So I decided I didn't like this chapter very much. It was a bit forced, and like my anonymous reviewer said, blockier. So I made a couple adjustments, it still isn't great but it is slightly different and I am happier with it now. Next chapter should be the end unless Zoro and Robin choose otherwise as they have done before. Enjoy.
Bella Noche (Beautiful Night)
Chapter VII
Zoro wandered aimlessly around town, there wasn't much to do. It's not like he had any money to buy anything and he sure as hell wasn't going to borrow some money from Nami. That money-thieving bitch. She was evil when it came to money and interest. He'd never quite get over having to pay 300 interest on the money he hadn't even ended spending back in Loguetown.
All of a sudden Zoro realized he had no money. "Shit!" He couldn't go out for lunch with Robin and let her pay. His pride wouldn't allow it. He groaned when he realized the easiest solution was to get some money from Nami. "Damn it" Zoro cursed and went off to search for Nami.
Zoro knew she was with Luffy and tried to think of where they might be. The trouble with Luffy however, was you never knew what might catch his interest. Zoro wandered around for the better part of an hour before catching a glimpse of the straw hat up ahead. He saw Luffy and Nami turn a corner and he ran to catch up so he wouldn't lose them. As he turned the corner he stopped dead in his tracks. He stood in the entrance to a small alley way and in front of him Luffy and Nami were sharing a passionate embrace.
Nami moaned and Zoro considered baking away but he really needed the money and he had to meet Robin soon so he couldn't wait till later. Zoro cleared his throat loudly just as Luffy's hand slipped under Nami's shirt. Nami jumped back from Luffy as if she had been electrocuted and a faint blush appeared on both the younger teens faces. Nami turned and glared at Zoro, he almost wished he hadn't interrupted them but the thought of showing up at the café with no money quelled his fears. "Could I borrow some money Nami?" he asked quickly, hating every second of it.
Nami continued to glare at him "You couldn't have waited until later? How much do you need anyways?" Zoro thought about it for a minute. Truthfully he had no idea how much two lunches at the café would cost. "Er… enough for two lunches." He said sheepishly. "How come Zoro gets two lunches?" Luffy whined, slouched against the wall. "He's not eating them both, one is for Robin." Nami explained, having softened when she found out why he needed the money now. Nami handed him a wad of bills and even agreed to let him pay it back with only 100 interest. Zoro thanked her and left in search of the café.
Robin sat at one of the small tables in the back of the café. She hoped Zoro would be able to find her. She had arrived twenty minutes later than she had said, her and Chopper had gotten caught up in the bookstore and Robin had lost track of time. She hadn't been too worried though since she doubted Zoro would be on time. She had been right and now she sat in the back waiting for the still missing swordsman. She decided to pull out one of her new books to pass the time. Soon she was absorbed in what she was reading and didn't even realize the passing of time.
Suddenly Robin felt the atmosphere change, there was a new charge in the air and her eyes were drawn across the crowded café to the entrance where Zoro was entering. His dark eyes scanned the room taking in any possible threats before making contact with her sparkling blue ones. The corner of his mouth turned up with the hint of a smile and Robin couldn't help but admire the aura of power and confidence that surrounded him. Robin knew that he had earned that confidence and it just made it that much more appealing and she found she couldn't tear her eyes away as he made his way back to her.
"Do you like what you see?" he asked cockily, full of confidence despite being over half an hour late. He stopped in front of her clearly enjoying the power he was having over her. "You're late" she said, and then deciding turnabout was fair play she crossed one long leg over the other. The action drew attention to her trim legs and she was awarded when his attention was dragged to them.
She was wearing boots and his eyes flashed to the expanse of creamy skin that was visible between the top of her boots and the short hem of her skirt. They then drifted upwards greedily taking in the strip of skin that was visible down the center of her chest. Finally they rested on her face which was half shrouded in shadow from her hat. Zoro reached down and tilted her hat up and then leaned in and pressed a kiss into her knowing lips. Pulling back he murmured "sorry, were you waiting long?" Robin shook her head no and Zoro sat down opposite her.
The waiter came and took their order. "You look incredible" Zoro said after he had left. Robin smiled glad that he appreciated it, but then again she had suspected he would which is why she had chosen it in the first place. If she was going to broach the subject of the future she damn sure wanted to look her best. She didn't want it to be easy for him to turn her down.
"There's something I wanted to ask you, well talk to you about." She said softly looking across the table into his dark eyes. He smiled and took her hand that was resting on the table into his. "What?" Robin glanced across the room noticing couples sitting at tables sharing desserts and affection. She took a breath to steady her nerves. "Well what do you think about not keeping this a secret?" she said gesturing to the two of them. Zoro lifter her hand and lightly kissed the back. Robin feared he was trying to come up with a polite way to suggest they keep it clandestine. She hoped she wouldn't cry when he did. She looked down at the cutlery in front of her wrapped delicately in a cream serviette. She fought the urge to wring it between her hands. Finally she looked back up into Zoro's gaze.
"Sure, but you came on to me okay?" he replied with a twinkle in his eyes. Robin laughed in relief. She felt her heart soar, Zoro was hers and she could shout it to the whole world. Instead she settled for "of course, I mean how could I resist I'm only human after all." Zoro chuckled.
They spent the rest of lunch talking and flirting lightly. The conversation came easily and Zoro enjoyed himself. Even though the café was full to Zoro only the beautiful woman across from him existed. He wished he could exist in this moment forever, the comfort of just the two of them. In this moment there were no marines, no worries about the crew's reactions just the two of them and the knowledge that they would be there for each other on the path to fulfilling their goals.
When the bill came Robin went to reach for some money, who knew where from since she sure as hell didn't have any pockets or a purse. Zoro was glad to be able to stop her and pay for them both even if he would have liked to have seen her get out the money. He felt he definitely needed to pay now that she was officially his girlfriend. He wasn't certain but he thought that's the way things worked. He'd never had a girlfriend before, there had never been anyone he had wanted to wake up with and just go to bed with.
"I thought you were broke Mr Swordsman." Robin said with a small smile. "Well I was but I borrowed some money" he admitted as they made their way out of the café. Once outside Robin stopped him and pressed a quick kiss to his lips before whispering "thank you Zoro". Zoro raised one eyebrow inquisitively. "Well lunch was great and I know how much you hate borrowing money from Nami so thank you." She explained simply and Zoro grinned glad he had sucked it up and asked Nami for the money all the while knowing for Robin he would gladly do it again. "For you anytime" he replied smiling at his girlfriend.
"Want to head back to the hotel? I'm a little tired." Robin said gazing at him coyly from under the brim of her hat. Zoro's pulse quickened; he had never seen a sexier woman. He gave her a wolfish smirk and said "Sounds good though we might need to make a stop in an alley way first."