"Veyron is usually in his workshop..." She began, her eyes showing a small shiny glint.
"I see..."
"He is a workaholic and doesn't enjoy life the way the rest of the world does. It is not only me; none of us spend nearly as much time with him as we would like to, we all have different responsibilities and it is rare for us to come together in the same room and have dinner".
"Do you hate that?"
"I do... we spent many years without talking to one another. But I also understand him. He does what he loves and he allows me to do what I love. When I need him I know where he is, and when he needs me he knows where to call me. If either of us is in danger we will be there right away. In hindsight, I think this is what true love is... it is the type of love that I need".
A smile crept up her countenance and for him, it was relieving.
"... that is good to know".
'I guess I was worried over nothing... in a way, it is not different from me and Olvia... maybe that's what worried me. But he's not me and Robin is not Olvia'.
"It almost feels as if you're worried about me, Dragon".
"..."
He scratched his head, his thoughts unknown to Robin although she could feel something. He hadn't yet left, instead... it felt like there was something he wanted to say.
"Do you have anything to tell me?" She turned around towards him, crossing her arms and waiting; a hunch in her mind already settling about what could it be that he wanted to say and what came afterwards was shock at the fact that she felt unimpressed at the thought.
"Hypothetically... if you had a father... would you forgive him for not being there?" He began and her shoulders loosened.
"Hypothetically, huh?".
"Yes".
It took her a moment of self-evaluation and thought, recalling how she was five years ago back in Jaya, the sort of life she lived before Veyron was involved in the picture... and her mentality.
'Back then... I hated everything.
"Five years ago I wouldn't... that person never existed to me. I didn't even care, but now..."
"Now?"
"If he came out of his way to tell me he's my father, apologised and showed that he cares about me, I'd be glad to know there is someone out there I can call my family, Dragon".
Her glare told him everything he needed to know. The cat was out of the bag already and he didn't expect any less. Following exactly what she said, he turned around with a regretful expression.
"I apologise, Robin... I'm your father".
Instead of outright rejection as he expected, a smile crept up her face.
"I forgive you".
"You do?".
"You were not there because you couldn't be there... right?"
He just nodded as a single tear leaked, "I was a marine... too far away from Ohara at that time, the operation was intentionally kept a secret from me. By the time I knew... it was too late. It was due to this incident that I resigned as a marine and began the revolutionary army".
Even though parenthood had been acknowledged, that apologies had been cast on the table and accepted... so much as a warm hug was naturally impossible. Robin still kept her distance, he noticed and respected it.
"I began looking for you... but I realised that if they were to know that you were my daughter... they'd hunt you even more fiercely, so I desisted... later I realised the reason why they were hunting you was not the fact that you were the 'last survivor of Ohara' but instead... because you could read the poneglyphs, I started searching for you again but you were off the map".
"Why did you change your mind?"
"You're strong now... you can take care of yourself. Three years ago when you sailed from Rusukaina, you met and fought Kuzan to a standstill".
Her brows quivered.
"You may have thought nobody would know... but I have my ways".
"The only way is..."
"Kuzan told me".
"You are in contact with Aokiji?"
It was hard for her to believe, that someone as righteous as Aokiji had been exchanging secret information with the number one enemy of the marines.
"Everyone has connections in this world, but that's beyond the point. I don't intend to meddle in your life... you're a grown-up married woman now, powerful enough to fight me, there is little I can do. But I just want you to know... there is someone out there you can call family. A father, a grandfather... and a little brother".
"I have a little brother?"
"Yes, after Olvia's passing... I had another story. His name is Monkey D. Luffy, and he is currently in the East Blue but may not stay there for long, he says he wants to be a pirate, the pirate king".
Newfound information entered her brain and made her giggle.
'A little brother...'
She knew he was referring to Monkey D. Garp when mentioning a Grandfather.
"If I ever see him, I'll take care of him".
"He's currently training with Garp, by the time he's finished... you may not need to bother. I'll be off now, give Kuma a few words for me... tell him that he can take as long as he needs".
Leaving those words, Dragon turned around and began to scatter... satisfied, relieved and with lighter shoulders than before.
"Take care of yourself" Robin told him, waving with a gentle smile and he knew he didn't have to worry... because she was in safe hands.
"You too, by the way... there is another family member. You have an aunt".
"Oh, really?~ who is it?".
"Boa Primrose".
"..." Never had her smile fallen so quickly.
And aunt and three cousins... to be exact.