[There's another moment where the grin on Luffy's face slots into the general absurdity of Saltburnt -- the overnight temple, the grapes and fans and the sun-warmed tag that Koby had found with his weird, drapey outfit -- and he doesn't really know how to make it work. Koby gapes senselessly for a moment, hands working midair like he's trying to grasp onto something to make everything make sense.
And then -- it's like they're back in the tangerine grove, except this time Koby's the one who lurches forward, who hugs Luffy clumsy and unpracticed and too tight, nearly sending them both toppling into the pool. He doesn't know how to explain -- you weren't here, you haven't been, and I didn't think I'd ever see you again, and I had figured out how to live with that, I think, but maybe I was wrong.
So he just says again:] You're here. [Wobbly, teary, because he's Koby.]
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And then -- it's like they're back in the tangerine grove, except this time Koby's the one who lurches forward, who hugs Luffy clumsy and unpracticed and too tight, nearly sending them both toppling into the pool. He doesn't know how to explain -- you weren't here, you haven't been, and I didn't think I'd ever see you again, and I had figured out how to live with that, I think, but maybe I was wrong.
So he just says again:] You're here. [Wobbly, teary, because he's Koby.]