Several days had passed since that night with Luffy. Robin found herself increasingly frustrated with the shift in her own behavior. She still held her doubts, still kept her guard up, but the constant interactions with the crew were starting to chip away at the chronic distrust that had been her armor for so long.

Reclining in her chair, she tried to focus on the book in her hands, but the chaos around her made it nearly impossible. The crew's loud voices echoed in the background: Luffy's boisterous laughter, the Doctor's rapid-fire chatter, and Long Nose's loud, animated complaints. And then there was Nami, her anger evident as she screamed at Luffy—again. The swordsman slept blissfully through it all, and Sanji, ever the professional, pretended not to notice until Luffy crashed into the kitchen.

It was the same scene every day. And the more Robin saw of it, the more… unsettling it became. Each day, she found herself relaxing a little more around them, especially Luffy, and the change infuriated her. It would have been simpler if she could just tell herself that he was nothing more than another scumbag pirate, a man who wanted to exploit her for her abilities or simply manipulate her for his own gain.

But no, you can't even convince yourself of that anymore.

She couldn't turn the page of her book. Her mind wouldn't let her. The doubt gnawed at her. Was Luffy really as simple as he appeared? She thought back to the night they'd spoken in the tomb, the way he'd mentioned her dream, the way he'd seemed to understand her. It unsettled her more than anything.

Her gaze turned toward Luffy, who was currently being pummeled by the furious navigator. Despite his goofy demeanor, there was something disarming about the way he just took it all in stride, like a child who couldn't understand why anyone would be mad at him. He wasn't the kind of pirate captain she had imagined. His indifference to authority, his carefree attitude—yet, there was more to him than met the eye. The way he had been so understanding that night. It had forced her to reconsider her earlier assumptions.

She tried to push the thoughts away, but they wouldn't leave. She closed the book, unable to concentrate.

With determination, she stood up and walked toward Luffy. This wouldn't be the first time she'd done this, but it would be the last. She had to know the truth. Her resolve had hardened into something sharp.

"Navigator really went overboard this time, didn't she, Captain san?" she said, flashing him a smile that barely touched her eyes.

Luffy, still rubbing his head from the beating, nodded dramatically "Tell me about it"

Robin took a step closer, her smile never wavering "Would you care to join me in the bedroom? Maybe I can cheer you up?" She let her voice drop an octave, making sure it came across as alluring.

Luffy blinked, his face lighting up in an instant "Do you have food?!" He shouted with joy, a wide grin stretching across his face.

Is he really that innocent? Robin thought, briefly taken aback. But no. She couldn't let herself doubt her plan now.

Forcing a smile that was more practiced than sincere, she leaned in closer, her movements slow and deliberate "Mhmm, I was thinking of something better than food…"

Luffy's eyes sparkled "Really?! Let's go now!" he shouted, practically jumping up in excitement.

Robin's heart was beating loudly as she led him toward the room. She was prepared for this, after all. This was what she had been building toward. But as she walked in front of him, she couldn't help but notice that he wasn't reacting the way she had expected. There was no interest in his eyes at her mesmerizing sensual movements

By the time they reached the room, Robin's optimism was starting to falter, but she pushed it down. She couldn't give up now. She closed the door behind them and turned to face him, her confidence now more fragile than before.

"Well, Captain, are you ready for your reward?" she said, her voice teasing.

Luffy stared at her blankly, tilting his head "Uh, Robin? You said you had something better than food, but I don't see the Robo Tiger Mecha 5000 here?"

Robin almost face-faulted. The room felt like it had suddenly gone quiet "What?" She asked flatly.

Luffy's face lit up as he excitedly bounced on his heels "Robo Tiger Mecha 5000! It's a tiger robot that turns into a mecha! I've always wanted one! They're only found in the South Blue!" His voice was filled with childlike wonder.

Robin stood frozen, her heart pounding in her chest as she fought to regain her composure. She hadn't expected this. Is he really that naive? Or is he pretending?

Trying to mask her growing discomfort, Robin forced a smirk "I can think of something better than that toy, Captain-san…"

Luffy's confusion replaced his enthusiasm "What could be better than food or Robo Tiger Mecha 5000?" he asked

"I was thinking of something… more intimate."

Luffy stared at her, his expression unchanged. "Huh?"

Robin's confidence crumbled. This wasn't going the way she planned at all.

She fought to keep her composure as she tried again "Come on, Captain. You're a man, aren't you?"

Luffy blinked at her in confusion, clearly not understanding what was going on.

I can't believe this. Robin thought, fighting back a mix of frustration and mortification. How did it come to this?

She took a bold step and decided to cut the words out and instead act, she took her shirt off leaving herself in her bra and winked at him "I was actually thinking of Se-"

"Robin."

The confusion was no longer present in those earnest eyes. Her name, spoken with an edge she had never heard before, cut through the air like a blade. The raw anger in Luffy's tone were palpable, and it left her frozen. Her breath caught, her carefully constructed mask of confidence shattering in an instant.

Luffy bent down and picked up her discarded shirt. His expression was calm, almost neutral, but his posture betrayed something deeper—disappointment. Without meeting her eyes, he held the shirt out to her "Here. Put it back on" he said quietly before walking out.

Robin stood there, motionless, her gaze fixed on the floor. Minutes passed like hours, or maybe it was the other way around. Time had become meaningless as shame, confusion, and regret swirled in her chest.

Robin sat alone, her thoughts an uncontrollable torrent. She felt crushed, an unfamiliar weight pressing down on her chest. Shame coiled around her like a serpent, suffocating and relentless.

But why? Why did she feel like this? It wasn't as if she had ever cared much about what others thought of her—at least, that's what she told herself. She had survived betrayal, loneliness, and scorn for two decades. She wasn't supposed to care.

Then why does his disappointment hurt so much?

The question lingered, unanswered, as Robin wrestled with emotions she wasn't ready to name.

It had been four days since the incident, and in that time, the crew had discovered a ship falling from the sky and learned the log pose now pointed upwards. Their attention shifted to finding a sky island—a notion as absurd as it was exciting. Presently, they were at the home of Noland the Liar's descendant and his salvager friends.

Robin hadn't acted any differently around the crew, except when it came to Luffy. She couldn't bring herself to look at him, not after what had happened. Avoiding him had become second nature, though it left an uncomfortable weight in her chest.

She now sat alone, apart from the lively party inside the salvagers' home. The laughter and chatter of her crewmates carried to her through the open door, but none of it reached her. No matter how hard she tried, her thoughts always drifted back to that moment.

A sudden tap on her shoulder snapped her from her reverie. Robin turned her head, and her breath caught when she saw who it was.

Luffy stood behind her, his expression unreadable but steady "Let's talk" he said simply.

Robin hesitated, every instinct telling her to decline, but she found herself nodding before she could think twice. He turned and walked toward the quiet night outside. She rose slowly, her movements deliberate as if delaying the inevitable.

The others remained engrossed in their celebration, not noticing the two of them slipping out.

Luffy stopped a fair distance from the house and turned to face her. He waited silently, his arms relaxed at his sides but his posture firm. Robin followed, each step feeling heavier than the last. When she finally stood before him, she dared to meet his gaze but quickly looked away.

For a moment, neither spoke. The weight of her avoidance hung in the air, unspoken but palpable.

"Why have you been avoiding me?" Luffy asked at last, his voice calm but direct.

Robin winced at the straightforwardness of his question. She looked down at the ground, her hands clasping each other tightly "I thought… it was better this way," she said softly.

"Better?" Luffy echoed, tilting his head slightly "For who?"

"For you" Robin replied automatically. Her voice faltered as she added "I thought it would make things less awkward."

"That's dumb" Luffy said bluntly, the simplicity of his statement cutting through her defenses.

"We're crewmates" he continued "We can't just ignore each other. That's not how it works"

Robin opened her mouth but found herself at a loss for words. She mentally steeled herself, as if to shield against the vulnerability his words brought to the surface.

Luffy kept his gaze fixed on her, his tone firm but steady "Robin, I'm not mad at you. I'm mad because you think this is a game"

Robin flinched slightly at his words but quickly schooled her expression. She finally met his eyes "What do you mean?"

"You didn't offer yourself to me that way because you wanted to" Luffy said, his voice unwavering "You were trying to get something from me. What was it?"

Robin frowned, her gaze drifting sideways. The weight of his stare felt unbearable. She couldn't face him as she replied, her voice quieter than before. "I wanted to know if you truly meant what you said to me that night"

Luffy's eyes softened, though his stern demeanor remained. He was relieved to hear there was no malice in her actions, but he still wasn't satisfied "What makes you think I didn't mean it?" he asked seriously.

Robin hesitated before finally meeting his eyes again, her expression one of pain and vulnerability. "Because I haven't had any friends in 20 years" she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper "Everywhere I went, I had to deal with people's lies. I stopped believing in sincerity a long time ago"

Luffy's eyes widened in shock "What?"

Robin held his gaze for a moment before looking away, her frown deepening. "The only friends I ever had have been dead for 20 years"

The weight of her words struck Luffy like a physical blow. He stood frozen, her confession stirring memories of his own—a time when he had said to his brothers when he was 7.

"Being alone is worse than being hurt"

He struggled to find the words, his voice cracking when he finally spoke "How?"

Robin looked at him, confused "How what?"

"How did you find the will to keep living?" Luffy asked, his tone a mixture of awe and sorrow. Despite not knowing every detail of her past, he understood enough. Betrayal, heartbreak, isolation—he'd never considered what it would be like to endure that for so long, utterly alone.

As if her next words couldn't shock him further, what she said would change him forever. Unbeknownst to him, a seed has been planted into his heart that will bloom into a beautiful flower.

Robin's expression softened, and a weak smile crossed her lips "My dream" she said simply.

As those words left her mouth, Luffy's heart became an erratic mess.

Thump. Thump. Thump.

He quickly turned away, not wanting her to see the blush creeping across his cheeks. He shook his head in an attempt to ground himself, but the warmth spreading through his chest was undeniable.

Robin seemed unaware of his reaction, her tone tinged with shame "I'm sorry for trying to use underhanded tactics. I won't pursue this anymore. I—"

"Robin" Luffy interrupted, his voice gentler now.

She looked at him hesitantly.

"You don't have to apologize" he said "You just wanted to understand me, right?"

Robin nodded slowly, unsure of where he was going.

"And from now on" he continued, his tone growing firmer, "don't force yourself to do things you don't want to do. You don't have to prove anything to me" His eyes, usually so carefree, were intense, conveying emotions his words couldn't fully express.

Robin's lips curved into a small, genuine smile. "I'll keep that in mind"

Luffy grinned, the light returning to his expression. "And, Robin?"

"Yes?"

"I'm glad you're alive" Luffy said with such earnestness that it sent a wave of warmth through her chest.

Robin's smile widened, if only for a moment, as she felt a flicker of something she hadn't allowed herself to feel in 2 decades: Happiness "We should go back to the party" she said softly, her smile waning slightly.

"Yeah, let's go" Luffy said cheerfully, turning back toward the house.

As he walked away, Robin stayed behind for a moment, her smile fading completely. Her rational mind warned her against letting her guard down, whispering that happiness was a fleeting luxury— and a sin she couldn't afford to commit.

She wrapped her arms around herself and looked up at the night sky.

Should I dare to sin?

It was a question she didn't yet have the answer to.