The island wasn't much to look at at first—just dense greenery, soft sand, and thick coastal air that clung to the skin like a second shirt. But Nami walked ahead with purpose, brushing aside branches with practiced ease, clearly familiar with the path.
Kairos followed a few steps behind, hands in his pockets, gaze sweeping over the unfamiliar trees and the occasional bird that chirped a little too loudly for his comfort.
"You've been here before," he noted casually.
"Mm-hmm," Nami said without looking back. "There's a hidden inlet on the far side. Leads to a backwater stream that flows all the way to Cocoyashi Village. If we take it, we'll avoid the patrols. Arlong's crew never bothers with it."
Kairos raised an eyebrow. "Sounds handy. Is that your local thief sense tingling?"
She snorted. "Something like that."
They walked in silence for a bit before he asked, "So, why the need to go unseen? I mean, we've already made such a splashy entrance."
Nami stopped. Her back stiffened slightly.
"Because if they see *you* with me... they'll kill you."
He blinked. "Wow. And here I thought I was the charming exception."
"I'm serious, Kairos. Arlong doesn't play games. Anyone helping me is a target. You being here? That's dangerous."
Kairos gave her a look—soft but amused. "Are you... worried about me, Nami?"
She rolled her eyes and started walking again. "Don't flatter yourself."
"Too late. Already mentally seeing us working great together."
But when he caught up beside her, he noticed the faint smile tugging at her lips. She didn't say anything, but she didn't tell him to stop either.
---
The inlet she mentioned was exactly where she said it would be—half-hidden by moss and thick vines, barely wide enough for the small wooden raft they found tethered nearby. It looked old but seaworthy.
"We use this when we need to smuggle things in," Nami said, untying the rope. "Or out."
"Convenient. I always wanted a scenic route with potential for danger," Kairos grinned, stepping aboard with an exaggerated flourish.
She rolled her eyes again, but he swore he saw a real smile this time. Maybe even a blush.
---
The raft drifted gently downstream, the forest canopy above casting dancing shadows on the water. The air was cooler here, calmer.
Kairos leaned back, arms behind his head. "So... two days, huh? Plenty of time to get to know each other."
"You're relentless," she said, but her voice wasn't annoyed. It was amused.
"I take that as encouragement. Alright, your turn: favorite color?"
She blinked. "What are we, ten?"
"You can learn a lot from someone's favorite color. Mine's orange, by the way. Matches your hair. Coincidence? Maybe. Or fate."
That earned a light laugh. "Green."
"Ah, mysterious and earthy. Just like you."
"You're full of it."
"Absolutely."
They drifted a little more. The water lapped quietly against the raft. A heron took flight nearby, wings cutting the silence.
Nami rested her chin on her knees. "You talk about other worlds like it's common knowledge. It's hard to tell if you're just making it all up."
Kairos tilted his head. "Does it "feel" made up?"
She didn't answer right away. Then: "I don't know, It feels.... a bit ridiculous."
"Fair." He stretched. "Most things worth believing in are."
She looked at him for a moment longer than usual. There was something thoughtful in her gaze.
"You're really weird."
"Yeah. But I make you laugh."
She opened her mouth to argue, but closed it instead. A small smile stayed behind.
---
As evening fell, they set up a small camp near the water's edge. A lazy fire crackled between them, and Kairos handed her a piece of fruit he'd picked on the way.
"You ever think about following your dreams if Arlong vanished tomorrow?" he asked, casually.
"All the time," she said, voice quiet.
He didn't press further. Instead, he told her a story—something light, made-up on the fly. About a merchant who accidentally traded his cows for singing geese and ended up owning an opera house.
She laughed so hard she almost choked.
"That's the dumbest story I've ever heard."
"But it worked. I got to see you laugh."
Nami looked into the fire. For a while, she said nothing.
But inside, her thoughts were tangled. She liked talking to him. More than she expected. There was something... safe about Kairos. And yet, the thought still clawed at her: she couldn't drag him into this. She couldn't let herself need someone.
Kairos watched her carefully. He'd seen that look before—in other places, in other worlds. People wearing armor over old wounds.
So instead of pointing it out, he just tossed a small twig at her knee.
"You're thinking too hard again. I can smell the smoke."
She blinked. "Shut up."
"Only if you smile again."
She didn't. Not at first. But it came slowly, a flicker, then a real one.
As the stars settled in above them and the forest hummed softly around their little camp, the glow in Kairos' pocket stayed steady—quiet and constant, like the pull of something that mattered.
And for now, that was enough.