I do not own anything besides these words and the cover art.

Nami was seated on the couch in a white button down. It covered her barely-there shorts, but Zoro found the look particularly enticing. Her hair was fresh and clean, and her skin dry and smooth with a creamy lotion. Zoro felt it and Nami complained that he needed to keep his skin protected, too. He showered at her place because they were there and of course, Zoro groaned about his muscles. Suddenly, Nami's fingers were against him. She pressed each knot, her breath against the back of his neck and the warmth of her hands heated him up again. However, in fear of repeating the bathroom incident, he challenged Nami to a game. Nami was slightly disappointed but admitted to herself that she was not exactly sure what she could handle moving forward, but a video game was exactly in her wheelhouse. Of course, hours passed as they poked and prodded, fumbled over each other as they argued over who was winning. She was practically in his lap at one point, so Zoro shuffled out from underneath her and went to the door, complaining about calling Sanji or walking home.

"You don't have to go," Nami voice echoed.

Zoro stared at the doorknob as if it held all the secrets of the world in its golden sheen, but all he managed to say was, "What?"

He turned to look at her, but she found herself playing with the button on her shirt collar. "All you have to do is stay a minute…I mean, just-just take your time. The clock is ticking, so stay…it's late. Sanji said he'd be late. So, why don't we just watch a movie or something?"

Zoro chuckled. He overlooked the fact that she did not offer to drop him off, but instead offered her home…her side. "I can stay like this…just living on your sofa, drinking rum and cola. But a movie? That's a sure way to knock me out."

"What," Nami grinned, "don't think I can?"

Zoro did not tell her that she already did. That she had a way of beating down his spirits with her silence or her rage, but the highs he felt were just as surreal. It made him feel like he had a place to land, something solid under his feet and in his heart. Yet, these were emotions too quick to capture in words. Zoro was never good with his, so he resigned himself to action. "I could give a million reasons why…but…fine. Just no chick flicks."

Nami crossed her arms, "How dare you. You're assuming you know my tastes."

"Don't I?" He walked closer to her, and the smell of mint and fresh cut grass wafted into her nose. She wondered if it was his clothes or his skin.

Nami turned around and curled up underneath the blanket on her couch. "Fine. We can just watch some TV."

She flipped through channels as Zoro made his way to her. He sat down and the couch shifted underneath him. He put his arm up against it to brace himself but Nami wiggled her way to his side. He glanced at her, but she was transfixed on the screen. Zoro did not mind the cuddling; he actually preferred it than having Nami on his lap or poking him. That got a completely different reaction from him. Nevertheless, this was safe. However, Zoro suddenly jumped up and walked to his bag.

Nami was confused and saddened at the loss of her personal comforter, "What is it?"

Zoro shuffled through his bag and finally came back with his hands behind his back. "I forgot to give you something."

"A gift?" Nami asked coyly as she extended her hands greedily, "You definitely should."

She stopped as Zoro revealed the ghastly bright green tiger with its one eye and scary frown. Nami nearly cried. She took the animal from his grasp gently and brought it to her nose. "Hmm, smells just like you."

"What?"

"What?" Nami said quickly as she patted the seat beside her and Zoro settled himself back down. He heard exactly what she said; he figured if embarrassing things were being tallied, then they were on equal footing. He was not exactly comfortable being so vulnerable and unsure of himself, but for now, if he could manage to get a smile from her, then Zoro was satisfied. He did not want to overstep his bounds.

He smiled and put his feet up on the coffee table. Nami was about to berate him for making himself comfortable in her home, but she preferred him to be. She did not want to say a cruel joke and watch him leave. Instead, she brought the blanket over both of them and with the tiger under one arm; she nudged her way further into Zoro's side. The stuffed animal was nice, but it made her remember that dark night. It started well, but…ended so terribly. Then her fears that he would show up tonight came around. Her only hope was that Arlong would see she was not alone and stay away. His desire to keep his work underground kept him from making too many public appearances. Zoro seemed to feel her shiver, and his arms went around her and pulled her closer, and Nami did not want to let any of it go. It felt so safe and warm and smelled of….lavender?

She took a big breath in, "Did you use my body wash?"

He looked down at her as she glared up. "Yeah, I needed soap. You always complain that I smell like sweat."

She turned back to the television screen, "Well, you can't waste mine."

"And what would you like me to do?"

She shrugged, "I don't know. Bring your own. You brought Mr. Bushido back but not soap?"

Zoro faked a laugh, "First off, Mr. Bushido belonged to you. I just kept forgetting to bring it back…ya know. And why is his name Mr. Bushido?"

Nami tilted her head and smirked, "I don't know. It looks like an old scary samurai, doesn't it?"

"So you call it Mr. Bushido?"

"Yeah…and look at its bushy wittle tail. So cute and fluffy!" She put the stuffed animal in Zoro's face who groaned in response, but Nami continued, "Anyway, you need to bring your own body wash."

"And keep body wash on me at all times?"

"No, just leave it in my bathroom."

Zoro's heart skipped a beat. He looked at her and wanted to know if she was serious. She certainly just told him to keep his personal shower needs in her personal bathroom. Zoro played the statement over in his head again. No, he was right. There was no other way to look at it. He told himself to be cool and calm. Nami did not ask him to move in, but she also just said he should move some things in. One thing. Body wash. Into her shower. Where she bathed. Naked.

"Zoro!"

He snapped out of his spiraling thought process and looked at her. She looked back with soft brown eyes and a firm pout. "Did you fall asleep with your eyes open?"

"No."

"I've been talking for a near minute and you were off dreaming."

"Well, your voice puts me to sleep."

"Oh! Is that so?" She pinched his ear and played with the gold earrings he kept on them. "You think you're funny? You think you're clever?"

"Ouch! Let go, Nami." He grabbed the remote and in the process, swept her into his arms.

"Ah, Zoro- watch it!"

"I'm trying but you have the damn remote."

He got the remote from her and landed on a channel before she smacked it out of his hand. They watched the remote land on the floor with a crash, its batteries spilled out and rolled away. They looked at the screen, which had some old cartoons playing.

"Ugh. Cartoons? Get the remote, Zoro."

"Nope. I like cartoons. I'm not getting up." He settled himself back into the couch, his arms stretched on the frame.

Nami frowned but moved closer to him and wrapped herself up in the blanket. "You're lucky I'm cold otherwise I'd go get it."

"Liar."

She glanced at him smiling beside her and laid her head against his chest.

Neither of them said anything more, both content in staying exactly where they were as The Flintstones played on the screen.

Music Inspiration/Theme: "Stay" (Uplink x MAGNUS Remix)

Short but sweet. Like me. Haha, jokes.

Anyway, it seems our two lovers are physical but not? What's with all the back and forth? How should I know…I have never been in such a situation, but perhaps, Nami is scared of mega-penis and Zoro is embarrassed by his lack of control? Hmm, IDK. BUT - so far, we have Usopp colluding with Sanji. Sanji is a badbutt gansta boy from the underworld (idk if I will explore that cause for real, I don't really love Sanji…only in the context of Zoro) & Tashigi knows about Nami & Zoro – but what is she going to do about it?

The next fight is coming up…and can you guess whom the "god-like" guy is? Hint: He's a mega douche:P

Will all these secret plans get unveiled? Is Arlong going to find out? Will Nami & Zoro finally know each other (Biblically speaking)? Moreover, someone please draw me Mr. Bushido, the neon green tiger stuffed animal that Nami sleeps with now and forever more? K.T.B.

Stay tuned!

XoXo shipfiend