Characters/Pairings: Zoro, Sanji, Nami
Outside, Looking In (Sanji-verse)
He watches the bickering.
After a fight, when she orders him to assess the damage on the ship with a careless wave of her hand, and he eventually ends up going, grumbling all the while.
When he's done napping, and she knocks him over the head for sleeping through a bad storm again.
When he needs money, and she's there offering some with a sweet, sweet smile on her lips that will undoubtely bring devastation to his finances again.
When they reach a new island and captain, sniper and doctor can't hold back their enthusiasm. They look at each other, roll their eyes. Heave a long-suffering sigh. Follow, eventually.
He sees them bond.
Outside, Looking In (Nami-verse)
She watches the fights.
In the morning, when breakfast is ready and Luffy still asleep; blows and strokes are hard, fast and meant to kill - the best of trainings, always. The reason they're still alive, still improving.
In the afternoon, after arguing over one silly thing or the other -she never bothers to pay attention anymore- and they aim to hurt, be it body or pride. Sometimes one of them succeeds, and sulking ensues.
In the evening, when a crew of hopeful marines or shameless pirates attack them and Luffy is too busy eating, or sleeping, or fishing, or playing cards. They stand back to back for a second only before rushing off separately. They fight alone and move wherever the moment takes them, but anyone trying to sneak an attack at supporting hands finds themselves slashed through, and snipers out for a bounty are kicked off the deck a second before pulling the trigger.
Sometimes they get closer, and the Kitetsu slashes through the air a split second after a black-clad leg. Then a second later a kick misses short green hair by an inch. Again. Again. Again, until the last survivors gather their wits and flee and they're left standing back to back in the setting sun.
She sees them dance.
Outside, Looking In (Zoro-verse)
He watches the rejection.
How she abuses him, and he lets her.
How she takes his grovelling for granted, and he takes it for granted that she appreciates the attention, when really she never gives a sign that she does.
How she takes the glass from his hand and thanks him without turning her eyes from the book or map that truly has her attention.
How she turns away in the middle of every declaration of undying love.
How she seems to hit him just a little bit harder and faster when he tries his doubtful charms on a new woman.
How whenever he looks like he's about to stop trying, she actually looks, and smiles, and makes her voice gentle, and that's enough to get him going again.
He sees them flirt.