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The trees were draped with a blue tarp as they prepared to cross through a winter island, and with a heavy sigh, Nami took a step back.
Beside her, Robin gave an appreciative glance before nodding in approval. "That'll hold for the winds." She drawled, as she flicked through her book, idly reading.
Nami huffed, inspecting the tarp's hooks for the seventh time. This was the part of sailing the Grandline that made her the most nervous. These trees meant everything to her. The fruit they bore was only found in one place—her home island.
"Maybe another tarp?" Nami murmured, mostly to herself. But Robin was with her, a book in her hand as she stared at the redhead with a considering expression.
"I think one is enough. The material of which, is quite sturdy, thanks to Franky." She hummed, closing her book. "I wouldn't doubt his craftmanship." Nami worried her lips as she cast another glance at the tangerine trees behind her before meeting Robin's dark eyes.
"I don't doubt him, it's just..." Nami trailed off, her hands fidgeting in front of her.
Robin nodded, "They're your most precious treasure." Nami fumbled with the bracelets along her wrist quietly as Robin continued, her voice caring. "Then trust us to protect it." Robin's hand was sure as she pulled Nami closer and brought her to sit against the wall. "Our love for you extends to what you love too." Nami nodded, the smile blooming on her features, genuine.
"I know." Because she did. She knew any of the crew would give anything to protect Luffy's straw hat, simply because he cared for it—it was enough of a reason for them. And the same went for her trees. But she could not help but feel nervous each time the weather took a drastic turn and her trees were left worse for wear. They were the only part of home she could carry on the new home she had built for herself. The only part of Belle-Mère and Nojiko she could take with her on adventures.
Robin smiled, her fingers carding through Nami's locks and soothing the tension along the younger woman's shoulders.
"Good." Robin brushed a kiss along Nami's forehead, the action fond as she stood to her full height. "Come," she said, reaching out and grasping Nami's outstretched palm. "Let's go ask Sanji for some tea." Nami trailed after the older woman, their heels clacking against the wood of the Thousand Sunny. When they reached the kitchen they were greeted by the Straw Hats' cook and Captain.
"Nami and Robin," Sanji sang, practically swooning in the spot he stood. "Is there anything I can do for you?" He disregarded Luffy's whine, shoving a plate of meat to quiet him before he could truly begin.
Robin smiled, settling at the table beside Luffy, Nami sitting on the other side of Luffy. "Yes, actually." She said, ruffling the tangled locks of her Captain beside her. "Could you make us some tea? Please and thank you." Sanji danced his way to the kitchen, singing praises all the while.
Nami giggled behind her hand, her mind not entirely leaving the trees on deck but had settled some. Robin was right as usual. Beside the two women, Luffy frowned with a piece of meat in his mouth. He eyed the women beside him before swallowing his food whole. "What's wrong?" Nami tensed, but she supposed she should have expected that. It wasn't like Luffy was emotionally unintelligent. However, she hadn't expected the man to ask outright. But then again, Luffy probably suspected that Nami wanted to vocalize her emotions.
Trying to understand Luffy would be the doom of her.
"Just my trees," and that explained everything. Luffy nodded, roughly patting her back before standing to his full height.
"No worries, Nami! We will protect it with our lives!" He declared, loud and proud. Nami could not contain her grin as she watched Luffy clap his hand against Sanji's back.
"Ignoring Luffy's stupidity," Sanji began, flashing a glare at his Captain, but it was light-hearted at most. Most of his glares had been light-hearted since returning from Big Mom's territory, actually. And Nami hadn't seen the man kick Luffy in outrage in well—since Big Mom's territory. But she supposed she understood why. "You have nothing to worry about. Your trees are safe in my hands."
Robin giggled, soft and free. "It would seem that your trees are quite protected."
"Yeah, they are." But she suspected that their protectiveness reached deeper than just trees.