Story Note(s): PLEASE READ
-The general idea is to put Robin in a relationship with an OC. I'm attempting to write with a slight gritty tone, so it may be handy to keep tissues on hand. Yes there will be fluff a plenty and lemon(s) on the near horizon. It's just how I naturally write.
-I am planning out a way to push Luffy and Nami together (I think it just feels right). Also exploring with having the other characters get into relationships. (There will be NO yaoi, I really dislike it. I also find it 'unfair' to Zoro and Sanji.)
-This story does jump ahead, I decided to start in the middle pretty much. I'm exploring the idea of fleshing out a 'prologue' at a later time if it is wanted.
-It is somewhat non-conical, I just think of it as an arc all of it's own.
-I'm doing what I can to stay in character as much as possible but add depth to the characters of One Piece. I hope I am doing a good job of it.
For you Sanji lovers, you'll have to forgive me, I'm shamelessly using him for my benefit.
-In the beginning I simply forgot about Brook, but he's inconsequential to my story so he was not written in.
-If I understand correctly, Robin originally has brown eyes in the manga and somehow magically having blue eyes in the anime (I've only been keeping up with the manga). Let's face it, there are more ways to describe blue compared to brown. So I ran with the blue-eyed Robin. Besides, I simply like blue much better. Mmmm, blue-eyed raven-haired woman, yay!
Author Note(s):
-Okay, I DO find the idea of Zoro and Robin as a coupling logical, I may explore this later in a separate fic if I ever feel up to the challenge. I simply find it the best and my favorite conical pairing. =)
-I hope my literacy skills are up to snuff. I've been finding way too many O.P. fics with abhorred grammar and spelling. It makes me want to puke and write on my monitor with a marker just to make me feel better. I find it to be my biggest motivator to write this.
-I really hope to finish this story, I'm gonna cross my fingers and hope to keep the fire stoked. It'll help that this is the most enjoyable piece I've put together thus far.
-Oh and I uh don't have a BETA reader....so hopefully I've caught as many mistakes as possible with my multiple passes.
-I think that's about it, hope you enjoy.
There he was, clad in his navy blue floral print trunks sunbathing on the deck. Head resting on clasped hands beneath it. Robin could tell from his body language that he wasn't asleep, his sunglass shaded eyes watching the sky. She had also learned that he only pulled out his MP3 player when he wanted to close himself off to the world, and Robin could sympathize. With the crew manning the ship and a particular happy go lucky captain some sort of decibel blocking device would be welcome.
Her eyes go back down to her book staring at her makeshift bookmark, the rubber edged silver plates he had always worn till that day.
Robin traces a finger over the stamped lettering on the metal, she had already memorized what was stamped on the surface.
Sato
Sanosuke
392335280
AB+
N/A
Part of her cognitive process always wondering about it.
Her eyes close remembering that moment, his hand clenched and holding it out to her, dropping the dogtags into her outstretched hands. With a slight grin on his face and a wink he walked off without looking back.
Robin softly sighs, 'What did it mean?' Asking herself for probably the multi-thousandth time.
Being an archaeologist she had studied human psychology, after all if you wanted to understand a lost culture or remains, you had to understand the people.
'Of all his meager possessions, this was the most personal.' she had easily answered.
'But why?' again asking the same question.
'Because of anything else, this is his only link to his identity.' an answering bubbling forth quickly.
Robin blinks suddenly, 'But that still doesn't answer the 'why'.'
She pushes it aside, her gaze going back to the man. Caramel skin containing the sculpted frame, sure he already was in peak physical condition on arrival, but somehow he managed to push himself further. His large frame accepting the growing muscles and seemed to proudly display them.
Zoro may be the muscle man of the crew, but Sano could surely give him a run for his money. Zoro was simply inhuman, his thinner frame causing him to look more lean than he really was.
Robin softly bites on her lower lip as she continues to compare the men aboard.
Usopp was simply a write off, Franky was in his own world, and Chopper wasn't technically a human.
So it came down to the other four, Sanji's personality made him the least attractive. Built of lean powerful muscle and yes was very handsome, but Robin simply shrugged her shoulders at him other than being an excellent chef.
Robin's eyes going to Luffy fishing on the prow of the ship, the Captain was just happy go lucky, as naïve as a child and three times as curious. Much like Sanji he carried a lean but powerful body. In raw power he ranked number one, however he was fun to admire and mostly pleasing to the eye much like Sanji, but her roommate seemed to be the only one who had a preference to the young captain.
Robin's eyes now tracing over to the resident swordsman swinging away with his weights. Now Zoro, he was always eyecandy, he was also deceivingly perceptive. But when training as he is, his mind was completely focused on one passion, his swordsmanship. Nami and Robin enjoyed the view no less, watching his muscles ripple in shear power and passion.
It was a secret the women shared, one of the reasons why they really enjoyed the raised deck overlooking the main. From this position they could take in everything going on while being out of the way, and on days such as this admire the half clad men who seemed to enjoy sunbathing as much as they did.
Robin unconsciously beginning to suck on her lip as her eyes drank in the man she left for last.
A stranger who had suddenly landed in their laps, the man from another world.
Robin loved the caramel tone his body took, his unmoving body looking like a modern statued god. His body matching his six foot three height, muscles proportionately filling the frame. Now he was the best eye candy she'd ever laid eyes on, scars and all.
He wasn't disgustingly bulked out, but was right at perfect. A body that all women and even men could desire. It didn't simply stop there, oh no it didn't.
In combat he was as ferocious as Zoro, quickly earning himself a bounty like the rest of the crew. Yet having a soft caring side that Robin had secretly discovered. He was nearly as good natured as the Captain.
Robin recalls the memory of walking out of the bookstore in a port town, she saw Sano crouching down laughing with some ragtag children and then handed them some money to take care of themselves. They had nearly jumped out of their skins in joy and ran off.
She couldn't help but ask, he simply tilted his head and grinned saying he'd explain later.
Later Robin had finally cornered the man, slowly he explained that he'd seen his fair share of orphans from war-torn countries. Saddened that the town its self was prosperous and in no threat from war or pirates, yet children like that were completely neglected. He shrugged and said that they needed it more than he did. He'd chuckled and talked about some people just needed a little help to make things better in their life, hope was the best offer you could give to someone, after all human beings always wanted to have hope in something.
Robin softly sighs, 'Damn that man, how could any woman NOT melt at something so touching.'
From then on she had made it a secret hobby to follow the man, watching him give some of his money away and even playing with them when he came across such children. Once even nearly beating a man to death for using young ones to earn money for him.
Her mind rewinding back to that chuckle, she loved the way he laughed. It was a rumbling deep full laugh, it was pleasing to her ears, and when he did his throaty chuckle it always sent shivers down her spine and wondered what other noises he could make.
Robin feeling heat rise to her cheeks she raises her book to mask it.
'Careful now, I don't need Nami to get nosy.'
The raven haired woman analyzing the man more, in battle he was cold and calculating, but on the flip side he treated people in general with respect and kindness, especially those down on their luck.
Robin found it frustrating when they went to town as a group, especially to a bar or restaurant. Women would quietly stalk the men, trying their best to approach them.
Sanji welcomed it which they all had become accustomed to, Luffy just simply didn't understand and focused more on the food itself. Zoro would simply give his glare to chase off anyone. Hell even Usopp sometimes attracted attention.
However it was with Sano that she sometimes wanted to pull her hair out at or usually resist growling at the women like a feral animal protecting it's meal.
He was just too kind, smiling softly and politely turning down women, which seemed to have an opposite effect, it drew more attention. It was bad enough he had that nearly infuriatingly charming smile that even made her melt, but like he said before he wasn't in the business of breaking hearts so he tried his best to kindly let them down.
Sanji thought it was a riot, enjoying how many more women seemed to flock around, it was bliss for him, but for Robin it was the opposite.
She felt her blood pressure steadily lower, it was true that you didn't always run into a kind man in this era of pirates, and to mix it with his delicious body and rugged handsome looks with a dash of intense eyes. Bang you got a combination that was like a drug. Robin easily sympathized with the women who seemed to faint because of him. She the cool headed and very competent archaeologist had a hard time resisting the unconscious charm he bled.
Robin slowly licking her lips, 'Those eyes, good god those eyes.'
Flecked gold swirling in melted dark chocolate, his gaze intense like it would pierce through you. Robin would easily lose herself in those rich pools, not caring to surface, but she did her damnedest to retain her sanity. Each time it was like diving in, having to hold her breath easily beating whatever record there was, but it was getting more and more difficult.
The man was like a dig site, Robin would slowly dig, finding something new to analyze and catalog, but she had yet to hit bottom or find the best piece of treasure yet. For her it was exhilarating plumbing the depths of the man who was as mysterious as she was to others.
It certainly didn't make it easier that he had such a laid back personality, she'd only seen him angry very few times. Calmly and patiently handled Luffy that even impressed Nami, yet could suddenly become passionate about something and nothing could stop him. It was like colliding Zoro and Luffy together and trimming the excess. There was a depth to him unlike Sanji to seemed to mostly be shallow puddle with a skirt floating at the top.
Robin mentally shrugs, Sanji did have his moments when he wasn't distracted by anything that wore a skirt.
However Sano seemed to have plenty of brain to go with the brawn, he by far wasn't a genius, but provided a well balanced intellect. Thirsting to continue to learn and absorb information, discussing higher level topics that the others could care less about. Explaining things about his world to her sometimes demonstrating or drawing the topic. Always mentioning that he was simply a soldier but would do his best to answer any and all of her questions.
Oh and can't forget about his wit, Robin never imagined that she could have a playful conversation and battle of wits with anyone, with a man no less, and he wasn't a scholar for goodness sake.
Zoro had too short of a fuse to even remotely attempt such a thing, while Sanji would simply fawn over everything. Usopp was a teller of tales so everything he said had to be taken with a block of salt. It was pointless to discuss anything with Luffy unless it was adventure or food. Chopper was enjoyable when talking about medical topics but he was usually grouped with Luffy and Usopp who were more about having fun.
Nami was the only other person she could really talk to, she was sharp and intelligent, and soon enough they'd practically become sisters. However with Sano it was a whole new game, and Robin enjoyed every moment of it.
The female navigator had even mentioned before that Robin seemed a bit more open and talkative ever since he appeared, then she giggled about it, but Robin simply shook it off.
It certainly was a twist that he was a modest individual, never thinking too highly of himself and trying to make himself useful to the crew. Zoro had to have the biggest ego of them all, and Sanji sometimes acted like he was some sort of god's gift to women and protector to all things female.
Robin softly chuckles, when he first appeared he seemed more green than caramel. Not even remotely used to life on the sea, having to learn about a new world and his skills weren't much use on the ship.
Yet he adapted and became a valuable asset.
Zoro's biggest deficiency was his lack of direction, he could lose himself in a one stall bathroom, but Sano already knew and understood maps very well. Many times discussing navigation with Nami and taking over allowing her breaks that she rarely had before. Nami finding him to be a very useful quality when exploring.
The first time they had encountered an unmarked island he explained that he would do reconnaissance and make sure things were safe, after that it became an easily adjusted habit.
The crew waiting on board or on the shore while Sano went out to investigate the area, then coming back making a report. Discussing landmarks and topography with Nami, sometimes finding something interesting and leading Robin to the location.
He quickly became the resident scout, Robin softly smiles, and he was damn good at it too. Not to mention the 'hide and seek' event they had causing Robin to giggle.
She had the privilege one day to see him in his element. Sano was a man of the earth, that was easy to decipher. Robin was for once being stubborn and wanted to land with him.
He finally gave in, they had barely walked through the treeline when he suddenly crouched down and pushed up his boonie hat. His eyes slowly taking in the terrain, learning the natural sounds of the area, touching the ground as if communicating with it, and even tasting the air.
Robin stood there and emblazoned everything to her memory, it was exhilarating to watch him use skills that were second nature to him and were of little use on a ship.
Sano had led Robin, picking paths that would allow her to easily walk, heading towards locations that may be of interest to her, even finding things that even her sharp eyes had missed.
Robin enjoyed every moment of their exploration, especially the graceful way he seemed to move. Just like a jungle cat.
A small shiver ran down her spine, it was surprising how graceful he was, never expecting that such a large man could move so smoothly, not to mention being able to watch his ass every second as he lead the way.
Peeking over the top of her book she gazes at the supine man, her eyes gliding over his body slightly frowning at the angry pink marks he'd recently acquired, and ending at partially shown medium teal blue tattoo on his left arm.
The image came to her mind, an arrowhead colored in with teal blue, a gold upright sword with three thunderbolts layered on top, 'De Oppresso Liber' written written inside with black ink.
Special Forces is what he said he was before landing on the Straw-Hat pirates.
He spoke proudly about his brothers in arms, explained the training and operational roles they provided. Sano even talked to her about the history behind what he was proud to call himself.
Yet that was about the limit to what he talked about when it came to himself. Everyone had some sort of history, Zoro and Luffy were the only ones who's past were shrouded, but now this other worlder had brought a previous life shrouded in complete fog. All they knew was that he was an orphan at age 15, and that he was a soldier for his country, but he never talked about anything else.
Deep down it made Robin...aggravated.
Slowly she blinks, 'Aggravated? Now why on earth?' Her brain clicks, broken pieces suddenly sliding together to create a larger understandable picture.
She suddenly sits up nearly dropping her book, "Oh my god." Her face suddenly turns red.
"You okay?" Nami looks over the top of her own sunglasses at her companion.
'I'm falling for him aren't I?' softly questioning but another voice comes out.
'Falling? Sweetie, you've already fallen.'
An electric rush runs through her body at the answer to her question.
'No, that can't be possible...'
Her eyes going back to the man, Robin's heart suddenly starts to fly, hearing her rapid pulse in her ears, her body and something much deeper starting to ache.
"Oh my god." softly restating the same thing out loud.
"Robin?" Nami had stepped closer.
A waving hand in front of her face redirecting her attention.
"You okay girlie?" Concern written across Nami's face.
Robin looks up with wide eyes and could only whimper in response. Truth be told she was suddenly deathly afraid of her recent discovery.
Nami had never seen Robin wear such an expression, and for her to whimper? The gears in her head started to spin.
"Robin-chan! Nami-swan!" The all too familiar voice calling out from below making Nami look away.
"Shit, he's got the worst timing." Then turning to her room mate, she could only sigh.
"Let's go, we need to talk." Nami grabs a hand, Robin obediently following with her book clutched to her chest.
Sanji looking downtrodden as the bikini clad women suddenly disappear, "Where'd they go?"