I wonder if there's any of that cider left that Crap Cook made with dinner., thought Zoro as he finished doing his nighttime workout. That lazy navigator somehow always managed to get out of doing watch and the responsibility would fall on his shoulders, something about needing her beauty sleep and how he did nothing but nap all day. Oh, and then there was always his debt that she lorded over him, as if he didn't make up for it with all the times he saved her scrawny butt from danger. Stupid witch, making me take her watch when it's below freezing out here. Oh well, at least it's good endurance training. The swordsman headed down from his gym and towards the kitchen in search of some of Sanji's delicious cinnamon apple pie flavored cider to warm him up since he had at least another five to six hours before the crew started awakening, and the weather showed no signs of changing anytime soon. Working out could only raise his body heat so much before he needed a little extra help to make sure it would keep working properly. Winding his way through the Sunny's interior, the swordsman headed towards the kitchen, or at least he thought he was.

Zoro made turn after turn, going from the aquarium, to Franky's workshop, then passed by the women's quarters, only to end up back outside on deck. "Where the heck is the kitchen?", whispered the furious young man as he threw open the deck door again and headed inside, turning the opposite way he had the first time around. Zoro wandered around for another few minutes before his eyes found a pale light spilling out from under a set of double doors. Found it. He carefully pushed his way inside, hoping to not startle any of his crew mates that might be in there making a midnight snack by his sudden presence, but that would be impossible because he wasn't in the kitchen, he was in the library. Crap!, thought the sword wielder as he looked around at the shelves of books and hanging maps illuminated by the bright moonlight shining in through the numerous windows that wrapped around its walls. He was about to backpedal out of the room when his eye landed on the hunched over form of his female crew mate, Nico Robin.

The archaeologist had her head resting atop her slender, folded arms, her body slowly rising and falling with the even breath of sleep. Zoro moved closer, unable to look away from such a rare sight as the one in front of him. She looks so...so peaceful when she's sleeping., mused the young man, taking in the gentle smile on the woman's face as she dozed. Should I wake her up, so she can go to her room? I can't just leave her here can I? Before his mind had made a decision his hand was reaching out to shake the historian awake. His hand touched her exposed shoulder, feeling the chill it held and snapped back. Gah Robin, you knew it was gonna be freezing tonight. Why the hell wouldn't you wear something warmer, woman? Zoro scowled as he looked Robin's body up and down taking in the tight tank-top that was fighting to keep the historian's chest covered while exposing some of her firm, flat stomach. The mini-skirt and thin black leggings that wouldn't be warm enough for temperatures in the sixties let alone below freezing.

I know, I'll just cover her up on the couch, at least then she'll stay warm enough to not freeze to death in the middle of the night. A plan in mind, Zoro reached out, tipping Robin's torso off the desk beneath her and back against his forearm before slipping the other one under her legs and lifting her into his arms as gently as possible so as not to wake her. Man, she's so freaking light. Zoro walked carefully over to the couch, his eyes never leaving the historian's peaceful face as she slumbered in his embrace. He froze as Robin began to move in his arms, scared that she would awaken to find him cradling her against his chest in the dead of night and misunderstand his intentions, but she only pressed her face deeper into his neck. She must know how cold her body is, stupid woman. You better not get sick or anything like that. He approached the sofa where he intended to lay the archaeologist down, but hesitated. She felt so small in his arms like he needed to hold so that she would break, and her warm breath against his neck sent shivers down his spine that had nothing to do with the bitter cold weather. Holding Nico Robin in his arms...he like it. What the hell is wrong with you? Put her down before she wakes up or someone comes in and finds you.

Snapping out of his musings, the swordsman reluctantly placed the raven-haired woman on the couch, pulling the quilt draped over the armrest over her now trembling body. He pulled the blanket up to her neck, tucking in the edges around her form, his hands lingering longer than necessary whenever they came in contact with her smooth skin. Zoro drew back, waiting until he was sure Robin's body was warming up and the shaking had stopped, and then reached out once again. This time however his fingers found their way into her flower-scented hair, the same color of the midnight sky outside, threading their way thought the silky tresses until they met her temple. He tucked a few strands behind her ear and then brushed her bangs aside, allowing him to see the entirety of the historian's face for the first time. I've never noticed just how beautiful Robin is. He brought his hand down then to cup her cheek, his thumb gently stroking the tan flesh before moving to gently brush against her rosy lips, so soft, so supple. He wondered if they would feel the same if his own brushed against them. Zoro snapped back to reality then, pulling his hand away from the sleeping woman's face and quietly exiting the library.

What was I doing? Was I really thinking about what it would feel like to...and with Robin? The green-haired man shook his head, internally berating himself for his stupid moment of foolish curiosity. Sure, Robin had always been a mystery to him even after the crew had learned her past and rescued her from Enies Lobby, but that didn't mean he had any affection for her. At least not more than he had for any of his other friends. He was just curious, his mind a little too tired from his training and having to stay on night watch so many times in a row, that was it. It was just a fluke, a moment of weakness that meant nothing. Zoro found his way back to the Crow's Nest with little effort, his feet simply carrying him while his mind worked to sort out his odd behavior. This didn't mean anything. I...I just had a momentary lapse in judgment and got caught up in the moment holding her like that. That was what he repeated in his head as he restarted his workout regimen hoping to draw his focus back onto something he understood, something familiar. His body no longer craved the warm liquid that had sent him into the dark depths of the ship in the first place, it hadn't since he held Nico Robin in his arms. His body had never felt this warm before.

The next day went by much as Zoro would've expected. Normal breakfast conversation, the crew splitting off to do their usual afternoon activities, then regrouping when Sanji called for lunch, then some stupid game Luffy forced all of them to play until it was finally dinner. But it hadn't been a normal day for Zoro, thoughts of what he had done last night plaguing him as he fought to train on deck and nap as usual. Anytime he tried to focus on training, the methodical up and down rhythm of lifting that usually settled his raging mind felt more like an irritating distraction from what he really wanted to watch. His eyes skirted across the deck once again to land on the raven-haired woman that hadn't let him have any peace since the previous night as she slowly propelled herself and the small reindeer in her lap on the swing. He smiled hearing an airy laugh escape her lips as Chopper said something she must of found funny or cute, or both. I never noticed how cute her laugh was before. She should really do it more often. Dang it, focus on your training!

The green-haired man set his weights down then, it wasn't like he hadn't done triple his normal exercises during his watch since he couldn't get his mind to calm down enough for sleeping, maybe a nap would relax him. He settled down against the mast, closing his eyes, preparing to let sleep carry him away, but he didn't see the blackness of his eyelids like normal, no he saw black hair, bright blues eyes, a sharp nose, and a mouth turned up at the corners in a teasing smirk. He saw Nico Robin. Dang it! Why can't I just get her off my mind?, asked Zoro internally even though he knew the answer.. It's because you're still curious, moron. I have watch again tonight, I'll go check on her again, get this urge out of my system and then I'm done. Nothing more.

Nighttime didn't come quickly enough as Zoro wasted away the evening hours waiting until the same time he had left in search of cider the previous night. It wouldn't do to have Robin still awake when he came to check on her. She would ask why he was in the library and he would have to come up with some excuse that she would immediately see through and then giggle at him. Wait, what if she's not in the library? What if last night was just some chance situation and she's in her room with Nami? Dang it, I hadn't thought of that, I can't sneak into their bedroom, there's no way I could talk my way out of that one. Glancing at the clock on the wall, Zoro saw that it was half past one and decided to go down anyway. Even if she wasn't there he would feel better knowing that he tried rationalized the swordsman as he followed his previous path through the Sunny to the library, and managed to find it with only three backtracks.

He eased the door open just has he had before, peeking around the frame he saw exactly what he wanted, Robin with her head resting against the arm of the sofa a book left open on her lap. Zoro tiptoed over to her, watching carefully for any signs of disturbance on her face as he eased the large text out off her lap and marked the page for her. That out of the way, Zoro began the process of positioning the historian into a more suitable sleeping position, gently stretching out her long legs and sliding her upper body down so that her head could rest against the throw pillow pressing into her side. Next, he unfolded the quilt and prepared to cover her, but stopped. He stared down at he sleeping form, watching her chest rise and fall, the way her mouth opened slightly with each exhale, just her. His hand overrode his mind's better judgment again, reaching out to rub Robin's leg, starting at her delicate ankle and moving slowly upward until it stopped to linger on her thigh. Zoro froze as the sleeping woman let out a small noise in her sleep, something similar to a moan. Does she...like this?

His hand continued upward, curious to see if Robin would react anymore. He stroked the protruding bone of her hip, then pushed the hem of her blouse up to feel the tight muscles of her abdomen, and lastly back up to her face. He watched in awe as her body seemed to arch into his hand as he caressed her, indecipherable sounds escaping her perfect lips periodically. I wonder if she'd be okay with this if she was awake. If she knew I was the one, that my my hands were the ones warming her up? He covered her up and left, not wanting to press his luck any further by lingering more than a few minutes. As much as he had hoped the urge would leave him, he knew now that his second trip had only furthered his conflicted mind's curiosity. He wanted to stay and watch over her as she slept, see her cerulean eyes as they blinked the sleepiness away and brightened to their usual sharpness, he wanted to touch her when she was awake and could feel it. He wanted her. He would check on her again tomorrow night, he had to.

That was how the next week past, him coming down from the Crow's Nest shortly after midnight to put the archaeologist to bed on the library's sofa. She was always there, almost as if she knew how much Zoro need this and gladly waited for him to come lay her down. He got more and more daring as the days passed, allowing himself to stay longer, the most being an hour at a time, and letting his hands linger more. Holding her hand or stroking her hair the entirety of his visit instead of only a few seconds. She never woke as far as he could tell, and the happy smile on her face that always appeared when his fingers intertwined with hers made him think that maybe at least subconsciously, Robin enjoyed this as much as he did. That maybe she would be happy to find him watching over her as she slept. Sometimes he wished she would wake up, that their eyes would meet and she would lean in pulling him against her chest and he would get to experience her in an entirely different way. That he would finally get to taste her sweet lips and feel her hands on his body.

The days passed and the swordsman did his usual workout as the crew gradually awakened while waiting for the pervert cook to call for breakfast just as he had done since they had first set sail from Water Seven on this ship. He had managed to fall asleep easily each night after visiting the archaeologist and he was in the middle of doing his weighted sword katas when said woman approached him.

"Good morning, Zoro."

"Hey Robin, you need something?", asked the swordsman rudely. He didn't want to hurt her feelings, but looking into her eyes was too hard after he had spent the last week and a half watching her sleep. He had been careful to avoid being alone with her after that second time, observing her from afar and only chatting when they were in a group.

"No, I just wanted to give you something is all.", answered Robin, her usual playful smile gracing her lips.

"What for?", asked Zoro, setting his barbell down so he could give her his full attention. What the hell is she talking about?

"Just to show my appreciation for you taking such good care of me."

"Wha-" Zoro froze as Robin leaned towards him, her slender arms snaking around his neck as she pressed a kiss to his cheek, her lips warm and soft just how he remembered.

"Thank you, Mr. Swordsman.", she said smoothly as she extricated herself from him and turned away. "Oh, and Nami-san will be on watch tonight.", called the historian over her shoulder, giving the young man a wink before walking back inside, leaving him alone on deck and more than a little confused.

Robin just kissed me., thought Zoro, still in shock at the woman's outlandish behavior. He couldn't remember a time when they had even hugged or held hands as nakama, let alone pressed their lips against each other's cheeks without warning. She said it was because I took care of her. Wait, does she know that I've been coming to her every night? No, she's always asleep, so how? Idiot, she would have noticed that she always ended up covered on the couch and probably just narrowed down the list of possibilities until I was the only one left. Yeah, that's it, but why did she kiss me? Does she like that I've been taking care of her every night, or is she just being polite, and there's always the chance that she's just screwing with me. Should I go tonight, Nami's the one on watch so maybe...wait why did she tell me that? Nami never takes watch so why now? Did Robin ask her to, is she inviting me to come to her bedroom tonight?

The swordsman heard Sanji call for breakfast and headed inside. Nico Robin, what are you thinking?

Nighttime came once again, Zoro lounging on deck until he saw the navigator climb up the ladder to her watch post, and left to go to her room in search of the raven-haired woman that had been on his mind of over a week. He headed for the library knowing that he'd pass by the women's quarters if he found that and was rewarded with only having to look for about ten minutes. Zoro pushed open the door that he knew led to Robin, not hesitating as he normally did when seeking her out at night, no this time was different. This time she had asked him to come, he was sure. This was what he had been hoping for.

"You got here a lot faster then I assumed.", said Robin, not looking up from the book in her hands.

"Tch, I can find my way around no problem, woman.", shot back the swordsman.

"Fufufu, whatever you say. Now, come take a seat, Zoro, I'd like to talk.", said the historian, putting her book down on the adjacent nightstand and scooting over to make space for him on her bed.

He obeyed, walking over and laying down beside her on top of the comforter that she had pulled up under her arms, successfully covering all but her shoulders and head much to the swordsman disappointment. "So what do you want to talk about?", he asked hesitantly.

"I was curious as to why you who has never showed any sort of tenderness to your friends as long as I've been on board would suddenly take the time to cover me up as I slept not once, but every night for the past week. Someone who you up until a few months ago said that you would never trust. Would you explain that to me, Zoro?", said Robin, her blue eyes peering questioningly into his black ones forcing him to look down at her sheets.

"We're friends, I was just being nice and making sure you didn't get sick since you insist on not wearing proper clothes for the cold weather.", answered Zoro, his cheeks flaring.

"Fufufufu."

"What?"

"Nothing, it just amuses me that you of all people would criticize me for not dressing appropriately. I seem to recall your take on cold whether being that it doesn't affect you unless you have a weak heart, or am I mistaking, Mr. Swordsman?"

"Tch, just be shut up, woman."

"Ah, but you still haven't answered me?", said Robin soberly. "Why have you continued coming to check on me every night?"

He didn't answer.

"Zoro, you can't tell me that this was just some fluke, and that what I've been feeling every night is just my imagination.", added the historian fiercely.

"Wait, what have you been feeling?", asked Zoro, his head shooting up to look into her eyes.

"I'm normally so exhausted I can barely keep my eyes open by the time I finish with my research, that's why I fall asleep so often in the library, but I felt every time you carried me and laid me down, and, and when you would touch my face.", confessed Robin, looking to gauge her crew mate's reaction. "I was too tired to register that what I was feeling was more than a dream at the time, but I remember thinking that someone was rubbing warmth into my arms and legs, and then they would brush my hair aside and touch me lips. I realize now that whoever came every night to check on me was probably the one I felt, that it was real and not just some figment of my imagination. That was you wasn't it, Zoro?"

"Yeah."

"Why, why would you do that?", repeated Robin.

"Because I want you.", said Zoro seriously. He reached out to stroke her cheek just as he had every night leading up to this, watching her eyes widen slightly, but she didn't pull back. "I want to be able to watch you fall asleep ever night and be the first thing you see in the morning." He brought his other hand up to hold the back of her head. "I want to watch over you everyday and be able to touch you." He leaned closer, bringing their faces within an inch of each other, their breaths mingling as their heartbeats raced. "I want to kiss you."

Her lips felt better than he imagined. Moving in sync with her, his hands threading through her silky tresses as she moved to wrapped her arms around his torso, their lips never separating. He lowered his hand to arm sliding it down and under the thick sheet that kept them apart, yanking it off of her body and pulling her against his chest. "I...don't...know.", breathed Zoro in between kisses, moving now from Robin's sweet lips to press his mouth along her jaw and down her throat.

"What?", asked Robin confusedly.

"I don't know why I did it, but I want this.", answered the swordsman confidently, his lips seeking out the archaeologist's once again.

"So do I.", she breathed, before diving back into their kiss.

A/N: Inspired by a comic I saw on Tumblr of Zoro about to kiss Robin while she was asleep in the aquarium only to have Luffy and Usopp interrupt him.