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Nico Robin is a woman who knew exactly what she wants and what she needs. Or at least she and the people around her thought.
Its been more or less than two hours since she set foot in Shakky's tattoos and piercings shop. The texture of the design catalogue she's been flipping through since her arrival already feels familiar in her fingertips. Its the third time she's browsing through the same catalogue, trying to search for an ideal design or at least an inspiration. No one told her that choosing her first tattoo is even harder than choosing what horror movie or crime documentary to watch on a weekend night. Her friends were saying how she may be overthinking the matter and perhaps they are right. But how can she not when its something that she will have to live with forever? And shouldn't her first tattoo have to mean something special?
"Robin! Have you decided what to get?" she looked up from the page and to Usopp who just waved his last customer goodbye.
Her friend has always been a jack of all trades. Just last year when he finally reached legal age, he managed to get a license to be a tattoo artist. Now he's working as a part-timer in Shakky's shop to fund his own studies. He promised to do her tattoo today, adding to its sentimental value and making it harder to finalize her option even more.
"Would you give me a few more minutes, Usopp?"
The shop was small but well-maintained. A few sofa were situated in the lobby across the front desk that's just big enough for one person. Graffities and pictures of celebrity clients were decorating the brick walls. There are a total of six stations inside being divided by thin panel walls for privacy and Usopp's was the nearest one from the entrance.
"Then I'll take my lunch break for now! Just take your time picking, this will be your first tattoo after all!"
Robin proceeded to scan the sample designs once more, subtly listening to the shop owner and her friend as they gossip about their rude client last night. It wasn't long until a new customer entered the front door.
"Oi Tora-o! Come in! Come in!" Usopp welcomed the man who just came in.
His effortless finesse and laid back body language caught her interest. His black short-sleeve turtleneck reveals his fine biceps. His spotted denim jeans excellently wraps around his lengthy legs and his cuban heel shoes added to his already taller than average height. Even his accessories compliments his style- a white furry hat with animal patterns, huggies earrings and a few rings. With the amount of tattoos he have, its no wonder the staffs already knew him. He must be a regular.
And weirdly, the moment her eyes landed on his gorgeous face, his bewildered eyes were already on her. He blinked twice before pulling down his hat in a cute attempt to hide his face. His relaxed shoulders tensing up all of a sudden, leaving her confused.
"I have an appointment with Nojiko" he told Shakky in a low, rough voice Robin wished she could hear louder.
She's familiar with Nojiko, she's Nami's adoptive sister who also works as a part-timer tattooist in the shop like Usopp. In fact, their station's were right next to each other.
"Oh she's almost done with Killer's tattoo, she'll take you next!" there was a particular glint in her friend's eyes that she recognize. His grin is even wider than earlier as he tap the man's shoulder, raising his eyebrows as he speak "Why don't you take a seat next to Robin for now?"
She caught the stranger mutter something under his breath, glaring at the tattooist who is almost pushing him towards her "I don't mind, there's plenty of space" she mused in a friendly manner, smiling at the his hesitant face.
"Also, Robin here is having a hard time picking a tattoo. If its not too much, can you give her some advice while you wait?"
The man clicked his tongue and Usopp left the store with a satisfied smile plastered on his face. The former seems troubled. Being the responsible one in their friend group, Robin had the urge to apologize "I'm sorry about that, you don't really have to"
"I'll have to wait here anyway" he brood and settled on next to her, obviously adamant on meeting her eyes.
"Then, I'll be in your care" she lightly lean forward so she'll be in his line of sight, or at least his peripheral view. How can they possibly talk if he keeps avoiding any kind of eye-contact? "I'm Nico Robin by the way, a third year in East Blue College taking Archeology. You are?"
"I know"
"I'm sorry?"
He sigh in defeat and finally turn to face her "I mean my name, its Trafalgar Law. I'm taking pre-med in North Blue College and we already met in a Science conference last year, the one organized by Professor Clover."
Her lips slightly parted as she was taken back to the event, finally remembering their previous quick encounter. Its hard to recall when he exhibited such a different character back then. He didn't look this lax. He's not wearing his hat or earrings and even have a pair of glasses on "My, that's quite rude of me. I remember now, you're the one with the polar bear"
"I see Bepo had outshine me again" he finally relax his shoulders, smirking before nodding at the catalogue in her hand "Ever heard of the term Paradox of choice? Its an observation on how people tends to get overwhelmed when presented with a large number of options. I'll try to help out but for starters, you can try closing that shitty catalogue"
That made Robin chuckle, specially when he immediately checked if Shakky was listening "Don't tell her I called their catalogue shitty, she'll tell the others and I'll probably get banned from here"
"It will be our little secret, Doctor" she winked playfully and put away the catalogue "For starters, why don't you tell me what your tattoos meant so I'll have an idea what factors to consider?"
Although he tried not to show, she can plainly see how his face lit up. He must love his tattoos a lot.
He rolled up one of his sleeves so she could fully see the the tribal heart tattoo on his upper arm "This is my first one, it was inspired by someone important to me. Corazon means heart in Spanish so I like incorporating that element in my tattoos"
Oh.. Must be his girlfriend..
"The next ones were gears, they-" he paused, as if trying to think.
"Yes?"
"I just realized I never had to explain what my tattoos meant to someone before and now I'm cringing internally" he confessed, shades of pink coloring his cheeks "You might find them tasteless.. or cheesy.."
She stifle a laugh, its illegal being that adorable right after he told her he's no longer available "Or poetic?"
"Just promise me you won't laugh"
"I'm the one needing your help here, I wouldn't dare"
That seem to appease him "The gears were a reminder to myself to keep moving forward"
"Inspiring" she hummed, failing to stop amusement from appearing on her pretty face.
Next, he slightly raised both forearm to show her the back of his hands "These symbols are similar to crosshair icons, reminds me to focus on my targets or life goals"
Her gaze follow his hands when he settled them on his knees, trying to read the letter delicately imprinted on his fingers one by one "So? Did that help elicit some ideas or do I have to take my shirt off next?"
Her lips parted. Take what off? Its her turn to blush. Did this ravishing man just offered to take his shirt off for her?
"What?"
"Take my shirt off?"
"That's a strange thing to say. Why would you even offer to..?"
With how hazy her thoughts are, Robin couldn't even bring herself to finish her sentence. Really, what was she thinking about in the middle of the day? About a man with a girlfriend?
"Because I have more tattoos on my chest and back that you might wanna see?"
She cleared her dry throat. So its still about tattoos. Despite her interest in checking out the ones his chest, Robin chose to be polite.
"How about the ones on your fingers? It says death. That's quite a contradicting concept for your future profession, don't you think?" she unconsciously tilted her face, showing her curiosity "You're suppose to save lives yet your tattoo says the opposite"
"Oh this?" he raise his hand again so she can see his knuckles better before shrugging "It has no special meaning, I wanted to tattoo a word on my knuckles and randomly picked a five letter word"
"And 'Death' was the first thing that came to mind?"
"Ramen too but I had to choose the cooler one. Your temperature drops when you're dead so you're literally colder. Colder than Ramen at least"
Robin did not expect the dry joke from the stranger. Nonetheless, it still made her giggle. So he's funny too. How lucky Corazon must be?
What's even funnier was his dumbfounded face as he watch her laugh "No one really found that funny before" he said, utterly confused "Your sense of humor's messed up"
She was telling him how his humor's also messed up when Nojiko appeared with a tall masked man who went straight to Shakky, probably to settle his bill. The blue haired on the other hand, rushed over to them and playfully punched Trafalgar's arm "Sorry 'bout that!" she laugh, not looking sorry at all "You should thank me though, I see you made a new friend!"
"Nice to see you, Nojiko"
"Robin! I heard you're finally getting your tattoo done today! Good for you!" they exchange a few more greetings before the tattooist turn to Law again "I'll just sanitize my tools, just meet me in my station whenever you're ready!"
When they were left alone again, the stranger expressed his irritation at the girl's high energy. She, on the other hand thanked him for telling her about the meaning and inspiration behind his tattoos.
"You see, not all tattoos need to mean something. It can be whatever that comes to mind or just any random thing you like" he added, giving Nojiko a few more minutes to prepare her tools. Because according to him, she can be really unorganized sometimes.
"Something I like, hm?" Robin pause momentarily to think.
She like reading books, sometimes mystery fiction, mostly something related to Archeology and History. Every morning, she enjoys drinking her black coffee. She also like nice clothes, perfumes, cute animals and flowers. Recently, she became interested in Floriography.
She must've drowning deep into her thoughts for quite a while that Trafalgar felt the need to speak up "Look, if you still can't decide by the time your friend gets back.. How about getting matching tattoos with me?"
Robin was stunned for a moment. What a weird suggestion coming from a stranger.
Does she look that troubled for him to offer something like that? If she was as reckless as Luffy and if Trafalgar is single, she would have given him her sweet yes. Regrettably, the circumstances were different. She's not about to be somebody's side chick.
"I thank you again for giving me insights. However, I don't think I should get matching tattoos with someone I just met today" she politely declined, hoping her regret is not evident "Besides, I don't think Corazon will like that very much"
"But Cora-san is-"
"Tora-o! I'm waiting for you here!" the man was interrupted by Nojiko's loud mouth.
An exasperated sigh escaped him before giving Robin a nod. He then walk to Nojiko's station against his will. Robin just shook her head, smiling and thinking how good Nojiko must be in her craft that he keeps coming back to patronize her service despite his obvious impatience towards her.
As if on cue, Usopp also returned from getting lunch outside "Robin! How was it? Found the design you like?" he asked for what seemed like the hundredth time that day. Only this time, her answer's a curt nod.
His smile grew wider, running to his station enthusiastically and motioning for her to follow "Let's get you that tattoo then!"
Robin watch as Usopp gently glide the small blade at the side of her wrist, shaving the area and making sure it is free of any body hair. She's been nodding as he gossip about Trafalgar as if he's not literally sitting next to them, only being concealed by the thin panel wall.
She learned how the guy frequents in almost every place she also loves spending her time in. Like the public library in the middle of the town or the cat cafe that serves really good coffee and chicken sandwich near his University. Its fascinating how he's always been around but she never had the chance to talk to him as much as now.
"Well, its no wonder you never met him. He prefers lurking in the dark like the creepy man that he is"
"I can hear you, Usopp-ya" she chuckled when she heard him comment from the other side of the divider. It was thin, allowing her to makeshift of his and Nojiko's form.
"Now, now Tora-o, don't be so mad"
Once Usopp was done shaving her skin, he proceeded with rubbing some alcohol in it, patting it a few times to ensure its fully dry. The next step was to draw the pattern with a pen, its a bit ticklish that she had to involuntarily move away from time to time. She was elated when the sketch finished, she imagined how pretty her tattoo is gonna turn out. But when her friend turned on the tatoo pen, she became a little scared.
"This won't hurt at all! Just relax!" Usopp assured her, probably noticing the change in her eyes.
"It will hurt for first timers, stop lying to her" came the voice from the other side again.
The tattoist made a face and ask her if its alright to start. Although a bit hesitant, she still smiled and answered "Ofcourse"
It was as if Law knew how nervous she was inside. To her surprise, he suddenly engaged her in a talk "So why do you want to get a tattoo?" he asked.
Unlike earlier, she cannot see his face. She cannot possibly read what's going on in his mind but she could see how he's trying to look after her.
The first touch of needle onto her skin hurts like crazy, no doubt. When the pen stroked downward, it elicit a burning sensation she was definitely new to. She winced a little before answering "I just want to do something brave, I guess"
Contrary to his usual goofy self, Usopp is now quiet. His attention is fully focused on getting the outline of her tattoo clean. Robin appreciates his utmost dedication in making her first ink beautiful just like he promised. She figured that the least she can do is try not to disturb him.
Still, she needs to divert her attention elsewhere to lessen the sting of the needle pricking her bare skin.
"Trafalgar, you look as if you have something you wanted to tell me earlier" she tried to sound normal as she even her breath, trying to manage the pain she's undergoing "I could use a distraction, could you entertain me a little?"
There was delay in his reply but he still answered "Corazon's my foster father and savior who passed away when I was little so he's really important to me.. Its a long story but one thing is for sure, he won't mind us getting matching tattoos. And Corazon's more of an alias, its not his real name"
Robin bit her lip at the sudden realization, looking back at how she brazenly reject his matching tattoo proposal earlier. Now that she think about it, its a little embarrassing. The guy was just probably being nice because she seemed to be having a really hard time picking a design.
"I can't deny I misunderstood, I'm glad we cleared that up"
"You can forget I suggested the matching tattoos though. Lacking sleep impaired my better judgement, but now I realize how much of a creep I sounded" his tone was apologetic. She could almost see him blushing a little and trying to hide under his hat again "And I want to do something brave, too"
"Something brave?"
They say the pain from getting inks subsides as you get use to it so the guy should not be feeling any more pain right now. Yet why does he sound as if he's also suffering? "What I'm saying is.. I have always like you"
Little by little, her heartbeat accelerated until its going wild inside her chest. What did he just say? How? Since when? One thing's for sure, she has now completely forgotten the seething pain from the needle.
And as if he can read how her mind works, he added "I was impressed by your presentation back in the conference and often see you around after that. I'm not sure when exactly but I kept thinking how I want to get to know you more"
Usopp on the other hand, took the opportunity to work on her tattoo. His eyes and hands focused on making the design accurate while his ears were fully attentive on how their heart-to-heart (in his opinion) discussion will go down. Of course no one was expecting that confession. Who would admit to their crush while getting tattoed? But no one dared to meddle with it either. It was long overdue. Usopp could almost picture Nojiko holding back her squeal from the other side of the divider.
Unsure of what to respond, Robin uttered a thoughtless reply. Something she always say whenever someone compliments or express their admiration for her. It also works for confessions "Thank you.."
There was a few seconds of silence on his end, until an offended reply came "I didn't say all that to receive a thank you, Nico-ya"
"Oh no, ofcourse not" she panicked a little, her face reddening for some reason. What does he want her to say? She definitely wasn't expecting to be confessed to by a hot stranger while getting her first tattoo done.
When she glance at Usopp's work, she was surprise to see that the outline was almost half done "I'm not sure how to answer.." she said quietly,causing her friend to also stop.
Nico Robin is a woman who knew exactly what she wants and what she needs. That's what she and the people around her thought. So hearing that she don't know what and how to answer must have surprised the two tattooist.
She sigh. Its the first time she's been confessed to by someone she actually fancy. Will it be alright to tell him straight away that they can be together? Its fascinating how untypical she's been acting today and that must end right now "But I'm sure I can figure it out over a nice cup of coffee, would you join me after this?"
There was a grin on Usopp's face as he continue working, she knew he was barely able to stop himself from teasing and asking questions. Her on the other hand decided she prefers to focus on the pain from the needle than the anxiousness she's feeling while waiting for his answer.
Oh how fast the tables have turned.
It wasn't until the sound of the tattoo pen stopped from his side that she heard him say "I'll wait for you outside"
When she went out to the lobby, he was waiting on the same spot. She can't help but smile, seeing how handsome her date today is. She barely even noticed her tattoo finishing with all the delight and excitement she was feeling.
Trafalgar immediately stood up when he noticed her presence "A flower, huh?" unlike earlier, his awkwardness completely vanished. Now he is smiling, boldly staring into her eyes.
Robin raise her hand, its her turn to show off her tattoo "Casablanca Lilies" she flashed a darling smile, walking closer to him "Its beautiful, isn't it?"
"Its beautiful on you"
His remark almost caused her to slip. What a smooth-talker.
"It symbolizes many things but the most common ones are joy and life" she said as he open the door for her, feeling butterflies in her stomach.
"Mine says Death while yours symbolizes Life" he raised an eyebrow "And you said you don't want matching tattoos"
"That's a bit of a stretch, don't you think?"
"Just wait, Nico-ya. Its matching tattoos for now, the next thing you knew, its matching coffins"
"Your fixation with Death is scary, doctor, I fear for your future patients" she giggle at his joke before turning to Shakky for the last time to express her gratitude. She ignored Usopp and Nojiko who were grinning at the side and went out with the man who will no longer be a stranger from that day forward.
"So where should we go?"
"I'll leave it to you to decide" she figured its not a bad idea, considering how he seem to have a good taste. Just look at that weirdly cute hat "But not outside the town, I can't trust strangers that easily"
"And yet you asked him for advice about something you'll have to live with forever. That to me Nico-ya, sounds like a marriage proposal"
She allowed him to walk a few steps ahead and watch as he took out his keys before approaching the yellow car parked just outside the shop. The newest tattoo on the side of his neck, top right just near his ear peeks through his turtleneck. It reads today's date.
06-06-2023. A wonderful new beginning.