Chapter 2: An Interesting Evening

I do not own One Piece! That will always belong to Eiichiro Oda!

Two and half months passed since Arlong and Nami started their relationship. Of course, they had their ups and downs as any couple would, but they managed through it all, though their biggest challenge came when they were at work. Arlong referred to as a professional level, aka him still being the nasty bully toward Nami. It proved to be a slight challenge, but for the most part, they got through it normally until one day, a few weeks into the relationship.

Arlong had been pissed off all day; everything that could've gone wrong went wrong. He ended up lashing out at Nami a bit too hard, almost reducing her to tears with his words. When he realized what he had done, Arlong had felt extremely guilty.

The next day Nami arrived at work to find two things in her apron, a heartfelt apology from Arlong and a promise to never take it that far again. The second thing was a beautiful orange rose, as orange as her hair. Nami couldn't help but smile at the sweet gestures and, during her break, snuck into his office, giving him a thank you kiss.

From that day on, two things happened. The first was that Arlong was never cruel enough to make Nami cry. The second was that whenever he wanted to really apologize to Nami, Arlong would bring her an orange rose, something that she loved dearly.

~~.~~.~~

"So, when are you planning on telling your family about us?" Arlong asked Nami one night.

"I haven't really decided yet," she admitted.

They were relaxing on the couch in the apartment Arlong shared with his big brother, Tiger. The apartment was a good size with two good size bedrooms, one of which had a master bath that Arlong had claimed, a huge living room, and a decent-sized kitchen along with a balcony that had a beautiful view of the bay.

Nami had to admit that Arlong did have a good sense of taste when it came to furniture, which one would find in a normal modern home. His taste in clothing…well, she was still working with that. Tonight, Arlong was wearing a black Hawaiian Aloha shirt with pastel leaves that were buttoned up halfway up and natural-colored cargo pants for once.

Arlong shifted his attention to the girl who was resting against him and could not help but ask something that had been on his mind. "Your reason wouldn't be because you're ashamed of me, would it?"

Nami sat up with large innocent eyes that reflected the surprise on them. "I can't believe you would suggest such a thing!"

"Nami, we've been seeing each other for close to three months, and you are still avoiding telling your family," he said, looking at her with what was referred to as his serious manner. "What am I supposed to think?"

Before Nami could answer, Tiger walked through the door with an armload of pizzas. "You two behaving yourselves?"

Now Nami thought Arlong was tall, 6'7" to her 5'7", but his big brother was taller. Tiger was 8'2" tall, and he had a long rectangular face with wide lips with slight peach fuzz, a thick dark beard, and sideburns, and long, curly hair. He wore a camouflage-pattern bandanna, a dark blue T-shirt that had a pink hippo with its mouth open portrayed on it, and the words "Frog? No-Hippo" with plain pants held up by a belt, and simple sandals. He had a broad and muscular physique with thin long legs.

Arlong looked at him. "Uhm…what's with all the pizza?"

"Do not tell me you forgot the guys were coming over to watch the game," Tiger said as they walked into the kitchen.

"The guys?" Nami looked worried.

"And what game?" Arlong was not looking very happy.

Tiger calmly walked out with a bottle of water in his hand. "The football game I told you about, like a week ago. Kuroobi, Chew, and Hachi are coming."

Arlong was close to losing his temper. Nami knew this because being around him for so long, she learned the signals, and they were starting to show from the change in his breathing to the clenching of his jaw. She knew it best to get Arlong somewhere where he could just let loose his temper, and some of them could get pretty nasty. Like the one, he had a week ago.

A week Ago…

"Who the hell does that rat-faced fucking bastard think he is?!"

Nami had just returned to the Park after picking up some lunch for herself and Arlong. No sooner had she stepped foot in the kitchen area, she heard Arlong just starting to lose it. She quickened her pace to the office where he was pacing around like a caged animal, arms stiff at his sides, fists clenching and unclenching. The entire staff stayed clear, being they knew how Arlong got when he lost his temper after witnessing a few incidents.

Nami placed the bag of food on his desk and made her way to him. "Arlong, please calm down," Nami said gently as she placed a hand on his chest. She felt the wild beating of his heart. "Come on; you need to calm down before you hurt yourself."

Kuroobi peeked inside, wondering why Arlong had stopped raging so soon. Knowing him practically his whole life let him know that Arlong didn't calm so easily. Seeing Nami there surprised him, but it was her own funeral.

"Girl, you're- "

Kuroobi, I'll handle this," Nami said, giving the man a warning look. "Just keep working, and let me handle this!"

'She's so fired after this,' Kuroobi thought nastily. 'No way Arlong will let that little bitch get away with this!'

The moment he was gone, Nami focused on getting her man calmed down. "Arlong, you really need to calm down."

Arlong knew he was about to lose all self-control. "Nami, just leave me alone," he demanded, his breathing almost coming in loud huffs, and he starts to get some painful headaches.

"No," she said with determination, taking him by the hand. "Outside."

"Nami…"

"We're going outside where you can lose your temper."

Once in the alleyway behind the restaurant, Arlong just lost it. Nami sat on the concrete steps, not leaving him, not when she knew he needed her. A few trash cans went flying, but what made Nami really panic was Arlong punched the wall of the brick building next to Arlong Park. He just stood there, his shoulders slumping, and he staggered back a few steps, blood dripping from the knuckles of his right hand onto the street.

"Arlong!" she shouted, jumping up from the steps and hurrying over to him. Grasping his bloody hand. "We need to get this tended to."

He looked at her, expression blank, and allowed her to lead him back into the restaurant and to his office. He sat there silent, watching the young woman clean his bloodied knuckles and bandaging the hand. The moment she closed the first-aid kit did Arlong wrap his left arm around her waist, pulling her close to him.

"I could have hurt you," he said. "Nami, if I ever- "He couldn't finish the sentence.

Nami wrapped her arms around him, stroking his hair. "You won't," she whispered.

~~.~~.~~

"Let's go," Nami said, taking his hand into hers. "We can go somewhere else."

Leave? He was not doing that just because Tiger had the guys coming over. He was not having their evening ruined. "Wait right here," Arlong said. "I'll be right back."

He went into the kitchen right to the counter where Tiger placed the pizzas. "Four larges, now three," Arlong said, taking one of the boxes along with two plates, two cups, some napkins, and a 2-liter soda. "And now our date can continue."

"Whoa," Tiger said, seeing Arlong carrying the items. "What are you doing?"

"I'm planning on finishing my evening with Nami, and I think it's fair if you pay for our dinner," Arlong said. He looked at Nami. "Can you get the door?"

"S-sure," Nami's face was flushed as she opened the door to Arlong's room.

Arlong noticed how nervous Nami was, which actually surprised him the moment he set the items down. "Hey," he asked softly, resting his hands on her shoulders. "Why are you so nervous?"

"It's just- "she looked around the room they were in. "This is your room."

The room was bigger than her own, especially with a master bathroom attached to it. The room had a king-size pure black platform with royal blue sheets and pillows placed near the window. Two 2-drawer washed black nightstands to which Arlong had put everything one, a black six drawer dresser that had long linear handles that a 43-inch HD tv sitting on the top along with the newest Blu-ray player and just behind that was a hi-fi entertainment system that had the Bluetooth connectivity. Along the wall nearest to the door were three black mobile steel bookcases filled with various movies and tv shows that were either on DVD or Blu-ray.

Arlong couldn't help but smile at her innocence before he kissed her lightly on her lips. "Nami, do you not trust me?"

"I trust you," she said.

"Then you know I would never force you to do something you are not comfortable with," he moved his hands to wrap his arms around her waist. "Let's enjoy the rest of our evening."

It was enjoyable with only a few headaches which were only Tiger, Kuroobi, Chew, and Hachi got a little too loud at certain points, and Arlong had to remind them to keep it down for the sake of their neighbors. "Lucky I haven't caught hell from the landlord for that," Arlong muttered. Nami had been quietly looking over Arlong's little collection of movies. There were a few shark-themed ones not that surprised her when one caught her attention, and she picked it up. Arlong peeked over her shoulder, and a groan escaped him at the very title: Sharktopus.

"So, is this?" she asked, an eyebrow raised, and a small giggle escaped her lips.

"No," he grumbled. "It's just a shitty movie, cheaply made too. Tiger's idea of a joke for my birthday a few years back as revenge for that hippo shirt which is bullshit since I know he liked it!"

Nami snorts a little at his rant and puts the movie away. "When is your birthday anyway?"

"It's May 3rd," Arlong said, stopping the rant. "What about yours?"

Nami smiles a bit. "It's July 3rd."

Arlong made a mental note of it while Nami pulled out her cell, marking it on the calendar. After marking it, her eye caught the time on the clock, and it was late. "Bell-mere is gonna kill me!"

Arlong found it odd that she referred to her mother by her name and made another mental note to ask her about that later. "Just call and say you forgot because you were having such a good time," he suggested. "She should understand. I mean, you certainly aren't a little girl anymore. You call, and I'll take care of the trash."

~~.~~.~~

"Nami, do you know how late it is?!"

"I know, and I'm sorry. I lost track of time," Nami said. "I'll be home soon, I promise."

"No, no, it's late, and I don't want you walking home at this hour. I was just worried when you didn't call," Belle-mere said. "You can stay with Robin tonight." Robin, of course, was who Nami told her mother she be hanging out with. Arlong knew this little lie beforehand.

Arlong had just come back as Nami's eyes widened. "I really can come home. It's no big deal. Besides, I don't have a change of clothes."

"What is going on?" Arlong mouthed. Nami made a motion for him not to make a sound, then presses the speaker button.

"Nami, I'm sure Robin won't mind lending you something for the night," Belle-mere said. "Just make sure to come home in the morning to get ready for work. You don't need that ass bastard you work to give you hell."

Nami was quick to put a hand over Arlong's mouth before he said something. "Arlong has mellowed out some, and I think we have an understanding of each other, but I'll still be home in the morning."

"Good girl," Belle-mere said. "See you in the morning. Love you."

"Love you too. Night," Nami said, hanging up.

"Ass bastard?" Arlong said with a humph. "Is that what you called me before we started seeing each other?"

"Now you see why I haven't said anything to my family yet," Nami said. "And I called you a lot worse, but that was then."

"Arrogant jerk was one of them if I recall right."

She looked at him before shaking her head. "How do you want to handle the sleeping arrangements?"

"Nami, I think it's time that we share the same bed," Arlong said. "Unless you prefer, I take the coach in case you think I cannot behave with you."

"You have so far when we're along," she said, wrapping arms around his neck. "I'll take the chance to share."

"You'll still have to tell your mother about us, though."

"Arlong?"

"Yeah?"

"Shut up and kiss me," Nami said.

He grinned, more than willing to do as asked. Their private moment, though, was interrupted by the unexpecting opening of the door. Arlong and Nami broke their kiss and looked to the door to see who it was and were greeted by three men.

The tallest was a tanned, 6'8" man with black hair tied into a long straight ponytail and muscular. A black muscle shirt, blue jeans, and brown boots made up his outfit, making him look like a bouncer.

The second was a normal, what, 6'6" man with short blonde hair and thick lips. He was also muscular like the first man, but not as much. He wore a golden chain necklace, brown flip-flop, brown shorts, and a blue striped vest shirt. He looked like a beach bum.

The last man was 6' 3" with grey wavy spike-styled hair. He was muscular like his companions but was muscular like the second man, not the first. He wore red and orange striped shirts, gray jeans, and white tennis shoes. This man looked normal but so kind.

They were Kuroobi, Chew, and Hachi. Arlong's friends since childhood. Now they were staring at the couple with shocked expressions.

"What- "Chew started.

"the-, "Hachi goes on.

"hell?!" Kuroobi finished.

"Hi, guys…" Nami said nervously, wishing at that very moment she could disappear.

Arlong gave a frustrated sigh. This was not how he wanted his friends to find out, especially with Nami being in his room.

"So, you and Nami are seriously dating?" Chew asked the moment the scene finally sank in.

"Congratulations, you two!" Hachi said, smiling brightly while Kuroobi looked a little ticked.

"Wait, have you actually slept with her?"

If Arlong had not been holding Nami, he would have murdered Kuroobi right then and there. "What the hell I do with my girl is none of your damn business!" he snapped angrily, then looked past them to the newcomer. "Tiger, I thought you guys were watching the game?"

Tiger stood behind the guys looking actually amused before his expression turned to embarrassment. "We are," he said sheepishly, rubbing the back of his neck. "We ran out of beer, and I went to get some more."

"And you couldn't take them with you?"

"We aren't six; we don't need a babysitter, dude," Chew said, crossing his arms.

"Then why are you here?" Arlong questioned.

"Well, we wanted to check on you, dude," Chew said. "We thought you were in one of your moods, not with a girlfriend."

Arlong glares, and before he could say anything, Nami spoke. "Maybe I should go home after all. This looks like it will require your attention."

"No!" This came out of Arlong, Hachi, Chew, and Tiger. Kuroobi said nothing.

"Why don't you get cleaned up?" Arlong whispered in her ear. "I'll get a shirt out for you." He turned his attention to his three friends. "You three. Kitchen. Now!"

"Arlong, go a little easy on them," Nami said. "Please."

He gave a rumbling sigh that sounded more like a growl. Nami was asking a lot of him since he really wanted to hurt both Kuroobi and Chew. They were lucky she asked him not to hurt them, but it wouldn't stop him from giving a damn earful. He nodded to her request before glaring at his friends. The message was pretty clear. Out. Now.

"We're screwed," Chew said as he closed the door.

"Wow," Kuroobi replied, crossing his arms. "What was your first clue?"

"Not the way I wanted them to learn to learn about us," Arlong said, still upset as he opened the dresser drawer and tossed her a T-shirt. "Will this do?"

Nami looked at the charcoal-colored shirt, which featured the red saw shark served as the Arlong Park logo. It was a shirt available for purchase on the restaurant's website. "It will," Nami said with a smile.

"Good. Now to tend to the other matter," Arlong said.

~~.~~.~~

"So, how long have you guys seen each other?" Hachi asked as soon as his friend stepped into the kitchen.

"Almost three months," Arlong said.

"Wow, and you haven't had sex yet?" Chew said, surprised.

Arlong glares at him. "Why the hell would I tell you that?"

"Chew!" Hachi said. "Don't make him upset! He doesn't have to tell us if he doesn't want to."

"Nami and I haven't yet, okay?" Arlong was getting more and more frustrated. "Look, I was going to tell you guys. I really was."

"So just how did you and little miss- "Kuroobi stopped the moment Arlong gave him a warning look. "So, how did it happen between you two?"

"Argument, and we ended up kissing," Arlong said, keeping it nice and short. "And don't even ask who kissed who. I don't need another round of that."

"Yeah, had enough with me asking him," Tiger said, chuckling as he opened a can of beer.

"Shut up," Arlong said.

"So, who else knows?" Hachi asked.

"Just you guys."

"Wait," Tiger said. "Nami hasn't told her family or friends yet?"

"No."

"Girl is probably gonna wait until the wedding," Tiger said with a laugh.

"Hey!" Arlong said. "Don't be jinxing me here!"

"Especially since they haven't done it yet," Kuroobi added.

"I really hate you at times, Kuroobi," Arlong said.

"So, are we cool here or what?" Kuroobi asked. "I'm missing the game, and I don't want to lose the bet I have with Chew."

Arlong shook his head. They were idiots at times, but they had stuck by him through thick and thin for a long time. "Go ahead. Just keep it down."

"Yeah, yeah," Kuroobi said, grabbing a beer himself.

"We don't want to hear you two if you decide to have a little 'fun,'" Chew said with a snicker.

"Keep going, and I'll have you doing Nami's job for the next two months, smart mouth."

~~.~~.~~

Nami was already asleep when Arlong came into the room. He was a little surprised that she was, but after the way their evening had just ended, it wasn't that surprising. He grabbed a pair of sweatpants before he stepped into the bathroom to change and brush his teeth. Once he had done that, he carefully slipped under the covers, not wanting to disturb his girl's sleep. He gently tucked a strand of orange hair behind her ear before lightly kissing her cheek.

"I hope your family and friends take the news better whenever you decide to tell them."

Well, that was an unexpected ending to Arlong and Nami's evening. A big thanks again to my friend BXE who is helping to edit the story. So remember to Read and Review as always.