XIA | (Zoro x OC) - One Piece Netflix FF

15

I haven't seen Nami around, I would have bet she would have been snooping around, looking for something to take on our future ship.

"Nami?" Meanwhile, we reach the kitchen.

"I'm sure she's around cleaning the place up. Question is, why aren't you?" and of course he's back at picking on me. I won't fall for it this time and just tell the truth.

"I meant to, I did. Then I saw Kaya, heard her story... I can't" I can't put it any other way. She looked so pure and gentle, such a gentle creature scarred by life. I felt her pain right through my chest, because I know damn well what it feels like to lose someone you love. And the very moment I chose to be a thief, I swore to myself I would not damage people who can't afford it, emotionally or financially.

"Careful, this way it looks like you have a heart" ok, there's only so much sarcasm I can take. So as I am getting ready to bite back Usop's voice interrupts us. And all things considered it's for the best.

"Hey guys" he waves at us and Luffy's already here too. How the hell did he do it?! crowded place to be 2am.

"Usop. Is there a hall debate here or something?" they're all sitting here around the kitchen, in someone else's kitchen, to be precise, and they have no issue helping themselves. I am no hypocrite, I am doing the very same, but at least it's for Aileen, who hasn't eaten yet. They had plenty of food instead.

"Just a picnic meeting. Aileen's fine by the way" Luffy reassures me.

I start looking for something for Aileen while Usop and Luffy talk about great adventures, their favourite topic apparently. Luffy dreamily talks about what happened with the clown and a bunch of other things I don't pay attention to. Usop on the other hand seems bewildered.

"I wish I could live adventures like that too, but I can't leave Kaya"

"Is she your girlfriend or something?" Zoro's unpredictable like that. He was minding his own business and decided to jump in the conversation when least expected. I have never heard him speak of such things, so it feels weird now hearing him ask about it. Usop blushes sweetly.

"Whaat? Slow down my friend"

"He should tell her that all his stories are big fat lies first" I joke. I bet Kaya knows too that Usop uses those stories to comfort her, but they're not true at all. I mean, it's obvious. Usop jumps at the first unexpected noise he hears.

"Hey!"

"Is she your girlfriend or something? Kaya lost her parents recently, she did not take it well. I want to be there for her, you know" I will let the implication slide just because he said something nice about Kaya. It's altogether obvious he cares a great deal about her.

As I keep opening drawers looking for food, A scornful sound comes out of my mouth. I did not intend to, but it apparently breaks the conversation, because everyone's looking at me interrogatively.

"What?"

"Nothing, it's nice of you. I wish I'd had the same" I answer in a rush to bypass the awkward moment, and I realise the mistake. I let on too much. The less I share, the better. Something changed in Zoro's look, as if he understood something, or thinks he did, and I don't like it. it makes me feel vulnerable.

"What are you talking about?" Usop asks again.

"Nothing. In general, I mean" saved by the bell.

"You have us, Xia" Luffy sympathetically says, that's why I like him. He always has a nice word when you need it. I smile back, and silence falls down. Only noise around is me collecting things for Aileen.

"If you were Kaya would you like me?" Usop breaks the silence again, and I am guessing he's talking to me. all this time he's been brooding about Zoro's question, I'm sure.

"Uhm, I.." I struggle to find nice words to reply, luckily for me he decides to be an idiot and go on a different path. 

"Or are you more into mysterious-looking guys?" his expression changes, his smile is more of a smirk this time and he imperceptibly nodes towards the side of the kitchen where Zoro's drinking.

"Ok, I let it go once, Usop. Don't push your luck. Keep talking about Kaya."

"Yeah how did her parents die?" Luffy backs me up.

"An accident at sea. No one really know what happened. There were no survivors" it must be killing her like he's killing me. they died away from her, she never had the chance to see them nor she knows precisely what happened. That we share. At least I could bury them and honour their memory.

And on top of that, as if it didn't hurt enough, Usop and Luffy find out they have an acquiesce in common, Usop's dad. And it all gets sentimental. Too much for my tastes.

"Ok that's my cue. I'll go" they get up too, as if Usop suddenly had a revelation. Something came to his mind, clearly.

"Wait, come see the cellar, it's a unique place" Ok, a quick visit then I'll have to deliver food to Aileen, but perhaps in the cellar there is something more yummy for her. Luffy doesn't bother coming, he's too busy helping himself to a plate.

"Luffy, don't eat that. It looks so... blue"

"It looks delicious Xia. Take it from me, I know my food" fine, his choice. He does know about food.

Zoro and I follow Usop in the cellar, the air is crispy and breezy, like any other cellar, but the atmosphere is weird, dim light, candles at every corner.

"There are so many candles here it's almost... romantic" I can't help but underline when Zoro catches up to me and stops to stare at the same thing, I suppose.

"You sound almost disgusted" yeah I kind of am.

"I think it's all bollocks. Don't you?" I am truly interested for some reason in his point of view, it's not just a rhetorical question. He turns towards me, giving me a very serious look. And just when he's about to reply, Usop screams.

Like, a real scream.