A/N: The audio prompt for this one was the song "Gooey" by Glass Animals. The first thing that struck me is how the song almost makes you feel like you're floating in space, and I really wanted to capture that. Anyways, I hope you enjoy!
Gooey
Bubbles brushed past Robin's flushed cheeks as she stared at the large semi-mechanical man who floated across from her. Her thick black hair swayed slowly in the lull in the current, almost having a life of its own. One moment it would reach for the sunlight like a hungry plant; the next lash out like a defensive octopus, nearly occluding Franky from view. His hair mirrored her own, dancing around his sideburns and purposefully chiseled cheeks. His usually piercing gray eyes matched the cloudy beams which cut through the water's surface. Her heart raced. Even amongst the possibility she might drown, Robin forced herself to remain simply awed by their beauty.
She knew despite the danger that the ocean posed to Devil Fruit users like herself that she was safe.
That was what trust was, she supposed. It was a feeling that she didn't have the most experience with before. Franky on the other hand was quite practiced at it, and since meeting him she had learned to practice the feeling every day. After all, her friends had proven to her that she no longer had to fight alone anymore.
Franky large arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her close. Even in the chilly sea, his body was warm. The synthetic skin on his hands was an almost sticky texture, not so dissimilar to wet rubber, but she didn't mind. It probably served as quite practical for any repairs the shipwright might have to perform underwater. She watched the tiny bubbles that freed themselves from the surface of his face trickle and race towards the sky. Carefully, she reached up a finger to trace their path: the ridges of his chin, his dimple, the rough of his cheek, then his brow.
Franky pulled back slightly.
He stared at her, eyes brimming with a thoughtfulness that Robin had yet to experience from any of their other shipmates. Perhaps it was due to his age. Before he joined, she had been the oldest on the crew, and he had four years of life experience beyond her. In comparison, the others could be considered almost children. She wanted to know what those eyes knew, just as she wanted to show him all that she knew.
He gave her a nod, indicating that their time below was up, and with a set of powerful kicks they ascended.
Robin took a gasp of air as they broke through the surface.
"You still good?" the man asked as they bobbed in the waves.
"Yes," she confirmed. "I am fine."
He smiled, adjusting his sunglasses on his forehead. "Good."
In the distance Robin could hear the laughter of Luffy and Chopper who were still hunting crabs on the beach. It was hard to hear much more than that over the crashing waves, but she could smell the smoke from where Sanji was grilling. She smiled, looking over the scene. Usopp was clearly arguing with Luffy over something small on the sand, while Chopper excitedly ran from mound to mound. Sanji was bickering with Zoro about something, likely inconsequential. In her experience they tended to do that a lot. Beneath the shade of an umbrella, Nami lounged in a chair sipping some sort of tropical beverage. Normally that is what Robin would be doing, interesting book in hand, but she had a mission today.
"Robin?" the man beside her said, pulling her attention back at hand.
She had one simple goal today: overcome her fear of drowning.
And she was making wonderful progress. A few dips before she was still struggling with keeping feelings of fear back with Franky holding onto her. However, his patience and care with her made the process relatively easy. It could have been that seeing the man in his element provided ample distraction, but for Chopper and Luffy's sake she hoped it was just he was good teacher.
"Ready for another?"
Robin nodded and took a deep breath. He gave her a confirming nod and slowly pulled away, allowing Robin's body to gradually sink back under the waves. She closed her eyes until she was once again fully submerged again.
When she opened her eyes, she could see Franky was significantly farther away this time.
A small moment of panic flashed through her mind. If there was a problem, would he be able to get to her? She knew it was a foolish concern. He could run all the stairs of Enies Lobby to save her; he could definitely swim a couple yards to fish her from the sea. His legs were toned from years of training both in the streets and water. For all she knew he could have a propeller stashed in that body of his specifically for aquatic rescue. She certainly wouldn't put it past him at least.
She snorted slightly, releasing a small flurry of bubbles and lifted her hands to her mouth realizing what she had done. That just cut her time shorter. It was fortunate she hadn't inhaled. Before her vision had even fully cleared Franky was by her side.
His brows knitted with concern as he scanned her face, waiting for an indication of her state. He had been careful to keep a small amount of distance between them, but Robin's body still felt warm. She started to hold up the sign for "okay", but a large hand gently stopped her. She looked down at where Franky's hand gently enclosed hers. Suddenly she was once again unaware and unconcerned with the amount of air she had left. The only thing she needed to focus on was him.
She unfurled her fingers against his palm, pressing it open. Her hand was so small compared to it; she couldn't help but wonder what his old hands would have looked like. Would they have still be firm and full of character? She supposed they might be rough with callouses and scars. Certainly not the same texture as the synthetic skin.
When she looked back up at Franky he was staring at her intently. Her heart once again began to race. She glanced down at his lips, which were parted just enough to allow tiny trickles of air to escape, then back to his eyes. She honestly wasn't sure if it was the tide or her own desire that drew her closer to him until their faces were mere centimeters apart. This time when she traced his face he didn't pull away, allowing her fingers to brush all the way around his ear. His lids slowly closed, as she cupped his face in her palm. That was when she realized it.
The past few days of meaningful conversation in the night air and teasing jokes during the day hadn't simply culminated in a flirtatious understanding between friends. The way he actively sought to share book recommendations when he came across something interesting and the way she created excuses to read in his presence while he worked were the building blocks of something far deeper. She was falling in love with him.
It was at this moment Robin was snapped from her daze by a pain in her chest that communicated that it was time to take a breath. She tapped on the man's shoulder. His eyes instantly opened, and with a gentle hug he brought her back to the surface.
Above the waves Franky held Robin even closer than before. His head and body fully occluded her from the view of the shore. She panted in his arms, nearly breathless from the venture.
"Sorry," he breathed, equally flustered. His cheeks were starting to go red, as he stared down at her, leading her to believe there was a chance he had come to the same realization below that she had. "I lost track of time-"
Robin closed his lips with a finger. He had no reason to apologize to her when she had been a large part of his distraction. He looked stunned for a moment, and she could feel his pulse quicken against her skin. She lowered her hand to his chest.
"Franky," she said, just loud enough to be audible over their immediate surroundings. The man gulped, face fully flushing. She smiled, now certain that he wouldn't let the feelings she was about to entrust in him go to waste.
Robin had spent the majority of her life never knowing the warmth that came with having companions she could fully trust and rely on. However, now it seemed her life was overflowing with it: Luffy had given her the gift of a home; the strawhat crew had given her friendship; and now, even in a place that could bring about her doom, Franky had given her one more thing.
She placed a light kiss on the man's lips, which he returned with a gentle embrace.
"I love you."
