God bless Oda for creating Nico Robin. But damn him for nerfing her epic powers in favor of the Monster Trio. -_- This is my first story for One Piece so forgive me if anything's odd or out of place. Or just call it an AU with bad plot holes.
Diclaimer: One piece will belong to Luffy. Because pirate king duh.
"I think you misunderstand. Monkey D. Luffy and his crew are a force to be reckoned with, yes. But what makes him so dangerous is that the worlds greatest threat is completely and utterly devoted to him. The future pirate king holds in his possession the love of a woman who can destroy the world...and he doesn't even realize it."
❀ Realization ❀
"What the hell Zoro, can't you ever listen to my instructions! This whole thing could have been avoided!"
"It's not my fault you have shitty directions, witch! Stop yelling at me and- OW!"
"Nami Swannnn~ I'm injured too-"
"Chopper's right there Sanji."
"But Nami Swannn!"
"Hey, Sanji! I'm hungry."
"Shut the hell up! I'm trying to bandage someone here!"
"Franky, how can you move around in that condition? You're bleeding like hell!"
All this Robin listened to while staring calmly down at her latest novel. Long silky black hair curtained her face, hiding her eyes from view as she briefly looked up at her chaotic bunch of nakama before chuckling silently and shaking her head.
Ussop, who'd been on lookout that morning, had spotted a mysterious island through some very thick fog. Nami had, on her captains orders, ordered the crew to set sail despite her own doubts. It had taken a considerably long time to actually reach the island considering the storm that had surrounded it, but when they did reach it Robin had decided to stay behind.
It wasn't uncommon for her to keep out of the crews shenanigans, so no one really tried to convince her to come along. The island was dark and somewhat gloomy at first glance considering the rocky outlands that surrounded it. Robin had briefly entertained the idea of going along just to see if she'd find anything interesting, though it was obvious by now that it was a wise move on her part considering everyone's injuries.
Still. She was an archaeologist after all, and any island no matter it's appearance could hold the answers to all the mysteries she was trying to uncover. Recently however, her mind had been drifting to more...confusing things that dealt less with history and more with human emotion.
One such example was when the crew had been having lunch. Sanji with his vibrant smiles and innocently flirty comments had prepared a delicious meal for all of them. Luffy like always had eaten most of it, stuffing his face with ardor.
Zoro and Nami bickered over the sake, Chopper had stars in his eyes as Franky bragged about a new upgrade on his body, and Ussop had seemed content with telling Robin another one of his 'grande adventure' stories he so loved to make up. Sitting between a steadily fattening Captain and a dramatic long nosed sniper didn't leave Robin much room to breathe. So she simply put on a kind smile and listen to Ussop while she picked boredly at her meal.
By the time Luffy had finished his fifth plate and had reached for another, Sanji was already shoving the young mans hands away. A futile argument flared between the two, and at that point Robin was already drifting off and wanting to go to her room to read.
So instead of enduring the tale of Ussop and his 80,000 million followers sailing to the Grand Line with a single raft of all things, Robin could have sworn the sniper claimed he'd used a submarine last time, she decided to take the easy way out.
"Sanji," Robin had called, causing Ussop to pause in his story and Sanji to immediately turn his attention to her. Hearts for eyes took over his expression as he shoved Luffy's head away and practically glided to her side of the table.
"Yes Robin chwan!" He asked enthusiastically, the fiery aura he'd adorned before had vanished. Robin inwardly chuckled.
"If you don't mind, could you save my portion of dinner for later? I'm quite tired..." And then as if remembering Luffy, Robin turned to him. "Or Captain san could have it for himself. He's bound to find another way to get his food even if you deny him."
"Eh?!" Sanji's face fell at the thought that Robin wouldn't be eating the meal he'd prepared. But Luffy only grinned from ear to ear, smiling at Robin as if she was a food baring angel.
"Thanks Robin!" Her ever enthusiastic captain said with a warm cheerful pat on her shoulder. Robin felt her entire body flinch at the simple touch, though Luffy didn't seem to notice. He also didn't waste time in taking her plate, hand brushing briefly against hers as the meal changed owners. When her skin jerked again at the contact, Robin quickly decided that it was time for her to go.
The dark haired archaeologist shrewdly didn't glance at Sanji nor Ussop as she stood up from her chair to leave. Nami had briefly glanced up to ask where she was going, but at seeing Sanji's crestfallen look the redhead rolled her eyes. Zoro said something to her, which quickly resulted in the two bickering again.
Robin briefly ruffled Choppers fur as she left the room and walked down the hall to the chamber she and Nami shared. When she reached her bed, Robin didn't bother to light any of the candles or to fetch a book. She simply collapsed on her bed and pressed a cool hand to her forehead.
This had been happening a lot lately. Luffy spent much time with his crew, and he wasn't a reserved person in the least. He was easily excited, easily interested, and quite oblivious to just about everything that mattered other than fighting, eating, or having an adventure. Yet whenever he was around Robin, the intelligent woman would become much more aware of her surroundings. Everything seemed electrified when he sat near her or brushed skin with her.
Before it had been subtle, happening a lot more frequently after everything at Enies Lobby, and Robin had simply disregarded it. After all, what woman wouldn't feel different, when someone had just taken on practically the world for them? During that time Robin had gone through many different emotions from pain, fear, to hope and a strong will to be with the crew that had given her a reason to live. Her changing emotions towards Luffy had been quite frankly...irritating. Especially when she knew that Luffy had no interest in women, or men for that matter. And even if he did, Robin was his precious Nakama. Nothing more, nothing less.
Yet that didn't stop her heart from shuddering whenever he was closer than comfort. It didn't stop goose bumps from forming whenever his breath ran over her skin. But Robin was a quiet, discreet woman. She tried not to let her avoidance of the captain or her instant reactions to him show. She never did anything as immaturely obvious like blushing or stuttering.
However, the slight sweat that would form on her brow or her stiffened posture could be easily noticed if ones eyes were sharp enough. And it would be clearly blatant if someone did notice; that it only happened around Luffy.
And now as she read her book and listened to the loud chattering of her crew mates as Nami and Chopper tried to handle them all, her eyes keenly aware of Luffy who was laughing heartily one minute and then asking Sanji for dinner the next, Robin decided that she needed to do something about her pesky feelings.
She'd been hurt and betrayed so much. And yet she knew Luffy was different. It was that very reason that he was different that Robin couldn't burden him with trying to understand or even be aware of her feelings for him. If Luffy ever did find love, it should be with someone like Nami- or someone not in the crew at all.
'A lovely young lass.' Robin thought as she shifted in her seat, watching as Nami smacked both Luffy and Sanji on the back of their heads. 'Someone as simple as Luffy, but smart enough to keep him out of trouble. Someone who won't threaten his freedom. Someone who isn't me...'
At that very moment, Luffy glanced over at her. The blackest of eyes met her own, and seemed to stare right through her. As if every thought running through her head could be seen by him. A bruise had formed on his head from Nami's onslaught, but he seemed to forget that as he blinked blankly at her. Robin kept her expression completely calm as her captain smiled briefly in her direction before he remembered he was hungry and began shouting at Sanji again.
Robin wet her lips and stared down at the pages of her book once more, though she knew she wouldn't be able to focus on the story from now on. Not so long as her mind swam with these... troublesome...thoughts. Her heart felt like it was about to fall right out of her chest. And he had only smiled at her. He smiled all the time, at everyone and anyone.
She was a stoic woman when need be, but how long could she endure this?
'Truly...' Robin sighed inwardly as she placed a hand under her chin. 'This could become a problem.'
I really shouldn't be trying to make another story right now. Too many things going on- but there isn't enough Luro fics! I love Zorobin as much as anyone else but Luffy and Robin are equally likely in my opinion. Meh. Anyway, the rating for this might change when later chapters come.
