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evilishei · 13 days ago

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Belated happy birthday fic!

Little Bits and Pieces of Heaven

SAME, YET DIFFERENT

One-shot #: 42

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

Note: Of course I have something for my favorite navigator’s birthday. Just late. But better than nothing right?Also, for the past three years I have an AU story drafted for Nami’s birthday that I really can’t get into. Maybe it’s still not the right time for it. So it’s been rotting in my drafts folder and this one is what you all get.

I adore the fact that Johnny and Yosaku—who both are Zoro’s friends—decided to settle in Cocoyashi, which is Nami’s village. You know… that possibility of them going back to that place because they both have a reason to return together… I’ll leave it at that, feel free to imagine it.

Also, when I googled Cocoyashi village, I kept getting Cocoyasi. I’m not gonna delve deeper into this as they can be used interchangeably (I was under the impression that it was Cocoyashi all this time so I’m just gonna stick to it).

So enjoy! And let me say this now, I digress from too much emotional stuff. I just wanted it light and breezy.

Summary: Nojiko all but swallowed the laugh that wanted to burst out from her. She couldn’t believe she easily caught on what was currently happening with her sister. Nami just handed it to her in a silver platter.

Nami immediately crossed the wooden dock the moment they dropped the Sunny’s anchors. Her strides were quick; her heels and barely contained excitement eliciting small, creaking sounds with every step she took.

The island wind welcomed her warmly… very much like a long awaited embrace; enfolding her into its sea-scented arms and caressing her long orange hair—vibrant under the rays of the sun—making it flutter in her wake as she continued to move forward.

The moment her feet touched solid and familiar ground, she heard the shout.

“Nami!!!”

The navigator’s face lit up, an ecstatic smile appearing across her lips, reaching her eyes and she lifted her arms.

“Nojiko!!!”

She threw herself around her anticipating sister; still beautiful—even more so now with her light blue hair longer—and still smelling faintly of their beloved mikans, with just a hint of the sea and sun-soaked memories.

Nami squeezed her as hard as she could and Nojiko did the same.

“You’re here!” She declared jovially.

“I am!” Nami squealed before her sister can even finish her sentence, not bothering to hide her exhilaration at all.

They hugged again, giggling like kids, absolutely delighted to see each other like Nami hadn’t visited a year and half ago when they were sailing around East Blue again.

“Oiiii!!! Nami’s sister! Oiiii!!!”

“Hey Nojiko! Hey!!!”

“Onee-samaaaa!!! Onee-samaaaa!!!””

Nojiko sweat dropped at the chorused of voices calling out to her fervently. She peered behind Nami to look at the ship. The straw hat wearing captain of her sister was leaning excitedly on the ship’s railing along with the long-nosed sniper and their blond cook. All three were waving their hands in their air with so much enthusiasm that Nojiko can’t help but chuckle.

She lifted a hand to wave back at them as Nami sighed exasperatedly.

Nojiko tilted her head to look at her before sniggering. “You brought chaos with you?” She playfully asked, crossing her arms over her chest.

“Chaos goes wherever I go,” Nami deadpanned as she stared back at her now restless and overly excited crewmates. “Well… half of it actually.”

“Half?”

“The other half is still exploring Logue Town.”

“Oh?”

Nami grinned. “Well, our archaeologist is totally into history stuff so she asked us to head out first… something about wanting to research more about the islands in East Blue. They planned for some quick stops on some other areas on their way here. So they’ll probably be here tomorrow at the earliest.”

Nojiko nodded even as she did a double take when she saw Luffy wrap a rubbery arm around Usopp, before jumping down the wooden dock with him in tow. The sniper’s screech filled the air momentarily.

She turned her attention back to Nami. “So nothing’s changed huh?”

Nami shrugged her shoulders. “Yup, pretty much still the same.”

They looked on as the other Straw Hats started to disembark from the Sunny. Nojiko realized that it was just indeed the other half—the ones she already knew from way back when Nami first joined them. Plus the cute reindeer doctor called Chopper, whom she had met along the rest of the crewmembers a year before.

“Get ready for the upcoming pandemonium,” Nami muttered under her breath.

Nojiko laughed. “Never doubted that. Well… just right in time then I guess.”

Nami cast a sideway glance at her, completely ignoring her hyperactive captain, who was still dragging Usopp as he bounded towards them with Zoro, Sanji and Chopper trailing behind them.

“Right in time for what?”

Nojiko’s lips curved upward. “Your birthday celebration of course!”

Nami lifted an eyebrow. “But my birthday’s not until tomorrow…”

“Doesn’t matter,” Nojiko chortled. “We can start celebrating now and continue on ‘til tomorrow.” She looped her arm around Nami’s, pulling her towards the road heading to the village’s direction.

“Come on, better show yourself and them to Genzo-san first or you’ll never hear the end of it.” She cheekily winked at Nami.

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“Nami-aneki! Happy birthday!!!”

Nami quickly turned at the familiar voices that simultaneously almost sang that greeting. Her eyes widened and so did her grin when she recognized her well-wishers.

“Johnny? Yosaku? It’s been so long you guys!” She squeezed their offered hands and she realized that they were a far cry from the bounty hunters she had met years ago. They were bigger now, bulkier—her hands looking all small and delicate in their grip.

It was ironic that they look more dangerous now when they have a different profession than during their bounty hunter days.

She heard from Nojiko that after their unsuccessful attempt of going back to the bounty hunting business, they came back here to become fishermen, which was actually quite surprising as Nami never thought they’d settle here out of all places. Maybe it’s the Cocoyashi village’s charm?

They didn’t run into them when the Straw Hats were here last time. Nojiko had said that they were on the other side of the island as it was the fishing hot spot last year. The hauls are too big to pass. Besides, that is how they make their living now.

Nami smiled at the unexpected turn of events.

If they are living here now then…

Her eyes quickly darted towards the ever-stoic green-haired man, who was quietly drinking on the side-lines.

Zoro was watching the on-going party in front of him—the supposedly small event for her pre-birthday had turned into a full blown celebration right in the middle of the street… no thanks to the villagers who were more than willing to potluck and Luffy—who had cheerful invited every single person in the area that he met while running around exploring.

The master swordsman had a small smirk on his face—apparently enjoying the merrymaking even if he was taking no part on it.

Then his eye caught hers. And Nami fought the urge to roll her own. Far as Zoro may be, he was still able to sense her staring at him, even for just a split second. Sometimes his sharpness really grates on her nerves.

She really can’t enjoy observing him secretly, can she? He always, ALWAYS, catches her looking.

The mapmaker decided to just veer her attention back to Johnny and Yosaku who was telling her something about Nojiko’s recent business venture. And the fish haul that her sister had apparently demanded to them to bring for Nami’s birthday celebration.

“Guys, thanks! Those were really great catches.” Nami said, her tone amazed. “All that seafood dishes Sanji-kun cooked are absolutely delicious. And I know for a fact that that was not just because he is the one cooking it. Even he says you’ve brought in really excellent ingredients.”

The two laughed sheepishly, blushing and looking all embarrassed at her compliment. Really, they are so much better at catching fishes rather than catching wanted criminals.

“Ah! Zoro-aniki!” They both greeted Zoro who had languidly approached them and Nami marvelled at how Johnny and Yosaku can do their greetings in almost the same tone, the same manner, even the same enthusiasm.

Zoro nodded at his former bounty hunting comrades, grin appearing so wide on his face that Nami cannot help herself from raising an eyebrow. She rarely sees him this… cheerful. Most of the times it was just a chuckle, a normal grin, a smirk or a sneer.

He settled right next to where she was sitting, right down on the the ground to be more exact and Nami watched with amusement as Johnny and Yosaku bustled with too excitement. They also hadn’t seen Zoro for years and their happiness was almost palpable.

It seems like it was their birthday rather than hers.

“Eh, looks like enjoying it here Johnny, Yosaku,” Zoro observed, taking a sip of his drink.

“Yes! Of course!” answered Johnny.

“Definitely!” replied Yosaku.

Even Zoro couldn’t hold back a chuckle at their joy. It was, of course, nice to see their good old friends and allies thriving and happy.

“Well, I think you boys better do some catching up,” Nami suggested as she brought her own mug to her lips to drink.

“Oh we will!” Johnny was grinning from ear to ear. “We will take Zoro-aniki out the sea tomorrow to fish.”

Yosuka was bobbing his head up and down in agreement. “Yeah, you did mention that you liked fishing don’t you aniki?” He looked at Zoro who nodded.

“Tomorrow huh?” Nami murmured. Tomorrow was officially her birthday. So he’ll be gone out to the sea to fish the whole day?

“We’ll head out early, so we can return early.” Johnny explained, smiling at Nami as if he knew that that was what he needed to do. “Zoro-aniki said the official celebration of your birthday is tomorrow. So we can’t miss that and the feast!”

“Oh?” Nami mouthed as she stole a glance at the man beside her who just shrugged.

“Anyway we’ll see you later, Zoro-aniki, Nami-aneki” Yosaku said. “We still have to deliver some of our catch to Gosa village.”

“Eh?” Nami blinked. “You guys are still working? But it’s already evening?”

“Ah we just need to deliver it,” Johnny said sheepishly, scratching his head. “We are actually about to earlier but we heard you are all here.”

“And we wanted to see you all...” Yosaku added.

“And you both lost track of time,” Nami stated the obvious for them.

She was answered with awkward laughter.

“Well, see you two later then,” Zoro said, smirking. “Do what you need to do first then we drink.” He raised the tankard he was holding slightly before gulping it down with gusto.

“Will do!” The two shouted with so much eagerness, before turning around to run back to their ship so they can finish their task and get back to the celebration asap.

Nami and Zoro just watched them disappear in a cloud of dust and excited whispers. Somewhere around they can both hear Usopp’s voice narrating another one of his infamous tales of bravery to a most likely unsuspecting audience plus one gullible reindeer.

“Honestly didn’t expect this to become a full blown party,” Zoro muttered after few minutes of silently sitting, drinking and watching the villagers going to and fro. It was like after the fall of Arlong Park. Everyone was out on the streets eating, drinking, and laughing.

Only this time… it’s to celebrate her.

“Me neither.” Nami said with sighed. “And to be exact, it’s not even my birthday yet.”

“Right.”

“Actually didn’t expect those two will stay here,” Nami wondered out loud. “You?”

Zoro just shook his head. “For what it’s worth, I think they’ve settled here... settled good.”

“Hmmm… guess you’ll have a reason to come with me whenever I return here,” the grin that she threw at him was cheeky enough that Zoro instantly knew this meant trouble for him.

“Make me,” he can’t help but challenged.

“Oh you know I will,” Nami retorted haughtily. “And I can!”

They held each other’s stare intently, neither one backing down. This was almost like a game to them and not really animosity as some would think.

Then a sudden bothering thought hit Nami.

“Zoro where is Luffy?”

Her eyebrows furrowed and now she was on high alert. It had been a rather tepid celebration compared to what she is used to. It should be chaotic right now and loud. Surprisingly there wasn’t any tell-tale signs and sounds of Luffy going full boisterous or even Sanji’s persistent shouts of ‘hands off shitty gomu’ or ‘not cooked yet you idiot’.

Nami noticed a slight movement on Zoro’s lips. Like he was trying really hard not to burst out laughing.

“Getting interrogated by your father figure,” he answered simply after managing to compose himself with little effort.

Nami blinked as she processed what he just said. “Luffy is with Genzo-san?”

This time Zoro smirked. “Yeah,”

Now that is trouble alright. Nami could swear her face blanched slightly at that, knowing how unrelenting the man who is a like parent to her and Nojiko.

It was almost like a recipe for a disaster.

Nami then fixed Zoro with a stare.

“Shouldn’t you be there as well?”

A snort was his answer. “Not thank you. He can handle it just fine.”

That made Nami burst into laughter, kind of expecting that response from him. “Oh what’s this? You’re trying to get away or something?”

She stood up as Zoro regarded her with a rather sharp eye. But she just smiled at him cheekily.

“You have to eventually face him too you know…. rescue Luffy from his clutches… things like that.”

Nami then patted his shoulder, as if trying to appease him. “Good luck.”

------------------------

“Whoa, whoa easy with the liquor.” Nojiko teased when she spotted Nami, who was refilling her mug as sneakily as she can from one of the many taps they had prepared for her birthday tomorrow. “Those are still for tomorrow!”

Nami stuck her tongue out at her. Childishly. And Nojiko laugh, knowing that she’ll never be able to stop her stubborn sister.

“You’ve got to save some for tomorrow!”

“Relax Nojiko,” Nami said soothingly, before heartily gulping down a mouthful of her pilfered liquor. “This is barely grazing the surface. Plus these are the good stuff. Why aren’t we having them right now?”

“Uh-huh,” Nojiko now had her hands on her hips. “Do you plan to get drunk before it’s officially your birthday?”

“I don’t get drunk easily, you know that.” Nami chortled as she took another tankard and filled it.

“Whoa,” Nojiko held up both of her hands in the air in mock surrender. “I said easy with it. Not have your fill with it!”

“I am going easy,” Nami threw her a frown. “Besides this is not for me.”

“Oh?”

“Yes. Oh.” The orange-haired girl echoed. She tilted her head. “Heard from Johnny and Yosaku that you had a new business venture.” She lifted the mugs in her hands. “So I’m evaluating it.”

She got a snort from that. “Evaluating my ass. Of course I’m expanding. It’s good for business. And you actually liked it,” She pointed an accusing finger at Nami then at the mugs. “So much that I know this is the fourth time you went to refill your tankard with it.”

“You’re keeping tabs?” Nami said with an exaggerated gasp. Then she snickered. “Of course I liked it. It’s made from Bellemere-san’s mikans! How can I not like it?”

“Still, whether you liked it so much or not, isn’t this going a bit overboard.” Nojiko eyed the mugs in her hand warily.

“I’m not the only one here who loves drinking,” Nami replied in an obviously exaggerated nonchalant way that had Nojiko raising one perfectly shaped eyebrow.

“Okay…”

Nojiko’s brows furrowed when she followed Nami as she headed back to where the green-haired swordsman was sitting on the ground, still quietly watching the event in front of him and still drinking.

She watched her sister approached him and with an authoritative tone Nami said,

“Zoro, drink this.”

Zoro stared up at her, face scrunching into a frown, looking like he was about to tell her off. Nojiko had observed up close how their dynamics are from the very first time the man set foot on their village and also last year when their crew dropped by for a quick visit.

Up until now…

She absolutely finds it interesting.

Nojiko wasn’t surprised when Zoro just let out an annoyed grunt, and accepted the tankard that Nami had handed him.

She kept one eyebrow cocked as her sister settled on the bench beside the swordsman. Zoro took a taste of the new drink and then another.

He licked his lips, “Oi this is actually good.”

Nami beamed at her sister. “Well looks like you’ve got a hit.” She wiggled her eyebrows meaningfully at Nojiko.

The light-blue haired woman just continued scrutinizing them as they slipped into an almost easy conversation about how the drink was of Nojiko’s doing, a move to broaden the horizons of her mikan business.

A sort of understanding settled inside Nojiko as she continued to watch them talk, before shifting into a light banter of who can outdrink who.

And she can’t help but wonder if... that was slight flirting? In their own language?

Nojiko inwardly shook her head. It is too early to draw conclusions. But…

She suddenly clapped her hands to get their attention. Both Zoro and Nami instantly turned towards her, their somehow inside quips (that only the two of them can probably comprehend) forgotten.

“Sorry to burst your…” she paused for effect. “Private bubble.” She grinned when a frown appeared on Nami’s face at her obvious teasing. “But I did promise the ladies of town something.” She stated, casually brushing imaginary dust off her pants.

Nami stared at her, all curious. “Promise?”

Nojiko smiled, smugly if Nami was to be accurate. The kind of smile and smug that had alarm bells ringing inside her head.

“Yup,” she took a step towards Zoro and bent down.

“Come on. Come with me.”

Both Zoro and Nami stared up at her. Then at each other. Then back to Nojiko again.

“Why?” Nami was the first to ask.

“Huh why?” Zoro was a second late with his own question.

Nojiko straightened up with a deep exhale. Like the question exasperated her. Like she didn’t want to explain.

She wasn’t Nami sister if she wasn’t just as bold and cheeky as the orange-haired woman is when needed.

Nojiko wrapped a hand on Zoro’s arm and gave him a slight tug so he would stand up.

And Zoro surprisingly obeyed, earning an astonished look from Nami, her eyes widening slightly.

“Uhm excuse me but where are you taking him?” Nami fought the urge to stand up as well and block her sister’s way. She had a gut feeling that it wouldn’t bode well for her if she did that.

There was that smug grin again. “The ladies of our village wanted to meet the ‘handsome, green-haired man with arms they want to get head-locked with.” Nojiko explained, her smile and tone both equally mischievous.

“Head-locked WHAT?!” Nami repeated—no—almost spat out.

Nojiko whistled. “Wow! That’s what you retained from what I said?”

“Oi,” Zoro growled, not amused. He obviously got what that meant and he is obviously not happy being paraded in front of strangers with unscrupulous motives.

And neither was Nami as she started to glower at her sister.

Nojiko ignored her. “Come on, come on,” she urged, pulling him with her, leaving Nami—who now stood up—looking bewildered.

“Nojiko!”

She stopped halfway to gaze at Nami, her eyes dancing with mirth looking all impish.

“You don’t mind do you?”

And Nami bristled at that. And stuttered. “O-o-of course not! Do what you want!” She added a bit too hotly.

“Then let’s go Zoro-san,” Nojiko sing-songed as she pulled the still perplexed swordsman away.

“You’re not going to ask me if I mind?” He grumbled even as he let Nami’s sister pull him from the now obviously seething navigator.

“You’re meeting pretty girls. I’m sure you don’t.” She responded brazenly, looking back to watch Nami plopped back down her seat, pouting and sullenly taking a hearty gulp of her drink.

Of course she doesn’t mind. Why should she?

Nojiko was now grinning from ear to ear.

Why indeed?

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Of course she doesn’t mind. Why should she?

The words rang persistently inside Nami’s brain. Insistent, irritating.

She bit at the rim of her mug in frustration. Whatever her sister was playing at… she knows it’s to hit two birds with one stone. The smugness in her smile says it all.

Her eyes shifted towards where Nojiko had pulled Zoro and to her chagrin; there is a group of men and women there, all eyes looking adoringly at the second strongest man in their crew.

Some eyes are probably doing more than look, and was bordering towards not safer thoughts.

Nami was all too familiar with that.

The annoying thing about all this is that Zoro actually let her sister drag him to where she wanted to bring him without any fight, with only just one question and no other retorts. Nami knows if he wanted, he can easily get out of that shenanigan the way he usually does…

… by being infuriatingly stubborn.

That was what actually irks her more.

She watched with frustration as Nojiko seemed to introduce him to the villagers. And Nami can’t help the scowl that appeared on her face. She continued to glare at the group. At stupid Zoro. At her mischievous older sister…

Her eyes locked with Nojiko’s and Nami felt a cold sweat trickle down her back. She straightened up instantly, schooling her face into a disinterested expression and obliterating the scowl she had on earlier.

There was a dawning realization on Nojiko’s face as she stared back at her.

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Nojiko all but swallowed the laugh that wanted to burst out from her. She couldn’t believe she easily caught on what was currently happening with her sister. Nami just handed it to her in a silver platter.

“Alright,” she spoke up amidst the chatter and questions for the tall man beside her. “That’s it ladies and gents. I promised. I delivered.” She tugged at Zoro’s arm again. “Now I have to give him back... before my sister decides to kill me.”

A collective groan sounded out from the group.

Zoro stared at her liked she’d grown another head. And Nojiko only answered him with a smirk. She patted his arm in a placatory way.

Strongest swordsman or not, this man can still be easily perplexed and overwhelmed by things like... casual introductions to a group of admirers.

Nojiko betted on that. Because it seems like her sister have him already wrapped around her pretty, mischievous fingers.

And she wants to prove it.

“What was that all about?” Zoro finally composed himself enough to ask Nojiko what the fuck is happening.

“Don’t mind it. They just wanna meet you. They’re curious is all.”

“Huh?”

“And now I’m returning you.”

“…”

“Before Nami strangles me.”

Zoro stopped. With an exasperated sigh, he scratched his head.

“She’s gonna be pretty pissed. No,” he corrected. “She already is.”

And this time Nojiko finally bellowed the laugh she was holding.

“I know,” she said between chortles, wiping the tears of amusement at the corner of her eyes with one finger. “She can be so…” she glanced at Zoro up and down. “Possessive.”

The swordsman didn’t answer. And Nojiko waved her hand dismissively. “I already know what’s up. I don’t need to say anything, do I?”

“No.”

“Good.” Nojiko nodded; pleased they are on the same page. She knows how he can be… dense. She heard Nami complained about it a hundred times or more.

She was just glad that when it comes to her sister he is… less so and more attuned and definitely attentive in his own way.

She heard him click his tongue against the roof of his mouth. “Well,” he said lowly. “She just disappeared.”

Nojiko glanced at where Nami was sitting earlier. The bench was vacant with only the tankards remaining on it.

She sighed. “She’s probably headed there to cool off,” her eyes drifted up towards the cliff in one of the highest point on the island. “I did push her buttons extremely hard this time.”

Zoro just chuckled. “She’s a handful. And I’m being... polite.”

“I swear that’s what she also says about you.” Nojiko grinned, shaking her heard in amusement. “Well, nothing you can’t handle right? So I’ll leave it to you.

Zoro nodded.

“And oh, you do realize…” Nojiko doubled back. “Genzo-san will be ‘talking’ to you tomorrow,” Nojiko tilted her head to take in his faltering expression. “And it’s probably gonna be longer than the conversation he had with your captain.”

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“Figured you’d go here for some quiet.”

Nami turned at the sound of Zoro’s voice. She was sitting in front of Bell-mere’s grave. Just taking in the quiet, the island, the everything.

“Don’t you figured you’d go here for some quiet me!” Nami pouted, narrowing her eyes at the approaching man. “I know Nojiko told you where I am.”

He just shrugged his shoulders.

Nami didn’t bother hiding the look of awe on her face. “But I am really surprised that you actually made your way here without getting lost!”

“Oi,” a vein ticked on his forehead.

“Thought I’d need to arrange a search party for you,” Nami snickered. “And just right before my birthday.”

He scowled at her. “I am here aren’t I?”

She nodded. “True, true. Besides I actually prefer searching for treasures instead of directionless people…” she trailed off as she regarded him. “Person…” she amended.

“I can find my damn way alright woman! What do you take me for?!”

“You really don’t want me to answer that.”

Zoro huffed in exasperation as he sat down beside her, before handing her a bottle of what looked like an expensive and rather rare liquor.

Her brown eyes widened when she realized what it was.

“Damn this is from Liqueur Island!” She was almost breathless in awe because she knows you cannot just get it that easily.

Zoro’s grin was so arrogant that she was tempted to give him a good smack. But she refrained—her token of appreciation because she knows how hard it was to get your hands on this kind of beverage. And there is only one island in the New World that has it.

Her brows knitted together and she had to ask. “Please don’t tell me you got into a lot of crazy trouble and unnecessary scuffles just to get this.”

“Not that much if you know where and how to get it.” Was all Zoro said and she knew that was all she was getting out of him.

She’s just gonna wheedle out the information from Usopp later.

“Oh well, this is rather generous of you!” She rolled the bottle in her hands—examining it, appreciating it, watching the golden liquid sway inside in a sort of fluid dance. “Now I am feeling rather special.”

He smiled cockily. “Don’t get used to it.”

“Never.” Nami sniggered as set the bottle beside her. She knows it was his birthday present. Along with some folding money if she attempts to pat his whole person from head to toe.

“So how did Nojiko’s introductions go?” She can’t help but asked. She was not a bit peeved anymore. It had already eased out of her as she basked near the presence of her mother.

“Don’t really care much about it,” he drawled. “Pretty sure your sister just wanted to confirm something.”

“Hmm… that she did.” Nami inhaled deeply as the breeze ruffled her hair softly. “She knows.”

“She does.”

“Oh well… my sister’s that sharp. You can’t hide anything from her.”

“There is nothing to hide.”

A smile spread across Nami’s lips at that. “Of course,” she good-humoredly nudged his shoulder with hers.

“Ah Zoro, did you know you have to pay respects to Bell-mere-san don’t you?”

Zoro looked at her intently before shifting his grey eye to the stone marker in front of them.

“I already did. Who did you think placed that bottle of wine there?” He tipped his chin to indicate to the bottle ever-so-carefully placed there. Nami had been wondering alright where it came from.

And know she knows.

Her smile was Cheshire cat-like. “You’re trying to butter up Belle-mere-san?”

Zoro huffed. And instead of answering, he just settled down the grassy ground, lying flat on his back and tucking his hands behind his head as if he plans to sleep there.

Nami watched him for a moment, before riveting her eyes to the vast ocean before them, way beyond the cliff.

They were quiet for a moment. Nami just thinking and Zoro probably sleeping already.

“Nami,” he suddenly called her name and now he had all of Nami’s attention. He was looking at her fully, intently.

“Happy Birthday.”

Nami glanced at the southern area of sky, the full silver moon was at its highest point.

It was indeed midnight… and officially her birthday.

“Hmmm… thanks Zoro,” she grinned affectionately, flicking his forehead with her fingers lightly.

He made a grab for her before she can even withdraw it. And Nami just let him. There’s no use trying to avoid his grip when his reflexes are so much faster than hers.

He dragged it down towards his lips to plant a kiss on her palm.

“Ah Zoro, aren’t we getting bold? And right in front of Bell-mere-san’s grave too.” She joshed. “Did you already ask for her permission?”

He scowled, even as his hand was still grasping hers, not letting go. “We’ve already done worse.”

This time she smacked his head hard enough to rattle some sense into him.

He groaned and rubbed the abused part, finally letting go of her hand.

“You’re the worst!”

He just chuckled. “Already did witch,” he smirked lazily at her. The kind that made butterflies flutter inside her stomach. “Right when I offered that wine there.”

“And she said yes?”

“Hnn… she probably did.” Zoro mumbled as his arm snaked around her waist tugging her closer as he continued to lie down there. “Bottle didn’t break right?”

“What kind of logic is that?” She hissed at him, even as she let him wrapped her in a half embrace.

Her palm settled flat against his chest, just right where his heart beats, as she leaned closer to him. His thumb absent-mindedly traced circles on her back.

She paused, momentarily letting the steady rhythm of his heart steady her as well. Secure her.

Nami smiled at where her mother rested. If she was watching them right now, she knows she is happy.

She knows that Nami is right where she belongs.

“Well then… you should ready yourself,” Nami finally spoke after a few minutes of silence.

“For what?” Zoro grunted.

“Bell-mere-san might not break that bottle. But Genzo-san will absolutely break you.” Nami cackled like the witch that Zoro ‘fondly’ calls her.

“He will surely be ‘talking’ to you tomorrow. It’s your turn to be interrogated.”

She felt Zoro stilled as it sink into him and she laughed.

“You sister also said that.”

And Nami laughed some more. Because she knows this is going to be one unforgettable birthday.

#zoro x nami #ZoNa #zonami #ゾロナミ #zonalove #zona fanfiction #zoro nami fanfiction #zona one-shots #roronoa zoro #nami #eirist #💚🧡

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evilishei · 29 days ago

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Little Bits and Pieces of Heaven

WRAPPED IN WARMTH

One-shot #: 41

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

Note: ZoNa cuddles just warms my soul. That’s it. And I know it does the same to you people. So here we go. Something light and not too much fluffy.

And yep. This could be a precursor to some smexy times.

Summary: His lone grey one met hers and she gave him a soft, sleepy appreciative smile that made his insides flutter.

It was the cold that woke her up.

Nami felt her body twitched involuntarily, an unwanted reaction from the sudden drop in the temperature around her and the surprisingly cold air suddenly caressing her skin out of the blue.

It made her stir from sleep, brows furrowing as an irritated groan rumbled in her throat—a trivial complaint by her consciousness that wasn’t too happy at being pulled into wakefulness.

Still on the verge of sleep, she tried to feel for her blanket with her feet, her movement sluggish, trying her damndest to keep her action miniscule enough so as not to completely disrupt her slumber and get back to the comfortable state of stupor that still had her cradled in its embrace.

Another groan escaped her—a bit louder this time—when her feet touched nothing as she swiped it back and forth at the space further down. Often she would find her blanket crumpled or bunched up at her feet, kicked down below from all her twisting and turning while fast asleep.

She doesn’t want to get up and look for it. She doesn’t want to exert any effort at all to find it. She doesn’t want to move. All she wants to do is to go back to sleep!

But the weather outside seemed to be changing abruptly. The temperature dropping by the minute and the cold was starting to become intolerable for her.

With eyes still closed, Nami continued to move her feet. Her toe stroke a hard surface instead of the soft, familiar fluffiness of her mattress. That made her stop and this time she whimpered in frustration.

What the…

A chilly breeze wafted inside from the open window and stroked the bare skin of her shoulder, its caress as cold as ice and she trembled again.

This time Nami willed her right hand to move, fighting against the heaviness of her still sleeping muscles. She patted her body down and then her sides to try to find her blanket or any article, anything at all, that she can use to cover herself up for warmth.

She didn’t bother stopping the whine coming out of her from sheer exasperation. Now she had no choice but to wake up, sit up and look for that damn piece of fabric so she can return to her peaceful, much-coveted rest.

“Tch.”

A disgruntled sound. An almost annoyed sound. Before a deep voice grumbled somewhere above her, near her.

“What were you thinking? Coming up here and sleeping with just this shawl…”

Nami stilled for a moment, her eyes still closed and still at war with herself is she will move or not.

Her consciousness was now one step ahead of her—awake and alert—running through a dozen of reasons why that voice was anywhere near her vicinity; at this hour, in her bedroom, while she’s asleep.

Coming up here…

She instantly yet sleepily recalled that she was not in her bedroom. She was up in the crow’s nest, as she climbed there after the midnight watch shift changed earlier.

So that was what her toe was touching earlier—the nest’s cold, metal floor!

Yet even as realization dawned into her, she stubbornly kept her eyes closed. And her hand still persistently tried to grope for any sort of material she can cover herself with.

She was still teetering between the line of sleepiness and wakefulness. But she knew that she was leaning more towards the verge of falling back asleep… that is if she finds something to drape over her poor shuddering self.

“Tch!” Nami heard that annoying sound again. Louder and deliberate this time. “Crazy woman,” she heard it muttered amidst the shuffling sound of someone moving.

Voice still scratchy from sleep, Nami managed to find enough strength to speak up a retort.

“I heard that Zoro!”

“Good,” was his only response.

“I’ll make you regret that later… when I’m…” a yawned pulled at her mouth. “…fully awake.”

She heard him scoffed.

That jerk! Oh she would start a row with him if he wants to! But she’s too sleepy for that. Her eyelids were heavy, refusing to lift up so she can glare daggers at green-haired man.

So she chose to ignore him, snuggling her cheek closer to the pillow under her head and settling back again. Draft wafted from the open windows of the crow’s nest again, this time a bit stronger and much colder.

Nami wasn’t sure if the sound that came out of her is a groan or a whimper as she shivered again, her body automatically curling itself as it tried to warm itself up against the now icy cold onslaught.

Then a sudden warmth seemed to swathe itself over her shoulders and her body, right down to her legs. She welcomed the comfort it brought with a gratified moan. It was like she was being enveloped, embraced…

Except it didn’t reach her feet.

Nami grimaced. With a discontented sound, she tried to bring up her feet to the warmth by curving her body more. But the movement made the cloth draped over her shoulder slid down exposing a bit of her skin to the cold again.

She groaned again and she could swear she heard Zoro snorted at her action.

Now her whole being was instantly wide awake. She abruptly turned to her side and glared at the swordsman, who was sitting almost beside her, arms folded over his chest, watching her.

Zoro cocked his head to the side as he stared back at her. “I told you to just stay down in your room.”

She stared at him for a moment. Then huffed. “And I told you, I want to spend time with you.”

“I’m on watch.”

“And so?”

“And I’m doing some training.”

“And I’m sleeping while you do it.” Nami was now scowling at him. Not that she was really gonna be bratty about the fact that he had chosen his weights over her. She’s not gonna hold it over his head. She knows how important training is for him of course.

But still…

Is it bad that she wants to spend some quiet time with him? They rarely experience it as of late with all the hullabaloos and going ons. So even if that means occasionally crowding his only space on the ship while he trains, even if he tries to dissuade her most of the times since it was distracting him (he admitted it one time) and even if he usually end up ignoring her for the sake of finishing whatever set of exercise or training he is working on… Nami is ok with it.

She just wants to be there. With him. In the same space.

And it’s not like she’s actively trying to disturb his concentration or anything. Most of the times she just reads, chart courses or like what she is doing right now, sleep when he is busy. Plus she only joins him when he’s on watch late at night since it was the quietest time on the Sunny. And it was also the only time she is not actively navigating their ship.

Zoro scratched his head lightly as she continued to scowl at him looking every tad bit exasperated. “Told you it’s gonna get cold here.” He grunted and Nami glowered at him some more, lips forming in an irritated pout as she tried to fit herself in the shawl that he had draped over her earlier; even though it failed its supposed task, as it was shorter than the navigator with that long legs of hers (that Zoro was having a lot of indecent thoughts about even as he lifted his weights and trained earlier). Plus the fabric was too thin to serve as a makeshift blanket.

“Yeah, I know,” Nami said sullenly. “You said that earlier.”

“I did.”

Why was she so pig-headed? Yes, her sentiment was appreciated of course. Zoro absolutely liked it that she wants to spend some time with him. He also wanted that. But still… she didn’t need to put up with any uncomfortable position or place just so she could be in the same area as him. Like sleeping on the nest’s floor and exposing herself to this cold he already warned her about earlier that she just shrugged off while boasting about the shawl she brought with her (which was proven to be absolutely useless).

“I figured if that was the case, you’d help warm me up with that stupid, muscled body of yours.” Nami continued on in deadpan manner.

“I…” And Zoro short-circuited at that. He desperately tried to hide how that statement affected him. Very much. He felt his face flushed, the back of his neck heating up like she just ran her fingers up and down that area like she usually does when she’s teasing him.

“I… Oi, I’m not a… blanket,” It was the only thing he can come up with and he fought the urge to almost stutter.

Nami rolled her eyes at him as he tried to furtively salvage himself from getting ruined just by what she was saying.

“You should be lying here beside me wrapping yourself around me to warm me up,” the cheeky orange-haired woman prattled on. “But instead, I’m stuck with this thin shawl and I’m too sleepy to argue with you. So I’m just going to back to sleep.”

With that, she turned to her other side, her smooth back now facing him. Zoro stared at her, still dumbfounded with what she said. Nami burrowed her head deeper to the pillow, pulling at her shawl, kicking it slightly with her feet and trying to find the perfect way to cover her whole body with it.

When she was finally satisfied, she exhaled contentedly.

Of course she wasn’t mad at her stupid swordsman. Not really…

Zoro knows how demanding she can be. And he also knows what kind of insanity he willingly gotten himself into. Still he dove straight into it, no second thoughts just pure unbreakable conviction.

As she was drifting off back to sleep, Nami hazily heard him stood up and began moving around the nest.

Probably to continue training… she drowsily thought. She refrained from thinking more as she was now desperately trying to grasp the edges of sleep to even be curious on what Zoro is doing.

Then warmth shrouded her whole body. Something cozy and pleasant enveloped her senses as it fell softly on top of her. She instantly hummed in approval, would even have moaned if she had enough strength to do so. Because the warmth was just delicious. Like she was being cocooned, embraced, wrapped.

The cold sensation pinpricking her skin was completely obliterated.

She felt covered, protected and… safe.

Nami gingerly lifted her hand, letting her fingers feel whatever it was that was now resting on top of her. Smooth and soft. Her body seemed to unfurl itself underneath it, legs extending back to a more normal and comfortable position as she didn’t need to fear her feet being exposed to the cold air again.

She mumbled incoherently in contentment. A jumble of letters that makes no sense at all except convey the pleasure she was feeling.

“It’s going to be much colder later.” Zoro suddenly said, voice low, as he tucked her peeking hand back into the comfort of the fuzzy fleece blanket he had covered her. He had pulled it out from one of the cabinet’s Franky had installed under bench. He kept some of them hidden there, especially since Nami has developed a penchant for sleepovers in the nest lately (yet would complain endlessly if she slept directly on the floor without any mattress of sorts).

Nami turned her head slightly to look at him albeit through half lidded eyes. His lone grey one met hers and she gave him a soft, sleepy appreciative smile that made his insides flutter.

“Thanks swordsman,” she whispered, dragging her hand up again so she can tap his cheek with a finger.

“It will probably… rain,” she murmured as her eyes drifted close, head tilting drooping down a little as sleep pulled at her again.

“If you say so…” Zoro mumbled in agreement. If Nami says that it will, then it will. He cast a quick glance on the sky outside. It was still a few hours before dawn yet the sky was still so dark, there was no moon hovering on it, only thick dark gray clouds that seemed to look foreboding enough.

Nami took a deep breath and she started to relax. Tucked tightly and comfortably under the blanket, she was looking forward to the imminent rain knowing full well that she would get a damn good sleep cuddled in warmth while the world outside is cold.

And when Zoro slipped under the covers to join her to finally indulge her whims, his arms wrapping around her protectively, pulling her closer to him and his own warmth… Nami almost purred in pure delight and satisfaction.

He planted a kiss on her temple as she nuzzled her body closer to him with a contented hum, their fingers and feet tangling with each other’s.

Outside the first drop of rain fell down from the sky—slowly and softly—as if helping to lull the crow’s nest inhabitants into the most serene of sleeps while wrapped in each other’s warmth.

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