One Piece: Rise of Valoria

The first rays of sunlight crept through the window, casting a soft glow over the hotel suite. William woke slowly, feeling a gentle warmth by his side. Hancock lay curled against him, her head resting on his chest, breathing peacefully. Smiling, he reached up and softly ran his fingers through her hair, savoring the moment of calm.

As Hancock stirred, her eyes fluttered open, meeting his gaze with a sleepy smile. "Good morning," she murmured.

"Morning, Hancock," William replied, his voice low and warm. He grinned playfully. "How are you feeling? We were a bit wild yesterday."

A soft laugh escaped her, and she blushed but looked content. "I've never felt better," she admitted, glancing at him with a warmth that made his heart race.

They stayed there in comfortable silence for a while, just enjoying each other's presence. Then, finally, William broke the silence, looking at her with a small, apologetic smile. "You know I have to take Robin on a date today, right?" He chuckled. "We…might not be coming back to the bar tonight."

Hancock's gave him a light bite on the chest. "I'm not stupid. I know she's in love with you, too. And I know you have feelings for her." She looked up at him, a hint of seriousness in her eyes. "Just… don't ever abandon me, okay?"

"Never," William promised, holding her close and planting a soft kiss on her lips. Then, with a mischievous grin, he picked her up in his arms, carrying her toward the shower. Laughter echoed between them as they shared another intimate morning together, lost in each other's company.

After a leisurely breakfast, they returned to Shakky's bar, where Hancock went to chat with the other women, leaving William to greet Rayleigh. However, it didn't take long for him to notice Robin eyeing him with a mix of curiosity and something that looked like mild resentment.

Finishing his conversation with Rayleigh, he made his way to the door. Turning back, he called out, "Hey, Robin! Are you coming?"

She looked at him, eyebrows raised. "Where are we going?"

He grinned. "I'm asking you out on a date. You coming?"

She crossed her arms, a playful pout forming on her lips. "I see. A pity date, is it?"

William shrugged, his grin never fading. "Well, if you don't want to go…" He started to turn back, but before he could take another step, Robin quickly cut in.

"Who said I don't want to go?" She tossed her hair, shooting a triumphant look at Hancock, then followed him toward the door. The others in the bar laughed and waved them off, amused at Robin's sudden excitement.

Once they were outside, William handed her a pair of sunglasses. "We don't need any attention from the Navy or the World Government, so let's go incognito."

Robin accepted the sunglasses with a smile, placing them on and adjusting them playfully. "Lead the way, William."

They spent the entire morning visiting some of Sabaody's finest bookshops and libraries. William delighted in watching Robin light up with every new discovery, picking up books with an enthusiasm that reminded him of their childhood together. At one of the pawn shops, he even found an old, rare book that made her eyes shine with joy when he handed it to her.

"This… it's incredible, William. Thank you," she said, clutching the book to her chest.

"You're welcome, bookworm," he replied with a grin, and she rolled her eyes at the nickname, though a smile tugged at her lips.

For lunch, William took Robin to a cozy seafood restaurant overlooking the water, where they settled into a private table. And as the food arrived, William leaned in with a smirk, picking up a piece of fish with his fork and offering it to her. "Open up."

Robin, caught off guard, blushed but leaned forward, letting him feed her. After swallowing, she playfully fed him back, and soon, they were laughing and chatting as if they were the only two people in the world.

Afterward, he rented two bubble bikes, handing her one with a challenging smile. "How about a race to Sabaody Park?"

She raised an eyebrow, giving him a determined look. "Prepare to lose."

They took off, the wind whipping through their hair as they sped across the paths winding between the groves. William kept pace but let her take the lead, a grin on his face as she looked back and celebrated her "victory" with a triumphant laugh.

Arriving at the amusement park, they spent the afternoon exploring every corner. Robin's eyes gleamed with excitement as they moved from one ride to another. Eventually, William led her to the horror house attraction, chuckling at her interest. They laughed and clung to each other in the dark, surprised by the occasional jumps and scares, and Robin enjoyed every moment in the horror house.

Finally, they ended up at the Ferris wheel, where they climbed into a car and started their slow ascent. As they reached the top, William wrapped an arm around her, pulling her close as they looked out at the stunning view of the sabaody archipelago.

They sat in comfortable silence for a while, enjoying the peaceful moment, until William broke the quiet. "Robin, what do you think we'd be doing now if… if the Buster Call hadn't happened?"

She thought about it, a wistful smile crossing her face. "Well… I'd probably still be reading in the Tree of Knowledge's library. And you'd be right there beside me, pretending to read but actually dozing off."

William laughed, shaking his head. "You're probably right about that." He sighed, looking off into the distance. "Those were good days."

"Yeah," she murmured, a hint of sadness in her voice. "But the world… it's cruel, William. We just… we weren't ready for it."

Squeezing her shoulder gently, William gave her a reassuring smile. "Enough of those memories. Right now, I'm just glad I found you again. And that you're okay. Because… I don't know what I'd do without you."

Robin looked up at him, her eyes softening. He lifted her chin gently, gazing into her beautiful blue eyes. "I love you, bookworm," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.

A smile spread across her face, and her voice was equally soft. "I love you too, William."

They leaned in, their lips meeting in a deep, tender kiss, one that seemed to hold all their memories and feelings from the past. As they pulled apart, the sky had begun to darken, the first stars twinkling overhead.

William stretched and took a deep breath. "So… should we head back to the bar?"

Robin shot him a look, crossing her arms and pouting. "Why? I… I want to do what you and Hancock did yesterday."

A grin spread across his face, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "Well, I'd be a fool to turn down such a request. Let's go."

They found a beautiful suite in a high-end hotel, and as they entered, Robin's usual calm demeanor gave way to a shyness that William found endearing. He took her hand, pulling her close and gazing down at her with a warm smile.

In the quiet of the night, William and Robin found themselves drawn together, each touch filled with a gentle intensity they had both held back for so long. A shared understanding in every gesture. With each embrace, the weight of the past seemed to lift, leaving only the warmth and closeness they now shared.

Under the dim, peaceful glow of the room, they came together in a way that felt both familiar and new. Moments stretched, woven with affection and tenderness, until finally, they fell asleep in each other's arms, their hearts beating in a steady, shared rhythm that spoke of both promise and peace.

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