She thought, this is the entire meaning of her fighting; everything she must protect.
"It's alright... I'm here," she whispered in Robin's ear, her voice as soft as the night breeze, "I'll be here these few days. And in the future. Sleep well."
Robin did not answer, merely burying her face deeper into her embrace. The hand gripping the hem tightened again, and then, her tense body slowly relaxed within the familiar embrace and promise. Rhythmic breathing gradually arose, carrying the deep exhaustion after travel, and the peace of complete trust.
Seraphilia maintained the embrace, her eyes open in the darkness. She could see Robin's sleeping face close by in the faint light. Long eyelashes cast quiet shadows under her eyelids, and her trimmed bangs lay softly against her forehead. That little face looked exceptionally peaceful in her arms, even carrying a hint of childish sweetness.
The old scars on her arms ached faintly under the tight hold, and the muscle soreness from Garp's training had not completely faded, but this physical discomfort seemed so insignificant in the face of the real warmth and weight in her arms right now. She gently tightened her arms, resting her chin on the crown of Robin's head, feeling this recovered intimacy, made even more precious by the brief separation.
After an unknown amount of time, she too sank into a peaceful sleep.
In her dream, there was no Marineford training ground, no profound lessons from Tsuru. There was only a streamside meadow filled with unknown small flowers, where Robin sat quietly reading a book, sunlight filtering through the leaves onto her. Little White was clumsily chasing butterflies nearby. Everything was warm and bright.
Her biological clock woke Seraphilia precisely with the first light of dawn filtering into the woods.
The embrace was still warm and full. Robin was still sound asleep, breathing lightly. Her hand, gripping her hem, had loosened somewhat at some point, but she still held it loosely.
Seraphilia carefully, little by little, shifted her body, trying to get up without waking Robin. As soon as she moved, Robin's brow furrowed slightly, unconsciously snuggling deeper into her arms, murmuring something indistinctly, and tightening her grip on the hem again.
Seraphilia smiled helplessly and indulgently, having no choice but to temporarily give up, maintaining her posture and waiting quietly. It wasn't until the sky brightened further and the birdsong in the woods began that Robin's eyelashes fluttered, and she slowly opened her eyes.
Her Violet eyes held a hazy moisture upon waking, blinking a bit vaguely before focusing on Seraphilia's face, which was close by. Immediately, the memories of last night flooded back, her eyes quickly regaining clarity, accompanied by a flash of shyness.
This feeling of sleeping completely unguarded in someone else's arms was so safe it left her somewhat flustered.
She released the hand gripping the hem, her cheeks slightly flushed, and tried to pull back a little distance.
"Good morning," Seraphilia spoke first, her voice slightly hoarse from just waking up, yet gentle and smiling.
"...Good morning," Robin replied softly, averting her gaze, her earlobes also heating up.
Only then was Seraphilia able to get up smoothly. She moved her slightly numb arm, quickly tidied herself up, and then said to Robin, who was still nestled in the blankets: "You lie in a bit longer, I'll go make breakfast. What do you want? Fried eggs? Porridge? Or should I heat up yesterday's pancakes?"
Robin sat up, hugging her knees, watching Seraphilia skillfully start building a fire and heating water. The morning light outlined her slender yet upright silhouette. A long-lost feeling of laziness and security enveloped her. She thought for a moment and said softly, "...Porridge. Add some of the dried meat you bought yesterday."
"Okay," Seraphilia replied briskly, starting to wash the rice.
Her movements were fluid and natural, as if she were already accustomed to this in the narrow dormitories of Marineford or during field missions.
Washing, chopping the dried meat, controlling the heat, stirring occasionally... Soon, the pleasant gurgling sound of boiling rice and the enticing aroma of rice and meat wafted from the small pot.
Little White also 'woke up,' floating to the stove, its screen displaying anticipation: ( ◕ ᴗ ◕ ) Breakfast!
Robin also walked over and sat quietly on a small stone nearby, watching Seraphilia busy herself. The morning light was faint, the mist in the woods had not yet dispersed, and wisps of cooking smoke rose, mixing with the aroma of food. This scene was ordinary yet warm, so beautiful it made her feel slightly dazed, as if the past hardships and the coldness of being alone were just a nightmare.
Seraphilia ladled the soft, glutinous, savory meat porridge into two brand-new bowls, handed one to Robin, and let Little White'smell' the aroma, causing it to rock happily.
She herself drank a large mouthful with the morning breeze, squinting in satisfaction.
"What do you want for lunch?" After swallowing the porridge, she naturally began planning the next meal, "I saw they sell pretty good beef in town; I can go buy some this afternoon. Or do you want fish? Like those grilled fish fillets from yesterday?"
Robin sipped the porridge slowly. The warm liquid warmed her throat, then her stomach, and finally her heart.
She raised her Violet eyes and looked at Seraphilia seriously planning the menu, her heart filled with an overflowing sense of happiness. This feeling was called 'tomorrow.' Someone was planning for your tomorrow; someone was looking forward to sharing the next meal with you.
"Anything is fine," she said softly, a faint smile on her lips. "Everything you make is delicious."
Upon hearing this, Seraphilia's earlobes flushed slightly. She lowered her head and took several large gulps of porridge, coughing once as a cover: "Then, then I'll arrange it."
In her heart, however, she thought the vacation was too short, and the World Government's spies had not completely disappeared.
She had to improve her strength as quickly as possible, at least to the level where she could contend with a Marine Vice Admiral, in order to truly hold up a sky of absolute safety for Robin.
The sunlight gradually brightened, piercing through the treetops and casting mottled light and shadow on the clearing.
A new day began amidst the warm scent of breakfast and gentle conversation.
For Robin, this wasn't just the second day of Seraphilia's vacation; it was, in her memory, one of the rare days where she could look forward to the next delicious meal, and where someone was cooking for her with care.
And she knew that such days would last for several more.
Until after her birthday, until February 8th.
She lowered her head to drink her porridge, quietly clutching the sub-card in her pocket, and then looked at the silver-haired girl beside her, who was focused on her porridge with a happy cloud resting on her shoulder.
The frozen ground in her heart, barren for too long, seemed to be melting inch by inch under this continuous, tangible warmth.
No, soft yet tenacious green shoots were already breaking through the soil in an unnoticeable corner, facing the sunshine that belonged only to her.
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