Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

law doesn't know how he ends up getting dragged into an underground venue to watch a band he's never heard of but, here he is. drink in hand, standing next to his orange headed step sister - who's with her large group of friends he's often dragged along with. his head hurts, and he works so often that on a night he isn't tattooing he'd much rather be home.

"i thought you'd be driving!?" she asks him. nami sits on the edge of the stage, already several drinks into the night with most of her friends.

"we're gonna be here for the next few hours, and i'm only having one. can't a guy live a little?" he asks sarcastically.

nami looks law up and down before nodding. "yeah, long as i don't have to buy an uber." she'd probably kill him if she ever did. he picks her up even when he doesn't hang out with her that night, which is fine. law is a big brother who doesn't mind bailing her out.

he's only out tonight because one of nami's friends, luffy has a crap ton of tickets to his brother's show and wanted to pack the house. it's a local band, apparently none of the guys take themselves too seriously, but he claims they're good. law isn't sure, but he won't turn down free music.

the opener is fine if not a little loud. he can't say it's not expected, luffy dragged everyone up to the front row, so law is directly next to the speakers. he hardly does more than head nod.

the headliners are three men, the lead singer is freakishly tall with died hair. he plays guitar and looks like the goody of the group. the drummer clearly has age over the other two and a pineapple head, kinda looks like a nerd. the bassist had dark hair and walks like he's a cocky man. he wears a cowboy hat and an annoying grin. law doesn't expect to catch and maintain eye contact with him for as long as he does. during their first song, it's like the man can't stop staring and law is watching a show, so he's staring back. law notices a blonde place drinks on the edge of the stage that the band members accept before starting their next song.

"wow, you guys have been an amazing crowd!" the lead singer is clearly out of breath, so he's taking a second to address the audience.

the bassist who just got done removing his shirt is sitting on a speaker and picking up a mic. "right, we wanted to thank our venue for having us tonight, and you all for being so sick!" law raises his eyebrows as the rowdy audience shouts back to everyone. "except the hot emo guy in the front row." he adds smiling when he gains eye contact with law again who has been standing in place since they got on stage.

"ace, you're so petty."

"traffy! why are you being lame!" law can tell that's luffy without looking, so he grows red at the attention. he rolls his eyes when he looks back at ace.

"traffy, huh?" ace chuckles, law can admit that his voice is hot and having a shirtless man's attention leaves something similar to a smile on his face, though luffy planting that nickname in his head is frustrating. "well, i hope you like this one, traffy."

law whices at the repetition.

he and law sip their drinks at the same time as the next song starts and nami nudges him kinda hard. he rolls his eyes but refuses to look at her at all as the bassist keeps staring at him.

"you know that's luffy's oldest brother, i can introduce you." she bribes softly as law glances at her with narrow eyes. nami is a fun drunk, but, as her older brother, law gets a little concerned when drinking with her.

he looks in her cup and sighs. "that's not necessary." he tries to speak over the music, but nami just acts like she doesn't hear him.

"i know he's single and he's so sweet."

"stop," law whines. he wishes nojiko were here to reel her in, or maybe vivi would be the better option just because she'd also distract her, and honestly, his older sister would just join in with nami.

while, law was talking through the song, he actually did enjoy it quite a bit, though you couldn't tell just by looking at him.

"yamato, you won't believe this." ace whines jokingly as the lead singer glances at him while sipping a water.

"what's it?"

"he didn't like that one." yamato laughs looking for the guy ace has been obsessing over in the crowd.

"i liked it fine." law shouts in attempt to get them to leave him be. boy is that not gonna work.

"fine doesn't sound that good." yamato admits, looking at ace.

"yeah, does everyone else think we sound good?" ace asks causing the audience to erupt in approval. "but the hot guy says we're fine, hard to impress, huh?" laws face is covered in a blush that goes unseen because thankfully it's dark. he merely looks away for a moment to swirl his drink.

"hey marco, we got someone to impress here!" yamato chimes and immediately marco starts a hype beat that the other two join him in.

this, law likes the least, and right at the tail end of the song, he stops nami from getting another drink and opts to get it for her. he merely grabs her a water before closing the tab.

after the show, law is ready to head home, so he tells nami he'll be in the car, and she tries to stop him but ends up letting him be. nami's at the bar with zoro and sanji when the band and luffy's brothers finally get ready to go.

she turns and hugs ace almost immediately. "good job!" she hugs yamato as well while congratulating them. "where's marco?"

"old man had work in the morning. he's already headed home." ace smiles as yamato shrugs. "you headed to mine for my brother's party, right?"

shockingly, at the mention of vivi's name, nami almost winces but still nods, seemingly shrugging off whatever qualms that brought up for her. "yeah, i think we'll make an appearance." she smiles.

"where's your friend?" ace asks chidely, causing nami's smile falls into an annoyed smirk, while rolling her eyes.

"you'll see him tonight, he just doesn't like attention much."

"uh oh, you scared him off." yamato jokes, causing ace to laugh.

"well, i gotta find luffy before he gets into trouble."

~*~

law doesn't understand how he's still out tonight at a house party of all things. he's standing in the open garage with a drink and a cigarette in his hands. he's tired, and he's honestly about to pay for nami's uber himself even though he hasn't been there long at all.

law takes out a lighter but he's halfway sure it's out of gas because he can't catch a light. he thinks he picked up the awful habit from his adoptive father, who would kill him if he knew he smoked a pack a week now.

law grumbles under his breath and shoves it back in his pocket.

"need a light?" ace asks softly, flicking his lighter over in offering. law nods and leans forward to offer the end of his cigarette. ace is merely a social smoker only ever having a cigarette when shared with another person over an open beer.

ace lights it and joins him in a smoke.

"s'it time you start harassing me again?" law jokes, taking a drag, and finally looking over at the other dark-haired man.

"you were stone-faced in the front row. i had no choice." ace shrugs as law rolls his eyes. "'sides i thought it was obvious i was flirting."

law raises an eyebrow and shifts so he can face him more. "was it?" law asks, almost chuckling.

"don't tell me you couldn't tell?"

"far from it... just not the best way to get my attention."

"oh, what is the best way then?"

"something more personal."

"well, i'm sorry, traffy. i just thought you were hot."

"law's fine."

"ace." they clink their plasic cups as they stare at each other.

"i actually did like the show." law confessed, causing ace to smile wider.

"no shit?!" ace asks excitedly. "why didn't you dance then?"

"i don't know, i just don't." ace looks at him curiously.

"bullshit, why not?"

"i really just don't dance." law admits, looking to the side. ace takes law's free hand in attempt to take him away. law lets him after putting his cup down and flicking away his cigarette.

he watched ace move kind of awkwardly to the loud music coming from the living room. he doesn't know how to dance with him so he's almost just standing there.

"you really do suck at this." ace jokes, causing law's face to scrunch up. law's actually trying to move his feet, but it is pretty awkward. ace doesn't seem to care about that, though.

"you look ridiculous."

"look ridiculous with me then." law allows, hands to meet his waist as the dance stupidly in the driveway like the two of them are invisible.

law knows if anyone asks him about this later, he'll be embarrassed, but that doesn't stop him.

"see, it's fun." ace teases as law sighs and squeezes his hands.

their fingers interlace as they bounce around until ace is tired. "you're a natural."

their fingers remain laced together as they stop.

"you don't have to lie." law chuckles as they start to walk together. down the driveway.

"okay, you really suck." law punches his shoulder, causing ace to chuckle, too. "you're cute though, so it's okay."

ace assumes that they'll walk separately but law ensures their hands are brought back together. he flashes law a smile while swinging their arms back and forth.

"you're such a flirt.."

"awh, do i make you blush?" ace jokes as law smirks at him.

"only cuz you're so handsome." law isn't usually openly flirtatious, but he thinks ace'll appreciate it. his voice is pretty low as he quickly places ace's cigarette between his lips to look natural, hiding his embarrassment.

ace's smile takes over his whole face as they continue to walk a couple short steps before ace stops and drags law to a holt as well. law pauses and stares down at ace. "why'd you talk to me tonight?"

he doesn't know why he asks that, and his tone is a bit more wobbly than he'd like as he does but law doesn't look like the type of guy who'd usually be interested in ace. so, he opts to look for an

law watches the smile on ace's face slightly drop, like staring at a sunset being shadowed behind a cloud, there's a beauty in the sorrow, but it hides the real sight. law tightens his grip on ace's hand as he thinks. "my younger sister said good things about you, and i believe her."

"nami's word is enough to land me next to you? gotta stay on her good side."

"you dance pretty good too," law smirks, "nice moves to look at."

ace puffs out a laugh at that. maybe this whole thing just boils down to law finding ace hot. that's acceptable, though, really, there's a familiarity in the dark honey of ace's eyes that law finds himself comfortable with. something about being called to in a crowd of so many in a place he didn't even care to be was dream-like, not just because he was supposedly special in the moment, but because he was recognized. law was a skilled surgeon shadowed with 'death' on his hands, people have found him attractive and gone out of their way to make sure he was aware, but with the directly shared look it began with continuing now he doesn't care much why he wants ace.

they stand in front of each other as law leans forward and ace joins him in a kiss. ace allows him to set the pace as he lifts his hand to cradle his neck and push his tongue past his lips, hungrily licking into his mouth.

ace's lips feel soft and taste neverendingly sweet. law ignores the taste of booze on his tongue because ace consumes his wants, if not just for the moment. ace's large hands hold up his waist like a pilar he can lose his weight on. being in touch with the lips that soothe him in with slick words and easy compliments makes law not only weak on his feet, but it extends to his mind's judgment.

when they break, law pulls him to his car by their laced hands before connecting their lips again. hands in his hair yanking him closer and kisses dragging to his chin as he tugs at ace's shirt.

ace lays beneath him in law's back seat with his legs around his waist. law leans over him with the car door open. ace holds law against him as law kisses down his neck softly as ace begins to rush law's pants to his thighs. law, who would typically be much more cautious about a situation like this, presses his hands into his backseat before dragging one to pull ace's leg against his hip.

law finds this embarassingly cliche, but being in this position is making law question where he'll take this, or when he'll stop. if ace will stop him or if he's just as out of control.

ace's hands are hot as they drag across his body and law begins pulling at ace's pants. they share chuckles as they pull apart to stare. "you're so pretty..." ace asserts quietly in the space between them.

"shut up..." law chuckles as he speaks, giving ace a show of his beauty, the mystery man he spotted in the crowd is now on top of him, enjoying his present as he had his music. ace takes the dip beyond the bounds of what they should be doing in this less than private area. he reaches between law's legs and squeezes his shaft firmly. law breaks the kiss to release a strained breath. the man beneath him absorbs the energy like he's starved for it.

"you are." they remain forehead to forehead as the two pant.

law tilts head to the side still pressing his forehead to ace's. "i really like you..."

they share yet another smile as if it's even slightly stopped since the moment ace entered the garage. this is right law, but he's starting to think maybe it's time to slow it down.

"law's here!?" law jumps slightly and hits his head on the roof of his car. he winces as ace holds him up so he can pull up his pants and hide himself. "hey, i've been looking for you!"

they both recognize the voice as nami's before they can find a solution. law stares down at him as ace mouths something he barely understand. 'maybe they don't see me?'

law tries to refasten his belt as ace pulls his pants up slightly. "i brought you here to socialize buddy!" she exclaims, as nami comes down the driveway toward the car with her roomates on either side of her. sanji and zoro look at each other briefly as they notice the other person beneath the man. "did you ever end up running into luffy's brother again? i think he has the hots for you."

law stands out the car as ace sits up to look passed him. "ace? guess someone owes me more money." nami ignores the slightly awkward situation as she climbs into the front passenger seat in front of them. zoro clicks his tongue, as she glances at him smirking.

law sits up as nami shuts the door and leans back with tired eyes. she starts the car like it belongs to her and when law stands by the window she rolls it down slowly. "you guys can finish up while i nap. i don't mind." she whispers loudly as everyone else just stands around awkwardly.

she doesn't actually want that, she's just drunk enough to forget to care.

"we're not doing that..." law squints as he looks at her. "how much water have you had?"

she shrugs and glances her head at the backseat before smirking. "we could probably find another way home."

"nami..." his voice is warning as he turns back to the two behind him. "grab some water and any food like bread or crackers from inside if possible."

"the pantry has both." ace inputs.

zoro who's just as drunk nods before barely stumbling back up toward the house. nami is on her dying phone when he turns back around with it to her ear, waiting for whoever it is to answer.

"stay in the car for now." he's stern but she just slowly rolls up the window without looking at him.

he sighs and helps ace out the car and to his feet. "sorry for her interruption." as much as law's embarrassed, he's good at not looking it as he stares at ace with apparent neutrality.

"it's all good. you're sweet for trying to help her."

"she's my little sister, so i don't have much choice." law confesses, looking at nami, who sits in the car wiping her face. she glances back at him with a drunken middle finger before apparently dialing her phone again.

"i know something about that..."

he taps on nami's window and she lets it down again slightly. "yeah...?" she hiccups, and ace can hear her phone ringing again.

"any shot there's a pen in there?" he asks softly.

"a marker...?" she asks softly as her phone answers.

"perfect."

"hello..?" she hands ace the marker as she starts to speak quietly into the phone, ace turns back to law.

ace takes law wrist and sprawls his number in big numbers across his entire forearm before smirking. "if you gotta go, at least promise to call me later~" he smirks as law sighs and allows him to kiss the spot.

Chapter Text

nami sits at the bar with slightly dull eyes as she stares down at her phone. she's grown used to ignoring the bickering of her roommates beside her, so it's not a factor as she watches the bouncing dots at the bottom of her screen. usually usopp would be standing over her shoulder, waiting to give her advice or just bask in the waiting with her, but she has to settle for texting until the party.

he kaya and vivi attended an important dinner because their families are very high profile and as kaya's fiance, he was there alongside her. he'd get to see vivi before her, so, she's asking about her. when usopp finally answers her messages, he only says she seems normal. which doesn't help nami at all.

when nami gets to the party, she almost immediately ditched the group she came with, including law, sanji, and zoro, before heading over the bar to drink. when she's spotted by luffy she cringes, and when he approaches her he does so with a big smile she wishes she could join. "nami, what took you so long?! wait..! vivi's here already we should go find her." he starts to look around but the look on nami's face is damn near horror.

"no, luffy, i'll look for her in a little while." nami sighs while looking for more liquid courage.

"what's wrong?! don't you miss her?" they're in the hallway between the kitchen and the garage, where it's not as loud, but luffy's still yelling.

"of course i do, luffy! it's complicated."

"what's so complicated? she's right over there." luffy looks past her before pointing, causing nami to hide slightly, refusing to look over.

that doesn't solve her problem, but vivi won't come over here herself. "why're you being weird?"

"luffy, would you just leave me alone?!" she immediately feels bad for snapping, but luffy doesn't take much offense.

he shrugs at her while taking a big bite of the food in his hand, and with his mouth still full, he speaks. "i'm gonna hang out with zoro, but don't be all stupid." he says, taking off toward the living room.

nami sighs and relaxes her shoulders while finishing the last half of her cup in one long gulp. she huffs and looks back toward vivi, only for her eyes to be met with law pointing in her direction and guiding vivi over. she freezes in her spot and watches vivi follow law over.

"i'm gonna go smoke in the garage, but it was nice to see you again, vivi." as he looks toward nami, he finally notices her glaring at him, so he just eases past her slowly.

he flinches at the sight but still escapes to an open garage. "hey, nami." vivi's here.

she's standing right in front of her. nami's heart throbs in her chest as she just stares at the girl in front of her with wide eyes. she doesn't even realize how long it takes her to speak.

"nami...?"

nami perks her spine to stand straight before looking away. "it's good to see you again."

"it is! but, i'm sorry if i've been weird." vivi looks down at nami's heels as she searches her words for this awkward interaction, but all that's in her head is the tangerine taste of nami's lips and how it felt like a spotlight was shining on their heads.

nami nods. "i shouldn't have made it weird. i mean you're a princess and we'd be long distance, we couldn't date." nami almost laughs.

vivi pauses and stares at the tangerine headed girl before opening her mouth. nami looks equally shocked by her own words but waits for vivi response. "you wanted to date me?" vivi asks softly.

nami's heart jumps as she realizes what she said. "no! i- i just shouldn't have..." gotten my hopes up is what she really thinks, but instead she stops and looks away.

"just forget what i said," nami reaches out to grab her shoulder. "you're a great friend and i hope i didn't mess things up."

"you didn't-" vivi stops herself and tries to figure out her words, but nami pulls her into a brief but tight hug before pulling away enough to speak.

"good, because i miss you." vivi loves how sweet her voice is, but she's still struggling to figure out nami and what she's thinking.

nami slips past her while smiling. "make sure to have a good night." she speaks before being met with ace and nodding at him.

"i take it you weren't the only one that made it?" ace asks in curiosity, as nami gives him a prompt but frustrated smirk.

"he's in the garage already. 'think you made him nervous." she kids, flipping her wrist cutely.

"seriously?! i was kidding, i really didn't mean anything!" ace rubs a hand down his forehead while sighing rather harshly.

"he's not glass, if he likes you, he'll talk, if not, he'll go back inside before you can get a word in. just be nice!" she states with a stern tone. "my older brother also isn't just so conquest, so take him seriously."

"i'm a respectful man." ace puts his hands up in defense, an awful smirk spread across his face that makes her both irritated and lightens her mood.

"yeah, yeah. i'll hold you to it."

vivi watches as nami speaks to him a couple feet away. her chest feels tight as she continues to struggle with processing her conversation with the girl. her face is beet red as ace walks toward her after briefly talking with nami.

ace gives her big smile. "it's been a while!" he smiles widely with his arms out.

she accepts ace's warm embrace with a light sigh. "hello, how have been?"

"i've been fine, i did just get my drink stolen, though." vivi laughs slightly. "are you enjoying your welcome party?"

"yea, of course..."

"that didn't sound so good." ace starts making himself a drink next to her as she sighs.

"it's a good time, but i think i messed things up with nami." ace glances at nami walking further away.

"how so...?"

"last time she visited we... kissed and then i got kinda scared and ran off. i've kind of been ghosting her since."

"oh, you kinda did fuck up."

she blushes and sighs. "i have been kinda busy!" she tries to defend herself.

"just tell her you don't like her like that and then talk it through from there."

"i do like her." it was weird to actually say it aloud. vivi's heart stops for a moment, but it felt like it never started again. she stares at the floor with a red face.

"i just thought- well i don't know what i thought..."

"well i'm sure she's not leaving anytime soon. just go tell her what you're saying now." ace says, leaning against the counter. "might be a good idea to have your words in line, though."

"okay, thank you." she huffs, slouching down before hugging his side in defeat.

"no problem, any friend of luffy's is a friend of mine." he smiles before watching her head off toward the mess of a party.

but, she doesn't see nami for most of the night and never alone. she doesn't learn nami left, not too long after a fight between the roommates zoro and sanji broke out.

she walks onto the porch and is met with luffy sitting next to some pink-haired boy. "oh vivi, if you're tired, i can start kickin' people out for ya!"

he says that because instead of getting a hotel he told her to stay with him. he lives with both his brothers and he is gonna take the couch so she could have his room. she was going to decline, but sabo deep cleaned his room so well that she decided it was good for the time being. the room was spotless, after sabo's work anyway.

"that's not it. i wanted to ask about nami." vivi responds before luffy puts his hand on his chin like he's thinking super hard.

"i think all three of them went home. they got here pretty late too." luffy pouts before huffing.

"can you give me a ride over there?" she asks softly before luffy huffs.

"i can walk with you." luffy chides with a big smile spread across his lips.

"but your brothers aren't home to watch the house." the thought is cute, but if no one else is here, then there's just a crap ton of people in their house unattended.

"they aren't...?"

"no, sabo had work and i haven't seen ace since i saw nami."

"so..? i'll still walk you."

"i can watch the house." the pink-haired boy asserts, causing luffy to bloom.

"see, koby to the rescue! you're so great!" luffy rubs his shoulder before getting up. "let's go!"

vivi looks at him as he extends a hand out to her with upturned eyebrows and an oddly happy frown. she takes his hand and they walk together with linked finger.

nami apparently only lives in a small apartment building a few blocks away and right next to the college most of the friend group attends.

when she knocks on the door, it takes several seconds before she's forced to knock again. she swears she can hear people inside, so she thinks it's weird that after two minutes no one answered the door.

"what's going on?" vivi asks, tilting her head.

luffy takes out his keys and looks through them. he has a few and keeps them on a hook to avoid losing them. he's on key number three, but don't tell nami that zoro keeps getting him new copies. he unlocks the door but it stops to a chain.

"huh...? that's not supposed to happen?" he glances at her, but she already has her phone out to call zoro.

it declines, but soon after the door closes so the chain can be removed before revealing a tall disheveled zoro standing shirtless and tired looking. "huh?" he asks.

"i need to see nami."

"that's no good." he scratches the back of his neck while looking down at her.

"why's that?"

"well one: she isn't here, and two: i think she wants to be alone." vivi steps toward him.

"where is she?"

"i think law drove her back up to their parents'." she huffs.

"will you take me?" zoro squints while shaking his head. "why not?!" luffy joins her dismay as they both cross their arms at the taller man.

"cause you hurt her feelings. if she wanted to see you, she would." zoro knew his words probably stung, but they were true, and she kinda appreciates the honesty.

"look, i'm gonna make it up to her. i just need to see her." he sighs heavily while closing his eyes. "please, mr. bushido."

"zoro... take her." luffy orders softly. "not just for her but for nami's sake, too!" zoro sighs.

"geez, how many people is nami gonna cockblock tonight." he sighs and walks back into the apartment and heads for his room.

after zoro changes and grabs his keys, he takes luffy back to his party before starting the almost two hour drive to nami's parent's house. well, it's actually less than fifty minutes but, that's how long it takes zoro.

when they get there, zoro sits in the car. "i'll wait." he sighs softly while leaning his head into his seat.

"i'm sorry for all this." she'd explained herself in the car during the drive, so zoro was more understanding.

"it's fine princess, i would've done it for anyone else, especially a friend." he speaks harshly despite his sweet words. "now, hurry up."

she nods and jumps out the car before walking up the long walkway to the house. it's very cute and well taken care of. she rings the doorbell before standing up straight in front of the door and squeezing her eyes shut. she doesn't expect the person that opens it.

"ace...?" he raises his eyebrows in an awkward and slightly embarrassed smirk. he squints and looks around.

"i can't explain why i'm here at all."

"oh vivi," law comes in from behind him. "nami!" he calls quietly.

"shut up!" she calls back.

law grows annoyed before fetching her from the kitchen. vivi waits patiently with her hands behind her back. when she looks up from her shoes she's met with nami slowly making her way in front of the door.

nami had changed her clothes from the party, but she still looked so pretty to the blue-haired girl. vivi tucks her hair back as their eyes meet.

nami trembles at the sight of her. her cheeks turning flushed out. vivi smirked at the sweet look on her face.

"what's wrong? how'd you get up here?"

"mr. bushido drove me." vivi answers with a soft smile.

"really zoro...?"

"yeah, he's sweet when he wants to be."

nami did have to agree with that. "so, what's going on?" nami's voice is soft and layered with concern that makes vivi's lips tug down.

she doesn't want to worry nami.

she takes a deep breath before shutting her eyes and just spitting it out. "i missed you too! and i didn't mean to make things weird by kissing you, but i do wanna date you, even if we're long distance and even if we're both busy." she looks away and sighs heavily.

nami takes a moment while standing in the doorway to just think. "why didn't you text me after?"

"i was scared- and i thought you didn't want me to kiss you and, sometimes, i get nervous about what people think." vivi's eyes are watering, but she's not going to cry. it's just hard to be so vulnerable without getting emotional.

"who cares about them?" nami scoffs.

"i'll always care, nami! i help run a nation and that does complicated so many things. i'll always care about the opinions of the public, but i still really want you. i wanna kiss you again." vivi allows a tear to slip from her eye before she wipes her face.

she's embarassed that she's begun crying so quickly into this discussion, but she still has no clue what nami is thinking about her. anger is still justified after being ghosted over a situation like that. the only thing she can do is clear up her own feelings, for the ginger girl to have her own proper response, but for all vivi knows that response can still be rejection. so, she holds her breath for nami to think without her thoughts being interrupted, at least, that's the sentiment.

nami's face tightened as she steps out onto the porch in front of vivi, before placing a hand on cheek to wipe a tear as it falls. "when i kissed you, i thought you hated me."

"i kissed you and i didn't."

nami shakes her head. "i kissed you." she corrects with slightly furrowed brows.

"no i did..."

"i did."

"i did." they were both genuinely confused before they fall into soft laughter. nami leans forward and sighs.

"well, when i kiss you again, will you stay here?" nami asks cutely.

vivi nods slowly while placing her hands over where nami's rest on her cheeks. when their lips meet, vivi smiles into the taste of her tangerine lip gloss. nami squished vivi's cheeks slightly, causing her to laugh and lean in further. the two are careful as they reach toward each other, watching for a feeling of hesitation in the other party, but that's not present.

nami hinges her weight onto the hand on her waist, pulling her further into vivi's soft lips. the long-awaited moment feels short-lived as the two break apart for a breath of air.

as they catch their breath, they freeze in their spots. vivi soothes her thumbs into nami's skin as they stare at each other, bodies pressed together, while they take a moment to calm themselves.

"wanna spend the night?" nami asks softly.

vivi nods while struggling to collect her thoughts. the second she does, she bolts down the long walkway to the mid-sized house, leaving nami in slight shock as she stands on the porch alone.

did she just leave again...?

she wonders for a moment with a slight frown after watching vivi disappear into the darkness of nami's large lawn. after just a few seconds, she can see vivi dashing back toward her.

nami's face lights back up a little as vivi pants with her hands on her knees in front of her. "sorry..."

she sweats, sitting up and giving nami a reassuring smile. "i had to tell mr. bushido to get outta here." she pants as nami takes her hand to bring her into the house.

"oh, i don't know if he can get home on his own..." nami ends up calling him and tracking his phone to ensure he makes it back to the small shared apartment.