Author's Note: Well, it has again been ages my friends. But, in light of recent events (ie the apocalypse), I have been desperate for an escape from reality. Thus, I actually sat down to write again. Please welcome the second snipet in the kid!Zoro saga. This time, you get to see Zoro grow a little closer with one of the other members of the Straw Hat crew. Enjoy my friends!

2. Reading with Robin-swan

It is ironic that out of all of their crewmates, their little swordsman takes to the one his grown self seems to despise the most. Zoro follows Sanji around the same way Robin's often seen stray dogs follow around the first person that gives them meat. The cook offers no objections. Much to the contrary, Sanji seems to relish in the young boy's affection, more even than he relishes in praise she or Nami gives him. Over the weeks, Zoro has willingly branched out to the men on the crew, playing with Luffy, Usopp, and Chopper. Though, he still goes straight to Sanji with every scare and every booboo. Even Chopper doesn't get the honor of seeing little Zoro's weakest side first.

Blue eyes snap up as Robin enters her library and Sanji gives her a tired smile. "Oh hello, Robin-chan. I hope we aren't going to be a distraction. We can move back to the kitchen."

"Nonsense, cook-san." Robin smiles and waves a dismissive hand. "You and young Zoro are welcome to stay. I love my library filled with young readers."

Zoro doesn't look up at her, unsurprisingly. Robin doesn't seem to terrify the small boy the way Nami does, but he's still very wary.

"What are we reading today?" Robin asks, taking a seat in the chair beside the boys.

"Taika the Brave," Sanji replies around a yawn. "Would you like to tell Robin-chan what the book is about, Zoro?"

After a brief pause, the small swordsman shakes his head. "You can, Sanji-san."

With a slight frown, Sanji runs a hand through Zoro's hair. "It's about a pirate, braving a wild storm to find a treasure and save his town."

"That sounds like a wonderful story."

"I think we're enjoying it." Sanji smooths Zoro's hair back and the small boy leans into the touch.

"You seem tired, cook-san."

Sanji gives her a soft smile. "So thoughtful, Robin-chan." One arm tightens around Zoro in a halfhearted hug. "I'm fie."

Glancing down at the young boy, Robin sees him frowning at the book, eyebrows furrowed with what almost seems like guilt. He looks tired as well, small bags forming around his eyes. Perhaps he's the one who's keeping their cook so exhausted.

Sanji returns to reading the book, Zoro curled against his chest, content to listen. Robin asks no more questions, instead settling in with her own book. Her mind refuses to focus on the words, however. Instead, she finds attention drawn to Sanji's soft reading, listening to his soothing tone as time ticks on.

"Would you like to read another book, little marimo?" Sanji asks once they're finished with Taika's adventure.

Zoro sits quietly for a moment. "Can - um - can we read this one again, Sanji-san? I like this one."

"Of course, Zoro." No exasperation nor annoyance sits in the cook's tone. Nothing to suggest to the little boy that he doesn't want to reread the same childish tale again. In this moment, Robin understands why Zoro has taken such a shine to Sanji. "We can read this story as many times as you'd like."

The tale of Taika the Brave begins again.

The rest of the crew note the cook's exhaustion at dinner. Robin doesn't miss the way Zoro sinks a little lower in his chair. Sanji and Zoro depart for bed soon after dinner. The rest of the crew trickle along after them. Soon, it's only Usopp on watch and Robin in her library left awake. The moon hangs high in the sky as Robin sits calmly, slowly flipping through the pages of her history book. She's read this book at least three times, but there's a particularly interesting section on the early ages of the New World that she needs another look at. Chances are there's at least a hint of the Void Century somewhere in there.

Just outside the door, soft footsteps against the floor catch her attention. Robin pauses in her search for the section and glances up. Her lamp hasn't burned that low. Usopp should still be on watch. And none of their crew walk this softly around the ship. No matter what time it is. Just as she's about to spout extra eyes and find the perpetrator, the library door inchest open. A small mop of green hair pokes through and Zoro's dark eyes meet hers. The small boy freezes, as Chopper often does when he's scared, and stares at her with wide eyed uncertainty.

Robin smiles at him. "Why hello, Zoro. Is everything alright?"

Zoro nods quickly.

"What brings you here so late at night?"

Zoro's teeth worry at his bottom lip. "'M sorry, Robin-san."

Robin blinks. "Sorry?" she echoes. "Whatever do you need to be sorry for?"

Zoro rocks on his toes. "Interrupting."

"Oh, you're not interrupting me, Zoro." Robin smiles again. "You're more than welcome. I was simply surprised to see you up so late. I wanted to make sure everything was alright."

Zoro's lips twist in uncertainty, his eyes moving around the room. Then, his eyes pause, lingering on the book Sanji had been reading him earlier that day.

"Would you like to come in?"

After a moment, Zoro takes a few steps into the room, carefully shutting the door behind him. He doesn't move from his spot, still rocking on his toes. They stare at each other, quiet filling the room as waves splash outside.

"Did you want to sit in here and read, Zoro?" Robin finally offers.

Zoro's gaze drops to the ground and he rings his hands together. "I can't read, Robin-san."

"Oh?" Interest peaked, Robin sets her book to the side and smiles at him. "Would you like me to teach you?"

"I'm not smart enough to learn, Robin-san."

Robin's heart drops along with her smile. For a pause, she can only gape at the small child in front of her. Why would he ever think that?Who would have ever told him that? Zoro was not the most intelligent member of their crew, but he was a far cry from stupid. Sanji has often described a feeling of necessity to find whoever hurt their small swordsman and kick them through a wall. Now, Robin understands the feeling.

She clears her throat. "I am very sure whoever told you that was mistaken, Zoro. You are a very intelligent young boy. I'm sure teaching you to read will be easy."

Zoro glances up at her in surprise. "But, but I'm not smart."

"You most certainly are. Why don't you come sit? I'll find us a good book to start with."

Nami had gone a bit overboard with books when they'd gone shopping for the young boy. At the time, Robin thought it a bit excessive. Zoro wouldn't be young forever. And to clear out the shelves meant that other young minds would lose access to all of those books. Pulling out one of the alphabet books, Robin is glad Nami convinced her to buy them all. Zoro settles into the chair and watches her warily.

"I don't wanna waste your time, Robin-san."

"It isn't a waste of time, Zoro. You're my nakama. Helping you is my pleasure. Do you know your alphabet?"

Zoro memorizes the entire alphabet before he nods off in his chair. Robin carries him down to the men's bunk quietly and undetected. She isn't overly surprised to see that the swordsman's usual bunk appears untouched. Sanji stirs but doesn't wake as she deposits Zoro beside him. The small boy turns into the warm of the cook, curls beneath the blanket, and sleeps on.

"Good morning, Robin-chan." Sanji greets her with more enthusiasm than he has in days when she makes her way into the kitchen.

Sunlight spreads across the deck, spilling morning warmth across her skin. The cook has her coffee already brewing and his smile lights up the room. Sitting at the table with crayons and a piece of paper, sits Zoro. He glances up at her as well, sitting quietly as Sanji grabs her a cup and pours coffee.

"Thank you, cook-san." Robin accepts the cup and takes a seat across from Zoro.

Peaking across the table, she can see the alphabet scrawled in his messy, small handwriting. He risks a glance up at her, slowly pushing the paper so out so she can see.

"I practiced," he says in a small voice.

From the corner of her eye, Robin sees Sanji turn, brow furrowed in confusion. Robin keeps her eyes on Zoro, smiling widely.

"You've done a wonderful job, Zoro," she tells him. "You even spelt your name. I'm very impressed."

Some of the fear fades from Zoro's face. A smile spreads across his lips. Then, he moves his hand so she can see the rest of the paper. "I can spell your name too, Robin-san. Sanji-san helped me."

Robin giggled. "You've done such an amazing job, Zoro."

Pride fills Zoro's face, his energy warming her chest. Sanji smiles as well, running his fingers through Zoro's hair.

"Zoro told me that you taught him the alphabet last night, Robin-chan," Sanji says.

"Hai. And he has done a wonderful job, cook-san. I don't know if I've ever had such a smart student."

If possible, Zoro's smile brightens.

"He is quite a smart cookie, isn't he?" Sanji looks proud as well, ruffling Zoro's hair. "He'll be reading to me in no time."

"Can we read more after breakfast, Robin-san?" Zoro asks hesitantly.

"Why, of course we can, Zoro." Robin beams at him. "I would love to read more with you."

"You too, Sanji-san?"

Sanji smiles. "Sure, little marimo."

A strange, warm satisfaction settles in Robin's chest when Zoro appears at her library the next night. He peeks in and smiles at her, shuffling his feet as he makes his way inside.

"Hello, Zoro."

"Hi, Robin-san." Zoro closes the door behind him. "Can I come read with you?"

"Of course. Would you like to pick a new book?"

"Hai!"

The New World is filled with nice days, sun beating down and the winds are calm but cooling. Across the deck, Luffy chases Usopp and Chopper around the deck while Brook plays his violin. Franky works diligently on the small chair Robin asked him to make for the library and Nami is locked in her charting room.

Robin turns a page in her book. Sanji and Zoro have disappeared into the kitchen to tame the young boy's insatiable appetite.

"Oi, Zoro!" Luffy's cry carries across the deck. "Come play!"

"Luffy!" Chopper shouts. "Look out."

Glancing up, Robin watches the captain tumble into their doctor and sniper. She giggles softly, watching them try to detangle themselves. Little footsteps approach her from behind, followed by the footsteps of who can only be Sanji.

"Oi, be careful, you shitty captain!" Sanji calls from behind her. "Incase you've forgotten, our shitty swordsman isn't here to pull you out of the ocean!"

Robin chuckles, turning to look over her shoulder. Sanji carries a tray of drinks, Zoro beside him, book in his hands.

"Hello gentlemen," Robin says.

"Hello, Robin-chan." Sanji beams down at her, placing one of the drinks on the table beside her chair. "Zoro had a question for you."

He gently pushes the little boy forward. Zoro stands beside her chair, rocking on his toes for a moment before he pulls in a deep breath.

"Can I read you a book?" Zoro finally asks in a soft whisper.

Robin's heart leaps upward. "That would be wonderful, Zoro."

Looking slightly surprised but pleased, Zoro climbs up into her lap. Robin sets her book aside, adjusting the small boy on her lap. Sanji smiles at them, ruffling Zoro's hair.

"I'm going to go check on Nami-swan," he tells them. "Will you be alright with Robin-chan, little marimo?"

"Hai, Sanji-san!"

Zoro settles into Robin's lap and opens the book. He reads hesitantly, stuttering over words but sounding them out without Robin's help. The rest of the crew continue around them, laughing and tumbling. Franky glances up at them every once in a while, smiling at Robin when she meets his gaze and giving her a thumbs up. Robin strokes Zoro's hair back and returns the smile.

Amazingly, the small boy doesn't flinch.

"You did a wonderful job, Zoro," Robin tells him as he closed the book. "Thank you so much for reading that story to me."

Zoro gives her a shy smile. "Thank you for teaching me."

"It was my pleasure, Zoro. Would you be willing to read to me again tomorrow?"

Delight fills Zoro's face. "Hai, Robin-swan!"

Hopefully, I'll be back soon, friends. Stay safe out there!