Altros tilted his head back and downed the rest of his wine before leaning back. He couldn't remember the last time he'd enjoyed a meal so much, though he suspected it had more to do with the company than the food. Looking across the table at Robin, they smiled at each other. Both had flushed cheeks from drinking several glasses of wine, and they couldn't seem to help but laugh at the smallest things as they talked.

They both stopped talking for a moment, taking deep breaths to calm themselves, the occasional chuckle and giggle escaping into the air. Once again, Robin placed her elbow on the table and rested her head in her hand, looking at Altros with a warm smile. Altros smiled backed and mimicked her, leaning forward slightly as he spoke, "So. Is all this what's had you so off your game, lately?"

Robin sighed, her eyes looking up as her smile widened. "I believe this has much to do with it, yes."

"Well, now I know why Nami kept you, Sanji, and Brook on the ship so much today," Altros said tilting his head slightly and glancing out the window into a clear night sky. He turned to look at her, their eyes meeting and lingering for a time before Altros spoke up again, "Want to get some fresh air?"

"Mmm, yes," Robin said.

The two stood from their seats and headed down to the deck of this ship, walking toward the bow. They stood next to each other and leaned on the railing, looking out at the dark waters that reflected moonlight and starlight back in ripples. The sea was calm, and there was a gentle breeze blowing, pushing them along. They stood there in silence for a long time, content to simply be next to each other.

Finally Altros broke the silence, "You know, I've never done something like this before. Never got the chance for that 'normal' life."

"Me neither," Robin replied, looking at him from the corner of her eyes.

Altros smiled and looked out at the night sky, the stars reflecting in his eyes. Robin turned her head slightly to see better and watched the light reflecting from his eyes. It was the first time she'd ever seen him with such a serene look on his face, and she couldn't help but smile. His barriers were finally breaking down. He was a part of the Straw Hat crew, but he wasn't as close as everyone else was to each other. They were more like a family than crew, and he'd distanced himself from that, not ready to have such a deep connection like that again.

He turned and looked at her, "I guess there are a lot of things you never got a chance to do, huh?"

Robin nodded, "Yes, there are, but now I've gotten to do many things I never thought I would."

Altros turned to look back out at sea as he replied, "Good. You deserve to experience those things."

Her brow creased as she looked at him. As he'd said those words, he looked almost sad. "So do you…"

Altros looked up and then turned to her, gazing directly at her eyes. Slowly he smiled at her and pushed off the railing, standing up straight. Somewhere on the ship, they could still hear Brook playing his violin. The living skeleton had been at it nonstop, and right now, Altros was glad the music was still going. He held his hand out to Robin. "Care to dance?"

She blinked at him and looked down at his hand. She blushed slightly as she took his hand, thankful it was dark out and likely would be hard to see. This night was going better than she'd hoped. She reminded herself that she'd need to thank Nami again.

Nearby in the ship Nami, Sanji, Chopper, Usopp, and Franky were all crouched by a window, peeking out from time to time and talking quietly. Nami had moved her head up to look again and gasped, causing everyone to turn to her.

"They're….dancing!"

"No way!" Usopp said, peeking out as well.

"Really?" Chopper asked.

Franky grinned, "Alright, Altros-aniki."

"Why that…" Sanji said as he reached for the door handle, but was quickly stopped when Nami hit him as hard as she could.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" Nami hissed, "They're just dancing."

"It looks like they're hugging…" Chopper said, confused.

"What?" Nami asked as she looked out again.

"Ah," Usopp said as he glanced down at Chopper, "They're just dancing closer to each other."

Sanji was on his knees with a pathetic face as he muttered, "Why….?"

Altros huffed a short laugh and Robin looked at him questioningly. He saw the look and his smile widened as he shook his head, "It's nothing."

"Tell me anyway," Robin said, smiling back.

Altros shook his head again. He knew that under normal circumstances, he wouldn't even consider telling her, but he had had quite a few glasses of wine not long ago and he would later guess it was that that had given him the guts to say it. "It's nothing, but fine. I just realized, I'm thirty years old and this is the closest I've come to sex."

Robin froze completely at that, blushing and looked at him with wide eyes. He chuckled and shrugged his shoulders, "What did you expect? I'm a guy, if I'm dancing with a beautiful woman and the thought doesn't enter my head at least once, then something's wrong."

Robin giggled at his explanation and they started moving again, but laughing quietly for a minute. Robin finally worked up the courage to reply, "It is for me as well…"

Altros let out a short laugh and the thought left their minds, neither one of them thinking about anything as they moved slowly across the deck. Altros' eyes were half shut and Robin had closed hers completely, resting her head against Altros' shoulder. He felt her hair tickled the corner of his chin and turned his head slightly. They continued like that for close to twenty more minutes before finally breaking apart.

Altros took Robin's hand and kissed it, "Thank you for the dance."

Robin smiled widely, "Thank you for tonight."

"So," Altros said, "Is this what had you so flustered?"

Robin blinked at him, slightly taken aback, "It isn't obvious?"

Altros chuckled softly, "No it is, just thought I'd make sure since there's always a chance…."

Robin smiled at him, realizing it was late. The night had gone perfectly, and she wanted it to continue, but she also thought, don't rush things. He isn't going anywhere.

"Thank you again, Altros," She said, taking a step back, "Goodnight."

Altros smiled softly as he watched her continue walking backwards, finally turning and heading back inside the ship. It was odd, as she'd opened the door he could have sworn he'd heard the sound of someone running below deck. Probably the wind.

"Goodnight, Robin," He said after she'd closed the door.

She heard him though and leaned against the door with a contented sigh. Just behind Altros an ear burst into petals. Smiling happily she walked to the cabin she shared with Nami. When she opened the door she saw Nami, sitting on the edge of her bed and grinning at her. Robin closed the door and Nami immediately asked, "Well? How did it go?"

Altros heard light footsteps and smiled. "Thanks for the music, Brook."

"Ah," the skeleton said, "You are most welcome, yohohoho."

Altros laughed quietly as Brook went into the ship. Altros sat down on the deck and then laid back, putting his hand behind his head. He looked up at the starry sky and the moon. He smiled, silently thanking his luck that fate had decided to put him on this ship.