The light from the fire danced in his eyes and hair, making his handsome features stand out even more. By the sea, Naia should be distancing herself from this. From the heartache that will come but it was so nice. So very nice to feel this from him again.
"You know, when I felt the itching to go explore the outer Blues I never would've expected this."
"A quiet village? I'm pretty sure the East is known for those."
"A place I would feel so attached to a place outside of the Grandline," Shanks chuckled. "It seems a little too good to be true, but I guess that is what a vacation is for."
"I can assure you we are very much real. Unless you've been chasing rabbits behind our backs," Naia jokes, a small smile crossing her lips. "If that is the case I suggest you don't drink or eat any cookies or tea."
"Dahahaha! No rabbits yet but if you're willing to be my Alice I might just think about being your Hatter." Shanks winked at her.
"You do know that Alice saved the Mad Hatter right?"
"Then I can expect you to be my knight in shining armor when I need it?" The pirate captain grinned as he slung an arm around her pulling her as close.
"In your dreams, Red," Naia huffed before slipping out of his grasp. "I can only imagine the kind of trouble you get yourself and your crew in."
"The never-ending fun you mean!" Shanks' grin didn't diminish in the slightest as she moved further away from him. Naia shook her head as the pirate captain divulged a few of his escapades both with and without his crew and the fun that had been had. They laughed as a few of his crewmates stumbled out of her garden and back toward the ship, singing songs of adventures and freedom. It was refreshing to have such a lax atmosphere surround her. It brought back the memories she had hoped to forget.
"We have to stop meeting like this," The man chuckled, his deep voice vibrated through her ears. Naia felt her cheeks burn as the man continued to embarrass her.
"I have no idea what you mean, Red Hair." Naia glared, "Now if you would kindly remove yourself from my personal space."
"But where's the fun in that!" Shanks whined, leaning further over her.. "You know you like it."
"I-"
"Give in." Shanks' lips caressed her cheek as he whispered. "Join us for one simple party. I'll show you how to live." Naia struggled against the pirate captain's grip but eventually let herself be led to a brightly lit ship. Food was served and she lost herself in the crowd of a crew that only knew how to be lively. Shanks kept her close to his side, never letting her stray for too long or dance with one of his crewmates for too long. She laughed as Shanks spun her around to the beat of the music, letting their bodies flow together as they danced.
"You look so-"
"Am I boring to you?" Shanks' voice snapped her from her reminiscing, bringing her attention to his pouting face.
"Oh, no! Just thinking of the last time I was involved in such a party." Naia gazed up at the starry sky and let a nostalgic smile spread across her lips. "It's been a while, is all."
"You have the most beautiful eyes I've ever seen," Shanks observed, "It's like the sea was encased in them."
"So, I've been told," Naia hummed, "Some even say that if you listen to my chest you can hear the waves of the ocean instead of a heartbeat."
"They think you're a seashell?" Shanks sputtered, his grin coming back full force.
"It can be quite the romantic comparison in the right moment but most of the time it's just corny."
"Corny isn't bad!"
"No, but it is annoying!"
"Are you a coral reef then?"
"A what? No!" Naia stared at him as if he had grown two heads.
"Then you must be a siren because I'm falling for your voice." Shanks winked at her while his grin shifted into a smirk. Naia couldn't help herself, she busted out laughing. She leaned forward, clutching her sides as her shoulders shook from the intensity of her laughter.
"That was gods awful," Naia chuckled as she wiped a few stray tears away.
"Got you to laugh though," Shanks pointed out, "So it did something good!"
They continued to laugh and talk about anything and everything that came to their mind. Conversation flowed so easily between the two as neither had a problem with teasing the other about something the other did or was doing. The drinks had run out ages ago but it did nothing to deter their conversation or even slow them down. The moon raised higher into the night sky, providing the only beacon of light as the fire snuffed itself out. With the lack of fire and the warmth it provided, Naia found herself seeking out the warmth the pirate captain seemed to radiate. The man didn't seem to mind as he draped his black cloak around her shoulders and wrapped his arm around her, drawing her closer.
"You're pulling my leg," Naia gaped, causing Shanks to chuckle at her reaction.
"No, we sailed right through the calm belt and I tamed at least two Sea Kings to help us get across. Of course, getting caught in there was completely by accident but it was all in good fun."
"I imagine your crew thinks differently about the situation."
"Traveling by Sea King is a very efficient and effective method of travel!" Shanks defended, "Don't knock it until you try it!"
"I doubt I will ever have a need for such an occasion."
"You could always join me for some fun!" Shanks wiggled his eyebrows at her as Naia rolled her eyes at him.
"That would mean saying yes to Luffy. You do realize that."
"Right, packaged deal."
"Two peas in a pod and all that jazz."
"But it would be fun!"
"I have no doubt about that," Naia smiled at the pirate captain as the moonlight peered down on them. The man really was a handsome specimen and Naia knew from experience that he would only become more handsome as time passes on.
"Think you could survive out there with us?"
"I survived working with merchants so I would like to think so but pirates are a different breed."
"A very different breed, I would say." They fell into a silence letting the lull of the embers and crackling wood fill what their voices couldn't. It didn't feel awkward necessarily but the intense stare Shanks was giving her wasn't helping matters.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" Naia's forehead creased as the man hummed but maintained his staring.
"Is it hard to believe that I like looking at you?" Naia flushed as Shanks leaned closer to her. His face stopping mere inches from her own.
"If that's your pick up line then I'm going to say stick to the corny ones," Naia said, leaning a little away from the pirate captain.
"It's the truth!"
"I'm sure." Naia didn't try to hide the scepticism coating her voice.
"I take offense to that!" Shanks huffed, "I'm sitting alone by the fire with a beautiful woman next to me. How could I not attempt to take it further?"
"Well, stop." Naia slid her eyes back toward the now cold fire pit. "A cliche doomed romance is not something I look forward to accomplishing."
"But you have thought about it!" Shanks gave her a sly grin as he winked at her.
"T-that doesn't mean anything!"
"Your stutter says otherwise." Shanks let his fingers brush against her cheeks before gripping her chin. He forced her head up, drawing her gaze back to him and his intense eyes. They were brimming with power and lust, making them glisten like onyx.
"It says no such thing!" Naia tried to deny but as the man loomed over her, she felt her resolve slowly beginning to crack. Her eyes slid close as-
"NAIA!" Luffy's voice shattered the little world the couple had formed around themselves. "Naia!" The distress in his voice had Naia leaping to her feet and running toward the little boy.
"Luffy?" Naia crept through the kitchen and down the hallway, "Lu? Where are you?"
"N-Naia," Luffy hiccuped. A creak behind her had Naia spinning on her heels to face the red-haired captain whose face was etched with concern. Naia shook her head at the man, begging him to stay there, and continued toward the boy's bedroom. His bed sheets were crumpled and half on the floor, but the dark spot that was in the center of the bed had Naia worried even more. Luffy had never wet his bed. Ever.
"Lu? Where are you?" She hesitantly walked further into the room, looking for any evidence of the boy
"No more, no more please." Whimpers drew Naia to the corner of the bedroom and the small space between the dresser and bookcase. Naia slowly walked forward, keeping her hands in front of her, out in the open for the boy to see, but the sight in front of her had her heart drop. She should've expected this. Night terrors. Luffy was crouched into the corner, rocking ever so slightly as his hands covered his ears. His cheeks were irritated and damp from tears that had started to dry while the smell of the soiled shorts reached her nose. The acrid smell of urine combined with the state the little boy was in was enough to have Naia drop to her knees.
"Lu, can you come out for me?" Naia said slowly as she crawled toward the boy, giving him enough space to not feel trapped but close enough to let him know she was there. "I can't help you if you put yourself in a corner."
"They're dead. They're all dead. I couldn't save them. Have to save them," Luffy repeated, rocking his body. A fresh wave of tears rolling down the boy's cheeks. "So much fire. The screams are so loud."
"Naia, what's going on?" Shanks' quiet question came from the doorway.
"A night terror." Naia closed her eyes, her brows furrowing in pain for her little boy.
"A night terror? He's only 7!"
"It's not that uncommon." Naia turned her attention back to the cowering body before her. "Lu, no one is burning. You are safe on Dawn Island."
"They're gone. I couldn't save anyone," Luffy whimpered, "Not strong enough."
"Luffy, they are safe. You are safe. Ace is here and so is Sabo. You will save them because you are here," Naia murmured, slowly bringing Luffy's hands away from his ears. "You have a second chance. You can do this!"
"Naia," Luffy cried as he launched himself into her arms. His body shook as he sobbed into her shoulder. "I have to succeed this time! I have to!"
"And you will, Lu. You will," Naia whispered into his ear, rubbing her hand down his back. "You're the Pirate King, you can do anything you put your mind to. Now, let's get you cleaned up and we can sleep in my bed tonight." Naia gently hoisted Luffy into her arms as she rose to her feet. Luffy's arms snaked around her neck tightly and Naia backed away from the corner. Her eyes lingered on the soiled bed sheets. It was best not to let them sit overnight but leaving him alone wasn't an option either.
"Do you need help with anything, Naia?" Shanks asked, putting a strong hand on her shoulder.
"I'll manage. I'm sorry we're going to have to cut our night short," Naia said softly.
"Naia, let me help." Naia sighed at the resolve in the man's voice. Nothing was going to persuade him.
"Lu? Do you mind if Shanks gives you a bath? I'm going to deal with your bed sheets," Naia muttered into the boy's ear. Luffy shifted in her arms, his red-rimmed eyes gazed into her own. The air stilled for a moment before Luffy nodded and reached out toward the pirate captain. "You're welcome to use the bathroom in my room. It will give you more room and I'll bring a change of clothes for him."
"Alright, which way is that?" Naia flushed as she shifted Luffy into Shanks' arms.
"Sorry, down the hall and to the left. Everything you need should already be out but if something isn't just yell and I'll grab it for you." Naia peered sadly at Luffy's tense form. This wasn't over but hopefully being with Shanks will bring him back to reality. "Thank you, Shanks. You really don't have to do this."
"There's no need to thank me. I want to help." Shanks smiled at her before he made his way to the bathroom, enthralling Luffy with one of his adventure stories. Naia took a deep breath before turning back toward her task. Grabbing a pair of rubber gloves from the kitchen, she set about stripping the bed and placing the soiled sheets in a wooden bin filled with hot water and soap. Thankfully, it appeared the cotton sheets had absorbed a majority of the urine leaving the mattress with minor injury. With as much done as she could get for the night, Naia swiped the extra set of pajamas.