Chapter 1

Luffy's Dream Begin:

As the body of Portgas D. Ace slumped onto the ground before him, Luffy's mind was breaking and cracking by the second.

"This can't be happening, this can't be happening, this can't be happening, this can't be happening, this can't be happening."

Luffy wrenched and grabbed onto his head, ignoring the blood of his sworn brother on his hands. For his part, he was trying to keep any semblance of sanity.

"Hmph. You're pathetic."

Luffy tilted his head to see the origin of those words filled with disgust and contempt. They came from the man who had brutally killed his brother; Marine Admiral Akainu.

"Did you really think YOU could waltz in here and just do what you want? You're nothing but a weak, stupid, pathetic little shit." sneered Akainu, making sure to add venom to each and every word.

"No! I-I-I-I thought I cou-"

"He's right Luffy."

Luffy was cut off by another voice. A familiar voice. A voice that he should not have heard. As Luffy slowly looked at the ground, he saw the scorched, mangled body of Ace rise onto its knees.

But, Ace looked different. He had more burned all over his body than he had before. The gaping hole in his chest was oozing blood and leftover magma from Akainu's Devil Fruit ability. His hands and arms were slowly being burned to the point where his bones were exposed. And then there is his face, or what was left of it. The right side of his face was normal, but the left side was melting off, exposing his white skull. All that was left was a drooping eyeball that could not stay in its socket.

Ace grabbed onto Luffy's head and forced him to his decomposing brother in his eyes.

"Why the fuck did you think that YOU could save me? You couldn't save Sabo, and you couldn't even save a single member of your crew. I would've had a peaceful death if it weren't for you. All the deaths today, are all on YOU."

"I WISH I DIDN'T LOVE YOU."

Luffy's Dream Ends:

Luffy awoke, wide-eyed as his head sprung upright from his pillow. He clutched his chest with his right hand where his heart is and gasped for as much air as he could swallow.

"Goddammit." Luffy cursed under his breath. " I thought that I was over this shit."

As Luffy began to calm his breathing, he ran the fingers of his left hand through his short, black hair and noticed he was drenched in sweat. Upon further inspection, he felt that his bed sheets were also drenched in his sweat, and that his blanket was crumpled up on the other side of his room. Luffy surmised that he had thrown it while he was sleeping. When Luffy looked down at himself, he saw that his right hand had drifted to the large X-shaped scar on his chest. Sighing, he decided that he wouldn't be getting anymore sleep tonight, and got up to get some fresh air. Luffy typically slept in his usual shorts, so he didn't have to worry about walking around the Thousand Sunny nude. Ever since the "Walking into the dining room naked by accident, and Nami giving him a worse beating than Pigeon Guy" Incident, Luffy made sure to be dressed at all times when he wasn't bathing or when he was in his personal quarters.

As Luffy stepped outside his captain's quarters, he felt the brisk, salty air of the night. Because of the sweat on his toned, muscular body, Luffy was more susceptible to the chilliness, but it didn't bother him in the slightest. Luffy was more intent on taking in the majestic, star-filled sky before him. The infamous Straw Hat crew had not traveled in the New World for long, but they had their fair share of the weird, crazy, and outright destructive weather patterns that this stretch of ocean had to offer. So, it was a nice treat to be able to enjoy a night like this. Even someone as carefree and adventure-addicted as Luffy could appreciate the calm, tranquil beauty that this night gave them. Luffy smiled to himself as he felt that heart had finally calmed down from his night terror. Just when he was about to go and "acquire" a late night snack from the pantry, he heard a sound come from the aquarium. Thinking back, he remembered that Nico Robin; the cool, quiet member archaeologist of the crew, was supposed to be on lookout duty for the week..

"She must be reading some book in there." Luffy said to himself. He knew that with her Devil Fruit ability, Robin could watch every part of the ship from anywhere within her range. That being said, she didn't need to be outside on the Thousand Sunny to effectively keep a watchful eye on it.

Luffy smiled to himself, feeling reassured to have such a dependable member in Robin. Hell, he was happy to have a crew like the one he has now. No matter how many differences each and every one of them has, they all are a family. His family.

Luffy was about to go and leave so he didn't disturb his raven-haired crewmate and go do, what exactly? He did want to go and get a snack, but what about after that? Just walk around aimlessly on the quiet ship until the sun rose, and he could be around his family? The idea didn't sit well with the young man at all. As he pondered on his little predicament, a sweet, sultry voice came from right near his face.

"Beli for your thoughts, Luffy?"

Luffy jumped slightly at this, but regained his composure. After gathering his wits back together, he noticed the smiling mouth from which the voice originated.

"Oi Robin! Don't scare me like that!" Luffy yelled. Luffy knew that Robin was in the aquarium, but did not assume that she would use her Hana-Hana Fruit powers to surprise him.

"He he he. Oh my apologies Luffy." the smiling mouth chuckled. "You were an easy target after all."

Luffy thought for a second, and laughed his signature laugh.

"Shishishishishishi! You should do that to Usopp or Chopper. They'd jump outta their skin and look like Brook!"

"I'll keep that in mind. So Luffy, any particular reason you're wide awake at this time of night?" asked Robin. "Hopefully, not to steal food from the pantry again."

Luffy gulped loudly and said. "O-Of course not! Heh heh I was just uhhh-"

"Just so you know, Sanji asked me to make sure that you don't sneak any more food from the kitchen." Robin warned, interrupting Luffy's bad attempt at lying. Luffy started to sweat and look around nervously.

"But. I think I can pretend that I didn't see anything" continued Robin, showing off your smile.

Luffy, rubbing the back of his head, smiled back at her and said, "Thanks Robin! But I'm not up to eat some food. To be honest Robin, I just needed some fresh air is all."

Robin was silent for a moment before speaking up. "Is there something on your mind? Maybe I can help."

Luffy blinked a few times while considering the generous offer. Robin was one of, if not the smartest person he knew. Whenever he didn't understand something, Robin would be the one to explain to him in very, very, very simple terms. But, Luffy didn't need her to explain why he was having these nightmares. He already knew why they kept terrorizing him in his sleep. But, he did want some company, and Robin was great company.

"Actually Robin, can I hang out with you for a while?" asked Luffy.

"I don't know if you can." said Robin in her usual neutral voice.

Luffy looked a little disappointed at this, and was about to speak up when Robin continued.

"But you may Luffy." Robin said, in a slightly happy tone.

"Robin, you know my grammar isn't the best." Luffy pouted while crossing his arms.

"Hmm I know. But, it's fun to pick on you a little." Robin chuckled.

"Well, come on in Luffy." Robin said, as a slender arm opened the door to the aquarium.

As Luffy walked into the aquarium, he took in the scene in front of him. The room was fairly lit because of the lamps posted on the large, wooden cylindrical beam in the middle of the room. The light seemed to accentuate the ocean blue curtains strung about the aquarium, and also the long, deep red couch that outlined the room. It also gave the actual fish tank a nice shine that showed off all aquatic life that Luffy, Usopp, and Chopper, or as Nami dubbed them; the Childish Trio. And sitting comfortably on the long couch with an enormous book in her lap, was Nico Robin herself. Robin had her long, black hair in a ponytail and was wearing her green and white sweater that practically looked like a short dress on her, and also hugged her body in a way that accentuated her voluptuous curves and made her body look incredibly soft and plush. (Think of her Strong World fit)

Luffy, with a small blush across his face, took a long look at his archaeologist. Despite what most people thought, Luffy was neither asexual nor did he have no interest in the opposite and fairer sex. Luffy was more interested in a woman's personality and who they were as a person. Their beauty was just an added bonus in his opinion. When he first met Nami, he could definitely see something there, but their relationship evolved more into a brother/sister relationship. And in the case of Boa Hancock; the Pirate Empress herself, he could honestly admit that she was drop dead gorgeous, but her personality was so unappealing to him. After getting to know her after all, Luffy did like Hancock as a friend, but he still does not want to marry her. As for Robin, his feelings towards her were completely different. Luffy thought about how she did have a dark side to her, Robin was also a kind, sincere, graceful woman who was an unexpected, but welcome change to his life. Compared to the occasionally chaotic and rambunctious members of his crew, Robin always had this calm and serene aura about her. Whenever Luffy snuck in some glances at Robin, he could sense the warm air that was around her, and that was before he learned about Haki. Sometimes though, he could feel Robin's gaze upon him, but he was never sure. Not to mention that whenever Luffy didn't understand something, which was most of the time, Robin was always there to explain it to him in a way that even he could understand. Luffy was truly grateful for having someone as amazing as Robin was one of his nakama. No one will ever replace her.

"Are you just gonna stand there all night Luffy?" asked Robin, amused at the young man in front of her.

Luffy was shaken from his thoughts when Robin spoke up. A little flustered, Luffy replied,

"Huh? Oh yeah! I'll be right over!"

As Luffy was walking over to Robin, she chuckled at Luffy's very apparent clumsiness. Robin knew that her natural beauty and sexiness can have some effects on a lot of men, and some women too. To see her captain have such a reaction was assuming and intriguing at the same time. She wouldn't mind toying and teasing him a little, but Robin was interested in why her young captain was awake in the middle of the night. Robin got out of her musings when Luffy sat down beside her in Criss-Cross Apple Sauce.

"So Robin, how's lookout duty going?" asked Luffy, sporting that wide grin of his.

"Hmmmm. It's not bad. It gives me more time to read up on texts from older civilizations. And with my ability, it's easy to survey the entire ship. In case some random pirates or marines attack us, or if a certain someone tries to steal food from the kitchen." replied Robin, enunciating the "someone" part while looking at Luffy.

"HMPH! If someone tries to steal my-I mean our food, I'd kick their asses!!!" Luffy exclaimed. Robin laughed at this, figuring that Luffy didn't catch on to what she was implying.

"I know you would Luffy. " replied Robin, as she faced Luffy with her eyes closed.

"Of course I would Robin! The King of the Pirates has to look out for his crew!" proclaimed Luffy, who is now much calmer thanks to the raven-haired woman.

Robin beamed a bigger smile at the young man beside her, and a thought suddenly came to her.

"So Luffy, was there something that was troubling you?" Robin asked, as she turned to Luffy.

"Eh? Why do you ask?"

"Well, unless it's to steal meat in the middle of the night, you aren't up at this time." Robin stated. " And you told me yourself that you wanted some company."

Luffy turned away from Robin, and stared at the floor. He wasn't sure if he should tell Robin what was truly bothering him. Luffy is one to complain when most things don't go his way, but he won't do that when they are burdens that he had to bear. Luffy remembered the time where he fought Usopp at Water Seven, and after the fight, Zoro told Luffy that being the captain means to bear the heavy burdens, and Luffy took it to heart. Keeping this in mind, Luffy smiled to himself and replied to Robin.

"I don't think that there's anything wrong. I think I'm more excited if anything." Luffy continued. "I mean, we're all finally back together and sailing the seas again! Everyone has gotten stronger and grown as well, especially you Robin. With all the fun adventures that we're all gonna go on, how can I sleep?"

Robin blinked at Luffy a few times before smiling in response to Luffy's answer. She really liked Luffy's answer, especially the part where he mentioned her. Although, Robin felt like wasn't being completely honest. She didn't feel that Luffy was lying per se, but he was definitely hiding something. Given her years of being an assassin and having had to learn to read people, Robin could tell that Luffy wasn't telling the whole truth. Since Luffy was the most honest, straightforward person she ever knew, she didn't know why he felt the need to hide anything from her. In addition to that, the Straw Hats have been sailing in the New World for a few days now. Luffy still played around the ship and got caught up in his usual shenanigans, but he seemed off in a way. At first, Robin didn't think much of it, but as time went on, she noticed that Luffy seemed distracted by something. But distracted wasn't the right word, more like disturbed by something. Whatever it was that was on Luffy's mind, he didn't feel comfortable talking to her about it. Or anyone for that matter. Robin had, at one time, asked Zoro if he noticed anything different about their captain. Being the first mate and vice captain of the Straw Hat crew, she figured that Zoro would have any insight into what was bothering Luffy. But, it was for naught since Zoro chalked it up to Luffy "growing up a little". That statement annoyed Robin, but Zoro followed up by saying that if Luffy wants to tell us something, he'll tell us. Robin couldn't help but agree with that, but it still hurt her feelings a little. She saw it as that Luffy didn't trust her or his crew with his problems. Robin wanted to help Luffy as much as she could, and hated that he might be suffering alone. But, she decided to put her feelings aside and listen to the green haired swordsman's words. And now, she may have been given an opportunity to have a deep conversation with Luffy and find out why he was so troubled. Robin knew that Luffy isn't like most people, so she had to take it one step at a time.

"Oh? And do you know why we all got stronger over these 2 years?" She asked, scooting closer to Luffy.

Luffy looked at Robin for a moment, flashing a wide grin and said, "Well, we just had a huge fight with Hody Jones and all those fishmen. I didn't get to see everyone show their new abilities, but with how you all handled them I knew that fight was way too easy!"

Luffy then placed his straw hat on his head and added, "And call it Captain's Intuition, but I feel like everyone is more committed to their goals and dreams than ever! Like how you wanna find those Prawny-glyphs!"

Robin chuckled at the mispronunciation of the word. "Poneglyphs, Luffy. And yes, that is one reason. But the main reason is because of you." She said, smiling at Luffy. Robin then added on, "It's because you gave everyone of us the chance to achieve the dreams that we thought were impossible. Whether it's to be the greatest swordsman, cure any disease, draw a map of the world, or reunite with an old friend. You made this all possible Luffy, and nothing is impossible for the Pirate King right?" Blushing, Robin finishes her sentence, she puts a hand on Luffy's hand.

Luffy begins to start blushing as well, and says, "Shishishishi damn straight!! But that's only cuz I have such an amazing crew. I mean, I can't sail a ship, cook delicious food, fix a ship, or even tell a lie." Robin chuckles at the last, but allows Luffy to continue speaking. "So having people as awesome as you guys are makes it possible for my dreams to come true." Luffy continued on. "I'm especially lucky to have you on my crew Robin. You're smart, calm, strong, and you explain stuff so easy that I can understand it. I'm happy to have you on with me." Luffy says, grinning his usual toothy grin.

Robin's smile grew even more upon hearing her captain compliment her. To hear her captain say such kind words about her made Robin happy. In response to Luffy's statement, Robin squeezed his hand.

"Thank you so much Luffy. It makes me happy that my captain thinks so highly of me"

"Shishishi well, it's the truth after all."

The two pirates looked at each other for what seemed like forever. Robin took a long look into Luffy's dark, charcoal eyes, and thought to herself if she could inquire more about what was troubling the young man.

"Maybe now would be the time to ask Luffy what has been bothering him." pondered Robin.

Before she could voice her concern for her captain, Luffy looked down at Robin's lap and noticed a large blue book with gray designs on it.

"Hey Robin, what's with that large book you got there." He said, pointing at the large book.

Robin looked down and smiled, "It's a history book about this ancient civilization from hundreds of years ago. It's one of the books that I've acquired during our 2 year hiatus, and I decided to start reading it during my night watch." As she explained the book, Robin noticed that Luffy had that look on his face when he was trying to figure things out. "I think I smell smoke." she thought.

"Sounds kinda boring." Luffy said, sounding overly exhausted.

"Well, maybe you would be interested in knowing that it also tells the story of a great warrior."

"Whoa really?!" Exclaimed Luffy, suddenly springing back with excitement.

"That's right Luffy. If you want, I can read it to you." Robin offered with sincerity. She cursed inwardly since the conversation went in a direction that she didn't want, but Robin let it go since she thought that may help to ease into getting Luffy to open up.

"Baby steps Robin." She thought.

"Ok! Sounds like fun!" exclaimed Luffy. As he got up and adjusted himself to get into a comfortable position, he let out a long, drawn out yawn. Luffy quickly closed his mouth out of embarrassment.

Robin chuckled at this, and surmised that he was still pretty tired from not getting a lot of sleep.

"If you're tired Luffy, maybe you should get some rest." said Robin. "Who knows what tomorrow will bring us."

"Nah I'm fine! I wanna stay up and listen to your story." Luffy responded. But his droopy eyes and swaying form betrayed him. Robin thought for a moment, and came up with a solution. "How about you lay your head on my lap, and I could read to you until you doze off." suggested Robin, as she patted down her thigh as a sign of permission.

Luffy considered the older woman's offer for a moment, and thought to himself, "Maybe it wouldn't hurt to accept Robin's offer. I mean, it's not like I'd get any sleep in my room anyway."

Luffy walked over to Robin, and said "Sure Robin! That sounds like a good idea!"

Luffy sat back down on the couch, and slowly lowered his head onto Robin's left thigh. After setting his head down, Luffy slowly closed his eyes , as he was immediately welcomed with warmth and comfort he hadn't felt in a long time. "Whoa. This is way better than a pillow!" thought Luffy, with a prominent blush. "Robin's leg feels so warm. And she smells really nice too. Like a mix of strawberry and watermelon."

As for Robin, to say that she was enjoying the physical contact between her and Luffy was an understatement. If it weren't for the fact that she developed such a good poker face, Robin would be blushing profusely and sporting hearts for eyes like a certain chef. For right now though, she only had a slight blush across her face. Luffy's head and hair felt so nice laid on top of her thigh. Subconsciously, Robin laid her hand on the young man's head, intertwining her slender fingers into his short, black locks of hair. Once Robin noticed where her hand had been planted, she was about to move it away, when Luffy had placed his hand on the area closest to her hip. This made Robin's eyes go wide and her blush grow even more.

"Luffy?" Robin said softly, wondering if this action was intentional.

"Hmm?" replied Luffy, his eyes closed as he was enjoying the feeling of laying on the older woman.

Robin studied her captain that was resting on her leg. To her, Luffy looked so calm and content right now, and she did not want to disturb his new found tranquility.

She smiled and said, "It's nothing Luffy. I was just wondering if you were comfortable."

"Very." Luffy responded, with a small smile across his face. "You can start reading whenever you're ready Robin."

"As you wish Luffy," said Robin as she opened her book with her right hand.

Robin had flipped the pages back to where she stopped before conversing with Luffy, and begun to read to her young captain.

"As Demres and his small band of knights marched through the empty city, they were caught off guard by bandits who had set up an ambush." recited Robin, as she played with Luffy's hair in her left hand and occasionally stole glances at her captain.

Luffy, for his part, was in absolute bliss at the moment. Laying his head on Robin's warm and plush thigh as she read to him in her calm, soothing voice while gently playing with his hair felt like heaven to him. And as if put under a spell, he felt himself drift more and more into quiet slumber as Robin's words faded into the background, until the last words he heard were:

"Sweet dreams Luffy."