Hallo everyone, first I have to thank Rexica for finding the time to beta this chapter on really short notice, she's the best! I've told you before and I'll tell you again, check out her story disinhibition, it's amazing!

Now, dear ghost, thank you for your continued support and comments, if you (or anyone else) want me to answer your questions directly, you'll either have to log in on ffn and pm me, or comment on ao3.

1- Will there be updates in January? - Yes. Weekly in December (maybe, if you're being nice I might give you a Christmas present), and every 2 weeks in January and February.

2- When will there be differences in the FF and ao3 versions? - Chapter J in February, although I recently read the FF ratings guide and realised that I've already written more explicitly than the site allows ("unleash your imagination" my a**)

3- Will there be much difference between the versions? - Yes, I don't have time for writing two versions, so this will be crude cuts lacking any finesse, but there'll probably be a recap for any emotional or character developments.

Last time Zoro followed Robin when she sneaked around town and they ended up in a… bookstore/ restaurant/ love hotel to talk. Now they talk some more and get a naughty little present from the naughty old granny.

He looked at her like a little boy that had been given the most wonderful present he could imagine. Utter surprise and gleeful joy. Did he know that? Maybe, maybe he let her see for honesty's sake, or maybe he wanted to prove to her that he didn't pose a threat. Not to her at least. Her Haki was not as developed as the others', couldn't use it as casual as the rest of them could, had to put a conscious effort in, but even she had felt the murderous intent rolling off him in waves as she had told him about Crocodile. God, had she been afraid to tell him, of his reaction.

She had read enough on the topic to know that she shouldn't feel responsible for the abuse, she just couldn't help it. The guilt, the shame , they were always with her, even after so much time. Wherever she went, she expected to be judged if her past got out After all, how could a strong woman like her let such things happen? How could she? How could she live with herself? The answer was simple; she couldn't, not for a long time. It was the reason why she had given responsibility for her life to Luffy in the first place.

Zoro hadn't judged her though, had even known before, and she had been oblivious to it because apparently he just didn't care. He didn't care that she had been weak. Didn't care that she was damaged, that he wouldn't be her first or even her 100th. Didn't care about the things she had done, the things others had made her do or done to her. He just took her for who she was right now, and it felt absolutely exhilarating. All that she had missed after her talk with Nami crashed into her tenfold, because he accepted her for who she was. All of them would, and suddenly she felt guilty. Nami's assurances should have had the same effect, it was just… Nami had not cared because she was the same as her, wasn't she? She cried, not caring for how old her wrinkled face would make her look as she smiled at him like she hadn't done for far too long.

He did nothing, waited patiently for her to calm down, again grumpily serious.

"I meant what I've said back then though. I'm not sure if I can let you close, emotionally, but with things as they are… I can't concentrate. It's become even worse since then. I didn't mean to insult you, I'm sorry," she finally said, after drying her tears.

His brows furrowed, "I wanted to apologize for that, you know, knowing what you've been through, I shouldn't have acted that way."

"But I told you, I liked it. It's alright."

He huffed at her, crossing his arms, "It's not, we have never spoken about this kind of thing."

"And why should we? I didn't want you to know!"

Another huff before he casually leaned back on his hands, "Not that, sex. Should have talked about it back on Karni-Island."

She felt the heat prickle in her cheeks, unsure why that made her blush after she had shown him her purchases and told him of her shameful past. This was nothing really, and yet it had her insecure like a schoolgirl.

A bell chimed, and it took her a while to remember what it was about, but Zoro obviously hadn't forgotten. He had gotten up the moment he'd heard to get their order, grunting as he laid eyes on it. "That damn hag," he grouched, throwing a red package her way before carrying the tray with deliciously smelling coffee and a bottle of sake over.

A soft gasp escaped her, the package was no package at all, but the softest piece of rope she had ever held in her hands. Zoro handed her a card saying it all.

Way better than complementary water, it's even cleaned!

followed by the shopkeeper's hastily drawn counterfeit holding her hand up in a peace sign.

She looked up at him, intending to make a joke about the old woman spying on them and trying to spice things up, but her voice got struck in her throat. The way he stared intently at her fingers playing with the bloodred, smooth present had her blushing all over. Would he stare at her like that if the rope were wrapped around her wrists? Crossed between her breasts? Rubbed against her clitoris? Hoping he wouldn't notice, she rubbed her thighs together, trying to alleviate the sudden ache she felt. No such luck of course; his grey eye darted to her lap and up to her face, and she was acutely aware that he saw her rapid pulse in her jugular and dilated pupils. They stared at one another before he sighed, rubbing his hand over his face and hair before sitting back down.

"Damn it, Robin, we really need to have this talk, or I'll make good on my promise right fucking now." God, she loved it when his voice dipped that octave lower, didn't even try to suppress the shudder rushing over her skin.

"There is not much to talk about, I believe, I talked with Nami and- "

"You told her?" he interrupted her incredulous.

"No, I… I don't know if you noticed, but I had a panic attack some time ago? Because, like I said, I felt guilty for feeling that way, reacting that way. I overthought and remembered. Had me sprouting arms all over, and she came to help. She offered to listen so I told her about my past. She asked me if it came up again because of you, so she already knew." she explained.

"She knew before Karni, gave me extra money to 'treat myself to a room', treat myself my ass, should have heard her bitching today when she learned that I didn't pay for the room back then… Today's on me, just so you know.", he ranted, exasperation tangible, "I'm really sick of that Brook and Nami gossip club."

Fufufufu, "Well it can't be much longer, one of them is already dead, yohohoho"

He clicked his tongue in response to her questionable skull joke before prodding her to continue with her story.

"Well, Nami put my fears to rest. You're not the same, and it's not the same if it's you, because I want you to, so…"

He looked up at her, fixing her under his stare, making her feel self conscious in a way only he could, making her feel hot like only he could.

"Because you want me to what, Robin?" he asked as she fidgeted under his predatory glare.

In every other situation she would have hesitated to answer that question, would have been unsure. This wasn't every other situation though. This was her and him alone, this was her sitting in her damp panties in front of a man that burned her with just a look; this was her yearning for his touch. Not just now, but for weeks, maybe even months if she was being honest with herself. Hadn't she asked him for honesty? It was time for just that.

"I want you to fuck me raw," she cited his own words back to him, surprised by the huskiness of her own voice. "I want you to make me scream and beg. All those things that have been done to me, I want to know they can feel good, not just fantasise about it." Was that even a possibility? Yes, his behaviour had triggered certain… cravings in her, but that did not necessarily mean that he was interested in this kind of thing. Maybe she had misinterpreted his statement?

In fact, hadn't their last encounter gone terribly wrong because he had not wanted to hurt her? What was she even doing here? He hadn't seemed disturbed by her little collection though, had he? The way he had stared at her when she had played with the rope… he had liked that, had he not? Wasn't it too late to back out anyways? He still stared at her, one leg propped up, arm lazily leaning on his knee. He seemed relaxed, but she could clearly see the tension in his bulging frame like a tiger ready to pounce. Waiting for a moment of weakness. Waiting for her admission. "I want-" she smiled, taking a deep breath, she could do that. "I want to be yours," she finished.

Ha, if you thought their making out on Karni island didn't fit with how this story is developing, I will prove you wrong! (Also, if you find out how I'm coming up with the islands' names, you'll get a cookie!)

As always, comments are welcome, good, bad, everything goes as long as it's civil. See you next week!