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The garden wasn’t quiet, not really. The sea was never quiet- waves lapping against the hull, the distant creak of wood, voices carrying faintly from somewhere above deck- but it was quieter here. Softer and more contained. It was your own personal space. “...and these ones are stargazer lilies,” you were saying, already halfway through your explanation before you even realized you’d started speaking out loud again. You crouched slightly beside the flowers, fingers hovering just above the petals- careful, like you didn’t want to disturb them.
“They’re my favourite,” you added, almost as an afterthought. “They’re supposed to mean ambition, or like…prosperity, I think? But also, they just look-” you gestured vaguely, searching for the word, “-important.” Behind you, Nami hummed. “Important,” she repeated. You glanced over your shoulder, gaze landing on her. “You know what I mean.”
Nami was stretched out along the bench, one arm draped lazily over the back, the other resting in her lap. She was completely at ease as she watched you. “I do,” she nodded. Your eyes narrowed slightly, suspicious. “...You’re not making fun of me, right?”
“Not yet.”
You huffed, turning back to the flowers as you mumbled to yourself. “Rude.”
You didn’t stop talking. Instead, you merely shifted. From one flower to another, from meanings to colours to small details you’d picked up over time. “And these ones- okay, I’m not entirely sure about these, but I think they’re supposed to represent patience? Which I don’t really believe, because they bloom way too fast for that, but-” Nami adjusted slightly behind you, her foot brushing lightly against your ankle as you moved. You didn’t think much of it as you continued your rambling.
“-and then these-oh, these are good. These are-wait, no, I’m mixing them up with something else-”
“You are,” Nami interrupted lazily. You paused as you turned to her. “...I am?” Nami didn’t even look at the flowers. “You said those were for patience today. And last week they meant something else.” You stared at her for a moment. “...You remember that?”
“Mm.”
“...Why?”
Nami took a moment to look at you properly, a brow lifting slightly. “Because you don’t stop talking about them.” There wasn’t any bite or annoyance in her words. More of a matter of fact. It made your face warm slightly. “...Wow.”
“What?”
“You make it sound like I’m unbearable.” Nami gave a small, genuine smile at your words. “If you were, I wouldn’t be here.” You blinked in response, not considering that fact. “...Right.” You turned back to the garden, your voice softening a little now. It wasn’t necessarily quieter, it was just different, more aware, in a way. “...These ones are easier,” you said, brushing your fingers lightly along a leaf. “They don’t need as much attention. Just water and sunlight and they’re fine.”
Nami didn’t respond right away, her gaze following you lightly, so you continued. “I think I like the high-maintenance ones more, though,” you added. “They’re harder to take care of, but when they bloom, it feels more…earned, I guess.” You felt a small shift behind you as Nami’s voice cut through the air. “You’d like me, then.” You blinked at the plant in front of you before you turned slowly to Nami. She was still lounging like before, her expression calm. Almost as if she hadn’t just said something insane. “...That was bold,” you said carefully. Nami shrugged in response. “Was I wrong?”
You stared at her for a moment longer than necessary. Then, you huffed a quiet laugh, shaking your head. “...No.” You admitted. Silence settled after that. Not really uncomfortable, but there, nonetheless. You picked at one of the petals absently, your thoughts catching up to you a little too late. “...Sorry,” you said after a moment. Nami didn’t move. “For what?” You hesitated for a moment as you sighed. “...I’ve been talking this whole time.”
“And?”
“And-” you gestured vaguely, “-I don’t know. It’s probably annoying.” Nami let out a sigh, enough to make you glance back at her. “When have I ever had a problem telling you to be quiet?”
“...Fair.”
She sat up slightly then, shifting forward enough to close the distance between you. Her hand found yours without much thought, her fingers sliding easily into place like they belonged there. “I like hearing you talk,” she said simply. It made your chest tighten a little. “...You do?”
“Mm.” She glanced toward the flowers briefly, then back to you. “I wouldn’t remember any of this if I didn’t.” You looked at her for a second, really looking this time. Then you smiled softly. “...Okay.” A breeze passed through the garden, light and warm, shifting the petals just enough to catch the sunlight. Nami’s gaze drifted again, this time landing on the stargazer lilies you had pointed out earlier. She reached out, plucking one carefully as you watched her curiously. “...Those are my favourite,” you said.
“I know.” Of course she did. She turned it slightly in her fingers, examining it for a moment before leaning in. You barely had time to react before she tucked it gently behind your ear, her fingers lingering for just a second longer than needed. “There,” she said. You blinked at her, “...what was that for?” Nami leaned back again, like nothing had happened. “It suits you.” Your face warmed again at her words. “...You’re just saying that.”
“Am I?”
You didn’t answer, because you knew she wasn’t. After a moment, you shifted closer, slightly, until your shoulder brushed hers. Nami didn’t move away or comment on it, just letting it happen. The garden settled around you again, soft and steady, the sound of the sea blending into the background. You let out a quiet exhale. “...So,” you started again, “there’s actually another type of lily-” Nami laughed under her breath. “Of course there is.” But she didn’t stop you or interrupt your tangent. She just stayed there, listening, taking in every word you spoke.