"This is the fuckin' life, Robbie," Franky exclaimed, crossing his legs and leaning back in his lounge chair. Robin smiled, reaching out to hold Franky's hand.

"Oh, I know," Nami cooed delightfully. "It's gorgeous! And everyone's so nice."

"And no one's trying to kill us," Usopp added, handing Nami a chilled bottle of water.

"It's going to be difficult to leave this place behind," Brook sighed, fanning himself. He wore a large hat, long sleeves and pants in an attempt to obscure his macabre appearance from the islanders. He adjusted his sunglasses, waving a skeletal hand in greeting as an islander passed, "Afternoon!"

"They already know, brother," Franky pointed out, shaking his head. "They don't care. Guess they've seen some shit."

"Just another reason it'll be hard to leave," Brook lamented. "Where can I go? Who will accept someone like me?"

"We accept you," Nami said sweetly, leaning in her chair.

"I think your hideously frightening appearance is probably the most interesting thing about you," Robin added with a smile.

"Yikes, Robbie," Franky groaned, pressing her hand. "Ouch. Take it easy on the guy…"

Robin shrugged, "It was supposed to be a compliment."

"Hey!" Chopper shouted, running up the beach, his hands held high above his head. "Look what I found! Look what I found!"

"What did you find?" Robin asked, sitting up in interest.

"A message!" Chopper squeaked, presenting Robin with a glass bottle. "It's a message! I found it!"

"Well," Robin murmured, "What does it say?"

"Help! Help me! I'm trapped in a bottle!" Usopp teased, waving his hands in mock distress.

"No," Chopper replied, rolling his eyes. He held out a piece of parchment proudly, "It's a treasure map."

"No way!" Franky gasped, covering his mouth in shock.

"Yes way!" Chopper beamed. "And it's for this island!"

"What are the chances?" Robin mused. "Well, what are you going to do?"

"I'm going to go and find it," Chopper explained, placing the glass bottle next to Robin's chair. "Me and a few of the other kids are going together…"

"Oh, are you?" Robin asked, sharing a look with Franky. "Take your backpack."

"Ugh, I know!" Chopper groaned impatiently.

"Have a good time," Robin chimed.

"I doubt there's anything there, little dude. Don't get too excited," Franky warned.

"I'm not stupid, Francis," Chopper drawled, blinking his eyes pointedly. He flashed a triumphant smile before turning and running back down the beach, "Bye-bye, Mom!"

Robin clutched her chest, "Did you hear what he said?"

Franky smiled, nudging Robin's shoulder gently, "Yeah, I heard it."

"He called you Francis," Robin choked out, "He's such a clever little boy."

"Wait, that's what you were-"

"Francis," Robin said sternly, cutting him off, "Did you put something worth finding in that chest?"

Franky nodded, "Yep. As soon as he finds the buried treasure he'll also be convinced Zoro is the return of the Lizard Man…"

Usopp laughed, "Ah, poor Zoro. He'll never get those kids to believe him."

"Eight little boys are trekking through the forest right now," Robin explained. "What did you put in that chest?"

Franky shook his head, "You're just gonna have to wait and find out. Chopper can tell you." Franky leaned over and kissed Robin before sticking his tongue out at her playfully.

"I'll bite that off if you're not careful," Robin teased playfully.

"I'll like it," Franky retorted, wriggling his eyebrows suggestively.

"Have you ever had sand in every crack of your body?" Robin asked.

"Uh, no," Franky replied.

Robin winked, "Want to?"

"Eh! Get a hut!" Usopp cried out.

"We'll get your hut," Franky threatened, standing and pulling Robin to her feet. "We'll get all y'alls' huts…"

"Love the sinner, hate the sin," Usopp said, waving his hands.

"Oh, you hate the sin, do you?" Nami asked, crossing her smooth, tanned legs. "Good to know."

"Uh, ma'am, I think there's been a misunderstanding," Usopp said softly.

"A misunderstanding?" Nami repeated, her lips pushed forward into a pout.

"Yeah, I, uh, I love sin… I mean, I love sinning," Usopp stumbled, "Wait, no, I'm just saying that… You know," Usopp finally managed, "You look even more beautiful today. The sunshine really brings out your, uh, your hair and eyes and…"

"Usopp," Nami said, turning in her chair to look at him straight on. "Do you think we should go and check? Ya know, that our hut is okay?"

Usopp nodded emphatically, "Yes, ma'am, I agree. We should go… and check the hut…"

"Ah, I'll wait here," Brook murmured, waving at their backs as they scurried off. "Have fun!" Brook laughed to himself. "Ah, youth."

Minutes later, Law slinked out of his hut. He looked around for signs of life before stalking through the sand. The sand was scorching hot and Law cursed under his breath as he limped toward the water. He looked around again, sniffing the air. Somehow, he missed Brook's presence and thinking he was alone he removed his pants.

He tugged self-consciously at his underwear as he hopped from foot to foot toward the water. Once in the ocean, the waves lapping at his ankle, he sat down. He looked around again quickly before swishing his hands through the waves. He was preoccupied with something, some miniscule creature, and began talking to it, creeping along after whatever it was.

He stood suddenly, water flushing down his legs. He kicked up the water and stalked back up the beach where he retrieved his pants. He pulled them over his wet skin with difficulty, leaving them unbuttoned. He moved quickly returning to his hut just as Zoro and Luffy came over the top of the sandy hill.

Zoro was wearing the islanders' traditional clothing, a flower sticking out of his mouth. Luffy was in just shorts, eating as he walked. Luffy was talking loudly, waving his hands, and his half-eaten drumstick, wildly about. Zoro laughed freely, shaking his head, the flower now held between two of his fingers.

Brook considered calling out to them but decided against it. The way Zoro followed Luffy's every movement, the way his body seemed to fit beside him so perfectly, everything about the two of them was intimate; too intimate to interrupt. So instead Brook decided to sleep. The sunshine was warm, the air was fresh, and everything was perfect.

"Are you dead for real this time?" Law asked, kicking Brook awake.

Brook sat up, wiping his heavy eyes, "What's going on?"

"Nope, still alive," Law replied, looking toward Luffy.

"Oh, man," Luffy snickered. "I thought you were dead. I couldn't tell if you… were… breathing…" Luffy scratched his chin thoughtfully, "How are you alive anyway? I really don't get it…"

"Honestly, I don't know either," Brook admitted before laughing.

"Well, since you're not dead," Luffy continued, smiling eagerly, "The islanders are throwing a party and they've invited us."

"Oh, nice," Brook murmured, pushing himself out of the chair and on his feet.

"It smells amazing," Luffy moaned, wiping the drool that dripped from his chin off with his arm.

"You're like a dog," Law complained, eyeing Luffy in distaste.

Luffy shrugged, "It smells good."

"I'm surprised Zoro isn't with you," Brook commented, "He's been-" Zoro cleared his throat from behind Brook's chair. Brook turned and waved, "Ah, there he is! Hello."

"Yep," Zoro grunted. "Right here."

"You know you're not a Keeper anymore, right?" Law questioned dryly.

Zoro looked offended; he opened his mouth to reply but was too flustered for it to come out right. "If I didn't like it," Luffy murmured, "I could shake him." Luffy smiled at Zoro, a coy little smile that made Zoro's chest pound. Luffy snickered, rubbing his face with his arm, "Let's go, I'm starving to death."

"You just ate," Law pointed out.

"Yeah, well, I'm starvingggggg…"

"I wonder what sort of party they're having," Brook mused. "I used to be quite a musician in my day and-"

"Do not," Law interrupted, "I repeat, Do not embarrass the shit out of me."

"Hey, hey!" Luffy exclaimed, bouncing from one foot to the other.

"What?" Zoro asked.

"Do you think Jinbei eats fish?" Luffy asked, tapping his chin thoughtfully.

"I… I don't know…" Zoro admitted with a shrug.

"I'll ask," Luffy decided with a nod.

"You don't embarrass me either!" Law hissed, pulling on Luffy's arm.

Luffy laughed loudly, "Oh, please, Law. There's no way I won't embarrass you…"

Law sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose, "Stay the same, you little goblin child."

"Your tone and your words don't match," Luffy whispered, throwing his slender arm around Law's shoulder. He squeezed tightly, flashing a grin. "I'm glad we're together again." Law groaned and shook his head. Luffy's grin only widened. He squeezed Law again and said, "I love you too, man."

"I'm going to pull your ears off," Law warned, his yellow eyes flashing. "Let go."

"I've never met anyone more cat-like than you," Zoro added. "You'd knock a glass off the counter just to do it."

Law shrugged, "Maybe. Depends on whose glass it was."

"Come on, guys!" Nami called, waving enthusiastically from beside the bonfire. "We're waitin' on you!"

"Why?" Zoro groaned, rolling his head back in annoyance. "Awkward."

"Be polite," Robin chastised, turning around to look him up and down. "This is an incredible privilege to be welcomed into their celebration."

Franky made a face at Zoro, mouthing the words, "She told you."

"Sit down," Nami instructed, patting the blanket underneath her. She leaned her head against Usopp's shoulder. "And be quiet."

The ceremony began with an incredible display of flame-throwing. The music banged to life, the drumbeat heavy and strong. The men launched into their traditional dance; a show of muscle, tattoos, and choreographed strength. They sat in silent awe, watching with interest.

Before they had time to realize he'd even wandered off, Luffy was suddenly in the line with the dancers. It took him a moment but eventually he was in synch. The men cheered, clapping their hands loudly against their arms. The islanders cheered even louder as Luffy followed their movements and sounds.

"I'm going to die of secondhand embarrassment one day," Law said simply, closing his eyes.

"Probably this day," Zoro groaned.

"They don't seem to mind," Robin pointed out, watching from between her spread fingers.

"I'll never understand how anyone could be like that sober," Franky sighed. "Think they'll let me join too?"

"Francis…"

"What? It looks fun…"

"They don't seem to mind him," Usopp pointed out, looking from the dancers to Nami unsurely.

"I'm going," Franky decided, pushing himself to his feet. "Only live once."

"Yeah," Usopp murmured, bouncing his leg. "It does look fun…"

"Oh, go on," Nami allowed, patting Usopp's leg. "Lose the shirt first though." Usopp turned and winked, stripping off his shirt. Nami let out a small squeal, "Take it off!"

"Aren't ya gonna go too, Zoro?" Law teased, leaning in closely.

Zoro shook his head, "I'm here for the booze and food. I don't dance." Zoro grinned, "You gonna go, Law?"

Law made a face, "Of course not."

"Hey, Mom," Chopper called out, running forward with an enormous chest in his arms.

"That chest is bigger than you are!" Robin whispered, reaching out to take it from him.

Chopper simply smiled, "I got it, it's heavyyyy."

"Did you just get back?" Nami asked, looking around in surprise. "You're missing the party."

"I was on a treasure hunt," Chopper explained, hurriedly throwing open the lid of the chest.

"What did you find?" Robin asked, looking from the line of male dancers to Chopper's discovery. Chopper began to unpack the chest, offering up an array of small treasures for Robin to inspect. "Wow. What a find," Robin cooed, handling the sand dollar carefully. "It's in one perfect piece."

"You're back," Franky grunted, sinking into the sand in front of Robin and Chopper. "Find it okay?"

Chopper nodded excitedly, "There's so much stuff in here…"

"You took longer than I thought you would," Franky admitted, wiping the sweat from his brow. "But so long as you're back, it's all gravy…"

"You'll have to split this with your new friends," Robin instructed gently, gesturing toward the other children.

"Yeah, I know," Chopper squeaked out, digging through the chest enthusiastically. "But I get the bigger share because it was my map and I carried the chest. The chest was too heavy for the other kids to even lift!"

"Remember, I charge a tax," Franky interjected. "I skim off the top of your earnings because I have to read those shitty stories over and over again…"

"Francis," Robin chided half-heartedly. "Just because they're not for you doesn't mean they're bad books."

"But the zookeeper doesn't even do any of the work! His wife puts them all back to bed!" Franky protested. "It's a stupid book!"

"What's this?" Chopper exclaimed, plucking out a small black box and giving it a thorough shake. "There's nothing inside? It doesn't make a sound…" He tossed it to Franky, "Here. You can have this one. There's your tax."

"What am I supposed to do with a box?" Franky mused, placing the small square box on Robin's leg. He smiled, placing his hand against hers. "I think it's for you anyway, Robin Nico."

Robin's eyes widened, her pulse quickening. She snatched the box up and opened it. She stared down at the brilliant diamond ring in shock. Franky's smile widened, "Now, I was suppose to have both hands to do this," he shook his head, "So I'll need you to help me…" he held out his hand. She placed the ring in his palm, her own fingers shaking. He rolled the ring into his fingers, "Robin, there's no one else in the world. Full stop." He looked down, licking his lips nervously. "Will you marry me?"

Robin smiled, her eyes blinking slowly closed, "Yes."

Franky pushed the ring onto her slender, long finger. She stared down at the dazzling white diamond in the center. There were several black diamonds lining the band. The ring was platinum, the stones were large, the size was right. She hooked her fingers under his chin and kissed him tenderly, "About time, Francis."

"Hey!" Franky rumbled in protest.

"Yes, I will marry you," Robin said definitively, sitting back and inspecting the ring with interest.

"I love you…" Franky added with a nervous smile.

"I love you too."

"Why do you seem mad?" Franky whispered, looking to Nami for assistance. Nami just smiled.

"We've been together for a very long time," Robin said simply. "I would've married you years ago if I'd been asked."

"And I would've married you too," Franky insisted. "We talked about this…"

"Where did you get this? Is this a Target engagement ring?" Robin questioned.

"No," Franky sighed. "That's worth half a year of my salary."

"I'd marry you with a Target ring," Robin explained. "I'd marry you with a ring pop."

"I know," Franky breathed out. "But this ring is the result of my blood, sweat and tears. I worked my ass off to afford that ring. I picked the stones myself. And when this shit went down, I knew I had to go back and get it. I risked everything and all of us, to get back to the apartment. This ring isn't just a ring. This ring is my ambition and resolve." Franky inhaled shakily, his throat tightening unexpectedly. "You're perfect, Robin. You're formally educated, you're beautiful, you're funny, you're strong, you're kind…"

Franky licked his lips, pausing for air before continuing, "I've had this ring in my pocket since the apartment. I've kept hold of it like my life depended on it. I want you to have that ring. That one. That's the only impressive thing I have to give you…" Franky sighed, "I'm crazy about you, don'cha know?"

"Fran Cutty," Robin whispered sweetly, "You are the most impressive thing."

"Wait a minute," Franky said, "Are you proposing to me right now?"

Robin smiled, "Maybe…"

"Marry me, woman," Franky barked.

"Bout time you asked me to," Robin retorted with a smile.

"Is your real name 'Fran'?" Chopper asked, looking from Robin to Franky.

"Shhhh," Nami murmured, patting Chopper on the head. "We'll make fun of him later." Nami hugged Chopper tightly, "Let them have this moment."

"Does this mean the treasure map was staged?!" Chopper demanded.

Nami laughed, "Well… sometimes our parents tell little lies to keep things magical longer." Nami rested her head against Chopper's affectionately, "And right now the world needs a little magic."

"Are you gonna get married too?" Chopper asked.

Nami's face brightened, "Oh, well, that's, uh, you see…" Nami cleared her throat, turning Chopper around and having him sit in her lap. "Let's see where things go." She smiled to herself, watching Usopp dance, "I'm not ruling anything out."

"Why, Mister Law," Brook began, "I think we're the only unattached-"

Law made a face that stopped Brook mid-sentence. Law smiled and nodded, "Don't talk to me for a while." Zoro laughed loudly. Law narrowed his eyes and pressed, "What's so funny?"

Zoro shrugged, "It's just nice. Seeing you two, how different you are. But you're both having the time of your lives."

Law scoffed, "How did you come to that conclusion?"

"You're not having the time of your life?" Zoro asked, eyeing Law. "I just mean that freedom looks good on you."

"Barf."

"When's the last time you had a bad reset?" Zoro pointed out.

Law shrugged, "I haven't died."

"Yeah, but you didn't have to die to go wonky, did you?" Zoro sighed, rubbing his old scar, "I remember it clearly myself. You could change in a second."

Law thought about it before slowly nodding, "You don't talk to me for a while either."

Zoro laughed and playfully kicked out, hitting Law in the hip, "Shame Sanji can't see you both now."

"Everything about Sanji is a shame," Law muttered. "Such a waste."

"It's a party," Zoro chastised. "Don't get moody." He leaned in closer to Law, "Drink with me."

"I'm not much of a drinker," Law admitted.

Zoro grinned, "Even better. Get stupid for once."

"Is that your little group's motto? Get Stupid?" Law teased.

"No," Nami interjected. "Our motto is you can die any fucking second, eat the dessert."

"Life is short, let her call you Francis," Franky added jokingly.

"Love is the only thing that can't be taken from us," Robin added. "Show it."

"Oh my God," Law gasped. "I'm in purgatory…"

"Fine, pick your own motto," Zoro reasoned, passing Law a mug of spirits. "Just drink up."

"Stop fighting it," Nami pressed with a giggle.

"We'll wear you down eventually," Chopper warned.

The dance ended and Luffy and Usopp wandered over. Luffy swallowed whatever he had been chewing and grinned down at everyone. He gave a wave, rocking back and forth on his bare feet.

"You look like you're up to something…" Zoro realized, lowering his mug. Luffy's grin only widened. "What's up, Luffy…?"

"I just thought of some more things I've never done," Luffy admitted.

"Oh," Zoro sighed in relief, "Like what?"

"Well, the guys were telling me about some volcanos…"

"Volcanoes?!" Usopp yelped. "Hell nah. I ain't going to go mess around with any damn volcanoes."

"You do realize this island is a volcano, right?" Robin asked, her eyes narrowed doubtfully.

"You do realize how islands are usually made, right?" Nami added, shaking her head.

"Well I wasn't here when shit was getting made!" Usopp complained folding his arms over his chest.

"Oh, no," Robin gasped. "You aren't an evolution denier are you?"

"What? No, I just meant-"

"Everyone stop!" Law snapped. "Luffy was mentioning something about a volcano. And I'd really like to learn more about it so I can throw myself into the lava and end my misery."

"Yes I was and no you won't," Luffy replied quickly. "I just want to see it."

"I'm still trying to do this whole proposal thing," Franky admitted. "Pass."

"I will not let this white woman be sacrificed to a volcano," Usopp argued. "We're out."

"I'm old," Brook complained.

"Hiking just sucks," Law refused, brushing his hands against his pants.

"I still have treasure to look through," Chopper squeaked out, gesturing to his chest.

"You've dragged me worse places," Zoro stood up, leaving his mug buried in the sand. He hooked his arm around Luffy and squeezed him quickly. He knocked his shoulder against Luffy's, "Come on then. Let's go see this volcano."

Luffy reached out and took Zoro's hand in his. Zoro's face flushed with color but he didn't move his hand away. "You could've shaken me, if you wanted to."

Zoro smiled, his eyes downcast, "Yeah, but I didn't want to."

-THE END-