Everyone in Bellemere's household was up bright and early taking care of some overdue chores.

Nami had already washed and dried all the linen in the house and was busy setting a curtain on its pole when her sister walked in with a duster in one hand and a book in the next.

Paying her no mind, Nami came down off the stool and before moving on to the next room her sister decided to read out loud.

"I've just concluded my studies for the night and despite having prepared for bed, I cannot sleep a wink.

All I can think about is him... How does one idiot keep me up at night? The warmth in his eyes, his smile- I can't get off my mind. I-"

The journal was ripped out of Nojiko's hands before she could read another word. Nami's face was an unrecognizable shade of red.

Nojiko smirked. She wasn't quite done reading her sister's embarrassing entries but she had read enough. Enough to tease the heck out of her.

Nami's voice stammered.

"Where did you find it?"

"You know where."

She had carelessly left it out on her desk the night before but then again Nojiko had no right to be in her room.

"You shouldn't have done that. This is private."

"Sorry. Couldn't help myself."

A laugh escaped Nojiko's lips and to Nami it felt like her life was over.

"Who would have thought that my little sister could be this cute?"

"Shut up."

Nami turned away to return her journal to its rightful place and was even considering setting it afire. She had zero privacy in this house.

"There's no need to get angry, Nami."

"And there was no need to meddle with my things!"

Nojiko discarded the duster on the coffee table and sat on the couch, patting a spot next to her.

"Come let's talk."

"About what?"

"Luffy."

She knew that Nami couldn't resist talking about her favourite subject.

The chair dented and Nami wore a mask of boredom faking disinterest but her sister knew her all too well.

"Why do you call him an idiot?"

"Because he is."

"He's your idiot, right?"

Nami's mask crumbled and she brought her knees close to hide her blush.

"We got into a disagreement yesterday and we ended up not talking for the whole day but as I was about to leave for home, he was outside waiting for me."

"Was it serious?"

"No. We fight about the dumbest things..."

"And seeing him there waiting for you made you happy, right?"

Nami nodded staring at the clock on the wall. She wanted to show Luffy that she was still upset with him but went to him smiling instead.

He had wanted to ditch math class in hopes to skip a test he wasn't ready for and Nami was not having it. Luffy was firm about his decision and they got into a heated argument.

When she saw him after school, he made known to her that he ended up going to class and had passed the test gaining a pretty decent grade. He genuinely apologized. She did too knowing that she overreacted a little and they were fine again.

A curve formed on Nojiko's lips. Monkey D. Luffy turned out to be a cool guy. She didn't completely understand why Nami was so fascinated but who was she to question the decisions of the heart?

"Have you guys been anywhere together?"

"No."

It had been three weeks since they agreed on their relationship.

"Are you two really going out?"

"We are."

Nojiko had difficulty buying it. In the time they had been together, many couples have done way more than they had.

"Sure it's not one-sided?"

"Yeah. I'm sure."

Nami had good reason to doubt that Luffy may ever see her as a girlfriend but she had faith that there was something there no matter how small.

"You guys should go on a date."

"I'm still waiting on him to ask me."

Nojiko had a feeling that there was a high possibility that Nami would be waiting for the rest of her life.

"You don't have to."

And Nami blinked at the realization. Her sister was right. She didn't have to.

The middle of the week came along and Nami hadn't the opportunity to ask.

At lunch time, she was assigned to collect and deliver class projects to the staff room. She was supposed to be assisted by another student but she bailed out on her saying that she had to use the bathroom and Nami did not have the patience to wait. She wanted to meet with Luffy and the others early and had to get the task completed as soon as possible.

Nami collected a total of 32 assignments. All thick covered exercise books. Any right minded individual could see that she was struggling.

Now Luffy and Chopper happened to be passing. Her boyfriend only offered a smile and a greeting while his friend was quick to help relieve her of half the load.

Luffy was told to go ahead and that they will meet up later but he didn't budge. Instead, he watched them walk away. During that whole exchange, Nami hadn't said a word to him.

"Thanks for your help, Chopper."

"No problem."

"It's good that some of you have manners."

"Did you want Luffy to help you?"

"No. It's fine."

"Luffy'll do a much better job. It's okay. I don't mind."

Before Nami could stop him, Chopper called Luffy over and handed over the books. Eager to do more, Luffy took all Nami's share as well and she grabbed back a handful amounting to 12 giving him a challenging look and walked ahead.

Chopper headed towards the cafeteria. The tension was suffocating.

"Are we fighting again?" Luffy asked catching up to her.

"No."

"Then why didn't you tell me hi?"

"Because you didn't help me."

"How was I supposed to know you needed help?"

Nami scoffed. Straining under 30 pounds worth of books should have been enough of an indication.

"Well sorry I didn't ask." Her tone was drenched with sarcasm but what he said next made Nami regret her behaviour.

"You are able to do things on your own and you do them well; better than most people I know. You're tough and when it comes to that, I'm not sure when it's a good time to help you so just ask next time, okay?"

"... Okay."

Heat settled in her cheeks and she struggled to fight back an involuntary pull of a smile on her lips.

That was the first time he gave her a real compliment.

"Let's go out," she blurted.

"Out?"

"Yeah."

"School's not over yet, Nami."

"Obviously not today. Let's try for Saturday. Do you have plans?"

"I don't."

"Great."

"Did you mean all of us?"

That question wounded Nami's spirit. But if it meant a change of scenery, she guessed that she wouldn't mind the others tagging along.

But Luffy continued.

"Because I don't mind if it's just us."

Nami looked at him clenching the books to her chest. They had a flight of stairs to conquer to reach their destination. Before their climb, Nami needed clarity.

"Us? You mean...?"

"Yeah. Just you and me... Us."

Luffy looked away, rubbing the back of his head and Nami grinned as they began their ascent.

"Where should we go then?"

"I don't know. It was your idea."

"I haven't actually given it much thought."

"Well it doesn't matter."

"Why are you so sure?"

"Because we'll have each other. Trust me."

Nami's heart thudded about in her chest. She wanted to believe him and that's exactly what she did.

Saturday came quickly. Nami stood on the corner of her street looking down the road in hopes to spot Luffy.

She wore her hair down in a way it tickled her neck and ears and even coated mascara on her already long lashes. She told Nojiko and her mum that Luffy didn't care much about those things but they insisted that she put in a little effort.

Speaking of the devil, he came hustling in her direction dressed casually as she was. Nami could tell instantly that he tried combing his hair but it was in vain. Some hairs in the back stayed in place while the longer ones in front stuck out like thorns. She preferred it that way.

"What took you so long?"

"Sorry. Had to wait on my dad for something."

When Luffy stood up straight again after catching his breath, his shoulders leveled with hers.

Besides Chopper, he was the shortest of all the boys in his class and when Nami pointed it out, he showed signs of not paying it much mind but she could tell that it low-key bothered him. A trump card she had to use with care.

Glancing around, Luffy wondered out loud where the bus was.

"We have to go to the nearest bus stop. If it comes on time, we have less than 4 minutes to get there."

Alarmed, Luffy grabbed her wrist and pulled her in the direction she pointed out and just as the bus' door was about to slip closed, they piled in gasping for air.

Luffy's hair had gone completely disarray but what was most noticeable of them all was his hand that had found it's way in hers.

The bus was full and they were left standing. His grip was firm and protective and only when Nami spoke, he became conscious of what he had done.

"This is new."

Luffy had let go quickly after and remained silent thinking it best to apologize but he was hesitant.

Because of him, the morning was off to a bad start. They nearly missed their bus. Her hair looked nice, pretty even and he missed the opportunity to tell her. He wasn't going to blame his dad. It was his fault for forgetting to ask for his allowance a day early and had to wait at home while his dad took a trip to the nearest ATM. And now this.

"Sorry."

"For what?"

"..."

"Are you okay, Luffy?"

"..."

Nami didn't like how he stared at the floor as if in a state of denail.

"Maybe we should go back."

"No. I'm fine."

"You sure?"

"Yeah."

He smiled for her and she returned the favour.

"I don't mind," Nami said loud enough for only him to hear and Luffy caught on.

"You don't?"

She shook her head no but he hesitated.

"You can if you want to. Not because you have to."

She had said that before after finding out Sanji's been giving him tips on 'boyfriend duties' and this had gotten her mad prompting her to tell the aspiring cook to leave Luffy alone. She never wanted them to have a forced relationship to begin with and Luffy started opening up to her ever since.

Luffy's hand shyly nudged hers and she presented her open palm to him. He was beyond mystified by the softness of her hand and how well hers fit in his.

Suddenly, the bus came to a random stop and the passenger seated ahead of them got off and Luffy wished that he would have taken the now only available seat with him.

Troubled, he sighed and looked at Nami expecting her to have it but she didn't budge and he wasn't going to be an ass and take it for himself.

Where they planned on going was quite a drive and he would rather be damned than let Nami stand through it.

"Nami, aren't you going to have a seat?"

Said girl bit the inside of her cheek. Had really hoped that he didn't mention the elephant in the room.

"No."

"Why not?"

"Because it's not big enough to fit the two of us."

She gave his hand a little squeeze and he felt it.

Luffy smiled. It was hard falling asleep last night. Didn't expect to be this excited about their plans and he wanted to make today count.

Dragon was up late working on some files when his son knocked and walked into his office. It was way past his bed time.

Dragon looked at his son's big round eyes as he rubbed them. A feature that was not his and he was proud of the fact that he had developed a mind of his own; both optimistic and ready for anything. A trait that he remembered from his younger self; way before life got serious. He knew personally that Luffy would grow into a fine man.

"Is this a bad time?" his son asked.

"Not really."

It had been an hour since he got home from the office but he kept up the habit and made work follow him. Sleep was an utter waste of time.

"Can you do me a favour?"

"What's that?"

"You know I've been working extra hard on my chores this week."

"Yes. You have."

Luffy had even done things he was never asked like weed the garden and wash his car. Tasks Dragon took pride in.

"Can I have a little extra allowance, please? I promise I won't waste it."

"Sure." His son deserved it. "Going somewhere with your friends?"

"No. My girlfriend. Her name is Nami."

If Dragon had eyebrows, it would have been easier to express his surprise.

"Nami?"

"Yeah. I'd like you to meet her."

Through talking with his dad, Luffy felt more at ease. He wanted the date to go well.

They had already eaten at the food court both not having enough to eat that morning. A new shopping district opened outside town and they wanted to check it out. It was fun exploring and a more better experience being in each other's company.

Their date concluded at an arcade and Luffy scored a bunch of tickets. Nami didn't get as much but even though being new to all this, she did a good job.

She hadn't traded in her tickets she won but instead gave them to someone who needed them more. In exchange, she was given a little white daisy which she fashioned in her hair.

"Did you have fun, Nami?"

"Yeah. I did. Thanks for coming with me today."

"It was because I wanted to."

There were butterflies in Nami's stomach as she followed behind him wondering what else Luffy had in store. He was full of surprises.

He stopped and addressed her again, pulling out a small key-chain.

"What's that?"

"It's what I got with my tickets. It's a super rare item."

It was in the shape of a straw hat.

"It's the straw hat Strawhat wears in-"

"Strawhat and Friends."

"Yeah. They used to air that show on TV when I was a kid."

"I used to love that show! I miss waiting for it every week for the next new adventure. He had a big dream; all his friends had big dreams and they help each other out to keep moving forward. It brings back so many memories.

Is it that hard to find?"

"Yeah. They say that there were only 10 made."

"Wow."

"Here." Luffy pushed the chain in her hand and Nami's mouth fell open.

"No Luffy. I can't take this."

"I want you to have it. I'll probably end up losing it so I know that you'll do a better job. Please take care of it for me."

Nami knew that she was given a very important task. She nodded and they walked together to the bus station.

Meanwhile, automatic doors opened and Bellamy, the cheerleader captain emerged out the mini mart with a bag of beer in tow. He loved using his fake ID.

Looking to his right, he saw a total babe going the opposite direction and his nostrils flared upon realizing that it was Nami. He had never seen her outside of school before and it was the first time he saw her with her hair without that annoying elastic band, caging it as if it were an exotic beast being kept away from the wild.

What Bellamy was seeing was Nami in her full glory and he did not want to miss another second of this opportunity. So when he was about to call, he saw some guy come into view and his insides burned with envy when she extended her hand and wrapped it around his. Like it belonged.

He swore he heard her laughing which was like sweet music to the tired soul.

Bellamy knew he was looking at what he deemed 'stolen property' and he knew the bastard's name well.

The talk about Nami dating was true. He didn't want to believe it but now he saw for himself. Confronting the bastard now was a bad idea. He might ruin his image. Instead he gritted his teeth and went home. Monkey D. Luffy was a red-handed thief and Bellamy knew exactly what he had to do to reclaim what was his. It wasn't going to be pretty but what had to be done had to be done.

At the stop, Luffy and Nami sat waiting for their ride and the little girl who Nami met at the arcade was passing in her grandmother's backseat and she called out to her pointing at her new blue rabbit/cat? stuffed toy. She was so happy when Nami gave her the tickets. It was love at first sight and she was able to take him home.

That little girl's name was Chimney.

Nami smiled and waved back and returned listening to her chatterbox boyfriend.

"You know what?" she said.

"What?"

"I like being here."

Luffy cocked a brow, wondering what was so great about a bus stop.

"Here by your side."

There was a strange flutter in Luffy's chest and he couldn't look her straight in the eyes anymore and looked at their interlaced hands with a quaint smile.

Two buses came and went but they didn't go on board not wanting their time together to come to an end just yet.

To be continued...

Author's Note:

It's been a while since I've done one of these but there is good reason for it. Special thanks to my reviewers. Especially the guest ones who I can't reply to individually- unfortunately. I'm looking at you, Ilene as well as the rest of you. Keep 'em coming.