip of her tea just as Luffy and Sanji started arguing at each other.

So what happened during lunch?

She wasn’t on the ship around that time, she recalled. She, Robin and Chopper were in town exploring.

When she came back to the Sunny, Zoro was there on the lawn deck—sitting quietly, arms folded over that well-built chest of his, brooding. He looked like he was about to slice someone into bits and pieces and drag the remains down to hell himself.

He also did throw an icy glare her way when she climbed up the deck, like she had done something to offend him in some way, before he stood up and stormed off towards the crow’s nest without another word, leaving her dumbfounded.

So what could’ve happened? She hadn’t gotten the chance to talk to him since she came back and he holed himself up the nest. Plus, she can’t remember if they had any conversation-turned-to-an-argument before they docked on this island. She was sure he was pretty fine before they all went their own ways.  

So she definitely didn’t have anything to do with his foul mood.

But still the look he had given her earlier… like she did something.

Nami fought the urge to roll her eyes. Was he actually blaming her for something she had no idea about?!

She slightly bit down the cup that was still on her lips to ease some of her irritation.

“Psst Nami,” Usopp called to her. Nami directed her gaze at him, quirking an eyebrow his way. “You know what’s up?”

Nami just shrugged her shoulders. “I have no idea.”

“Come on,” Usopp huffed. “He usually gets irritated like that when he gets in a fight with Sanji or… with you.” He added as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

At that she slammed the teacup down on the table and glowered at the sniper. Usopp squeaked and backed away instantly almost toppling back his chair, making Luffy burst into laughter.

Sanji’s hand immediately flew to his heart at the thought of his delicate china getting smashed by his precious Nami-swan’s equally delicate hands. Not to mention she might get injured from the shards…

“I have no idea what’s up with that idiot. And it certainly isn’t my fault!” Nami hissed at the now cowering Usopp.

From the other end of the table, calmly sipping and enjoying her coffee, Robin suddenly interjected.

“Zoro’s angry,” she began in her usual calm tone.  

They all shifted their eyes towards the dark-haired archaeologist.  

“That’s what I think,” she smiled at them, the corners of her eyes crinkling.

“Huh, that’s helpful.” Usopp groaned as he sat up straight. “You have an idea why?” He prodded.

“No.”

The sniper exhaled disappointedly.

“Just let the idiot moss be,” Sanji muttered as he strode towards the kitchen counter, rolling his sleeves so he can start washing the plates and pans. “He’s probably just not in the mood.”

Usopp snorted. “Didn’t know you’d be this understanding.”

“Do not make me throw this pan at you Usopp!”

“Sumimasen!”

The others at the table tried to hide their snickers and giggles.

“But still,” Luffy pouted. “It’s not like him to be angry for so long.”

“You’re right Luffy,” Robin agreed. “Maybe he needs to get it out of his system...” She lifted her head and looked straight in Nami’s eyes. “Whatever it is that’s bothering him.”

Nami frowned. Why is Robin looking at her like she had something to do with it?

“Getting it out of his system means he has to fight someone,” Usopp huffed. “I don’t want us getting into trouble in this island.” He instantly smacked Luffy’s face when he saw the stars in his eyes, looking all excited at the thought of fighting.

“That and some other way...” Robin commented enigmatically and she gave Nami a small smile.

------------------------

Nami paused halfway up her climb to the crow’s nest. She took a deep breath, enjoying the cool night air against her skin and the view of the dark sea from the high vantage point of the Sunny.

The evening was serene, the sea tranquil as can be. The full moon was glowing so brightly and the sky was filled with stars. There were no signs of any impending change in the weather, no gathering of clouds in the distant that usually tells her that there is a storm approaching from the horizon.

Everything was calm… peaceful.

Except inside the crow’s nest, where Nami knew a different storm was definitely brewing.

“Stormy tempered swordsman,” she muttered under her breath as she continued to climb up. She just realized how Zoro was so much like the weather of the New World—hard to predict at times, ever-changing…

But still in a way… constant.

That in itself should be too much. But not for her. Never for her.

She never wavered because she knows best how to handle the storms and whatever weather patterns thrown her way.

And Zoro’s temper… is kinda like a hurricane hitting the ship all in one go. It’s bound to dissipate once unleashed….

She poked her head inside the nest.

Her eyes settled on the figure lying on the metal floor, hands tucked under his head. His good eye was closed, his breathing even, still stewing in silence and darkness.

She knows he wasn’t asleep. His whole body was tensed—taut like he was going to explode any time soon.

Nami silently climbed inside and approached him.

“Zoro.”

A beat passed… a few seconds of silence that sparked her irritation because now she definitely knows he was ignoring her on purpose.

“What?” He grunted in a tone so low that it almost came out like a growl. He didn’t move. Nor did he look at her. He stayed where he was, like he was.

Nami released the breath she didn’t realize she was holding.  

“You okay?”

Another few seconds of silence.

She knelt beside him and lightly smacked his shoulder.

“Don’t just clam up on me!”

“Tch!”

Another smack on his shoulder. “And don’t ‘tch’ me as well!”

For a moment he didn’t answer again.

“Nami,” he said suddenly. “Leave me alone.”

The navigator stared at him, surprised. Zoro rarely uses such a serious tone at her. Most of the time he was either yelling back or complaining or griping.

But seldom that one. She only hears it when a situation becomes extremely serious; when there is too much danger at hand and he was ordering her to go run somewhere safe.

And it sank into Nami that something is really wrong with the swordsman… something that needs to be dealt with.

“No.” She said in an equally stern and stubborn tone. “You’re going to tell me what’s up with you.”

Hell she can be just as obstinate as him.

Silence again.

A vein ticked at her temple as he continued to ignore her. Nami gritted her teeth; annoyance gradually overtaking her as the green-haired man persistently refused to open his mouth and tell her whatever it was that was making him act like this.

She had never been good with being patient with him. Zoro had a way of infuriating her without much effort.

But by Kami, she is damn trying! And yet he is not making it easy.

“This noon. At that bar in town...”

Nami blinked when he suddenly spoke. It caught her off guard—the way he said it and what it implied.

She tried to remember what happened earlier when they docked on this island. Zoro had volunteered to stay and watch the ship since he wanted to do some training.

And Nami had agreed with that plan because she wanted to do some shopping and he wasn’t really the best companion for such excursion.

They decided to let most of the crew explore the place first and head out later for some drinks.

So she went with Robin and Chopper to see what the island had to offer before they all went their own merry ways to attend to their own separate errands.

Nami spent the rest of the morning looking at shops, trying on dresses and scouring the bookstores for new books, inks and parchments. She lingered inside a lingerie shop—pondering about getting some new baby doll dresses or that particularly sexy orange lace ensemble that would definitely look divine on her.

Once she was happy with her purchases, she headed to a random bar near the sea for a quick lunch and some refreshing brunch cocktail before going back to the Sunny.

And… oh.

There was that guy in the bar earlier.

Tall, golden-haired and suave… just like a protagonist in one of the adventure-romance books stacked in her bedside table. He had a charming smile that must’ve made a lot of women swoon and words more flowery than Sanji-kun’s love declarations.

“Ah,” Nami murmured as realization sank into her. “That.”

This time Zoro opened his eye and glared at her again. “Yeah THAT.” He growled, a crease appearing on his forehead, a scowl pulling down his lips.

She stared at him in disbelief. And she had to bite her lip to prevent a grin from appearing on her face lest it sets Zoro off some more.  

But she cannot stop it. Cannot stop the amusement from appearing on her face when she realized what all this was about.

Zoro’s scowl deepened at her reaction.

Nami let out a snicker. And at that, Zoro sat up abruptly to level with her—hackles rising, adrenaline rushing, temper flaying at the thought that she was laughing at him.

Then Nami moved… swiftly. Dexterously. Like a cat pouncing on her prey.

Zoro was lying on his back again with Nami hovering over him with wide grin on her face, looking all mischievous. She was straddling him, hands were wrapped around his wrists pinning them against the metal floor like she was the stronger one between the two of them.

Her hair fell like a curtain around them, the curling tips brushing against his cheek softly.

“Zoro,” she whispered as she brought her face closer to his.

“You’re jealous.”

That simple statement almost set the green-haired man off.

Because she was right. He was. He IS.

And he was having a hard time processing the emotion because it was so foreign to him.

And yet to save face he growled lowly,

“I’m not.”

“Sure.”

Nami still had that playful grin on her face, even as they stared at each other.

“What could you be jealous of?” Her voice was soft as she asked him, her eyes studying his face intently, taking in his scowl, his glare.

“Nami, get off me.”

She continued to smile teasingly at him. And instead of pushing off like he was telling her to do, she got closer, their noses touching as she continued to hover above him.

“Answer me first.” Nami murmured her demand as she pressed down on him.

Zoro glowered at her from below. He knows he can easily flip her over; reverse their position if he wanted to.

But he didn’t want to. Surprisingly.

He wanted her there. On top of him. Close. Pressing him down like she can actually overpower him.

“Why are you jealous Zoro?” She whispered again, this time nudging his check slightly with her nose. “There’s nothing to be jealous of, right?”

He just stared at her, bracing himself from whatever the witch was planning to do like he hadn’t suffered enough in his own emotion all day long.

The image of her laughing, looking all delighted. Absorb and so into the person she’s talking to. The way the man was looking at her like she was everything that mattered in the world. Like he would do everything for the sake of her.

It gnawed at him. Really bad.

“Zoro,” she hummed. Unaware of the storm that brewed inside him the moment he saw them. Unaware of what she was doing to him, the power she had over him, letting her pin him down like this when—

“Nothing to be jealous about… I am yours.”

With that she bent down and kissed him.

Her hold on him didn’t loosen. He can feel her nails digging into his skin as her mouth shifted and coaxed for him to let go, to open up to her.

She pulled back to stare at him, to gauge his expression and what he is feeling.

“I am yours,” she repeated. “You seemed to be forgetting that.”

“You’re the one who seemed to be forgetting that.” He almost spat out. And a smile appeared on her lips again.

Nami is really a witch.

“But I haven’t,” she tilted her head a little, looking all-so-innocent. “You do know I’m being nice because I needed something from him... particularly his wallet.” She bumped her nose against his. “And not because I want to… do unspeakable things to him.”

A low growl rumbled against Zoro’s throat.

The thought of another touching her…

His pulled his hands free of her grip. Yet he didn’t push her away. Instead, he grabbed her waist, caging her against him.

“Then show me that you’re mine.”

“Oh?”

He gazed at her challengingly.

Nami bit her lip as she looked all over his face. This man… a powerful pirate, a force to be reckoned with, someone who made people tremble just by the sound of his name…

Is looking absolutely cute—jealous and all.

“A jealous you is such a turn on.” Nami breathed before she dived down to capture his lips.

And she understood the depth of his distress today when he kissed her back.

Zoro—always confident and so sure of himself Zoro—was somehow rattled to his very core.

And as much as it was amusing to see a different side of him, still it did not settle well for her. He shouldn’t be thinking that she’d choose another in a blink of an eye. HE was the one she wanted.

She pulled away from their kiss and Zoro gave her a curious look. A silent question on why she stopped suddenly.

Nami pressed her forehead against his. “Sorry,” she half-whispered. She pulled away again slightly so she can look at him, brushing her thumb across his cheek.

“I thought you didn’t mind. Never took you to be the jealous type.”

“Tsk,” Zoro sounded out. “I’m not.”

“Right.” Nami chortled at his denial. He can say that all he wants but she can clearly see that he is. “I should’ve known.”

His brows furrowed. “Known what?”

“That you like me too much. Too, too much.”

Nami smirked as she waited for another denial on his part. For all that maturity he displays sometimes, this was still something the green-haired swordsman was still grappling with...

… saying what he feels for her, out loud. Using actual words to tell her about it instead of actions and conflicts and arguments.

Zoro exhaled slowly underneath her. His hand reached out to tuck a strand of her long hair behind her ear.

“Yeah,” he said. “Yeah I do.”

Oh.

Her face lit up with a wide smile. “This must be my lucky night. You got jealous and I finally get to hear how much you really like me.”

“Don’t push your luck,” Zoro muttered even as his fingers played with ends of her hair.

“I’m not,” she shifted in her position so she can rest her head against his chest, feel and hear his calming heartbeat.

“Just didn’t rub me the right way.” Zoro suddenly said.

“Hm?” She lifted her head slightly to look at him, gaze questioning.

“I just didn’t like the way you were smiling at him.”

Nami stared at him for a few seconds as she weighted those words and the emotion behind that admission.

“Oh, I think I was talking about you.” She casually explained.

Zoro raised an eyebrow at that. “With him?”

Nami nodded. “Yeah. He did ask if I have a boyfriend or something…” she explained. “And I was thinking, yeah I do have one. Grumpy and always scowling he may seem.”

She threw him that very same smile. “Green-haired, good with swords”

“Best with swords” Zoro corrected, the corner of his mouth twitching slightly.

Nami threw back her head and laugh. “Fine! The best! The best swordsman there is.” She reached out to cup his face in both hands. “And all mine.” She declared before kissing him softly.

“You were smiling like that because you were talking about me?”

“Yeah I guess that’s it.”

“Huh.”

“Ah Zoro. You looked flattered,” Nami grinned as she poked his cheek. “And happy!”

“Pfftt.”

“Oh you so are.” She pointed out as she sniggered at his expense.

“Shut up!” He grumbled as he wrapped his arms around her, squeezing her tightly to his chest. She laughed and squirmed as she tried to get him to loosen his hold.

“By the way Zoro,” Nami tapped his arm to get his attention. “What are you doing there anyway? Didn’t we agree to head out later?”

Zoro stilled at that question and even in the darkness of the crow’s nest, Nami can still see how red his ears have turned.

They started at each other for a moment.

“Ah,” Nami grinned, “You missed me didn’t you? And you were trying to look for me...”

Zoro scoffed. “What are you say—”