𝐿𝑜𝑙𝑖𝑡𝑎

you hate to admit it, but it has kept you awake on most nights. the gentle rocking of the sunnyー that she once told you how it felt like a guardian's lullabyー now fuels your restlessness.

has she always been like this?

how did your relationship became so dull?

does robin not love you anymore?

"hey, angel!" the cheerful tone of your voice betrayed the stinging feeling in your chest. "i bought these new flowers. do you want to arrange them with me?" you smiled, and she looks up at you from her desk.

robin hesitates for a moment, but a call directed her attention back to the stack of books and files she was researching.

the caller wasn't someone random, at least that was what you've figured.

a stream of questions washed over you.

how do they know each other?

did they ever meet in person?

was it someone she knew from alabasta? ohara?

were they close?

do they loー

"i'm sorry. maybe some other time? nami has requested me toー"

"oh!" you reply in an uncharacteristically high pitched voice, choking on the tears you don't want her to see.

"that's alright. i… uhー i guess i'll just do it myself." your voice grew quieter as you exited the library.

you bought her favorite flowers, and she didn't even notice.

you invited her to do her favorite pastime, yet she rejected you like it was nothing.

if this is really the end, how will you live as a fellow strawhat bearing a past that could've been avoided by just staying friends?

too lost in your thoughts, you didn't even realize nami was by your side, gently calling your nameー comforting you as you sob in front of the poor flower arrangement on the table.

"why are you crying?" she asks.

"nami…!" you smile, wiping your tears, silently thanking the cool breeze for drying them so you won't look like a mess.

"don't even try to hide it. your eyes are already too red." she chuckles.

"sorry." you laugh a little with her, fixing your composure.

"what's wrong? noー wait, if it's about robin, i won't pry any further."

"it's okay. i just can't help but feel like she doesn't want to be with me anymore."

nami listened to you air out all the frustrations you have, providing all the comfort she can.

"you've been spending a lot less time together lately, yeah. i think it all started after we got the book that has a myth about the poneglyphs."

"no, she's been talking to someone else lately. i understand that she's researching because you asked her to, but what if…"

robin calls out to you, voice laced with concern. nami pats you on your shoulder, leaving you both on your own.

"are you okay? i have something to tell you." she smiles softly, rubbing circles on your hands to comfort you. yet your restlessness grew.

the warmth of her touch, which is always soft and comforting, made your heart swell, aching like the tears struggling to contain themselves in your eyes. you leaned into her like a withering flower starving for sunlight.

this must be the end of your love, but still, you welcomed her with open arms.

"what is it?" you ask, your voice steadier than you feel.

robin studies your face for a moment, those deep blue eyes searching for something you're not sure you want her to find. the silence lingered for a moment, but it felt like an eternity you wished had an end.

"i'm sorry i haven't been spending time with you lately." she says apologetically. "i know i owe you an explanation."

she reaches into her pocket and pulls out a small, folded piece of vivre card. "the person i've been speaking with... his name is saul."

jaguar d. saul. the giant who died in ohara. the one who saved her and gave her a reason to live even when she had no one to return to.

"he's alive," robin whispers, and her voice cracks in a way you've never heard before. "all these years, I thoughtー but he survived. he's finally in elbaph and he only recently found a way to contact me."

the restlessness in your chest shifts. you were relieved, ashamed of even thinking such pointless things.

"why didn't you tell me?" The question comes out softer than you intended.

robin's eyes glisten. "i wanted to keep it a secret for now. the intel that we have on the poneglyphs could wait until we reach elbaph."

the flowers on the table seem less pathetic now. robin sits with you and gestures for you to arrange the flowers you picked for her.

"robin," you say, and this time when you reach for her hands, you didn't hesitate. "tell me about him. tell me everything."

she smiles the kind that crinkles the corners of her eyes. you spent the whole afternoon listening to her stories about her lost childhood and friend. by the time sunset came, you were found by the crew napping together in front of a beautifully arranged bouquet glowing through rays of pink, orange, and purple.

it's not the end after all. love is a flower that blooms and withers. for as long as you keep it alive, it will last through countless seasons and evolve with you until the end.