Story [One Piece] Out of Nowhere -(Luffy/Nami) romance, fluff

Title: Out of Nowhere
Author: brodiew
Fandom: One Piece
Characters: Luffy, Nami
Genre: Fluff, romance
Summany: Nami wants to thank Luffy for saving her village and releasing her from Arlong's leash(servitude). Strange emotions surface.

Out of Nowhere

When Nami emerged from below decks, she was surprised to see that Luffy was not at his usual perch above the ram's figurehead on the ship's bow. Looking down the stern, she saw the captain standing at the taffrail. His straw hat was pulled low over his brow, and his arms appeared tightly folded. If she didn't know better, he looked asleep standing up. Though she could not see his face, she could sense he was at peace, a peace he had recently given her by saving her village in defeating the Fishmen.

Nami had thanked him then, but it was a raw thanks; one still hardened by years of servitude to Arlong. She owed him a proper thanks. No. She wanted to let him know the depth of her gratitude. But how? It wasn't easy having feelings. She wasn't sure she welcomed them. But for his sake and her own, she stepped lightly across the main deck.

Like the thief she had become, the navigator made not a sound. Not a creak on the deck. Not a breath that could be heard. Why was she sneaking? What purpose did it serve? Other than to surprise him. A thought that made her suddenly giddy. Nami was not giddy. None the less, the butterflies in her stomach and the thought of personally creating that smile of his, overwhelmed her. That broad, joyful, loving smile.

She was right behind him. Luffy was stock still. What could he be thinking about? His next word stunned her.

"Nami."

It wasn't a question. He couldn't know she was there. She was that good. But so was he. Was he thinking about her? Like, seriously thinking about her. Could he be fantasizing about her? Did Luffy fantasize?

Nami had the overwhelming urge to snake her arm between his and his waist; to hug him from behind. Was it too intimate? Would he freak? Did Luffy freak out? Ever?

The urge didn't make sense. Had she ever thought of Luffy more than means to an end? A patsy. Of course that was over now. He was so much more than that. He had told she was so much more as well. So much more than a slave to a liar. She had hugged him once. Once. But had she really ever touched him. Had they even brushed shoulders much less shook hands. They had to have, hadn't they?

She reached out, almost as if it was another person, not herself. He hand slid into the gap and and she leaned forward, pressing her lips to his shoulder, her breasts to his back as her hand gently landed on his hip.

Luffy gave a small start and turned his head before pivoting to face her.

"Nami?" he asked, quietly. His voice has none of the bombast. No call of East Blue. But also no certainty. No assuredness. "What are you doing?"

The question woke the ginger from her reverie and she stepped back, watching his wide, but soft eyes take her in. Was she losing her mind?

"I-I don't...know," Nami stammered, suddenly searching the deck for critters.

"Are you sure?" he said, that smile, that devastating smile, breaking across his face.

He knees felt weak. Stay. On. Your. Feet. she told herself What in the hells was happening to her.

"I...I wanted to thank you," Nami whispered. "For saving the village."

"You did that already," Luffy replied, magnanimously. "No need to do it again. That would be like-"

There it was. His blessed assurance. His grace, if she wanted to call it that.

"Repetitive, I know."

He smiled again. Damn her knees. This had never been a problem when she was keeping secrets. Now that she was free, her body and mid were betraying her.

"Did you just kiss my shoulder and try to give me a back hug?" the captain said matter of fact, tipping his straw hat back on his head.

Why did he always have to be so direct? You are impossible, Luffy!

"You are impossible, Luffy!" she blurted in exasperated.

He blinked, tilting his head to side with a smirk. "Impossible? I like the sound of that. Tell me more."

"What?" she replied, stupified, her mouth hanging open. "Did I say that out loud?"

"You did!" hew said, eyes ablaze in anticipation. How am I impossible?"

The navigator closed her eyes and took a took a deep breath. "So many ways, You clown."

"Hey, don't calm me a clown!" he replied, with faux anger. "I might take a fence."

"Where would you take it? We're at sea."

He pointed at her, nodding his head in a approval.

"I want to take it the stern and set it up so no once can see us."

Nami perked up at that. She knitted her brow and put her hands on her hips. "See us what?"

"Hugging, of course!" he declared..

"What if I don't want to hug you anymore?" she protested. (Too much)

"I think you do," Luffy replied, meeting her gaze. You made it kind of obvious."

" I guess I did," Nami replied. "I'm still trying to make sense of it. If there is going to be any more hugging, we should probably keep it quiet. The crew doesn't need to know."

"Don't worry about them," he replied with a wink. "They are sworn to secrecy!"

"What do you mean?" she asked in wonder.

"I can't. It's a secret."

"What's a secret?" she pressed.

"That they had this figured all they back at the Baratie."

"Those...Those Finks!" Nami fumed. "I'll show them a thing or two about secrecy!"

"Navigator!" he said, firmly. "I think you and I should hash out or secrets first. Then, you can destroy them. I promise."

"Promise?" she confirmed, placing her hand on his shoulders and staring into his eyes.

"Promise," Luffy replied, taking the straw had from his head and placing it atop her orange locks.

 

Very likeable characters as they tease one another affectionately

 

Love those characters and their banter