Shanks collapsed next to her. Both of them laid in silence as they tried to catch their breath. Naia's skin tingled at the light touches the captain made while he traced the mark on her back.
"We should clean ourselves up before the party tonight," Shanks whispered, his nose burying itself in her hair. Naia hummed but didn't have the energy to move. Her eyelids were heavy, and her body was slowly relaxing. She hadn't realized how tense she had been until now. When was the last time she had actually let her guard down? "Naia, come on."
"But it's so comfy," Naia whined, her arms wrapping around a pillow. It smelled like him. She could stay here forever. "And warm."
"Ace will be disappointed if you don't show up." Naia hugged the pillow closer. The warmth of the body behind her and the comfort of being safe was too much. Naia's body slumped as sleep took her.
Shanks stared in wonderment at the woman beside him. Her breathing had evened out, and she was utterly lax. She looked stunning. Her skin seemed to glow more than usual, and she had a healthy weight on her. How did her beauty keep growing? His hand caressed her cheek, and he paused when she fidgeted, turning into his hand. His eyes followed the curvature of her body, pausing briefly at the mark on her back, and he lightly traced the scar just below it. There were more scars present, and they looked like whip marks. Shanks gritted his teeth at the thought.
He didn't understand why she was adamant about not joining him. The ring on his finger glinted in the small amount of sunlight filtering through, reminding him of the situation she was in. It probably had to do with this and the fact a navy admiral had one. Shanks sighed, running a hand through his hair. What was he going to do? If she was a marine, then why didn't she tell him? Shanks couldn't think of a time he spoke negatively about them. Except maybe about Garp and how he raised Luffy, but that was an entirely different matter. Was she ashamed? Or protecting them? If the World Government knew about this kind of binding power, it could be catastrophic. Shanks rubbed his knuckles into his temples. He could ponder what-ifs all day.
"Naia, we have to get ready for the party," Shanks whispered into her ear.
"Do we have to?" Naia whined, rubbing her eyes.
"You're the one with the payment to make, remember? Besides, I never miss a party," Shanks chuckled.
"You people and partying," Naia grumbled, a giant yawn breaking off her sentence. "I don't even remember falling asleep."
"It wasn't for that long," Shanks murmured, combing his hand through her hair.
"Keep doing that, and I won't get up," Naia hummed, her head leaning into his touch.
"When was the last time we got to do this?"
"Probably on Dawn Island." Naia slumped up against him, and Shanks smiled down at her, pulling her close. "Too long."
"Come on." Shanks hauled her up to his chest, wrapping his cloak around her. "Let's clean up."
"Shanks, I can walk," Naia sighed, but she made no move to free herself.
"Let me take care of it," Shanks whispered into her hair. Naia nodded, burrowing herself further into his warmth. Shanks gently set her down on the bathroom stool. Naia shivered as the cold wood hit her exposed skin while he fiddled around preparing a bath for them. She could hear the rest of the crew running around the ship, and voices echoed from the hallway. A shiver went up to her spine as a cold feeling set in her hands and feet. Naia hugged her hands to her chest in an attempt to warm them up again. Her eyes drifted toward the red-headed captain.
"Almost ready." He smiled. "I missed the traditional bathhouses of my home, so it takes a little longer than usual."
"It's alright. I don't mind." Naia smiled, absentmindedly toyed with the necklace hanging from her neck.
"I'm surprised you still have that thing," Shanks hummed as he came to sit behind her. His own hand cupping hers.
"Why wouldn't I?" Naia inquired, "I did mean what I said when you gave it to me."
"It's a rusty piece of metal," Shanks scoffed.
"It's made of solid gold, Shanks! It's anything but rusty!" Naia protested. "And the trident reminds me of home."
"You'll have to tell me about this home of yours one of these days," Shanks hummed, running his fingers through her hair. He carefully detangled any curl he came across, letting the water run through them.
"There's not much to tell. It's gone now," Naia hummed as his nails lightly scratched at her scalp. She twisted around, coming to sit in his lap. Naia carded her hands through his hair, returning the favor and freeing his crimson locks of any tangles. They lapsed into silence—both content with just being with each other. Naia twirled a red lock between her fingers, humming a low tune as Shanks washed the soap away. The warmth of the air and the body beneath her was indeed paradise.
"Naia? You wouldn't lie to me, would you?" Naia froze, her cold limbs stinging as he settled them into the warm bathwater.
"What are you talking about?"
"You wouldn't lie to me, right? About what you do for a living?"
"Why would I?"
"You tell me."
"Do you not trust me? Have I done something to offend you?" Naia inquired, tightening her hold on his shoulders.
"Naia, answer the question." The steam of the bath felt suffocating, and Naia was having a hard time breathing. She was exposed here. No safety net. Naia opened her mouth to answer when a knock on the door interrupted.
"Boss?" Rockstar. "It's almost time for the party."
"We'll be right out!" Shanks called out. His eyes never left her's and their piercing gaze compelled Naia into saying something… anything.
"There are instances in this world that no matter how hard we try, we can not escape." Naia cupped his face, holding it close. Their breath mingled. "Everything I do is not out of spite or unkindness but a desperate need to prevent a future that could change everything."
"Your habit of carrying burdens by yourself is showing again," Shanks deadpanned.
"This isn't a burden I carry alone, but those who also carry it are not yet ready to show themselves," Naia murmured against his lips. "The time is almost upon us and then everything will make sense."
"Are you an oracle or did you pick up the talent to speak in riddles recently?" Shanks chuckled.
"I can't speak about it in detail, Shanks, but I'm not keeping things from you to hurt you," Naia whispered. "I only want to protect you."
"What if I don't want your protection?"
"Too bad, you got it!" Naia stuck her tongue out.
"I feel honored." Shanks trailed his lips up her neck. Naia wrapped her arms around his neck, bringing his lips to hers. They lost themselves in the feel of each other, and she never wanted this to end. Tongues swirled together, lapping at each other before pulling away. Naia sighed, her eyes closed as she focused on what she was feeling.
"Naia, I-"
"Don't," Naia shushed. "Not when things are so tense."
"What did I do to deserve you?" Shanks hummed. His eyes were lighter and Naia felt like a weight had been lifted. She had dodged a bigger question so hopefully the truth wouldn't land so hard.
"It is I who is so undeserving of you."