Author's note:

Hello everyone, I'm so sorry that it took me so long to update, I've been done with this chapter for quite a while but things kept popping up, so….sorry and thank you so much for your continued support!

Last time Robin decided after yet another sleepless night that things couldn't possibly continue the way they were. For his sake, for her sake, for their crews sake. After some naughty thoughts she took matters in her own hand and Zoro went swimming. How does he feel about that? How does he cope with it? The answer is right here, have fun!

Also, beware of crass language, this is a Zoro chapter

D

Just what the fuck was that woman's game? Blindsiding him like that. Had he been so obvious that she had felt the need to call him out? Before the incident, maybe, but now? He didn't even acknowledge her... Or was that what gave him away? He didn't acknowledge anyone, what the fuck? Maybe that was it, getting a rise out of him for not participating in the crews' usual shenanigans. Even Luffy had accepted that though, why not her? He shook his head, no use wrecking his brain about it, that woman worked in mysterious ways. To this day he wasn't really sure why she put up with him in the crow's nest, explicitly finding him to spend time in his presence, to talk to him. It had started with nightmares but now whenever she fell asleep up there she would sleep like a baby. He was strong, he calmed the weaker members of the crew, he knew that, if he didn't infuriate them that was. At least that was how it used to be. Wasn't sure how it was now.

Nami hadn't changed towards him, neither had Chopper...but that was probably because they had shielded him from what had happened. Usopp treaded carefully around him though. Shit, he really had fucked up that day. And not just with the crew; Kitetsu was all teenage brat, openly rebelling against his hold while old man Shuusui watched and mocked him for being just that. Fuck. Wado was the only one still on his side, its weight at his hip a constant reassurance. How could he have let it come this far? In his current state he had a mind of siding with the black blade, he was nothing but an impulsive, insecure brat. How could that woman have such a hold on him? How could she reduce him to a blushing, stammering mess with just a smile? Fuck, he had it bad. How had his former mistrust evolved to… to that? It was true, he really was impulsive but god damn it he seriously needed a plan to get out of this mess. Maybe he should try talking to her again? Bullshit, see how well that had played out...idiot had kissed her. She had returned it though, a teeny tiny voice added in his head. And she liked what she had seen...or was that just to tease him? Fucking shit! But if she really… they, or rather he could get it out of his system? A quick intermezzo (where had that come from?) In the crow's nest or town? Fuck he was getting hard already. She probably wasn't that kind of woman though. Just like Nami, flaunting tits and ass wherever they went and never caring what it did to those around them. Fucking bastard is what he was. He knew full well why they did what they did and why they kept men at arms length. Robin hadn't kept him away though, she had pulled him in. God, he was fucked. He put the oiled rag away scrutinising the shiny blade. Good thing he kept his kit well stocked, he wouldn't want another of his blades to rust away, damn saltwater. And damn that woman for making him lose balance in the first place.

Not that kind of woman… was he that kind of man? According to his past experiences, yes he was and yet thinking about it with Robin… he wouldn't be able to do that, not because she was Nakama either, but better not delve into that. Who knew what would be revealed then, probably something that would seriously fuck up life on the Sunny and the dynamic of the crew. Fuck it all, he needed a beer, he decided and put his cleaning utensils away. With all of his rebellious swords secured at his hip he stomped to Nami who was handing out their individual allowances for the evening. Fuck how much he hated it being treated like a kid with pocket money, though he had to admit that it might have happened that he and Luffy had burned all of their money in one night some time before. More than three years ago though, at a time when Arlong still had his clutches deep inside anything she had held even remotely dear. Yes, maybe it had been an asshole move to use all of the money she had needed so much for booze and meat but fuck her, the woman should have just told them about it! He stared at the oddly generous handout. "I don't need that much," he grunted and handed half of it back. For fuck's sake he was whipped…So much for hating her managing his money. She gave it back to him, cheeky grin etched into her features. "I think you do, treat yourself to a room or something, you need some serious relaxing." He stared at her, mouth slightly agape. A blush creeping up his ears as he pondered whether or not the woman he deemed his little sister had just suggested he go fuck someone to cool off. She just stood there grinning, her eyes shining in a way that had him believe she knew more than she let on. It was his cue to leave, he would not stand there and be roped into a discussion about his feelings and to ultimately pay her billions of bery of hush money. No, he would go find a tavern and not search for a woman to fuck, because the last time he had attempted to do so he had ended up comparing each and every woman present with Robin and each and every woman he had found lacking. He wouldn't go down that road again. Speaking of road, he had not been aware that the island's forrest stretched through the town, what an odd way to plan a settlement. When he finally found the elusive tavern - what's with all the fancy words all of a sudden?- she was there, sitting in the far corner, fancy drink in front of her and ancient book in her hands. For fuck's sake, why? And how had she arrived before him? She had still been reading on deck when he had left, damn those devil fruit powers. With a low grumbling he sat down at the raunchy bar and ordered a beer, ignoring the woman that somehow had become a friend and was now on the best way to become the bane of his existence altogether. Instead he focused on the stains millions of glasses had etched into the counter, with their contents swapping over it and softening the wooden surface, just like his own beer that lost about a third of its volume as it was smacked down in front of him. It tasted stale and empty, just as expected from this type of place, so what the fuck was she doing here? He ordered a bottle of sake next, the whole one, seal intact, lest the tenant dare to dilute it as well. It was the good stuff, warm and smooth as it ran down his throat, just what he needed. Staring into the half blind mirror across from him he slowed down, he did have enough money to buy more bottles, but who knew how many this dump had in stock. Why did so many bars have mirrors behind the counter? As he watched the flimsy thing next to him rub up on the next tennant, clearly telling him all he wanted to hear as she quickly relieved him of even his last bery he concluded mirrors weren't all bad and ordered another bottle. Just as it was sat down in front of him the girl spoke: "You sure can take a lot, big guy." He scoffed in reply, "Don't even think about stealing from me, girl." For a quick moment her eyes widened, but he had to give her credit for hiding it just as quickly as it had come. "Who said I wanted to steal from you, maybe I'm in for something else?", she pouted. Cute. "That ugly fuck's beries in your pocket say that." She grinned at that, reaching behind the counter to grab herself a glass and poured herself some of his sake. "Emphasis on the 'ugly fuck', you on the other hand aren't ugly," she said emptying the glass in one gulp before she added: "Though I wouldn't mind the fuck."

He laughed at that and poured her another glass, amusing little girl. "Unfortunately sake is the only thing you'll get from me, you should get lost, before your ugly fuck comes to his senses and orders another glass of dishwater." They clinked glass to bottle and she left surprisingly without trying to steal his pouch. It took just one more swig of his bottle before the seat next to him was occupied again and he didn't have to look to know who it was, the earthy smell of coffee preceded her. "That one was cute," she remarked before wrapping her lips around the thick straw of her drink and he watched her cheeks hollow as she sucked the clear liquid into her mouth. Fuck. Instead of clearing the counter and taking her then and there he nodded, "she was," he answered, eye fixed on the mirror across from him. "I wonder what it takes for you to accept their offers," she mused, "do you maybe prefer lighter hair? She was quite short do you like them taller?"

He scoffed at her questions. The girl had maybe been 16, if even that. "I prefer them well out of puberty is what I prefer, she was still a child, Robin. And probably like Nami didn't have a choice in this life." A soft "Oh" escaped her lips and for a moment she was silent, he chanced a glance towards her, at least she had stopped sucking on that damn straw. Instead her brow was creased in contemplation, probably mulling over her next words. When they came they weren't what he had expected: "You know that Sanji visits brothels when we land? He says the women deserve to be treated like princesses now and again. Maybe that was what she had been searching in you, you are more attractive than that guy" So she had been eavesdropping, hadn't she. Curious wench. "Well then she was shit out of luck, I'm not the damn ero cook", he muttered and downed the rest of his sake. Of course Robin would prefer to be treated like that, deserved it too and he sure as hell wouldn't be able to give it to her. The sooner he could rid himself from this fucking attachment the better, maybe he should have fucked the girl after all. The slurping with which she sucked the last drops of liquid from the glass pulled him out of his thoughts. "Since when are you drinking cocktails anyway? Pictured you more like the wine type"

She looked up at him, blue eyes wide and shining, cheeks a rosy hue - why was she blushing? - a shy smile on her lips. "Since I'll need a lot more courage than wine can provide me with." A lot more courage, Hu? Just what the fuck was that woman's game? A grin tugged on his lips as one eyebrow rose in silent inquiry.

uhhh, how exciting, I wonder what might happen next. Just kidding, I know exactly what's going to come because the next chapter is already finished and just needs my amazing beta's stamp of approval. Check out her story "taming the unruly" if you're into Inuyasha!