Work Text:
There was a dagger in front of her; one who was being held by hands that couldn't stop shaking. Mayhaps that was the reason why Robin didn't feel scared of the obvious threat.
A woman was in front of her. Brown irises that sheltered conflicted emotions stared at Nico, having a despaired face to match. And the trembling was still there, on the soft and caring hands of the other.
How could Robin feel fear for her life in this kind of situation? It was clear that this woman didn't have the guts to kill anyone. Much less someone as low as herself, who shouldn't even be alive yet but kept surviving to spite her enemies. It was her duty to do so, after all. Her burden to shoulder while she couldn't just close her eyes and release her last unworthy breath.
Even if all she truly wanted was to die, it was easy to foresee that, at this moment, Nico wouldn’t get what she wished for. Which was a shame, really. (Except it wasn’t. She couldn't dare to be honest with herself; what she actually wanted was to live. It would be very nice if someone, it could be anyone, could free her from this chain. It was presumptuous of her, but for a second, a tiny spark of hope almost was set aflame on her heart by thinking that the princess could do it.)
Knowing that nothing good would come from this situation, she only offered a bittersweet smile for the woman. She observed the way her lips distorted, probably already understanding that Robin had no intention of fighting her. The trust that once was softening the eyes now were nowhere to be found in the sharp gaze she was receiving. It was okay, though; Nico was accustomed to this happening.
Not wanting to lose precious time, she used her power. It was a smart decision, since the element of surprise delayed the woman's reaction — the trembling hands could no longer be dangerously steady because there was no dagger in its hold. And, to finish her defense, while still using her skill, she made the other faint so there would be no more obstacles in her runway route.
“... I hope you got to have sweet dreams, Ms. Nefertari.” Robin muttered; even if there was someone close by, it would be hard to understand what she said. “We both know you deserve some compensation…”
Thus, Nico turned her back to the fallen woman. If she was younger, it was sure that she would be stupid enough to let her heart with the other. Thanks to her age and experience, though, she wasn't — she wasn't worthy enough to have one, the world teached her well on it.
Nico Robin was the devil's child, after all.