In celebration for the Straw Hat's new recruitment, Franky, they held a party on their brand new and improved ship, The Thousand Sunny. The ship was filled with laughter and fun, many beverages and food everyone could eat with peace, unless they needed to protect their food from Luffy, the mood was very much pleasant for Robin.

She giggled at the sight of her crewmates, Ussopp, Luffy, and Chopper imitating each other's silly faces.

"Here you go Robin-chan," The archaeologist was handed a colorful beverage she presumed to be a cocktail from the heart-eyed Sanji. "I hope you enjoy it! I made it with love!"

She delightfully took the drink from him and took a sip. "Thank you Cook-san, it tastes wonderful as always." Her eyes twinkled when she saw Sanji beam with happiness by her answer.

"Of course! Anything for you my lo-" Just before he was about to finish his sentence he was rudely interrupted by Zoro who was trying to find more sake to drink.

"Oi, stupid cook! Get me more sake, I can't find the damn kitchen!"

"Wha-" Sanji was taken aback by his sudden interference from confessing his undying love to Robin, just like he did with Nami. "Damn you idiot swordsman! Get it yourself!" He glared at him and then quickly turned back to face Robin with a look that was the total opposite of the look he just gave to Zoro. "Sorry Robin, I have to tend to Nami now!" Sanji pranced off to where their navigator was, quickly shooting another death glare towards his crewmate.

"What about my drink?!" Zoro argued which Robin chuckled at. "Geez that ero-cook…" He sighed as he approached and leaned against the ledge beside her.

She took another sip of her drink. "He is quite the busy man."

"Yeah, busy womanizing!" The swordsman grouched, upset by his lack of sake. He slumped down to the ground and continued to glare at the cook, hoping that he would be able to feel his intent on murdering him if he doesn't get his alcohol soon.

Robin replied with a hum, used to the two's antics towards each other. "How about trying mine?"

He glanced towards her pink drink decorated with many kinds of fruit assortments, way different from the plain white alcohol he was used to. Well it didn't hurt to try. He reasoned to himself as he took the glass and hesitantly brought it up towards his lips. One sip and he noticed how sweet it was, the lack of alcohol just making it seem like it was just a fizzy drink for him. "Gah, it's not the same. It's too sweet for me."

She chuckled by his reaction. "Of course." Taking the glass back she took another sip for herself. "It is quite different. Sake is too much for me."

Zoro slightly blushed when he realized he drank from the same cup as her, and even harder, when he saw her nonchalantly take a sip once more as if he didn't even drink it just now. He quickly tried to remove the thought away and asked her a question to distract himself. "You can't drink well?"

"I can," she sighed. Though she stared at her drink, it seemed as if her eyes were distant. "It just brings up some embarrassing memories."

…

It was during the time when the official agents of Baroque Works decided to hold a party for a successful mission that took months to operate. As usual, Crocodile left Robin to attend for him so that his identity would be hidden from other members and hid in his office.

Hours of drinking and eating have passed when everyone passed out from the alcohol. Even the ever so serious Nico Robin was feeling woozy and out of mind because she drank more than she could take after Miss Merry Christmas kept pouring her cup with beer. When she's drunk, Robin can get a bit… hectic. Jumping, dancing, crying, Robin was everywhere with bursts of energy, showing the emotions she seemed to have bottled all up during the times her mind was conscious.

She skipped along the hallways and bursted in Crocodile's office, who was just sitting on a couch in front of his Banawani aquarium. "Oh Crocodile!" She sang out to him as she plopped down next to him hugging his arm.

"Huh? What?!" He looked at her to see her face beat red, smiling from ear to ear. He closed his book and tried to take off her arms around his. "Are you drun-"

The former warlord was caught off, something no one ever dared to do, by Robin's sudden singing. He sweatdropped not knowing what to do. 'Who'd known she had a personality like this!' He thought as he tried to shake her awake by grabbing one of her shoulders. "Wake up!" The situation only seemed to have gotten worse as her eyes started drooping and her head nodding off to sleep.

"I'll cut down your pay if you don't wake up! Seriously, I'll kill you!" His shaking only made her go off balance and lean her head on his head. His body warmth invites her to snuggle closer and once again hug his arms. "Seriously!" He quickly looked away when she noticed how unbearably close her chest was to him. Though it had been a few days since they started sleeping together, to help with their sleeping troubles, and that there were many times she would make fun of him, it felt weird when she was unconscious without a clue on what she was doing to him. It seemed that she was born to tease Crocodile, even during her sleep.

He loudly sighed and took her to bed.

…

Robin remembers every moment of that embarrassing past and she hoped with every ounce of her brain that she forgets it. How could she let her guard down and behave like that, especially in front of Crocodile!

She sighed from the memory. No matter how embarrassing, she had to respect him for being one of those men who would do something to her. It was clear that he valued her boundaries and that he wanted to keep their 'trust.' Perhaps that was what made Robin start liking the warlord more than she should have. In all honesty, the times she spent in Baroque Works seemed like a sweet relaxing dream since she was under the protection of Sir Crocodile. Though everyday she had to remind herself that it was just temporary, no matter how much he made her feel safe and comforted.

"Hey, you ok?" Her thoughts were interrupted by a concerned Zoro who stood in front of her.

She brushed away her contemplation and smiled. "Of course," Robin started to walk towards the center of the deck. "Come, I'll lead you to the kitchen."

A/N: Hello, thank you for reading, I hope you have enjoyed this chapter. You can really see Robin's and Crocodile's relationship progressing, which I am proud of. I might even write a bath scene haha. I'd greatly appreciate if you follow me on instagram kattes_moon, I post my one piece art there. Again, thank you for reading. Please review.