Hi ! This is my first one-shot, and I will be writing about the couple Ace and Nami. I don't see a lot of one-shots or fan fiction about them, so here I am, hoping that it will make people love this couple and also write about them ! I would like to add that English is not my first language (I am French), so I am apologizing for the mistakes that I could be making !
The Going Merry sailed smoothly out of the region of Alabasta. On the deck, Nami gazed out at the endless sea, lost in thought. The salt-laden breeze tousled her tangerine hair as she clutched a tattered map in her hands. Nearby, Ace lounged against the railing, soaking in the warmth of the sun.
Since they met at Alabasta, the two had shared a camaraderie, a bond forged through the adventure they had just gotten out of. Yet, as the ship cut through the waves, a different kind of tension lingered between them. Unspoken words danced in the air, carried by the sea breeze.
Ace couldn't help but steal glances at Nami. Her determination, her courage, and the way she effortlessly commanded the crew fascinated him. There was an undeniable strength in her, a strength that drew him like a moth to a flame. Nami, in turn, appreciated Ace's easygoing nature, his fiery spirit, and the protective aura that surrounded him.
One evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink, Ace found himself walking towards Nami. She looked up from her map, meeting his gaze with a questioning expression.
"Mind if I join you?" Ace asked, a half-smile playing on his lips.
Nami nodded, making room for him beside her. They sat in companionable silence for a while, the only sounds being the creaking of the ship and the gentle lapping of waves against its hull.
"I've been thinking," Ace began, his eyes fixed on the horizon. "About us."
Nami turned to look at him, curiosity flickering in her eyes. "Us?"
"Yeah," Ace said, scratching the back of his head. "I mean, I know it can be a little rapid, but, well, I can't help but feel something more."
Nami's heart skipped a beat. She hadn't expected Ace to be so straightforward. A blush crept up her cheeks as she searched for the right words. "Well, I can't say that I didn't feel something, too. But, with everything that's happened, I didn't want to complicate things."
Ace chuckled, a warm sound that eased the tension in the air. "Complicate things? Nami, our lives are already complicated, we're pirates. But maybe that's what makes it worth living."
Nami smiled and responded, "You're going to quit us anytime soon, you're still doing research on Teach and..." She paused, looked at Ace and continued, "I really don't think starting something will help us...".
"You think ?" Ace chuckled again but made a serious face. "I know that hunting down Teach is a big challenge right now, but I don't think that it should impact my life—our life - for that matter. I am not going to tell you that I will stop, I need to do this for me, for Thatch and for my father and brothers. But a long time ago I decided to live my life without any regrets, and I feel that not telling you how I feel will be one of them".
Nami looked at him and smiled, and as the ship sailed on, so did the conversation between them. They spoke of shared memories, the highs and lows of their journeys, and the unspoken feelings that had lingered for far too long. The moon hung in the sky, casting a silver glow over the sea, as they reached an understanding that went beyond words.
Days turned into weeks, and their newfound connection deepened. The crew, always attuned to the subtle shifts in dynamics, noticed the change. Luffy grinned at them without really understanding the full meaning of the new relationship between his brother and navigator; Sanji raised an eyebrow but decided not to really acknowledge the situation; and even Zoro didn't see anything and just decided to sleep most of the time.
One quiet night, under a sky full of stars, Ace and Nami found themselves alone on the deck again. The air was charged with a different kind of energy—a quiet anticipation. Ace took a deep breath before speaking.
"Nami, there's something I've been wanting to do."
Nami looked at him, her eyes reflecting the starlight. "What is it?"
With a confident smile, Ace reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, intricately carved seashell. "I know it's not a grand gesture, but it reminded me of you. It's like the sea—unpredictable, beautiful, and full of mysteries."
Nami's eyes sparkled as she accepted the seashell. "Ace, it's perfect."
He took her hand, his touch sending warmth through her. "Nami, I know we are from different crews, and this situation that we're putting ourselves in is difficult in many matters, but I just can't go without having done everything that I could to manifest something. I really like you. I think it was obvious, but I wanted to make it clear. This is not a game for me. I know we are young, but I really want to have this journey with you, even if we are apart in different seas. I am not.
Nami's heart swelled with emotion. She nodded during all of his monologue, a smile breaking across her face. But seeing that he was going down a path she wasn't yet ready to take, she took his cheeks into a cup and kissed him. The kiss lasted a very short amount of time, but it was enough for Ace to take Nami into his arms and kiss her again, praying that this moment would last forever.