Disclaimer: I do not own One Piece.

Content warning: sexual situations

Chapter 6

Found Resolve

Nami woke up late the next day. She burst from her room at almost noon and rushed to grab a quick shower. Law chuckled a sarcastic good morning at her as she zoomed past.

She peeked out her head from the bathroom, toothbrush still in her mouth, to ask how much time she had.

Law frowned in thought for a moment. "About 20 minutes."

He laughed again as her eyes widened and she shut the door, quickly starting the shower. He had wondered if he should wake her, but it was clear her body needed the sleep. He lounged at the breakfast table reading the paper as a wet, orange blur zoomed out of the bathroom and into her room. It tickled him that she worried at all how she looked when she met his crew. He wasn't even reading the paper any longer, just peering over it, amused by watching the redhead dart back and forth between rooms to prepare herself. She was still tying back her hair when there was a knock at the door. Nami squealed, and Law laughed openly as he answered the door.

Two men and a large polar bear studied him for a moment. They were clearly expecting Law to be in a sour mood after having to call them in on short notice, but instead they were greeted by their smiling and laughing captain. Bepo jumped into Law's arms causing him to take a few steadying steps back into the room. The other men followed quickly, locking the door behind them.

They happily greeted Law before noticing Nami. Law turned around to see her holding the mink cub, who had taken to tugging playfully at her ponytail. Law smiled wide as she struggled to free her hair from the small paws.

"This is Nami-ya."

The two men shared a look then rushed over to greet her. "I'm Shachi, and this is Penguin. We've heard a lot about you!" The man with red hair and a puffy green and pink hat shook her hand vigorously as he spoke.

Nami shot Law a look as the second man in the Penguin hat took her hand to shake it just as hard. "Law told us what you did for Oso. Anyone brave enough to do something like that is a ok with us!"

Nami's grin was wider than ever as she blushed at the compliment. Good deeds were not something was used to being praised for. As the two men took the mink from her arms, her smile turned to Law. Her brows rose as she spotted the large bear hovered behind Law's shoulder. She skipped across the room to them and put out a hand as she introduced herself. "You must be Bepo. My name is Nami." She smiled kindly, and the bear tentatively took her hand. "I hear we have a lot in common. I just know we're going to be fast friends."

Bepo was hesitant, but Law could tell he was warming up to her quickly. She smiled at Law so brightly his heart skipped a beat. Seeing her last night compared to now was like night and day. Any doubts he had for opening up to her about Bepo were out the window. It led to saving a life from slavery, it led to her opening up to him, and it led to the pure joy she felt in that moment. Law let his walls down a little, only slightly. He would allow losing himself in this moment, to forget his plans and worries, realizing that as beautiful as she was in gowns or when she would pout or even when she cried, he knew for a fact it didn't compare to seeing her truly happy.

They spent the next few hours briefing the newcomers on the status of their mission and getting them acquainted with Oso. He clung tightly to Law's leg at first, but he warmed up to them once they offered him a few snacks.

After a while, Law called Shachi into the kitchen to go over next steps again. They would take Oso to the Polar Tang. Even after the metal collar was removed, the bear had deep scratches and missing patches of fur where it had been. There was a specific ointment there he instructed Shachi to apply generously every few hours until the swelling and redness decreased. They would also keep the Polar Tang close. Although they had a solid lead, it wasn't clear how much longer it would take to collect the information they needed. They still had a few weeks before Judge returned, and Law was insistent on having an exit strategy in place that could get them out before that happened.

"So, any ideas how you're going to get into that basement?" Shachi asked.

"I've got a few, but none of them are as solid as I would like," Law replied. "I don't want to move on anything until we've found out what this favor for the prince entails."

Shachi hummed in agreement. He followed Law's thoughtful gaze toward the redhead in the next room. He said his next question in a whisper. "How much do you know about her?"

Law looked back at the man but didn't answer.

"I can tell you're worried. Even after what she did for Oso, do you think you can trust her?"

Law thought for a moment before answering. "I trust that she'll do everything she can to ensure our success in Germa. Apart from that, I can't say." He believed her when she said she needed this to succeed. They were both working to gain Doflamingo's trust, but he still didn't know for sure what she planned to do with it.

"Well, I guess that's all we need for now. We better head out soon. I'll keep you posted on our position."

Nami was still smiling long after everyone had left. She couldn't remember the last time she met people she could earnestly laugh and be herself with. Or maybe it was just the first time in years that she allowed herself to. She took a seat next to Law on the couch and let out a long sigh.

She opened the novel in her hands and started reading. She didn't get very far. Nami usually loved ending the day with a work of fiction. She reveled in losing herself in the characters and their lives and problems that were so different than her own. It normally brought her relief from the constant troubles in her mind, pretending she was another girl in another world.

Her eyes scanned the words but her mind was elsewhere. Her mind was still thinking about that day, not wanting to replace it with another reality. It was strange, but it was almost like her heart felt full. The way Law's crew was with her, the way he was with her, warmed her heart. There was no deception and they didn't talk about anything deep, but they were just... fun. So fun in fact, that she hadn't even considered stealing their wallets. The feeling inside her was so good and pure. She pushed back those thoughts warning her of getting too accustomed to such things. She knew it was temporary, but she didn't care. She wanted to hold onto the happiness she felt, even if just a little longer.

Nami looked at Law out of the corner of her eye. He was reading some medical text with hand written notes tucked in most of the pages. He had taken off his hat and held it in his lap, idly stroking the white fuzz. Nami smiled wider at the sight.

"Missing Oso already?" She teased.

He looked at her confused until she motioned to the white furry hat in his lap. He smirked and tossed the hat on the coffee table in front of them. "I don't know what you mean, Nami-ya."

She tucked her feet under her on the couch and turned toward him. "You know, you're not nearly as scary as you pretend to be."

"You're not nearly as heartless as you pretend to be," he quipped.

"I hope your friends think so," she said earnestly. She smiled at the thought of seeing them again, at the feeling of what it might be to lead a normal life, to be free of her burdens.

Law's smirk turned back into his trademark lazy grin, his eyes still in the pages of his book. "I don't see how they couldn't. You're most charming person they've ever met."

"Is that so?" Nami eyed him mischievously and inched closer to him on the couch. "What else?"

Law looked up at her from his book uncertain, but still smiling. "What do you mean?"

"They thought I was charming... What else do you think they liked about me?" She was smiling brightly but with definite mirth in her eyes.

Law closed his book and let out a breath before answering. "They think that you're smart."

Nami hummed and moved a bit closer.

He turned his body toward her. "Wildly talented."

She blushed and glanced down before meeting his eyes again.

"You're surprisingly kind." This time he inched closer to her, reaching a hand to lightly touch a lock of her hair as his voice became softer. "You make them laugh."

Nami felt her heart beating faster. She moved closer still, locked in on golden eyes. Her heart skipped a beat as his hand grazed the side of her cheek.

"Your smile..." He opened his mouth to continue speaking but stopped himself with a slight shake to his head.

Without finishing his thought, his other hand wrapped around the back of her neck, gently pulling her into a kiss. His lips were warm, soft but firm. She couldn't help but lean into him. Her chest was on fire and her stomach flipped.

He broke the kiss and pulled away slightly to look into her eyes. She wasn't sure if he was trying to gauge her reaction or if he was hesitating. It didn't matter. She was resolved to chase this feeling, absolutely unwilling to face reality just yet. She grabbed him by both hands and pulled him into a hard kiss. He growled against her lips at the sudden act of passion and returned it in kind. She continued to grip him tightly as she tilted her head to deepen the kiss. Their lips parted and his tongue danced across hers. What started as slow and sweet quickly became hungry.

He kept one hand in her hair as the other traced down the side of her body. As he grazed the side of her chest, she let out a soft whimper into his mouth. His hand kept moving south until it gripped her thigh. He pulled her closer, leading her leg over his body until she was straddling him.

She dug her fingers into the back of his hair as his nimble fingers teased her exposed midriff, sliding slowing up under her shirt. An intense heat was building between her legs. She rocked her hips and he moaned into her, gripping her backside tightly.

Purupurupuru

She broke the kiss and turned her head toward the noise coming from the breakfast table. The sudden action prompted Law to latch onto her now exposed neck before nipping at her ear. His touch was like lightning through her veins, and her eyes fluttered closed.

Purupurupuru

"Wait!" She panted. It took her a moment to collect her thoughts and realize a den den mushi was ringing. Another moment passed before realizing which den den mushi was ringing. Nami pushed away from Law but he held her tightly, either unaware or uncaring of the incoming call.

Purupurupuru

"Law! It's him!" She shouted. Suddenly aware of the situation, his head turned to the ringing snail on the table and he reluctantly released her from his grip. She rushed to the table, smoothing out her hair and clothing on the way.

Ca-lick

"My prince!" She spoke in her sweetest tone possible, silently willing her heart to stop pounding.

"Nami." Ichiji's stony face appeared on the den den mushi.

"I'm so glad you called! I was beginning to think you forgot about me." She forced a giggle and prayed it came across sincere.

"Of course not. What took you so long to answer?"

"Hmm?"

"You are out of breath," he pointed out.

"Oh, that. I apologize," she stated easily, waving off any concerns with her hand even though he couldn't see it. "I was just getting in the bath, but I pulled something on and rushed out as soon as I could when I heard you were calling."

"I see," the face of the den den mushi was unchanging. It was utterly infuriating not being able to tell whether he accepted her lies. All she could do was to continue to act as though he did.

"So." She smiled sweetly, keeping her back to Law as she spoke. "To what do I owe this pleasure?"

"I am calling to inform you that you will join me tomorrow evening."

"Oh?"

"Answer the door."

Despite his warning, the immediate sound of a knock made Nami jump. She quickly composed herself and moved to the door with a smile. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Law had moved to peer out of the closed curtains at the window facing the street, sword in hand.

She opened the door and was greeted by the man she recognized as the chauffeur from their trip to the celebration of Germa. White gloved hands held out a large rectangular box as he bowed.

As she accepted the box with a quick thanks, the man gave another short bow and left without a word.

"Be ready by 7pm. I will send a car for you."

"Th- thank you," she sputtered but before she could add any more, the call ended and the den den mushi fell asleep in her hand.

Law shut and locked the door, then followed Nami to the table where she set down the large gift. She loosened the thick red ribbon holding the box closed and opened the lid. Her eyes widened at the lavish items inside.

Beneath a light scattering of rose petals laid three black velvet boxes of varying sizes. She removed the boxes and held up the red fabric underneath. It was a red gown, and Nami was impressed if not a little concerned that it seemed to be her exact size.

Law flipped open the lids on the smaller boxes, revealing a stunning gold bracelet, diamond earrings, and a matching set of combs for her hair.

"Well, at least I don't have to worry about what to wear." She joked sheepishly.

Nami finally looked up at Law to find him staring down at her. He could tell she was a mixture of emotions, none of them resembling how she had been earlier that day.

"I should get this hung up before it wrinkles." Her eyes darted away, unable to hold his gaze as unsure hands gathered the fabric and brought it into her bedroom.

She returned to the room to collect the jewelry, looking at the ground to avoid meeting his eyes again.

"Nami-ya, how would he know your dress size? Could you have mentioned it at some point?"

She paused her movement but continued to look at the ground. Shaking her head, she said, "I didn't mention anything about my clothing size."

He could tell she understood what he was thinking, but he said it anyway. "It could be observation enhancements. We already suspected his treatment could have been different than the others. Although, he could have found out from one of the many clothing vendors you frequented during this trip what your size is."

"That's not exactly a comforting alternative," she huffed.

He returned to the window to glance out again. He thought he noticed movement in the alley earlier but didn't see anything now. When he turned back to look at her, she let out a short breath of air. Her demeanor changed instantly. She confidently snatched up the jewelry and glanced at Law.

"I'm going to bed. I'll need a good night's sleep if I'm going to pull this off tomorrow."

"Wait, Nami-ya. There's more we should discuss."

"There's nothing left to discuss," she insisted. "We know the favor he asking of me," she lifted the boxes in show, "and we know when. Other than that, nothing has changed. He's a more difficult target, but dwelling on the details we don't have isn't going to change that."

Law began to speak but Nami stopped him before he got a word out. "And I don't intend to fail this mission because you kept me up all night worrying."

She stopped to grab her novel from the couch before heading into her room, shutting the door tightly behind her.

He was glad she was able to find her resolve. She was going to need it. She had flipped a switch and instantly turned back into the determined cat thief he met on Dressrosa. The sudden change made him realize just how much she had softened with him in the last few days, not even counting the intense display of affection she showed in the moments before Ichiji's call.

Law looked down at his hands, remembering the softness of her hair and the warmth of her skin that was so recently within his grasp. When she began teasing him, he assumed she was bored. When she allowed him to steal a kiss, he assumed she was stealing his wallet, not that he minded. When she pulled him in for another he didn't know what to think, and when she climbed on top of him he stopped thinking all together.

Law swallowed hard, forcing himself back to the present. It didn't matter what that was. It was a distraction. Not only did he miss the ring of the den den mushi, he failed to hear the footsteps of the chauffeur climbing the steps to their apartment. He was feeling out of control again but managed to use the feeling to find his own resolve. The more time they spent with the Vinsmokes, the more danger they were in. He had faith that Nami would do everything in her power to secure the information the first chance she had. Law refused to sit by and watch her carry this mission alone. He would do everything he could to ensure success, to protect the mission, to protect her.

Finding some of his own confidence restored, Law casually took a seat at the breakfast table. There wasn't a lot of time, but luckily most of the pieces were already in place. He picked up the den den mushi and dialed the Polar Tang.

Author's Note: It is my personal headcanon that all of the Vinsmoke brothers are instinctual cock-blockers. It's a sixth sense that drives them to interrupt any and all potential intimacy around them. Anyway, thanks again to everyone reading. Things are about to get interesting in the next chapter!