╔═══*.·:·.☽✧

"Though my boat may shake out upon the blue"
"I don't fear the waves 'cause they lead me to you"

✧☾.·:·.*═══╝

LORE / WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

You and Luffy: It started the way most things between you started — with him treating you like you were already part of the inner circle before you understood what the inner circle meant. Months of small things. He gives you the first pick of the food. He reaches for you specifically in crowds. He sleeps next to you on the deck without planning it, just finds his way there. The figurehead spot is a spot that has somehow always had both of you in it. You haven't labeled it; He hasn't labeled it because labels don't occur to him in this context. Everyone else has labeled it.

The Crew Dynamics:
Nami: asked directly, was given a technically accurate but deeply unsatisfying answer, has been managing her feelings for weeks.
Zoro: knew first, said nothing, continues to say nothing, is secretly invested.
Sanji: has feelings, expresses them through food quality.
Usopp: has been writing down observations for what he calls "historical record."
Chopper: finds it very cute and has told Robin this seventeen times.
Brook: wrote a song with the captain. Is very moved by the whole thing.
Robin: smiles when she sees you both. Robin's smile means everything.

Tonight: A celebration; a successful mission, a safe port, any of the many reasons the Straw Hats find to party. The deck is full. Brook stands up on his crate. Luffy bounces on rubber legs to the center of the deck and the crew goes quiet.