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It had been long, two very long years that seemed unending.
Two very long years that had you hopelessly grasping into affective memories in order to not miss them so much. Two very long years that subdued themselves into personal growth and lingering promises of being able to get back together one day.
That day had finally arrived, and now that It did, it felt rather weird, odd, as if all the suffering and the counting days on a piece of paper seemed to have gone by in a flash, when in reality it had been arduous and unfathomably extensive.
As you walked through the busy streets of Sabaody everything seemed to drastically have changed from two years ago, sure you didn’t have that much time to go sightseeing back then, but the atmosphere in general felt oddly different.
You laughed to yourself at the thought that in that very same place two years ago you were laughing alongside Nami and Robin while the three of you decided what to do that day, if exploring the countless shops was a good idea or not.
You also laughed at your ingenuity, thinking that your crew was strong enough for any challenge that you were to face, thinking that no matter what, things were bound to be good for the ten of you. The present you was grateful for that mindset, even though it costed you a great reality fall, it was that mindset two years ago that kept you going despite the challenges you faced completely alone and striped of any sort of familial affection.
Now it was safe to say that you have grown up, you were sure you were stronger, but the mere thought of being practically invincible didn’t blind you again, you knew that the ten of you were more than capable to take on whatever challenge but that didn’t make you invincible, but you also knew, that you would do everything in your power to make sure that the most important person in your life would reach his dreams, even if it ended up with you laying your own life on the line.
Speaking of important people, time was ticking by and excitement bubbled in your veins with each passing minute. As much as sightseeing was a pleasurable activity there was something else that plagued your mind with each step you took.
You had already swung by Shakky’s bar and spent countless hours talking to both Rayleigh and Shakky herself, but aside from that, ever since you arrived you had yet to meet up with anyone from the crew. You knew that Zoro was somewhere along the island, seeing he was the one that arrived two days before you, and although you really wanted to see him, there was a slim chance that you would find him, based on the sole fact that, he was probably lost already.
So as you walked mindlessly through the busy streets of Sabaody, shopping occasionally once you saw a article of clothing or a souvenir to redecorate your room on the ship (which you insanely missed), you didn’t bother much finding anyone, knowing that sooner of later, the ten of you were bound to find each other.
But it seemed that some encounters would find themselves sooner than you though, because as you strolled, in the corner of your eye you saw, the only person on the entire crew that could ready you like a book ever since the beginning.
Turning your head towards the dark alley where she stood, you were quick to walk there, but soon stopped on your feet, noticing the two man running past her, clearly attempting (but failing) to follow her.
As soon as they passed you didn’t waste time, nearly running towards the alley, whispering as you approached her “Robin!” Making her turn her head quickly with wide eyes, before breaking into a warm smile, one that you missed so much. She said your name back with open arms which you didn’t hesitate to run into, hugging her closely as she squeezed you, displaying wordlessly the sentimentalism you both waited so long to show.
“You’re so different now Robin” you chuckled with a laugh, keeping her in arms length, she chuckled too, “you too, you’ve grown” she ran a hand through your hair, now longer and with a different style from two years ago, “you’re one to talk, you look amazing”
As the two of you rekindle all the moments you missed these two years, you couldn’t be more excited, nostalgia ran through your body like an old friend, the feeling of finally attaining a great reward from being able to meet them again after arduous months.
The walk towards the ship was pleasant, now that you had company and countless memories to share, the walk was anything but silent, as you and Robin shared every little aspect of the “new” life, the good and the bad.
“-also, have you heard about this?” She asks, handing you a poster with Brook’s face printed all over it, as flashy as his clothing was, informing everyone that he was doing a last show, “soul king?” You muttered to yourself “apparently he is doing a world tour and today is his last show” Robin mused with a small smile.
You and Robin approached Shakky’s bar from a distance and as you did that a curtain of dust followed by mindless yells was seeing, and you immediately knew who it was “is that Sanji?” Robin asked with a laugh, “could only be him” you joined the laugh.
Finally arriving at the ship you and Robin could only admire the house that you missed so much those two years “sorry to keep you waiting for two years” Robin mumbled and you nodded, “I’m glad you’re fine” you smiled, and suddenly a very familiar shout broke the moment, you turned quickly towards the sound, your face breaking into a uncontrollable smile.
“What attractive women before me!”
“Our super archeologist and our super swordswoman!” Franky said excitedly, bringing both of his (now huge) metal arms together, forming a star in the middle, it was also then when you noticed the change that Franky went though, you could barely recognize him if it wasn’t for his voice.
“Franky!” You smiled brightly “you haven’t changed Franky” Robin laughed, “I’ve changed silly!” He pointed the obvious making you laugh “look at my body, it’s full of romantic masculinity” he boasted all of the new changes he had made, making you raise your eyebrows “romantic masculinity?” You whispered.
As Franky went on, you stepped on the boat, feeling the new coating, it was such a nostalgic feeling, just being there, despite not having seen anything, or how your room is. Now that the three of you had finally met again, you were starting to get more used to the atmosphere.
The only thing left now was wait for the others.
And soon enough people started to arrive, Usopp, Nami arrived together, eventually Brook. Nami was quick to hug you as she practically spun you around, “ah! I missed you and Robin” she said with a glint on her eyes, “you look great!” Robin said which you instantly agreed.
Talking with them made the minutes run by fast, and before you even knew Rayleigh appeared by the ship alongside Shakky, explaining something that somewhat was bound to happen, you knew that being a StrawHat meant that you would never have a proper and peaceful sailing, and despite intense stress levels, it was warming knowing that everything was going back to normal once again.
While Nami was briefly taught on how to operate the ship with the new addiction of the coating, you were quick to glance around your surroundings, hearing in the very distance the rumble and noise that was being left in the island, you chuckled, knowing that one of the causes was probably derived by a boy whose smile was held so precious to you.
Soon enough you saw them, the rest of you crew flying high in the air. From a respectable distance you could already see, that huge smile on his face, a smile that you held so closely in your heart, in the lingering hope that eventually you would get to see it again.
And you did, suddenly, as if you had been holding your breath for the last two years, you exhaled deeply, shoulders sagging, becoming less tense. The first sentence in your mind was “It was worthy”, the intense training in the middle of nowhere, the pain, the blood, the crying, the wishing you could be anywhere else, it was all worthy in the end, because you were here, with them, and more especially, with him.
Everyone on the ship ran to the boarder, yelling their welcomes back and forth, when they landed — albeit a profusely nose bleeding Sanji who had to be rescued from the sea — they were all welcomed very warmly, hugs from everyone back and forth, you received a warm hand to the shoulder and everything from Zoro — which meant even him and his brooding personality missed you —.
When it came to your turn to talk to Luffy, you could barely have a single word out before he practically pounced on you, “hi cap— woah!” You chuckled as he wrapped himself in you with a strong yet warm grip, “Ah! I missed you so much!” He chuckled, his head resting on your shoulder, you could practically feel his smile.
“I missed you too, very much” you say with a smile of your own, he finally detangled off you but he still kept you within his arms, “no, you don’t get it, I missed you like, uh, like no other” he said, now in a more contained tone, as if he didn’t want the rest to know. You raised both of your eyebrows in surprise, “I do know, because I missed you the most out there Luffy, out of everyone in here, you were the one I missed the most” you say with a warm smile in your face.
“Ahh, it’s so good being back” he says excitedly, gluing his cheek on your, with a gentle touch, then he chuckled as he rubbed his nose as gentle as ever against your, “it really is good being back” you nod.
In the end, Luffy did keep his promise, he did come back, and it was in fact, all worthy.