If only they had known what would happen once they stepped foot on that island.

Robin was always the attentive one of the Straw Hats. Without saying much, she knew what was going on and how to read other people’s moods. She considered it one of her many talents.

She considered people no different from the books she read — open and easy to understand.

She got that ability from jumping around from house to house before the age of 16, barely scraping by for food. Having the power of telling your caregiver's mood wasn’t just a good thing for her back then, but it carried into adulthood, now being able to decipher other people’s emotions based off their faces alone.

You, in her eyes, were probably the easiest to read. She never had any difficulty in telling what you were feeling. Maybe you didn’t speak up about your feelings all the time, but your facial expressions most definitely gave them away.

The two of you got along pretty well, for the most part. Sure, the road was a bit bumpy at first, considering how she was able to threaten your lives with a lethally calm smile. But after the fight at Enies Lobby, saving Robin, and accepting her as a true Straw Hat, you two were considered damn near inseparable.

Always spending nights in her room, talking endlessly about everything, and nothing at the same time. You could do anything — cry, scream, laugh, and ramble about your latest adventure. She’d always be there listening to you, with that same smile from Alabasta.

But it wasn’t the same.

That smile you saw of her now was much softer and less forced. A genuine smile that wasn’t just for show.

She grew to really like you. Quality time and mutual bond with you were all that she needed during nights on the Thousand Sunny. It was calming — refreshing to have someone to share her stories and books with. There were some times where she’d even open up about her life. What she wanted to do once they all achieved their dreams. Robin didn’t want gold or a huge mansion to live in.

She just wanted to live.

Was that too much to ask?

The sun was barely visible over the horizon once Nami woke everyone up with a start, telling them you all had reached an island. This island was quite popular, marked as its own on the world map.

Everyone had looks of excitement and intrigue on their faces.

Everyone except you.

Your face had a different expression.

Horror.

Little did they know, they were docking in the land you grew up in. It weighed hard on your mind, and you swore to yourself you’d never step foot on that soil again.

You should’ve told them to turn around. You should’ve begged, said that you didn’t wanna go back.

How unfortunate that you didn’t have a choice in the matter.

You mostly kept your head down, or at least tried to. People that grew up with you noticed, whispers teetering through their mouths from one ear to the next.

Why did you leave? Why did you abandon everything you’ve ever known?

Clearly, you weren’t just going to get away scot-free without a confrontation. A group of bounty hunters infiltrated the area, looking not for Luffy, or anyone else with a higher bounty, but you specifically.

The Straw Hats never stopped looking after your abduction.

It felt like an eternity before they let you go, realizing that the cleanup of your body wasn’t worth getting their hands dirty for. They tossed you aside, and you ran off. You had no clue where you started — nor where your destination would be.

After hours upon hours of searching for the Sunny's obvious build, you ended your way a steep, jagged jetty, overlooking the entirety of the island. The Sunny was there, but you didn’t know how to get to it.

That’s when you heard it.

Her voice.

"No.. it can’t be.." she gasped from the other end of the jetty, her hand hovering over her mouth.

"We’ve looked everywhere.."

It didn’t hit her like a truck until now — the first time you’ve met, and the last time she saw you smile — it was all connected.

She missed you. Deeply so.

"Everyone's waiting for you.." She gently coaxed, her hand stretching out to take yours.