Now that it was nighttime at the Navy Headquarters, everyone had returned to their rooms to rest. The raindrops rained, the sound of thunder grew louder.  Smoker lay on his bed, feeling uncomfortable in his body as if he were having a nightmare. 

'BAM!'

A deafening thud made him jump, his forehead full of sweat while he sat there breathing wildly. Bringing his hand to his sweaty forehead and sighing, staring out into the pouring rain of the night. It was then through the strom that there was a 'Knock Knock' sound that made him look towards the door.Now it was midnight, who would find him at this time? Nevertheless, he stood up and walked to the door, slowly opening it.

When he opened the door, he saw the small body of his childhood friend, tightly hugging the pillow.

"(Y/N)?" His voice was small as if afraid to wake everyone up.

Silent.

He sighed again and stood aside, inviting his friend to come in. Once you entered, he closed the door, "Nightmares again?" You climbed into the bed and turned your back to him, not saying a word. Seeing that, he gave his friend some time to calm down while he climbed back to bed, back to back. The two lie there for a long time, listening to the raindrops falling on the ground making rattling noises. After another 5 minutes, you finally spoke up.

"Smoker?" Your voice was small, but enough for Smoker to hear, and it was not cheerful like he always heard.

"Hm?" He called out. You waited for Smoker to respond before continuing.

"You ... will not abandon me. ... right?" There is it again, that sad voice of yours. Smoker really hates it, it doesn't suit you at all. 

"Why do you think that?" He frowned.  Glancing behind his back. 

". . . I don't know. . ."

Smoker was about to answer but (Y/N) continued, "Maybe it's because people always abandoned me. Mom, dad, everyone. Everyone hates and despises me. Am I....not good enough? The only ones who still here is you and Garp,...why?...Sometimes I thought it was because you pitied me. Is it true? Did you stay because you pitied me, both you and Garp? "And at that moment he surely that you was holding back the tear that threatened to leave your eyes.

Everything was quite.

Smoker can't believe his ears, (Y/N).  The person who always teases and jokes with him has thoughts like that?  Smoker closed his eyes tightly.

"(Y/N). . . Please don't ask me—"

"Answer then," you said seriously, hugging the pillow closer to your chest. "Answer and I will never mention it again."

Then you heard a 'rustling' and solid hands hugging your small body, drawing you close to his chest. The hug was so tight like he was afraid you would run away, but it brought the the sweet warmth that you enjoyed.

"No. I didn't stay because I pity you. I stayed because...I couldn't leave you, you're too important to me. Although you think you're not important,..that's not true. For somebody, you're more important than anything in the world, so don't forget that,...and I'm being honest. When I first met you by that rotten tree, I made a promise to myself that I'll protect you, and make you happy... So please, never, ever, thinks like that again. Okay?" Smoker's cheeks turned a faint red as he pulled (Y/N) closer to his, oh so warm, chest.

You chuckle, you didn't know that Smoker would say that. And more happy to hear those words came from him. Your Smoker. And that was all you wanted to hear. 

"Those words are very wise for a Smobaka like you." You laughed.

"And you're also very stupid to have those thoughts." He chuckled, relieved  that you was back to your normal self. You then turned around and faced him, a warm smile on your face. "Promise me that both of us will become the Strongest and Greatest Marines in the world." She raised her pinky finger. 

"I promise. Now go to sleep, you need the strength to train in order to became the strongest Marine, right?" He chuckle and, out of the blue, he kissed your forehead, making your cheeks flushed red while rubbing your face into Smoker's chest. His warmth was what you liked the most. It makes you feel safe and helps you sleep. No matter how heavy the rain outside is.

                         THE END.

Me reading this a years later: