The time was 10:58pm and Nami recapped her highlighter and closed her syllabus.

School was resuming in two weeks and she sighed for the 100th time that day.

Nami checked her phone for a response from Luffy but was left on read. That was eight hours ago and she tried not to let it get to her head.

The fact that he was unable to get an ounce of sleep last night worried her and she sent him a message asking how he was. All the bastard had to do was reply and Nami though unhappy and annoyed didn't want to make a big deal out of nothing.

She twirled her hair and pinned it up in a lazy bun and she exhaled loudly and collapsed on her sheets.

It was getting late but she couldn't help overthinking that maybe he was ignoring her or maybe-

Her phone rang and Nami almost fell off the bed hustling to grab it.

"Hello?"

No response came and Nami bit the inside of her cheek.

"I know it's you, Luffy."

"Can you come outside?"

Nami double checked the time.

"Outside?"

"Please."

It was no longer a question and she snuck out her room, slipped on her outside shoes, went to the front door and quietly closed it behind her.

Bellemere and Nojiko went in early for the night and a part of her told her to stay but when it came to Luffy, Nami had a bad habit of throwing caution to the wind.

And let's face it. She wanted to see him too.

Nami spotted him across the street just waiting. Taking one last careful look behind her, she went to him and once close, she stood a small distance away and tilted her head.

Luffy gave her one glance and shot his eyes back down to the pavement. The streets were silent as they should be. An owl hooted in the night and crickets were at play. Her boyfriend on the other hand was as silent as stars.

Not knowing him to be this way, Nami's brows relaxed and she outstretched her arms pulling him down enough so her head could fit comfortably on his shoulder. It didn't take much time for him to lock an arm around her; the other burried deep in her hair, pressing her close against him.

Nami could tell that he had a lot on his mind and naturally she wanted to help.

A wind blew and Luffy felt her shiver. Out of no where he pulled out a red jacket and helped her put it on.

Nodding at his work, Luffy took her by the hand and together they made way down the road to where Nami discovered was the nearest 7-Eleven.

The store attendant greeted them and Nami watched Luffy curiously as he grabbed a small hand basket and her appetite was opened seeing him pick up a few treats.

It didn't take her long to realize he was getting all her favourite snacks and her heart fluttered when he went over to the fridge and took his time to choose the best bag of mikans- just like how she showed him in the past.

They got separated at one point and Luffy found her ogling a slice of strawberry shortcake cake in the fridge. He got that for her too.

15 minutes later they were at his house and were watching a bunch of funny old cartoons, sitting quite close, eating their stash and having a giggle.

Luffy was smiling again and to Nami it was 10 times better than the mikans he bought and they were some of the sweetest she had had in a long time. His smiles were sweeter than the two bars of chocolate she ate. Even sweeter than the strawberry shortcake cake.

When the show went on commercial break, Nami hooked arms with Luffy and fixed her head on his shoulder and curled up against his side. But the moment was short as she sprang up to capture a mikan that was about to tumble off the edge of the coffee table.

"Good catch."

"Thanks."

Luffy crunched on some oreos and had the habit of eating the cream first. Unfortunately for him, he got some of it on his cheek.

Nami tried helping him locate it but gave up and got it herself, stickng her finger in her mouth.

Luffy was evidently upset as expected.

"I could've gotten it."

"I know. I just beat you to it."

Her smug of a smile turned gentle and sweet and Luffy having lost all apetite could only stare with his mouth slightly agape. Pulling his eyes away he disappeared into the kitchen.

Now concealed Luffy held the fridge and smashed his head on the door and rushed over to the cupboards opening them only to shut them back again.

Next he pulled his hair, clamped his eyes and teeth shut and leaned tired and defeated against the counter.

"Are you okay in there, Luffy?"

"I'm fine."

No he wasn't. His best friend, his girlfriend, the woman he wanted to spend the rest of his life with was too cute beyond comprehension and he didn't know what to do with himself.

Nami beginning to feel out of place, cleared her throat and smoothed her hair.

She jumped at Luffy's sudden reappearance and the next thing she knew, he had her with her shouders flat on the armrest, his leg between hers and he bent over her with his face mere centimeters away.

"Luffy...?"

Maybe coming was a mistake. A healthy 17 year old boy and a healthy 18 year old girl all alone at this hour of night- What could possibly go wrong?

But like anytime like before, Nami enjoyed the little spontaneous adventure. As long as it was Luffy, she didn't mind. But what they got themselves in now, the waters were deep.

Luffy's expression was unreadable. His unblinking eyes took in all corners of her face and he reached for her hand which she grasped onto and shut her eyes tight when he got even closer to her lips.

Nami's heart stampeded and then came the involuntary rise and fall of her chest. This day was bound to come sooner or later but it went against her morals and worst of all, she was not ready. But it excited her no less and at the same time, filled her with dread.

One couldn't deny that Nami was terribly in love with Luffy. He had gotten a lot more handsome these past few weeks; his features more refined and Nami took delight in being his centre of attention, his confider and most trusted companion.

She would only blame herself if anything happened but then again did not mind if Luffy lifted her up with his strong arms -like he did on the beach- and took her to his room to have his way with her. But this was not right and she knew that all too well.

The kiss never came but instead she felt the weight of his body and his head resting on her chest. Together they sighed out loud. Luffy out of frustration and Nami more relieved than anything.

He hadn't done a thing to her, yet she was completely undone.

As she worked on balancing her breathing, she had an arm around him and raked the other through his hair.

She needed answers.

"Why did you bring me here, Luffy?"

"I wanted to spend time with you."

"Couldn't you have waited till tomorrow?"

The head rubs stopped abruptly and Luffy felt worse than a kicked dog.

"If you didn't want to come, you should've just stayed home."

"Wasn't something wrong? Didn't you want someone to talk to? Guess I was wrong."

"Maybe this was all a stupid idea to begin with."

There was an evident sadness hanging in the air and as he moved to lay on his side, Nami hugged him and touched his hair again, leveling her eyes with his.

"Let's stop arguing."

Nami's voice was low and soft and Luffy tugged her close and nodded allowing her to rest her chin on his head. He sighed this time with contentment as her nails dragged over his scalp behind the ears.

"Do you hate me, Nami?"

Nami's heart dropped.

"Why would you ask me that, Luffy? Of course I don't hate you."

"It's just that whenever we get along well, something happens and it's like you've gone far away.

Yesterday, we had so much fun together and after Usopp spoke to us, you seemed different and we weren't getting along like before. It was almost as if I wasn't there."

"Don't say that, Luffy."

"It's true."

"I don't hate you." Nami said again meeting his gaze. "In fact it's the complete opposite. I just..."

She hesitated but saw him smile.

"Tell me when you're ready."

She agreed and bit her lip. It was going to take a while to get her thoughts and feelings together but she needed the time.

"I texted you."

"I was asleep. Sorry about that."

"It's okay. Did you get enough rest?"

"I did."

"That's good. What kept you up last night anyway?"

"You."

"Me? What did I do?"

"I was thinking about how cute you are."

Nami blushed. "Geez."

That was half the truth.

"You looked like you had a lot on your mind yesterday, Nami. Wanna talk about it?"

Luffy absentmindedly pressed his nose on her skin. She smelled nice.

His fingers like a person going down a slide, slid slowly down the shallow dip between Nami's hips and waist. He restarted his game over and over again.

Eventually, Nami's silk blouse road up and Luffy came into contact with her bare skin which was soft to the touch and smooth like butter.

All was going well till she twitched as his lips brushed against her collar bone and she was quick to pull her down her blouse and move his hand to wrap around her like before.

She quivered as if cold and he felt her muscles relax.

Testing the waters again, Nami caught his hand and he got the message choosing to focus on the conversation instead.

Nami's hesitance made him whine however and she wondered if Luffy's fantastic judgement of character was a blessing or a curse. She couldn't fake a face around him. Always seeing right through her.

"I did have a lot on my mind actually. Still do. But I'll tell you when I'm ready."

"Is it about me?"

Nami swore Monkey D. Luffy was capable of reading minds.

"Yes... You. Me. Us. Everything."

"We'll be fine."

"But there's no knowing that."

"What do you mean?"

Nami's lips once again sealed. The clever, clever idiot had climbed the fence of her thoughts and Nami disliked feeling so exposed.

"I'll tell you when I'm ready."

"Okay."

Nami blinked.

"Just like that? Are you going to give up?"

"Yeah. You wouldn't like it if kept bugging you so I'll wait like I said before."

An appreciative kiss was pressed to Luffy's temple. It made him giggle like crazy. He then straigtened his bent knees and came face to face with her.

"What is it, Luffy?" Nami asked. She combed his hair off his forehead, a smile adorning her lips.

"I love spending time with you, Nami."

"Like this?"

"Yeah."

"As long as I'm with you, I'm happy."

"Oh really?"

"I love it when I can make you smile too."

Luffy paused, stared and smiled a little smile as he watched Nami's eyes light up like a Christmas tree and her mouth spread wide.

He continued, "Like now. Especially now."

Nami's smile faltered and she looked down. Her face set on fire and almost lost it when Luffy tilted her chin up and stole a kiss.

Her expression must have been priceless cause he couldn't stop laughing.

"Baka."

For revenge she grabbed a hold of his neck and firmly stole one back and it was now her turn to laugh at his crimson cheeks.

He laid her flat on her back again and rest his head on her the same way he did before. This time however, he lead her hand to his head of hair and Nami heard him purr at the light rhythmic motion.

She laughed silently while Luffy pressed his ear directly above her heart listening to its beat and he closed his eyes to drown in the sound.

"Thanks for buying me snacks, Luffy." He spoiled her silly.

'Shishishishishi' "No problem."

"I'll pay you back."

"You bought me breakfast so we're even. I would've gotten them for you either way."

"Is that so?"

"Yeah."

Luffy smiled to himself, his eyes hooded, his mind deep in thought.

What he had with Nami, he didn't want with anyone else. He was willing to do anything to keep her happy and smiling.

On sad days, he wanted to be there for her because the last thing he wanted to see was her being down and out. To share some of her sadness and pain so it wouldn't be so heavy. To kiss it all away.

Luffy treasured the minutes, the seconds, the hours by her side.

Hearing Nami's voice, seeing her smile, even fighting about the dumbest of things. In fact, he would not trade it for the world. Time with her always went by quickly. Time without her was painstakingly slow.

Nami needed no one. That's one of the reasons he loved her.

Yes ladies and gentlemen. Monkey D. Luffy had gone to a place of no return. He was in love. And although Nami enjoyed playing the fool, she knew.

Luffy wanted to be the one to prove to her that she didn't have to be strong alone...

"Luffy?"

Nami was answered by another snore.

"What am I going to do with you?"

He muttered her name in his sleep and Nami covered her mouth and laughed. She ended with a smile and her eyes widened when an all too familair tightness came from her throat and then came the dampness of tears.

A flash flood of emotions.

Her period must be coming soon cause she had no business being so sad or were these happy tears?

Nami closed her eyes and concentrated on Luffy's presence and warmth.

Without knowing, without planning to, she fell asleep as well.

She woke at the crack of dawn remembering her predicament as she stared into the thick blackness of Luffy's hair.

They somehow changed positions and she was now spooning him. A bloody comfortable position she would add and though she hated to leave, she had to go but not without a goodbye.

"Luffy." She shook his shoulder and he moaned awake. "I'm going now."

"Now?"

"Yeah."

She kissed his face and pulled herself away to stand.

If she did not leave now, she would be in big trouble. She hoped to God that no one was awake.

She was still wearing Luffy's jacket (that he'll never get back) and stopped in her tracks when she heard her name.

"What is it, Luffy?" She really had to go.

"The opposite of hate is love, isn't it?"

"It is. Why do you ask?" Nami saw him smile.

"No reason."

Author's Note.

It's been about a year since I began this fic so the ending is coming right up like an order of fish and chips with a side of Sprite.

As the year comes to an end for all of us and the One Piece greatness, I wish next year to be gentle and kind. If not, we should hope and pray to endure no matter what because better more brighter days are always up ahead. You just have to be patient with yourself and maybe others. If whatever doesn't work out, we'll be forced to change. Change always works out for the best 8/10 of the time. That's how we grow.

Thanks for reading. Don't be surprised if I update a little late than usual. Responsibilities exist so that's that.

Hope this chapter made you lot smile. Bye for now.

:)