Chapter 3: Charm
Having left Fishman Island, the Strawhat crew decided to stop and resupply. Luckily, the were able to find an island with a town nearby. As they docked, they all decided to split up and explore the town. Zoro and Franky stayed behind on the Sunny. Zoro to train and Franky to see if the Sunny needed any repairs. Usopp and Nami both went to get supplies the crew needed. Sanji and Brooke both went to gather ingredients for the journey ahead (and to see all the beautiful women on the island.) Chopper went ahead to get more medical supplies as the battle at Fishman Island had drained most of the supplies they had. This left Robin and Luffy to be paired with each other. They didn't mind as they walked into town hand in hand, able to enjoy their time together. They took in the sights of the port and town. While it wasn't a big port, there was more than enough things to do for someone out at sea.
"Luffy dear, I saw a bookstore up ahead I want to visit. If you would like, we could meet here in an hour and then eat afterwards?" At the mention of food, Luffy's eyes lit up.
"Sure, let's do that Robin! We'll meet up here in an hour." He leaned in and gave her a kiss on her lips. "See you later Robin!" he said as he headed deeper into town. Robin chuckled at her fiancée's behavior. She walked towards the bookstore when something caught her eye. It was a stand that sold jewelry. Robin stopped and admired the wares.
"Well hello miss! What can I help you with?" an old woman said. It appeared that she was the owner of the stall. Robin admired the gold necklaces and various trinkets that she had on display.
"Oh, just browsing is all." She looked and as she did, she tucked her hair behind one of her ears. At the motion, the woman let out a gasp.
"Young miss, I must say that is a very lovely ring! Your beloved must have spent a fortune on it." Robin looked at the ring on her hand. After the crew had known about her and Luffy being together, she decided to wear it. A sign of their bond and that her heart belonged to him.
"Yes, you could say he did." She lied cooly. As she looked, she saw a necklaces with different charms one could add. From symbols to letters. Suddenly, Robin had an idea. "Excuse me ma'am, do you make personalized jewelry?"
"Yes, of course I do, is there something you'd like me to do?" Robin smiled and told the woman her idea. After hearing it the old woman chuckled. "My to be young and in love. Of course, I can do that dear. I'll have it done in half an hour, a rush job just for you." The woman said. Robin thanked the woman and proceeded to pay for the custom job. As she finished, she headed to the bookstore, wondering about the selections of books it contained.
Robin walked out of the bookstore with a few books. Some on the history of certain kingdoms and about the other things that interested her. As she did, she stopped by the jewelry stand. The old woman saw her and prepared the order the woman had asked.
"Right on time! It is finished." The old woman handed her a box.
Thank you so much ma'am." Robin accepted the box with a smile.
"Oh no worries, dear I'm sure he'll love it"
"If I know my Luffy, I know he will" Robin smiled to herself. One of the many things she loved about Luffy was how easy he was to make happy. Many would find that a bad thing, but for Robin it wasn't. She thanked the woman and headed back to the area she told Luffy they would meet up. She didn't see Luffy anywhere. Guessing he may be running late, she sat on a nearby bench and opened one of her books. After a couple of minutes, she heard footsteps approaching. She looked up from her book and saw her fiancée come to a stop.
"Sorry Robin, I was walking around town, and I helped this little girl find her parents. I lost track of time and when we found her parents, I was already running late." The young captain then gave her a look he knew made her weak. She looked at him and she swore his eyes grew bigger, a small pout added to it. "You aren't mad, are you?"
'SO CUTE' she exclaimed in her head. She couldn't let Luffy know the effect that look had on her. She tried to maintain a neutral face but was failing miserably. In the end, she caved and gave Luffy a hug.
"It's ok Luffy, I forgive you. I know you're a kind person and would help anyone in need." She knew that Luffy's kind nature would not allow the poor girl to be left alone. Luffy gave her his trademark smile and remembered why he was meeting up with Robin.
"Oh, hey I saw a restaurant that specialized in meat dishes! I thought we should go there for lunch!" Luffy grabbed her hand and basically dragged her to the restaurant. Robin laughed at her fiancée's gesture and followed along. Many people looked at the couple as the ran. Some with smiles on their faces and others with jealousy, as both had admirers. As they approached Luffy stopped and pointed at 'the building.
"Here it is! Let's go Robin, I'm starving" Luffy leads the woman inside. It was a nice and cozy establishment. As they took their seats, a waitress approached their table. As she asked for their orders, Robin noticed the way the waitress was looking at Luffy. She knew that look. It was the look of a woman who found someone they wanted. Luffy proceeded to order everything from the menu. The waitress happily took his order. As she turns to take Robin's order, her face turns into a neutral expression. She asks what she wanted and she ordered a basic meat dish with a salad. As the waitress leaves, Luffy and Robin begin to have a conversation. Robin remembers the gift she got for Luffy.
"Luffy, I have something for you" Luffy perked up at that.
"Is it meat?" Robin could only chuckle at her future husband's train of thought.
"No, it's something else." She takes out the box from her pocket. "Here, this is for you." She said with a blush on her face. She was nervous. She had never given anyone a gift before and hoped Luffy would like it. Luffy took the box and opened it. Robin saw his eyes widen and a smile was on his face. He pulled up a necklace with a golden chain. On it were the letters NR. Luffy had guessed what the implication of the gift meant and smiled even more.
"Thanks Robin, I love it" he said as he quickly put it around his neck. Robin smiled at Luffy's actions. She was relieved that he did like the gift, but more importantly, that he understood the significance of it. Luffy then pouted as he turned his head sideways. "Aw man, I didn't get you anything though" Robin chuckled at his words.
"It's ok Luffy, I already have something from you" the boy gave her a quizzical look. She lifted her left hand and showed him the ring he gave her two years ago. "This is something I've treasured for those two long years away from everyone, away from you" she held back a bit of her tears remembering the lonely nights she had. She always remembered her crew and her love and those were what gave her the strength she needed to continue on in her short time at Tequila Wolf and with the Revolutionaries. Luffy reached out and held her hand.
"Now I'll have something to always remember you by, thanks Robin." Robin let some tears fall from her eyes as she nodded. As she calmed down she excused herself from the table and headed to the bathroom to compose herself. She was in there for a minute as she walked back to the table. What she saw made her see red. The waitress was practically sitting on Luffy's lap. The poor man had a blush on his face and had an uncomfortable look on his face.
"Come on handsome, why don't you ditch that old hag and come spend some time with me. I can show you a better time than her" the girl wasn't even hiding her desire for the Straw Hat captain. At the insult to his bride to be, Luffy felt something in him snap.
"Don't call Robin that! I don't care about her age, I love her for who she is!" the young man proclaimed. Suddenly, they both felt the temperature drop. They turned and saw Robin, a dark aura around her and her eyes seemed to turn white with anger. One would assume they were looking at a demon out of hell. The young girl was as white as a sheet as she saw the woman approach the table. With a motion of her arms, the young woman felt something push her off Luffy and onto the floor. When she looked up, she saw the woman already taking her spot on his lap, arms wrapped around him.
"He's mine" the woman said with coldness in her voice. She reached for the necklace worn by her fiancée and pulled it up to show the young waitress on the floor. "This means he belongs to me." She pointed to the initials on the necklace. "This means this man is the property of Nico Robin. He's my future husband and I'll be damned if another woman takes him from me" She then grabbed a stunned Luffy and kissed him. It wasn't their usual kisses filled that were slow and caring. This one was a primal one. One of desire and possessiveness. One of passion as the woman staked her claim on her man. When they pulled away, Robin got up and dragged Luffy out of the restaurant, the waitress still on the floor trying to process what had happened
About 10 minutes after walking out of the restaurant and heading to a nearby garden with benches to sit on, it hit Robin what she shad done. She had lost it seeing the woman making advances towards Luffy. She was never a jealous person, but she figured that changed when she began dating and later engaged to her captain. As they sat on the bench, she couldn't face Luffy, still embarrassed about what had happened. After a few moments of silence, she heard some laughter coming from Luffy, she looked at him, a pout on her face.
"What's so funny, Captain?" Luffy stopped his laughter. He knew when Robin called him that was when she was usually fed up with his antics or he was, as Zoro jokingly said, in the doghouse. Luffy decided to give her a smile, hoping it would calm her down.
"It's just I never seen you act like that is all. It was hot" Robin could only just stare at her fiancée. She didn't know whether to be flattered or embarrassed.
"I don't see how me losing my composure is an attractive quality Luffy"
"Well, it was partly that, but mostly what you said. That I belong to you! It made me feel happy, I felt the love from those words" Luffy said with a smile. Robin was touched at the words and smiled as well, but she noticed the young man's expression change. It looked something akin to doubt.
"It's just that you're so smart. You're beautiful too! You have all these qualities about you that make you a wonderful person, but then there's me" He lifted his head up, his eyes covered by the shadow of his straw hat. "I know I'm not smart. I don't really think things through and go with my gut. I know I trust people easily because I am easily fooled. I sometimes wondered if I was good enough for you" Luffy said, a slight crack in his voice.
"Luffy.." Robin took his hand into hers. "You are more than worthy of me. Never think that you are. I love you the way you are, and nothing will change that" She took his hand and placed over her chest. Luffy blushed at the gesture but went along with it. "My heart is yours and yours only. I didn't know at the time, but it was yours the moment you saved me in Alabasta." Luffy smiled and reached for the necklace that she gave him earlier.
"Which is why when you gave me this, I knew what you meant by it. It meant my heart also belongs to you and only you. I'll keep that promise Robin, I'll keep my promise of making you my Queen and making you happy!" Robin never doubted the words coming out of his mouth. She smiled and leaned in to give him a kiss. However, Luffy's stomach had other plans as it rumbled like a wild beast. Luffy rubbed the back of his head, clearly embarrassed he ruined the moment. Robin laughed, as only Luffy could do something like this and make it amusing.
"Come on, why don't we get something to eat?"
"Sure! Anywhere is fine, as long as you're with me." The couple headed to the nearest restaurant, a glint coming off the woman's left hand and from the open chest of the man.