One Piece: The Deadly

**Chapter 23: Rest and Embarrassment**

It was late afternoon on the Thousand Sunny, and the crew was scattered across the deck, enjoying a rare moment of peace. The soft lull of the waves, coupled with the warm sun, made the atmosphere incredibly relaxing.

Kikidori had been sitting beside Robin and Zoro on the deck. He was still recovering from his injury, but he was clearly in better spirits. Zoro was sharpening his swords, grumbling softly to himself, while Robin was reading a book as usual, her serene expression unbothered by anything around her.

"Man, it's so quiet today," Kikidori muttered, stretching out on the deck. "Kinda makes me sleepy..."

Without much thought, the boy shifted closer, laying his head across Zoro and Robin's laps, his legs stretched out in the other direction.

"Oi, kid—what are you doing?" Zoro grumbled, stiffening slightly as Kikidori's head rested on his thigh.

"Hmm..." Kikidori mumbled, already halfway asleep. "You guys are comfy..."

Robin glanced down at the boy with a faint smile, gently brushing a strand of hair from his face. "He's still recovering, Zoro. Let him rest."

Zoro grunted, turning his attention back to his swords. "Tch, whatever."

The scene might have ended there, perfectly wholesome and peaceful—if not for the fact that Robin and Zoro suddenly became acutely aware of how close they were. Robin's shoulder brushed against Zoro's, and their thighs were pressed together due to Kikidori's position.

Robin felt a faint heat rise to her cheeks, but she kept her expression composed, her eyes focused on her book. Inside, however, her thoughts were racing. *Why does this feel... awkward?*

Zoro, on the other hand, was faring much worse. His grip on his sword tightened, and his jaw clenched as he tried to ignore the proximity. *It's fine,* he told himself. *It's just Robin. And the kid's just a kid. No big deal.*

But his body betrayed him. His ears turned a shade redder, and he shifted slightly, trying to create even the smallest amount of space between himself and Robin.

"Is something wrong, Swordsman-san?" Robin asked, her tone as calm as ever, though there was a hint of amusement in her voice.

"Nothing," Zoro muttered, avoiding her gaze.

Robin smirked faintly but said nothing more.

Meanwhile, Kikidori stirred slightly in his sleep, mumbling something incoherent. His head shifted on Zoro's lap, causing Zoro to flinch.

"Relax," Robin said softly, her tone more teasing now. "You're acting like he's a bomb about to go off."

Zoro grumbled something under his breath, too low for Robin to catch, but she chuckled nonetheless.

From a distance, the rest of the crew observed the scene with varying degrees of amusement.

"Look at those three," Nami said, smirking as she leaned against the railing. "Zoro and Robin look like parents with their kid."

Sanji, hearing this, nearly dropped the tray of snacks he was carrying. "What?! Marimo and Robin-chwan? No way! Robin deserves so much better than that moss-headed brute!"

"Oh, shut up," Nami said, rolling her eyes.

Brook chuckled, leaning on his cane. "Yohoho! It does look rather sweet, though. I wonder if Kikidori knows he's playing matchmaker?"

"I don't think he's doing it on purpose," Franky said, adjusting his sunglasses. "The kid's just being a kid."

Luffy, sitting cross-legged with a meat skewer in hand, tilted his head. "Huh? What are you guys talking about?"

"Nothing, Captain," Nami said with a sly smile. "Just enjoy your food."

Back on the deck, Kikidori shifted again, his head now nestled closer into Zoro's lap. Zoro tensed but didn't say anything, determined not to make a scene.

Robin, meanwhile, closed her book and placed it on the deck beside her. She looked down at Kikidori, her expression softening. "He really does remind me of a little bird," she said quietly.

Zoro glanced at her, his usual scowl softening ever so slightly. "Yeah... a reckless, annoying bird."

Robin chuckled. "Even so, he's growing on all of us, isn't he?"

Zoro didn't respond, but the faintest hint of a smile tugged at the corner of his lips.

As the sun began to set, casting a warm orange glow across the ship, the three of them remained there—Kikidori peacefully asleep, Robin content, and Zoro silently enduring the teasing proximity.

Unbeknownst to them, the rest of the crew had already made bets on when—or if—Zoro would ever admit how flustered Robin made him.

End of Chapter 23

From me: HAHA YES I AM A ZOROBIN FAN HAHAHAHAHA.... I'm gonna get so much hate for this chapter