A/N: well here i am again for another self indulgent chap lawl anw hope u were still enjoying this fic

"Hey."

It was Nami.

Zoro looked behind, "Hey." He replied, but never moved on where he was standing.

"I'm sorry you weren't yet going back where you came from. It's always getting delayed." She told him apologetically.

"It's fine. I think that can wait."

Although earlier he was a bit annoyed knowing that news, well what can he do? He wasn't in control of the course.

Well now that reminds him, he just remembered it's been weeks he's been here in this strange place , if he was right, where he had met the counterparts of his nakamas. It really baffles him that they look and act like them, except for the fact that they didn't know who he was. Well, except for Robin's diluted memories of him. At least that assures him that there was someone who at least recognized him. That calmed him a bit, and even eased him knowing that it was Robin. Earlier he might be in a sour mood, but now, it was replaced with a smile that was now etched on his face.

"Why are you smiling like an idiot?" Nami teased when she already leaned on the railing just beside him.

And that's how Zoro remembered Nami would do.

He shook his head. "It's nothing."

He was quick to turn it in a frown but Nami scoffed, and pressed him further.

"Nothing my ass. Perhaps someone made you smile, huh?" She elbowed his side with a teasing grin in her face. "Who was it? Was it Robin?"

Zoro sneered at first but it turned out the opposite the way he had thought. His face had softened when Nami mentioned her name, and quickly hid his face.

Yet Nami still saw his expression, it even urged her to tease Zoro more. But knowing Zoro, he will just deny all of that even if it was already obvious. So, she eventually stopped, and for a few moments, they let silence bask them in.

Then, Nami asked him all of a sudden. "But that aside, you haven't told us except for Robin that Kuraigana you were talking about."

"Oh… Right ." He didn't want to tell them where he really came from.

"Well, it's far. Far from Rustbay," He replied shortly.

"Can we visit you there? If you happen to come back from Kuraigana?" She asked.

He just shrugged.

And honestly? Zoro didn't have an answer to that. If he remembered, he just happened to be dragged here, possibly by that whirlpool, but beside that? He doesn't have any definite answer whether they can visit him or even come back—

"I hope you can come back. We surely gonna miss you so much, you idiot. The next time you visit here, you're gonna defeat Ben once again in the drinkfest." Nami added with a grin.

Zoro nodded deftly, and stared at the distant waters before them.

"Yeah. I hope so…" He muttered.

"Snacks' ready!" Robo-Franky's voice just resonated once again around the ship.

Surprisingly, it was a short announcement, and with that, Nami and Zoro headed to the galley.

"You're telling me, we just went there to fetch them?" Nami slammed her fist on the table and only got a brief nod from Franky.

"Didn't I tell all of you? I thought I told all of you before you go ahead in the city?" Franky added as he took a bite of his burger Sanji had made for him.

"No, as a matter of fact, we didn't do anything aside from waiting for Luffy in the food court, and looking for Chopper in the city. Now, I didn't check all the clothes in every store in Grand Line! That's so unfair!"

Usopp tilted his head, and raised a brow at Nami, "I thought you were just supposed to help Robin, not—"

"Of course, idiot—! No offense, Robin— There were the best clothing stores in Grand Line! I would gladly help Robin of course but at the same time— ugh! " Nami groaned in frustration and as if on cue, Sanji had placed one of her favorite fresh-squeezed tangerine juice on the table.

"Don't worry, Nami-swan~ At least we're all safe." He said with a smile, dampened her mood a bit when she sipped the cold juice.

Nami just sighed and looked at the two women, and apparently, Zo— Or should she say Zoro's twin? Zoro's look alike? But bah, he really looked like Zoro. If she would question if the two Zoros were related, she would just end up questioning her life's existence, so she decided not to dwell on that.

"So, not that I am curious, but why did the Empress happen to contact Franky delivery services? Care to explain that?" Nami asked, not caring if the woman just in front of her was supposed to be known as powerful in terms of political matters.

"Fine, I think you all deserve an explanation. But before I had to explain everything, I'm just asking why was that guy here? He knows what I'm capable of, but he was planning to kill me?" Hancock revealed as if it was just a common thing to say.

All of them had gazed upon Zoro, the one with the scar, when Hancock had pointed it out. And that had confused and surprised everyone at the same time, except for Zoro and Robin who happened to already know about that when Zo had told them back in the archives.

"What the hell even is happening here?" Usopp whispered the obvious at Nami. It wasn't none of their business but now, it's theirs, so they had to listen as well.

"Look, I decided not to do it anymore." The other Zoro bit back.

"Hah?! That fast? And you know how it almost caused Hiyori to fall in danger just because she happened to know that her childhood friend had decided to side with the one who caused her misery, that fucking business man. You think I could ever forgive what you did?" She looked like she was about to pounce in anger at him, but still remained seated on her seat.

"No…" He averted his gaze.

"Look, Boa, it's alright. What's done is done. I think Zo has already decided and I think you should forgive him." She tapped her lover's hand, a gentle smile etched on her face.

Hancock had looked at her, anger slowly dissipated from her eyes, and glanced at the other Zoro. "You're so lucky Hiyori was here to calm me down. You're also lucky that I didn't do anything to cause you harm or else, you were the first one to be dead just before you knew it." She threatened one last time.

"Hancock." Hiyori said her name softly, hand brushing her arm to settle her down.

"I know, I know." She sighed and loosened her tension, then, "So, I think that's for now, for you, Zo." His name rolled off her tongue like a word she should never speak of.

The others still looked at them, like an audience watching a staged opera but now, Hancock had turned to them, saying, "You guys need an explanation so here's the long story short. I had to take Hiyori out from the Grand Line and to that business man—Honest to god, I hope karma will get him and never bother Hiyori anymore— And now, you guys will drop us off in Amazon Lily so we could get married." She finished with a smile as if it just erased the fact that she was almost bursting in anger earlier.

Hiyori looked away out of embarrassment and even Zo had stared at them in disbelief.

"A marriage?!" Sanji stood up on his seat. "Zo and Hiyori?"

Nami smacked her forehead, while Usopp simply said, "Sanji, how idiot are you?"

"Hah?"

"Aren't you paying attention? It's the empress and Hiyori, not Zo."

Sanji blinked. "Wait, really?"

Nami pulled him to sit down.

"But that means there's a feast?!" Luffy also stood up on his seat, eyes sparkling and his mind already thought of the food even though he didn't even know whether they were invited or not.

Hancock nodded and there, Luffy erupted in a cheer.

Meanwhile, Chopper asked, directing his gaze at Robin. "But Robin, I thought we needed to go to Ohara?"

"I think one marriage wouldn't get in the way, right Zoro?" Robin asked Zoro.

"Yeah… I think it wouldn't. I never even knew we would get this far before we got the map." Zoro muttered, after all this time being intently watching the exchange between the newcomers and Robin shot him a glare which Zoro just shrugged.

"So, about this marriage, if you don't mind me asking—" Nami had spoken once again, "Are we invited to this?" Nami asked the question the others probably will ask the empress.

"Yeah, sure. It's not really a big deal to let you people in our wedding." Hancock said with a shrug.

"A feast! A feast! A feast!" Luffy and Usopp erupted in a cheer now that it's been decided.

Meanwhile, Chopper was seated beside Hiyori just for now. His reason? It was petty, but in front of him, he took a seat there because he was observing Zoro and Robin. And once again, he noticed that they were doing that look again!

"What's wrong, Chopper?" Hiyori had noticed his frustration, then followed his gaze at Zoro and Robin across the dining room.

The little reindeer grumbled on his seat and crossed his arms.

"So, that's them you've told me about, Chopper?" Hiyori had asked him, and Chopper huffed, and nodded.

"What a thoughtful kid." Hiyori smiled and ruffled his head.

After that small gathering, Chopper had noticed Zo's leg that wasn't well-bandaged, so he insisted on treating Zo's leg in the ship's sick bay.

"How did you get this wound?" The little reindeer asked.

"Your friend did that to me."

"You mean Zoro did this to you? He won't do that!"

"Apparently he did when he saved that woman from harm."

"I think it's your fault for making him do that— Wait, what did you say?" Chopper stopped fixing his bandage.

"He just saved that Robin earlier when I was about to uh— well, kill her."

"Why are you even planning to kill Robin?!"

"Relax, I wasn't planning to kill her. I just thought she was Hancock and don't worry, I won't do that again." Zo assured him, but still, Chopper didn't believe him.

"I don't trust you." Chopper grumbled in his breath, and yet, still continued to tend Zo's wounds.

"Well, he looks like Zoro so maybe he can be trusted." Luffy muttered behind their back.

"Luffy, what are you doing here?" Chopper exclaimed.

"What? I'm just gonna ask him why he looks like Zoro? Say, are you two siblings? Twins?"

"Keh, we're not blood related that idiotic buffoon."

"But you look the same well… except the way you dress— with that coat— and a scar on your face. You look like brothers"

"Look, I don't know and don't ask me about things like that. I can't help you."

"Then, do you have swords like Zoro, too?" Luffy continued on.

Chopper shrugged at Zo. Until Chopper was done tending Zo's wounds, Zo patiently answered Luffy's questions.

The dining room was already tidied up and the others had already retired earlier that late afternoon in their rooms. The only ones left in the kitchen were Robin and Hancock, and Sanji. Sanji was busy preparing their dinner, while Robin was reading the book she had gotten from the archives and Hancock had decided to sit not too far away from her, drinking her own coffee.

"Miss Hancock," Robin said without looking at the empress, and continued, "Don't mind me asking, but why didn't you just kill Zo as well?" Now she glanced up from her book, eyes focused at Hancock.

Hancock put down her coffee, and looked at the former archeologist.

"I think Hiyori won't forgive me if I did that. Karma will get to him. Besides, I already made arrangements. I promised her that Zo's boss, that annoying prick, wouldn't bother Hiyori anymore, as well as her own hometown. I don't want anything that will cause harm to Hiyori."

That earned a smile from Robin.

"I really don't know how you and Hiyori got together but I hope you two were happy and best wishes for the marriage." She told her.

"Oh, why thank you." The empress returned her smile.

"And I really don't know but it's just happened so fast but now we're here. I really think I could do everything for Hiyori and I just… couldn't even imagine how one pathetic man decided to just let her just be like that. He didn't know how much Hiyori really deserves so much love so… That's why, it's best that I return the things she was deprived of from that man." She rambled as if talking to herself, forgetting Robin was still here. But for a moment she realized Robin was still there, and faced her.

"Enough about me, I think you already know about the infamous empress of Amazon Lily, the things I did for Amazon Lily, so tell me— How about you? Do you have anything too important and why are you setting sail towards your hometown, Ohara?"

"You know about that?

"Well, blame Franky for that." She chuckled, not wanting to elaborate more on how Franky had told her everything, except for— "Was that because of your boyfriend, that lost swordsman?"

Robin was taken aback from what she said, and frantically shook her head.

"Ah— he wasn't my boyfriend! He was my friend—!" she stuttered, and even blushed for no particular reason .

Hancock chuckled once again, seeing Robin getting flustered all that, "Relax, I'm just kidding. But may I ask, why are you doing this?" Hancock asked, hand under her chin.

Robin shouldn't have answered her question but she couldn't help but reply as if Hancock was a friend.

"I… I think I should help him? Like it's the best thing I can do for him. I might not like to see him go away, but my mind kept on saying that it's the best thing I can do. No matter what— he was a friend or even a…" She stopped herself and stared at a distance for a while, not looking at Hancock.

There was this word stuck on her tongue. What was the word she was supposed to say? She already forgot —

"I know." Hancock said despite Robin hasn't saying anything after that.

"Huh?" She said, puzzled.

"I think you should be the one to figure it out. I hate to say this, but you're one step closer to knowing what you really want."

Now that wasn't what Robin was expecting for the empress to say to her. But more to that, she was even confused.

"Pardon, but what are you saying?" She pressed her once more. What was she even implying? What did she really want?

"It's best for you to figure it out yourself. I think you're familiar with that and you can even talk about it with him."

"With him?" Robin still looked at her with a perturbed face.

"Anyways, I should go for now. I think Hiyori and I really should catch up with each other. Good luck figuring it out. And Robin, it's nice talking with you." Hancock patted her shoulder before she left the former archeologist all alone with her thoughts.

"Figuring it out? But what's that supposed to mean?" Robin muttered out loud and she heard a metal clinked on the floor. Robin winced from her seat and glanced behind her back to look at the cook who happened to drop his knife.

"Sanji? I didn't know you were there! You startled me—!"

"I'm sorry for that, Robin-chan. But you know, maybe Miss Hancock was right, there's something you need to figure out." He picked up the knife he dropped then put it back on the counter.

"You, too, Sanji? I don't understand what the two of you are saying."

"I think she was implying that— I hate to say this — but I think you're doing a lot more than friendship to that Moss head unlike what's between you and Trafalgar in the past few months."

"Huh? What's between us and Zoro, that's not with Law?" Robin furrowed her brows.

"Robin." Sanji said her name in a serious tone, and decided to stop in his kitchen duties for a while.

He leaned on the counter then faced her, saying, "Don't get me wrong. I know you should be the one to know what you really feel but don't you happen to notice what's going on between you two, with that Moss Head? Because, us here, weren't naïve on what's happening. I applaud Miss Hancock. She was so good, she already picked up on what's going on even though you just met her."

"Sanji, to be honest. I'm really lost. Please explain to me."

Sanji sighed, "I'm sorry for saying this but, I know how you're so busy with the shop these past few months— you're so smart, we love you for that— But Robin, for God's sake, you're so dumb realizing your own feelings." He crossed his arms to his chest.

Robin was slightly offended by that and already opened her mouth to retort but Sanji already spoke before her.

"First with Law— remember how Law was always buying flowers from your shop personally? Like Bepo wasn't the one but him , who buys flowers just to talk, and see you. Even Erin and the others notice that. Hell, there were even rumors about what happened between the two of you that had spread the past few months because of that time when Law happened to buy you gifts then, when that lost mosshead happened to get lost in Rustbay, Law suddenly stopped."

Sanji looked her in the eye then he continued.

"Because from the look of your eyes, the way you act, Robin, you were— Never mind." He turned his back, and went onto his kitchen duties.

"What? Sanji, you're so close to telling me!" Robin said but Sanji just shook his head.

"Like Miss Hancock said, figure it out, Robin. You're smart, I think you will know about that." He glanced behind with a smile before he proceeded to get back on his kitchen duties.

Robin just looked at him. 'Fine' was the only thing she replied before she went to the library to organize her thoughts once again. She even huffed in annoyance due to Sanji's persistence on not answering her questions, and never told what she should need to know.

Walking all the way to the library, she immediately settled herself in one of the seats, glanced up to the ceiling and let out a long sigh. Now that she had thought of it— what Sanji said about Law?

Looking back, she was too preoccupied with the flower shop like Sanji said. So, given that she has been always busy, she didn't happen to notice what's even going on with Law the past few months. She just knew, okay, she and Law were friends, nothing more than that.

So to Law, there's more than that?

She never actually expected it but Sanji was right, she was just slow to realize it, not until he had pointed it out earlier. Law has been doing kind things to her the past few months. She thought it was just an act of his kindness, Law's kind and all despite all that stoic demeanor.

But how can she not notice that? She might have been so busy with the shop but—

Oh … Sanji's right, the lost swordsman happened.

Zoro happened to get lost in Rustbay. And even though she might have thought of remembering him for some unknown reasons, she still considered how he has been a great companion these past few weeks. Robin talks with him and finds a way to be with him back in Rustbay. Zoro was even a great accomplice in the shop, where Ben and the others had been wary at him at first, but slowly warmed and gladly welcomed him as part of her shop.

A friend as well— She could trust him. Not that she didn't trust any of her friends but, with Zoro, being with him had made her bring him to the cliffs where no one else from her friends had got there, except for him.

He was also a great listener. Every night after work, he lets her read one of her favorite snippets from her novels. There's that smile on his face, which she notices. She really adores whenever there's people willing to stay for the night until they have their fill, and rest for the night.

And she would never forget that time after Zoro chased Zo, the thought of him never coming back almost pained her, but when he came back, fortunately unharmed, she was so relieved seeing him once again. And now, he was back in one piece, she never felt anything again not until…

She might be wrong, but somehow it felt right when Sanji's words had slowly dawned on her.

"Gods, Robin, why are you like this?" She muttered in her breath, now that she couldn't believe that she was actually falling for that swordsman.

.

.

.

Amazon lily has similarities with Rustbay— An island surrounded by the sea, and mountains and forests catering their resources. However, the only difference between the two places was in Amazon Lily, it was just inhabited by women alone— no men in sight.

There might be judging glances coming from the women of Amazon Lily, Hancock had assured that there's nothing to worry about as Robin and the others had arrived on the island. They were just like that since it was not so often to have some outsiders venture in Amazon Lily.

Nami and Robin were asked to choose their clothes of choice, still in line with the ceremony, of course. Meanwhile, Sanji had volunteered to help with cooking, although Hancock told them that it was not needed, he still insisted. The amazon cooks seemed to adore Sanji with the way he prepares food, and in exchange, they taught Sanji some local recipes for him to try.

While the others were taking a rest before the wedding the next day, they were given time to rest as the wedding will fall on the next day.

'The bride wanted to ask about Miss Robin's presence.'

It was the next day, the day of the wedding, one of the servants asked for Robin. She was about to prepare that time, but she guessed there might be something she needed to talk about. And there, Robin was accompanied by one of the servants in the palace all the way to Hiyori's room.

As she graced the hallways, she would notice that there were paintings depicted of the empresses including Hancock's. As expected, Hancock was the empress of Amazon Lily, and to think Zo agreed to assassinate her, that was surprisingly brave of him. In addition to that, standing here in Amazon Lily's where it's not usually visited by outsiders? It was a rare thing, and it's an honor to be here, she thought to herself as she strode along the palace's premises.

"Miss Hiyori was at the end of that hallway, that red door." The servant said.

Robin nodded, and as she opened, there, the star of the day, the bride, Hiyori. Hiyori was wearing an ivory gown that had a straight neckline. On top of that gown was a sheer silk coat with stitched red and white flowers.

"Hiyori, you look so lovely in that gown!" Robin complimented as soon as she entered the bride's dressing room.

"You know about Wano's hidden chest, right?" Hiyori said, instead.

Robin just nodded, didn't know what to say so, she remained speechless. That's not what she expected to hear once she stepped into her room. She thought there were pressing matters between her and Hancock.

"When Hancock had told me that after the ship will board to Amazon Lily, that's when I realized that I was lucky I was with one of the Oharan scholars who might happen to know about that. Good thing, Hancock had already retrieved it from Wano, so I think I needed to pass you this."

Hiyori left the room for a while, then when she was back, she handed a carved oriental chest, almost the size of her head, and as heavy as one of Robin's small flower pots back from her shop.

"Many were after this, even that businessman. I'm one of the last Kozuki lineage and it is my duty to protect this so, in order for him to get his hands on this chest, he arranged a marriage. I was lucky, Boa and I met. She also knew about it and vowed to protect me as well as this chest.

Inside were scrolls that even Oharan scholars wouldn't believe that it existed.

But my late father had told me once, if the right time had come when Wano was about to open its borders again, he said I should give this to the Oharan scholars for them to keep, to study, so that they can share it to the rest of the world.

And I, for one, acknowledge my father's words. So please, take this and bring this to Ohara."

Robin took a deep breath before replying.

"I really don't know what to say but… it's an honor, Miss Hiyori."

"Don't worry about the protection. Hancock also promised that they'll protect Ohara from harm. And it's just Hiyori, Robin. I thank you, too. Please deliver it safely to Ohara, and take care of the swordsman as well."

Hiyori grinned, a glint of tease from her smile, and Robin just shook her head, there was a small smile on her face as well.

"You know, you and Hancock are a really perfect match." She avoided her teasing.

"Well, you don't deny it, don't you think that there's between you and the swordsman?"

Between her and the swordsman?

.

.

.

The others followed to wear the appropriate wedding attire given by the Amazonians. For the women, they gave them gowns to wear. Nami and Robin were both wearing a red gown with off-shoulders, to which Hancock had decided to make them as one of the bridesmaids. Meanwhile, the men wore coats and were at least decent, despite the fact that there weren't any men's clothes available in an all-women island, and still made adjustments for them. Once they were done preparing before the wedding, the gang already headed to the venue.

The venue was situated not too far from cliffs where you can see from the horizons, the stretching vast blue sea— it was one of the greatest views here in Amazon Lily which definitely suited the taste of the couple. Aside from that, there was the food catering, Sanji helped with cooking, not too far from the wedding venue.

"Okay, you guys behave and don't—!"

Just about Nami warned all of them, especially Luffy, Luffy was already heading to the food table, "Oh, for fucks sake!" Nami went ahead to Luffy.

"Nami~! You look so beautiful~" Sanji swooned, following Nami to the reception.

The others already went ahead except for Zoro and Robin.

"You look not too bad, Zoro." Robin smiled, seeing the swordsman not dressed in his usual go-to clothes: open shirt, haramaki , black trousers and boots. Now, he was wearing a coat, still didn't' cover his broad chest, she already seen that one time, but still—

"You look not too bad yourself as well," Zoro said, avoiding her gaze. Robin was sure that he was blushing, but either way, he was quick, and returned to his usual expression.

"Well?" He offered his arm.

"With pleasure," Robin said and took his offered arm as they headed to the venue.

At last, the wedding ceremony had started, flowers already scattered in the middle of the aisle as people watched the beautiful bride walk in the aisle. With her gown, swaying as if it was flowing in the grace of the wind, there Hiyori walked with a proud smile. Hancock, dressed in her red and pink gown, matched Hiyori's gleaming smile, when she saw her future wife.

And there, Hiyori had already stepped in beside Hancock.

Sanji had already pointed it out the other day, Hiyori and Hancock had sensed something— now these feelings overwhelmed her for a few days and never left her mind. How can she even fall for someone that she knows that in the first place, they might not end up…?

She can do that.

"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to join these two women in matrimony."

The priestess asks Hiyori, "Hiyori, do you take this woman to be your wife, to live together in matrimony, to love her, to honor her, to comfort her, and to keep her in sickness and in health, forsaking all others, for as long as you both shall live?"

"I do." Hiyori replied.

Looking at the two couple, Robin couldn't help but imagine— Wait, why would she even think about it so quickly ? Focus, Robin, Focus! These feelings will go away eventually. It was just her own damn mind playing all those feelings she had for Zoro. She breathed in, and closed her eyes.

She can stop these feelings.

"Repeat after me," The priestess says.

To Hancock:

"I, Boa Hancock, take you Kozuki Hiyori, to be my wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part."

And yet… how can she not resist him? With the way that every time she sees him it's like there's that a teeny-tiny, pain in her gut was taken out but then, pain rushes in— just the thought of that was already a sign that she should stop these. But, she couldn't. Why is that? Still, she can do something about it— letting these feelings go away. This was just one tough problem she could and would solve. Hoping for the best that this feeling will leave her.

"You know Hiyori's so lucky to have her." Nami whispered to Robin, thoughts still rushed in her mind, and only made Robin just nodded mindlessly.

The priestess then finally asks the couple to join hands, then declares, "By virtue of the authority vested in me under the laws of Amazon Lily, I now pronounce you wives. And you may now kiss."

Right after this, she will eventually forget everything, she will remain friends with him, and just hope in her mind that these feelings will go away.

These, what she feels, wouldn't be hard to go away, right? Robin thought as she casted a glance on Zoro.