Heart Breaker
Chapter 4: Schedules
When I had gone to bed last night I was surrounded by my snoring friends. My bed is right next to Luffy's, so usually the first thing that woke me was his obnoxious sleeping habits. An example that happens more often than not would be him trying to eat the pillow you are using even if he is across the room… even if you are still sleeping on it. So when I first woke up there were a few things that confused me.
One, I was tightly holding onto a body that smelled strongly of citrus, which could only be Nami. Even in the haze of being half asleep, that was the first recognizable thought that crossed my mind and as alarmed as I was I found my body pulling her closer to my naked chest and enjoying the warmth her body brought. She was laying on her back, sprawled out like she owned the place with her legs somehow tangled in mine. I was lying on my side, my head resting above hers. Somehow I still managed to cover her; my arms holding her protectively and drawing us closer together.
Two,my naked chest was itchy as some of Nami's hair was tickling it from the angle we were in.
Three, my naked chest… I froze and tensed. My mind cleared a little faster as I rapidly tried to sense if I was wearing any other clothing. Luckily (or unluckily) I seemed to only be missing clothing from the top half of my body, as my pants and even my boots were still secured in place. Nami was wearing a tank top, and a pair of shorts that really should be classified as underwear. She squirmed slightly in her sleep as if she was aware of my scrutiny of her figure pressed against me. Why was I asleep with her again? I can't seem to recall any event leading up to this.
The last thing I remembered was I had been bunkering down for bed in my room. Sanji and Brook were arguing over a shift for watch last night and I had been pretty annoyed with all the noise they were making over it. I had been half asleep when Chopper came over to check my temperature and told me I could sleep in his office to get a better rest. I waved him off telling him that was ridiculous. Luffy had been laughing with Usopp over something… and I had fallen asleep rather promptly after that.
So why was it so quiet…? Surely Nami was in our room for some reason? Oh hell, I really don't want to deal with that shitty cook…
I lifted my head cautiously to gaze around the room. I was decidedly not in the room I shared with the others, but the girls' room. I winced as I made eye contact with the other room's inhabitant.
"Morning," she greeted with that small smile of hers.
I nodded in acknowledgement. I really did not want to wake the sleeping girl still tangled in my arms. It would just lead to a hell of a lot of screaming, and several blows to the head for me. Carefully I started to maneuver to detangle myself. My arms were easy enough to retrieve, but my legs were another matter. Nami had one of my legs clamped down in between hers. Damn, the girl was surprisingly strong. I actually had to use my arms to help free my leg. After several moments of struggling I was free. Once I was clear of all limbs I carefully slipped out of the bed.
"I don't think I've ever seen her sleep so deeply or peacefully," Robin mused from her spot on the bed. The older woman was propped up on her pillows reading something. She peaked at me over the edge of the book. Her blue eyes sparkled with mischief and knowledge. I glanced nervously at Nami hoping that her sleep wasn't about to be disturbed by Robin's voice. This made the archeologist chuckle.
It didn't make me want to leave though. For some reason my body refused to move away from the foot of the bed. I wanted nothing more than to crawl back into it and rejoin the sleeping girl.
"Is she normally a light sleeper?" I found myself asking. Why the hell I didn't run for the door and pretend this never happened was beyond me. I still don't know how I managed to sneak in here without even noticing I had done so.
"Extremely so," Robin commented happily.
I was obviously the source of her amusement this morning, but I didn't really want to stay around and entertain her. I felt a large blush starting to taint my cheeks, and suddenly I looked everywhere but the bed.
"Erm…" I scratched the back of my neck sheepishly trying to think of some way to exit this situation.
"Zoro?"
Of course she wakes up now. I froze, my mind drawing a blank, as I nervously glanced over my shoulder at her. Her long hair hung limply around her giving her face a longer appearance. Her cheek flushed as she yawned. I couldn't help but think she looked cuter now than ever before. Her eyes were still half closed, as she sleepily rubbed them. I knew she had yet to figure this out yet. I didn't really want to wait for her to piece together what I was doing here; I have yet to figure it out myself. She would jump to all sorts of nasty conclusions and yet for the life of me I couldn't move to escape the dire situation. I didn't really want to leave either. I felt some weird urge overtake me as I sat back down on the bed beside her.
"Morning," I heard myself say. What the hell is up with that goofy smile that is sprawling across my face?
"What are you doing here?" she asked her voice still coarse from sleep.
"I let him in last night," Robin said. The archeologist flipped a page in her book in an almost bored manner before lowering it slightly to stare at Nami with a knowing smirk.
This made Nami instantly perk up. She sat up, drew the sheets around her and scooted further away from me.
"What do you mean let him in? How was I not awake?"
Her questions reflected my own inner turmoil as we both sat on opposite corners of the bed and glared at the older woman. She chuckled in response letting the silence thicken before addressing Nami again.
"Chopper dragged him in here. His patient was running a high fever and you two seemed to neglect an important piece of information," she said thumbing another page of her book.
"Every four hours…" I groaned. I felt like smacking my head. With all the confusion yesterday Nami and I had yet to set up an arrangement for things like sleep or a schedule for the whole day.
"But…" Nami started; her voice sounded small. "Why didn't I wake up?" she asked.
Robin didn't have an answer for that. She just shrugged in response.
"It was rather cute watching the two of you cuddle this morning though," she said as if to change the topic.
Okay, I might be a bit of a lovesick idiot right now, but I still have my likes and dislikes. I for one hate gushy moments, and that was exactly what this was about to turn into. It was my cue to leave. I stood abruptly. Both women eyed me wearily as I did.
"I'm going to go train," I barked as I practically ran out the door before either woman could get another word in edgewise.
The door slammed behind me, and for a fraction of a second I could have sworn I heard Nami protesting and calling out to me. That was only a second though, as panic started to fill my body as I hurriedly climbed up to the gym.
My heart thumped loudly in my chest. My head hurt, and honestly I wanted nothing more than to go back and wrap the navigator up in my arms.
The thing that had me panicking though was just that. I wanted all of those things, and it didn't seem right. Yesterday was more like a dream, but waking up with Nami in my arms… it brought the cold truth of the reality this is. I don't have any control and it doesn't help when she's sitting there looking at me with those damn eyes… like she wants to yell at me and hug me at the same time.
The awkwardness makes my stomach flutter nervously as I thought back to the implications yesterday had brought. We could have already messed around a long time ago, but I don't want to just mess around. I might be a cocky-headed strong idiot at times, but I have enough common sense to not mess around with emotions. At least not serious emotions. Not emotions with another person involved and the outcome I can't control. Because even before yesterday I have noticed that I have been very keenly aware of the navigator. Not quite to the extreme that was now taking effect, but enough to distract me at times. It is enough to make me want to keep her safe with a little extra effort on my end.
I always wrote it off as being a protective crew member; that I would do the same for anyone, and I have done the same for the others. It's just… not as much as it is with her. I don't get the same swell of sheer panic when I see the others in the line of danger that could be potentially fatal. I still worry about them… it just isn't as extreme. I always thought that it was because she is the one that brings us together just as much as Luffy does, because she sails us through these seas and leads us towards our dreams.
"Dammit," I grumble to myself as I pick up a weight. I would wait four hours before seeking her out again. I at least need that much space and distance away from her. I need to clear my head.
I haven't touched the weights in well over a week now, and I wasn't surprised at the strain I started to feel almost instantly. A week off from sleeping, and yesterday's lollygagging. There was little reason for me to believe that I would still be in tip-top shape. It had left me weak. Not noddle arm weak like Sanji, but still significantly drastic for me. I was only able to work out for a few hours, before exhausted I stretched out on the floor. I greedily gulped down some water from one of the spare water bottles I left lying around. I found a towel and rubbed the sweat out of my hair, neck and chest before crossing my legs and finding a meditative position.
The routine from working out and testing my strength had distracted me enough to get her out of my thoughts. She was still there pressing against the back of my mind, but it was faint enough for me to at least work out. Now as I sat there trying to clear my mind and find inner peace I found that I could only think of one thing, her.
There is still some part of my rational thought left. I can hear it protesting that this isn't me, that this is the spell or whatever that witch did to me. It still tells me that I don't even believe in magic, that this is some sort of bullshit hoax, that I don't really feel this way about the navigator.
But the thing is even the rational part that is left recognizes that I do have feelings for her. It might not be as strong as this spell is, but they had still been there to begin with; and it made me wonder… why have I always ignored them? Why was it that I sought out to bicker with her even if it meant more money owed on my ever growing debt to her? Why was it I kept tabs on her during fights? Why did I sometimes make excuses to work out on the deck when I had this huge spacious gym? Why was it when I did work out on the deck, Nami would be there sun bathing?
"I'm an idiot," I hiss to myself.
I heard something scuffle to my left, which nearly startled me to jump up and grab for my swords. At the last second my body lost its tense posture as I realized who it was. My good eye is still closed and I found my forehead scrunch together in concentration. I couldn't even escape for a few measly hours without her around could I? Sighing, I laid back enjoying the cool flooring against my warm back, and my good eye opened to stare at her.
"Nami," I said evenly. I hate that I had to fight a smile with everything I had in me, and it caused my head to ache and my chest to clench. But I would not take to this position lying down… at least figuratively I wouldn't. So starting now I was going to do everything in my power to remain normal.
"I thought you would have heard me come in…" she started meekly. Her eyes glanced everywhere but at me. Her arms were folded across her chest and she was pouting at the wall like it would give her some answers.
"I was a bit distracted with my thoughts…" I told her truthfully. I wondered if it was part of the spell that was making the words practically vomit out of my mouth. I could have just said I was distracted, or that she isn't that noisy; anything other than just the first thought that came to mind. I'm not Luffy.
"I think we need to talk," she said after a moment of silence.
I sighed. Sitting up I turned to face her fully, giving her my undivided attention.
"Yes we do," I agreed.
"This is awkward and I really…" she took a deep breath. "I'm not sure if I can do this."
I wasn't sure why I felt a stabbing pain in my chest, or why I wanted to hug her and reassure her. The look in her eyes was a mixture of looking lost, scared, alone and angry. I don't think I have ever seen her emotional like this.
"You don't have to," I settled on saying. "Just give me the required meeting time every four hours and I'll stay out of your hair as much as possible."
"Zoro… I really—"
She was cut off as the trap door opened yet again and the last person I wanted to see at the moment came strolling in.
"Nami-swwannn. You shouldn't be missing lunch because of this dumb brute."
I felt my eye twitch in irritation.
"She came up here on her own. At least she has a choice," I snapped. Sanji looked confused, but Nami's eyes flashed with hurt for the briefest second before she made her way towards the door.
"I'll be right down," she told the cook. "Chopper told me to check on Zoro because he missed breakfast," she said excusing herself quickly.
Normally Sanji would have shot after her to swoon and spaz out like he always did. But right now, things aren't normal. Much to my dismay the cook remained behind. He looked irritated with me, probably because he noticed that I had said something to upset her. His brow furrowed in distaste as he came a little closer to where I was. He balanced the tray on his arm carefully so I couldn't see the contents.
"She's worried about you," he said sternly.
"Hardly," I snapped. There were very rare times when the cook didn't get on my nerves with every word he said… okay that is a lie. I can get along with him a good majority of the time. We are friends, but right now isn't one of those times. When Nami was our topic it almost always came to blows, unless said girl was there and stopping us herself.
"She is just concerned about herself," I said with a huff. That was the truth. She didn't want to deal with me or help me out. She even said herself that Chopper was the one that made her come up here to check on me. It wasn't like we were really going to be able to talk through this. I turned my back to reach for the weights I had been using when a sharp kick to my ribs sent me flying into the wall.
"How about you don't be a self-centered ass hole for a day?" the cook snarled. One fist was jammed in his pocket, while the other still held the tray in perfect balance. His visible eye blazed with fury, and his cheeks were flushed.
I rolled my shoulders as I stood up to glare at him.
"How about you tell that to your precious—"
"Finish that sentence and I'll kill you!" he snapped.
I sighed again for what felt like the millionth time today and tiredly rubbed my face. Just a few hours ago I had been getting probably the best sleep in my life, and now I had the worst headache imaginable. I bent down and picked up the weight again, sure that I wasn't about to be attacked again, and resumed my work out. It was mostly to distract my mind from saying something I really don't want to say in front of the cook.
"What do you want?" I tiredly asked.
"Chopper actually sent me to check on you… You need to come down for dinner and eat something today," he said tersely.
I tensed at that. Nami had just said Chopper sent her… my earlier statement couldn't be more true. I'm an idiot.
Groaning, I let my hands slip away from the weight and sat back down on the floor.
"How do you prance around after girls all the time? They are so…"
"Confusing?" Sanji supplied. He pulled out a cigarette and sat down next to me. He carefully lit it and took a long drag.
"That's mildly phrasing it," I chuckled and relaxed more as Sanji placed the tray he had been carrying in front of me. It held a few sandwiches that he had obviously made for everyone, but there was a side of rice that I knew was reserved for me. I would never say it, and he would never admit it, but we both knew it was made especially for me since it was my favorite food. I inhaled a sandwich and quickly gobbled down the rice, thanking him in my own weird way with a smirk. The majority of our friendship might include the physical aspect of fighting, but on occasion we can talk calmly without driving one another up the wall. It was rare, but it could happen and sometimes it could even happen without the exchange of blows.
"When that witch said you might die… that you would be in danger constantly… Luffy nearly killed her."
I blinked in a small amount of shock, surprised that Sanji was lingering and now telling me this. Yes, we can have civil conversations but the cook is rarely so willing to openly discuss this weird concern we have for each other. Ever since Thriller Bark I am sure my friend has realized just how mortal we all are, and the prospect of losing a friend was very real. I think it dawned on everyone, but now it made all of us come clean with our thoughts of concern for one another. At least on occasion and in serious moments. Now that I looked more closely at him, he had a haggard look. His shirt was slightly disheveled, and he had dark circles under his eyes.
"I wasn't going to stop him either."
I knew the significance of what he was saying right now. Even if we fought an enemy there was always the danger of a life being lost, but we never mercilessly killed and we never killed women. I didn't have a problem fighting them, but Sanji does. It didn't make him weak; it just makes it annoying when I have to take care of it. But Sanji is the first to protect a lady, no matter what their crime had been.
I just don't know what to say back to him. We're both what I like to call Luffy's advisors. When one of us isn't available for the captain, the other takes the stand. We spar, physically and mentally. We fight for real, we fight for show, we fight to de-stress, and most importantly we fight simply to spend time together as friends. It might seem silly, but that is how we work. So on this crew, the person besides Luffy that knows me best, would be the man sitting next to me. I'm just not sure how to respond, so I remained silent and let him continue after he took another inhale of his smoke.
"We've all been on edge. I know you were hit by that curse. I saw it… I saw you look at Nami too. Everyone's running around acting like they should hide this information from me…" he paused to take another drag out of his cigarette, "I don't care if you are in love with her for right now. It'll pass."
"And if it doesn't?" I challenge.
"Then you better pray you appreciate her beauty more than I do."
I almost answered 'I already do,' almost being a key word, but I managed to clamp my mouth shut and give him a skeptical look.
"You know… technically I saw her first," I told him in a blasé way as I stood up and stretched my arms over my head. I smirked as his jaw nearly dropped in disgust at what I was suggesting. I offered him a hand up, which he took righting himself before taking a distant step away.
"I'm only being compliant for Nami. She's been worried sick about you… and I don't want her to keep worrying like that," he said tersely. "She rarely left your side when you were knocked out…"
I knew he was jealous, and I knew he was serious about his affections for Nami, but at the same time I couldn't help but revel in the fact that Nami had probably not given him a spare moment of her time when I had been knocked out. I had been the center of her affections… and she wasn't even the one that had been hit by the curse. I winced at my thoughts.
"I'll apologize to her," I mumbled, casting my eyes down and sheepishly rubbing the back of my head.
"Just do it before dinner. I don't want to see my angel pouting over her food," he told me before making his way out of the room without another word to me.
My heart thundered in my chest as I gazed out the window and watched Nami on the deck. She was pointing to the sky and barking a few orders, but it wasn't a big concern. Usopp and Franky quickly responded, and we avoided some type of danger. I'm not even sure what it was. But as she stomped over to the library she gave everyone a rather foul look that screamed 'Do Not Disturb Me' and I was going to do just that. I grabbed my shirt and slipped it on before making my way out as well.
A/N: I love the friendships in the crew, really I do, but I always find that I have a hard time writing for it and expressing it as brilliantly as Oda does. I see Zoro and Sanji having a friendly rivalry where they are actually friends. I know some people like to be like oh their gay (gross imo no offense but just... no) or that they actually hate each other. I don't see that. Especially after Thriller Bark and Sanji was so willing to take Luffy and Zoro's places. I just see friendship, with a lot of teasing remarks and challenges to make each other better and keep Luffy safe because they love each other like family. I don't want people to bash my author's note either. Please respect my opinion if you disagree, and I'll respect yours. I just don't see it (so this means don't try and convince me otherwise :)). Until next time,
Oceanwind~
