Straw Hat's Guardian

Chapter Forty-One: Wanted! Luffy Takes His First Step Towards His Dream!

Lambo feels.... exhausted.

You'd think one would have more energy after finally removing oneself from a toxic and abusive environment. But in reality, Lambo feels drained, and wants to just lay down and sleep for a couple of years or say. Sleep so he can get all the dark toxicity out of his system without having to deal with it while awake.

For Lambo is no fool, nor is he a psychiatrist, but he knows that the life he's lived through, wasn't a good one. He wasn't happy for one, he had his happy moments, but ultimately, he wasn't happy. He knows there are scars that can't be seen, scars that he'll have to live with for the rest of his life.

But lying here, on the deck of a ship rocked by the waves, the smell of salt of the sea clear in the air, a nice cool breeze kissing his warm skin, and listening to his crewmates do their own thing while he's using Zoro as a pillow. Who knew muscles were best body pillows. Zoro didn't seem to care all that much that his lap his being used as Lambo's own personal headrest, for the swordsman is taking a nap himself.

Only downside to Lambo's current position is that he is only able to accomplish a light dose. Resting, but still aware of his crew around him. Specifically, more aware of Nami chewing out a poor News Coos due to money.

"You raised your prices again?", Nami demands incredulously while the bird made an unhappy, and uncomfortable, coo in response, "That's a little steep, don't you think?"

The bird just saluted Nami with his wing, looking apologetic. Lambo wouldn't be surprise if the bird was human or could say anything, he wouldn't. For the bird wouldn't know what to say in the face of Nami's ire towards losing money as he is currently.

Nami drops the needed change in the bird's pouch with a glare.

"Raise your prices again and I'll stop paying.", Nami threatens.

Lambo could hear the poor News Coos flying off the first chance he got, causing the teen to let out a quiet snort.

"What's the big deal? It's just one paper?", Lambo heard Ussop ask from whatever corner he is currently tinkering in.

"Just one paper? I buy these every day!", Nami protested in her own defense.

"Yeah, but there's no need to save every last berri so you can buy back your village from Arlong, you know?", Ussop argues, "You can finally stop obsessing about money."

Lambo silently disagreed with Ussop. Even with the need to save so much money no longer needed, you can't break life-long made habits so quickly. Plus, as long as it's not pointed towards him, Lambo finds joy in watching the good thief at work and he will continue to find amusement watching Nami and her money-grubbing ways. Best entertainment for Lambo to enjoy, aside from Luffy's usually stupidity that is.

"You're so stupid!", Nami berates, "Now that all that stuff's over, I'm saving money for me now. Geez! I'm not going to be one of those poor pirates who can't afford to dress up!"

"Woah! Calm down!", Ussop protested warningly, "I'm in the middle of developing my special Tabasco Star. I don't think I got it right last time when I used it against the Sun Guardian guy, he recovered way too quick for my taste."

Shoulders shaking as Lambo silently laughed at the interaction between Ussop and Nami. Only stopping when felt a hand rest on top of his head, holding him still. Lambo opens his eyes and looks up to see that the hand belongs to Zoro, who still looks asleep with his eye closed

"Hold still or else I'm kicking you off.", Zoro grumbles tiredly.

Lambo can't help but sweat drop, as he looked up at Zoro's unchanging expression, if it weren't for the fact his hand is still on Lambo's head and he just spoke, the teen would have thought the swordsman still asleep. Doesn't help that Lambo isn't sure if Zoro means it literally or not. Knowing the swordsman, it could go either way.