[Voice]

[mikangirl]

[The announcement doesn't come until she's tracked down what's left of her crew and paid a visit to Ace and Sabo to inform them in person. She could wish Sanji and Zoro were here, because she winces at the idea of them finding out on the grapevine before they even return home. But it can't be helped.

Besides, maybe he'll be back before they return. He always has before.

She can hope he isn't.]

[Voice]

For those that knew him, Luffy has gone home. [She sounds perfectly calm, if a little distant.] He didn't leave anything, so... wish him well.

Comments

[Action]

[toujoursfluer]

[She has a sinking feeling that she knows what this is about. And Nami confirms it quickly enough. Well then...]

Good. He's back where he belongs, ne?

[He shouldn't be tied to this place. She glances at Nami, wondering how long she'll stay in the house before going back to the orchard.]

How are your trees?

[Action]

[mikangirl]

They're fine. [It hurts when Robin merely says good, which is ridiculous. Nami's been practically repeating that to herself all the way back to the house. It is good. He doesn't have to watch things happen that he can't prevent. He can go back where he belongs.

She doesn't have to feel tied to this place any more. All bets are off. She lifts her chin a little, and though there's a telltale tremble of her bottom lip, her words are firm enough.] A little damaged from that last storm. They'll be fine.

[I'll be fine.]

[Action]

[toujoursfluer]

[They'll be fine, but she is not. It's part of the nature of this place. The nature of her crew.]

I'll miss him, too.

[she holds out a hand]

Come sit with me, Nami-chan?

[Action]

[mikangirl]

[There's hesitation. Less reluctance and more that the offered hand takes time to sink into her growing numbness. But when it does, Nami gives a quick, barely-there smile before it's gone again, and wordlessly crosses the room to take that hand.]

[Action]

[toujoursfluer]

[Robin takes her hand and the connection is warm. So much like home that for a moment she's nearly overwhelmed by it. But she sorts those emotions into places where they will matter later and pulls Nami into a hug. She wishes she could say something that would ease her mind. But there is nothing to be said. And maybe right now, words aren't important. So she just holds Nami for as long as the other woman will allow it]

[Action]

[mikangirl]

[...she's missed this.

Zoro isn't the close type. (And god no, not after the Valley...) And he's not here anyway. Sanji and Vivi are gone.

Luffy's gone.

Brook...

...]

This won't do.

[But it's muffled against Robin's shoulder, and she doesn't follow that up, just hugging tightly, a tremor running through her as she fights the urge to cry. Maybe she can make this better somehow. Maybe. Maybe...]

I'm home.

[It's all she can offer. She won't be leaving again.]

[Action]

[toujoursfluer]

Hmm?

[What won't do? Robin is about to ask but Nami's next words make it irrelavent. Robin closes her eyes and smiles, though the backs of her eyes sting. She rubs Nami's back, careful not to jar the wings]

Welcome home.

[She says this evenly, but a few tears slip out anyway despite her best efforts. Home. Nami is home. A little part of what was lost.]