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[Voice]
[The announcement doesn't come until she's tracked down what's left of her crew and paid a visit to Ace and Sabo to inform them in person. She could wish Sanji and Zoro were here, because she winces at the idea of them finding out on the grapevine before they even return home. But it can't be helped.
Besides, maybe he'll be back before they return. He always has before.
She can hope he isn't.]
[Voice]
For those that knew him, Luffy has gone home. [She sounds perfectly calm, if a little distant.] He didn't leave anything, so... wish him well.
Besides, maybe he'll be back before they return. He always has before.
She can hope he isn't.]
[Voice]
For those that knew him, Luffy has gone home. [She sounds perfectly calm, if a little distant.] He didn't leave anything, so... wish him well.
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...it's been a while since then.]
Have a seat. If you don't mind me making your tea. [She's using that as an excuse to put off anything more serious, at any rate, and after another quick smile Nami turns back to the kettle as it starts to whistle.]
You're not hurt? Everything's okay, uh... mission-wise?
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He doesn't this time; all his energy has gone into focusing on her question, and he sits down without a second thought, actually grateful to be off his feet. He leans forward and curls his arms on the table top]
Scratched up a bit, but I'm not hurt. [Can't say the same for any unlucky bastards he met on the field, but details.] And it's the same as always. [He pauses, searching for something else to say. His missions are never exciting affairs worthy of conversations]
I'm just glad to be home now. Can't have you girls dealing with Luffy and Brook's shitty appetites alone.
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...continuing on making the tea, pouring both cups.]
I'm glad you're back, too. A lot of us have been gone, lately. [Adding cream for Sanji. She keeps hers black. One small thing she remembers with relief, and that's that Zoro was here when she returned, so Sanji must know already; it's a topic she can safely avoid for now.
She comes back to the table, offering him his mug before sliding into the seat opposite as she cracks a small grin.] You know, one day they're going to let us come home from these things at a reasonable time of day.
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But then she doesn't say anything outside the norm. Unsure how to read that, he decides to keep his silence on the issue until she's ready to tell him.]
Thank you, Nami-san. [He smiles into the cup, warming his hands on it.] And they wouldn't be the shitty Malnosso if they were reasonable. [He manages not to sound bitter, to his surprise; knowing Nami of all people understands how much this place can suck probably helps.]
Everything been alright on this side? [He takes a sip of his tea, relishing the slight burn on his tongue] No crazy experiments or-- [He almost says "draft", but at the last second switches out the word] --kidnappings?
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[Her answer is delivered softly, almost gently. With a question like that, Nami can't delay telling him any longer. It wouldn't be right.] Vivi's not here right now. She got taken... a while ago.
[It's wearying to note that a kidnapping now means just... being on standby. Not like their reactions to Usopp being taken, all those years ago. She knows Vivi's kidnapping will hurt, but Sanji will deal with it. And the other news...]
...
...Luffy went home last week.
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... Aa... [So their captain's gone home. The corners of his lips pinch, caught between a wry smile and a saddened frown, until he gives up deciding on either expression completely and stares thoughtfully into his tea. Should he bother acting upset? Luffy's always come back to them, even when the crew would rather one of their own escape this prison. No, despite the ache the news leaves behind, it's a different sort of sorrow]
Well, I think we'll manage okay without the shithead for now. [Now he does smile, the same sad, fond one from before] Who knows? Maybe this just means we better get home soon so he doesn't have to come back after us.
[Make the best of things, right?]
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[She hesitates, stirring her tea, and then glances off into space behind him somewhere.]
How have you been? Aside from the mission, I mean. [Soft.]
1/2
That next question Sanji doesn't know what to do with, though. He quiets immediately. Oh sure, there's honesty - and then there's what he'd actually say. On habit, he attempts to gather the latter up, only for every word in his head to scatter in disarray.
Still too painful, then. He swallows a mouthful a tea before chancing a reply.]
As... well as you could expect, given all the shit that's happened. [He doesn't line the words with much detail, but it is the truth, he notes - and Nami didn't broach an easy topic. Though to be clear--] It's gotten better.
[Because Zoro's not dead and Sanji doesn't hate himself as much]
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... And you? Are you feeling okay? [Not what he wanted to say, hinted by the constricted way his carries his words. But this way might be better.]
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But she broached her question first for a reason. She watches that fall of Sanji's hair, heavily reminded of Kotetsu, in a hurtful sort of ironic way. (Because when Kotetsu did this, well. All she could think of was Sanji.]
I'm sorry. [It's very quiet, and it's probably the most forthright and honest thing she can say.] I was... I wasn't coping. And it wasn't your fault at all.
[Not really a direct answer. Sorry about that.]
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You don't-- [he stops himself from finishing, and amends his words. If she wants to apologize - if it might bring her some peace - then he's not gonna stop her.] I wasn't coping, either. [Softly:] I don't think any of us were.
It wasn't anyone's fault. [Despite himself, he cracks a smile] Even if it might take a shitty while to believe that.
[It's the closest he'll get to admitting he still holds himself accountable.]
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She can't. Not quite. Probably, she acknowledges wearily to herself, because they'll all be blaming themselves for a while no matter what pretty words they say in the meantime.
What she does take from that is that Sanji doesn't-- hate is a strong word, and no matter what happens, she knows the ties will always be there. They're nakama. But--
He's not blaming her, either. She's sure he's honest on that score, far beyond just trying to be a gentleman. Not at this dark time of the morning. Not when he looks so tired and weary and sad.
So a knot loosens, just a little.]
I'm still sorry. [And she smiles at that, quick and shaky, but. Hey.]
I missed you.
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The second line is what gets him, catches his breath in his throat. His stare turns blind and vulnerable, and he bites his bottom lip.
... It hadn't seemed fair to hope that she might miss him. And after her departure from Luceti, his greatest wish and cruelest punishment had been administered: she was safe (as safe as the New World would allow) with him left behind in Luceti, wondering how far their bond had been strained. Only strained, because the bond between nakama is worth more than that, but it can be bent and warped with enough time and pressure.
For this one moment, he doesn't care how selfish it is, but--] I'm glad. [He laughs a little shakily, probably looking close to tears save the fact his visible eye is completely dry] That Nami-san came back.
[He needed to hear that]
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Which is why she's nearly in tears herself, mind. Relief does that to a person. She takes a breath, then smiles at Sanji, reaching across the table to lay her hand on his.]
Well. It's not like this house can function without me.
[Sass at 3 am.]
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Of course it can't! How else is everyone supposed to stay in line? [He's only partially joking. They managed okay, but it didn't stop them from wandering throughout the town likes ghosts with no purpose for a while.
It really is nice to have her back]
We need our navigator to help us navigate through life~! [Dorky, yet true]
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Though he does appear surprised at the mention of bed, having forgotten his own exhaustion in the midst of their conversation -- but then Nami says the B word. Add to that the fatigue only relief can bring and it hits him like a ton of bricks. While he'd like nothing better than to chatter at the woman all night...
Well. He's currently fighting back a yawn, even if the huge smile continues to take up space]
Right, right~ I'll get to bed in a second. But what about you, Nami-san?
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Sleep won't be that far off.]
I guess I'll see you in the morning. Though it's pretty late. Want me to make breakfast in the morning? One time offer. [Sleep in. She'll only make you pay for it a little. >.>a]
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-- But in the end Sanji's still a chivalrousness bastard who'd rather Nami get to sleep in his steed. The smile from before becomes rueful, in preparation for turning down her hospitality.]
How wonderful Nami-san's kindness is~! But I think I'll manage alright. [He stands up, tea in tow - he'll drink it in his room - but before leaving he reaches over and gives her shoulder a small, fond squeeze]
I'll see you in the morning.
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There is... a lot of comfort to be drawn from that farewell.]
That you will. G'night, Sanji-kun.
[She'll finish her own drink at the table, though. But when she does return to bed, sleep comes swiftly.
One small piece of the universe put right.]