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Everyone saw it.
It was borderline impossible to ignore.
Nami had been the first to notice, as per usual.
The soft glances, the subtle touches.
From the moment she’d seen Zoro choose to sit next to Robin at the dining table the first time, she had her suspicions.
Robin wasn’t much for girl talk. Any questions about love were answered with something along the lines of “it finds everyone in different ways.”
Zoro wasn’t any better. Not that Nami could ever talk to him. The man was occupied with sleeping, drinking, or working out.
But it was Usopp who has pointed out to Nami how Robin had begun reading in the gym as Zoro exercised and how Zoro made a point to take naps next to Robin’s chair on the deck.
The two of them kept their eyes on the pair. Throwing each other sneaky glances when they caught the two standing just a bit closer than usual or holding back smirks as Robin would offer him a sip of the drinks Sanji brought her the moment the cook was out of sight.
It was hard to notice how Zoro and Robin were always the last in their respective cabins, not by incredible amounts of time but just enough to insight a giggle fit the next morning from Nami and Usopp.
Zoro would walk into the men’s cabin, same stoic look on his face, same posture as he walked, his hands resting on his swords, but Usopp clocked the slightly messy hair and fading blush on his ears.
Robin would enter the women’s cabin and acknowledge Nami the same as always, a small smile plastered to her face as she made her way to the closet to change for the night. But Nami could see the slight bounce in her step, the way she hugged the book she held, and with a dreamy look in her eyes.
It had been Sanji to notice next.
Anything with Robin and Nami would be seen eventually by the cook, though it was Zoro that gave it away.
Sanji had a schedule for Robin and Nami’s snacks and drinks. He’d always had this schedule for giving offerings to his goddesses. Today was no different.
He’d exited the kitchen, love overflowing from every orifice in his body. He made his way to the beautiful women as they sunbathed on the deck. It was an incredibly hot day and he knew in his bones they needed these drinks and this fruit platter to cool down! But that stupid Moss Head stood directly between Sanji and Robin.
If it was a fight he wanted, it was a fight he’d get and Sanji knew he could take the brute without spilling or dropping a single thing.
“Move, idiot,” Sanji sneered. “I’m just trying to give Robin and Nami their food.”
“I can take Robin’s,” Zoro’s voice was firm in a way that took Sanji by surprise.
“It’s okay, Zoro,” Robin sat up slightly, reaching out for Sanji. “Thank you, Sanji.”
The blonde frowned in confusion as the swordsman stared him down with a different kind of intensity.
“My god, Zoro,” Nami appeared next to him, blocking Sanji from Robin’s reach. “What’s gotten into you?”
She already knew.
Nami turned to Sanji, taking the platter and drinks from him, passing them to Robin before heading back to her own chair.
Sanji glanced to Nami and, for a split second, their eyes had a complete conversation. Sanji’s gaze flicked between Zoro’s hardened look and Robin’s relaxed posture and Nami’s expression of “don’t say ANYTHING” before turning and heading toward the kitchen.
-
“How long?” Sanji took a drag of his cigarette, avoiding eye contact as his heart felt like it had shattered.
“I noticed a few weeks ago,” Usopp leaned forward on his elbows. “It’s subtle little things here and there.”
“They’re good at hiding it,” Nami crossed her arms over her chest. “I noticed before Usopp but still only a few weeks ago. Who knows when it actually started.”
“Why him?” Sanji rubbed his face with his free hand and sighed.
“I would’ve put my money on Franky,” Usopp smiled. “They have so much chemistry.”
“I wouldn’t have pinned him as her type,” Nami leaned against the counter.
“Why not me?” Sanji finally looked up, a single tear rolling down his cheek.
“Ugh, get over it,” Nami rolled her eyes. “You never had a chance with her to begin with.”
“Do I still have a chan-“
“Keep dreaming.”
-
Much like Sanji, Brook had gotten the same protective Zoro. The subtle reach for his swords after Brook had so politely asked to see Robin’s panties was not missed by the skeleton.
“I may not have eyes but I saw the way Zoro reacted to my query,” Brook had whispered to Usopp later that evening.
Did this situation prevent Brook from asking to see her panties? No. The skeleton had three things on his mind always: getting back to Laboon, music for his crew mates, and women’s panties.
Did he make sure Zoro wasn’t around when he asked now though? Absolutely!
Chopper didn’t put it together for a while. At first, it was just nice to have them both around. Robin and Zoro both had their own way of taking care of and looking out for the young doctor but they’d been around him together more often. Chopper had his library days with Robin and Zoro now slept on the couch in the corner of the room. He asked Zoro for help to get stronger once. Zoro had given him a far too advanced routine and Robin had softly scolded the man for overworking “our son.” Zoro had apologised softly and offered to get him an ice pack (he didn’t know of anything else to help the reindeer).
It wasn’t until Chopper had been crushing some ingredients for a new medicine that he saw it. Robin had been helping him by reading the instructions from a book they’d picked up while on the last island when Zoro had entered the office. He had beelined to the woman. Chopper had gotten down from his stool to get a beaker from across the room. As he turned to ask either of them to help him reach the equipment, he saw the soft kiss Zoro planted to Robin’s head which was resting against him as a hand held her around the waist.
Chopper blushed deeply having witnessed such a soft and intimate moment between the two. Choosing to clear his throat before asking for assistance with his back still toward the couple.
Jinbe had observed from afar the way the couple acted, assuming they just had a closer friendship with each other than the others.
He had wanted to speak with Robin about Ohara and, knowing how sensitive of a subject it was for the woman, he’d decided to approach her in the library so they could speak privately. He’d opened the door slightly to see Zoro holding Robin by the waist as her arms wrapped around his shoulders. They swayed together as Robin hummed softly, her face buried in his neck. Zoro smiled softly, his eyes closed as he and Robin danced together. Jinbe now knew their relationship is more than just a close friendship.
Franky had needed some extra strength in moving some new upgrades for the Sunny. He and Zoro had stayed behind as the rest of the crew explored a new island.
“Come get me when you need me,” the swordsman had nodded to the cyborg before disappearing into the gym.
Suddenly, there he was, hidden outside the doorway to the gym. Tears of joy in his eyes after catching Zoro smiling and laughing with his head in Robin’s lap as she played with his hair.
-
“Does everyone except Luffy know?” Chopper asked as he grabbed another piece of popcorn.
“I don’t think Zoro and Robin know we know,” Usopp leaned back in his chair.
“I keep trying to get it out of her but still no use,” Nami sighed, grabbing her straw and sipping the sweet tangerine juice Sanji had given her.
“Should we tell Luffy?” Jinbe asked.
“I was about to ask the same thing,” Brook sipped his tea.
“Absolutely not,” Nami snapped. “We all found out. He either needs to find out for himself or they need to tell him.”
“A year,” Sanji muttered as he lit a new cigarette. “He’s had my sweet Robin for a year.”
“I think it’s super they’ve found love,” Franky smiled. “But keeping this quiet for a year has to be draining, right?”
“It has to be killing Zoro to be keeping something like this from Luffy,” Chopper looked to Nami.
“He’s a big boy,” Nami patted Chopper on the head. “When they’re comfortable, they’ll tell him.”
“Tell who what?”
Everyone at the table seemed to jump out of their skins as Luffy spoke.
“Oh Luffy! It’s nothing!”
“Don’t worry about it!”
“Oh, nothing! It’s fine!”
“Not to worry, Luffy.”
“There’s nothing to tell anyone!”
“Zoro and Robin are dating!”
“Haha hi Luffy! Nothing is happening!”
Everyone spoke in unison but they all heard Sanji’s response. With a swift chop, Nami had the cook on the floor, a welt growing from the side of his head.
“What about Zoro and Robin?” Luffy stuck a finger in his ear as to clean it out.
Nami sighed, “you can’t say anything about it but Robin and Zoro are a couple.”
“A couple?” Luffy cocked his head to the side. “A couple of what?”
“No, Luffy,” Usopp rubbed his temples. “They’re together.”
“Oh really? Where?” Luffy’s look of confusion only grew.
“Luffy, they’re boyfriend and girlfriend,” Chopper tried.
“Yeah! We’re all boy friends and girl friends, aren’t we?”
“You can’t possibly be this stupid?” Nami sighed.
“They’re in love!” Sanji wailed through new tears as he lay on the floor. “Mosshead took my Robin-chan away from me!”
“Man, get it together,” judgement and disgust were the only things written across Usopp’s face as he watched the man roll around in his tears.
“Oh, I knew that already.”
A symphony of gasps and “WHAT?!” erupted from the group. Even Sanji stopped his crying for a moment to gawk at their captain.
“They told me like…” He picked his nose as he thought. “I think like more than a year ago.”
“MORE THAN A YEAR?!” Nami screamed. “Why didn’t they tell us?”
Luffy shrugged his shoulders with a, “I dunno. Anyway, Sanji what’s for dinner?”
“My hopes and dreams of a long, happy life with Robin,” the cook lay face down on the ground.
“That doesn’t sound very appetising,” Brook spoke.
-
“Nico Robin!” Nami slammed the door to the women’s dormitory open.
Robin looked up at the orange haired woman, eyes wide with surprised at hearing the use of her full name.
“Yes, Nami?”
“When were you going to tell me about you and Zoro?” She crossed her arms over her chest and stared down at the woman who had been reading on her bed.
“You already knew,” she closed her book.
“I did not! I figured it out but you didn’t tell me,” Nami’s anger faltered for a second but Robin caught the moment of betrayal on the girl’s face.
“I’m sorry, Nami,” Robin sighed, sitting up and grabbing the girl’s hand. “We told Luffy and assumed everyone else already figured out something was happening.”
“Over a year, Robin,” Nami sat next to the archaeologist. “I thought we were friends.”
“We are friends,” Robin smiled. “I’m sorry I neglected to tell you.”
Nami stayed quiet for a moment.
“Promise?”
“I promise.”
Nami stared at the ground for a few more seconds before straightening and turning to the dark haired woman.
“Okay, then tell me EVERYTHING!” Nami’s eyes sparkled and Robin couldn’t help a laugh.
-
“Roronoa Zoro, you lucky dog!” Franky punched Zoro’s shoulder.
“What?” He frowned.
“We can forgive you not telling us because she is stunning, my friend. YO HO HO HO!” Brook laughed. “And you get to see her panties.”
“What’s going on here?” Zoro’s confusion grew.
“We’re talking about you and Robin!” Chopper ran over and hugged his leg. “I’m so happy for you two!”
“We all are,” Usopp smiled. “You’ve got my approval! Captain Usopp approves this union!”
“Yes, congratulations to the happy couple!” Jinbe smiled widely.
Zoro’s frown only deepened as Sanji approached with some cups and a bottle of half empty whiskey.
“To the new couple!” Sanji slurred. “Don’t fucking break her heart or I’ll kill you myself!”
Zoro scoffed at the chef as he took the bottle and swigged from it.
“I definitely won with her, didn’t I?”
It was Chopper who caught his blush now and smiled as well.