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It was calm yet uplifting atmosphere surrounded their little after-party event, with ocassionally chuckles and delightful laughs wafting through the air. Everyone gathered in circle, sat before the plain bonfire which had dimmed its glow cause of the night breeze. Unbothered by the cold, all of them still seemed to be enjoying talking and listening to each other stories while devouring the leftovers from partys. Felt like years they haven't been in such state, no one even remember when the last time they could peacefully having time together like this.
The war—against 2 Yonko had been over with victory on their side. Not so good their condition afterward, unfortunately, considering amount of people injured and the number of lives lost, but it was something unavoidable, wasn't it? They have already prepared themselves for it, and there are no more regrets. Without diminishing any respect for the fallen, they tossed it all away for a moment to held a big party, celebration for the freedom of their beloved country after 20 years of suffering, days long.
Come to think of it, seemed to become their routine since entering the New World, meeting tough opponents which putting them in difficult situation, forcing them to split into groups and did their own thing before Luffy defeated the boss. And it came one after another. Up to make it impossible for them to enjoy some long times off.
Had only gotten more distressing by their encounter with Doflamingo and Big Mom which caused half of them to have parting ways for a pretty endless period. They might not say it verbally, but on the deep in, they sure thought it really was sucks that they have to be separated again for any more times as if the two years wasn’t enough.
So, now, when things were already under control, it was understandable if they wanted to spend time together alone by themselves, right? Having a light conversation, celebrating the joining of their new nakama, and just to be relaxing and enjoying the off time they deserve.
Once everyone passed out, exhausted from a week long celebration, the Strawhats sneeked upon the crowded, carrying whatever lefts with them, to snack on later while enjoying their little event. They went to a vacant lot outside the Flower Capital, lit a bonfire, and gathered in circles, spending all night talking some random things, smiling, laughing, in a sort of warmth atmosphere around.
Whether anyone notices them disappearing or not, that wouldn’t be a problem. If anything, they would only be found sleeping soundly, lying in the middle of an empty field the next day.
Yeah, that was what supposed to be happened.
Zoro pinched the bridge of his nose frustrated, clearly displeased with the current situation.
Their supposed to be private event was attended by two guests, the two most influential person in Wano at the moment, Kozuki’s descents. Not that they were not happy at their presence, hell Luffy and Chopper even jump straight into their soon-to-be-shogun friends, Momonosuke who somehow happened to become adult, excitedly, asked him to play together. And so did the rest, who seemed to welcome them enthusiastically.
As for Zoro, he really was careless about whoever appeared before them as long as it wasn’t enemies, obviously, but what made him infuriated this time was the sudden change of ambience between them, much less the topic of conversation they have. What was initially just a small talk about what they did when they parted, turned into full of jokes and teasing cries aimed at him and the heiress.
Fucking skeleton and his damn big mouth.
Zoro’s head twitched as the laughter grew louder. A groan escaped his mouth as he clenched his fist tightly, trying his best to prevent himself from slicing his own nakama.
"For a countless time I said, I was. Just. Fucking. Sleeping."
Usopp grinned–mockingly. “You fuck then you sleep?”
The others broke into a louder laughter, again, ignoring the even-more-upset swordsman there who stared at them with murderous eyes. Usopp, who was laughing with them, noticed Zoro's sharp gaze, still value his life and immediately went to join Luffy and Chopper, disturbing Momo in the distance.
"Aw, su~perr Zoro-bro," Franky said between laughs. "Just be sure not to spill any of your fluids on Sunny when you dream about her later." He continued, with his convincing thumbs up in the end, then laughed again.
Zoro was really about to draw his swords if only Jinbe wasn't there, holding him tight, though still in a state of laughing out loud with the rest himself.
Franky immediately prepared to face Zoro’s wrath by changing his hairstyle and putting on his nip beam mode. Faintly, there were screams of admiration from Luffy, Chopper, and Usopp from distance as he transformed. On the other hand, the others just made Zoro even more furious by producing some louder giggles, laughes, and prompting screams for Franky to shoot his beam.
"A-ano..."
All the chaos stopped instantly when the soft voice rang out.
Hiyori looked nervous with the sudden silence, playing her index fingers together in front. "I- umm… t-there is misunderstanding here, it was very cold at that time... and Zorojuro-sama needed some warmth—"
"Hoooo~"
Hiyori never had a chance to continue her speech as the strawhats already cut her up in unison and the sound of laughter drifted back in the air.
"You heard it, Robin?" Nami turned to Robin who was next to her. "I wonder if it was one of us who tried to warm him up."
"Fufufu…” Robin glanced at Zoro teasingly. “I remembered the ‘cold only for the weaks’ he was proud about."
"Looks like our swordsman found someone he's fond of." Nami winked at Hiyori.
Hiyori flushed, then leaned in to Robin, burying her face in her shoulder, wishing it could hide her reddish cheeks.
"Oi, oi, cut the crap." Zoro shouted. "Throw out any shitty idea in your shitty head away."
"Shut it, moss-head. Don't you dare speak rudely to the ladies." Sanji, who had lost consciousness since the topic was brought up, approached the girls' seat with stumbling steps. "Nami-swan, Robin-chwan, I love you so much and I promise every single word that comes out of your mouth without a doubt is an absolute truth." He kissed the palms of Nami and Robin.
"... but, but this time... y'all wrong," Sanji sobbed, tears overflowing from his eyes. "There is, there's no way... that marimo... with Hiyori-chan..."
Had not finished his words, Sanji fell back unconscious. Everyone was watching it silently, yet ignored, didn't even bother by it in the slightest.
"Oh, speaking of cold, it really was cold at that time, but when I found them, their blanket lay under their feet yohohohoho"
"Oldfart skeleton, it’s time for you to die."
Zoro shifted his sword, really meant to yank it up toward Brook before Jinbe hold him back, tightly, with all his might.
"Hihihihi... Easy, Zoro-kun. They are only teasing you."
Zoro scuffled, trying to escape from Jinbe's grip.
Chaos drifted back. Everyone was busy shouting, encouraging Jinbe not to loosen his restraints, whilst Zoro kept scuffle and rebelling even more violently.
In the midst of Zoro's rush to escape from Jinbe, Nami was unwittingly already standing in front of Zoro with her usual sly smile. Making him dumbfounded and shivered at the same time.
"So..." Her eyes showed a wicked grin. "Wanna do a dare?”
"…If you do it, I promise we'll quit this topic and I'll assume your debt is paid off by 50 percent." She continued.
Zoro squinted. "You are planning something."
Nami and Robin shared a michivious look.
"Spit it out."
Robin smirked. "Kiss the most beautiful lady in Wano."
"Orobi-san!"
Robin gave her smile to Hiyori and lightly patted her back.
The rest couldn't help but suppressed a smile, ready to burst into laughter once Zoro made whatever choice he chose.
Minutes passed, and there was still no answer from Zoro. Which was a bit surprising that he didn't reject it right away and instead was silent for a thousand words.
Nami furrowed brows, impatient. "Oi, if you don't wanna do it, I will—"
Her word had to be cut short, because what happened next was something that left everyone gaping open.
Zoro naturally slipped away from Jinbe's grip, walked smoothly through Nami, headed to the opposite seat, to where the green-haired and black-haired woman were. The black-haired smiled casually as he aprproached them, while the green-haired looked very nervous at that.
It took him five seconds to get to where they were, two seconds to crouch down, leveling their gaze, and another second for him to cup her jaw, pulling her in, and brought her lips into his.
Her—the black haired one.
And there was only a long silence surrounded them after that.
“I didn’t know she’s supposed to be the prettiest.”
Robin grimaced, cursing inwardly the swordsman's insensitivity for not knowing such an obvious thing, slightly regretting as well for not using a clearer words earlier.
Upon Zoro's unexpected action, Hiyori seemed to try her best holding back the tears that already welled up in her eyes, and left them right away seconds later. Of course, Momonosuke, and the rest of strawhats —including Luffy, Chopper, and Usopp who were playing, and Sanji who had unconscious, lying on the ground, rushed after her, reassuring she was alright, leaving Robin and Zoro alone there in a somewhat awkward silence.
“Do I look someone from Wano to you?”
Robin couldn’t tell why she was really bothered by that, but the fact she couldn't get it out of her mind made her emotion somehow stirring inside. And remembering the pace of her heartbeat when their lips meet made it even worse.
“You are indeed in Wano. Right now.” Zoro insisted.
She rolled her eyes.
“But, really though, what the fuck you are upsetting for actually?” Zoro retorted. “Technically, I was complimenting you.”
Robin raised a brow. “Thanks?”
“… Just make sure you didn’t break your girlfriend’s heart next time you did it.” She continued.
Zoro growled. “Don’t have any shit with her.”
Silence drifted in once more, both had things on their minds.
Zoro glanced at Robin who seemed to be zoned out, thinking about something. She might not wanted to show it, but he knew she had been quite taken aback by the incident. Complicated woman, indeed. Always have her head full of exaggerated thoughts about whatever has been, is, and will happen in the future. Which caused a little bit feelings of guilt rose in him as recalling his spontaneous action before.
Speaking of which, it would be a lie if he said he wasn't surprised by his own action earlier. He didn't even know whats gotten into him that make him joined Nami's game voluntarily, but the moment Robin said ‘most beautiful lady’, and his minds directly drifted to her, voice in his head told him that, there was nothings wrong if it was her. Don't ask him why he has such a thought because fuck it if he know.
He still watched her with his only good eye, scrutinized her every move. This time, she seemed to have finished thinking about whatever she had been thinking, and was calming herself down. She closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and relaxed a bit, letting the wind blow strands of her hair as the moon’s delicate light bathed her serene figure. She is indeed beautiful.
"Robin."
"Mmh?"
“Sorry, shouldn’t have done that.”
Robin was silent for a moment, then sighed, softened. Thinking there was no point anyway prolonging this matter, and feeling a little bad for Zoro as well cause he had to apologize for something that wasn't entirely his fault. She smiled at him, then nodded relented. (Remind her to hand him a booze from Sanji’s secret storage once they get back to Sunny.)
Zoro couldn’t help but slipping his rare warm smile at that, which, sadly, could not be seen by Robin because she was already looking up, enjoying the beautiful moon shining. The moonshone was so captivating that night, made her wouldn’t even mind to stare for longer time. So enchanting, to the point she didn’t even notice Zoro’s soft unreadable gaze fixated on her this whole time.
“Robin.”
“Hmm?”
"Can I say sorry for one more time?"
"For what, this time?"
Robin found herself frozen a beat, because as she took her eyes off the moon, meant turned to Zoro, he was somehow already right before her. Moments later, she had to try her best, holding back the scream, as he pulled her closer to him by the arm, before completely wrapped her around the waist with his rough hand. She didn't even know what to expect when he started leaning closer until their nose touched and their lips only inches away.
“Zoro—”
It looked like she would never had a chance to continue her words, neither or to hear the answer of her question, because the next thing she realized, a rough yet intoxicating lips had already caught her all over the lips. Gentle, and demanding. Enough to make her lost minds and put aside all the logic. Leaning in, and wrapped her arms around his neck.
Zoro couldn’t think straight anymore as she started return the kiss, his head was spinning. Call him dramatic for getting crazy over a kiss, but the sensation was really maddening. And the moment her hand moved up, to settle in his head, giving his hair a slight squeeze as her mouth parted, granting an invitation, it took him barely seconds to insert his tongue in and began to explore every inch of it.
He could see things were about to get whole lot more complicated from here, especially considering how heavy thinker was the woman in his arm, but, as if it matter? They are nakama, who will always be together across the ocean. They have all the time they need to contemplate and figure out things between them anytime sooner or later.
And as for now, he just couldn’t stand anymore, to not following his instincts, which felt the urge to kiss her again, and again. And again.
Sorry, I want more.