Disclaimer: One Piece (and its characters) belongs to Eiichiro Oda-sensei.
Reminder: I have no beta-reader. Any grammatical and spelling errors are solely mine.
Warning: OOC possible. One shot.
Rating: T (A bit outright suggestive near the end because Zoro just can't help himself.)
Note: Happy Birthday to our lovely navigator, the one and only cat burglar and weather queen! I was supposed to post a different story but decided to go for a lighter, PWP-ish one. Because I need to get this out of my system.
Summary: This time they definitely don't need any drinking competitions or alcohol to do it.
LITTLE BITS AND PIECES OF HEAVEN
36 : Have A Drink With Me
Nami had always thought...
...that alcohol would be the one sole reason why something will happen between her and Zoro.
Something that will cross the imaginary boundary they both had unwittingly set between them right from the beginning. Totally dissolving it to nothing… completely eradicating its existence.
As if it's never been there from the start.
It was during her birthday celebration when they first found themselves engaged in a serious and fierce one on one drinking competition after giving in to Usopp's endless taunting that night that they would never find out who can really outdrink the other; given how they always seemed to knock back almost the same amount of alcohol at the festivities the crew usually attends or held.
That irked Zoro and made Nami smirk cockily. Whiskey Peak was never settled. And she was pretty confident she can outdrink him seeing how he always passes out while in the middle of drinking.
She haughtily accepted the challenge and much to her surprise, Zoro did too.
Well… pride was at stake and so were some belis…
With a barrel between them and the whole crew gathering around to watch and cheer their favorites, their drinking competition commenced.
Nami almost forgot that it was her birthday party because somehow it turned into the kind of merriment Zoro would appreciate if it was his special day.
Nonetheless she was having a blast—making fun of him, teasing and trying to put him one tankard behind her, mug after mug after mug amidst the shouts of their rowdy crew mates.
Their drinking prowess was inhuman as everyone in the crew soon realized that they were still at it even as the night wore on and the younger members of the crew settled down the lawn deck to sleep.
The older ones left them on their own knowing that in the battle of wills and pride, Zoro and Nami will not stop until the other is totally obliterated.
Nami was not sure how they went from squabbling in between drinks to actually relaxing and enjoying the alcohol between them as they shared stories and laughter from when they first met Luffy up until now that their crew had grown in number and strength and standing.
The fact that they were trying to drink each other under the table was forgotten just like that.
She was in the middle of laughing amidst the cacophony of snores coming from Luffy, Chopper and Usopp with her head thrown back and without a care in the world when her eyes caught Zoro's.
He was looking at her intently, like he was scrutinizing her even if his face showed a slight hint of amusement at her antics.
And something just clicked inside Nami and she realized…
…something had just shifted between her and Zoro right at that very moment.
They originally started drinking while facing each other with a barrel between them.
And now they are so…
Close.
They nearly kissed that night.
Nearly.
It didn't happen though.
A loud splash of water broke their trance. It was as if the cold liquid itself had drenched them and woke their senses up, sending them hurtling back to reality. Next thing they know, they were scampering towards the railing, immediately sobering up when they realized their idiot captain had stupidly fallen into the sea while sleepwalking and searching for meat.
That was the end of that.
They never tried to talk about it. Chalked it off to one moment of insanity produced by drinking barrels and barrels of alcohol just to best each other.
Nami thought that it was just a one-time thing. A once in a lifetime occurrence.
But she was wrong.
Because ever since that night, whenever there was a party or a celebration of sorts or any festivities where the Straw Hat crew finds themselves in the center of…
…she and Zoro will find each other—to try and see who really drinks the most.
And who is brave enough to make the first move.
Because in all honestly. Their drinking competitions always end up in that certain moment where they are so close to each other that all Zoro needed to do was lean down some more and all Nami had to do was tilt her head up a little.
And they would kiss.
But that was it.
No kiss ever happened in all the times they had a drinking battle or even when they just casually drank with each other in some random bars on whatever island they were currently docked.
Then in one, unexpected instant—their lives were turned upside down when they were all forcefully separated by a warlord.
Two years was a long time. And Nami was sure that that time apart had brought back the invisible, unspoken boundary she and Zoro had between them that they had been too reluctant to cross when they had the chance.
She was fairly certain that those two years had put a damper on what was going between them. They were young, a bit reckless and their adventurous and high spirits might just be the reason why they wanted to break down that barrier that keeps their relationship purely platonic.
Then… Fishman Island.
Nothing that happened before they were separated ever came so close to what took place while they were in that place.
When they finally and eventually got the chance to be alone with each other again for the first time in two years in that almost secluded and quiet steps of Ryugu Palace in Fishman Island (while she was taking a break from drinking and he was planning to nap in between)...
...their lips almost touched.
Closer than it had ever been.
She can feel his breath, warm against her lips as he exhaled deeply. It caressed her face in the softest of all touches and she knew right there and then...
...that he had missed her.
If it wasn't for Usopp suddenly appearing and loudly joining them with Chopper and Sanji in tow, Nami knew that they would finally have given in to that longstanding urge to kiss each other.
Still that was the last of that. Again. The moment they entered the New World, the crew had to go and separate into different group—too often for Nami's taste—so they could do what they meant to do.
And whatever celebration they had after reuniting every now and then, were fast and shadowed with current issues they had to deal with where lives and freedom were at stake.
There was no time to think about what was going on between her and Zoro. So she decided to finally leave it at that. They are in the New World after all and they both have more important things to consider. To do. To prioritize. Than what was going on between them.
So Nami decided to just let it all go.
Besides, if it really meant to happen. It will happen.
The festivities at the Flower Capital of Wano Country had finally dwindled down after days and days of celebration. Everyone was busy doing their own things now—some recuperating and relaxing while others are enjoying the long-awaited freedom and peace that was denied to them for so many years.
Nami was wandering around the shogun's castle, stealthily looking for any treasure Orochi and his minions might have left. At the same time, she was enjoying the nocturne view of the country from the long corridor balcony. The entire capital below was highlighted under the glow of the full moon and it was exquisitely beautiful.
She had stopped for a moment to savor the night air and the soft murmurs of movements and muffled voices from all over the castle and was actually surprised to see Zoro heading towards her.
He had probably just finished his training since he was coming from the lower floor where he and Momonosuke usually practiced their sword skills.
He gave her a nod when he saw her. And without another word, he joined her in her moon viewing.
And they both stayed there in the balcony—silent, contented and just watching the world outside them.
It was the first time they had the chance to be alone again since Fishman Island.
When you just came out of the biggest, most dangerous battle of your entire life—alive, still kicking and in one piece like they have—it kind of gives you a different perspective and makes you appreciate everything around you more. It makes you want to pull the people you cherish the most close to you and never let go.
Nami veered away from the scenery before her and so she can look at the green-haired swordsman.
Zoro looks so full of life now—a stark contrast to the man lying down on the futon a few days ago; pale, unconscious and heavily wounded.
A bandage was still wrapped around his head. Nami knew he still have wounds that need to heal. She should chastise him from going straight into training when he should be resting but she knows it's just a waste of time.
Instead she reached out and softly touched his cheek, wanting to convey to him without words that she's grateful that he is still here. That he and Luffy are still here.
That they are all still here.
When she finally moved, Zoro met her halfway.
And Nami instantly knew that their kiss is finally meant to happen.
She always thought they'd be drunk when they do kiss. They are always drinking whenever they find themselves in that certain moment before a kiss should happen. And she had it in her mind that they'd only get the courage to push further and finally do it because there is alcohol surging in their systems.
But here they are. All sober.
"Oi what are you thinking about?"
Nami blinked as she was pulled out of her ruminations by that familiar drawl.
She pushed away from the Sunny's railing to look at the newcomer. She had quietly slipped away from the on-going celebration of her birthday for a fresh air. She had drunk a lot. A lot. With Jinbe know officially a member of their crew, the toasts just keep going and going.
Damn fishmen and their alcohol tolerance! Jinbe can hold his liquor much better than she or Zoro combined can!
She took a deep breath before answering. "Nothing. Just taking a break," she tried to act nonchalant by shrugging her shoulders.
Zoro chuckled. "Seems like you are at your limit." It was dark outside alright. But she can make out that certain glint in his lone, grey eye whenever he's teasing her.
She huffed. "Dream on. Don't even think you can best me. I can still go on."
He laughed. "Still confident you can top me huh?"
Nami grinned cattily at that. "Oh Zoro. I know and you know that I can," she winked at him, deliberately letting the innuendo hang between them while trailing a finger down the uncovered part of his chest.
Zoro seemed to get it immediately much to her surprise because the grin on his face was shit-eating.
She cut-off any remark he had on that by poking him on the chest with her finger. "Why are you here anyway?"
"You were missed."
She brightened up at that. "You mean you missed me?"
His only answer was a huff of his own. But she had become so good at reading him and the not-so-cleverly-hidden meaning of his words and actions. She knew she hit it spot on.
"Let's go back," he invited nodding towards the galley's direction. "They'll wonder where we are."
"Let's just let them," she said cheekily. "We are not exactly hiding anything."
He looked amused and brushed a swift kiss on her nose.
"It's your birthday," Zoro reminded her. "And you have birthday girl responsibilities."
Nami raised an eyebrow at him. "Responsibilities?"
"Yeah. Like start a drinking competition." He looked so happy with the idea that he can raid all their booze stock without being reprimanded by Sanji. "I'm getting impatient."
She rolled her eyes at that. "Fine," she grudgingly agreed. "Let's go back and have our usual competition. I'll beat your ass fair and square. You lose… I get all your allowances in the next three islands."
Zoro just snorted at her claim and easily wrapped an arm around her waist, drawing her close. He planted a kiss on her temple. She giggled when his lips brushed against the shell of her ear before moving to kiss her fully.
This time they definitely don't need any drinking competitions or alcohol to do it.
"Come on then," Zoro said when he pulled away from her. He suddenly tugged her towards the stairs leading to the galley looking almost excited. "Let's see if you're really as good as you claim to be." He was grinning menacingly at her.
Damn this man and his booze.
Nami groaned even as she let him cart her back to where she can hear the Luffy yelling 'meat' above the chatter of their crewmates' voices.
She stopped him before he can push the door open.
"Be nice Zoro. It's my special day," she reminded him oh-so-sweetly so he'd go easy on her.
Zoro gave her a smug grin.
"Be nice Nami. I might let you sit on my face tonight for your special day."
His voice was low when he said that and it immediately sent Nami on fire—every single part of her being heating up at that.
His grin was cocky as he opened the galley door before she can even retort, whispering 'happy birthday' in her ear, pushing her inside—back to her celebration, their crewmates and the Straw Hats signature chaos.
– The End –
R and R please.