First things first, I have to confess that I only became addicted to One Piece when the OPLA came out. Yes, I can hear all the boos coming from that side. But then again, it was an anime that always piqued my interest when I was younger, though I never really got into it before. So, after watching the OPLA, I fell in love with the straw hats, but mostly with Sanji… I mean… Taz, right? And then I couldn't have enough. So I thought about finally diving into the anime, but with a kid and a job, I barely have time to myself. So that left the Manga. And I devoured it in a blink. Okay that's a lie, I'm still missing about 20 chapters or so of the Manga, but I am almost done.
Now, after reading the Manga I realised that Sanji and Nami are so perfect together. And the way he is always there for her makes my heart tingle with joy, so the next logical step was fanart and fanfiction. And sadly, I don't think there is enough of either in the world! I've read dozens of fanfictions on SaNami by now and my thirst isn't quenched, people! So brace yourselves for the first fanfiction I've written in almost 13 years! And the first in the One Piece universe.
I hope you do enjoy it, so please let me know. By the way, I should warn you that english is not my first language and this wasn't betaed, so I am apologising in advance for any possible mistakes/spelling. Thank you!
PS: This is set after the Whole Cake Island ark, on the voyage to meet the rest of the straw hats back in Wano.
Nami tiptoed lightly on the wooden steps, taking care not to linger on the ones she knew would creak for sure. She was barefooted and her pyjamas consisted solely of small shorts and a flowy top, so the sharp nightly ocean air, salty and tangy created goosebumps on her fair skin.
Her breath came out in small irregular wisps matching the compass of her not so steady heart.
She was on a mission.
Carefully looking around her to see if she wasn't spotted, Nami overheard Brook on the top of the mast, his voice a bare whisper but the sea shanty was still clear on her ears for she now knew the words by heart. She advanced with carefully timed steps, moving forward with each "yo-hoho" pacing herself to the jolly beat of the song. Soon, she arrived at her destination.
Calming her shaky breath she shook her head to chase away her doubts and worries. She wouldn't be caught. Brook was on guard duty and she had just passed him outside, Chopper was monitoring Luffy's condition in the infirmary and sleeping on one of the beds there, and Carrot was fast asleep on Robin's bed in the room she just came from. So why was she so nervous?
Taking a deep breath and closing her eyes, Nami pushed open the door to the men's quarters, Brook's melody still ringing in her ears.
The room was mostly dark. There was a sliver of light coming from the windows, the crescent moon's offer was dim, at best, but Nami made due. She spotted a thin frame on the right bunk, facing upwards and asleep, blond hair sprayed over his right eye. His eyes closed and knitted together, as if sleep hadn't come easy, worry weighing them down with heavy lines. The sight made her sigh in relief and her eyes watered involuntarily. The nights she had spent wondering where he was sleeping, or if he was hurt or even alive were now gone. The feeling still felt quite foreign. He was there. For good. And the One Piece be damned if she was letting him go away again.
She tiptoed very lightly on her way to the bed, holding her breath in, only letting a little bit of air out as needed so as not to make any noise. Her hands were shaking when her slim fingers connected with the firm mattress. She knew he would wake up as she approached. He was, after all, a skilled user of Observation Haki, so she hadn't high hopes of slipping in unnoticed. She was, however, quite surprised at how far she got before his big baby blue eyes landed on her brown ones. He was probably really tired.
"Nami-San!" His exclamation was shock full of surprise, though a hint of delight could be perceived by the skilled reader of emotions. "What are you doing here? Is everything alright?" He tried to sit upright, but Nami, who had managed to climb on the bed, had slithered her way into his arms, clinging for dear life to his white cotton shirt, her face now buried on his chest, whether from embarrassment or sadness, Sanji still couldn't tell. He felt dumbfounded. Ever since meeting the orange haired fiery navigator, her laying on his bed had been a constant image that haunted his dreams, Hell, even his daydreams, but now that it was actually happening, he didn't know how to react.
Sure he was King Suave in his fantasies. Sweeping her off her feet with his charming words and killer smile, something that actually never worked on the real Nami, by the way, but when push came to shove, he was being wimpy. That's the term that first came to his mind when he realised he was at a loss of words for what was really happening.
Wimpy
Son
Of
A
Sea Beast.
"I…" she started slowly but stopped when she realised she really had no excuse for why she was here. She had her reasons, sure, but would her reasons be enough? She had missed him so much that it actually ached physically. She had worried her heart out in a way that there were moments when she thought she would crumble with sheer desperation. She had feared not only the loss of her Nakama, but the loss, she later realised, of HER Sanji. And that had left a hole so big that it still hurt to breathe. "I'm so mad at you." was all she could really articulate.
He sighed both in relief, when he realised that there was no danger, but also because he knew this conversation was coming. And he wasn't prepared for it. He tried to place a hand on her shoulder to comfort her but decided against it. He didn't know how much touching she would allow him and also, he didn't know how much touching he could allow himself before he bled out on his bed. And she was already clinging to him. Her warm, soft, curvy body pressed firmly against his…
"Stop!" He yelled, causing the orange haired girl to look up with confusion in her eyes. "Stop-.. Er… StStop… I mean…" he took a deep breath, "I mean you are right to be mad at me. All of you should be completely irate at my actions. I was a fool. I know that now. I don't know why I thought that I could leave just like that and that you all would be on your merry way. It's like I don't know Luffy at all." Sanji closed his eyes and pressed his index finger and thumb against them. "I was a massive jerk to Luffy… and to you too… I'm so sorry, Nami-San."
He was being sincere. She knew it. And honestly, she could tell that those feelings had been on repeat in his mind, just from the strained look he was giving her. She knew that he was probably feeling terrible after saying all those things to their captain. The way his slim fingers were digging on the sheet showed her just how those emotions were still so raw in his mind. So she decided he deserved a little honesty as well.
"I missed you." And with that whispered phrase her arms locked tighter around his torso.
There, she said it. It was the truth. And it was why she had come to his room. She kept turning and tossing around in her bed, fear gripping on the edges of her mind. Fear that he would be gone, fear that he almost died, fear that she almost lost him. And also pity and sadness for his remaining relations and how they revived hurting moments from his childhood. Hurt and agony at the suffering this man had to stomach while growing up and pride at how he turned out. Glowing pride at the man that he is today. But mostly so much sorrow and emptiness when her eyes scanned the darkness and he was not within immediate reach. That was why she had to go and find him in the middle of the night. Find him and hold him tight when that overwhelming fear of losing him comes clawing back at her and only the reality that he really is with her now can keep that fear at bay. But that is a speech that is beyond her reach for now, so she doesn't add anything to the simple phrase. She just eyes him timidly, her nails digging deep to his shirt, her breath again caught on her throat as she awaits his response.
And she is a vision of loveliness.
Sanji must be dreaming. He can't believe that this is happening in any kind of reality right now. He is sure that this has happened once, in one of his dreams, but he doesn't remember how it ends so he decides to just go with it. It's all in his head anyway.
"You have no idea what those words do to me, Nami." His voice is heavy. Thick with emotions that have burned for so long within him. "I thought of you everyday. It pained me to leave you behind, but I have to say that I would've done it again… because your safety and the crew's safety was at stake and that is something that I would not risk." He had to be honest. She was the vision of purity. An angel on his bed. Honesty was necessary. His hand brushed the side of her cheek and she felt as though he had left a burn behind his finger trail because she never felt so hot before in her life. "I would never risk losing you. I would die a thousand deaths before I let that happen."
And he was serious too.
She knew he was. That's the kind of man he is. And that's one of the reasons she feels so drawn to him. She has been, for a while. She notices the care he takes with her and her needs and she knows he has a weakness for women, and that is why she keeps avoiding her feelings, but she can't help but feel special when it's just the both of them, or when he gives her that special attention: a flower with her tea cup or a freshly picked tangerine with a little of the peel cut back to the form of a heart. She never caught him doing those things for Robin. Or at least she chose not to recall them.
Maybe it's all in her mind.
But as he lowers his head and his eyes search hers, she thinks that maybe it's not on her mind and he really does care for her more than other women.
But then again, didn't Pudding say he proposed?
Nami suddenly feels flushed with anger and buries her face on Sanji's chest once again, managing to avoid the piercing gaze and the slow approach of those very kissable lips of his. She feels so conflicted. She knows she should be angry and devastated at most of the things that happened while they were on Big Mom's territory, and yet her anger is subsided and buried under the butterflies that keep moving somewhere around her belly button. What is that anyway? Should she go see Chopper about it?
Her rambling thoughts are cut short as she feels Sanji's body becoming stiff with her refusal. Yet he doesn't push her away from him and thank the Heavens he doesn't because she feels that if she lost her grip on his chest she would fall and crumble to pieces, like she's been threatening to do ever since he left her on Zou.
She takes a deep, calming breath, "Can I stay the night, Sanji-Kun?" Her voice is a bare whisper and she almost hits herself for it. Why is she acting like a schoolgirl in love?
Nami barely has time to blush at the thought that crossed her mind. "Nami-San, you can stay as long as you like."
Stay forever, it's actually what he wants to say but maybe that's too forward and he now realises that what is happening isn't a dream, because in his dreams Nami always lets him kiss her, so he should tread lightly with his next steps. Should he try to hold her? Would she let him? Can he do it without passing out?
Almost as if she senses his doubts, he feels her reaching and the next second her hand is grabbing his and placing his arms around her. "You can hold me, Sanji-Kun." Please, hold me tight and don't let go. Those are really the words she wants to say, but then Pudding, and Violet, and Vivi and countless pretty faces float around her mind's eye and she reminds herself that he isn't hers and she has to bite her lip to stop herself from sobbing. Since when has she become this frail mess of a woman?
Since he left.
Sanji is barely there. His mind is grasping at straws trying to grip reality tight and not pass out. Nami is really in his bed, on his arms! He lowers his head slightly and the fruity smell of her shampoo tickles his nose. Tangerines, obviously. Are his palms sweating? He feels sweaty. It's probably all the effort he's putting into not bleeding all over her. She would kill him for that. Wouldn't she? Sanji can't remember Nami acting like this on any occasion. She's always strong and determined. Tonight she seems… off. Timid, blushing, grabbing onto him like she's afraid of losing him.
And then it hits him. He caused that, really. He was the idiot that left her, treated the crew like crap, and told them to go away. The sting on his cheek from the, rightly deserved, slap she gave him still burns. And the shame and remorse for what he did is stronger and more overpowering than the grip the Navigator has on his heart.
"I am so sorry, Nami-San."
He doesn't explain further, and she doesn't need him to. She knows what he's apologising for and frankly, he has apologised enough already. To the crew, when they finally got a breather and wandered out of Big Mom's turf, to Luffy too. Granted Luffy was barely awake when he did, but she knows Sanji will apologise to him a hundred times more if need be and their Captain never really blamed him for anything. And now to her. A whisper in her hair. A soft whisper that tingles in places it shouldn't and she feels lost again. So she shifts closer, needing to feel him closer, to hold him tight, to reassure him, and mostly her, that everything is alright and that they will never be apart ever again.
The silence is comfortable, though neither of them is getting any sleep, too deep in their own thoughts. The even breathing and the ups and downs of his chest are reassuring, calming and hypnotising for Nami. As for Sanji, his mind has made peace with his body and he is now sure that he can hold onto Nami without bleeding, or passing out. And he is in bliss.
"Did you really want to marry her? Pudding, I mean… She said that you proposed… and that you were happy with the situation. I mean, I get it. She is beautiful and a wonderful baker… it's like a match made in heaven, I know…" She knows she is rambling so she shuts up. She wasn't going to talk about this, really. It was just something that was gnawing at the back of her mind, but she wanted to drown that thought. Instead she blurted it out.
Sanji shifts in slight discomfort at the situation. Yes, he had meant it. But that was when he was resigning himself to his situation. He thought his Nakama were safely away, that they would be left in peace and that he would never lay eyes on them again. So he was trying hard to survive. And yes, Pudding is lovely. One of her personalities at least. But she's no Nami. "I meant what I said when I proposed to her. We were already set to marry, I wanted to try and make the best of the situation." Nami stiffened. Shit, that was the wrong thing to say. "I was trying to do everything to keep you all safe. If I refused her, Judge would've gone after you and Zeff too. And I really couldn't live with myself if anything happened to the old bastard because of me…"
"It's okay, Sanji-Kun. I understand. Pudding is lovely and… well you do love women." The shift is slight, but noticeable. She is starting to pull slightly away from him. Her voice has lost some of the tenderness it had at the beginning of the night and he feels her body tight with tension.
He messed it all up. Again.
"Nami-San, that's true. I do love women. I love how frail and fair they are, the lovely figures they possess and the enchanting giggling that leaves their perfect lips-..." Nami had had enough. She huffed and lifted her head off his chest and made to get up, but his hand captured her chin as he lifted her face so his eyes could reach hers. "I love all women, yes. But I am only in love with one woman."
The seconds stretched forever as his warm blue gaze followed her startled wide brown orbs and lowered ever so slightly to her rosy lips. He caught her off guard now. Sanji knew his words were sinking in, slowly as her cheeks were slightly red and her lips parted perfectly. If he had a chance, now was it. She could hit him after. He wouldn't mind if he died next because he would die a happy man. So he leaned slowly, giving her time to pull away, if she wanted.
Which she did.
He almost groaned when she hid her face back into the crook of his neck. Was he reading the situation wrong? He was sure she was having some kind of feelings toward him or she wouldn't be there with him now. Also, he was pretty sure that all of that about Pudding was jealousy. So what was he doing wrong?
Nami had to retreat into the safety of his strong chest again. She was feeling overwhelmed and couldn't cope. Only in love with one woman? Did he mean her? He had to! Why else would he be telling her about it? Her heart was fluttering in her chest and her breathing had become heavier. He wanted to kiss her, she could tell. And she had avoided his advances twice already. He probably wouldn't try another time. That was the kind of gentleman he was. Did she want to change the situation between them? Was that possible? Would he stop gawking at other women? Was that something she wanted to find out? Could they build a romantic relationship where neither of them got hurt?
Her rambling took too long and she could feel him stiffen again. He took a deep breath and his muscles tensed up. He was now bothered by her presence since it was probably clear to him that she doesn't want things to progress further. That's what it feels like for her. So she slowly and painfully starts to peel herself away from him. Maybe it's better this way. Keep things light, uncomplicated. She could do that, could't she?
"I'll go, it's alright. I'm fine now. We'll talk in the morning. We're okay." Her eyes were stinging behind her eyelids. She would give it a good cry out and then she would be perfectly fine. Yes, that was the plan. And he probably agreed because he didn't hold her back when she got up and headed for the door, his fingers parting from her skin without so much a hint of struggle in them.
Two steps forward and just as her hand was reaching for the doorknob, a lonely tear trickled down the side of her cheek. Weak. Frail. Little Nami. She swallowed the knot that had formed on her throat and started to turn her hand.
But was stopped short when a strong, big hand swallowed hers against the knob, keeping her from opening the door. She felt his tall and slim body almost pressed against her from behind. Just almost, barely touching but the residual space left in between sent sparks of warmth all through her back. "You're not fine. I'm not fine. We are not okay." His voice was deeper than ever and she realised that that did funny things on her body, like the shiver that ran through her, especially between her thighs.
She felt his hand grip hers tightly and then he came closer, pressing himself firmly against her back. His right hand grabbed her softly by the neck, tilting her face upwards and to the left to meet his eyes from behind. Her breath came out in shaky gasps. Minty, he noted. "In case it wasn't clear before, when I meant I was only in love with one woman, that woman is you, Nami. It was always you. Ever since I laid eyes on you but especially ever since I started to know the real you. The pain, the struggle, the fierceness and that courage that you show so often and so proudly. That's some of the things that make me so much in love with you that it is almost physically impossible to bear."
His left hand was still grasping hers and he brought both of them firmly against her stomach in a small embrace, while his right hand kept her face still, her eyes locked onto his. She would not look away this time. Not that she wanted to because, frankly, her knees were so weak that Sanji was the only reason she was still standing.
"I'm going to kiss you now. Is that alright?"
She nodded softly, her lips wanting to formulate an answer but her mind was too jumbled to articulate any rational thought and her stomach was in knots with anticipation. And then his lips came crashing down on hers, hungry, but soft at the same time, and she felt a moan escape her involuntarily when she surrendered to his embrace.
Sanji drank her moan like a fresh gulp of water on a hot day. He held her tightly because he felt that she had lost strength on her legs and the thought that he made that happen made something twitch inside his pants. Nami surrendered completely to him, she was so lost in what this kiss was making her feel and honestly she was mentally kicking herself for not letting this happen sooner. This was everything she never knew she wanted. And now she couldn't get enough.
Her lips parted slowly and Sanji released his grip on her neck, his right hand wide open at her upper back to keep her steady while he rotated her body softly to turn her front to him. She seemed to regain some modicum of composure so she straightened her body while her arms wrapped around his neck, pulling him down and closer as so to deepen the kiss. And he complied. Sanji let his tongue explore her parted lips, softly at first, but then with the urge and desperation of a man whose thirst was unquenchable. And Nami knew just how to quench that thirst as she let her own tongue take part in the action. She noted the rasp tanginess of nicotine but it was firmly disguised by the minty flavour of his toothpaste. Her back arched involuntarily and Sanji groaned into her when his pelvis made contact with soft, supple skin. His hands were already exploring her lower back and firm bum and each touch made his pants tighter and his head lighter. Would he bleed out? Or would he pass out first?
Nami stopped the kiss abruptly, gasping for air. She, however, didn't let herself move away from his grasp. Her soft eyes were locked on his and his gaze was so loving and lustful that she had to bite her lip hard to stop herself from jumping right back into his mouth.
"Should we stop?" Her voice was faltering, her hands were fidgeting with the strands of his hair that touched his neck and her eyes kept wandering from his gaze to his wet and slightly swollen lips.
"Do you want to stop?" He knew he didn't. Not when everything he had dreamed of was unfolding in front of him. But he would stop. It would only require a word from her.
Nami shook her head slightly. No, she didn't really want to stop. Not when the approaching darkness was finally kept at bay by his strong touch. Not when she finally felt complete now that he held her in his arms. Not now that she finally realised what love truly felt like. "It will change everything, though."
He nodded and smiled. "For the best, I hope. If that means I get to kiss my Nami-San everyday, more than once then I can die a happy man."
She chuckled slightly while she let her hand fall from his neck and caress his chest and abdomen. "Silly, silly man. Stop declaring your death wish. Now that I have you, you will only die of old age, a rich former pirate with an offspring of grandchildren catering to your every whims."
His forehead touched hers and his hands cupped her face ever so slightly. "Will they be your grandchildren as well?"
She laughed and pushed him backwards towards the bed. "Definitely."
THE END
