She woke with a start a few minutes before midnight. The darkness around her hid the panic in her eyes; she pursed her lips, remembering and trying not to remember. She could remember their hard, heavy hands on her, feeling as though they had touched every inch of her flesh. She shook off the crawling sensation. It was over. They weren't here. She was safe.

"You okay?" Zoro's whisper broke the tense silence gathering in her ears. He crouched next to her bed, forearms on the mattress.

She must have paused too long, because he stood, turned and sat on the bed next to her, reaching a hand out to stroke her hair. "Robin?" he whispered again. "Are you okay?"

"I'm all right." She took a deep, shaky breath. "Nightmare. I'm fine."

His hand continued, and she closed her eyes to enjoy the calming sensation. "Do you want to talk about it?"

She smiled, a little ruefully. "No, I don't think so." She paused. "Zoro?"

"I'm here."

"Would you…stay with me though? Please?"

"Of course. I'm not going anywhere."

"No…I mean," she searched for the words, embarrassed. "I mean, could you stay here with me, here?" This was pathetic. She was a grown woman.

"Next to you? On the bed?"

Robin nodded. "Please?"

He leaned forward and kissed her so gently, almost imperceptible. "If that's what you want."

"Zoro?" her breath hitched, nervous.

"Hm?"

"Could you…maybe…stay…stay right here?"

Zoro's brow furrowed in confusion.

"With…your arms…"

He smiled, suddenly understanding. "Nico Robin, are you trying to ask me to hold you?"

"Y-yes. I guess so. Please."

"Scoot over."

She moved a bit to her left, and he climbed in the bed. He stretched out next to her and the warmth of his body felt good, and not frightening. Slowly, he shifted the blankets around, then lay his head down next to hers and stretched his arm protectively over her, taking her hand on the opposite side. His fingers were calloused, but kind; the feel of his breath and heartbeat reassuring. She realized with some amusement that his boots were still on.

"Comfortable?"

She worked herself a bit closer to him, the scent of his skin calming and somnolent. Her forehead fit against his collarbone as she rolled over to face him. He shifted his arm, letting go of her hand and instead placing it softly against the small of her back. Under blankets, her feet found his sturdy boots and slipped between, tangling their legs. Zoro angled his head down, his nose in her hair, and breathed deeply.

"I am now," she murmured.

They were silent for a few minutes before she spoke again. "Zoro…all this time. I know I haven't been an easy person to…to help. I'm sorry."

"It's okay," Zoro whispered into her tresses. "You were how you had to be. It's not your fault."

"Still—you put up with so much. You—you did so much for me. You've always been here. You haven't been mad, or judged me, or anything."

"Of course not. Robin, you were hurt and scared. I don't think anybody could reasonably expect you to act any differently after what you'd been through."

"Zoro…"

"Yeah?"

"Thank you."

She felt his breath tickle in her ear and she tightened her grip on him, arms around his waist, as her eyelids became heavy again. "You're welcome."