The Going Merry cruised calmly under a sky painted orange by the evening sun. A breeze whispered across the deck where Nami stood alone, arms folded, staring out toward the sea—clearly still upset.
From the shadows of the staircase, Vihaan peeked out dramatically.
"Okay, I can do this," he muttered to himself. "Deep breath. Channel the drama. She's the goddess, you're the fool."
He burst forward, slid across the deck on his knees, arms raised to the heavens, and shouted:
"Nami-swan! Forgive me! I was a blind man in a desert of desire, but you… you're the oasis I ignored!"
Nami blinked, turning with a lifted brow. "Vihaan… what are you doing?"
He grabbed her hand dramatically and placed it against his forehead.
"Let me make up for it. I'll mop the deck with my tongue, shine your shoes with my tears, and write poems using my blood!"
Nami tried to hold a straight face… and failed. She broke into laughter.
"You're a complete idiot," she said between chuckles.
"An idiot in love," he grinned.
Then, in a more sincere tone, he added,
"I know I flirt and fool around, but when it comes to you—I never joke."
Nami rolled her eyes but softened. "One more stunt like that, and I'll bill you interest."
Later that night, the crew gathered on the deck beneath a sky full of stars. Sanji served cold watermelon juice and grilled fish. Luffy was snoring mid-bite. Usopp was telling tall tales. Zoro leaned against the mast with one eye open.
Vihaan sat near the railing, relaxed, sipping calmly.
Suddenly, Vivi walked over and sat beside him, leaning lightly against his shoulder. "You're warm," she murmured.
Vihaan smirked. "Royal blood runs hot, huh?"
Then, Nami approached from the other side, plopped down, and rested her head on Vihaan's lap.
"Don't get too comfy, Princess," Nami teased Vivi. "He's still mine."
Vivi smiled, closing her eyes. "Let's just say… we're sharing good company."
Vihaan blinked—both of them cuddled close. His arms hovered in the air like he didn't know where to place them.
And then...
"AAAAAAAAARGHHH!!!"
Sanji dropped his tray, his eyes bloodshot and face redder than a boiled lobster. His scream echoed louder than cannon fire.
"TWO GODDESSES! ON THE SAME MAN?!? THIS IS TREASON! THIS IS—"
"Shut it, Cook," Zoro said dryly. "You're just mad your love life is emptier than your head."
Everyone burst into laughter.
Luffy rolled over mid-sleep, mumbling, "Zoro roasted Sanji again…"
Usopp pretended to cry. "They grow up so fast.'
Vihaan just leaned back, arms now confidently around both girls.
"Ahh… paradise on the seas."
Just as the laughter began to settle, Sanji fell to his knees, clutching his chest in exaggerated heartbreak.
"WHY?! WHY DOESN'T MY LOVE LIFE BLOOM LIKE HIS?!"
He sobbed cartoonishly into the floorboards.
"I cook! I serve! I pour my heart out daily! AND THIS—THIS—MIRROR-GLAZED FLIRT GETS TWO GIRLS?!"
Vihaan raised an eyebrow. "You forgot to mention swoon like a dying pigeon, Cook."
Zoro smirked from his place against the mast. "Maybe because you talk more to steaks than women."
Sanji leapt up, eyes aflame. "WHAT DID YOU SAY, MOSSHEAD?!"
"You heard me, eyebrow swirl," Zoro growled.
Then Zoro kicked him square in the butt, sending Sanji flying over the deck rail and crashing back onto the planks with a scream.
"YOU WANT A PIECE OF ME?! I'LL COOK YOU RARE!"
The two launched into a full-blown fistfight, fists flying, legs spinning, insults clashing louder than weapons. Dust clouds formed around them like a cartoon storm.
Luffy peeked from his sleep with one eye. "Again…?"
Usopp held up a wooden sign: Round 85: Zoro vs. Sanji!
Meanwhile, Vihaan stretched his arms casually… and wrapped them gently around the waists of both Nami and Vivi, pulling them a bit closer.
"Don't mind the circus," he whispered smoothly.
Then, with perfect timing, he leaned in and kissed both of them on the cheek.
Both girls blushed instantly—Nami turned redder than a flame dial, while Vivi blinked twice and hid her smile behind her hand.
"Idiot," Nami mumbled, leaning her head back onto him.
"Shameless…" Vivi added, though she didn't pull away.
The stars shimmered above the Going Merry, laughter and chaos echoing across the Grand Line, as the crew embraced the warmth of each other—and the madness of the sea.
HEY GUYS, LONG BUT IMPORTANT AUTHOR'S NOTE HERE, THIS CHAPTER IS A BIT SMALL, BUT IT IS LIKE THE CALM BEFORE THE STORM. DROPPING THIS SINCE I GOT 25K VIEWS AND 5 POWER STONES! MOREOVER, I AM PLANNING ON POSTING THE ENTIRE LITTLE GARDEN ARC IN THE NEXT 2 DAYS, SO STAY TUNED FOR THAT. PLEASE COMMENT THEORIES AND FLAWS THAT CAN HELP ME IMPROVE TOO ! AND HEADS UP-I AM BAD AT WRITING ANYTHING AHEAD OF BASIC ROMANCE WHEN IT COMES TO THAT TOPIC, SO PLEASE FORGIVE ME IF THE ROMANCE ISN'T OF GOOD QUALITY, I HAVE HIRED A FRIEND OF MINE FOR FREE, HE WILL BE WRITING THOSE PARTS SINCE I DON'T KNOW SHIT ABOUT WRITING THEM! AND I WILL BE MASS RELEASING ALABASTA ARC ON SUNDAY, IN BETWEEN ON FRIDAY, SAND ATURDAY WILL BE OF COURSE DRUM ISLAND ARC. THEN THE CHAPTER RELEASE RATE MIGHT SLOW DOWN SINCE I HAVE STUDIES, HOWEVER, I WILL BE MASS POSTING EVERY TUESDAY THOUGH. SEE YOU GUYS SOON!