"More ale over here!" Usopp called out, as Zoro poured more ale into Usopp's mug.

The entire crew were sitting on the beach, in front of a roaring fire, having a laugh. Brandon was telling stories of school and how it was nuts and everyone didn't have enough common sense to make any decisions, and how his friends were huge goofballs.

"So...there I was...in English class, doodling, when I heard the teacher randomly say "WAKE UP!", and I turned to look and see the dude fall out of his desk with look of death on his face!"

Everyone roared with laughter. Usopp looked like he was about to be in tears, Chopper fell down, and Nami (who was sitting next to Brandon) was so drunk that she collapsed into a heap on the sand.

"That's funny!" Luffy said happily.

"Your school has some pretty screwed up people." Sanji added, puffing his cigarette.

Brandon smiled. For the first time, he started to drink. It was a bit odd at first, but he got used to it. And now...he felt a bit dizzy and slow. Troy felt the exact same way.

"I....I propose a toast..." Troy said, raising his mug. "To our newfound bond, and us joining the crew."

Everyone raised their mugs and drank.

Brandon laughed like a maniac. He felt great, and happy. Something about this moment made him accepted and safe...like he was allowed to be himself and nobody judged him for it.

Brandon decided to lighten the mood. "Watch this...guys!" Brandon blew on his hand, and his hand turned yellow. He then stuck it in the fire and concentrated through the dizziness he felt. When he took out his hand, a fiery red ball was floating in his hand.

"Ooh!" Luffy was impressed. "I told you he was a magician, Nami!"

Nami stumbled to get up, and knocked Brandon to the ground in the process. The fiery ball vanished.

"Shaaaddup Luffy. My head hurts." Nami complained. She turned to Brandon. "You, sir, owe me money."

"Huh? Why?" Brandon was confused.

"For me caring for your sorry ass..." Nami giggled, turning red.

Brandon sighed. Mental note: never getting drunk again.

Eventually, everyone went back on the ship. The only ones left were Brandon and Nami. Nami seemed to have taken it a bit easier now. Brandon had her head rested on his leg, and was ruffling her hair.

"How do you feel, Nami?" Brandon asked.

"A bit sick, but I guess alright." Nami said, and she started shivering. "God. It got cold quick."

Brandon had an extra coat of his next to him, and put it around Nami. "Here."

Nami looked up and smiled at Brandon. "You're too nice for your own good, Brandon."

"Ah. Whatever."

Nami clutched Brandon's hand, and flipped over to look up at him. "You are the most unbelievable idiot on this ship. Honestly, you and Troy are full of surprises and idiocy."

Brandon gave her hand a squeeze. "And you, Nami, are a greedy thief."

Nami chuckled. "Stop kissing up to me...it's making me blush."

Brandon rolled his eyes. "Yeah, right. Tell yourself that, orange." He smiled. "You're really amazing."

Nami slapped Brandon in the face. "You're pathetic."

Brandon rubbed his cheek. "Hey! What was that for?"

"Cause I felt like it. Stop being such a suck-up. You really should not kiss up to every single person you meet."

Brandon got up. "Gee...I'm sorry..." Brandon's face drooped.

"Brandon...you're such a doofus, you know? No wonder you never had a girlfriend."

Brandon didn't want to yell at Nami. But he was too close to it. "I had one! Ask Troy!"

"Was she real?"

Brandon started to have tears come from his face. "Why're you being so mean to me? It's not my fault I'm not good with love...it's not like I'm an expert on it...I'm sorry...I...wish I was..."

Nami was shocked. Not with anger, but with...pity. Usually, she didn't care if it was Luffy or Zoro or Sanji or Brook, but this time...was different. Brandon was fragile when it came to these things. And she broke him.

Nami hugged Brandon tightly, her hands clutching Brandon.

"I'm so sorry, Brandon. I...I'm not used to this...that's all. I just...oh god, I wish I could mean that I'm sorry."

Brandon didn't bother to hug Nami back. He knew what it was like far too much to be cast aside as a outcast. To be different.

"Nami." Brandon looked at her when she let him go. "Just leave me alone for a while."

Nami smiled. "I'll give you some time to yourself. Come find me when you feel better."

Nami left Brandon to his thoughts. Brandon sat on the most comfortable log he thought was okay. He started to think.

It had seemed like ages that he was in love with Stocking. But he just should have expected that something could happen. After all, real people were not meant to live in an anime...right?

Why did Brandon even bother? Nami was right. He was a suck-up. A huge one. He just wanted people to like him. People to accept him and be his friend. He was not getting anywhere by kissing everybody's butts.

"Oh, god. Have I got decisions to make." Brandon sighed.

"Can't think straight, huh?" Brandon heard behind him.

It was Marco. Brandon fell off his log with shock.

"Geezus, Marco! You scared me!" Brandon spat.

"Heh...sorry. Woman troubles, huh? Don't worry about that, Brandon. I say you should just take a breather, relax a bit. Maybe kiss up to Nami more, maybe she'll consider kissing you back."

"Ah, can it, Marco."

Marco laughed and patted Brandon on the shoulder. "Ah, only messing with you. But seriously, I've had my fair share of love lives to know when a girl cares about someone. You could hook her and catch her tonight if you wanted to. 'Sides, she's far from ugly. Man! Half the guys I knew would give their right arm for a shot with her!"

"Are you done?" Brandon asked, yawning.

"Just about. I need to know, Brandon...why's he hunting you? It certainly isn't hostages. I know it's for a purpose. But who is he?"

Brandon shrugged. "I don't exactly know. Silver hair is all I picked out from him. Oh, and he has sharp teeth. Oh! And he's somewhat of a spell caster."

"A magician?"

"No, not those happy ones, he's evil. He said himself he wanted to kill us, and I haven't even met him once in my life."

Marco scratched his chin. "Best I can tell you now, is to watch your ass."

Brandon chuckled. "That's the least of my worries right now..." Brandon got up and walked back to the ship.

"Brandon..." Marco said to himself. "What a kid."