Chapter 2: Preperations for the big day
The crew could only stare in horror as they sailed back in the direction of Water 7. After everything that happened. Nearly being killed, Usopp leaving, the "Betrayal", everything. They were going right back.
Luffy and Robin were the only calm ones on the ship. Robin enjoyed her usual spot on a lawn chair on the deck. She was happy to have kept it, she had broken it in just right to lay there and read. She heard a loud crash and tried to ignore it. Though when she heard Luffy's voice, she had to listen in from afar.
"Luffy. We keep going over this…I'm your best man!" Usopp yelled in anger at Luffy, trying to convince him to change his mind. Though everyone was in shock, they had gotten over it quickly enough. It wasn't every day your captain got married after all. Franky, Sanji, Usopp, and Zoro were all in their quarters with Luffy, who told them Zoro would be his best man. One of the only things he knew about actual weddings.
"Just give it up, Usopp. He obviously knows I'm the best." Zoro said proudly, a smug grin forming on his face. He heard the distinct scream of "Lead Star!" as Usopp shot him out of anger. Since everyone seems to call out their attacks, and this one was ranged, Zoro simply moved his head and stared down Usopp.
"Sorry Usopp, I can't have you pulling pranks at the marriage place!" Luffy defended his position. He may have been a little angry still, but that was the main reason. Zoro could at least keep things going smoothly. He didn't want anything to mess up his big day.
Sanji gritted his teeth as he stared at Luffy. The rubber idiot had one of the most beautiful girls on the planet and he didn't know you get married at a CHURCH! It infuriated him to no end. He tried to bury the anger with a new thought. "We need to throw you a Bachelor Party Luffy!" He yelled in happiness. The picture of strippers all over him while the others just got drunk filled his head. That would cheer him up.
"What's that?" Luffy asked with his head cocked to the side.
Robin giggled from her chair as she listened in. She knew that being the only other woman in the crew, Nami would undoubtedly try to throw her one. Mainly because she overheard talking to herself about it. She started to think of how that would be. Her and Nami, dancing around with barely dressed strange men. She couldn't help but laugh at the prospect. Those men were suppose to be temptations compared to Luffy? He had saved her life many times over, had an amazingly infectious personality, and…Well no matter what those "Professionals" had, Luffy was a rubber man…
"You don't know what a bachelor party is?!" The men yelled in unison before hitting the floor with a thud. Sanji jumped up to grab Luffy by the shoulders.
"It's a beautiful night filled with drinking, girls, girls, gir.." Before he could finish Zoro slapped him upside the head.
After a quick shouting match filled with death threats, Zoro interjected. "Look, that may be what a typical guy would want but…" He looked at Luffy, trying to not make it sound bad on his captain. "Luffy wouldn't even notice other women. If he did, Dartboard Brow here would've been killed while in competition with him." He said, happy to get an insult in there.
Before Sanji could threaten Zoro's life, he heard the truth in his words. Luffy didn't have a thing for women. Hell he may not even be straight. He just loves Robin. Which means… "I get all the beautiful ladies than!" Sanji cheered, eyes turning to hearts before he felt a fist connect with his head. He was sent flying across the room as the others followed the stretched hand back to their captain.
Luffy stared at Sanji as he flew. Eyes hidden by the shade of his Straw Hat. He could feel an anger flood him as he heard Sanji's stupid comment. He looked to see his crew's shocked face. Scared he'd assault one of them like that. He looked as Sanji lay in pain. "Robin is the most beautiful. You don't get her."
They called for Chopper, who carried Sanji into the Medbay Franky had built on their new ship. He was bleeding and Chopper was worried his skull was cracked. The rest of the men made a note to not make a comment about Robin ever again, as Luffy didn't put much force behind that Fist of Anger of his.
"Umm. Listen Luffy. I may know just the thing." Franky said as he rubbed his head. Hoping to come up with a good idea. He didn't have much input on this whole thing besides the location of a church that would do wedding ceremonies for pirates. For a greater fee than usual to get The World Government to acknowledge such a "Disgrace" to the title of marriage. Everyone should be allowed to love. He still wanted to be a bigger part of the special occasion. "Rather than indulge in lustful feelings. We could go for more violent ones!" He yelled in excitement, knowing Luffy would match it. "Drinking contests, Eating contests, Fig…If you can hold back a bit, Fights! No need to kill anyone in a little brawl." He called some events he knew out. Getting approving looks.
"Franky! You're the coolest!" Luffy yelled as he jumped up. He gave Franky a hug for coming up with a better idea than a bunch of girls.
"Great. Now that that's settled…Luffy. You need to write vows." Zoro said. He was looking forward to drinking the entire island under the table, but it was his duty to make sure this went well for them.
"What're vows?" Luffy asked, head cocking once more.
Robin took the ear off the wall as she heard it. If they talked out loud she would hear it and ruin the surprise. The loud thud however told her it would be fine. They would teach him.
She walked to Nami, who was begrudgingly sailing back to Water 7. Robin leaned against the railing beside her as she, well, navigated. "What's wrong, Miss Navigator?" Robin asked her. She had a few suspicions, but wanted a true answer.
"We're going to get killed. We just escaped this place now we're sailing right back for…" Nami stopped herself, knowing better than to say anything bad now. "I'm just scared Robin…Luffy's the Son of Dragon and he just declared War on the World!" Nami yelled back, angry and afraid.
"Is that so? Hmm. Looks like we'll be destroying the world than." Robin replied with a smile as she stared forward. This wasn't a typical morbid joke of hers. "It'll be fun to do that with Luffy. I believe we could get most of them."
Nami was shaking a bit. Robin had fought so hard to save the crew, now she was talking about destroying the world with Luffy? "But, you tried so hard to make sure we didn't fight the World! What happened?!"
"He loved me." She responded. Eyes watering. "I loved him from the moment he saved me. Gave me a reason to live. Gave me a home, a family." The tears were no longer held back by her eyes. Cascading down her smooth cheek. "He wouldn't let me die no matter what. Fighting any and everyone who got between us." She was relying on the railing now, knees too weak. "Even if it killed him. He wouldn't let anyone.."
Nami hugged her tightly. Letting her cry into her shoulder as she thought about Luffy. She couldn't say how Luffy did the same for her. It was different. Robin was in the last breath when he saved her. She was staring death in the face. Luffy kicked death's ass and dragged her away.
"I was so stupid to think I could save you." Robin cried into Nami's shoulder. Scaring her momentarily. "Luffy's going to fight the World every step of the way…" She said, her tears starting to cease. "So I want to be with Luffy when he destroys it. Because if the World ever gets in our way. He'll burn it all down."
"Yo! Zoro! I think I'm done!" Luffy called out to Zoro, who had fallen asleep with everyone else. Somehow only he woke up from the shout. He zombie walked his way to Luffy, asking to see.
"Shishishi! No way! That would ruin it! Now make toast for the big day!" He yelled to Zoro. Putting the paper in his pocket. Zoro sighed and started walking to the kitchen. It had taken Luffy all damn day to write those vows. It must've been hard for him to think of expressing his feelings and thoughts into words…Why the hell did he want toast?! It was dark out! Zoro simply sighed as he got out the bread. Dropping it all as he realized what Luffy meant. HE HADN'T WRITTEN HIS BEST MAN TOAST FOR THE WEDDING!
The Thousand Sunny docked back in Water 7 the following morning. Surprisingly, no marine ships had awaited them. Nami started to ponder it when she realized. They would never expect them to come right back! This was genius!
She rushed to wake everyone up. Zoro did not need the wakeup call however. He was staring at a piece of paper with a few words written on it. The only thing she saw was "When I met Luffy" written at the top. Poor moron.
Sanji cooked breakfast for everyone as best he could. He felt like a balloon as strong as steel was being inflated in his head. Shit captain being so damn defensive of Robin. He wouldn't dare call her Robin-chwan anymore. Anything that hinted lovey towards her fired Luffy into a frenzy. He set all the meals down, popping the pills Chopper gave him to ease the pain. A few more than prescribed, but he wouldn't tell.
After the breakfast, they all discussed how it would play out. Franky, Luffy, and Robin would go to the church and set a date for the wedding. Nami and Chopper would go dress shopping, after have been given Robin's measurements. Zoro and Usopp would go to get suits. Sanji would stay and recover on the ship. Even injured he could take most marines or thugs that may stupidly attack head on.
Frank, Luffy, and Robin had arrived at the church. It was rather extravagant for its relatively small size. The money received from pirates eager to wed let it grow in appearance if not in stature.
"The place is beautiful." Robin said as she looked around. Nothing was particularly valuable due to the clientele, but it looked amazing with marble pillars and rare flowers.
Luffy couldn't help but notice the stained glass windows detected famous pirate couples rather than stuff on other church windows. It made him feel excited to think he'd be remembered as The Pirate King, alongside Pirate Queen Robin.
Franky had a quick talk with the priest. Calling in a few favors from when he protected the place. He may have hated the World Government, but he wouldn't let a priest or a church get destroyed over it. Even if it did work with the government in a way.
"Okay guys. Super! News. The priest has agreed to have a free ceremony for us for the favors I've done." He said, feeling better and better. "Though…to do that he needs an empty day picked. Like, now." He said as he stepped away. Letting the preach approach.
He was an old man, very old. Luffy thought he looked like an Owl. He had giant glasses to let him see, his back was always bent forward, and he was wrinkled. He wore a robe that disgusted all threw of the crew. Though only Luffy would show it. It was a mix of the normal religious symbols and the world government logo.
"Now, Franklin here has told me of your…situation." He said with a sigh. Pissing Franky off for calling him Franklin. That wasn't even his name after the name change! Gah!
"You have declared war on the Government. But…" He had a small smile on his face. "Getting married can soften some of the higher ups." He spoke like he knew them. "I can only do this once for free. I'm dipping into the reserve funds for this." He darted his eyes to Franky. Those favors sure do cost. "But, should either of you ever give up this nonsense pirating…" He said, hoping to avoid the hit. "Paying your bounty in full a few times over will take them off your radar…Even you, Devil of Ohara."
Robin was shocked by that. The World would never give up their hunt. She knew secrets they had destroyed islands for. Why would this ever slow them down? It had to be a trick to get them to surrender one day. That wouldn't happen.
"I know you're skeptical. But the world Government believes anyone who gets married through these churches is redeemable. It's a risk to come here. If they wanted, they could arrest every pirate as they left. But never have. When you have someone you love that dearly at your side, they won't fight you as hard. They know you'll fight back." He said, trying to get them to reason.
Luffy had stopped frowning. Stopped smiling. He just looked at Robin, hope filling her eyes. Luffy started thinking of what Shanks had said. Tying you down…Would Robin give up adventuring if they got married?
Robin smiled as she looked at the man. "If that's true…then. Maybe someday. After my love becomes the Pirate King." She said, a tear falling down. This shocked the priest and Franky. A terrified shock from the priest, a happy one from Franky.
The priest remembered back many years ago to a woman who said something similar. He tried to think back to if she and the man had gotten married. Though it was hard to remember such things now, memorable though they were.
Luffy only smiled and grab Robin. Giving her a big kiss as they started to walk with it. Pressing against the marble pillar as he wouldn't relent. He could tell he was getting better. Sanji gave him some book that detailed it. Though it had lots of parts blacked out for some reason…He couldn't think anymore as he felt something hit his head.
"This isn't the time for this!" He exclaimed as he hit Luffy with his cane. Causing him to pull away and scratch his head. He watched as Luffy defending himself by saying. "Awww. But I like kissing Robin!" Causing the young girl beside him to blush.
"Well you two have to wait for two days! No fancy decorating to be done, but I know how you kids are with your pre-wedding parties." The man grumbled as he walked away. Not letting them pick the date anymore.
Since the trip to the church had taken up less time than expected, Robin went in search of Nami. Franky and Luffy went in search of Usopp and Zoro. Wanting to make sure they had fitting suits.
Robin strolled down the street, happy she no longer had a threat in the city. She slowed her walk as she noticed a shop not far from where Nami said she would buy the dresses. Walking in she could help but feel her cheeks turn red. She had never been in a lingerie store, despite the skimpiness of some outfits she'd worn.
Franky was dragging Luffy as he ran. He knew the city by heart and knew what store they'd be getting their suits. Despite being a band of thugs, the Franky Family had done good by enough residents to earn some favors. Seeing as he wouldn't need to get married anytime soon, and he definitely didn't picture wearing a suit for any other occasion, he wanted to cash some in.
"We're here." He said as he walked in with Luffy. Telling him to behave. His favor would go out the window if Luffy destroyed the place. He was surprised by Luffy's restraint. Robin really had put a leash on the beast. His nose bled before he slapped himself out of it, not wanting Luffy to see his thoughts. A true fear since he willed people to unconsciousness and knocked the cook out with one punch.
The two were not surprised to see them. Asking them to come over and try on suits. They did so, Luffy with glee. It lifted everyone's spirit to see their captain so happy. Luffy even asked for a hat to wear. Saying that "Robin is too special to share a hat." Though it was a bit too late to change it. Besides, the Straw Hat was mark for the world to see him become the greatest.
Robin rushed to the dress store with a bag in hand. She hid it inside another from a nearby stand. She couldn't believe she bought that! A tight black leather corset, which she tried on. A garter belt with garters to match, that had little bows. Fishnet stockings. Purple lace panties she couldn't believe could be called panties. Even new heels to match the ensemble. She briefly considered going for more of a dominatrix look, but didn't want to scare her love for their first time.
She set it down in the changing room she guarded as she looked at all the gorgeous dresses. She held Nami by the arm as she looked. Trying to think which she'd look best in. Robin could typically think rationally but she didn't have long, and she'd remember her wedding day for as long as she lived.
Nami tried to calm her down, but she was nervous too. It was hard to find a good orange dress…Their levels may have not been the same but they were both worried about the same thing. She at least found Robin a little something, though she was hiding it in case she couldn't find anything better. Robin's favorite color may have been black, but the best she could do was purple with what was offered.
Chopper sighed as he sat in the room Robin told him to. He wished he could be back on the ship. He didn't like this place anymore. He saw the bag from the candy store down the street that Robin had set in there. Surely she wouldn't mind if he had one. He was guarding her things after all!
Luffy waved at the man as he walked out with his suit in some bag thingy. He wasn't allowed to wear it out like he wanted. Though that wasn't the worst part. He couldn't see Robin.
"We told you, Luffy. We're going to this place for your bachelor party. We're going to stay all night and probably most of tomorrow. You can say you'll have fun and be safe and all that crap but only in a note. No staying with her!" Zoro argued as he responded to Luffy's "But Whyyyyy" again. He wanted to hit him, but Robin would tear him several new ones if he did.
Robin could feel her entire face turn crimson as she saw Chopper pull out her panties. He looked at them curiously. Trying to figure out what they were. She snatched them away and tried to hide them back before…
"Robin…this store doesn't sell underwear." She heard from Nami. The tone was so wrong. She thought it would be followed by Nami calling her naughty. "So, any reason why you snuck in a thong?" Nami asked with a giggle. Sending chopper to go to the store for actual candy. Enough to "Forget what he saw."
Robin only blushed as she rubbed the back of her head. Turning and hiding the bag. "Well umm… Miss Navigator I…" It didn't work for a second.
"You perv!" Nami called as she lightly hit her shoulder. Making Robin turn away from her. "Let me see!"