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It’s raining heavy tonight in the kingdom of Alabasta, the wind is strong and if you listen close enough you can hear an uprise of thunder. The sky has never seemed so peaceful.
“You’re really leaving tomorrow then?” The princess sighed, loosely clinging to her nightgown. It would be so easy to miss the disappointed expression hidden by the dimness of the room, if you weren’t Nami of course.
“Yeah, i would’ve loved to stay longer and learn more about the culture and everything but that’s the reality of a pirate.. you can never overstay your welcome.” Nami lightheartedly spoke, trying to ease the girls mind just a little. The princess continued to look ahead towards the land outside, they were both perched on a bench that sat at the end of the princesses bed, facing a circular window.
The princess didn’t pay Nami’s attempt of conversation much attention, clearly transfixed on something else. Nami had hoped she would’ve taken that as an opportunity to make some money joke about the type of ‘culture’ she was interested in but instead they sat there, not seeming to progress towards whatever was hindering the princesses mind.
Nami couldn’t help but constantly find herself looking over at her, trying to figure out how to approach further. Since encountering another, she’s gotten used to the pouting and unspoken silence when things were very clearly not okay. Nami knows her, the battle is over and the country can finally bathe in tranquility and yet, Vivi has never looked so unpleased.
“Vivi.” Nami softy uttered, hoping for a little more life to enter her already dark eyes. Then, as if the weather had responded to Namis words, a thunder cloud blasted above the palace, loud enough to make Vivi jerk in her place, resulting in arms brushing against another which had too much effect on Nami than she would’ve liked. It hadn’t gone unnoticed, that stern expression which rested on Vivis face was replaced by something a lot more reassuring.
“Woah, so like i’m convinced you did that somehow.” Vivi had giggled slightly and what a blessing that was.
“Well you know, i did get this new weapon and totally beat that girls ass with it, i’m pretty cool.” It comforted Nami to know it was okay to be a little unserious again. She couldn’t stand not knowing what to say and it’s funny, usually she doesn’t care whose toes she treads on but it’s always been different with her.
Vivi had finally found something a little more interesting than the window in her room. “Hey, sorry for kinda moping, i should be beaming right now, i’m still in denial that all of this really happened.”
“And yet?” Nami didn’t hesitate to interfere, knowing there was something more to come out of this beginning of a confession. Vivi could probably sense her determination for an answer with how much eye contact Nami was maintaining but she couldn’t find it in herself to care.
There was another couple seconds of that unwanted silence and Nami was practically begging with furrowed brows to just understand what was on her mind, could it be Vivi felt it too?
“No. There’s nothing more really, i’ts just denial that all my fears are actually over. Let me sleep on it and i’ll be like a different person tomorrow, princess mode on!” She smiled when she had declared it but it was Nami this time who didn’t meet her witty response. She decided to see what was so interesting about that stupid window.
“Right, okay cool. I’m glad obviously, I wasn't worried or anything so yeah.” Nami began to collect herself as she got up from the bench, not really paying any mind if Vivi was affected by her sudden indication of leaving.
“Well, good night then, princess.” She wasn’t cruel enough to rush off so bluntly, knowing how it feels to suddenly get dismissed so coldly. She instead leaned over Vivi and wrapped her arms around her, squeezing ever so slightly that it would go unoticed except for herself. Vivi only leaned into it, for whatever reason unable to bring herself to meet her halfway.
Nami didn’t really know why she thought that was a good idea but she just wanted to do it, regardless of how Vivi even feels about her, ‘about us’ she so desperately wants to address.
“Sleep well, Nami.” Vivi exclaimed loud enough so the door shutting behind her wouldn’t drown her voice out.
The pirate made her way back to the room everyone else was staying in, under the impression they would all be fast asleep by now, more so hoping than anything. Much to her relief, everyone was flat out, understandingly exhausted. She wasted no time getting into bed, not aware of how sleepy she had felt herself.
The pirate hadn’t actually slept in this corner of the room yet, completely forgetful of where she even ended up crashing last night after the banquet. She got herself as comfortable as the Merry could make her feel on those dreary nights and when she finally settled down her gaze was met with the one thing she really didn’t want look at right now.
“Why does this palace have so many stupid windows?”