It's vague. A very vague grotesque portrait of monsters and zombies lurked around… feasting on human flesh, their bloodshot eyes glowed red in the dark, hunting for more humans to sink their sharp teeth in – The sky was gloomy, the overcast weather and the misty atmosphere matched the mood of the depressing bloody painting. Words are deeply etched on the dull colors, giving away unfamiliar letters, making it hard to read and understand what it was trying to say.
"Leonardo da Vinci, I presume?" She uttered with slight annoyance. Holding the gruesome picture up to get a better look at it, Nami eyed the so-called work of art. All she could see was an unexciting lifeless painting. She heaved a sigh and hanged her head in defeat. Someone said that this dim cave she was standing on was full of gleaming treasures and glistening jewelries. But all she spotted was a distasteful picture of zombies and monsters devouring humans. And she bet it didn't even cost more than two berries – what a waste of paint.
"Cool painting!" yelled Luffy in excitement as he gazed in awe at the portrait.
Her face menacingly darkened – Being two feet away from them, Zoro could almost feel her enormous rage and her dangerous evil aura rapidly extend. The blue-nosed reindeer and the long nosed sniper dashed away from the infuriated navigator and the calm captain. Luffy, being the one who has no idea what's going on tranquilly approached her and snatched the painting away from her hand.
"Big mistake Luffy…" Sanji said exhaling a cloud of grey smoke.
Luffy looked at the blonde cook confusingly, "Huh?"
"Luffy… I'd like to have a word with you." said Nami, her voice shaking in anger.
- - -
"Ow, that hurt!" He blurted, wincing at the stinging sensation of the alcohol against his wound.
"Sorry." Chopper apologized setting his first aid kit down.
"You should really learn how to respect Nami-san." Sanji said while chopping up the vegetables professionally on the tiled counter.
Luffy frowned, "What did I do?" He asked innocently.
Innocent. That's what he is. Luffy can easily be attracted to small things – he adores everything, whether it was unpleasant or pleasant. He has grown – well, not really - and learned to be affected over unpretentious things. And there's no doubt that he treasures and values his friends so much. True. Luffy could act… idiotic… sometimes and that his stubbornness of caring too much leaded him to near death situations but there's just something about him – No matter how she looks at it; he always gives the impression of being calm, serious and determined at the same time whatever how dangerous the condition he puts himself into – he'll fight and give everything he has just to save somebody else. Even if it costs his own life – Nami somehow developed a habit of observing Luffy during his fights. And she admired him for his pure kindhearted compassion, his thoughtful consideration of his crew and that lighthearted happy-go-lucky trademark grin he flashes everyday. It was as if nothing could ever go wrong…
That's not the point though. Nami has her own troubles. Dealing with them right now was just worsening her aggravating headache. She was the complete opposite of her lively captain. Nami was a tad bit mysterious and sometimes distant. She would never learn how to be open-minded like Luffy. No matter how hard she'll try, she still has a long way to go. It's not that she was trying to be more like him… She just wants to feel the sensation of being boundless from appreciating someone. That's true. She has her friends that could always cheer her up – but part of her… wants something more. A love of a certain boy – if it's possible… maybe even man. She could dream, can she?
She deeply sighed.
Dreaming – Is that all she can do? Just… fantasize about it? Will she ever have the courage to step up and finally divulge her dying love for him? Or will she just, forever hide in the murky shadows and wear a counterfeit mask? Why did she even have to feel this way about him? Since when did she fell under his irresistible spell that made her fragile and weak whenever she could feel his presence near her? Why could she feel her heart beating so loud and her stomach feel like thousand of butterflies were inside whenever he would stare and smile at her? But of course, when she imagines herself doing all this, it would be very out of character for her. So she held her chin up high and determined to wait for the right time.
"Robin…" Nami called out to her friend, sitting quietly and peacefully on her neatly arranged bed, reading her favorite book. Robin's sapphire eyes looked at her. With a small smile on her face, she politely asked, "Yes?"
"What the hell is that painting doing on my bed?"
- - -
"Luffy?"
He glanced over his shoulder and was surprised to see Nami behind him. Wondering and curious of what she was doing, he asked, "Nami? Why aren't you asleep yet?"
"I could ask the same thing to you Luffy but unfortunately I need to say something to you." Nami replied.
He blinked and Nami continued after sighing the third time this day. She was too fatigued and worn out and the only thing she needed to say to the raven haired captain in front of her was to tell, "I'm sorry."
"…About what?" He asked, blinking in utter confusion.
"Well… I shouldn't have hit you." She said leaning forward on the ship's metal rail. She was only inches away from Luffy and she could actually feel his body heat which overwhelmed her inside – Luffy shifted on his uncomfortable position and turned to the navigator.
"Okay." He simply replied like it wasn't such a big deal. She sighed again. Clueless – Yes, that's what he is. Clueless. He doesn't even have any hint to know what she was talking about. But she could deal with the apology tomorrow… or perhaps the next three years. Because right now, she needs a long hot shower in a cold breezy night and a comfortable warm bed to sleep on.
"Okay, then. Goodnight, Luffy." As her orange high heeled sandals thudded on the hardwood floor, the freezing wind picked up. Nami violently trembled as the icy gust of wind lightly brushed against her skin.
"Nami." She heard Luffy call her name. Before Nami could even turn around to ask what he wanted, she was enveloped into a tender comforting hug. Gasping at the sudden bold move, she stood motionless trying hard to process everything that happened two seconds ago. Luffy breathed out and she shivered as she felt his hot breath make contact against the back of her neck – She closed her auburn eyes as Luffy snaked his strong well-built arms around her slim waist. He leaned his head on hers and slowly inhaled her scent – she smelled like tangerines. He grinned before pulling away from her.
"Can I ask you something?" Luffy asked.
Nami, who was still in a deep trance nodded unconsciously. He has a very dead serious look on his face - She averted her eyes away, feeling Luffy's intense black eyes on her.
"It's something important I have to ask." He replied. She couldn't help but feel a bit... surprised. Nami always hoped he would notice her feelings towards him but when all hope seemed lost - Luffy acted this way. He took a step forward closing the gap between them. Great. Now she could feel her heart thump wildly against her chest as if it were attempting to escape, she could feel the butterflies on her stomach and the bead of sweat trickle down her glistening forehead. This is all so ridiculous, so unlike her and yet... she couldn't resist but to be lost on those pitch black orbs of his. Then out of nowhere, he asked - the serious tone disappearing, "Do we still have meat left?"
Twitch.
A/N: ...Just... Yeah, it seems so OOC. Sorry, though. First time writing about LuNami.