Kind of a big chapter again, guys, don't get mad at me. |･ω･)
A very light Frobin and Zotash. My apologies to those who ship something else. (*_ _)人
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Robin was lying on her sun lounger on the deck while reading a book and using Hana Hana no Mi to run the fingers through Franky's hair (What the hell is he inventing now?) when she saw Nami and Luffy go up to Sunny and each go to a different corner of the ship - Nami to the girls' room and Luffy to the kitchen.
They were not smiling, talking or fighting.
Strange.
Robin glanced at Franky and he looked at her with a raised eyebrow. So he had noticed, too. The archeologist looked quickly at their bedroom door, but the cyborg always perceptive, spoke over his shoulders.
"Go. I'll make something up if they ask."
Robin nodded and stroke his face. Franky gave her hand a quick kiss and she headed for the bedroom. Nami would probably not be in bed, but in the bathroom. Her friend cried there when Hancock threw so many things in her face, so she would probably be there crying for a reason that Robin couldn't quite tell.
I mean, she had a vague idea.
The archaeologist found the redhead staring at her own reflection in the bathtub with puffy eyes, totally naked and with the water running from the tap. Robin knew there was something wrong. But without saying a word, she approached, turned off the tap, gathered Nami's clothes that were scattered on the floor and put them in the laundry basin, undressed until she was left with only her underwear and got into the bathtub.
Robin waited patiently until Nami decided to speak. Patience was inherent in the archaeologist and she could wait all day and if what the redhead needed was just silence and a friendly shoulder, she would offer it.
After a few minutes, Nami spoke in a cracked voice. "I kissed Luffy."
Robin's eyes widened slightly, but she remained silent indicating that Nami could speak in her own time.
"But he did nothing."
Robin was not surprised by this statement - a kiss was not an enemy that the captain would know how to fight. Love was an opponent that she knew Luffy didn't understand, didn't know how to analyze, didn't know how to counter-attack.
"Why did you kiss him?"
"Because I love him."
Nami had never directly confirmed the archaeologist's suspicions, but she knew it wasn't necessary. The redhead managed to hide from most of the crew because they were all too young to be attached to the concept of love. It was as if they all diminished the importance of the feeling because it would mean that they wouldn't reach their goals and dreams. Sanji, Zoro and Luffy especially. Extremely strong boys, but so naive to think that way.
But she and Franky knew better. They were able to pinpoint the exact moment when Nami's crush on Luffy became something completely different. And stronger. The couple even talked about it on occasions when they caught the navigator watching the captain when he wasn't looking or when she smiled kindly while ruffling his hair.
However, neither Robin nor Franky has commented on anything so far. The two thought it was best to let Nami and Luffy figure out for themselves, even if it took a long time.
"What do I do, Robin? What if I screw up everything because of a kiss? What if… Luffy stops being my friend because he thinks I'm going to be annoying and behave like Hancock?"
As if it was possible, Nami.
The archaeologist was sure that Nami had a more than a special place in Luffy's mind and heart. It was silly of her to think that way because the boy would never stop being friends with her because of a non-standard occurrence. Luffy didn't destroy Arlong or punched his way through Shiki's palace or almost bit Tesoro's head off if Nami wasn't precious to him.
Extremely precious.
"You're just scared. If you think about it for a second, you'll know the answer. The affection that Luffy feels for all of us is much bigger than a misunderstanding."
Robin also knew that Nami was not crying for a simple rejection. The navigator had a huge heart like the captain and was a very resilient woman, so it was probably fear and shame. Fear of losing the friendship of her best friend, fear of ending up disturbing the dynamics of the crew, fear of possibly having hurt him, shame for having crossed limits.
Eventually, Nami sniffed and agreed with Robin.
"You're right. Since it meant nothing to him, then I think it would be okay for me to apologize."
"If that's what you think is right, know that you will have my support", Robin smiled kindly, "But have you thought about telling the truth?"
"Yes. But I won't. These are too strong words for Luffy to understand."
"You know the captain is not as dense as he looks."
"I know."
Nami looked at Robin with a blank expression and she knew that her friend's mind wasn't there. What the redhead was seeing was not the archaeologist, but the events of the morning she experienced. Everything must have been playing like a movie in her head and Nami must have been looking for the exact moment she had made a mistake. The exact moment that she could have backed off.
Robin decided to give a piece of advice to the youngest that helped her a lot during her entire life.
"I know that nothing breaks like a heart. But it breaks and then it mends, my dear."
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Despite being so resolute, Nami didn't have the courage to apologize as soon as she left the bathroom. The moment she stepped out and looked at herself in the mirror, her determination evaporated in the same way the wind blows away the smoke from the incense she lights when she's restless.
She decided it was simply because she couldn't look at anyone with such puffy eyes. It had nothing to do with the fear of yet another rejection. But it was there. A fear right under her skin, so intrinsic that she couldn't remove it, even if she wanted to.
She couldn't even get out of the room for lunch or dinner. Robin brought it to her, being able to avoid the suspicious questions of the crew (with Franky's help) and dodging Sanji's exacerbated concern. But when the archeologist arrived with lunch, she was able to hear a sincere apprehension in the cook's voice and Nami firmly thanked any divine entity that existed in the world for such dear friends.
Robin decided that she'd keep her company and that they'd simply watch crappy telly. And in fact, it distracted Nami - she laughed at any nonsense Robin found, intercalating with some random conversations and silent cries on her friend's lap. She couldn't remember how she was able to sleep with her head throbbing so much, but when she least noticed it was already half-past five in the morning.
So Nami decided to take a shower - being careful not to wake up Robin who stayed by her side until late at night - and go out for breakfast early. That way, no one would see her leave the room and no one would pester her with unnecessary questions. When she left, she internally thanked the silence, which meant they were all still asleep.
"Don't you wanna wait to eat with everyone, witch?"
Of course, Zoro would already be awake.
The swordsman was already sitting on the deck near the stairs, but he was always so silent that Nami didn't notice his presence. She thought of several replies, some in the form of curses, others in the form of cold words, but in the end, tiredness won over. She didn't want to fight with Zoro or feed their short temper.
"Cut the crap, Zoro. I know you know that I was avoiding Luffy."
"Heh. Yeah."
Zoro has always been very perceptive and observant, but he still lost to Robin and Franky. Nami wasn't surprised at all, actually. And even though he was a pain in the ass most of the time, the swordsman never pokes his nose into anyone's business. That's why he didn't ask why, but Nami wanted to tell him anyway.
In the end, she sighed and sat down beside him.
"I kissed him", Nami said bluntly.
"Wow. That was bold even for you, Nami", Zoro raised his eyebrows, completely gaping.
"I know. I'm still feeling bad, to tell you the truth."
Zoro just nodded and the two were silent again. After a few minutes, he spoke with a serious voice.
"And you'll just run away?"
Nami snorted and looked at him baffled.
"Hah! The nerve of you to say something like that, Zoro! Aren't you the one who's been running away from Tashigi-chan since you kissed her in the last ceasefire?", Nami gave a mocking smile.
"What-! I-!"
Nami laughed sarcastically, but decided to stop making fun of him. Zoro was going through the same thing as her, so either they would help each other or they would destroy themselves even more.
"The G-5 is a special guest at this festival, Zoro. What are you going to do?", Nami asked while looking at nothing in particular. The swordsman leaned his head against the wall behind him and sighed.
"I don't know. My idea was to avoid her the whole night."
"Good strategy, Zoro", Nami gave him a thumbs up and made a disapproving face.
Zoro just glared at her and Nami stuck her tongue out.
"Why did you kiss her, Zoro? Knowing how she thinks about pirates…"
"Why did you kiss Luffy? Even knowing that he's not someone who understands these things?"
The navigator took a deep breath and said it at once.
"Because I love him. I mean it."
"More than money?", Zoro gave a wry smile and Nami hit him on the head.
"Yeah… more than money."
"Yeah, I know. You always worry about him too much. Did you know it's his name that you call first when you're in danger?"
Nami blushed and almost choked.
"W-w-what-"
"I figured you hadn't noticed. But… have you noticed that he's overprotective with you?"
"Zoro, we were the first to join. Luffy will always have a slightly bigger protective instinct with us. He doesn't show that much to you because you're a monster. I'm not", Nami just rolled her eyes.
"I was taken by Tesoro that time and I knew you all would come. Obviously Luffy would come. But the anger I saw on Luffy's face when you were taken by Shiki never seemed normal to me."
Nami heard from her friends about the rescue story at Shiki's palace and Robin told her how angry Luffy was when he heard her Dial's message. She knew it would make him angry, but not to the point of punching a freaking stone. Geez…
"Well, I don't think it's a big deal. For God's sake, Luffy basically declared war against the World Government for Robin, Zoro. I'm not special."
The swordsman just looked at her with a frown, but Nami couldn't decipher what was going through his head. She could never understand how Zoro could be such a strong guy, but so silly at the same time. She knew that behind the macho facade he always put on, there was a very kind guy. And this guy must have been super confused by the things he did months ago.
She gave him a weak smile and decided to put aside all Luffy issues for a while to help a friend. She put her hand on his shoulder and spoke in a calming voice.
"I think you should talk to her, Zoro. I think she likes you."
"Have you ever heard the things she says to me?"
"It's a complicated situation for both of you - she's from the Navy and you're a pirate… damn it, Zoro, I really don't know how that would work… but it won't hurt to find a middle ground."
Zoro looked down and Nami could understand a little of his apprehension. She wasn't exactly in the same situation, but the anguish of longing for someone but, for some irony of fate, not being able to have this person was a common denominator for the both of them.
Then, out of nowhere, the swordsman ran a hand through his hair, removed his crestfallen expression and laughed at Nami.
"Let's make a deal, witch. I'll talk to four-eyes today if you talk to Luffy. If everything goes well, we drink until we pass out and if everything goes wrong, we drink until we pass out a second time."
The redhead laughed out loud and fist-bumped him.
"We got a deal, first-mate!"
Nami stayed by Zoro's side for a while until she decided to get up and finally make her coffee. Halfway there, she turned and asked curiously:
"Is this the only way for us to have a civilized conversation? When there's a critical situation?"
Zoro had his eyes closed and the hands behind his head.
"I'll meet you in the next heartbreak or the next battle, witch."
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Nami managed to have her coffee in peace right after the conversation with Zoro and at six o'clock in the morning, Robin and Franky appeared in the kitchen to have breakfast together. The navigator thought it was best to leave them have some time alone because at seven o'clock the whole ship would wake up and chaos would ensue.
She headed to the library to work without distractions and intended to stay there until it was time to leave for the festival. Nami didn't want to meet Luffy and she really felt bad for thinking like that, but it wasn't something she was able to control. It was too recent.
And sure enough, at seven o'clock, she could hear Luffy and Usopp screaming for food, Sanji yelling at the two and Chopper talking sweetly to Robin; Franky was as energetic as ever, Brook had started to sing a new tune and finally, Zoro's yawn.
She smiled sweetly as she worked on her maps. I don't know how to live without it anymore.
They meant the world to her.
She crossed her arms over the table and rested her face, watching the day outside through the large windows of the library. If five years ago, she had been told that in the future, she would be free from Arlong's clutches or that she would be part of the best pirate crew this world has ever seen or even fall in love with the captain himself, she'd have scoffed and scolded the person who had the audacity to say such things to her.
But who would have thought… Here she is, living all of this and mainly because of Luffy. She likes to think that the two were bound to meet and share this journey together, but fate or not, they indeed met and her whole life has changed since then. He was… her home. Pure and simple.
And despite knowing all this, she took a risky because even if fortune does favor the bold, she believes she was a little bolder than she should.
Enough. I've made up my mind. I'll formally apologize after the festival.
So after finishing her maps and the time for lunch came, Nami thought a lot if she should lock herself up another day and actually avoid him but in the end, she decided to get up and go down to eat with all the crew. She didn't want to, but she would do it anyway. The redhead couldn't even describe how her heart was pounding frantically at the mere thought of meeting Luffy in the hall.
Reluctantly, she put one foot in front of the other and headed for the kitchen. Judging by the noise, everyone was already there. Then she took a deep breath once, twice, three times and opened the door. If it hadn't been years of training in the art of keeping her cool in risky situations, she'd have fled right at the moment when everyone turned to face her in an anxious silence.
Even Luffy had turned to look at her.
Her eyes met his and for a split second, it was as if no one was there. But the moment quickly ended - Luffy looked away and she felt as if she had a rock sinking into her stomach. Nami took another deep breath - she was still a little stunned - and looked at Sanji who was staring at her. Judging by his serious look, the cook managed to figure out what had just happened.
Probably Nami had a slightly painful face because right away, the cook's eyes softened and he understood the silent request she made.
"Help me."
Sanji smiled kindly and put on his characteristic persona. He ran over to Nami, took her hand, did his love pirouettes and she was able to breathe in peace. Everyone else understood that it was just another day and it was possible to have a natural lunch again.
When everything was back to normal, Nami gave Sanji a look which said thanks and he just winked back at her.
She didn't sit next to Luffy and he didn't look in her direction.
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Nami had decided to leave at seventeen o'clock especially since it was an hour before all her friends would leave for the festival. She took advantage of Robin and Franky's night out - they'd have dinner together at a location close to the event and would have to leave early because it could sell out. Then, the two covered for her, saying that they'd take her somewhere interesting before going out to eat. Nami just wanted to hug them.
Deep down, she really didn't think the boys would go, but these festivities were synonymous of food and drink. Two things that none of them could refuse.
The redhead adjusted her yukata, her hair, put on light makeup and left with the couple. They wouldn't take her anywhere, obviously - they'd just drop her off in the center of town where the party was going to happen and go on their way ("I would stay with you, Nami, but Franky did everything he could to get a place at this restaurant, so I don't wanna hurt him."). And as soon as she arrived at the place all lit up and decorated, she hugged them, wished them a good dinner and said goodbye.
The city center was beautiful, the traditional oriental decor was incredible with countless lanterns illuminating the establishments. So many entertainment and food stands, a central space which was already full of couples and children dancing and a stage where some presentations should take place. People and more people dressed in exuberant yukatas and lots of laughter and smiles.
Nami decided to stroll around the place, visiting all the stalls and even tasting some foods. She doesn't know how much time had passed, but it must have been a lot because it was completely dark and her legs were already aching from walking so much. She returned to the main part of the festival and stayed near the stage where there was a drinking stool. She pondered whether to drink sake or water. I think I'm gonna go with water. It's too early to get drunk anyway.
She stayed in the same place and in the same position for minutes on end, just watching parents, mothers, children, grandparents, and couples dancing and having fun. All this fun and freedom reminded her of her friends and she wondered if they had arrived yet. The festival was full of excitement and joy for Luffy, Usopp, and Chopper. They would definitely love everything.
She was so engrossed in thought that she didn't notice a guy approaching her until he offered her a beer. Nami looked him up and down and saw that he was a very handsome guy. They looked at each other for a few seconds and the redhead understood why he was there. She smiled seductively and thought why not? I'm not tied to anyone, so what harm will it do to be with someone today?
"Oe kitty cat, do you wanna dance with-"
Nami had already opened her mouth to confirm that she wanted to when she heard a serious voice behind her and a hand around her waist.
She froze inside.
"She's busy now."
She would always recognize that hoarse and intimidating tone anywhere.
"Huh-?", the guy seemed confused and not worried at all.
This might not end well.
"She's. Busy. Now."
Nami could hear the grinding of teeth.
Luffy.
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I have no idea if television exists in the OP universe, but here in this mini-universe, it does, hahahaha.
I also don't know if incenses exist, but here Nami likes it and that's it.