**Chapter 27: A Date Above the World – A Skyborne Symphony of Hearts**
[A/N: I really want to know how is my story going]
**Nami's POV**
When Sunny said, "I'll take you somewhere special," I pictured a quiet cove on some uncharted island, maybe a hidden beach with soft sand and bioluminescent waves. A simple, romantic spot where I could tease him about his messy hair or steal his dessert. What I *didn't* expect was for him to grab my hand with that infuriating, confident smirk, his void-blue Haki flaring like a dark aurora, and *punch* the sea with such force that our little boat launched into the sky like a cannonball. My heart nearly stopped, my scream caught in my throat as the world blurred into a dizzying swirl of blue ocean and white clouds. The wind whipped my orange hair into a frenzy, and I clutched his arm so tightly I was sure I'd leave bruises—even on someone as sturdy as Sunny.
"Relax," he said, his voice calm, steady, and maddeningly confident, like he hadn't just defied gravity. His blue Haki shimmered around us, a protective cocoon that felt warmer than any blanket, its gentle hum vibrating through my skin. "I'll protect you, Nami. Always."
Those words hit harder than the launch itself. My breath caught, my cheeks burning, and I couldn't tell if it was the altitude or the way his eyes locked onto mine—blue and deep, like the endless sea below us. I wanted to snap something witty, to call him an idiot for pulling this stunt, but my heart was too busy doing somersaults.
When we finally broke through the last veil of clouds, I gasped. The world stretched below us, a breathtaking tapestry of oceans and islands, each one a tiny brushstroke on an endless canvas. The clouds glowed gold and pink with the setting sun, rolling like a sea of their own, soft and ethereal. And here I was, floating above it all, standing beside the most infuriating, reckless, incredible boy I'd ever met. Sunny stood at the helm of our tiny boat, his silhouette framed against the sky, his hair ruffling in the wind. He turned to look at me—not at the view, not at the clouds, but at *me*.
"Beautiful," he murmured, his voice low, almost reverent.
My cheeks burned hotter than the sunset. I tried to play it off, tossing my hair with a smirk. "The view, you mean? Ara ara, it's pretty impressive, I'll give you that."
But he leaned closer, his lips curving into that daring smile that always made my pulse race. "No. I meant you."
The air felt thin, but not from the height. My heart thundered so loudly I was sure he could hear it, even over the wind. I could smell him—the faint trace of salt and iron clinging to his skin, the clean sharpness of wind that always seemed to follow him, and beneath it, a warmth that was uniquely Sunny. It was dizzying, intoxicating, and I hated how much I wanted to lean in closer, to let myself fall into that warmth.
**Sunny's POV**
The small boat creaked as it cut through the clouds, not water, its wooden frame somehow holding steady under the force of my Haki. Nami's hand was still clutching my arm, her nails digging in just enough to remind me she was real, here, with me. The world below was a distant dream—seas and islands reduced to specks, the horizon stretching endlessly. Above us, the sky was a canvas of gold and violet, clouds drifting like cotton islands. My void-blue Haki shimmered faintly around us, a protective glow that kept the boat aloft and Nami safe. I could feel its pulse, steady and strong, like an extension of my will.
Nami's eyes were wide, her breath catching as she took in the view. "B-But… we're in the sky," she whispered, her voice wavering, though I could tell it wasn't entirely from fear. Her grip on the railing was tight, her knuckles white, but there was a spark in her gold-brown eyes—a mix of awe and excitement that made my chest tighten.
I puffed out my chest, letting a grin tug at my lips. "You always chase horizons, don't you? I thought I'd show you one no map has drawn yet. Ara ara, pretty good date idea, right?"
Her breath caught, and for a moment, she just stared at me, her cheeks flushing pink. "Damn you," she muttered, but there was no venom in it—just that soft, flustered tone that made my heart skip. "You can't just say things like that, Sunny."
I laughed, leaning against the helm, my Haki keeping us steady. "Why not? It's true."
**Nami's POV**
His words were like a rogue wave, crashing over me and leaving me breathless. He smelled of salt and sun, but there was something else too—something sharp and electric, like the ozone after lightning. Every time his blue Haki flared, the air hummed with it, brushing against my skin, tingling across my lips like a whispered promise. And he was close. Too close. His shoulder brushed mine as he adjusted the boat's course, his presence overwhelming, like the sky itself was pressing in on me.
I needed a distraction—anything to keep my heart from betraying me further. "I… I should start charting this," I mumbled, fumbling in my satchel for parchment and pen. My hands trembled as I set the page on the small bench, sketching the way clouds spiraled like continents of their own, their edges glowing with sunset fire. It was a weak excuse, but I needed something to focus on besides the way his eyes kept flicking to me, soft and intense all at once.
Sunny leaned in, his breath warm against my ear, sending a shiver down my spine. "Even if you draw it… no one else can follow," he said, his voice low and teasing. "This is just for you, Nami."
My cheeks burned so hot I thought I'd combust. He *knew* exactly what he was doing, that infuriating idiot. "Ara ara, don't get cocky," I snapped, trying to hide my blush behind my parchment. "I'm the best navigator in the world—I could chart the sky blindfolded!"
He chuckled, a sound that vibrated through me, warm and deep. "I know you could. That's why I brought you here."
**Sunny's POV**
I watched her hair shift in the breeze, orange strands brushing against my arm like a tease. She smelled faintly of tangerines, like Belle-mère's grove, but mixed with something sweeter, something that was just Nami—warm, vibrant, alive. My hand twitched, an urge rising to reach out, to tuck that loose strand behind her ear. I didn't fight it. I did it.
My fingers brushed her cheek as I tucked the strand away, and Nami froze, her pen halting mid-stroke. Her gold-brown eyes flicked to mine, wide and startled, a faint blush creeping up her neck. I let my lips tilt into a smirk, my voice dropping to a playful rumble. "You're blushing, Nami-san."
"Shut up!" she snapped, too fast, too defensive, her pen nearly tearing the paper. Her face was crimson now, her usual confidence cracking under the weight of the moment.
I laughed, low and warm. "What? I can't say the truth?"
"Y-You—!" she stammered, her voice hitching, her eyes darting between mine and my lips. The air between us felt charged, like the prelude to a Haki clash, heavy with unspoken longing.
**Nami's POV**
He was insufferable. Absolutely insufferable. And yet, my chest tightened every time he leaned close, every time his fingers brushed mine when he steadied my map. The warmth of his Haki seeped into my skin, like invisible hands holding me gently, and it made my head spin. I wanted to yell at him, to call him an idiot for making me feel this way, but my traitorous heart was too busy melting.
The boat rocked suddenly, a gust of wind tilting it, and I stumbled—right into him. His arms caught me instantly, strong and steady, his chest a solid wall against my cheek. His heartbeat was loud, steady, grounding, and I could feel the hum of his Haki wrapping around me, keeping me safe. "Careful," he murmured, his voice low and teasing, his breath warm against my hair. "Or are you just looking for excuses to fall for me?"
My heart stuttered, my face burning. For one dizzy second, I almost said yes. Instead, I shoved him lightly, trying to regain my composure. "Ara ara, in your dreams, Sunny!" I snapped, but my voice was shaky, and I didn't move away. Not really. His arms were still around me, loose but firm, and I could feel his warmth seeping through my dress.
**Sunny's POV**
I could feel it—the way her pulse jumped when I held her, the way her eyes darted to my lips and then away, like she was fighting herself. This date wasn't just working; it was *sparking*, like a Haki flare igniting the air. I lowered my voice, letting it rumble just enough to tease. "Ara ara, Nami-san, you're trembling. Do I make you nervous?"
She slapped my arm, half embarrassed, half laughing, her blush deepening. "Idiot! You're the one who's nervous, dragging me into the sky like some reckless pirate!"
But she didn't move away. Her shoulder pressed against mine, her hand still resting on my arm from the stumble. I grinned, letting my fingers brush hers as I adjusted the boat's course, my Haki keeping us steady. "Maybe I just wanted to see you blush up close."
Her eyes widened, and she huffed, turning back to her map, but I could see the smile tugging at her lips. The sky blazed orange now, the sun dipping low, casting fire across the ocean far below. Nami's half-finished map lay on her lap, ink smudged where her hand had lingered too long. She leaned against me, her head resting lightly on my shoulder, her warmth grounding me as much as my Haki grounded the boat.
"You know…" she whispered, softer than the wind, "if you keep showing me things like this… I might not let you go."
My grin softened, my heart swelling. I let my hand find hers, fingers intertwining slowly, deliberately. "Good," I said, my voice low but sure. "Because I'm not planning to let you go either."
The world was silent around us, nothing but clouds and the steady beat of our hearts. Neither of us moved for a kiss—not yet. But the air was thick, charged, so heavy with longing it felt like the slightest push would break the dam.
**Nami's POV**
The sky deepened to violet, the last rays of sunlight shimmering across the sea of clouds. The boat rocked gently, as if it too didn't want to disturb the moment. Sunny's hand was still in mine, his fingers warm and steady, his pulse racing where our wrists touched. He tilted his head, his cheek brushing my hair, and the scent of him—salt, wind, and that electric warmth—made my head spin.
"Sunny…" I whispered, my voice barely audible, my heart pounding so hard I was sure he could feel it.
He turned to me, his blue eyes soft but intense, like the calm before a storm. "Nami," he said, his voice low, almost a confession, carrying a weight that made my breath catch.
And then the dam broke.
His lips pressed against mine, not tentative, not uncertain, but steady and sure, like he was claiming me and protecting me all at once. Heat shot through my chest, my hand gripping the front of his shirt, pulling him closer before I even realized what I was doing. The kiss deepened, his Haki curling around us like a second embrace, buzzing softly against my skin, making me shiver in ways I didn't dare say aloud. His arms wrapped around my waist, anchoring me to him, and I melted into it, my world spinning and then steadying in his warmth.
When we finally parted, my lips tingled, swollen, and my chest rose and fell like I'd just run a mile. I tried to play it cool, but my voice came out shaky. "Ara ara… didn't think you'd actually have the guts," I teased, my heart betraying me with every thud.
Sunny smirked, brushing his thumb against my flushed cheek, the touch sending another spark through me. "I told you—I'm not letting you go."
**Sunny's POV**
She tried to act unaffected, but her blush was brighter than the sunset, her eyes soft and vulnerable in a way that made my chest ache. I didn't press it, letting the moment linger. Instead, I pulled a cloth-wrapped basket from under the bench, my heart pounding as I set it between us. "I figured… maybe you'd want dinner up here," I said, my voice softer now. "A mapmaker should eat while she charts the impossible, right?"
Nami blinked, her eyes softening as I laid out the spread—fresh bread, roasted fish seasoned with herbs, ripe fruit from Belle-mère's grove, and a small bottle of tangerine wine I'd bartered for days ago. Her lips curved into a smile, warm and genuine. "You planned this."
I chuckled, pouring her a cup of wine, the amber liquid catching the lantern's glow. "Maybe I just wanted to impress the best navigator in the world."
**Nami's POV**
The food tasted incredible—crisp bread, tender fish, sweet tangerines—but it was the company that made my heart feel so full it might burst. The lantern cast a soft glow over us, the sky now a deep violet speckled with stars. Sunny's laugh echoed in my chest, his shoulder brushing mine as he pointed out a constellation shaped like a ship. Every glance, every touch, felt like a promise, and I found myself doodling more than mapping, my parchment scattered with sketches of clouds… and him.
He caught me, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "Is that supposed to be me?" he teased, leaning over to peek at my sketch—a rough outline of his grin, his hair ruffling in the wind.
My face went crimson. "S-Shut up! Eat your fish!" I snapped, shoving the parchment away, but my heart wasn't in it.
He laughed, leaning closer, his shoulder pressing against mine. "Ara ara, it's not bad. You're pretty good at capturing my charm."
I smacked him lightly with my pen, but I didn't move away. Not for the rest of the night. We sat side by side, the boat drifting through the clouds, a kiss lingering on our lips and dinner in our bellies—like we'd drawn a secret map only the two of us would ever know.
**Sunny's POV**
As the stars twinkled above, I felt Nami's hand slip back into mine, her fingers intertwining with a quiet certainty. The boat rocked gently, my Haki keeping us aloft, but it was her warmth that anchored me. I glanced at her, her face soft in the lantern's glow, her eyes reflecting the stars. "Nami," I said softly, "this is just the start. Wherever you want to go, I'll take you. Above the world, across the seas… anywhere."
She smiled, her voice barely a whisper. "Ara ara, you better keep that promise, Sunny."
"I will," I said, squeezing her hand. And I meant it.