Plush

Disclaimer: don't own a thing

Love is the triumph of imagination over intelligence -Henry Louis Mencken

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She could downright hate him at times.

His laugh would annoy her, his smiles would be too bright, and his encouraging words would be too presumptuous.

So she would hit him, degrade him, and punish him. Still though when her anger had dissipated and all she felt was regret for her unjust actions…he would still come back. Sometimes his eyes would be widened in an exaggerated pout as he would commence to act like a 'kicked puppy' and just like that all was forgotten.

Luffy would make her feel a wide array of emotions angry, sad, sleepy, anxious, overjoyed, playful, safe, cozy, sensual; fragile…the list goes on and on. However when asked a very important question all she would feel is confusion.

'Do you love him?'

Love…such a foreign concept for the straw hat navigator. Did she even know what 'love' was?

That was something she highly doubted. She has never seen a real example of true love; sure Sanji seems to proclaim his never ending love on a daily basis to anything that looks good in a skirt and top. Yet, that didn't seem like it to her.

Sometimes the navigators mind would wander her eyes unfocused and body slouched, thinking deeply upon the subject of her attention.

'Is love a feeling…'

No, that didn't seem right either. For feelings do not last they fade and disappear over time, so surely 'love' couldn't be something as temporary as an emotion.

Something as close to an answer came to her one day in the midst of a heated debate, between her and the straw hat captain.

"You're an idiot!" her voice seemingly reached new levels as most of the crew physically winced. Anger was flashing through her orbs as pearly white teeth were locked together in an indefinite scowl. One heeled foot came stomped down upon a straw hat covered head.

To everyone's immediate surprise the young captain took the strike, yet it seems that his 'happy-go-lucky' attitude had seemingly taken the day off. So even she was taken aback when his face met hers with a scowl.

"You're overreacting Nami" his tone was even and serious, and with that he tossed the dirtied garment into her hands and left their shocked presence. This left the poor girl gaping as her mouth continued to open and shut in confusion. Of course she was overreacting; it was something she always did. However for Luffy to use that tone or that face was something that he never did.

So when the sun had set and the guilty navigator sat upon the deck. She did not seem to notice as someone made their way towards her resting figure.

"Nami?"

The tangerine haired woman turned slightly, her eyes landing upon the very object of her thoughts. A small smile crossed her face as she lightly patted the spot next to her. Although he looked slightly uncertain the rubber man eventually settled himself within the reserved space.

Neither one spoke as she settled her head upon his right shoulder. The only sounds that could be heard were the smacking of the waves against the ships side, oh and the snores of Zoro coming from the crow's nest above them.

Her heart was not fluttering, nor was it overflowing with emotion, no blush was upon their faces, angels were not singing, the moonlight was not shining upon them. No silly metaphors were happening at this moment except maybe the silent confirmation between two people.

Love is not perfect nor is it a fixed outcome, its flexible, bendable, and durable…kind of like rubber.

It does not 'grow' nor is it at 'first sight' it just blossoms and when it is realized it does not leave, it may die but never just leaves.

So as a rubbery appendage made its way around her shoulder. The girl could not help but chuckle at her sudden realization.

'Love is retarded''

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A/N: Hope you guys like it.

0ExTwenty