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There was a long, tense pause as all eyes fell to Luffy. He sat on the top of the dining room chair, hand on his chin and his face twisted in thought.
“But…”
That single word sent a jolt to Franky’s heart, a wave of sparks through his chest.
“Robin's already our nakama. That means we want to spend our lives with her. Why do you want to give her a ring?”
The tension quickly dissolved into sighs as Luffy looked around at his crew. “Does that mean we need to get her rings?”
Franky laughed a little. “It's a different kind of love, brother. You don't need to get her a ring.”
Luffy's brow furrowed. “That's good…what's the point then?”
Sanji grinned, shaking his head. “Really, captain…” He turned to Franky. “Don't worry. Even though you'll be taking my darling Robin's heart, I'll forgive you because I know it'll make her happy. I'll make sure to explain it to Luffy later.”
Franky winced, and Nami rolled her eyes. “ I'll explain it, don't worry.”
Luffy bolted forward sharply, almost toppling his chair in the process. “You stole her heart? How?! Traffy, did you help?”
“You're…insane. All of you.”
Law’s words were stiff with shock, but his tone rose with his temper. “Have you forgotten where we're going? To engage a warlord? To piss off a Yonko of the sea?!”
Franky chuckled. “Trust me, Traffy. I haven't forgotten that engagement either. I'm just focused on this one right now!”
If Law were a cyborg, his glare would have shot laser beams.
“I mean, you've got a plan, right?” Usopp pointed out. “So it's not like we need to plan on our way. We're just killing time until Dressrosa anyways.”
Law opened his mouth. His gaze fell to Luffy’s broad grin. The captain might not understand completely, but he knew his friends, and he knew love. And Luffy never passed up on that.
Against that? Traffy didn’t stand a chance.
Law sighed. “You all can do what you want.” He said stiffly. “But don't expect me to play along.”
Nami of all people snapped up the challenge immediately. “We're allies now, Traffy .” She reminded him with a smug look. “We execute our plans together , right? Besides, it'll be good practice for Dressrosa.”
Law's gaze grew stormy, and Franky could practically see the gears turning in his head. After Punk Hazard, he'd been witness to how quickly plans went off the rails.
His mouth twisted into a grimace. Slowly, begrudgingly, he nodded.
“Super!” Franky barely managed to keep it to a stealthy volume. “I'm gonna be real with you, bros, I really need your help. And hey, look, Traffy, I am thinking ahead.”
The irritation from Law’s gaze was turning to sheer exhaustion.
Franky raised his hands, still unable to keep the grin off his face. “Honest! Like you said, warlord then yonko. Doesn't sound like we'll have a lot of free time. I'm taking the chance I've got!”
Law’s eyes darkened, bitterness seeping into them like dark oil. “And if one of you doesn't make it?”
Franky paused. Law's voice had struck some part inside his tinny chest.
Bitter words, an echo he’d heard his own voice sneering back a thousand times. Crying out like a broken call of defeat from the highest point of Enies Lobby. Shaking through his chest like the thunder of a train pounding down the tracks.
Franky looked at Law. He smiled.
“Won't change my heart, brother. I'll be glad I didn't wait.”
Law’s eyes widened slightly. He opened his mouth, then closed it with a snap. Law didn’t understand, not really. Franky knew he wouldn’t have either, not for a long time.
Not until Enies Lobby.
Means there’s hope for you yet.
“You're serious about all this, huh?” Zoro finally spoke up, an amused gleam in his eyes. He'd been leaning against the wall, Chopper watching curiously by his side. They probably didn't really get all this either, but they just seemed excited.
“Don't know how much help I'll be,” Zoro admitted. “But if you need me, I'll be there.”
Franky grinned. “Brother, that's all I need. See, I've still got one hundred rings left to go and--”
Nami's eyes practically bugged out of her head. “ONE HUNDRED?!”
“....left to go?” Brook finished, tilting his skeletal head to the side.
Franky grinned. “So, here's the plan…”
-----
There were three things that made Robin suspect a plot.
The first was simple enough; the deck of The Thousand Sunny was completely empty. Some absences were ordinary; Franky often worked belowdecks with Usopp, it was close enough to dinner time that Sanji might be cooking, and Zoro’s favorite napping spot, the crow’s nest, was far out of view of the main deck.
And yet, Robin couldn’t help but feel the slightest bit lonely, and that made her curious. With the usual cacophony of snores, tinkering, cooking and laughter, it was hard to feel alone. Though the deck wasn’t always crowded, the ship was never quiet… except for now.
So when Luffy crept his way onto the deck in an overexaggerated tip-toe, Robin grinned.
“Captain, there you are!” She carefully set the thin metal bookmark into her novel, placing it to the side. “I was wondering where everyone went off to.”
Luffy’s face lit up, an expression Robin never tired of seeing. “Oh hey, Robin!” He grinned widely. “Sorry! We’re all belowdecks, plann--”
A freckled, tattooed arm shot out from behind the kitchen door, snatching Luffy and pulling him inside with a harsh whisper of “IDIOT!”
Robin blinked, a smile beginning to tug at the corners of her mouth, fully spreading as Nami poked her head around the door.
“Hey Robin!” She said, her perfectly casual tone at odds with the angry vein throbbing on her forehead. “You look hungry, want a snack?”
Robin chuckled softly. “That sounds nice,” She admitted. “But honestly, I’d like company a bit more. I’m not used to the Sunny being so quiet.”
“Oh! Well, sure!” Nami seemed a little hesitant, and Robin’s curiosity only grew. But it wasn’t long before she came back out with a couple of tangerines, sitting in the chair next to Robin and starting to peel them in a perfect spiral.
“What do I owe the occasion?” Robin asked, taking the slices that Nami handed her. Nami wasn’t always picky with her precious tangerines, but she was selective enough that the sudden appearance of them raised an eyebrow.
Nami grinned a little. “Hey, it’s not like you’re Luffy. I know you’ll actually savor it, and not complain it isn’t meat.”
Robin chuckled, sliding a slice between her lips. It burst flavor on her tongue, as warm and bright as sunshine. “Where is our captain, anyways? He seemed to have something to tell me.”
She had to bite her lip to hold back a giggle as Nami’s face reddened. “Oh! Well, you know Luffy. He probably just found a bug or something.”
Robin hummed, tilting her head. “Perhaps. Though it sounded like he said you all were planning something.”
Nami laughed a little too loudly. “Planning? Um, probably dinner with Sanji or--”
“Nami!” Usopp’s voice cut off her fumbling excuses. “I uh, need your help down here! With…a map!”
Nami shot to her feet. “A map! Sure thing Usopp, I’ll be right down!” She turned to Robin quickly. “Hey, raincheck, ok? I’ll be back…soon.”
Robin opened her book again, smiling. “Very well. Go have fun with your…map.”
A part of her wished Nami could have stayed a bit longer to tease, but at the very least, some of the tension had eased. Her crew was up to some kind of hare-brained scheme, and Robin was very interested to find out what exactly it was.
She knew she could find out that instant if she chose; create some eyes and ears below decks to peek. But the anticipation would only make things more interesting, wouldn’t it?
So instead, Robin pulled out her book again, trying to focus on the pages instead of wondering through what the crew was up to. She found herself preoccupied with the bookmark instead.
“ I normally don’t make things this thin, so if it ever breaks, let me know and I’ll fix it right up!”
Franky’s hand dwarfed her own as he’d placed it into her palm, a thin sheet of bronze that was smooth and cool to the touch.
“Is this…?”
“No way!” He’d crowed. “The surprise is way cooler than this. It’s just something to hold ya over.” His hand had come up, scratching at the newly cropped hair at the back of his head. “You’re always looking for a bookmark, you know? And this one folds up into a bracelet, so you can keep it on ya whenever you need!”
“Always the practical one,” she’d teased.
His face had flushed red, and he’d stumbled out an awkward string of words before dashing off for some new project.
Robin held up the bookmark, smiling. The sunlight streamed in through the holes punched through the thin metal, little stars clustered into constellations. She never remembered a time where a bookmark held her attention longer than the book itself.
Movement caught the corner of her eye.
She lowered the bookmark, glancing over to see Chopper leaning his entire body out from behind the main deck’s tree.
Her grin was automatic. “Chopper! How can I help you?”
He bolted upright, eyes widening in shock that she'd seen through his ironclad stealth skills.
“Oh! Hi, Robin! Ummm….”
He ran towards the kitchen, Sanji's surprised shout sounding as the door slammed open, then shut, then open again.
He returned in an instant to dash across the deck, a colorful box clutched in his hooves. “Want to play Candy Land with me?”
“Certainly!” Robin was quick to put her book to the side again, but his frantic rush of words brought another curious smile to her lips.
“I know it's your favorite, but what's the rush?”
Chopper crawled onto the chair opposite her, starting to set up the game. “Oh, well…Nami said you were feeling lonely. And a doctor’s gotta take care of his patients, body and mind!” he declared, puffing out his furry little chest.
Robin chuckled, sitting up. “Well, that’s very sweet of you, Doctor Chopper.” She cast her eyes over the pieces. “Could I be the blue candy man this time?”
Chopper blinked “Huh? Sure, but aren't you normally purple?”
The frosting of the blue gingerbread man was done in a stylish swoop over his brow, sticking up in a silly pompadour. Robin could almost imagine pointed sunglasses over its gumdrop eyes.
An odd sort of flutter brushed her stomach, and she smiled. “Mmm, usually. I don't know. I've been very fond of the color as of late.”
The game was fun as always, most of her enjoyment coming from watching Chopper's gleaming eyes and adorable little wiggles as he got lucky cards.
But right as they finished their game, Nami called Chopper from belowdecks. He jumped to his feet. “I'm sorry Robin! It could be important!” He said, eyes darting to and fro.
Robin gave him an indulgent smile. “Go on, then.”
He dashed off, and she cleaned up the game. Maybe it was all of the colorful illustrations of the candy, but she was craving something sweet. Besides, she needed to put the game away.
She'd only just gotten to the kitchen door when it swung open.
She nearly bumped into Zoro's broad chest, standing like a sentry in the doorway with his arms crossed.
“You can't go in there.”
Robin blinked. “Oh? But I need to put--”
Zoro gently took the game out of her hands. Without a second glance or a moment's hesitation, he tossed it over his shoulder.
Robin blinked.
There was a resounding “ crash!” as pieces and cards scattered all over the kitchen floor.
“WHAT GIVES, MOSSHEAD?!” Sanji hollered. “GET IN HERE AND I'LL--”
“I took care of it, Robin.” Zoro annunciated her name, instantly silencing Sanji. “So there’s no need to go in the kitchen now.”
“Robin, sweetheart!” Sanji’s voice instantly melted. “Don't worry, I'll clean up that ogre's mess!”
Robin bit her lip to hold back a smile. “Are you sure? I can--”
Zoro’s blunt words cut her off. “I need you.”
And with a gentle but firm grip on her arm, he dragged her off.
---
“What do you think? More hair gel?”
“You're that nervous?”
Franky froze at Usopp's words, turning to him with a sheepish smile. “How'd you know?”
Usopp chuckled, jerking his chin towards the row of crumpled cola cans on the dresser…next to three empty bottles of gel.
“You get weird about your hair when you're nervous.” Usopp chuckled.
“Look who's talking! You're telling me if you were poppin the question to Kaya, you wouldn't be freaked?”
“Well, sure. But I'm always...uh..freaked?” Usopp shrugged. “I don't think I've ever seen you like this. Are you afraid she'll say no?”
Franky's brow furrowed. “She's special, you know? I want to make every memory she has the happiest it can be, to make up for lost time. So if she ends up just seeing me as a good pal, I want to make sure I'm not giving her another bad memory.”
Usopp was quiet for a moment. “Franky. You could have just dated her for a while. Feel things out. That's normally what people do.”
A spark flew from Franky's ear.
“Oh.”
That did make more sense, huh? He could be a real bolt-brain sometimes. But hey! Robin knew that, too.
A grin spread across his mouth. “Too late now! Guess I give it my best shot and I roll with it!”
Usopp sighed as he started to gather up the gel bottles. “If I lived my life like you, I'd be dead of a heart attack at 30.”
----
“So. What do you think?”
A hand sprouted from Robin's shoulder to tap her chin. “Well. Honestly, Zoro, I don’t think it matters what side of the room you keep your weights on.”
“It does.” Zoro said dispassionately.
“Oh. Well, are they more convenient closer to the door?”
Zoro gave a small grunt of thought. “Could be. Let’s see.”
For the fourth time that afternoon, Zoro started to heft his impressive weight collection from one side of his gym to the other as Robin watched. She’d learned by the second time to not offer any help, she’d be waved off with a grunt.
“There.” Zoro paused, a slight smirk coming over his face. “Wait, not quite.”
With a quick shove of his foot, he pushed one of the racks of weights to spill over the floor. A second later, Sanji ran into the room. “ROBIN-CHA--CRAP!”
His sudden burst into the room hadn’t accounted for the weights, now at perfect height to make him stumble. The small plate flew out of his hands to the sound of Zoro’s low chuckle.
Robin managed to sidestep in time, and Sanji lunged forward, snatching the sandwich before it hit the ground.
“Wow.” Zoro deadpanned. “Can’t believe you called Robin “crap.” Not very princely, is it?”
Sanji was on his feet and winding up a kick in an instant. “You moron! I’d never do that to our sweet, perfect Robin! Besides, this is your fault! What do you think you’re doing, leaving weights all over the floor?”
“Training. Don’t think you’ve ever heard of it, idiot cook. That’s why your kicks are so weak.”
“Why you--!”
“Sanji, was that sandwich for me?” Robin interrupted politely.
Sanji instantly whipped his head around to her. “Oh! It was, but it’s all messed up now from falling. I’ll go make you a fresh one, okay? It’s an apology for Mosshead making you leave the kitchen earlier.”
Robin brightened up. “I’d love to come with you, maybe I can help?”
Sanji shook his head vehemently. “I’d never let a lady make a meal in my presence! That’s my job as our cook, Robin dearest!”
Robin bit back a sigh, merely smiling. “Of course.”
Sanji returned a few minutes later, this time with Usopp and Brook. That did brighten things up, Usopp of course having many strong opinions on where to best store Zoro’s weights, for the highest amount of manliness.
From there, that turned into a tumbling string of stories from before her time on the crew. By the end of it, they were all sitting in a circle on the floor, eating snacks. Zoro and Sanji even joined in. Robin heard about the Rumbar Pirates, Baratie, Syrup Village, and even some islands she’d known about from her time as Miss All-Sunday.
“And that’s when Mosshead decided the best idea would be to cut his own feet off.” Sanji said with a smirk, taking a drag of his cigarette. “In front of two ladies, no less!”
“It would have worked!” Zoro snapped.
“Hey.”
To Robin’s surprise, Traffy appeared in the doorway of Zoro’s workout room. He stood like his limbs had turned to wood, staring at them all with a blank expression.
“Strawhat wants Zoro, Brook, Sanji and Usopp for something.”
The others shot up, Brook, Usopp and Sanji quickly shooting off apologies before rushing out. Law, oddly enough, stepped the rest of the way in and leaned against the wall.
Robin tilted her head. “Traffy, you’ve been so evasive.” She chuckled softly. “I’m flattered that you’ve decided to spend time with me today.”
Law stiffened further, a possibility Robin hadn’t considered. “...it was put as an additional condition for our alliance.”
Robin blinked, holding back her smile. “Was it now? That seems awfully quick, we’re only a day or so out from Dressrosa.”
“It was.” The words were practically ground out through gritted teeth, and Robin’s amusement grew.
“Well, regardless of coercion, I appreciate you taking the time.” She started gathering up the plates from their snack.
“I don’t understand.” he spoke again. “How your crew can be so…” he struggled for the words, surely leafing through a myriad of highly insulting ones before settling on “ carefree.”
Robin bit down a giggle. “Right now, it seems they’re planning on enjoying the voyage. It wasn’t so long since we were all separated, I’m sure they’re just excited to get to spend time together. It was a long two years.”
Law grunted. Robin wondered if he was thinking of his own crew; left behind on Zou for this dangerous plot of his. The Strawhats had been separated by necessity, she couldn’t imagine Luffy going off with only himself on purpose.
She’d just opened her mouth to gently breach the topic when Law straightened up suddenly. “I wanted your opinion. On the plan. Before we get closer to Dressrosa.”
Robin blinked. Every word seemed dragged out of him, and it was only bringing her curiosity to new heights.
Still, she agreed. She brought Law to the suspiciously empty women’s bunks, watching as he laid out the map and went over, in slow and precise detail, what he’d laid out. It wasn’t a very long one; they weren’t planning on fighting at all if they had to. After a third reiteration of a point, Robin spoke up.
“Traffy, there really does seem to be something bothering you. I know Dressrosa will be stressful, but--”
“I’ve been preparing for years. It isn’t that.” He admitted. “I want to ask you something, Robin-ya.”
She nodded softly, and he continued.
“You’re all so…tight-knit. You rush into everything. When you do make plans, they’re with absolute certainty that everything will go fine, that you’ll all just make it out alive with no problems.”
“Yes,” Robin said softly.
“And that doesn’t bother you?” Law snapped. His inked hands tightened their grip on the table, before loosening with clear effort. “...it’s not my place to ask. We’re allies, it doesn’t matter.”
Robin hummed, thinking over his words. “It’s a good question, Traffy. It’s easy to see us as foolhardy. And I suppose we are, in a way.”
Law stiffened, but didn’t interrupt.
“My home, Ohara, burned. Truthfully, I thought it had taken my heart with it. Everyone who’d ever showed me kindness, every place I’d ever known, everything that had ever brought me comfort. And all I had to hold onto was a promise that didn’t feel real.”
Law swallowed thickly. “A promise?”
Robin smiled, feeling the pressure grow behind her eyes. “His last words were that I would find friends someday. Friends who would love me, and live alongside me. A promise that no one is born into this world to be alone.”
Law’s breath caught. Robin smiled.
“So why do we love so recklessly? Why do you plant flowers? Is it because they’ll bloom forever, or because they are sweet and beautiful in their time? If we live our lives expecting every good thing to last forever, we won’t live them at all.”
Law’s head dipped, the brim of his hat shading his eyes. “I see,” he said finally. “That’s…enlightening. To the habits of your crew, anyways.”
To other things too, I’d imagine.
Robin smiled warmly. “I’m very glad to hear that.” she wiped at the edges of her eyes, chuckling a little. “It wasn’t so long ago I thought the same ways that you do. Love does funny things to our hearts.”
He was silent for a long moment. He’d opened his mouth to speak, when the most artificial, odd-sounding CAW! Split through the air.
Law brought his hand to his brow, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Robin-ya--” he tried again.
“CA-CAW!”
“Screw it.” he sighed. “ROOM!”
Robin blinked as the cabin filled with blue light. “What exactly--?”
“Now, SHAMBLES.”
In an instant, she was snatched away to the topside.
The sky was starting to wash a beautiful shade of pink and violet, the sun sinking into the water in a blaze of gold. And all around her, the deck of the ship had been transformed.
Strings of lights glittered in the branches of the trees, the rails of the ship, even around the masts. Her flower boxes had been carefully arranged in a wide circle around her, cushioned in the emerald grass of the deck. The scent of salt air mingled softly with something rich and sweet. A wind blew through her hair, sending ebony strands to sweep over her bare shoulders. And the gentle melody of a violin dipped and swayed in time with the waves.
Luffy sat on the balcony, the first one to meet her eyes as she got her bearings. “Robin!!! Hey! Glad you made it!”
His legs swung as he sat, an energy filling him that he couldn’t contain. His grin was as wide as the sky. Beside him, Nami and Zoro leaned over the rail, wearing equally smug grins.
“You don’t need to worry, Robin.” Nami said with a grin. “You look gorgeous. I made sure of it.”
Robin blinked.
Oh.
“ You need to wear a dress today!” Nami had insisted that morning, steering her back into their quarters with a huff. “It’s too nice of a day to wander around in shorts!”
“Aren’t you wearing a bikini?” Robin had chuckled.
“Then I’ll change too!”
She’d convinced Robin into a soft purple dress, fluttering in layers like petals over her legs and stitched with silvery vines on the bodice. Her hair fell in soft waves, another testament to Nami’s hard work.
And now, as Robin looked up at her friend, Nami’s eyes gleamed as if she was looking at every treasure in the world. Her eyes shifted to gaze over Robin’s head.
Everything felt like a daze, like a dream, as she slowly turned.
Franky knelt in the grass behind her.
He chuckled softly. “Hey, who’s this gorgeous woman in front of me? That you, Robin?”
His eyes shone in the soft light, and she could have sobbed. On the deck of the ship like in Sabaody, where he’d promised her a surprise yet to come.
Her eyes whipped up, darting around. Usopp and Sanji stood off by the main mast, matching grins on their face. Chopper was clinging onto Usopp’s leg, barely containing his pure joy. Leaning against the rail was the source of the music, Brook tilting his head to her with his skeletal grin.
“Hello,” Her voice was too soft, like it would be swept away by the sea winds. “You haven’t changed, Franky!” She echoed her own words from that day.
And oh, how his face burst with joy. “Haven’t changed? I buttoned my shirt for you, lady!” his laugh boomed around the ship, and Robin couldn’t help but laugh along. He had, a black button-up with dark blue flowers covering the surface. It was the least color she’d ever seen Franky in, his very best attempt at being formal.
Her eyes traveled lower and she had to bite her lip. He was still wearing his speedo.
His hands came up, encircling hers. Warm. Safe. Steel forged by a man who’d loved himself with every blow of the hammer. Who loved her, with every beat of his heart.
“I’m not the kind of man with a lot of pretty words. You and your books, you’d outshine me any day. But Nico Robin, you’re the kind of lady who makes me want to try.”
Tears began to spring from her eyes, and she had to blink; again and again and again to keep them from spilling over. Franky’s smile softened.
“You’re incredible. You’re funny, kind, and beautiful. You’re the smartest gal I know, and you’re ambitious to learn even more. You inspire me, I see you work and I’ve gotta get better too! When we were all separated, there wasn’t a day I didn’t think about you. My lovely archeologist, my nakama, my Nico Robin. And…well, I already said it, but I’m not the kind of dude who just thinks about his feelings, right? So I got a little project started. And, wouldn’t ya know it?”
His laugh rang out again, so eager and earnest and warm. “Robin, you beat me to it! I had everything all done, and you impossible, beautiful, insane woman, you’d grown so much more than I’d ever imagined. I didn’t think I could be more impressed with someone, but there you were!”
“Franky…” his hands squeezed over hers, gently, and she managed to stop her words from spilling out.
“So it’s later than I wanted. Back when I first saw you on Sabaody, I wanted to scoop you into my arms, and say all this right then and there. But Robin, you’re the kind of gal I want to put everything into. So I needed a little more time to catch up. Now, I think I finally have.”
With those words, Sanji and Usopp appeared again, lugging two massive barrels with them. With a pop of flower petals and blue confetti, they burst. A soft metallic rain hissed as dozens, hundreds of rings poured out onto the deck of the ship.
Robin, wide eyed, tore her eyes away to stare at Franky. He grinned up at her.
“One ring for each hand!” He exclaimed.
Robin couldn’t help it. She laughed. It was the silliest, sweetest thing she could ever think of. It was so Franky.
And as she laughed, he shifted, opening a hatch over where his pulse would be and taking out a single ring.
“A thousand and one rings,” he said proudly. “For every day, and for any day.”
“Nico Robin, will you make me the most SUPER happy man in this crazy world? Will you marry me?”
Tears swelled in her eyes, and she couldn’t speak for all the joy blooming in her chest. She held out her hand, nodding.
Her hands lifted, every single one, from the deck of the ship. And as Franky slid that ring onto her finger, her hands got to work. Each one was affixed with his craftsmanship until she was glowing with the work of his heart.
Robin couldn’t help herself. The hands raised, cupping around her and Franky and swirling them into a flower bud of an embrace. A little cocoon, where she held him tight to her. He pulled her close, soft in the cushion of her grip and surrounded by glittering metal like a sky full of stars.
“ Yes! ” she whispered. Her own two hands cupped his silly, grinning face.
Robin kissed the man she loved. At that moment, every promise became possible.