4
Naia yawned as she blindly made her way through the cabin, pausing as a sound echoed again. It was still early in the morning. Naia silently made her way toward the study, taking greater care of where her feet landed and how she moved. It couldn't be Shanks. He was never one to roam around and snoop through her belongings. He was also out on an expedition that should put them at least a month away.
"Ace?" Naia whispered, her eyes widening at the sight of the smaller boy attempting to reach a book on a higher shelf.
"Wha?!" Ace stumbled in surprise. Naia jumped forward, catching him and the few books that went with him.
"What on earth are you doing up, you silly boy?" Naia asked, forcing him to look at her. He had dark bags under his eyes, which were dull and tired. "Ace, what's wrong?"
"I couldn't sleep," he whispered.
"It's more than just that. Those bags tell me it's been longer than a week at least."
"I keep having this same nightmare," Ace grumbled, "I thought reading a story would take my mind off it, but they're all so high up!"
"You could have woken me up."
"I didn't want to bother you."
"You could never bother me, little firecracker," Naia hummed softly as she put the books back in their spots.
"Don't call me that!"
"Then what should I call you?"
"Anything but tha!" Ace's words slurred as he yawned widely, but he hastily rubbed the tiredness from his eyes. Tried and failed as he blinked rather slowly. Naia let a sad smile stretch across her lips as she scooped the boy into her arms.
"Hey! Let me go!" Ace squirmed in her arms, but Naia tightened her grip. She snatched up a blanket from the lounge before turning toward the door. "Did you hear me? Let me go!"
Naia slowly led them out toward the bay area. Ace was huddled in her arms, much to his displeasure, but he had ceased any struggles when they started walking. She hummed a low tune in the back of her throat while she found the right spot for them and pulled the blanket tighter when a massive gust of wind blew over them. Ace had been pretty tight-lipped about what the nightmare was about, but Naia had a feeling it was something to do with his life worth and their attachment to him. It was a healing moment. The mind was battling what it had always thought, but it was conflicted.
"The ocean has always been a comfort of mine," Naia started, "It will always be there for you no matter where you go or how far you travel. It is a constant and should you help it. It might just help you."
Ace stubbornly refused to say anything; although, he twisted in her arms to face the crashing waves.
"It's not unusual to feel out of place, but there is one thing I know. I know you belong out there as much as anyone else does. To forge your own path and to make your own future."
"Do you really think I can do that?" Ace asked softly. Naia had to pause for a moment, not sure if she had heard him.
"Of course, my little firecracker," Naia murmured into his hair. "You can do anything you put your mind to. With a little bit of work and help from the people who care about you, you can go anywhere."
Ace's shoulders shook as he gripped her shirt. Naia could feel the spot over her breast begin to dampen as he cried into her. She held him close, threading her hands through his hair.
"Come stop your crying. It will be alright. Just take my hand. Hold it tight," Naia sang softly, her hand caressing his face to wipe his tears away. The ocean surged up toward them, giving a sense of peace and familiarity as it cocooned around them. Naia grinned at the power vibrating from the water. "I will protect you from all around you. I will be here. Don't you cry."
"For one so small. You seem so strong. My arms will hold you. Keep you safe and warm." The words echoed from the water causing Ace to stir in her arms. His eyes held wonderment as the water seemed to glow around them, pulsing with life. He looked back at her in question, but Naia shook her head and tightened her grasp to keep him still. "This bond between us. Can't be broken. I will be here, don't you cry. 'Cause, you'll be in my heart. Yes, you'll be in my heart. From this day on. Now and forever more."
The water wrapped around Ace's body, drawing him up. The boy giggled as the water caressed his face, his own hands coming up to touch the water as the song flowed from it. A large yawn interrupted Ace's giggle-fest as the calming waters rocked him gently.
"You'll be in my heart. No matter what they say. You'll be here in my heart. Always." The water slowly released the boy back into Naia's awaiting arms, where he snuggled further into her warmth.
"Always," Naia whispered into Ace's hair. The waves caressed her feet as she stood on the shoreline. The feeling of warmth and familiarity tingled across her skin, but the sense of longing squeezed her heart. She pulled Ace closer to her chest, letting the feel of him tie her down. She had a life here—a home.
"Naia?" Naia jumped at the sound of Shanks' voice. She immediately put her finger to her lips, begging him to be quiet. "Everything alright?"
"Yeah, just a nightmare," Naia hummed as she rocked the boy to keep him asleep. "Welcome back."
Shanks smiled softly as he rubbed Ace's back. The boy squirmed further into her arms but luckily stayed asleep.
"It's good to be back." His lips brushed against her cheek as he followed her back to the cabin; although, his eyes lingered on the waters as they returned to their typical wave pattern. Naia raised an eyebrow at him. "I thought I saw something on the way over here, but it must've been a trick of the light or something."
"Hmm, the sea playing tricks on you? Don't you need to be further out at sea for mirages?" Naia chuckled.
"No!" Shanks denied.
"What are you doing back so soon, Red?" Naia hummed. "I'm pretty sure you said it would be a longer voyage this time around."
"I didn't want to stay away," Shanks admitted sheepishly. Naia rolled her eyes at the admission.
"Your crewmates are going to start to go stir crazy."
"They already have," Shanks sighed. "They're itching to get back to the Grandline."
"And you're not?"
"I am! I'm just having a hard time leaving this place." His hand brushed up her back, coming to rest at the base of her neck. Naia shivered at his light touches.
"Shanks," Naia sighed, "You can't stay here forever, and I won't let you."
"You won't let me?" Shanks smirked.
"I will kick you off this island if I have to."
"Sick of me already?"
"Is it obvious?" Naia chuckled as Shanks gaped at her. "It would be unthinkable of me to tie someone down who wishes to be free. It would be like locking Luffy down. Could you imagine?"
"I don't think anyone can lock that boy down." They laughed silently at the thought. "My offer still stands, and don't think I don't know about your response."
"My response?" Naia questioned, placing Ace back into his bed.
"'Wait for me,'" Shanks recited, "Although, I confess I have no idea what that means."
"You remember that? You were flat drunk!" Naia's eyes widened in surprise.
"I may have been, but my memory always remains as sharp as a tack!"
"Well, I can't get up and leave now," Naia explained. "I have three amazing young boys to take care of, and I still have my fun working with merchants."
"Fun?" Shanks scoffed. "I would imagine it would be boring compared to the adventures we have."
"Partying and getting drunk isn't everyone's definition of fun." Naia stuck her tongue out at him.
"Why must you tease me so?" Shanks hummed, his hand gripping her chin. "You make it harder to leave every time I see you."
"I have no idea what you're talking about," Naia whistled, a sly smirk settling on her face. Shanks pulled her close. "Why don't you show me?"
"With pleasure," Shanks growled as they stumbled their way to her bedroom. They spent the night getting lost in each other's bodies. Their hands wandered skin, memorizing every detail, every spark of pleasure, and the feel of the other against them. Naia felt a sting in her eyes as it felt more like a goodbye than a night of passion.
It was well into the morning by the time they felt satisfied enough to relax. Naia lightly traced Shanks' muscles as she laid on his chest. A small stream of mist filtered from her fingers as she drew out the symbol of her people. It would mark him as hers and hers alone. Not even the sirens could take him. She would miss him considerably, but perhaps they would run into each other like before. The man shifted in his sleep as her mist wrapped around him. Yeah, they would have to meet. The sea demanded it.