Rating: K
Timeframe: Chapter 253
Spoilers: Nope
For a pirate crew with a captain worth 100,000,000 berries, the Straw Hats spent remarkably little time actually acting like pirates. During Robin's first days on the Going Merry, their unnatural behavior was equal parts amusing and mystifying. More than once she wondered why in the world they were sailing under a pirate flag at all. It would have been much less hassle to travel as adventurers instead.
"What are you smiling about?" the swordsman groused as he sat down next to her. Not too close, Robin noted with some amusement, but closer than he ever had during their short time sailing together.
Robin shifted her attention from the crewmates who were still dancing around the fire in celebration of their first day on Skypea. "I often smile."
"Not like this, you don't," the swordsman said. "Aren't you upset that Luffy didn't bank the fire?"
Case and point: Instead of making last-minute preparations for the next day's expedition or guarding against attacks from angry islanders, the Straw Hats decided to fritter their first night in enemy territory away dancing and partying and generally making their presence known to the world.
Robin found herself not minding nearly as much as she should have. Not when their plans would eventually lead her to the ruins she cared about most of all.
"Not really," she said, realizing the honesty of the statement for the first time. "Long-nose was correct; I haven't done anything like this before. It's…nice." Robin stopped before she gave away any more. Raising an eyebrow, she looked at the swordsman sidelong. "Besides, it was captain's orders. Isn't it the duty of the crew to do as the captain says, regardless of the consequences?"
"It's getting dark," Robin noted as their discussion of their plans to loot the City of Gold wound down. "If we're not using the fire anymore, we should put it out. It will only give away our position."
The navigator nodded thoughtfully, but the captain and sharpshooter shared twin looks of horror. The captain then shook his head, almost as if he were disappointed.
"Did you hear that, Usopp? She wants to put out the fire!"
"Don't say it like that," the sharpshooter said. There was something almost like pity in his voice. "Robin's lived a tough life. She couldn't have known."
"What do you mean?" Robin asked, wondering what in the world Usopp and Luffy could possibly know that she didn't.
The boys collapsed, beside themselves with emotion. "Lighting a campfire is the obvious thing to do!" Luffy exclaimed.
"It's the way of life to have a campfire on a camping night, even if we die!" Usopp added, pounding his fist on the ground.
"Hmph," the swordsman snorted, pausing to take a drink. Even he didn't seem as grumpy as usual. Robin wouldn't go so far to say that he was happy, but there was a quiet contentment surrounding the swordsman. As much as he tried to hide it, it seemed he, too, enjoyed these kind of nights with his crew.
"I'm still watching you," he said, though the threat lacked its previous venom.
"Mr. Swordsman," Robin murmured, gaze returning to her dancing crewmates. "If I wanted you dead, don't you suppose I would have done it by now?"
"You could be planning something."
"Mr. Swordsman, please. If I did not believe the Sky Islands to exist, I would not have gone out of my way to help you go up the Knock-Up Stream. If my goal was to kill you, I would have sabotaged your mission from the start." Robin raised a hand to stop his protest. "I risked my life as much as anyone following the captain's…unique vision."
"That doesn't mean that you won't sell us out when it's convenient like you did with Crocodile," the swordsman said.
"I suppose," Robin said, once again impressed by his perception. "But that doesn't change the fact that I've put forth a great deal of effort following the captain's schemes when it would have been easier to leave, or, as you say, sell out."
The swordsman was quiet for a long while, his brows furrowed together. Robin had to force herself not to smile victoriously. She had him. He might not realize it, but in the last few days, Robin had earned the most stubborn Straw Hat's trust.
"Think about it," Robin said, rising to her feet. "I'm going to get a blanket. Do you want one?"
The shadows on his face darkened for a moment. "No." He paused again. "But…thank you for offering.
Robin nodded once, a burden rising from her shoulders. Getting the swordsman on her side was the last step to being included as one of the Straw Hat Pirates. For the time being her survival was secure.
I often smile.
Not like this, you don't.
The swordsman didn't know what he was talking about. While it was true that she enjoyed the antics of the Straw Hat Pirates immensely, and very much appreciated that they didn't take her past to their advantage, this arrangement was temporary, just like all the rest.
Although it was nice that they were going to let her explore some ancient ruins. She couldn't think of any other crew that would have accommodated her interests like the Straw Hats had. Just as the Straw Hats were not a typical pirate crew, neither was Robin a typical pirate. For now, their arrangement with one another worked.
And for now, that was enough.
AN: Chapter 218 might have Robin's first real smile, I have chapter 253 pegged as Robin's "you guys are all nuts, but I love you anyway" moment.
Thanks for reading