Bella Noche (Beautiful Night)
Chapter I
It was sometime after midnight and the Going Merry sat in a peaceful ocean. The deck was empty and there was a silence that was impossible to find during the day. Up in the crow's nest sat the ship's first mate. He was on "watch". His three katana rested against the side of the wall. His eyes were shut and his mouth was wide open, his green hair illuminated by the moonlight, the three earrings dangling from his left ear gleaming in the light. At the sound of a creaking floorboard he cracked open one eye. Was Luffy trying to sneak a midnight snack? The love cook wouldn't be pleased in the morning. Deciding that was indeed the case he closed his eye once more but was startled when the mystery person started to climb up to the crow's nest. It couldn't be Luffy after all; he would have just stretched up. He sat without moving but was alert and ready to grab his nearby katana if needed. He was shocked to see the dark head of Robin pop into view over the top of the crow's nest.
"You!?" He exclaimed, the shock making it come out harshly. His tone caused her to pause, unsure as to whether she should continue on in to the nest or climb back down. Zoro felt a wave of guilt for causing the look of uncertainty and doubt that currently marred her delicate features. "Sorry" he mumbled. "Why are you here?" he tried again, this time making an effort to sound nicer. "I couldn't sleep and figured you might like some company and maybe a blanket." Robin answered lifting up her hand from which a second hand sprouted holding a blanket. The hana hana hand dropped the blanket in front of him and then disappeared in a poof of petals. Normally Zoro liked to be alone when he was on watch; it was easier to sleep in peace that way. However for some strange reason he could not decipher he didn't want to see her go. "That would be nice" he said shifting over to make room for her. His response surprised both of them and Robin stood stunned for a second before climbing in and sitting down next to him.
She brushed against him as she sat; sending shivers up and down her spine. Zoro mistook the shivers as a sign of her being cold and took the blanket on the floor and spread it out over her. "Thank you Mr. Swordsman, but aren't you cold too?" Zoro was just about to say he was fine when a gust of cold air blew in from the sea causing him to shiver. Robin chuckled and lifted up the edge of the blanket. Zoro looked at the blanket, a fight raging in his head as to whether or not he should move over. If it had been Nami offering the blanket he would have just said no to hell with whether it would hurt her feelings or not, since it was Nami probably not. However Robin was different. He didn't want to hurt Robin. But before he could come up with a polite way of saying no a bunch of hands had sprouted out of the floor beside him and pushed him over next to her. "Wha-?" he said caught off guard. Meanwhile Robin was giggling at the expression on Zoro's face. The giggles turned into full out laughter when Zoro shot her an indignant glare. At the melodic sound of her laughter all of Zoro's anger ebbed away. It was the most beautiful sound he had ever heard. Knowing he was the reason for this beautiful noise and the full smile that accompanied it thrilled him. "You should smile like that more often you know" he found himself saying as he settled in beside her underneath the blanket. "I've never had much reason to before now." Zoro noticed the hint of sadness laced into the words and had a strong desire to keep it out of her voice forever.
Loneliness was an emotion he could relate to and he understood the pure desire to have someone there for comfort. He wrapped his arm around her, sensing that desire in her. He had meant to provide nothing more than some friendly comfort but when her slender framed pressed into him his whole body came alive.
Zoro tried to keep his mind out of dangerous territory by asking what he had considered a safe question. "Why couldn't you sleep?" Robin sat quietly for a moment leaning against his strong, sturdy frame. She mulled the question over in her mind wondering how to answer, how much to disclose. After all he had intended it as a simple question he didn't want her life story. She settled on one word, "habit". However that didn't satisfy Zoro. "Why's that?" he pressed. "Ever since I was eight I never knew when the people I was with would realize the mistake they had made in taking me in. But as always they would and I would have to escape again. The few times I could relax enough to actually fall asleep it would be a sleep terrorized with nightmares of Ohara." She explained softly, unable to keep all the pain out of her voice.
It was the pain that touched Zoro and he felt unadulterated anger towards all the people in Robin's life that made her think she didn't deserve it. "Taking you in as a member of our crew is not and will never be a mistake." Zoro said forcefully, angry that she still doubted that, even after all the events at Enies Lobby. Robin bowed her head, her hair swinging forward to cover her tear-filled eyes. Zoro reached over and gently lifted her chin up, turning her face towards his. "You're our nakama. You're my nakama." He said softly. The tars spilled over and Robin pressed her face into his shoulder, sobbing. Zoro froze for a second before putting his arms around her. He wished there was something more he could do, unaware that his words and embrace were more than enough for Robin. He pulled her in closer and pressed a kiss on to the top of her head.
Slowly the sobbing subsided and her body became peaceful in his arms. Zoro removed the arm that was resting against her upper back and Robin missed its presence the second it was gone. However using his now free hand he gently lifted her chin up once again so he could see her tear-stained face. He brushed his lips against her forehead and then her cheeks, his tongue darting out to capture her tears. He covered her face with some more butterfly kisses before finally pressing his moist lips against her soft ones. Robin had sat still as he had lovingly kissed her cheeks, her nose and her temples. The desire she felt bubbling up within her compelling her to draw her hands up and around his neck, her fingers playing with the green hair at the nape of his neck. He pulled back uncertainly and gave her a questioning look. He didn't want to take advantage of her while she was in a weak moment. Robin nodded, after all this scene had played out in her mind many times before. Zoro was thankful that she did, he didn't know if he would have been able to resist her if she hadn't. He leaned back in once again taking her lips. Robin melted into his touch, pulling him closer to her, wanting to feel the heat of his body against her. Zoro took her lush bottom lip between his teeth and lightly bit down causing Robin to gasp. He took advantage of the moment to slip his tongue into her now open mouth.