There were very few things in this world that could truly shock Zoro. He prided himself on his ability to take whatever the seas threw at him in stride. The world was vast, after all, and mysteries lurked in every drop of water that made up the ocean. He had seen enough to know that the unexpected was just part of the journey.

But even his unshakable nonchalance had its limits. There were moments that could crack his composure, leaving him shell shocked. The titanic shadows they'd encountered on their way to Jaya had been one such moment. And now, here was another—something that left him utterly dumbfounded. His own captain.

Zoro liked to think he knew Luffy well. They had clicked almost instantly, their bond forged in battle and strengthened through many adventures. Yet, deep down, he knew better.

Luffy was like the ocean itself, deceptively simple on the surface, but endlessly complex beneath. At first glance, he seemed easy to figure out: a carefree, rubber-brained idiot with a bottomless appetite and an unshakable sense of loyalty to people he calls friends. But just when you thought you had him pegged, he'd do something so utterly unpredictable that it made you question whether you'd ever truly understood him at all.

Zoro leaned against the railing of the crow's nest, his gaze drifting to the horizon. The sound of footsteps pulled him from his thoughts. He didn't need to look to know it was Nami. Their recent conversations had revolved around one topic: Luffy and his strange behavior toward their newest crewmate

As Nami approached, Zoro broke the silence first, his tone laced with sarcasm "Got nothing better to do than gossip these days, witch?"

Nami rolled her eyes, unfazed "Don't act all high and mighty" She shot back, her expression quickly turning serious "Zoro… should we be worried?"

His snarky smirk faded, replaced by a frown. "What did I tell you before?" he said, his voice firm, almost lecturing.

Nami's annoyance flared. "Look, I know you don't want to talk to Luffy about this because you think it's none of our business, but—"

"And it isn't" Zoro interrupted, his tone final.

Nami pressed on, undeterred "But don't you think this could cause problems for the crew?" Her voice carried a weight that made it clear this wasn't just idle talk.

Zoro raised an eyebrow, intrigued "How so?"

Nami hesitated, choosing her words carefully. "Zoro, I know we're not like other pirate crews. We're not all business, all the time. Heck, we practically function like an insane family more than anything else but…" She paused, gathering her thoughts "Luffy's always treated us the same, no favorites, no exceptions. With Robin, though… it's different. Do you think he'd prioritize her over the rest of us?"

Zoro's expression shifted, his usual stoicism giving way to a flicker of concern and understanding. He crossed his arms, considering her words "I guess you have a point" he admitted reluctantly.

Nami's gaze hardened "We've all seen how protective Luffy is of us. But the way he talked to that admiral… that wasn't just his usual protectiveness. That was possessive anger"

Nami's words struck a chord within Zoro. Of course, he'd noticed it too, but he'd been too caught off guard by Luffy's uncharacteristic behavior to dwell on the implications. Sometimes, just sometimes, Nami is a step ahead of him.

"I did say it's not our business unless it puts the crew in danger" Zoro muttered, more to himself than to her "But how do we even bring this up with Luffy? It's not like there's some ironclad pirate rule against two crew members being lov-extra close."

Nami didn't miss the slip. The fact that even Zoro acknowledged the territory Luffy and Robin were treading was a sign that their suspicions weren't unfounded "But other pirate crews don't operate like ours" she countered "We have a shared commitment for each other that is not exclusive. While other pirate crews will have favouritsm even without.. that kind of love and we are only a handful of people with loud personalities"

She sighed, her frustration evident. "We shouldn't say anything for now. I don't know how he'd react. He and Robin have been acting distant since yesterday, while the rest of the crew is back to normal like nothing ever happened."

Pinching the bridge of her nose, she added "Of all the things I expected when Robin joined, this wasn't one of them. I didn't even think that idiot was capable of having feelings for the opposite sex" There was a hint of something in her voice, frustration, maybe even a touch of bitterness that made Zoro pause.

Curiosity got the better of him "Have you ever had feelings for Luffy?" Zoro asked, knowing full well he might be crossing a line.

Nami's eyes widened briefly before she composed herself. This was Zoro, after all. She trusted him not to spread her disclosed secret "Yes" she admitted mumbling "But I'm over it" Even as she said it, she wasn't entirely sure it was true herself.

Zoro was visibly surprised but not entirely shocked given Luffy and Nami's history "If you got over it, maybe Luffy will too. Feelings come and go."

Nami wanted to agree, but something held her back "I'm going back to drawing my maps" she said, turning to leave.

Zoro gave her an awkward wave as she walked away, his mind racing. He found himself lost in thought, staring out at the endless sea.

Would Luffy really choose Robin over the rest of the crew?

"You are not my Husband"

The words echoed in Luffy's mind, sharp and unrelenting, like a blade twisting deeper with each repetition. He lay sprawled on his bunk, staring blankly at the ceiling, his thoughts a tangled mess. Robin's voice lingered in his ears, cold and final, and no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't shake the weight of what she'd said. It wasn't just her words—it was the way she'd looked at him, her eyes guarded, her walls firmly back in place. He'd pushed too far, and he knew it.

Luffy wasn't emotionally blind. He understood he'd crossed a line, pressing her to open up when she wasn't ready. He told himself it was for her sake, but deep down, he couldn't ignore the selfishness behind it.

He wanted to know her; NEEDED to know her in a way that went beyond their usual camaraderie. But why? That was the question he couldn't answer, the puzzle he wasn't sure he wanted to solve. The truth, he suspected, would be embarrassing.

A soft knock at the door pulled him from his thoughts "Come in" he muttered, not bothering to look up. The door creaked open, and the familiar scent of cigarette smoke and seafood wafted in before Sanji's voice broke the silence.

"Never thought I'd see the day I'd have to call you to dinner" the cook said with humour. He leaned against the doorframe, one hand in his pocket, the other holding a lit cigarette. "You're usually the one blowing my eardrums off about food. What's with the moping?"

Luffy sat up slowly, his hat tilted low over his eyes "Dinner's ready?" he asked, his voice uncharacteristically quiet.

Sanji exhaled a plume of smoke, his sharp gaze studying Luffy "The pot's boiling. It'll be ready soon." He paused "You're acting weird, shitty captain. What's going on?"

Luffy hesitated, his fingers gripping the edge of the bunk "Just needed to be alone," he mumbled, avoiding Sanji's eyes.

Sanji raised an eyebrow. "Alone? You? That's a first" He took another drag, his expression shifting from amusement to something more serious "Did something happen between you and Robin chan?"

Luffy's head snapped up, his eyes wide. "What? No! I mean—why would you think that?" he stammered, his attempt at feigning confusion falling flat.

Sanji gave him a flat, unimpressed look "Don't play dumb. You're about as subtle as a cannonball. And for the record, you're not hard to read but even then I am surprised Luffy" He moved closer, sitting on the edge of the bunk. His tone softened, though his usual edge remained "Do you want to talk about it?"

Luffy blinked, caught off guard. Sanji wasn't one for serious conversations, especially with him. Their dynamic was built on bickering and food demands, not heartfelt talks.

"Why do you care?" Luffy asked cautiously, his guard up. He knew how protective Sanji was of the crew's women.

"Because you're a clueless brute," Sanji said bluntly, flicking ash to the side "You've got no tact, no sense of boundaries. I've only known you a few months, but even I can see you don't exactly handle delicate situations well"

Luffy opened his mouth to retort but stopped himself. He couldn't argue. He had pushed Robin, and he'd known it was wrong even as he did it. The guilt gnawed at him.

Sanji sighed, his expression softening just a fraction "Look, I don't know what happened between you two, and I don't need the details. But she's not as mad at you as you think."

Luffy frowned, his brow furrowing "What do you mean?"

Sanji took a long drag, his eyes narrowing as he exhaled "I mean, you're important to her. More than you realize. And trust me, I'd love to kick your ass for it, but I can't change how she feels." He bit down on his cigarette, his voice tinged with reluctant acceptance "If a lady chooses someone else, that's her decision. I can't hold it against her or you."

Luffy's chest tightened "Robin doesn't like me like that" he said quickly, the words tumbling out "And I don't—" He stopped, the rest of the sentence died in his throat.

Sanji stared at him for a long moment, then shook his head. "You really are a moron" he said, standing up. He muttered a curse under his breath as he turned to leave, the door clicking shut behind him.

Luffy sat frozen, his heart pounding. He tried to repeat the words in his head, to convince himself they were true. "I don't like her that way" he wanted to say, But the harder he tried, the more the truth clawed its way to the surface. And for the first time, he couldn't bring himself to deny it.

Robin felt restless. Restlessness wasn't foreign to her, she has been feeling restless ever since her exile from a peaceful life back in Ohara. But this familiar state of being momentarily vanished from her mind, and despite her knowledge that her refuge from it is temporary, she still couldn't help but feel bitter.

How can she begin to grieve over the reminder of her predicament? Just a few words and gestures from him melted away all her grievances but now she sought refuge from the refuge of her grievences.

The venomous or at the very least harsh words she said to him has been haunting her conscience. It's not just a matter of pushing her cherished confidant away, but the content of her frustrated conjecture ironically frustrated her to no end.

She couldn't turn the pages of her book as she stopped to think over what she said. Robin knew that Luffy was not respectful of the boundaries of their relationship and did act uncomfortably pushy… but at the same time, she couldn't help being upset at herself. But why? What she said was not false, but why did she feel disappointed?

"Robin"

Disappointed?

"Robin"

Why should she be? It was as if…

"Robin!"

Robin blinked as her mind finally processed that there was something else in the room and called her name. She silently breathed a sigh of relief that it was not the man at the centre of her thoughts "Long Nose kun? What are you doing in the library?"

Usopp gave her an apologetic smile "Sorry if i interrupted you, I am just here to call you to dinner. Everyone is already at the table besides you" He said

Robin nodded her head as she closed her book "I don't feel hungry, I am going to go rest" She said before standing up.

"Sanji wouldn't be happy about that, you should at least eat something" Usopp said immediately.

Robin shook her head "It's ok Long nose, missing one meal is fine" She said before excusing herself

"You can't ignore Luffy forever you know?" Usopp said suddenly

Robin's eyes widened as she turned around and then narrowed "Pardon?"

Usopp took a deep breath "I don't need to tell you, do I?" He said knowingly, before he brought fingers together "We live in the same ship, you can't ignore him forever"

Robin looked away stoically "I am not ignoring him" she said "I need some time to get over my shock of Aokiji"

An impressive lie. Even as a liar, he would have a difficult time telling it apart, were it not for Luffy's withdrawnness "I guess the captain of the ship is also shook because of an admiral? You know Luffy doesn't let his enemies dictate his everyday behavior" Usopp said with some humour.

Robin labelled a glare at him "What will you get from telling me this?" She said almost scowling "I am not his mother"

Usopp smirked at the choice of words, not long ago he was scared shitless by Robin's presence but she was no longer an enigma in the crew in his eyes so he couldn't help but tease "Oho, are you mad you are not more than that?" he said suggestively.

Robin doesn't get embarrassed. It's simply not in her nature since Ohara, but she couldn't help but blush at the implication of the sniper's words though she admittedly hid it quite well "What I am trying to say is that I don't need to be friendly to the captain or anyone here for the sake of it. I will fulfill my obligations as a crewmate, but I am not responsible for how someone else feels" She said, trying to be distant and cold.

Usopp's smirk turned neutral, he could clearly see that she did not believe what she said "Do you really feel that way?" He asked

Robin frowned "You already heard me, Long nose" she said swiftly "The ship's captain shouldn't be upset because of one crewmate, I won't disobey his commands if he calls me into action"

Now Usopp was the one frowning "So you are admitting you are avoiding him because something happened" He said as Robin flinched "This isn't about your adequacy as a crewmate you know?"

Robin's eyes were conflicted though she put up a cold exterior "If it isn't I don't what the issue is? As I have said I don't owe anyone friendliness"

Usopp said nothing for a moment before sighing "You shouldn't think of us as business partners Robin" he said "We are friends, that's more important to us than what your duties are on the ship" Though as he said that he frowned again for a split second.

Robin looked off guard at his words and she was about to say something before Usopp interrupted her before she could speak.

"Nevermind that" Usopp said quickly "I will tell everyone you are not coming" before hastily excusing himself leaving Robin to her thoughts.

"Medicine to cure feelings?"

"Yes."

Chopper stared blankly as he processed what Luffy just said "You know there isn't a medicine like that" he said incredulously

Luffy tilted his head sideways, his lips tightening "Isn't your dream to cure all diseases?"

"I haven't achieved my dream yet you know" Chopper said flatly "And my dream is to cure diseases, feelings are not a disease"

Luffy's shoulders slumped "It might as well be one for me" he murmured

"What feelings are you talking about?" Chopper asked professionally "Even if i can't give you a drug, I can still help you"

Luffy looked apprehensive but he eventually gave in "It's about Robin" he said reluctantly

Chopper's eyes shined in understanding "Luffy I don't think you need a doctor for this" he said seriously "I am younger than you, I don't know if I can help you with this better than the others"

"But I do need a doctor for this" Luffy said gravely "You don't understand Chopper… I need to get this sorted out soon"

Chopper looked puzzled "But Why? Is it because you dislike her a lot?" He asked innocently "I know you two are not getting along lately but Robin is really nice, I am sure you will like her again eventually"

Luffy's brows twitched, It seemed Chopper didn't take the hint "You got it all wrong" He said with a big sigh

Chopper's confusion deepened "Then what is it?" He asked, completely lost, he could see Luffy's face twist uncomfortably.

"I think I am infatuated with her"

Chopper still did not understand the problem as he cutely tilted his head "Why would you want a cure for that?"

Luffy looked away cryptically "I have my reasons" he said firmly before looking at Chopper again with a hint of desperation "So can you help give me anything to help?"

Chopper shook his head "I am afraid I can't Luffy" He said "Infatuation is as normal as getting hungry especially for someone who is your age. All you can do is let the feelings come and go, there is no cure"

Luffy frowned deeply "There really is no other way?"

Chopper nodded "Like I said, I can't give you anything to help" he said before asking "But why are you so against having feelings for Robin? Would she be a bad mate?" He asked bluntly, as a reindeer and a doctor, he did not understand that such topics are sensitive.

Luffy's face flushed at Chopper's unintentionally brazen words "I already told you, I have my reasons" he said embarrassed before collecting himself "And Chopper? Whatever was said here doesn't leave this room, am I clear?" He said dangerously with narrowed eyes

Chopper gulped "Crystal" he said in slight fear "I wouldn't think of violating my oath as a doctor to break a patient's confidentiality"

Luffy's stern face softened into a smile. He reached down and gently patted the little reindeer's head "That's my ship's doctor."

As Luffy walked out of the infirmary with a hardened look in his eyes, while Chopper broke into a happy little dance, muttering obscenities under his breath and blushing with pride.

Many Days have passed, and despite Robin's best wishes to ignore Luffy, Usopp's words held true. You simply cannot ignore someone who lives on the same ship as you— especially if that someone is the ship's captain.

She mustered up the courage to join the crew during meal times eventually but it was obvious to everyone that she was trying to pretend a certain someone was not in the same room.

Her cold detachment was a poor disguise, and the more she kept up the act, the heavier her heart felt. With every passing day, it became clearer—her relationship with the captain mattered to her more than she wanted to admit. Painfully so.

Uncomfortably so, to the point she is entertaining thoughts that are ludicrous. Despite her cold and calculated words to Usopp. She did care for everyone in the crew, but she knew that she had to keep her distance from them for her and their sake.

But the distance between her and the captain is more painful than a cactus thorn from Alabasta. She contemplated jumping ship and walking out on the crew many times but something always held her back. Something that pulled her back like a magnet, invisible yet perceivable by the heart.

Though the camaraderie of the crew was part of that pull, the centre of the pull was well; the man that is now haunting her thoughts.

She always procrastinated on these thoughts, but now with the distance between them. It was becoming harder and harder to run away from them.

Nami was lying down as she gave a sideways glance at her roommate who was lying down "Robin are you ok?"

Robin blinked before acknowledging her "Yeah.."

Nami didn't look convinced "Are you thinking about that idiot?" She didn't have to say his name for her to know who she was referring to.

Robin's silence spoke louder than any verbal acknowledgment.

Nami let out a long sigh "You are not being fair" she said "You are hurting him and yourself"

Robin didn't have the heart or the energy to respond coldly "I don't know what to do" she said tiredly "I have said hurtful things to him"

Nami was surprised that she decided to be open all the sudden "What did you say to him?" She couldn't help but ask though she realized soon after the words left her mouth that she probably shouldn't have asked.

Robin looked visibly uncomfortable at the question as she sat up "That I don't want to say Navigator" she said before closing her eyes.

Nami looked at her apologetically "I am sorry, I shouldn't have asked" She said, Realizing that the question may be too personal.

Robin turned to face her as she got up from her bed "It's ok" she said "I just don't know what to do"

Nami got up from her bed and made her way to sit next to her "You know, I am sure Luffy doesn't hate you for it" She said after a moment of silence

Robin wordlessly turned to her inquisitively "You say that with so much confidence. You don't know what I said to him"

Nami had a strained smile before she spoke. "I also said something unforgivably hurtful to someone I care about deeply" Robin looked over to her side as she did not miss the pain from her confession "Yet before she died in front of me, she told me she loved me and would never deny I was her daughter" She said before a few tears fell from her eyes.

Robin looked concerned "Navigator San.." She had the urge to pull Nami into a hug and comfort her but she knew that such an act would be walking in dangerous territory. She did not want to get too close. Though it wasn't lost on her that it may have been too late to consider being distant given her predicament with the captain.

Nami wiped the tears off "Sorry I shouldn't have brought that up" She said as she tried to smile "What I am trying to say is, what you said to him couldn't be worse than what I said. Luffy isn't the type to hold grudges against those he cares about"

Robin looked hesitant before asking something she did not think she would ever ask but Robin knew that she could no longer hide from her suspicions about her own feelings "Navigator San, do you mind if I ask you something? You don't have to answer if you are not comfortable"

Nami saw her hesitate and wanted to reassure her that she can safely confide in her, so she nodded and made a gesture at Robin to continue.

Robin took a deep breath "How do you feel about the captain?"

Nami's eyes widened slightly as now she was the one who looked hesitant "Why do you ask?" She asked carefully

Robin couldn't help but feel a little embarrassed, It seems her close relationship with Luffy wasn't a secret from the crew. From Usopp's teasing and Nami's knowing expression

Robin tried to reassure her "I won't ask anything you don't want to answer" she said right away, trying to not answer her question.

Nami still looked hesitant but eventually nodded "Luffy is special to me… I don't think you will find anyone on this ship who says otherwise. He saved me when I was at my lowest and pulled me from despair to happiness I did not think I deserved" She said, Robin was silently taking in her words which she was grateful for.

Nami looked away in slight embarrassment "But as a girl, It would be hard to ignore those other kinds of feelings that sprout from a man saving your life and asking nothing else in return" She confessed "But overtime, I was content with ignoring those feelings as his friendship is enough for me and I never found out if he ever considered me that way. Before you I didn't even think he liked girls" she laughed as she said the last part, she also carefully did not mention her apprehension she expressed to Zoro.

Robin's embarrassment was now visible "What are you talking about?" She asked, trying to feign ignorance and it would have worked if she didn't look so mortified.

Nami grinned "Luffy looks at you differently Robin" she said "Sanji might have heart eyes when he looks at me or you, but the adoration in Luffy's eyes is different. It is as if he is looking past your flesh and seeing you in a way nobody else can"

Robin could not her blush even if she tried as she incoherently tried to hide her face as Nami's immodest laughter rang in her ears.

Nami couldn't help herself. A woman sharp as steel like Robin being reduced to a blushing mess was hysterical "Just look at you!" She said as she laughed harder.

Robin recovered quicker than she expected as she now glared at her "Shut up" she muttered

Nami's laughter died down as she smiled softly at her "I am surprised you never noticed given how much time you spend with him"

Robin continued to glare at her "Be serious" she said half heartedly

Nami's smile didn't waver "Oh but I am sis" She said, her voice steady "If you want to make amends with Luffy, just be forward with him"

Robin swallowed, unsure "What if it's too late?"

Nami leaned her head against Robin's shoulder "With Luffy? It's never too late"

Tonight felt the same as that night. The same reluctance, the same weather, the same tension, the same distance, the same full moon illuminating the Going Merry.

Robin fidgeted as she stood behind the man of her thoughts. Every second that passed made her nerves twist tighter. She knew he sensed her presence—he always did but he hadn't spoken a word.

He simply stood there, gazing out at the endless horizon, unmoved.

She knew after a few minutes that she would have to be the one to break the silence "I am sorry" she said with as much courage as she could.

No response. The awkwardness made the air thick. She contemplated leaving but that would be a cowardly move given she has now uttered her apology.

"I am sorry" Robin said again, more urgently. She frowned as her words fell on deaf ears. This is as forward as she could be yet he has yet to acknowledge her. He didn't move a muscle.

Robin grit her teeth "Luffy" she said his name with frustration "I am sorry"

Finally, he turned to look at her.

But there was no anger. No hurt. No warmth.

Just stillness. A calm so detached it chilled her.

"What are you on about?" He said sharply

Robin's lips curled into frown "I am apologizing for saying what I did after Aokiji"

Luffy adjusted his straw hat and looked away "Why are you sorry?"

"What?"

"Why are you sorry?" Luffy said again "I am the one who pushed you, and what you said then is true"

Robin protested right away "But—"

Luffy interrupted her "There is no buts" he said with emphasis "You are right, I have no right to act that way with you, in fact I think our relationship has been inappropriate, we are just crewmates"

Robin felt an unease creep into her whole body "What are you saying?"

Luffy turned around to look at her again, Robin wanted to confirm Nami's words and find those supposed eyes he had reserved for her and her only. She couldn't find a hint of their sparkle, just measured cold detached indifference.

Luffy looked into her soul with those eyes devoid of his usual warmth she has come to find comfort in "I don't have to spell it out, do I? You have done so yourself" he said somewhat coldly "You have nothing to apologize for, in fact I should be the one apologizing for getting so involved in your troubles"

Robin was stunned into silence, she wanted to say something back but couldn't find anything to say. Her heart felt like it was sinking into her stomach.

Luffy turned around to look at the sea again "If that's all you need to say, then you can leave now, I have to finish my night shift"

Robin stood there, unmoving, as though the deck beneath her feet had become the sea and she was slowly sinking into it.

Then, quietly, she turned and walked away.

The women's quarters were still and silent as she entered. She lay down in her bed and stared at the ceiling, hollow.

She didn't know how to feel.

Should she be Angry? Sad? Relieved?

Wasn't this what she wanted all along? After Aokiji, after remembering the fate that awaited her?

That fate– inescapable, cruel, and ever looming had whispered to her since childhood:

You are not meant for happiness.

And tonight, she believed it.