Category: Romantic Fluff

Characters: Zoro, Nami

I finally got a chance to write something for doctorgerth's One Piece of Summer Event! I've meant to since the beginning, but alas, things pile up. This little piece is inspired by the prompt "fruit"! Enjoy :3

Nami held her arms pinned behind her back like a drill sergeant as she strode purposefully in front of the members of the Straw Hat Crew, plus Law. They were arranged in a straight line, regarding her with expression ranging from amusement to annoyance- aside from the Heart Pirates captain, who was disinterestedly inspecting his cuticles. Nami clicked her tongue and snapped her heels together, sweeping her burning brown eyes over the lot of them.

"All right! Listen up!" she commanded. "Dressrosa Kingdom is a considerable journey, and we have not stocked since we left Saobody Archipelago. We have moored at this island-" she gestured to the bustling port spilling out behind the port side of the ship, where the sailors were hauling in imported goods and the day's catch. "-to procure the necessary goods. We are on a tight schedule here, people! There will be no lollygagging or pointless scuffling today!" She tossed a pointed glare at their straw hat-wearing captain, who scrunched up his face and picked his nose in defiance. "Luffy!" she warned with a raised eyebrow.

"Okay, okay! In and out, quick and quiet, I get it," the boy grumbled unhappily. Nami straightened up with a pleased hum.

"Right then. Robin, Law, and Chopper are in charge of procuring medical supplies. Sanji and Luffy will take the meat market, Usopp and Franky the spice market, and Zoro and I the produce market. Momonosuke and Kine'mon will look after the Sunny." A few of the more zealous crew members snapped their hands to their foreheads in salutes with a rousing cry of "Yes, ma'am!" They scattered like marbles, climbing over the side of the ship to vanish into the town. Nami climbed down the rungs of the port-side ladder and landed on the slick, salty docks, while Zoro opted to just vault over the side and land beside her. One hand rested lazily on the hilt of his katana in a clear warning against challenging him. Nami pulled the list of required fresh fruits and vegetables from her pocket and gave it a once-over. "All right, Zoro! Let's go."

"Why do I have to go with you, anyway?" he griped with a sigh, rubbing the close-cropped green hairs on the nape of his neck. "I could be sleeping or drinking."

"You're my pack mule."

"Of course."

Bells rang resoundingly throughout the bustling docks as ships rolled into port, causing the waves around the algae-coated, barnacle-covered posts slosh and throw up white foam. The little droplets speckled Nami's bare legs as she strolled confidently down the docks towards the city proper, which hugged the small blip of space right before the sprawling harbor. As they entered the catacomb-like winding streets of the town, the ringing bells and boatmen's shouts faded into pleasant chatter and the whistling wind and birdsong. Aromas of freshly-baked pies and laundry soaps and hearty breads blended harmonically in the breeze, telling of peaceful homesteads enjoying the warm afternoon. Nami followed the quaint wooden markers towards the market, which bloomed in the center of town like a colorful lake.

Waves of colorful fabric tossed in the wind. Regal purples and bright reds and spring greens and sunny yellows made up the rippling canvasses of shop stalls and banners. The fruit market lay in the eastern corner, and Nami knew upon strolling up that she had chosen the right island. Wooden barrels and crates overflowed with succulent specimens, some even so overripe that they burst open to leak sweet juice over the concrete. The ship was quite stocked with tangerines, thanks to Nami's well-tended hoard, but she still squeezed a few samples and complimented the merchant on his excellent crop.

"Now, let's see," Nami said as she referenced her shopping list again. "Apples… Peaches… Bananas… Mangoes… Melons…" As she read down the list, she plucked suitable samplings from the vast array of displays and piled them into the large wooden box a very disgruntled Zoro was lugging around. The fruit piled up quickly, and soon the round, delicious foods nearly spilled over the sides. Zoro could most definitely bear the weight, but still, she felt guilty that he didn't possess the opportunity to roam around in search of weapons stores like he usually did on supply runs. I'll make it up to him.

"Zoro?"

"Huh?" he grunted with a raised eyebrow.

"What's your favorite kind of fruit?" He shifted the box, bearing its weight with on hulky arm, to peer critically at her over the top of a honeydew melon. "Surely, you must have one!" she clicked her teeth insistently. His mouth twisted into a slight frown before he muttered, "Cantaloupe." "Cantaloupe! All right, then." Nami glanced back over the fruit stall once more to locate the large, round fruit. Zoro watched her curiously as she purchased one of the ripe melons and gestured for him to follow, carrying it underneath her arm rather than tossing it into the crate with the rest of the fruit. She located an iron bench on the fringe of the marketplace and eased herself onto it with a contented sigh, then patted the space beside her. "Come on, Zoro! You've worked hard. You've earned yourself a little treat, I'd say."

His dark eyes were watchful as he lowered the crate at her feet and plopped onto the bench beside her. Using a small pocketknife that she carried around for miscellaneous purposes such as this, she carved into the rind. Sweet, bright orange juice burst from the seam to coat her fingers and leave them sticky. Nami ignored the sensation and continued to slice the peel around the circumference of the melon, then split the fruit in half. She carved a small piece out before holding it out to Zoro with a bright smile. "Here!"

"You're being awfully nice," he huffed suspiciously, but took the cantaloupe square and popped it into his mouth anyway. He hummed appreciatively as he chewed on the fruit's creamy flesh. Nami cut herself a piece and nibbled at it. It was just firm enough and saturated in sweet juice, so it was no wonder that Zoro enjoyed it so much. "You're not going to charge me for this, are you?" he asked shiftily and tore himself another piece from the cantaloupe.

"No, this one's on me," she laughed. "I know there are things you would rather be doing than hauling around our groceries, so the least I could do was buy you a cantaloupe." She bit into another chunk of the fruit and sighed contentedly. "Besides, it is absolutely delicious."

"Who knew? You actually have a nice side."

"Hey!" she protested and elbowed him in the ribs. He hissed as she jabbed him right in his intercostals. Muttering unflattering curses, he rubbed his bruising side, but he also tossed her a playful smirk. Suddenly, he tore a sizeable chunk of the cantaloupe free with his fingers and shoved it right in her face. She squealed as the fruit squished against her cheek, splashing juice over her face and even into her nose. The mangled lump of fruit flopped down onto her thighs, spreading a puddle of the sticky liquid over the tanned skin, while she blew through her nose to force out little bits of cantaloupe. "Zoro! That wasn't funny!" she whined and wiped at her face with the heels of her palms. Zoro found it quite funny, for he was cackling like a maniac. "Take this!" Nami huffed and dug out some of the orange fruit.

"Oh shit!" he yelled as she slapped him in the forehead with it. He squeezed his eyes shut as the juice cascaded down, and the front ends of his moss-green hair were slathered with the sunset color. "Nami, you little-!" She shrieked delightedly as he grabbed her by the wrists and began wrestling with her. The half-eaten cantaloupe slid from her lap to fall atop the rest of the fruit in the crate. Though she slapped and pawed at him playfully, Zoro's sizeable bulk allowed him to jostle her quite easily. He soon had her pinned down against the hard, black bottom of the bench, knees on either side of her hips, and smirking in devilish glee as he hunched over her. "Shame on you. You wasted the cantaloupe."

"You're the one who pushed it in my face first!" she pouted. Zoro's Cheshire cat grin widened, and something new began to sparkle in the dark pits of his eyes. Her pursed lips gradually flattened as she stared at him in wonder. "Hey… Zoro, what's that look for?" He did not respond, only lightly pinched the end of her chin between his thumb and forefinger. His knees pushed inwards to hug snugly against her hips. The action sent a pleasurable tremble rocketing up her spine. Her eyelashes fluttered demurely once she realized his intentions, and her mouth curled into a challenging smirk. "Oh? Now, this is new."

"Do you think I would humbly commit to serving as a pack mule for just anyone?" he growled lowly. His pink tongue flashed across his canine, making Nami shudder again. His entire hand was cupping her cheek now. The juice rolling down her face pooled in the small space between their skin, making it feel like sugary sweet syrup tenderly embraced her face. In response to his lascivious gesture, Nami licked some of the cantaloupe juice from the corner of her lip. "You're a minx."

"Says the man who pinned me to a bench and is ravishing me with his eyes." His broad chest rumbled with an approving purr. The tips of his first two fingers traced her jawline before pausing over her lips. Nami's eyes bored into his as she lightly kissed his fingertips, watching with relish as the corner of his mouth inched up into a satisfied sneer. "Are you going to make a lady infer, or are you going to say what's on your mind?" she asked, leaning her head back so that his fingers dropped to the column of her throat.

"You're devious."

"That isn't what you were thinking." He grinned domineeringly and slowly brought his face down to hover over hers. Nami could feel his hot breath ghosting over her face, carrying the scent of cantaloupe and the sake he had chugged with breakfast that morning.

"Fine," he relented with a charming smile. "I thought that you're gorgeous."

"Even with cantaloupe all over my face?"

"Especially with cantaloupe all over your face." Nami snorted with laughter and wound her arms loosely around his neck. Her fingers threaded into the short hairs at the nape, feeling their stubbly stiffness. "You are gorgeous," he breathed and traced the knuckle of his forefinger over her cheekbone. The smile that bloomed on his face was not one of momentary lust, but long-lasting affection. Nami smiled sweetly and brought one of her hands around to cup his chiseled jaw.

"Then kiss me."

Zoro didn't waste any time. His face dove down to envelop her mouth with his own in a searing kiss. Nami hummed into it, savoring the movement of his surprisingly soft lips against hers. He angled his head, kissing her more passionately, before the tip of his tongue traced the length of her bottom lip to lap up the cantaloupe juice. Nami complied to his silent request, parting her lips; his tongue greedily slipped through the gap to tangle with her own. The rich taste of cantaloupe burst on Nami's tongue as they fervently devoured each other in hot, wet kisses. Her hands traveled the lengths of his arms, exploring every divot and rugged muscle, before springing to his back to splay her fingers over the corded flesh of his deltoid.

They sprang apart panting and pink-faced, but Nami still chased his leaving lips, desperate for continued contact. Zoro chuckled and pecked her cutely a few more times before sitting up on the bench and wiping at his face.

"Ugh. What a mess."

"Yeah. It's gonna take me hours to get all this cantaloupe juice out of my hair!" Nami pouted and tugged at her sodden strands of tangerine-colored hair. Zoro smirked as he leisurely rose from the bench, stretching his arms above his head. "We had better get back to the ship. It won't do to have all this fruit in this heat," she remarked as she also stood up. Zoro's arms flopped to his sides after he finished stretching.

"Back to being the pack mule," he snorted amusedly and leaned over to pick up the box of fruit. As he was rising, Nami pecked him on the cheek. "What's that about?"

"Nothing. Just had a bit of cantaloupe on your cheek." Grinning spiritedly, he rolled his eyes and bumped her with his hip. "Hey, watch it!" she warned as the fruits at the top of the produce-laden box wobbled precariously and rolled over one another. "I paid good money for those."

"Uh-huh." Nami stuck out her tongue at him and began sauntering along the cobblestone road. A smile graced her face as she pleasantly considered the exciting romantic development, and her lips tingled with the remnants of a cantaloupe kiss…