Hellp everyone sorry for the delay! I had a bit of writer's block on this chapter, but I hope you like this.
Now to explain something that is going to happen. Please note while I am describling lots of emotions around Robin and Zoro they are both still as stotic as ever. They just understand each other.
Please enjoy!
...
Robin wasn't quite awake yet. She snuggled back down feeling very warm and protected. Something snuggled back at her.
Almost jerking away Robin found herself curled up beside Zoro, on the floor of her apartment. Thankfully she noted that both of them were fully clothed. Now able to relax she snuggled right back into his arms.
His face was relaxed. More open and less intense than she had ever seen. She ran a finger along his cheeks and down to the edge of his lower lip.
"So soft," she whispered.
Zoro's eyes blinked open. Blushing Robin jerked her hand away.
"You don'-" A yawn came over him, "- 'hafa stop." His sleepy eyes looked into hers. Robin curled away from him a little.
"Sorry," She whispered as she looked away. Zoro gripped her hand and she looked back.
His eyes weren't so sleepy anymore, but they were still dark and beautiful.
"Don't be," he told her then letting go of her stood up.
Robin got a quick shower and this time brought a chance of clothes with her. A few minutes later she came out her damp hair wetting her shirt sightly.
To her amazement Zoro was cooking at her stove, "You can cook?" She asked staring at him as he scraped something that did, in fact, resembled an omelet.
"Yeah," Zoro said scratching the back of his neck. He appeared to be a little flustered, "I don't like relying on people."
Robin smiled and then set the table. The two of them sat down to Zoro's messy omelets.
"Funny thing," Robin said spooning the egg onto her fork, "I never learned how to cook." The omelet crunched in between her teeth.
Zoro winced a little seeing the look on Robin's face, "Eggshells," he muttered. He shook his hands and shook his hand, "These damn hands."
"It's better than what I can do," Robin smiled as she kept eating. The crunchiness wasn't that bad actually.
Zoro hadn't touched his omelet, "I was thinking," Robin looked up, "You're incredible. And sturdy."
Zoro glanced away, "I don't have to worry about breaking you," he looked back nervously, "Every Halloween the whole gang goes on this treasure hunt. After that will you come with to the dance as my date."
Robin nearly choked on her omelet. She swallowed and then laughed a little, "Zoro you've got to stop saying these things when I'm eating."
"Oh, yeah," Zoro muttered a blush spread flush across his face.
"And," Robin giggled a little, "I thought we already went on a date."
Zoro wasn't sure what to say for a second, "Yeah, I guess. But Perona setting us up doesn't count."
Robin smiled playfully, "Of course I'll go with you." Finally Zoro relaxed.
The two finished up their breakfast and chatted about work. Since Zoro basically got paid to watch her work, it mostly consisted of Robin talking about the probability of the site once being a shire perhaps to keep away evil spirits.
Zoro went to the door and tucked his shoes on, "Thanks for letting me sleep on the floor. And joining me." A flirty smirk drew upon his lips.
"Your welcome," Robin said leaning out the door a little as he left.
Zoro caught himself staring at her lips after thinking it through and deciding it was a little too early to kiss her he simply said, "Erhm see you soon!"
...
Halloween night after the treasure hunt
...
Eagerly Robin and Zoro grabbed their pumpkin juice from off the counter. Leaning in and nuzzling her face Zoro draped an arm around her.
"I thought I was the cat," Robin teased taking a drink. Oh, it was tasty.
A mischievous look crossed over Zoro's face, "Gimme those ears, woman!" he laughed trying to snatch them. Robin ducked out of his reach.
"No way you make a perfect dog!" she told him laughing. He tried again and she ducked away. Laughing Zoro chased her as she dashed off protecting her cat ears. She ducked through the dance floor winding her way through places the more bulky Zoro would have difficulty getting through.
"Ah, Robin come on!" he called pushing and shoving his way through the crowd. As he came out of the crowd Robin found herself in a corner, "Gotcha!" Zoro exclaimed planting his hand on the wall, one stopping her from escaping on the left and one on the right.
"Oh?!" Robin exclaimed ducking under and out. Laughing Zoro grabbed her one arm then her other pinning her up against the wall.
"Gotcha," He said again.
Robin laughed, "ANd how exactly can you get them off when you're already using both of your hands."
That was when Zoro realized what exactly he had done. Her head was tilted forward, daring him on. This wasn't quite what he expected from a first kiss. "Keep 'em. ANd you'll need thes-" he said starting to release his grips on her.
Slam!
An unexpected foot to the head made Zoro topple back almost falling down. People gasped and stopped dancing.
"Never took you as a damned creep, you shit officer," Sanji sneered. Robin started to go forward to him, Zoro shook his head.
"Sorry, this was coming for a long time," Zoro said to her, "DOn't get mixed up in it." Robin stepped backed. Nervousness crept along her spine, that was the first time he'd ever said sorry. What in the world was going to happen?
The sneer was still there on Sanji's face as Zoro regained his balance. Sanji's leg started to rase again.
Zoro really wished he'd brought a stick, a club, or a katana he could easily win with anything in his hands. Keeping Sanji's long legs at bay without anything would be a challenge.
Zoro took a kick as he ran in bottling up the chef's long legs. Loathing Sanji raised his hands to defend himself.
Sanji struggled to back to get enough room to kick-to keep him at bay. But Zoro wouldn't let him. Sanji blocked Zoro's first deadly bow. Zoro's second fist came flying towards him.
Robin stood back watching the two. Helplessness clawed at her. Her eye's widened as Zoro's fist hesitated midair-almost completely stopping himself. Sanji lurched back getting himself back and raised his leg and delivered a series of deadly blows to the officer.
Face bloodied Zoro fell onto the ground. A tall slinky man ran up and started to pull Sanji away. But he wasn't being fast enough. Sanji's leg lashed out again towards the downed Zoro.
Robin stepped in front. Panic filled Sanji's eye as he tried to not hit Robin, but he'd already launched it. Robin didn't wince as his foot connected with her. She stumbled to the side a little, but not one flicker of pain crossed her face.
Regret was the only emotion on Sanji's face as he complacently let the man drag him away from the fight. Concerned onlookers were gathered around.
Zoro sat up blood dripping from his face, "Robin?" he asked his face laced with concern.
"Are you alright?" Robin asked, there was fear in her eyes fear that he wasn't going to be oaky. She sat down next to him. Zoro wiped the blood away from his face.
"It's nothing," he muttered, then he leaned in and cupped her face in his hands, "Why did you do that?"
Robin leaned in and kissed his bloodied lips. She broke apart from him and smiled, "Because I wanted to."
"Robin," Zoro whispered his fingers half curling around a single strand of her hair.
Sanji walked up his hands trembled, "Robin I didn't mean to hit you."
"That doesn't matter," Robin said. Zoro looked at her surprised at the fieriness in her voice.
"I'd rather hang myself than hit a woman such as yourself," Sanji muttered looking distraught.
The tall man so had held Sanji back had gotten a first aid kit. Casually he touched Sanji on the shoulder comfortingly. THen walk over to where Zoro and Robin were.
"Yoho I'm horribly sorry," He said as Robin took the kit from him, "I'm afraid I got my boofriend a bit too drunk. Please let me treat you to whatever you want."
Zoro and Robin stared at the man as if he really was a skeleton.
"I'm brook by the way," he said introducing himself. He looked to be around Sanji's age and his hair had been groomed into a magnificent Afro.
...
Soon Robin found herself sitting with Zoro opposite from Brook and Sanji. Zoro had ordered a large bottle of sake and Robin was having more
pumpkin juice this time with cookies.
Brook had laid his hand on top of Sanji's. Even though Sanji looked uncomfortable he didn't move his hand away. Already Sanji had given a thousand apologies (mostly directed at Robin) about disrupting them and then about the fight.
Sanji started to apologize once again when Zoro interrupted, "How about a fucking explanation?!"
Sanji ducked his head ashamed, "You looked really damn creepy chasing Robin through that crowd. I didn't realize," he looked over at Robin, "You were having fun."
Robin sighed, "Sanji I don't think Zoro meant that."
Zoro shook his head and then looked over at Brook, "Care explaining?"
Confused Brook looked over at Sanji. Sanji swore under his breathe.
With his head ducked Sanji muttered, "Didn't realize Brook was a guy at first."
Brook chuckled, "I'm opening a cafe up across from Saji's so I called to say hello." Brook's thumb ran over the back of Sanji's hand, "And I guess things just went from there."
Zoro scowled.
Almost timidly Sanji spoke up, "Look I'm a fucking faggot, alright!" His speech was slightly slurred.
Zoro looked away, "Stop using that word."
Brook was grasping Sanji's hand now. Sanji still wasn't holding back.
Sanji looked back at Robin ignoring Zoro, "Please tell me what I can do to make this up to you."
A few things flashed through her mind and she smiled, "I'll think about it."
...
Hand in hand Zoro and Robin arrived back at Robin's apartment. Tired from the night's adventures they stood there simply staring at each other.
The next few weeks went by in a way that wasn't fast, nor slow, but in a way that each second they spent together seemed to occupy physical space. They went on date after date laughing and slowly opening up to each other blooming as if they were flowers. But one thing Robin had not opened up about yet, was the fire, her family, and the darkest part of her past. She would regret not doing it when she still had the chance to.
Christmas was just two days away now. Robin smiled as she carried her bag back to her apartment. Childishly she smiled into the sky hopeful for snow. Despite the fact that it was so warm the dig site was still open. She would have work tomorrow, but then till after New Year's she had off.
Robin couldn't wait to give Zoro his present. She wanted to give it to him right now, but waiting would be better she decided.
The streets were dark now and they weren't any people around just pristine silence. As she passed by an alleyway hand jetted out covering her mouth and dragging her back.
"Hello, Robin," said Lucci.
...
It begins.
