Title: Teardrops
Theme: 26 - Tears
Rating: T
Disclaimer: Fiction as in made up.
Summary: Nami isn't one to cry but even she can't be strong every day

Dedicado a Galleta! Disfrutas en tus vacaciones, chica!

There wasn't a lot that brought Nami to tears, especially after Luffy had defeated Arlong. That wasn't to say she wasn't sensitive because despite her outwards appearance Zoro knew she had a large and caring heart. Nami just shut that part of herself down around others to become the tough-skinned and demanding navigator she was seen as. However, behind closed doors she let the facade drop and Zoro saw the young woman who loved her friends more than anything – even beli – and missed seeing her sister on a frequent basis. He got to see the Nami that she kept secret but even with this Zoro had almost never seen her cry.

It had been just over three years since Nami had joined the Strawhats and almost one and a half that they had been together. In those years Zoro had noticed that there was one day every year that Nami was quieter than usual, on that day she would often lock herself in her room and claim she was working on important maps. In the last year there were times that Nami and Zoro fought and Zoro was relegated to the boys' cabin for the night but on this day there was never a fight. Nami simply asked to spend the night alone and respecting her need Zoro would grab a blanket and pillow, kiss her goodnight and walk away.

Today was that day and no one had seen much of the navigator all day. Sanji had brought meals to her room but even the love cook knew to simply leave it by her door. Dinner had finished and the crew was starting to settle down for the night. The swordsman knocked lightly on the door to the room he had come to consider as theirs before slipping in quietly.

"Just grabbing a blanket, babe." He said softly.

The lights were off the only light coming from a single candle by the bed. He could make out the silhouette of Nami sitting on the bed with her knees pulled up tight to her chest. Zoro crossed over to the cabinet where Nami stored the extra blankets, he pulled out the top blanket and threw it over his arm.

"Night, babe, I'll see you in the morning."

"Stay?" the word was soft and rising hesitantly in question.

Zoro didn't answer just opened the cabinet and put the blanket back. Silently he crossed over to the bed and slipped on behind Nami. The navigator leaned towards him and he quickly pulled her to him one hand on her back while the other combed through her hair. Tilting his head down he pressed a kiss to the crown of her head. He continued to hold her as her frame shook with choking sobs, just tightening his arms and rocking ever so slightly. After awhile the sobs ceased and her body stilled in his embrace. Her tears had soaked through his shirt where her face was buried in his chest. Nami shifted slightly and Zoro loosened his arms so she could move. She looked up at him with bright, red-rimmed eyes and cheeks damp with tears. Zoro brushed the wet trails away with the pad of his thumb feeling an ache in his heart at the sight. Nami's gaze drifted to the framed photograph by the bed. It was a picture of her family; of Bellemere, Nojiko and a young Nami.

"I just miss her so much; she gave up everything for us. Everything..." Nami said brokenly as a fresh tear slipped down her cheek.

Zoro didn't speak; after all there was nothing to say so he just held her silently. Soon her eyelids began to drop and Zoro laid her down on the bed before stripping to his boxers and climbing in beside her. Once under the covers he pulled her to him once again. Softly he pushed damp hair out of her face and pressed a kiss to her forehead.

"Thank you." He whispered against her skin.

"Nami just burrowed closer and Zoro did whatever he could to ease the pain and still those tears.