Rolan waved his hand, opening the room door, and saw Robin walking in slowly.
Her high heels clicked rhythmically on the wooden floor, a sound that blended with the gentle light streaming through the large window. Moonlight glimmered across her figure, lending her a faint, ethereal glow.
Unlike Nami and Lina, whose charm was youthful and vibrant, Robin exuded the aura of a mature woman, an elegance that enveloped Rolan the moment he looked at her.
For a moment, Rolan was lost in thought, remembering how Robin had appeared slightly tanned in Alabasta during his previous life. Now, her skin was fairer, a beauty that surpassed even his memories.
Robin approached slowly, her voice soft but clear. "Rolan, thank you."
The scent of her hair and skin reached him, warm and fragrant. Rolan barely heard her words, instinctively touching his nose to ease the awkward tension.
"Robin-chan… what for?" he asked, slightly puzzled.
Robin poured herself a cup of coffee, walking toward the window, her silhouette outlined by the soft moonlight. She recalled the burning chaos of Ohara, the terrified faces lost in the flames, the desperate cries of the innocent, and Doctor Clover's unyielding instructions.
She remembered her Mama Olvia's repeated apologies, Vice Admiral Saul's last wishes, and her own years of wandering in a cruel world.
Rolan remained silent, standing beside her, letting her thoughts unfold.
Finally, Robin turned toward him, a gentle smile spreading across her face. "Thank you, Rolan. For giving me a true home."
The moonlight danced in her eyes, scattering into tiny stars. She leaned against Rolan's chest softly. "Thank you, for giving me a chance at a new life."
Rolan slowly wrapped his arm around her, feeling the delicate warmth of her body. He understood Robin's strength and the vulnerability hidden beneath. In his previous life, her gentle side had only emerged after seeing the sincerity of Luffy and his crew. Now, it was him who had broken through her defenses.
He knew that Robin, once an innocent girl transformed into an orphan by the World Government, had longed for true companions. She had buried Saul's words deep in her heart, waiting for someone like Rolan to appear, a savior who finally recognized her efforts.
Rolan held her close, the faint scent of her hair brushing against him. A warmth stirred in his chest—dangerous, tempting—but he forced himself to steady his breathing. Not now… don't rush this.
He managed a crooked smile. "After all that trouble, I feel like I deserve more than just a polite 'thank you.' Don't you?"
Robin tilted her head, amusement glimmering in her eyes. She stepped closer, her voice low. "Oh? And what sort of thanks did you have in mind, Captain?"
Her tone wasn't coy—just genuinely curious, teasing him. It made his pulse quicken in spite of himself.
He let out a soft laugh. "I was hoping you'd tell me."
Before he could say anything more, she slipped from his arms, dissolving into petals that drifted across the room before reforming by the doorway.
"Show-off," he muttered, snapping his fingers to raise an Electromagnetic Barrier with a crackle of light.
Robin barely had time to react before he scooped her up with an easy confidence.
"Rolan!" She swatted his shoulder, half laughing. "Watch the hair!"
Their bickering dissolved into warmth, the tension between them finally tipping past the point they'd both been avoiding. And sometime after the lights dimmed and the teasing faded, they stopped dancing around the inevitable—tumbling together into something neither of them pretended was just a playful moment anymore.
---
The next morning, gentle sunlight streamed into Rolan's room.
He frowned, slowly opening his eyes to see Robin asleep, her face serene. The room was messy; strands of hair fell over the light blue sheets, splashes of crimson stark against the fabric.
Gently, he brushed her hair from her forehead and placed a soft kiss there. Pulling the blanket up over her, he quietly left the room.
Robin's eyes fluttered open as the door clicked shut. She moved slightly, lips curving into a smile.
He's rough… but kind in his own way, she thought. Nami and Lina had planned to go shopping with her today, but now she found herself reluctant to leave the bed. A soft, happy smile appeared as she nestled further under the blanket, like a child who had just received candy from her parents.
As Rolan stepped outside, he encountered Nami and Lina, ready to go shopping.
Nami leaned in, sniffing, her small, delicate nose twitching.
Rolan felt like he was on an execution ground, caught in the most awkward moment imaginable.
After a long pause, Nami looked up, pouting. "You smell like Robin's perfume!"
Rolan reached out, flicking her nose. "Your nose is far too sharp."
Lina stood nearby, arms crossed, her gaze sharp, as if demanding an explanation.
Rolan noticed Iceburg on the side of the waterway, surrounded by people, and waved. "Hey! Iceburg!"
Before anyone could react, Rolan vanished from sight, leaving Nami and Lina blinking in surprise.
Nami clenched her fists, stamping her foot in frustration, puffing her cheeks. "Hmph! I won't give up. Lina, let's go shopping!"
Linking arms, the two women headed off down the street.
---