Disclaimer: One Piece (and its characters) belongs to Eiichiro Oda-sensei.

Reminder: I have no beta-reader. Any grammatical and spelling errors are solely mine.

Warning: OOC possible. One shot.

Rating: T

Note: Late entry because I'm honestly getting confused between work and time zones. I hope I made it. For the ZoNa Holiday 2020 at zonamievents. December 22 theme: Starry Night / Fireplace.

I was supposed to finish this Christmas collection but failed to do so. I never got around doing chapters 4, 5, 6 but I was able to write something for the last day/themes and totally forgot to upload it here. Better late than never. I will still try to complete this even if the holidays are far behind now.

Summary: "I honestly don't know which I like watching more."


Winter Whimsies

# 7 : Whimsical Night


As Nami closed the door of library, she shivered slightly when the cold winter air brushed against her cheeks.

The party was now over. Dinner had been delicious and after that, they all decided to huddle in front of the Christmas tree in the library; right in front of the makeshift electric fireplace Franky had built as his gift for the whole crew. A little something to make the ambiance more... supeeerrrr Christmas-y.

Honestly if you ask her, it reeks of Robin's influence on the cyborg. Majority of the crew knows that when the archaeologist requests... the shipwright provides.

Those two really has something going on between them. Usopp better prepare himself for it because he will lose his bet with her.

With the artificial flames setting the whole room aglow, Sanji served his specially concocted Christmas beverages as the Straw Hats pirates went on to exchange gifts, laughter and stories along with unbelievable anecdotes during the past two years they've been away from each other and as of recently as well.

As the party dwindled down, Luffy nearly passed out when he accidentally drank from Zoro's mug, creating commotion and nearly toppling the Christmas tree over. Sure, the chef prepared hot and festive drinks for everyone to enjoy but since the swordsman was anything but a fan of sweets; the blond had digressed and made him something special and alcoholic. For the sake of shitty Christmas spirit.

Something potent and alcoholic should be the exact words. Luffy spent the rest of the evening, babbling nonsense and chortling randomly. His one rubber arm kept wrapping around and around a now-harassed Usopp before Zoro hooked an arm on his neck and whispered something in his ear. Whatever it was, it stopped the rubber man from badgering the sniper and spent the rest of the party with his head resting on Zoro's lap, mumbling about becoming the 'pirate king' repeatedly and finally passing out.

Everyone took it as a cue to finally call it a night. Chopper was also nodding off and rubbing his sleepy eyes as he was obviously fighting to stay awake because they were still having so much fun. When Zoro set down his tankard and scooped up their snoring captain under one arm and Chopper on the other. Everyone followed suit to start cleaning the mess in the library before turning in.

Nami rubbed her hands up and down her arms trying to warm up a little as the wind bit at her cheeks slightly. They had so much fun earlier. It was nice to finally sit down with everyone to celebrate and not because they are planning to raid a country or steal from a Yonko.

She peered at the library window, checking if there was anything amiss. She had left the lights of the tree on, letting it illuminate the now darkened room. It was beautiful to look at. And somehow, it makes her feel warm and giddy inside.

Satisfied that all was tidied up and that the crew had now retired to their respective rooms, Nami made her way down the galley to go to her quarters. She stopped on the lawn deck to admire the ice lights festooning it; speckled like hundreds of tiny white, winter stars.

She had to admit that their crew put an effort in adorning their beloved ship. But as much as she wanted to revel at its beauty, it needs to be switched off as it calls too much attention from other sailing vessels.

Franky had told her where he had surreptitiously placed the switch before disappearing down the docking station to his weapons' room, mumbling about working on something for the approaching new year.

Which she doesn't believe, really. After all, this is a special night and she highly doubt he will be tinkering with something instead of spending some quality time with someone special

She located the switch taped behind the mast and flicked it off.

Immediately the white lights irradiating the deck disappeared…

… only to be replaced by something more breathtaking as the winter night sky become visible to her eyes.

She looked up, astounded.

Millions of stars dotted the sky. There were so many of them that it looked like the sky had burst out and scattered shimmering jewels everywhere and not one single space was left empty.

It was dazzling. It was magnificent.

It was...

"I honestly don't know which I like watching more."

Nami turned towards the voice's direction. Zoro was standing near the stairs leading to the girls' room, observing her.

And here she thought he was already sleeping.

Realizing that what he just said was meant to butter her up and place him in her good graces, she laughed. "Well, I'm guessing you'd pick the stars just to spite me!" She quipped, winking at him and pointing her finger up at the sky.

His lips quirked up into a smile. That one particular smile that speaks volume of what he really, truly feels for her.

"I would," he jibed back. "Yet still you put them to shame."

Nami couldn't fight the giddy smile that pulled at her lips, nor the heat that rose to her cheeks, warming them up. She placed both of her hands on her hips to as if to chastise him.

"I take it that that is your Christmas gift to me?"

Zoro chuckled.

She pouted as he approached her. "You are THAT broke?"

"Your fault." He bent down to kiss her nose. "You did spend most of my money on your gift, right?"

Nami beamed. "Weeell... true."

He leaned in further to her. "And you did say you are already wearing it. Why don't we open my present now?"

She burst into light-hearted giggles even as she rolled her eyes at him and drew him towards her by wrapping her arms around his waist.

"I don't know. It's too cold Zorooo..."

He was laughing all of sudden and a brazen leer appeared on his face.

She furrowed her brows at him.

"You know, Franky built two of those fireplace things we had at the library." He grinned at her. Shit-eating. One that promises no good for her tonight. "Someone must've told him that the nest is too cold to stay in these past few nights."

Nami's eyes regarded him curiously.

"Plus," Zoro cocked his head to the side to look at her. "Robin's gift is fitting. You should check how awesome that blanket feels..."

As realizations dawned into her, Nami perked up and returned Zoro's grin with a wider one.

"Damn it! Those two are good. Really, really good!"


The End –


R and R please.