It all started in Alabasta.
When Nami's cheeks were flushed, and her giggles disconnected, and her body kept falling more and more into the space of the swordsman.
When Zoro's deep laughs ended in a relaxed motion, letting his arm fall behind her back.
When Nami recalls the nights awake spend next to swordsman, talking into the night about their past, about their dreams and about all the empty thoughts that never found any other space of existence aside in each other's memory.
When Zoro cheers with Nami on their third drink, just to be pulled in by her and asked if he would be up to leave the party that already dimmed down into the tiredness of all the others.
When Nami just grabbed his hand instead of waiting for an answer and runs into the halls with a giggle on her lips.
When Zoro catches himself staring at the navigator's lips, when she tries in a failing attempt to share another piece of her fight, which he already heads several times in his sober state.
When Nami notices her eyes dragging over the features of the swordsman and finding her hands settling over his thigh.
"I am kinda really in the mood.", she whispers and giggles right after into the chest of the swordsman, she had been sitting with the most resilient drinkers of the Strawhats with a couple of bottles onto the roof of the palace to spend the night the way they had done it many times on the merry already.
"Why did you leave the party then?", Zoro laughs. "There were surely willing man."
Nami scrunches up her nose and punches him weakly. "You mean those perverts? No thank you!"
Zoro laughs again and takes a sip. Nami's eyes following his lips over the bottle, his leaned back head and exposed neckline.
"Ah.", he releases the bottle. "Well, I doubt anything better can be found here.", he grins at her.
"Well…", she smiles. "There is still you."
Zoro's smile disappears and he looks down to the navigator, her red cheeks, her dishevelled hair, and he just then notices how close she has been already leaning into his space.
"I am way too drunk, to digest that properly.", he admits.
"You don't have to. Simple question, when was the last time you were laid? Nope, I know the answer, we talked about it the other night.", Nami puts her finger against her lips. "Loguetown! That has been ages.", she extends her arms to present the time spam, almost falling back if the laughing swordsman wouldn't have caught her.
She looks up to him. "I trust you more than anyone…", and he is really hot. Though she did not add that. And well, that thought she had since she met him.
"Hm. Feel like it would mess things up.", Zoro says with a slight frown on his forehead showing that he tries his best to actually think this through, just to feel his head being pulled back to the Navigator.
"Okay, let's say no kissing. Even though that is the best part.", she pouts. "Well, second best.", at which Zoro laughs again.
"Just some relief."
"Mhm… tempting.", Zoro admits and watches Nami's hands already wander over his chest.
"So, you are in?", she grins and does not even wait for any further approval but already swings her legs over his lap and straddle him.
"And who knows, if it is good, we could keep it up. Wouldn't mind having a relief on the ship.", she looks at him and guides her hands around his neck. His eyes focus her. "That does sound good, too good.", he cannot disagree with that logic, especially not in his state.
"No kissing though.", he insists. If this is meant to be physical, they need to draw that line. A line that did not make his hands already finding their place around her waist be wrong.
She nods and leans into his collarbone. "Not on the lips at least.", she whispers and gifts the exposed skin a small kiss.
It all started in Alabasta.
And it did not end there.
Whenever, they craved for some physical relief, they reached out for the other. To an extent of times, that it became an additional tradition between them. During their night talks - that were once innocent bonding moments – ended now most of the times with them moaning each other names and being connected in all the ways that drove them crazy. Almost all the ways.
But who can blame them? Zoro was incredibly caring and so good at exploring and feeding her. His broad hands just knew how to touch her, where to touch her and his lips were just the perfect stimulators.
Just as much as Zoro would never deny Nami's talented tongue or enjoy her skill to bend in all the ways their moments asked for.
And it worked for them. It worked so well. Their aggressions died down and they found even better conversations between each other, which made it even easier to navigate and guide the ship and nakamas.
And it was never awkward. Just rewarding. It became normal that they would cuddle and hold each other, because despite being each other's relief, they also were friends. Really good friends. They would laugh about and with each other, when in the trial of exploring new things they failed in the proper use or adjustment. And generally, allowing to dive into all the things that seemed interesting but neither of them really ever gave a shot since most of their prior physical relationships were short or simply one night stands. And it was exciting. Having someone to be close with, who did not judge but embraced all the random ideas, who craved for some of their own.
Which probably was the reason, they were seeking each other quite often. They developed an intense want for the other.
But it was okay because it was just fun. Just relief.
What a bullshit.
Nami sighs and turns around. Looking into the sleeping face of the swordsman. They have spent the entire night with each other. Laughing, drinking, and touching, drowning into the body of the other…
This was their only and first time in a bed up to this point. They have used any spot on the going merry aside her own bed, since Robin was still an unpredictable woman who would probably appear in the most unfitting moments.
Since they still waited for their new ship being build, their accommodation in Water 7 provided separate bedrooms for the Strawhats. Allowing easy sneak ins.
Like on the night Usopp left the group. The night Zoro held her in her arms for hours while she cried and let out her anger against his chest.
That night was just them being friends.
Tonight, has been much more than that. Her cheeks blush again just remembering the hot breath of Zoro on her cheek, his hands over her thigh, massaging it while moving deeper and deeper into her.
Gosh.
Her eyes flicker over his face again. After all this time, they still held up to their no kissing rule. And Nami knew that this was the last string, the one thing that she kept holding between them as 'It is just fun'.
Because her skipping heartbeat disagreed. Her sober mind when awaken in the morning in the arms of Zoro after their first night on the rooftop of the castle in Alabasta already knew then, that her drunk idea came not from a hormonal driven desire but from her drunken racing heart.
And it was so easy to keep using that excuse of relief to invite him again into her arms. Over and over again… and he was always so willing, so caring. He actually never just made her feel like a used object, beside that having been their idea in the beginning. He was the one that asked to stay with her after their first few nights together and whenever he did need to part quicker, he always gifted her a small kiss on the temple. And Nami's heart just felt like, this is how it could, would, be like when being actually with him. How they would be beyond their friendship with benefits pack. But then again, maybe Zoro was just this kind of a lover. It would fit with his demeanour of respect and care. His attentive care of everyone.
Despite that thought, there was another one that popped up every time. Every time he held her, every time they did not impatiently just rode each other crazy but savoured their moment, whenever their eyes meet and their movements dwell… every time her mind slipped into "what if…".
What if his heart skips the same way.
What if he is not needing relief but her.
What if…
And still. He never kissed her. He never even once made the attempt. While she did try to tempt him, tried to tease it out of him, but his head dipped quickly away and made her forget about her desire a second later.
But they always came back. She almost made it a tradition to wake before him. To have her own little moment of just observing and watching him the way her heart desires. And sometimes, she gives in and even touches him the way her heart asked for it. She would let her fingers wander over the familiar scars, the heated skin, just to realise every time again how it is never enough.
But how lucky was she, having him right next to her. In his most vulnerable state. Physically and mentally. Zoro always looked so relaxed, so calm right next to. His sleep always felt deep, not like his naps on deck that he only used to cover up for all the nightshift he always took.
His tranquility even transpired to the way he talked with her, Nami had no doubt that at this point she actually knows this man. Knows his mind, his thoughts, his true philosophy and all that makes him walk the path the way he does. And well, Nami has opened up just as much. It was so simple. So simple to talk about all the years in pain, the fearful nights, the crying moments… and also to allow herself to go back to the times of laughter, of memories that just exist in small fragments in her mind. He would always listen, would always dive deeper and at the end, Nami was not even surprised that her heart had nestled itself right into his chest.
She scoots closer to him.
She knew, right now that this spot belonged only to her. But… her eyes wander of his face. What when this part ends? What when his heart finds a home just as hers did in him?
"Nami?", his deep voice fills the room.
"You awake already?", he adds and Nami feels his arm pulling her closer. She smiles weakly into his collarbone.
"Yeah…"
"You have some stamina.", at that Nami laughs against his skin. Gosh, how much she loves these moments. His skin on hers, all over, their bodies entangled.
"I probably should go back.", he already moves his head to her temple.
"Take a shower first.", she grumbles and bites lightly into his skin.
"Oi!", he pulls back and looks down at her. She smiles at him.
She sees his focus shift, becoming aware of the time. "Oh… it is still dark.", he notices, and his voice is soft again.
"Mhm…", she moves her head up and closer to his. But not close enough.
"What have you been thinking about?", he whispers, and she sees his eyes wander over her face, just as his hand finds its spot right below her ear. His thumb softly stroking her.
"You.", she says and watches him.
"Makes sense.", he grins and moves their hips closer.
She sighs in delight and glides her hands behind his chest to mirror his motion to draw them closer, using this opportunity to get her face right below his jaw and leaving a small kiss on his throat. She feels him gulp.
What if…
"Do I want to know what exactly you thought about?", he whispers into the pillow that he had put his head back on, and she turns her head up, to place more kisses over his jawline.
"Hm… maybe.", she admits and feels his hand around her earlobe sliding deeper into her hair.
Her lips wander up to his chin. More… closer…
"Nami…", he says again, and his hand stills her head.
She wants to ask for it, beg for it… please…
"Usopp will come back.", he says, and it breaks her. Now it is not only her beating heart full of desire that is aching her but also the piece that she tried to ignore by falling into his arms. Of course Zoro knew that, of course he was so bloody attentive about this… her.
"I know!", she says almost annoyed. She didn't want to think about, not let her fear of losing her best friend occupy her and avoiding the other fear of hers of only being a best friend to him.
"He has to!", she adds in deep grumble. She raises her face and just then notes that Zoro has dipped down his face. So close…
"Shower then?", he offers with a soft and apologetic smile, and she hates him for taking her moment. For caring so much, for being just the reason her heart skips another heartbeat.
"You have to take me there."
"Didn't expect anything else.", he laughs.
And it did not take long to find herself with him again. Her nose dugs deep into his upper chest, both still riding down their blissed moment a second ago. His hands still running over her thigh and lower back, that still holds tight around his waist. Her hand playing with his neck hair and her face leans up, stroking his cheek against hers. His heavy breath tickling her skin and for a small moment, his lips linger in a simple touch on her cheek. Before he can pull away, she angles herself closer to his lips.
Her heart just couldn't handle this anymore. Tonight just drove her crazy. It started out all so softly. Them sitting in the new crow nest, watching the view on the sea and sharing a bottle of sake. Talking about all the features of the sunny. Which then turned into all the places they could hide, they could try out and a second later Nami was sitting on his lap, kissing his neck and forgetting any innocent intend she had for the night.
"Nami…", his voice is drunkenly heavy, and she wants to taste more of it.
"Zoro… ", her thumb slides over the back of his head, pulling him more down to her. She needs it… she really does. And his restraint tells her that he knows, that he definitely knows what she is aiming for…
"Why…?", he whispers and his breath dances over her lips. He is not pulling away but waiting… It sounds deeper, sounds like he would gift it to her, if she knows the right answer.
She opens her eyes a bit, the darkness and closeness not allowing her to get a proper picture. But she feels his lips hovering over hers. Would he really allow her?
Why?
What if…
She knows she owes him at least an explanation… she knows that even if she tells him about all the emotions that he had created in her. That…
"Because you should take responsibility for it…", she whispers, her mind still clouded by their prior their union, their heated bodies and her heartbeat craving for this one little piece.
"It?", he says honestly unaware of what Nami tries to imply or he does not dare to let his thoughts wander this way…
But it doesn't matter much for her, she waited too long. She is so close…
"My heart.", she barely lets the word slip over her lips before she lies them softly over his.
And she expects him to pull away, to take the distance again, to actually talk this out, because maybe it is just her being completely craving all this.
But none of this happens. Instead of distance, she is met with a stronger lean towards her, pushed back deeper into the futon laying on the floor of the crow nest and her legs parting further to guide him closer again. And then their lips are not just moving but dancing, nibbing on each other, tasting all this new sensation that just seemed to be so much more than either had expected.
Nami's body turns back to full arousal, guiding her hands all over his back, deep into his hair. And his body moves against her in the same passion. And when their lips break apart, they only let a small breath escape before finding each other again, this time tasting even more of the other.
And as they both ride into another deep fusion of each other, their lips keep laying on the other over and over again… and they don't stop even after they once again reached their peaks and their bodies collide, their lips crave more.
"Zoro…", she attempts after many moments of lost time against his lips, and it does break their motion, but only that. Their lips remain brushed close to each other.
"I just want you…", she finally whispers, and her heartbeat fills her entire body.
"Yeah… kinda feel the same way.", his voice rumbles against her lips.
"Doubt I ever not wanted it just that way…", and this confession of his takes over her heart again. She smiles against his lips. "And here I thought it was just me…"
"How could you?", he grumbles and kisses her shortly to then lift himself up to look into her eyes. "I have always put everything into my touches since we started this, and then I could never just leave or go after we were done…"
"Mhm…", Nami smiles at him and glides her thumb out of his hair over his jaw. "And I would wake up earlier just to dwell in your arms."
He smiles down and leans into her hand. "Knew that."
Her cheeks burn. "You did? Why…didn't you…", why has it been between them for so long? Why if he knew how her heart needed more, he did not let them…
Because if she would have know, she would have…
"I wasn't sure if we are ready.", he admits and leans down again.
Oh.
Her eyes meet his. "Why are you so bloody caring!", she grumbles and wants to be annoyed for being starved for so long.
He chuckles and kisses her again, just shortly. "Wasn't that easy… especially not when started to touch me in the morning hours… I have to admit, I felt a bit guilty of taking advantage of that in private."
"You should!", she punches softly with heated cheeks against his chest.
"Then again, you just made use of me.", he grins and she wants to frame it. In her mind, heart and life…
"You…lucky I really need to kiss you more for all the missed times than to punish you for just letting my poor heart die."
"Wait.", he looks stunned at her now. "You actually didn't know?"
"NO! How should I!", Nami frowns deep at him.
"Oh…", he almost sounds sad. "I thought… that the way... I would take every moment fully in, the way I kept asking for more, the way I hold you… I just felt like I failed at restraining myself…", he looks aside. "I thought we both just waited it out… just to be sure. Just in case…", oh. Nami looks at him. And of course, she felt all of this depth. Of course, she melted in his tenderness. "You idiot! That was the reason my heart almost exploded. I wished for it… but I didn't know.", she punches into his arm and finally he smiles again. "I just believed that is the way you are…" … with everyone.
Oh.
"No, just with you.", he says and then he leans down and captures her lips again. And she keeps wondering how she had been able to live in his arms for so long without it.
But she made sure that they would catch up, that her heart will get all the last pieces this man had been holding for her but not letting take from him.
And Nami wished their moment could have lived longer.
So much longer.
But Thriller Bark broke all the blessed emotion she just started to embrace. All the harassment, all the objectifying misuse and then, when she hoped to just snuggle into the swordsman's arms again to feel save, to feel of a human and worthy to be cared for as the person she was… she woke up to reality.
Her eyes scanned the bandaged torso of Zoro, lying in front of her and Chopper. The party already dying down and most already asleep. Her hand lays already in his and her thoughts linger on all the past moments that seemed too meaningless now. Just the fact that Zoro almost met death again, was all her mind played with.
'I thought we are not ready yet'
She understood it now. And she realised that she will never be ready to just let him slip out of her hands. But… her eyes find the sleeping figure of Luffy. Whatever it was, it was part of the core of Zoro's mind. Of his heart and devotion. Something that made him the man, Nami had fallen for.
Her eyes turn back to the swordsman, silence surrounds them.
"Zoro…", she whispers and strikes over his cheek, his face still relaxed and motionless. "Thanks for greeting death not yet.", she is about to wipe her tears of when her hand is hold tight. He is still asleep, but he definitely heard her.
"You idiot.", she smiles and kisses his hand.
And she hoped they would have a moment afterwards, just to be disappointed again. Life just kept happening and there were no nights she could look out for him, because they kept moving, staying awake and if she did finally had time, he was asleep. He slept more than before. Thriller bark was still on his shoulders.
She would kiss him, crawl into his lap and just rest with him in the silent hope of a later.
But there was no later.
He disappears.
He is ripped away from her.
For two years.
So much time that she started to live without him while always having in on her mind. Remembering all their moments before sleep would invite her in and all the unlived desires she feed on over all this time.
And then it was that time. That moment of finally meeting them all again. Her excitement cannot to restrained. Even less for her heavy heart that kept craving for this moment. And as light as it was for all the other members, her heartbeat felt heavy when thinking of the swordsmen.
Because what if time did not only change them individually but even them as... as them.
And when she saw him again, she felt the fear crawling next to her burning heart because it became awfully clear to her that no, two years have not changed how much his presence impacted her. How much she wanted to wrap herself around him. But the fear telling her it will not be that easy. It will not be like hugging her best friend Usopp but heavier. Maybe... maybe even not at all.
Only to be harshly remembered by him that all of that were useless thoughts.
This was Zoro. And when he had kissed her, when he let them break this border, he followed his heart loyally into its love. Once Zoro committed himself to someone or something, he was full in. And he made sure, she recalled that very fiber of his being too.
After all, he knew without a doubt that his heart belonged to her. And thus, it should have been obvious to Nami that when they celebrated in the palace of the fishmen island, that the hand pulling her aside behind the corner and curtains of an empty hallway would be his. That his lips naturally find hers without guessing for one second if that was still on the plate between them.
And just as quickly Nami's lips responded, eager and needy.
"We have a lot to catch up.", he grins against her lips and damn, her heart melts right into his hand.
"Yeah, can't wait."
Oh, and their catchup took long. So long, that the others already started a search for them. But they needed that. The longing deep breathes on each other, the small talks about some pieces of their years apart and all the light touches in between. It all was just so little of so much that either needed from the other. Nami became blissfully aware that it had been not just her heart spending all nights in the thoughts of him, but he was just as fallen. As he kept whispering into her ear, as he reassured and stated over and over again when holding her tight.
And yet. He didn't doubt for one minute that once they are back together that all of it would be back.
"Isn't that a bit presumptuous?", she chuckles against his lips and he grumbles.
"Why? The way I fell in love with you was not just a quick moment or a conscious decision.", her heart skips a beat at this.
"Loving you is a journey that my heart embarked the moment we met.", he kisses her and she sighs content against his lips. "And every moment that followed build on that, allowed me to keep growing the place you held for and in me."
"Never ever will I let you love anyone like this.", she whispers and lets him wipe her tear off. She missed him even more now. Right in his arms, right on his lips… she has missed Zoro and all his mighty being with every breath she took.
"Doubt I ever could… or even want.", he smiles and it feels so easy to tell her all of that. In the two years he had trained his body just as much as his mind. And in all the trauma the encounter with Kuma and Kizaru had left in him, he grew it into the desire of not just reaching his goal with full compassion but to also dwell and enjoy every moment to that point in the same extent. And that included his love for the navigator. He spend many nights on her to remind him that fear is weak. That fear of losing her or hurting her by his loss will never be worse than not holding her every night until that point. Will be worse than not taking advantages of every second he can be with her. Thus, he was determined to just exactly that.
And he did. He does. Right now, right here with her in his arms.
"Nami, Zoro, I come in. Please be decent.", an eye covered Usopp enters their room and Nami giggles into Zoro's chest. Well, they were somehow decent, a blanket covered them.
Usopp has found about them pretty much around Skypiea. Even though as Nami learned he believed that the two actually had been a couple since they boarded and just started to turn things to another level later on. Which was interesting and her heart could probably not disagree on that.
But his knowing became of incredible help. Nami made use it whenever her heart was fearing or the what if's became too loud. Usopp endured all of it, while never putting it out on Zoro. Probably because despite how emotional insecure he made Nami – unintentionally -, Usopp respected him beyond that. And Usopp was aware that he only heard her half of the story. But Zoro's half did not belong to him.
That part was all Robin's. Zoro and Robin had grown into close friends starting the adventure in Skypiea. And she was his help whenever he felt lost in his feelings that he struggled to accept. No to allow to be enjoyed.
But after they both actually officially got together and basically out to each other, neither hold it a secret a long from their representative best friend.
Which actually just started to become of use after their time apart. And it actually bought the four even closer. Usopp and Zoro would sometimes squad together and talk about how much missing pained and how fighting does thrive from all those little happy pieces.
And even more, Usopp and Robin would be found more often exchanging their stories and feel relieved to have a fellow companion on this ship to endure but also adore this relationship.
"I said decent!", Usopp protests when he finally does open his eyes.
"We have a blanket.", Zoro comments blankly.
"Anyways, Nami get ready. Luffy wants to move soon.", as soon as he announces his words, he quickly finds his escape again. Knowing the two need their moment for a goodbye.
Zoro turns around to Nami. "Sure, you want to get the sexist pervert of a cook back?"
She smiles weakly. "He has a dream; he wants to fulfil. And even though he is not a very respectful or man-kind person, I think he deserves to live that life."
"You are too kind.", Zoro mumbles and kisses her again. "And since he got taken away under your arms, you feel like it is your duty to get him back.", he adds in a sigh thinking of Brook and Choppers common resolute on that matter too.
"Mhm… wish you could come with us. Would feel definitely saver.", she whispers against his lips.
"We meet in Wano.", he smiles. They had to split. He was the vice-captain after all. He needed to guide the other half of the Strawhats.
"Yeah… but…", she straddles him again and leaves small kiss over and over his lips, making him laugh at some point.
"Nami"
"We don't have time for another round.", she explains in a grin and proceeds her quick kisses in an attempt to avoid getting it heated again.
"I love you."
Her eyes widen and she stops her prior moves, just to stare at him. Looking over his lips, that just smile at her. He said it. "You have to say that again, when we see us in Wano."
He smiles at her. "Was my plan."
"Okay and just to be clear.", she leans closer to him again. "I love you too."
"Need to repeat that again too.", he whispers, and they fall into another proper kiss.
"So, she cuddled into your chest?", Nami raised a brow and looks down at the swordsman, holding her head up on her elbow. Her other fingers drawing lines over his chest.
Zoro nods with a deep frown on his face. "Why do people think, it is just okay to do those things? Like imagine I would have- "
"Nope.", Nami puts her fingers over his lips. "Not gonna imagine that."
"But my point.", he attempts again still visually annoyed.
"Got the point, but still not imagine it.", she smiles and leans down for a small kiss. "Sexism hits both genders in this world. Mister toxic masculine man."
"Oi, I am very honest and straight forward with my emotions to you.", Zoro defends himself and pushes himself up on his elbow.
"Yeah, you have grown.", she smiles and lets him kiss her in a deep growl while falling back below him. "And don't think for one minute I invited her in- ", again Nami puts her fingers over his lips.
"I know.", she smiles and watches him, still wearing a frown. "You really don't know how attractive you are…"
"Women, are you objectifying me now too?", he grumbles but kisses her fingers lightly. She chuckles below him. "Don't get me wrong, your body is extremely hot, always had been but…", she guides her hands back into his neck and pulling him closer to her. "The attraction I talk about refers to your being. Your stoic, serious demeanour. The heart-felt laughers and your incredible sense of protection and awareness. Oh yeah, your attentiveness was probably the reason my heart skipped a beat for the first time…", and finally she sees the frown disappear.
"Kinda want only you to think this way about me.", he whispers against her lips, and she deeply wishes that too, but she is fully aware that his being as he is will inevitably just pull and has pulled other people in.
When their lips break away from each other, she hums happily against his. "Don't mind others to see you and appreciate you, since they firstly only get to see the smallest piece of you. And I know that even when they admire you as much as they do, this…", her hand spreads over his chest. "Only beats for me and only I am allowed to savour all the depth of Rorona Zoro."
He moans into the words and puts his forehead on hers. "And with that you just really remind me again, how fallen I am for you.", and he loved it. He loves how his body just craves her and just feels like he can give it his all to her. Always. Every little bit.
And to neither of them is surprised, when their kisses turn them heated again, draw the other closer, deeper. And they both held their word, by finding their whispered confession in between their heavy breath.
With a soft slump, the swordsman sits down on the lawn next to Nami, who has been watching the others slowly drifting into their sleep. She just cradled Chopper before Robin took both of them down to their sleeping quarters. Sanji had been the first asleep after serving two unstoppable feeding machines somewhere on the bench in the galley. Usopp lies stretched a few feet apart from her, Bonny and Luffy's full stomach vibrate in deep snores and somewhere behind those mountains lies Franky and the dying melody lets her assume that also Brook falls into the slumber. She is about to lean herself onto the chest of the swordsman, just to feel him readjust, letting his head drop down her thigh and looking up at her in a smile. She stabilises herself sidewise on her arm and uses her free hand to play with his hair.
"Where did we get ourselves into this time?", she whispers in a smile and receives a deep light laugh from the man that captured her heart.
"He saved us back then.", Zoro says heavier than Nami expected the conversation to go.
"And why do I feel like, you owe him more than that…", she whispers and sees his eye soften. After all this time, he has still not shared that one little moment of his. The one incident that stopped her heart and even now still breaks her, when thinking about how close to death Zoro had been.
"One day.", he says instead and looks up to the sky. "One day, when I can hold you in my arms every night and wake you with all the kisses we still try to catch up on too."
Her hand stops her movements. Zoro had always been very clear with his emotions since they broke the last barrier. Nami always thought that she already had all the pieces she could get from the swordsman at that point aside from his lips but learned that kissing him just opened a whole new world. A world of emotions and vulnerability that Zoro tried to break into. His tougher toxic masculine side wanted to shatter in the heart Nami has offered him. Oh, and Nami realised that the love she held for him until then had just been the beginning. Just the little surface of her love, she had now grown into. And she keeps desiring for him to know all her pieces too, to let him dive into her every thought that she every held. And he always, always hugged all her pieces in a warm smile, rides with her into the meanings of her chaotic thoughts just to meet his own scattered world every time in same lost words.
"Good that right now feels too good to crave for that one day.", she mumbles and his eye glides back to her. He leans himself up and she already moved herself to him as well.
"I love you.", she says before she meets his lips fully.
"Guys, when do you plan to tell the others?", Usopp eats on his cake pieces on the ground of the crow nest next to Nami and Chopper.
"Tell them what?", Chopper asks confused but loses himself in the sweetness again and a small bump from Nami assures him that indeed Chopper despite his obvious closeness to Zoro and Robin, had no clue.
Robin chuckles from the bench and ruffles Zoro's hair, who sits leaning on the bench next to her feet on the floor with the others and munching on the cake. "Asked him that yesterday.", she adds in a grin and Zoro just humpf.
"I am impressed no one actually figured out.", Usopp mumbles and ignoring Chopper's still confused mind.
"Really? Look at our crew. The only one who I give the doubt would be Jinbei.", Nami says thoughtful and sees Zoro's face light up.
"Actually, I think he kinda does know.", Zoro admits, and the others look surprised at him.
"You told him?"
He shakes his head.
"No, but the other day when we went bathing, he said something along the lines 'If you need to switch the nightshift for the anniversary, I am very up for it.' And first I was very confused. But then he added that Luffy mentioned at some point that it apparently had been exactly four years ago he had recruited both of us. I am actually stunned that Luffy remembers…"
"Wait, how does that relate to us?", Nami looks confused but Usopp grins already.
"Now I get why he asked if we would prepare gifts.", Usopp laughs and remembers the moment Jinbei had popped into his and Franky's craft room to ask if they had prepared something. Franky just completely lost and Usopp just shrugged it off as "We never really gift each other something."
"But…", Nami could not see how that still means Jinbei saw the romantic connection.
Robin smiles. "Because why would Zoro need to switch the nightshift for an anniversary with Luffy."
Oh, and Nami felt embarrassed just to feel a small nudge from Usopp to make her laugh. "Wait, he thinks we have been like this since we met?"
"Seems so.", Zoro finishes his piece.
"Yeah, that might be on me.", Usopp grins. "He asked me one day how the dynamics were in our early days."
"Oh.", Robin interferes. "So, he already suspected."
"Guys, what are you talking about?", Chopper looks with teary eyes at them in this completely lost conversation. "Do we have a party with gifts for Luffy?", he asks and shoves another piece of cakes in his mouth while sniffing.
Zoro laughs and pulls the little fellow in his arms. "Maybe we should actually do that. On the next island. Like to reminisce and celebrate how far we got."
"Hm… sounds good.", Usopp admits smiling. And as they talk about the potential party and celebration, Nami and Zoro do their own little one later that night.
And well, on telling the others about them, Luffy pretty much solved all that by himself. They were all seated in the galley, enjoying the last moments of their dinner, when Luffy jumped up. "Oi! I almost forgot.", he inhales and gets himself to shape to then jump over to the other end of the table, where Zoro and Nami have been seated around the corner, allowing them to talk and look at each other and at times steal little touches. Actually, upon that moment, Nami's hand has rested on the swordsman thigh, which she instantly withdraws on their captain's actions.
He hawks for a moment and then grins bright at his vice-captain and navigator. "I hereby pronounce you husband and wife."
Silence.
Only broken by a small chuckle from the person seated on the bench on the other side of the swordsman.
"Robin, what did you tell him?", Zoro sighs at his friend.
"I just informed him that as a captain he can marry people."
"If they consent! And if they are in love!", Sanji shouts and apologises instantly to Robin. "I mean, you are obviously right, and I would always agree to marry either you or Nami-swan any time- "
"Oi, Captain, you can't just marry us around just as you like.", Franky shouts over the cook.
"Oh, but I thought them kissing and sleeping with each other means that they agree?", Luffy looks at his crew confused.
This time Usopp and Robin laugh at the same time. "Our idiot captain knew all along?"
"Oi! Of course! Since I saw them on our first day holding hands.", he says in a humph.
"Their first day? They go further back than I assumed.", Brook sings.
"Oi, did everybody know?", Franky looks confused over the table to be only met by a teary Chopper who already climbs over the table to hug his crewmembers before seating himself next to Robin again and asking if that had been the matter they addressed the other night. And on the other side of the cyborg was a frozen figurine of the cook. A salt-stoned Sanji.
And when his eyes linger on the two in question, he wonders how he did not see it earlier himself. Nami's eyes linger lovingly on the swordsman, her hand finding his. And then…
"I do."
Another silence spreads over the galley.
Zoro turns himself to Nami who just smiles bright into his face, feeling her hand softly squeezing his.
"Ah, then it is official.", Luffy starts.
"Oi, wait!", Zoro rumbles to his captain and turns back to Nami, turning their hands and glides their fingers into each other. "I do too.", he then says.
"Okay, but now it is official?", Luffy seemed to have grown confused.
"Yes.", Nami smiles and pulls the swordman towards her into a small kiss.
Luffy laughs amused and falls happily on the floor.
"Why now though captain?", Robin asks delighted.
"Well, since we finish our first journey soon, I thought it would be just fitting.", he grins.
"One thing though.", Nami says then and looks down to their captain. "When did we hold hands during our first meeting?", she knew her attraction went back to that day but surely not her emotions let alone Zoro even looking at her in any other way then a nakama.
"Well, you know, when our two boats almost reached Usopp's island."
Nami and Zoro look at him thoughtful before both of them realise.
"You idiot!", Nami rumbles. "We held hands because you lost the ropes that tide our boats together, so we held onto each other to not get lost while the fucking waves tried to turn us into pieces.", Nami shouts and stares down their idiotic captain.
"But…", Luffy grumbles. "You looked like you enjoy it."
At that Zoro loses it and laughs loudly at his captain's antics, while grabbing Nami softly over her waist as she tries to jump over the table to bump their captain into sanity.
"We almost died!", she shouts and turns to Zoro, who smiles softly at her, his hands still on her waist and she adjust to it by straddling him sideways. "Not that funny.", she grumbles.
"Oh, it absolutely is.", he laughs and pulls her into a small kiss, calming her even more.
"Wait, then you did also not sleep together in Alabasta?", Luffy talks up, making Chopper choke, Robin chuckles and the others turn into shades of red.
"Well, actually.", Zoro starts, just to have his mouth covered by Nami's hand.
"How do you know that?", she asks instead and bores her eyes already into the rubber head.
"I was looking for you and when I found you on the rooftop, moaning, Vivi pulled me away and explained to me that you are finally having sex.", Luffy explains in broad smile.
"OH! This woman.", Nami grumbles.
Zoro's thumb turning soft circles around her waist, easing Nami to release his mouth. "More memories come up?", he asks, and she looks up at him. "You remember that I told you that she kept grinning at me and you the whole day and kept talking about how incredible you look."
"I recall that", he says thoughtful. "You were just as annoyed as you are now."
"Yeah, but I thought she was just playing on my feelings and now I know she actually did!", at this Zoro chuckles again.
"Wait, so Alabasta is your starting point?", Franky asks over the table.
"Yes.", Nami quickly replies.
"Well…", Zoro interferes and receives all their attention. "Alabasta was the start of something."
"And we leave it at that.", Nami threatens him. Or attempts to.
"Let me ask it differently, when did you kiss for the first time?" and that question came surprisingly from Brook, who held a more romantic bone in him than his pervert exposure sometimes let on.
"Water 7.", Usopp says and is only save from the bolted stares of his best friend due to Zoro holding her tight on her waist.
"What? How…", Franky seems confused for a second before he puts the pieces together. "Oh, wow…"
"It only took that long because we kinda thought it would be safer to just be…", Zoro is considering his words, feeling Nami's intense stare on him. "Fun. Instead of…", his eye wanders back to her face and smiles. "Well, instead of what we actually felt." And at this Nami's lips raise and lean to his again.
"And I thought you had been already married."
That statement pulls them apart instantly. All their eyes lie on Jinbei.
"What? They always bicker in a very untouched and sorted manner. Always find and spend time with each other when there is no fight or mission. They constantly talk whenever or wherever you find them.", Jinbei explains his obvious conclusion. "And the three earrings as well as her necklace of the same pattern just made me think that this were their rings."
Nami just keeps looking stunned at him. Her heart warm against her chest and her head starts leaning into Zoro's chest. "We gave that impression?", she whispers, and everyone can hear her happiness in it.
"Of course. You two presented for me the deepest and most loyal love, I have ever seen on the sea. The respect you have for each other and your dreams while still highly relying on the other, is always a beautiful display."
Zoro kisses her head lightly and messages her head. "I guess aside from our physical moments, we never really tried to hide our feelings for each other.", he admits and feels Nami nod.
"So, how long do we need to wait to ask for the details?", Franky grins over the table.
"Depends, how much would you like to pay for it?", Nami grins and Zoro laughs.
Well, it did all start in Alabasta in one way or another and luckily it never ended there.