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--xLOVEx--
Coby wiped the blood from his face, his breath ragged as he looked down at Crocodile, who lay battered on the ground. He had considered ending him right then and there. Killing Crocodile would have netted him the maximum SP. But deep down, he knew the future implications. If things unfolded as they were meant to, Crocodile would be crucial in the battle at Marineford. If Ace really screwed it again, Crocodile would have a role to play. Coby wasn't willing to mess with that...
Fine, the real reason was, Coby was somehow afraid of the possibility that Crocodile might be Luffy's mother. The theory was still out there, but he didn't want to be the one to test it. With a sigh, he made his way over to where Robin and Cobra had slumped beside the Poneglyph.
Cobra's voice was raspy, but the question in it was sharp. "Why did you lie? I know this stone holds the location of the Ancient Weapon, Pluton."
Robin smiled wistfully, her gaze distant. "All I've ever wanted was to uncover the true history. But even that simple wish seems beyond someone like me. My dream has too many enemies."
Coby, struggling to stay conscious from the wound and the poison, managed a weak smile. "No dream is too big, and no one is too small to achieve it. If it really matters to you, keep pushing forward."
Robin looked at him, surprised by his words, but shook her head ruefully. She reached into her coat and pulled out a vial, uncorking it with a swift motion. "There's only one antidote," she muttered, leaning over to pour it into his mouth. "I'm too tired to fight anymore."
Coby caught her hand before she could finish, grinning despite the pain. "Why don't we share?" Without waiting for an answer, he kissed her, sharing the antidote directly.
Robin's eyes widened in shock as Coby pressed his lips to hers, but she didn't pull away. After a few moments, she broke the kiss, her expression was both of surprise and annoyance. "What the hell are you doing?" she demanded, her voice sharp.
Coby chuckled, licking his lips playfully. "Yummy," he teased, making Robin blush despite herself. He then added with a sly grin, "Oh, you rude person! You drank everything and left no antidote behind to help me afterward? I'll kiss your lips again; maybe some of the antidote still lingers there and will save me." He leaned in closer, his eyes glinting mischievously. "Your antidote works fast. Thus with this kiss, I live."
Robin rolled her eyes, but she couldn't hide the slight smile tugging at her lips. "Idiot," she muttered, but she didn't resist when Coby leaned in for another quick kiss. He made sure it was light and playful, not pushing his luck.
After pulling away, Robin sighed, shaking her head. "You really don't know when to quit, do you?"
Coby grinned. "Not when your life's on the line." He straightened up, feeling the effects of the antidote starting to work. The pain in his side eased slightly, though he knew he wasn't out of the woods yet.
The tomb of the Kings was about to collapse. Coby wasted no time, grabbing Robin, Cobra and Crocodile, his grip firm as he hauled them out of the crumbling chamber. Dust and debris filled the air as the ancient stone walls gave way. Coby moved swiftly, his body aching from the poison, but he pushed through the pain, determined to get them to safety.
Robin's voice echoed faintly in his ears as they sped through the collapsing tunnels. "The antidote was enough for one person... and you shared it with me... It would be a pity if we both died..."
Coby's vision blurred as the poison coursed through his veins. His strength was fading fast, but he refused to let go of Robin and Cobra. He pushed forward, feeling the ground tremble beneath him as more of the tomb crumbled away but he saw the light. Just as they reached outside...
Everything went black.
Coby blinked, his vision slowly clearing as he stared up at the unfamiliar ceiling above him. For a moment, he wondered if he had died and transmigrated again, but the warmth and weight on his left arm grounded him. Glancing to the side, he saw Vivi curled up next to him, asleep, her hand clutching his arm tightly.
He sighed in relief, realizing he was still alive. Vivi's soft mumbling caught his attention as she spoke in her sleep, "You promised to return to me. You stole my first kiss. I would never forgive you if you were to die."
Coby chuckled quietly, though it made his side ache where Crocodile's poison had grazed him. He couldn't help but feel a bit amused by her words. He shifted slightly, trying not to wake her, but the movement stirred Vivi from her slumber. Her eyes fluttered open, and she looked up at him, still half-asleep.
"Coby…?" she mumbled, rubbing her eyes.
"Hey, I'm still here," Coby replied softly, giving her a small smile. "Guess I didn't die after all."
Vivi's eyes widened as she fully woke up, her hand instinctively reaching for his cheek. "You idiot!" she scolded, her voice relief and frustration. "You had me so worried! Do you have any idea how close you were to dying?!"
Coby winced at her words, but his smile didn't falter. "Yeah, but I'm tougher than I look."
Vivi huffed, her worry quickly shifting to annoyance. "Don't joke about that. You scared me."
Then she jumped on his neck, kissing his lips, clearly her fear was gone, replaced by relief. Her lips pressed against his, soft but insistent, as if she needed to confirm he was truly there. Coby blinked in surprise but quickly responded, wrapping his arms around her, holding her close. The kiss was brief, but it carried all the emotions she couldn't put into words—fear, relief, and something else.
When they finally pulled apart, Vivi's cheeks were flushed, her eyes still shining with unshed tears. She looked at him, her lips forming a small smile, and whispered, "You really are an idiot."
Coby chuckled, brushing a strand of hair away from her face. "Yeah, but I'm your idiot."
Vivi rolled her eyes but didn't move from his arms. "You better be," she muttered, her voice soft. She rested her forehead against his, their breathing slowly evening out as they sat together in silence.
After a few moments, the door creaked open, and Luffy's face popped in. His wide grin broke the quiet moment. "Oi! Coby! Vivi! You're awake!" he shouted, barging into the room without a second thought.
Vivi quickly pulled back, trying to hide the blush creeping up her neck. Coby just sighed, a smile playing on his lips. "Yeah, Luffy, we're awake."
Luffy didn't notice anything unusual as he plopped down on the bed next to Coby, grinning from ear to ear. "Good! You were asleep for three days. You missed 15 meals."
Coby laughed, recalling the time when Luffy had been in his place. As always, Luffy was quick to calculate meals, and of course, five meals a day was his standard. His laughter caught Luffy off guard, but it also drew the attention of others.
Nami barged in, practically leaping into Coby's arms. Without hesitation, she kissed his lips. After the kiss, she licked her lips with a curious expression. "Hmm, something is different."
Vivi blushed at the side, trying to remain inconspicuous as the others entered the room.
Zoro, Sanji, Usopp, and Chopper followed closely behind, all of them visibly relieved to see Coby awake. Zoro leaned against the wall, arms crossed. "You gave us quite the scare, but I guess you're too stubborn to stay down."
Sanji lit a cigarette, exhaling a cloud of smoke as he eyed Coby. "Took you long enough to wake up, idiot. We were waiting for you."
Usopp chimed in, his voice full of exaggerated relief. "Yeah! We thought you'd never get up! I was already planning a heroic rescue mission to save you from dreamland!"
Chopper, ever the caring doctor, hopped up onto the bed to check on Coby. "Are you feeling okay? Any pain? Dizziness?"
Coby shook his head, smiling at the concern. "I'm fine, Chopper. Just a bit tired, but nothing I can't handle."
Luffy, still grinning, grabbed Coby's hand and shook it vigorously. "Good! We need you back at full strength. We've got more adventures ahead!"
Nami, still close to Coby, gave him a playful nudge. "Don't push yourself too hard, though. You've been through a lot."
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