[ Watching him try and fail to open the gates with his bare hands hurts, but it doesn't pain her nearly as much as the smile he gives her or the question he asks.
No, she's not ready.
Of the two of them, she's done this before, and she knows she can take it. It makes sense, though it also makes her heart feel like it's turning inside out with every step she takes closer to the set of shackles. That Luffy isn't suggesting she be the sacrifice scarcely enters her mind. Why would he do that? She means well, and she always has, but they're right - Nami's as twisted as a question mark, too comfortable with pulling cons to truly figure out how to be real enough for friends, no matter how beloved they already are to her.
As she moves, the shackles catch the light she steps out of, making Nami wince. It's a look she gets out of the way before she turns back to Luffy, nodding slowly while she makes up her mind.
'It suits you Nami, I always thought I took them off you too soon,' reckons the voice of Arlong in the back of her head, seemingly pleased with the circumstances she's been handed to contend with. ]
I– [ She thought her days of holding it together in front of Luffy were over, but Nami draws on that talent again now, swallowing hard as she squares her shoulders. ] Okay, do it fast.
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No, she's not ready.
Of the two of them, she's done this before, and she knows she can take it. It makes sense, though it also makes her heart feel like it's turning inside out with every step she takes closer to the set of shackles. That Luffy isn't suggesting she be the sacrifice scarcely enters her mind. Why would he do that? She means well, and she always has, but they're right - Nami's as twisted as a question mark, too comfortable with pulling cons to truly figure out how to be real enough for friends, no matter how beloved they already are to her.
As she moves, the shackles catch the light she steps out of, making Nami wince. It's a look she gets out of the way before she turns back to Luffy, nodding slowly while she makes up her mind.
'It suits you Nami, I always thought I took them off you too soon,' reckons the voice of Arlong in the back of her head, seemingly pleased with the circumstances she's been handed to contend with. ]
I– [ She thought her days of holding it together in front of Luffy were over, but Nami draws on that talent again now, swallowing hard as she squares her shoulders. ] Okay, do it fast.