Work Text:
A roll of thunder rumbled from outside, glass from the window vibrating within its wooden frame.
Luffy peered over his shoulder. The sky was blackened by the dark clouds, too dense for even the moon to bleed through. The only moments of light came from the fleeting flashes of lightning.
But, he knew that already.
When his eyes snapped open from the dead sleep he fought tooth and nail to escape from, he was welcomed by the darkness. His heart hammered against its cage; like it was gripping onto the rails made of bones, begging and pleading for a lighter sentence. It took a few minutes for his vision to adjust to the complete lack of light, cold sweat dripped slowly down the side of his face past the tensed muscles of his neck.
Lightning flashed—barely filling the room with a dull light—but it was enough for him to breathe, seeing that he was still laying in the boys’ room and not on the lawn deck stained red like his mind made him believe.
Ever since his realization, he’d just been laying there. Too tired to move, but too awake—and fearful—to fall back asleep.
Eyeing the door, fingers tapping the wooden rail, he contemplated if he should give in to his desires. Venture to the safe haven that smelled of tangerines and enveloped him in a warmth that not even the sun could provide. A secluded place in a pair of delicate arms that held him through the rockiest of nights, lulling him into a peaceful slumber.
Not one to deprive himself, he swung his legs over the railing and grabbed his hat where it was settled near his pillow. He cringed when his feet hit the floor with a solid thud, but he heard nothing but Zoro’s and Usopp’s snoring.
Good, this would be a tough-y to explain.
It didn’t take him long to make it down the hall to his destination—right in front of the Girl’s room.
The door was ajar, fluttering open and closed from the breeze coming in from Nami’s window. Even on the Winter Islands, she always kept the window cracked open. Luffy thought it was strange since she complained about being cold all the time, but… he learned not to question her about it.
As he pushed it open, the door squeaked, drawn out in a long echoing way that made his face scrunch.
Luffy stretched in his neck glancing over at Robin’s bed first, finding that it empty.
Right, she was on watch.
He knew that.
Lightning filled the room with a soft glow, and thunder followed with a low growl.
“Luffy?” Nami’s voice croaked. She sat up in her bed, sheets falling over legs as she rubbed the sleep from her eyes.
Luffy entered the room fully and closed the door behind him before throwing her a sheepish smile—which she probably couldn’t see as he realized it was stupid dark in their room as well.
“Sorry. I was trying to be quiet.” He shuffled carefully to the edge of her bed, kneeling onto the mattress when he found it. “I didn’t want to wake you up.” Lifting the blanket, he slipped under placing his hat delicately on the floor and scooted to the center where her warmth blazed like an oven.
Nami reached for him, arms open wide beckoning him to his haven. Gathering her close, Luffy laid on his back bringing her head to lay against his shoulder, drowning his arm in the Red Sea of her hair. Her hands grazed down past his collarbone lazily, resting on his abdomen. Her fingers hovered over the rough skin of his scar causing a shiver race down his spine.
“I’d still wake up. You’re not—“ Nami yawned deeply. “— that sneaky.”
Luffy pouted despite the flutter in his chest. “I can be.”
“Mmmmm. Nope.” She muttered softly falling back into her sleep haze. “I’m not upset. You’re not the worst cuddle buddy.”
Their bodies melded together perfectly. Something Luffy became achingly aware of on the first night. So wrapped up in her plushness, he had grabbed a handful of her ass gaining him a sharp chop to the head. Promising he’d never do it again, he focused hard on where his hands laid.
But, it was getting harder to resist the urges.
Each time she sighed or nestled close to him or grazed him with tired and lazy strokes against his bare skin, Luffy would have to bite down harshly on his tongue, eyes threatening to roll to the back of his head.
“Do you want to talk about it?” Her voice broke into a whisper, lips moving against his skin. His arms tightened, pressing her deeper into him—if that was even possible at that point.
With his throat clogged, he shook his head.
No, he didn’t. He wanted to forget. He wanted to drown in the heat her body provided, in the smell of her shampoo. He wanted to focus on the sound of her breathing and the steady thumping of her heart.
Not the hellscape where she laid limp in his arms, bloody and mangled.
“That’s okay. I was just—“ She yawned again. He nuzzled his cheek on top of her head. “Just… You know. You can always talk to me.”
“Yeah.” He whispered. “I know. But, this is good enough for me.”
Closing his eyes, he inhaled gently so that the smell of tangerines and honey could fill his nostrils. A tickling sensation spread throughout his body, all the way to his toes. He couldn’t help but hum delightfully, ready to fall back asleep.
“Luffy.”
“Hmm.”
“You should talk to someone. About your nightmares.” Her hushed voice crashed into him like a wave.
Eyes snapping open to gaze into the abyss surrounding them, he scrunched his nose. “I told you. This is good. I just need this.”
Nami sighed—a tired sigh. A sigh she heaved from the depths of her chest. He was familiar with this sigh. It was the one she gave when she was about to reprimand him or was fed up with his antics.
Neither was good.
“Luffy.” She pushed against him but he held tight.
“No.”
“Luffy.” Soft hands cupped his face, pulling him to look down.
Like stars embedded in the rich soil, gold flecks in her eyes sparkled in the darkness. A radiance that beckoned him like a lighthouse, guiding him home from the thick of a storm.
Her thumb caressed the skin under his eye, right over his scar. The sensation calmed his nerves, but the look she was giving him kept him on edge. She wouldn’t let him off so easily.
“I’m always here for you. No matter what. But this isn’t good for you.” Speaking softly, her eyes roamed his face. A ringing in his ears shrilled like a siren. Eyes slamming shut, he wilted into the bed, ignoring the way he itched to shuffle around. The nightmare, her touch, her words, the feeling of impending doom… It was all too much. The clash of anxiety and serenity raged inside his chest.
This was his safe place— she was his safe place—all the darkness that preyed upon him at night couldn’t reach him as long as she was close by, protecting him with her warm light and feathery touches.
Since the first time she allowed him sanctuary in her bed; listening to the sound of her heart, her thin fingers working through his hair, the soft rumble of her voice when she hummed, the smell of tangerines cocooning him—he’d become an addict. To lay with her wasn’t his intention that night, but she had lifted the blanket and opened her arms to him and he dove head first.
The greatest decision of his life.
If he had known what it was like to sleep next to, he'd have done so many years ago.
Luffy was often told he was a greedy man, and he laughed it off each time. But now, he understood the depth of his greed.
There were times he woke up without a nightmare, just to the sound of his stomach, and thought about seeking her comfort. But, he was a bad liar and she’d punish him for deceiving her.
Being in here with her like this was everything he needed.
He wouldn’t survive if she took it away from him.
“You need to talk to someone. If you don’t feel comfortable with me, Maybe try Zoro or Sanji or Robin. Chopper may be able to give you something to help you sleep.”
“You help me sleep.” He muttered, lips dipping into a deep frown, brows furrowing. He hoped the pattering rain would lull her back to sleep and she’d forget this conversation.
“But, this can’t last forever.”
Fingers twitching, he gave in and dug them into her hip gently.
“Why?” He peered down at her.
She blinked at him, biting down on her bottom lip. “It’s inappropriate to lie like this with your friends. This is pretty intimate.”
Lightning flashed. Thunder rumbled.
And, Luffy felt a rush of air in his lungs.
“Then let’s be more than friends. That way I can do this every night.” His hands moved up her waist where it dipped into a U and back to her hip. She shivered under his palm.
”That's not funny.”
”I’m not being funny. I’m serious. I’d rather sleep with you than in my bed. So, it works out.”
Her hands pressed flat against his chest and pushed him harshly. His arms stretched, still laying under her body, but she managed to shove the rest of him to the edge of the bed. Shivering from the lack of the warmth, he quickly shimmied back to her, but she kept her hands up.
Pouting, Luffy opened his mouth to scold her, but stopped short when a glistening caught his eye. Tears. Thin streams of tears fell from her eyes, making the golden flecks turn from sparkly to glittery—and causing his heart to seize.
“Nami…”
“That’s not funny, Luffy. It’s hurtful. You can’t toss stuff like that around like it means nothing.”
“Toss what? I don’t understand! Why are you crying? Don’t cry.”
Pulling back his arm to brace his upper body on the pillow, he made hasty work to reach for her face and brush away the tears. She swatted at him gently but relented when he made no effort to stop.
“I’m sorry.” She sniffled. “I just—Luffy. You don’t mean it. You’re just hurt by whatever is going on and causing your nightmares. I’ll comfort you the best I can—shit that’s the least I can do—Just don’t do that again.”
“Do what? Nami, I’m so confused. What did I say?” He pressed his forehead to hers, relishing in the hum that vibrated within his bones upon the contact. The thought of making her cry made him nauseous and clammy.
”Don’t get my hopes up.” She whispered so softly that her words were nearly swallowed by the thunder that grumbled outside.
Pursing his lips, Luffy searched her face for a little more information, but got nothing. She nestled back into him, her eyes closing while she breathed softly through parted lips. His hand laid upon the swell of her hip as maneuvered them back in their prior position. Happy that he was being forgiven, he was still confused about what he did, or said to make her upset. He only spoke the truth.
Being more than friends was the perfect solution. They’d be lovers, giving him full access to her bed and all the other perks like kissing and touching. Heat tinged his ears when he thought about all the soft parts of her body that he’d be able to touch without her getting mad.
“You have to have complete trust in a partner like that. Take that in consideration.” She murmured.
Wait, what?
”I trust you.” He defended, because what the hell?
There was a level of trust shared by the crew that was nothing short of blind faith. Each of them went into every fight or obstacle knowing for certain that they’d have each other’s backs.
Nami, specifically, was someone Luffy would hop into the ocean for if she commanded, because he knew she’d only do so for a good reason. She was his navigator, his friend—She and Zoro were the first to join his crew—Luffy’s trust in Nami was limitless.
She pointed. He followed. Plain and simple
She sighed heavily. “I know, but not like that?”
“Nami, I’m too tired. Please, just say what you mean.” He begged.
“You’ve been having nightmares for over a month, Luffy. And though you have no issue climbing in my bed—which is fine! I want to comfort you!—You’ve never confided in me. Again, which is okay. I don’t wanna pressure you, but you can’t be more than friends with someone you can’t talk to. Not in a healthy way, anyway.”
The cogs in his brain shifted, screeching and grinding as if they hadn’t been oiled in years.
Opening his mouth, Luffy breathed in deep, but ultimately shut it and exhaled through his nose. His jaw tightened, fingers twitching.
How? What? Where did this come from? What was happening?
“I’m sorry.” She whispered, eyes looking to the side, hand glided up and down his arm. “This—You came to me and I’m just running my mouth. I’m sorry. Let’s just get some sleep.”
Frustrated from the riled up emotions and the soothing feel of her touch, Luffy grumbled, “I still don—“
Lightning lit up the room, illuminating everything in a white flash, much brighter than any of the other times. Luffy jumped out of his skin, eyes widening when crimson dripped from the side of Nami’s face only to disappear with the light. Choking on air, his hand gripped her hip roughly.
“Luffy!” She gasped. Her eyes met his, but they were different from before. Muddled. Dull. Lifeless .
Images of his last nightmare assailed his mind: The attack, the cannon fire, the guns, him laughing and bouncing like an idiot, the scream, him turning to see Nami’s crumbled body on the deck…her blood staining the fake grass.
She wasn’t breathing.
I didn’t make it!
She—She—Nami!
“You died.” The words slipped out of his mouth in a way that soap did when he squeezed the bar too tight. He bit harshly into the inside of his cheek, when she turned up her head. Her eyes wide like dinner plates. “You died—I wasn’t—I couldn’t… so much blood.”
Nami shifted, scooting back a smidge and turning onto her side. Grabbing his hands, Luffy turned on his side as well, mirroring her. Their noses grazed as she moved to interlock their fingers, bringing their hands between their chests.
“Breathe.” She whispered. “You’re okay.” She squeezed his hands.
Heaving, Luffy nodded. He hadn’t been aware of his struggle before she pointed it out. Chest burning, he coughed through the itchiness of his throat. His fingers flexed within her hold, tightening and loosening his grip. He mirrored as she breathed in deep through her nose and blew out slowly, feeling lightheaded by the third time.
Rubbing her nose against his, Nami whispered words of encouragement, squeezing his hands every so often. He worried briefly about how sweaty his palms felt, or the stench of his breath since there was no way she couldn’t smell it from how close they laid. They were practically breathing into each other’s mouths. But he shut that out, closing his eyes, and focused solely on her words.
How could she ever think he didn’t trust her? Trusting her was like breathing ; natural and life sustaining. How could she not know that? Every day he took steps down the path she guided him on.
Desperately, he clung to the sound of her voice, knowing she’d pull him out of this haze. He didn’t share the same knowledge as her when it came to the stars, but he knew the brightest one guided people when they were lost—Nami had taught him that—so he followed that star twinkling inside her.
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have pushed you.”
Luffy shook his head inhaling her scent and allowing it to circulate through his body. Relaxing, and breathing steady once again, he exhaled slowly.
He squeezed her hands. She squeezed back.
“I can’t lose anyone else.” He muttered weakly. “I can’t lose you .” The thought was more crippling than when he fell into the ocean.
”We don’t have to talk about it. Really. I was just—I didn’t mean to hurt you.”
Nami was there, laying beside him. She was safe, and alive. Her body was warm with all of her blood pumping in her veins.
She’s okay. She’s okay. She’s okay.
Now that he felt sound back in his own body, Luffy was able to appreciate the proximity. It wasn’t the first time he’d been this close to her, but it felt different. He could count every small freckle that dusted over her nose and that brought him even more relief.
Intimate, was the word she used earlier and now he could understand why. There was no other way to describe them as they lay almost tangled under her comforter.
“You died.” He repeated, allowing himself to bask in the safety of her gaze. “It’s not always you, but most of the time, it is. Last night… I wasn’t paying attention. I was having fun. ” He seethed, eyes burning. “And when I looked around—you were—Nami, there was so much blood. Your eyes…You were gone. I failed you—I keep failing—just like with Ace.”
Saying it out loud was crushing, as if something inside of him was taking a sledgehammer to his rib cage. But Nami leaned in, pressing her forehead against his, whispering words he couldn’t make out but soothed him all the same.
“That night when you first let me sleep with you, I just needed to see you. To make sure you were okay. I didn’t mean to wake you up.”
“I told you you’re bad at sneaking.” She tossed him a small smile, rubbing their noses again.
He let out an airy laugh, nuzzling his nose to hers in return.
“Laying with you—sleeping with you—I don’t want to stop. You make it all go away. You help me feel better.”
Silence blanketed them. A heavy silence, but not an unpleasant one. Like when Nami moved around at night, laying on top of him. A weight that he enjoyed and helped him sleep far better than he could’ve imagined.
He felt safe.
“Thank you.” She murmured.
Lightning.
Thunder.
Luffy’s face scrunched.
“For trusting me enough to tell me.” Chuckling, she squeezed his hands.
He squeezed back.
”I trust you, Nami. It was never about not trusting you. I just—I felt… weak. Pathetic. Ace has been gone for two years. Everyone is safe. They’re a bunch of silly nightmares that I let get to my head. I—“
”Stop.” She silenced him. Luffy sucked in his lips at her tone. “Ace is your brother, Luffy. Stop being so hard on yourself. He could be gone for fifty years and you're still allowed to grieve for him. That doesn’t make you weak or pathetic. And as for these nightmares, suppressing them is what’s making them worse. Give yourself a break.”
She kissed the tip of his nose, and Luffy froze, mind blanking.
“You’re the strongest man I know. The kindest. Most genuine. Wonderful in every way. All of us are safe, because we have one hell of a captain.”
Cheeks warming, he couldn’t help the smile that stretched across his lips or the way his fingers tingled.
“I’m safe because I have you.”
Luffy had never truly felt the effects of being electrocuted, perks of his rubbery body. But he imagined that this was it; the way every cell in his body set ablaze from her words and the glistening of her eyes, or how the small hairs on the back of his neck rose, tingling, or the way his brain crackled with images of her beneath him in a truly inappropriate way she’d lose her mind about if she thought merely sleeping next to each other was bad.
He’d die, more sure than ever, if she kicked him out now.
“Okay, that’s enough feelings for tonight. Let’s get some sleep.”
He melted into her.
Luffy laughed as she yawned, furthering her plea to sleep. He noticed she didn’t move much, just nestled into the pillow, their faces still centimeters away from touching. His eyes darted down to her lips; they were parted as she let out a pleasured sigh.
Licking his bottom lip, Luffy dragged his eyes back up to hers, but they were closed.
“Can I kiss you?”
Nami exploded, eyes snapping open and blazing wildly at him. Her face became a beautiful shade of scarlet, steam seeping from her ears. She was like a cute little volcano.
Luffy grinned.
“What?” She squeaked.
Rubbing his nose against hers again, he blew gently on her lips. She shivered in his arms, something he relished greatly in.
“Can I kiss you?” He repeated slowly.
“You can’t—Luffy! You can’t ask something like that!”
“Would you rather me just steal one then? I can do that.” He taunted, enjoying the way she gaped at him. “I am a pirate. We steal treasure all the time.”
As much fun as it was to see her sputter and stammer, Luffy’s patience was wearing thin. He wanted that kiss. Well, he wanted more than just one.
Which reminds me.
“You’re my lover now, right? So, I can sleep in here with you every night and kiss you as much as I want.”
“Now hold on—“
“You said we’d be more than friends if we talked.”
”That’s not what I said! There’s more to it than that. You have to like someone—romantically! You have to…to—”
“I like you.” Luffy stated.
Nami stayed silent, eyes darting between his.
“Nami, I want a kiss. Say I can.” His hand trailed down the back of her thigh, lifting it over his hip.
No matter how big he talked, he wouldn’t take it from her, not when he craved to hear her say it.
His eyes fell to her mouth as she bit on her bottom lip.
“I guess…”
“I couldn’t hear you. Say it louder.”
“Since when have you waited for orders?” She huffed, cheeks still pretty in pink.
“Say it. Or, I’m gonna die.”
She laughed, pinching his cheek before smoothing out his skin.
“Well, damn. I can’t let that happen. Imagine the bounty I’ll rake up by killing you.”
“Nami!” He whined.
“Kiss me, Luffy.”
Lightening filled the room as he dove in, melding his lips to hers desperately. The thunder swallowed their moans and the squeak of the mattress as they tumbled towards the windowsill.
One kiss turned to two and two turned into a number Luffy lost count of since his brain couldn’t think of anything else but the softness of her body and the beautiful sounds falling from her mouth.
Tomorrow, he’d take her advice. Seek help and work on forgiving himself for the past.
But tonight, he’d fall asleep to the sound of Nami’s heart beating against his ear, her glorious fingers massaging his scalp while she hummed. Tonight, while the storm continued to rage outside, Luffy slept peacefully in her warmth.
Tonight, and every night after.