A/N: Hello idk if some of u are still reading this here but anw, i hope you like this chap!

Zoro was already awake so early. He didn't move nor stir, he just stayed lying on his bed. The ceiling seemed to be perfect to stare at while meddling with his thoughts that were flowing in his mind. Although it's been only a few days since Robin had brought him to the cliffs, and Robin told him that he may not be from here— from this world, it was a lot to take in for sure. He didn't want to admit it, but maybe Perona and the warlord were right, he was really an idiot when it comes to direction— Wait, no. They're not right. It's not my fault, it was nature's fault, he scoffed. It was not his fault he stumbled upon this island in the first place. Fucking idiots.

"What are you even cursing at, Zoro?" The swordsman was startled by the voice, and immediately sat right up to see who it was. Turns out, it was just Chopper who happened to be in his room.

"Why are you here? Who let you in?" Zoro glared at the little reindeer.

"The door was open. I thought you were still asleep. But turns out you were already awake, and talking to yourself. Is there something wrong, Zoro? I think I could help you! Mama had taught me a thing or two about home remedies!" Chopper quickly jumped on his bed, "Is it your spine? Is it your chest? Is it your head? Is it your heart?" The little reindeer frantically touched the swordsman's body, but unlike Chopper, Zoro remained calm and observed him. Chopper grasped his shoulders, and shook Zoro with his little hooves, "Are you okay? Tell me, Zoro!"

A small smile was tugged on the swordsman's face, "I'm fine but… I don't even know what is happening to me." He said, giving him a nonchalant shrug.

Chopper plopped down himself on Zoro's lap, pouting, "Maybe there was really something wrong with you, but I don't think I can help you with that... Maybe Robin could give you the answer?"

"Please don't." Zoro blurted out.

The little reindeer tilted his head, curious, "Eh? Why not? Did something happen between you and Robin? Wait… Did you two argue?"

"Well… We didn't, but…" How should he say it? He and Robin didn't even argue yesterday. They didn't even disagree on something since Robin brought him to the cliffs out of the blue— it was still a mystery for Zoro on why would even Robin bring him there— Those thoughts aside, the two of them just talked about going to Ohara, where the map to the ruins was located. The good news, he can already go back to Kuraigana but back from the cliffs, the way he was at ease with Robin, it just felt like something… Like what could that be?

"I really couldn't explain it…" He muttered as he averted Chopper's gaze.

Chopper just gave him a nod, "That's okay. Sometimes I'm just like you, too, Zoro. I also don't understand myself. Wait, maybe, you're just like me?" Chopper said as if he was rambling to himself. He then gazed up with sparkling eyes to Zoro. Although Zoro wasn't used to someone being so fond of him, seeing Chopper, he was reminded how Chopper always lifted his weariness back then.

"Yeah. Maybe I'm like you," he ruffled his soft head, giving him a thin smile. Chopper returned his smile, then hugged him tightly on his waist. Zoro might have been taken aback by his sudden intrusion, yet, he didn't push him away. Chopper was always sweet, he thought.

"Looks like you and Chopper are bonding?" Robin said while she was standing at the door.

"Robin!" Chopper grinned, yet never leaving his little hooves on the swordsman's waist.

"How long have you been standing there?" Zoro asked, slightly worried that Robin might have heard what he had just told Chopper.

"I just got here, don't worry. Also, Chopper, Usopp was now looking for you downstairs."

Chopper pouted, "Awww... Well, it's nice talking to you, Zoro. See you soon!" Chopper jumped out of his bed, then waved goodbye at the two. After Chopper left, Zoro still never left his bed, while Robin still stood at the door, waiting for him to speak.

"So… about going to Ohara…" Zoro said, breaking the abrupt silence.

"Ah, don't worry, I already arranged that. Franky Delivery services will be the one transporting us there. Anyways, there's still work for us ahead today, see you later at the shop." She smiled at him before she left.

He nodded in response. Now Zoro wonders if that was the same Franky.

After that, Zoro went downstairs after eating his quick breakfast. The lobby was pretty much the same where Erin was there, except for Ben who was talking with Erin. Ben was surprisingly in a good mood, too. Maybe he had hit his head, Zoro thought. As he was about to go to the workshop, Ben noticed Zoro.

"Oh, Roronoa, I thought you would never come back? Did you have a good sleep?" He said with a smile.

Zoro just gave him a firm nod and brushed past him, but Ben put his hand on his shoulder, making him halt on his tracks.

"Hey, kid, what's the rush?"

"I'm about to go to work." He sternly replied.

"Heh. Don't rush, kid. I'm sure Ms. Nico wouldn't mind if we talk."

"Why would we?" He said with a raised brow. He wasn't supposed to act good like this. "You sure you didn't hit your head?" Zoro blurted out.

A laugh came out of Ben and shook his head, "Nah, not really. But… Go tell that person before it's too late." Ben's words had stopped Zoro.

"What are you even saying?" Looking confused, Zoro didn't even know whether Ben was drunk in the morning or what. Even Erin, who was just right there listening in the background, looked at Ben with a puzzled look.

However, Ben just shrugged, "Well, that's for you to think, Roronoa. And I'm not kidding, kid, I see what you don't see… Anyway, sorry for bothering you, you can now go to work." Ben smiled at him as he patted his back, letting him go on.

However, Zoro looked at him, confused. He kinda wished that Ben should have remained 'hostile' towards him. But instead, he was acting like they were friends, although it's been going for days, he wasn't used to it— no thanks to the drink fest. Like what was that for? Them, being friends shouldn't be necessary at all, and yet Ben's words... probably Zoro shouldn't overthink about it. With one last look, he thought maybe Ben was just making fun of him, then he proceeded to go to work. As he started his work, Robin's workers seemed to be not talking behind his back anymore. However, there would be times that he could still hear some gossiping behind him. But since this was Zoro, he would just shrug it off. Those types of people can't do anything productive if they keep going on like that.

"Roronoa? Are you busy?" Someone asked him.

Zoro looked back, and oh, who was this again? He then looked at the already organized stocks of designs, then back to her, "Well, I guess?"

"Can you deliver this to Baratie's? Mr. Sanji already paid for this, so it's waiting to be delivered immediately." She said as Zoro noticed that the woman was holding a flower bouquet.

"Baratie's? Dartbrow?" He sighed. Well, there's nothing he can do about it. He took the orange bouquet from her hands. Judging from its looks, it seemed to have orange flowers— Well, honestly, he didn't know what kind of flowers they were except that they're orange flowers. Who would have thought that idiotic cook would be loyal to someone?

"If you didn't know the address to Baratie's you can just read the address there. We don't want you to get lost. Also, please take care of it, Roronoa." She said with a hint of concern— worried towards the flowers— before Zoro left. Once he got out of the shop, he went ahead to Baratie's. Although, most of the time he went in the wrong direction, his luck had surprisingly taken him in front of Baratie's without taking him so long. Zoro stepped in the restaurant and was greeted with a happy looking cook, or was he?

"Oh, welcome to Baratie- What? I thought Robin would deliver the flowers not you, you stupid moss head!"

"Then don't take it, idiot. I'll go back to Robin to tell her that you're returning it." He was about to leave the restaurant but Sanji brashly took the bouquet from his hands, yet still gently cradling it in his arms.

Still standing there, Zoro noticed that Nami was seated at one of the tables. "Is that for Nami?" Zoro asked.

"Huh?"

"Well, this was for her, wasn't it?"

"Yeah— but why are you still here? Go, Robin might be looking for you!" Sanji pushed him out of the restaurant, "By the way, tell Robin my best regards. Now, scram!" Sanji said, closing the door. Zoro scoffed at the cook, then left Baratie's. While he was walking, Zoro heard an announcement regarding Floraleigh. As usual, it was Usopp who was announcing something connected to the festival.

"Good morning Rustbay! We all know that our beautiful farms are open for visitors, the bazaar's still going on, and tourists are coming here to the island! That's Floraleigh festival for you! Since Floraleigh was still ongoing, we would like to encourage you all to prepare your most intricate, most beautiful flower lanterns for the last event at the end of month! There's no rush for making this, folks! We wish you all a happy Floraleigh!"

"I can't wait for the dance!" Zoro heard from one of the ladies while he was walking.

"Yeah, dancing under the lanterns… but do you think Dr. Trafalgar once again will join? Or maybe the swordsman?"

"I don't know about that, but I just hope they will."

Zoro groaned when he heard the ladies giggle. Good thing, they didn't notice him pass by them, or else they will be facing embarrassment knowing that the swordsman was just near them. But the ladies aside, a thought occurred to Zoro: Although he didn't want to dwell on it, he just hoped they wouldn't ask him to dance because of all the things he could do, dancing is not one of them. Although, he would gladly make an exception if someone deserves it.

Who could that be?

"Oh, great, you're back!" Zoro heard Robin as soon as he stepped into the shop— a smile etched on her face seeing him.

"Me?"

"Yeah, I have been looking for you since earlier. I didn't know you were not around in the shop. But anyways, there are flowers to be dropped on the docks and Ben's coming with us." Robin said without looking up as she was checking some documents. Zoro groaned when he heard Ben's name but Robin just chuckled, "I'm just kidding, let's go."

The car arrived shortly at the docks. Zoro thought that there would be many flower arrangements to be delivered but he didn't expect it to be so few. Zoro then saw a sign and was surprised it was named Franky Delivery Services. "Oh, so Franky was here, too, huh?" He thought to himself. Then all of a sudden, someone was now calling Robin from a distance.

"Robin-sis!"

Franky was waving at them, seeing Robin's car dropped by on the docks. Franky trudged his way to greet them at the car. When he was about to greet Robin, he saw a green haired man sitting on the passenger seat. Franky whistled, "Oho, that's the swordsman? Man, you look SUPER handsome," He rested his arms at the car's window, then gave Zoro a smirk to which the swordsman just rolled his eyes at him.

"We already have the flowers at the back—" she said, immediately went on to business as she handed the address to Franky, "and delivered it there." She gave him a smile, ignoring Franky's teasing.

"Yes, Robin-sis!" Franky saluted Robin to which Robin just rolled her eyes at his antic. Franky then called the Franky delivery family— that's what they call themselves— to get the flowers from the car onto the ship. Robin never let Zoro help the Franky delivery family.

"So… what am I supposed to do here?" Zoro said, breaking the silence between them.

"Nothing at all. I just introduced you to Franky since he will be responsible for transporting us to Ohara."

"Yeah, she was right, Zoro." Franky shouted at one of his boats. "But as much as I wanted to transport you quickly, we're still doing a lot of fixing on the ship. I really can't wait to let you travel with her, Robin-sis." Franky added. With that, after Franky had told them to wait for a few days to come back once again. He also told them that he was so eager to let them show it even though it wasn't yet finished. However, Robin insisted that it's okay for them to wait for a few days, at least there would be a surprise waiting for them.

Orders and arrangements were made at the flower shop, nothing new, as Zoro and Robin were waiting for Franky's call if the ship was ready. Fortunately, days seemed to fly fast, the ship was already finished as per Franky's call in the transponder snail. As for the shop, Robin didn't forget to instruct Erin to manage the flower shop for almost a week. Anything non-Floraleigh related orders were on hold for now, prompting them to be open only for half days. Nami also joined their trip to Ohara. She insisted that she can be their navigator. As for Marcelo, he never broke his promise. Before Robin left, his grandson had given Robin his logs about the ruins. Although it seemed like the logs were complete, it wasn't— only the map was the missing piece for this.

Already packed their belongings, Robin asked him before they left her home.

"Are you ready?" Robin asked as they headed out to the docks.

"Yeah." Was his only answer.

Now standing in front of the ship, Zoro couldn't believe his eyes. From the base to its mass, the exterior… It definitely resembles it! He wasn't dreaming, right? If he blinks, will this go away? But no, it didn't go away. That was their ship again up close. How the hell was it so similar to—?

"Sunny?" Franky grinned, patting Zoro's left shoulder, "Great guess, Zoro. But her full name was Thousand Sunny. Cool, right?"

Zoro slowly nodded his head. Although at loss for words, he was astonished by the fact that it was really Sunny— The Thousand Sunny.

"I'm still surprised that you've built this ship so big, Franky." Robin said as they headed up on the deck. "You sure it's only me, Nami and Zoro that will be here?"

"Aside from a few people from the delivery services... Well, apparently we have another company, Robin-sis…"

As if on cue Luffy brashly opened the door with a wide grin on his face, "I'm here because I'm bored!" Luffy shouted, while Usopp and Chopper followed him out of the kitchen as well, mirroring Luffy's elated grin.

"Me, too!" Usopp said.

"Me, three!" Chopper said as he settled himself on top of the railing.

"Did your mom already know about this?" Zoro asked the little reindeer, slightly worried.

"Yes! Mama said yes!" Chopper grinned, raising his little arms in the air with glee.

Interrupting the kid, Sanji butted in, "I'm here for Nami-swan and Robin-chwan!" he said as he was holding a tray of food in his hands.

"For fuck's sake, no one asked, dart brow. And why the hell are you here?" Zoro shouted at the deck.

"What? You too?" Sanji had never jumped from above so fast upon seeing Zoro, but instead of delight, the cook was furious, seeing the swordsman on board. "I thought there's no moss head allowed on this ship, Franky?" Sanji pointed his thumb at Zoro while looking at Franky. Franky just gave him a shrug but just like Sanji, Zoro was not happy to see the cook.

"Huh?! I thought cooks with idiotic eyebrows weren't allowed here?" Zoro glared at him, to which that ensued Zoro and Sanji's bickering— just like old times.

With a sigh, Robin rubbed her temples, but still calm, she said, "Don't worry, nothing will go wrong if you all join us going to Ohara." Robin said, directing her gaze at Zoro and Sanji.

"I think it's fine, Zoro. It's okay." She added, smiling at them both. To which Zoro stopped on hitting Sanji with his scabbard while Sanji immediately went in front of Robin, swooning at the sight of her. Good thing the tray of food on his hands didn't fall, that's why he still offered Robin a strawberry fondue that she might like.

"All for the lovely flower, Robin-chwan, I will stop~" Sanji cooed, handing Robin the fondue. Then with a twirl, Sanji went back to the kitchen to prepare their food.

"Are you all done now? Let's all tour the Thousand Sunny." Franky said as they watched Sanji trailed out of the scene.

After that unfortunate encounter, Franky now toured them around in the ship. Zoro had taken sake with him, as usual. Although the sake wasn't yet kicking in, it gave him the uncanny vibes— the ship was giving him sort of déjà vu, or if that's what it was called. All the rooms were incredibly similar to Sunny's interior that he knows very well. He thought that only the exterior part of the Sunny would resemble the whole Thousand Sunny. But boy, he was wrong. From the rooms, the kitchen and dining room, and even the crow's nest! The crow's nest he had— it has his similar equipment as if Franky, the Franky here, knew what he needed. Was Zoro really seeing this for real or was he just dreaming?

Please someone pinch me right now to know whether or not I am dreaming.

Zoro flinched when he felt a pinch on his arm. He swiftly looked back to see who it was, turns out it was Robin who was giggling seeing him that frantic. "If you wanted to know you're dreaming, then you're not. You're here right now, Zoro." Robin said, her smile never left her face.

A smile curled up to his lips, as well, then "Well, if that's the case, then so be it. Maybe this wasn't really a dream."

All of them went to the dining room after that mini tour. Sanji was already done cooking and about to serve the food on the table. As quick as ever, Luffy already seated before the others entered the dining room.

"Sanji! Food! I'm hungry!" Luffy tapped his spoon and fork on the table.

"Yeah, yeah, stop being annoying, Luffy," Sanji grumbled while serving them the food. While waiting, Chopper asked all of a sudden: "Zoro, do you have some stories?"

"If it's okay with you, then I can tell you about a thing or two about pirates." Zoro smirked. Curious eyes looked at Zoro whether he was joking or not, even Sanji, who was annoyed at the swordsman, was also curious hearing what he said.

"Pirates? Do tell! do tell!" Luffy's ears perked up in interest when he mentioned it.

"Are they good? Are they bad?" Chopper added.

Zoro shrugged, "Well, all I can say is that, pirates are viewed as those what you all said. They might have been wanted pirates as they were chased by the world government. Despite what the world government was saying, I do know some pirates who were doing good deeds. But what do I know? I'm just a mere swordsman."

Chopper and Luffy looked at him with marveled eyes, "That's so cool, Zoro! So, you've already met them?"

"Hmm... Yeah." That ensued another excited squeal coming from Luffy and Chopper.

"Then what about ladies? Are there any lady pirates?" Sanji asked, placing the food on the table.

"Duh, what do you think?"

"Then I wanted to be a pirate then!"

Zoro rolled his eyes at the cook.

"Tell us more!" Chopper and Luffy said in unison like an eager child.

During dinner, Zoro continued on telling them stories. Zoro even noticed that Robin was listening, too, from afar— the same position where she used to sit during dinner. Every now and then, he was unconsciously stealing glances at her while he was still telling stories to Luffy and Chopper. Yet, when he was about to look at her once again, she caught him staring and smiled at him. Zoro immediately averted his gaze when he felt a blush crept on his face. He wasn't a school girl to act like this! He brushed away that feeling and quickly took a swig of his sake beside him, and went on answering Luffy's question on why Zoro has a sword for the hundredth time.

Dinner had ended and all that was left was Sanji and the unclean dishes on the table. Sanji was already putting away the plates on the table, but to his surprise, another helping hand had showed up on one of the plates.

"I'll help you there." Nami said, giving him a light smile.

"Since we have to talk..." she added.

"That…" Sanji let out a nervous chuckle yet returned her smile.

Nami let out a sigh, then, "Why did you even go with us? What about Baratie's? Does your father even know about this? You know this wasn't a field trip, Sanji. I am helping Robin."

"Yeah, I know that. You know how I also wanted to help, Robin. Also, don't worry, Nami, I already handled the old man. He even told me that I shouldn't catch a cold."

Nami smiled at that. She knew how caring his father was towards his only son.

"Besides… I just want to be with you," Sanji continued as he gazed at her eyes— moving his hand to hold her hand on his. But instead of Nami's, he took someone else's hand.

"What are we supposed to do?" Luffy said while he was picking his nose, waiting for the two to speak.

"When the fuck did you get here, Luffy?" Sanji grimaced, shoving out Luffy's hand away from him.

"OW! What was that for?" Luffy yelped, nursing his head.

"Boys," Nami muttered as she rolled her eyes when Sanji began lecturing Luffy for sneaking out like that. But as Nami was putting away the dishes, for a moment, Nami gazed at Sanji. With a small smile etched her on her face, she was grateful knowing that he was here. Although they haven't talked about what happened that day but for sure, they're okay with relationships being casual. No, labels, just them, that's okay with the both of them. Wasn't it?

It was already evening when Zoro had found himself standing in front of the railings. He took sake with him, as always. That idiotic cook would definitely be furious if he knew about the stolen sake. But that cook aside, now he was all alone at the deck, nights like this seem to be his favorite time of the day. Enjoying the chill breeze, as well as the salty air exalted by the sea, it was solace, indeed.

"Still up?" Zoro didn't even need to look back, knowing it was Robin. He just gave her a nod. Then, Robin settled beside him, a brewed coffee in her hand matching his sake, as they both watched the sea before them.

"By the way, how do you know all of those?" Robin said, breaking the silence between them.

"Hmm?" Zoro hummed, looking at her.

"Your stories about those pirates— it seemed Chopper and Luffy really liked it."

Zoro smiled hearing that Chopper and Luffy loved his stories, "Ah… Well, will you believe me if I'm a pirate?" He asked her, as he leaned himself onto the railings.

"Maybe? Pirates were now long gone in here. I was just surprised it was still present in your world..." She trailed on her words. She wasn't still used to saying that Zoro was from another world although it was the truth. Regardless, Robin then said, "Also, those people you told me before we head to the cliffs— your friends, they were pirates, too, right?"

Zoro nodded and began telling Robin once again about his rowdy crew. But this time, he introduced them as who they really were, as pirates. Starting with Luffy, the very first man, and his captain, who trusted him to join along with his dream to Brook, the newly-added crew, a musician. Although he didn't mention their names, Zoro clearly admired them— their ambition, their hopes— all of those combined despite their differences that blended them well. In the middle of his talk, he began talking about one of his nakama, longer than most of his crew— probably the sake was already getting to him after a day of drinking.

"There's this woman, she was a former enemy. Then all of a sudden, she marched in right after her boss was defeated. At first, I didn't want to trust her at all. But perhaps, her reason was maybe to survive, I didn't realize it not until then." Zoro said. He knew to himself that Luffy would be mad at him if he still continued on disliking her. That's when Zoro realized that Robin, a former enemy, has fully trusted them all and is ready to sacrifice herself even if she will end up dying. But then, as stubborn the Straw Hats are, they didn't leave her. As long as Luffy was their captain, they shouldn't let themselves stray away from each other in every journey of their life as a pirate, as well as crewmates.

"She seemed to be a magnificent woman— making you talk about her like that." Robin said as Zoro just nodded his head in response.

Taking another swig of his sake, he never realized that one: he unconsciously talked about one of his nakama, longer than most of the crew, then two: when he was talking, his left hand on the railing had landed on top of hers. And yet, he never removed his hand despite noticing that it was already there on top of her hand. He never gazed at her nor spoke. And yet, his heart, his betraying heart, had given this rapid beating in sync with Ben's words that rang into his mind, saying: "Go tell that person before it's too late."

"Robin!" Nami called somewhere from the ship, startling Zoro and Robin.

Zoro quickly pulled his hand away, settling it to his sides. Good thing his reflexes were still obeying him before he almost lost his sense of rationality.

"I'm going to train at the crow's nest and uhm… you should sleep now, Robin. Good night." He said, patting her right shoulder before he left her at the railings. And just like that, that left them an awkward night, if only Nami didn't show up all of a sudden. Another thought came to Zoro as he climbed up to the crow's nest. He shouldn't think like that! That old man's words shouldn't be right! Why would he suddenly do things like this? Did Rustbay suddenly change him? No... No... No. He wasn't supposed to act like that! He can just stay distant from her… right? Like no odd feelings, no whatnots. That's what it's supposed to be. He made it clear to himself that he should go back to Kuraigana but, for all he knew… there was something in Robin's eyes that seemed to be captivating—

What the hell was even that? He grumbled— There's definitely something happening to him. Maybe training himself until sunrise would remove all those thoughts. Perhaps…

Meanwhile, now Robin was all alone, she just stood dumbfounded. Resting herself onto the railing, Robin was sure that Zoro's hand was on top of hers. Her eyes never betrayed her, or was that just her imagination? Well, probably? Wait, why would she even think about that? That's nonsense! She knew Zoro wouldn't take advantage nor do something like that. She was only overthinking things, nothing much. She shook her head, while taking a sip of her coffee in her hand. Strange, how would she even have thought about those when there's nothing even happening between her and Zoro…

"Robin, I was looking for you. Didn't know you were out here—? Hey, where are you going?" Nami asked as she approached her friend at the railings but Robin only handed her an empty cup of coffee, and was already leaving her friend at the deck.

"I was about to go to the library. Good night, Nami." Robin said, leaving Nami perplexed. On her way to the library, she couldn't seem to leave the thought of overthinking things. She let out a sigh, maybe analyzing Marcelo's logs would help her ease her mind out of these thoughts.

The next morning, Zoro was already training early in the morning. His training had definitely distracted his mind. For some reason, another thought has yet to come. What happened last night, he couldn't even imagine himself doing that. That's something he could regret in the next few years of his life. Although somehow… he liked it—? He groaned in frustration as his practice sword was swung swiftly in the air— as if it would erase what he had been thinking.

Startling him, a robotic voice was heard using Sunny's enhanced announcing system. It was similar to Franky, Zoro presumed to which it announced: "We're now heading to the City of Grand Line before we go to Ohara. Since it would take us days before to Ohara, we will stop by there to have more stocks for supplies, especially a lot of cola, for Sunny's fuel. So do what you have to do in the city before we go to Ohara. Okay and that's all. Good morning to all of you!"

As the robo-Franky ended his announcement, a series of tall buildings could be seen from afar. Zoro stared at the window for a while, before he resumed his training. That was his first time seeing tall buildings built like that. Perhaps the Grand Line was a lot different here than he thought.

So, city of Grand Line, huh? I wonder what's about to happen there.

end notes: see you next update!