"To-chan, is Luffy home?"

Dragon fought back a smile on his mean-looking face. His son's best friend had called. Every time she called him dad, it made him happier in ways he couldn't explain. It didn't help having a stupid son. Nami was like a daughter to him. He really wanted Luffy to marry her already. Make her a part of their family.

"He is but he isn't feeling well at the moment. He should be resting."

Just then, Luffy crawled downstairs looking as groggy as ever, rubbing his aching gut. He poured himself some water and headed back to his room. He didn't look so good.

"Luffy's sick?

"It's food poisoning. I'll tell him you called."

"Thank you... Can I come over? I'm worried about him."

"Everything will be fine-"

"Please, To-chan."

Her persistence won Dragon over and Nami was there in no time.

Luffy sat in the living room and groaned at the empty feeling in his stomach. He had no appetite throughout the day and the lack of food in his stomach was so unnatural, he did not feel like himself.

He was fresh out of the shower. Would have been in his room but it stank of vomit and his sheets were in the wash. It was hot but it would have to do.

The doorbell rang but before he could answer it, his dad was way ahead of him. Luffy heard the shuffling of shoes and in popped Nami. When their eyes met, he felt the usual spark in his veins. No one but Nami had that effect on him.

She went over to him in haste like a nurse tending to a dying patient.

Luffy smiled weakly and sat up as best as he could. He watched curiously as his best friend pressed a palm to her forehead then he allowed her to groove fingers in his hair, bringing his forehead close to touch hers. A warmness that wasn't there before, boiled in the pits of his stomach.

"You okay?" came her soft voice and Luffy void of speech nodded. A toothy grin evolved on his lips.

Nami had such a soothing voice when she was being extra nice to him. Lately, they had been getting along too well, better than ever and Luffy didn't mind if she came to talk his ears off. He could listen to her talk all day.

"I'm sorry for coming over when you're not well. You need the rest and I was-"

"Worried?"

Nami nodded and took his hand and stared at their wrapped appendages.

"I came as soon as I could."

Luffy could tell.

She wasn't wearing her fancy dresses or clothes, her face was void of that stuff she took hours to apply and her hair was held up loosely by a red scrunchie.

Instead, she wore an oversized T-shirt over some shorts. The shirt in mention had a stain of ink and so did her hands. A pair of spectacles hung from the collar. Her few freckles scattered on her nose and cheeks she always tried covering up were on full display and her lashes were fluttery and the colour of light orange peels. He was so used to seeing them coated with black mascara that he took a while to admire the subtle difference. It did not matter to him though. Either way, Nami was cute. This Nami in particular was especially cute.

"My dad told me but you have nothing to worry about. I'll be okay."

"What did you eat anyway?"

"You don't wanna know."

"Was it that bad?"

"Yeah. It almost made me not want to eat food again... Almost."

He snickered and Nami rolled her eyes and grinned along with him.

Then she started focusing on ridding her hands of the pesky ink and picked at some more stains on her shirt Luffy didn't notice before. Lastly, she tried her best to re-bun her hair. She was blushing and Luffy knew that look anywhere. She was embarrassed and he could not pinpoint why.

"You were working on a map today, huh?"

"... Yeah."

"I can't wait to see it. You're amazing at what you do. Your maps always look like the real deal. I can never tell the difference."

Nami started an online cartography course in high school. It was a subject she thoroughly enjoyed so much so, she finished at the top of the class. It didn't end there, however. In her free time, any little chance she got, she drew a map here and there. Cartography made Nami feel connected to the world she yearned to explore. Always made sure all points were drawn to scale and every important landmark was included. The roads, rivers, valleys and plains. She could have the entire world at her fingertips if she wanted to.

"Thanks."

The map Nami was working on, in particular, was no easy feat. She honestly felt like giving up due to the many terrains but Luffy without knowing gave her the strength and drive to continue. Apart from her mum, he was her biggest fan and she would hate to let him down.

"It's not every day you hear the words Luffy and sick in the same sentence. When I found out, I thought the world was going to end."

'Shishishi' "But I'm okay now. Because you're here."

Nami's face turned a different shade of scarlet. He knew that look well. She was happy. Suddenly, her arms were around his neck. Her soft hair from her dishevelled bangs tickled his cheek.

"You're so annoyingly sweet, I can't stand it."

'Shishishishi'

Luffy buried his face in the crook of Nami's neck. She was warm like toast and smelled like coffee and oranges. For once, the smell of food that morning didn't make him want to hurl. In fact, he was slowly but surely building up an appetite.

After some time had passed, Dragon checked in and found the pair talking merrily over a commercial break. The TV was on but neither of them found it the least interesting.

He was pleased to see Luffy returning to his old self. He left them alone to give them some privacy; deciding to use the time to catch up on some work.

The meat Luffy found in the fridge was mouldy and he went ahead and ate it behind Dragon's back despite being told to discard it. Food was in the house but to cook and no one was in the mood so they ordered takeout. Luffy being an impatient child went ahead and ate the meat and we all know how that story went. Some people preferred to learn the hard way. Luffy was one of them.

Nami sat at the far end of the leather couch away from Luffy. Being so close to him made her hot and bothered and the hot living room was not helping. It only made it worse. The fan blew from above but helped little.

They had fallen into an irie quietness and together, they watched the credits of their show roll up the screen. Nami corner eyed her best friend. He looked tired so now was probably a good time to take her leave; especially now knowing that he was surely going to be okay.

She moved her long legs to stand and Luffy's neck snapped in her direction.

"You're leaving already?"

"Yeah."

She didn't necessarily tell anyone where she was going. She left in a hurry and had a lot of explaining to do by the time she got back.

Luffy on the other hand was fighting to stay awake but his message was clear. He was not ready to part from her just yet.

"Can we talk some more? I've been doing a lot of thinking."

"Is that so?" Nami sat right side him, her thigh touching his. "About what?"

"My dad says that it's not too late to decide on a university but I've made up my mind to look into part-time. However, I'm not sure if I'm making the right decision... What do you think?"

"You've done a lot of thinking, haven't you?"

"I have."

"Well, I think that if you can't decide on a degree, trade or career, that your decision would be for the best. Secure a part-time job and work your way up from there. During that time, you're sure to figure it out. And believe me, it's better than wasting time doing a course you have zero interest in, waiting for something better to come along. You'll have to start all over again."

Luffy took her words to heart. He didn't think of it that way.

He sometimes asked Nami for advice and when he did, she was sure to deliver the best way she could. Not once had she disappointed him.

"And make sure you save as much as you can. Money is important, you know?"

"That's going to be hard."

Luffy loved a buffet.

"You'll just need to learn how to budget. I'll teach you."

"That'll help. Thanks, Nami."

"Any time."

She considered Luffy to be quite ambitious and passionate about the things he loved so when it came to choosing a career, Nami did not expect him to be so hesitant. He was a go-getter but she guessed that everyone was like that at the end of the day no matter how carefree or optimistic.

She envisioned him in a profession of travel. Like a pilot of a plane or ship. Or even someone who helps people, like a fireman or life coach. Or maybe a teacher or someone who works with children. He got along extremely well with them and Luffy was a great role model. He could even be a great father...

Nami blushed at her trail of thought.

Luffy never spoke about the future. He preferred to take things day by day and she respected that so she knew in her heart that things would go well for him.

That's just the type of person he was: kind, friendly, strong, in some ways smart and in a lot of ways charismatic. The world favoured men like him. There wasn't enough of him to go around.

Nami's thick, wavy hair drooped out her ponytail and she gave up, released it and gathered it this time in a low bun.

As she tucked her untamable bangs away, Luffy helped her tuck a side behind her ears. Her cheeks took on a red Luffy tried but couldn't put a finger on. It wasn't happiness nor was it embarrassment... Maybe she was hungry?

Nami cleared her throat, looked to the side in deep thought and said looking back at him:

"It's admirable that you've taken some time to consider your plans, Luffy. It really is."

"Really?"

Luffy scratched the nape of his neck.

Sure, talking about the unknown was nerve-wracking. It made his head hurt but he did not think of it as a big deal. He had friends and his dad to look out for him but adulting his dad said was a completely different ball game. Being independent was one thing but what sold it to Luffy was that he would be in a position to help others and Luffy very much liked that idea. He couldn't be a friend who relied on others all the time, he wanted to be able to look out for them too when needed.

"Speaking of the future..." Luffy's eyes met Nami's.

"What about the future?" he asked.

"Where do I fit in?"

"You?"

"Yeah, Luffy. Me. I consider myself someone important to you. Correct?"

Luffy nodded his head without hesitation. That assumption was truer than true. Nami was important. She would always be important.

"Are we destined to drift apart?"

"Course not. Just like Zoro and the others, we'll always be friends."

Nami pursed her lips and frowned. That answer did not please her.

"What if that's not what I want?"

Luffy was devastated.

"You don't want to be friends anymore?"

"That's not what I meant."

"They may be a time when I have to go far away. Maybe not speak to you for days, weeks, months. Even years."

"No. We'll always stay in touch no matter what happens. Why do you have to leave anyway? Just stay here with me. And what about the others? They'll miss you. I'll miss you. So don't talk nonsense, Nami. Don't scare me like that."

Luffy took Nami's hand without thinking and laced her fingers with his. What she said had his whole world crashing down but he wouldn't allow it.

Nami's grip didn't tighten in response to his and he looked worried at her to check if she was still with him. On her face, her eyes were lowered as if unimpressed and uninterested. Her mouth was pressed in a fine line. She didn't take him seriously and honestly, this was the most serious Luffy had ever been. Why she failed to see that was beyond him.

"Convince me."

"What?"

"What would you do to convince me to stay?"

Luffy raced through his mind in search of answers but found none. Shouldn't staying be of one's own accord? They were best friends. The best of friends and Nami had to be a jerk and threaten one of the very things that kept him alive.

"I'll tell you."

"You will?" Luffy was glad Nami decided to make things easy for him. As best friends, they were supposed to tell each other everything. He knew that as a fact.

"Kiss me."

Luffy blinked at the easy request. And there he was thinking he had to sell one of his kidneys or plant her favourite orange trees on the moon.

"Now?"

"Yes, now."

"You're not going anywhere far after you leave here are you?"

"Maybe."

Luffy narrowed his eyes and looked her up and down.

"You're being weird."

"And you're taking forever to kiss me."

Luffy sighed and leaned forward en route to her cheek but Nami stopped him.

"Not there, baka... Here."

He followed her finger which pointed to her rose-budded lips. At that, Luffy rose a brow and scanned her eyes.

They were wide and curious. A far contrast from the bored look she wore earlier. She didn't believe he could do it. It was written all over her face.

He'll show her. He kissed her all the time but never on the mouth but how hard could it be?

His arm made way around her waist to encourage her closer then he tilted her chin up with his thumb. Finally he-

"Stop. I'm serious, Luffy... Stop."

Luffy stopped his pursuit and acknowledged Nami's hand pressed firmly on his chest. He only registered her words a second later. Her laboured breath was on his mouth and his grip on her loosened and fell away.

"Baka. I was only teasing you."

"Oh. But you said-"

"I know what I said." Nami hugged her frame. "... I didn't think you would actually... Look, Luffy, don't pull a stunt like that again unless you mean it."

Luffy scratched his head. Nami's face was the reddest it had ever been.

What did she mean by a joke? Until now, he never took notice of how soft her lips looked and their natural pinkness made him curious of the taste. But she said something he did not quite understand.

"... Unless I mean it? I wanted to kiss you a second ago."

"No."

"Why not?

"No means no, Luffy."

Luffy said nothing. She had a point.

Nami suddenly grabbed her car keys off the coffee table. The metal scraped begrudgingly on the wood's surface. One look at her, Luffy saw that the red hadn't died down. It only got worse. She was also tense and a little pale.

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah. I'm okay."

"Where are you going?"

Luffy held his breath remembering her words.

"Don't go too far okay?"

"I'm going home, Luffy. "

"Oh, okay... Then bye then."

"Bye."

The front door closed shut and soon came the sound of her speeding away. She left without a second glance over her shoulder or the usual kiss goodbye. Left as quickly as she came and Luffy simmered in the uncomfortable feeling of having a huge chunk of him severed off.

Never had he felt more alone.

Nojiko looked up from her book and stared at her door. Someone just knocked and soon Nami opened up and peeked in.

"Is mum home?"

"She went over to the neighbours for... Hey, are you okay?"

Nami's breathing was shallow and she looked as if she had just walked out of a horror movie. Her face was red and at the same time pallid.

"Should I call a doctor?"

"No. I'm fine."

"You don't look fine."

"It's just that, just that..."

Nami's tears flooded out their gates and Nojiko had no other choice but to comfort her.

For a moment, she said nothing. Just cried and cried.

"I'm the worst... How could I do something so stupid? I just want to shrivel up and die! I-".

The words that followed was nothing but gibberish and Nojiko was finding it harder and harder to understand her.

"Should I call Luffy?"

"No! It's his fault for going along with it but I was only joking, I swear!"

"You were at Luffy's house?"

"I was and I-"

Nami explained the whole situation. This was the first time she learned of Nami's not-so-little crush on her best friend. The first time hearing Nami tell her but she already knew. Bellemere filled her in.

"You should have made him kiss you."

"W-What?"

"It's just kissing. What could go wrong?"

"His dad was home, what if he walked in on us?"

"Something tells me that that would have been the least of your troubles. You just chickened out. You fit the perfect description of a coward."

Nami was offended but Nojiko didn't care. She came to her for comfort and the purpose of a listening ear but Nojiko was going to tell her as is. She had no filter. Nami should have thought twice before sorting her.

"You're never going to get an opportunity like that ever again. You lost your chance."

"I did not want to kiss him."

"Aren't people supposed to want to kiss the people they like? You know, Nami, I never pegged you as a liar."

Nami flinched.

"So when he starts dating and eventually marries you're going to look him straight in the eyes and say how happy you are for him knowing full well you wish you were the woman standing up there with him on the altar getting ready to say 'I do'; excited and happy to spend the rest of your days together. You're going to just stand there and lie like you just did to me? But you're good at it. If anyone can pull that off, Nami, it's you."

Nami began crying again. Nojiko was so mean to her. She was hurting deep inside and here she was stomping on her wounds.

"I don't think I can face him again, not after what happened. I just can't."

"Why not? As far as I'm concerned, nothing happened."

Nami found both comfort and distress in her words.

"You can either come to terms with your feelings or keep them to yourself and let them eat you alive. It's your choice.

"Do you want to hurt Luffy?"

"Of course not."

"Then don't say things like not being able to face him again. If Luffy did that to you without explanation, you would be devastated so don't be a jerk. Luffy cares for you more than anyone. Whether or not he considers you more than just a friend is something you have to find out on your own."

Nami stared back at her like a lost child. Helpless and afraid.

Nojiko sighed and pulled her sister in for a hug. She rubbed her back and when Nami's shoulders relaxed, it was safe to say that she was calming down. How she reminded her of when she was a little girl who would come to her crying after a fall or a disagreement their mum. Her little face would be puffy and red. Her wild, frazzled hair would stick to her cheeks, thickly covered in tears.

"Why do you do this to yourself, Nami?'

As her big sister, she hated seeing her this way. It gave her zero joy or pleasure.

"Just tell him how you feel."

"I can't... Not now."

"If not now, then when?"

"Perhaps never."

Nojiko could not believe her ears. This whole ordeal turned out being nothing but a complete waste of time.

"Out."

"What?"

Nami's tears dried up like the bottom of a well.

"Come out of my room. I can't help you. Figure it out on your own and leave me out of it."

"But Nojiko..."

"Now."

Nojiko was tired of Nami's shit. She pitied not just her little sister but those who continue to read this fanfic for they are in for a long frustrating ride yet they stick around for Nami to pull up her big girl socks and confess. She has nothing left to say but wishes them the best of luck... And she also likes to thank them for reading. It is greatly appreciated.

Nami went straight to her room and cried on her pillow. It hurt to love someone so much, to care about someone so much and to deny yourself the prospect of forever with them. She was not ready to deal with the consequences of her selfishness. Those who called her a fool would never understand.

How caring Luffy was to appease and all she did was show a disgusting side of herself, demanding something of him she wanted more than anything.

When he was about to kiss her, her heart leapt for joy but she couldn't do it.

Nami gasped at her ringing phone. She instantly knew who it was and she watched it ring out, dabbing at her wet face with the ends of her shirt. He called again a second time. This time she answered.

"Nami?"

Nami cleared her throat.

"Hi, Luffy."

"I forgot to thank you for coming over."

"Don't worry about it."

"No. You've cured me. I don't know how you did it but you did."

Nami laughed. It was bittersweet.

"Well, you're welcome."

A silence fell between them. Then Luffy said:

"When can I see you again?"

Nami fought back a blush.

"How many days will it be until our trip?"

"A week."

"Well, that's your answer. We've been spending a lot of time together. Maybe we should take a break."

Luffy did not respond right away. His silence was deafening.

"Is that what you want?"

"Yes," Nami lied.

"If it was something I did, I'm sorry."

"You did nothing wrong, Luffy."

"Then why don't you tell me what's bothering you? Something is wrong. I just know it. Maybe I can help make it better. Please, Nami."

Nami placed a firm hand over her mouth and stifled a sob.

"It's something I have to deal with on my own. Okay?"

"... Okay."

"There is nothing for you to worry about. I'll be fine."

Nami tried her hardest to conceal the fact she was crying from her voice, but as someone who made it their responsibility to dry her tears, Nami was a fool to think that Luffy was none the wiser.

"I really wished you relied on me more, Nami."

With that final statement, the line went dead.

Time stood still.

Nami's heart thudded like thunder and her grip tightened around her phone. As soon as the call ended, her screen went black. At that very moment, all hell broke loose.

She tried desperately to call Luffy back deciding to tell him everything. That she loved him more than life, that she wanted to be more than friends and that she wanted to be with him and only him. She knew she hurt him and when she finally decided to come clean, Luffy, for the very first time, chose to ignore her. She called again and a third time but it was all in vain.

And to Nami, the feeling was kin to dying.

To be continued...