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The day was frosty, enough to warrant Robin wearing mittens, earmuffs, and a wool sweater under her jacket. The temperature had been dropping steadily for the past week; it was definitely going to be a white Christmas this year.
She turned off the lights in the apartment and took one last look at the Christmas tree before turning it off as well. She checked her large overstuffed bag and stopped in front of the hall closet, Robin sighed, figuring there was really no point in leaving the present hidden, and grabbed it as well. One last look at her cluttered kitchen counter and she finally left the house. On the way to her car, she cheered herself up. Everything would be okay.
Entering the hospital during the holiday season is jarring. The sterile, cold atmosphere of the hospital wasn't much more welcoming than winter behind the glass doors, and the little touches of the season tucked haphazardly in the corners seemed both depressing and charming. Small Christmas trees on desks and high shelves, pots of Christmas flowers framing the entrances and some hallways, and small strings of lights stood out randomly, along with Christmas carols playing constantly like a background sound, as if the holiday season quietly defied the solemnity of the hospital, which seemed to operate with only the basic staff and those on duty.
She greeted the guard at the entrance and made her way to the elevator. When she reached her destination, the doors opened and took her to a place that was enchanting, full of glitter and messy paper decorations. With tinsel garlands and the unmistakable laughter of children. The pediatric recovery room was an oasis in a desert.
Behind the registration desk, Tristan was sorting papers.
"Merry Christmas, Tristan," Robin greeted the young nurse.
"Merry Christmas, Miss Robin," the cheerful nurse greeted in her candy-cane patterned uniform. "Did you come to see Rika? She was discharged this morning."
"It's fine, her mother mentioned it yesterday, I'm just here to deliver some help for Santa's helpers." Robin handed Tristan a bag with several wrapped presents inside. Not all of the children in the pediatric wing were lucky enough to go home on Christmas Eve morning, and Robin wanted to help make sure that no child was forgotten by Santa on Christmas. Tristan looked at Robin in surprise before giving her a big hug.
"Thank you so much, the kids will be so happy." Tristan let go of Robin. Donations were always appreciated.
"No problem," Robin replied with a smile and headed for the exit, "I have to go or Zoro will be asleep by the time I get there. Merry Christmas!”
"Merry Christmas, Robin! Say hello to the hero for me and congratulations!" The nurse pointed to Robin's left hand, where a silver ring with a small blue stone was on her ring finger.
"Thank you!" Robin took the elevator back to the lobby and up to the adult ward. She hadn't thought much about the ring after getting used to its presence on her hand a week after the intimate and charming proposal in their living room a month ago, she remembered the dinner Zoro had prepared for them and how he seemed adorably awkward, not knowing how to start the conversation.
Robin knocked on the door before entering and found Zoro asleep. His room seemed to be bombarded with holiday cheer, with ornaments and lights and a small tree in one corner. She dropped her bag on the small bureau beside the bed and sat down in the chair next to it. She leaned over and gave him a soft kiss on the lips. Zoro's eyes slowly opened and he spoke, his voice hoarse from sleep. "Robin?"
"Of course it's me, does anyone else wake you up with a kiss around here?" Robin teased.
"Don't be silly, what are you doing here? It's like 7 p.m.”
"It's actually 8 o'clock, are you sure? Because there are a couple of nurses out there who frown every time I come in and seem very willing." Robin's amusement was obvious.
"Robin," Zoro looked at her in exasperation.
"Well, since we can't repeat last year's Christmas celebration, I thought I'd revive an old favorite, we'll have a Christmas Eve sleepover and watch Christmas movies." Robin said as she pulled the charger and laptop out of her bag and placed them on the small piece of furniture.
Zoro grunted unhappily, "It's not like I could do anything else, right?"
"No, broken ribs, collapsed lung, bullet extraction, and you just had your oxygen mask removed. You'll be in observation for several days.
"And I can't get you to go home and rest properly."
"You know you can't.”
Zoro remembered their first Christmas together, their friends were visiting their own families, and although they both had invitations to go with whomever they wanted, neither of them accepted. Robin knew that Zoro had also turned down Koshiro's offer to go with him to Wano for the holidays, so she invited him to spend Christmas Eve and Christmas with her. By this time, they had been on a few dates and neither was sure how to get over the awkwardness, even though they were clearly interested in each other. Zoro arrived at Robin's house at noon on Christmas Eve and walked in to find a Christmas tree with colorful baubles and small carved pieces of wood. The names of all the places she had been, Robin had told him that time. Zoro had brought wine and spices, and Robin was amused by his intention to take over her kitchen; with that in mind, Robin convinced him to make cookies and wear a hideous sweater with lights. The evening continued and they watched The Snowman, and Zoro discovered that Robin could really sing after hearing her version of Walking in the Air.
They ate cookies, wine, and a thick broth of vegetables and meat that Robin said would taste even better in the morning. Then midnight came.
"Are you going to use midnight as an excuse to kiss me again?", Zoro's smug smile and the glint in his eyes said that he was looking forward to it.
"I don't need an excuse anymore, but if you're a good boy."
Robin was laughing as she spoke to him, but her tense shoulders gave her away, the dark circles under her eyes betraying a recent lack of sleep. Robin seemed on the verge of collapsing.
"Robin, come here." Zoro's firm voice made her shoulders drop in defeat, she stopped pulling things out of her Mary Poppins bag and walked over to the head of the bed, then Zoro pulled her to him, crushing her against his bandaged chest.
"Zoro, your..."
"It's okay, woman. I'm fine," Zoro said, hiding a wince. Robin needed this. It was the kiss on her forehead that finally made her give in. Robin's tears fell silently down Zoro's neck as she clung tightly to his back. She hadn't been able to react when she got the call from Jinbei after the incident, nor in the waiting room as the doctors removed the bullet and repaired the lung, or when she waited at the foot of the bed for him to wake up after surgery But now he was safe, and as Zoro rubbed her back, Robin was relieved.
"This is stupid, you're the one lying hurt in a hospital bed and I'm supposed to come here to cheer you up and still you're the one comforting me while I cry with relief that you're okay. I'm so glad you're okay," Robin tried to regain control by getting angry at herself, her voice sounding broken and congested.
"No one expects you to be strong all the time, Robin. And it's really inevitable that you worry because you have a huge heart and you stupidly decided to love me, so instead of resting and sleeping you're here with me making sure I'm not alone in the hospital on Christmas Eve because you think no one should be alone when they're hurt, especially on Christmas and I love you for that."
"Just for that?" Zoro felt her smile.
"Do you want a list?"
"Maybe later, thanks. I love you too," Zoro made a sound of agreement as he continued to hug her.
"You told me to leave yesterday," Robin said into his neck.
"You needed to rest and didn't you have a meeting today?"
"Yes. We didn't come to an agreement."
"Bastards."
"They are," Robin sat back in the uncomfortable chair and grabbed the tissues from the small table. Zoro took her hand to keep contact between them. "If we were married and I killed Spandam, you wouldn't have to testify, would you?" Robin asked in a serious tone.
"As your husband, no, but if I find the body, yes." Zoro replied amused. Robin was already feeling better.
"Great, I'll do it on your day off."
Zoro squeezed her hand to get her attention. "Listen Robin, I'm sorry I worried you."
"Don't be, it's part of your job and you saved a girl. I understand. By the way, they discharged Rika this morning."
"I know she came to say goodbye, she helped with the decorations."
"It looks great, I like the little tree."
"Rika gave me the drawings," Zoro pointed to the wall, "everything else was Yosaku and Johnny, they threatened to come tomorrow too," he said with a tired grimace.
Robin smiled, those two were very enthusiastic, "Before we start with the movies, I'd like to give you your Christmas present, because I'm not sure if it'll survive until tomorrow."
"You got me a steak?" said Zoro excitedly.
Robin took a thermos out of her bag. "No Luffy, you don't eat it, you drink it. Merry Christmas." Robin handed him the mug. Zoro took the warm mug and raised it to his lips, the distinctive sweet, gingery scent in his nose startling him.
"Amasake?" asked Zoro as he finished the cup.
"Yes, I remembered the story you told me about Christmas when you were a boy in the dojo with Kuina and Koshiro, and how you drank this before you were allowed to drink alcohol. It's a good memory, although I don't know if I got it right.
It's perfect Robin, thank you," Zoro pulled her to him to kiss her, "Wait, you made it?"
"Yeah, I was a little worried about the fermentation time, but I think it turned out well."
"I don't think I've had homemade amasake since Kuina's mother was alive."
So how did you...?
"Well, sensei would buy something called sake kasu and dilute it in hot water."
"That's handy," Robin said thoughtfully.
"Did you use the stove to ferment the rice?"
"No, originally your gifts were the pot and the koji, but with everything that happened later, I thought this was better for now. When you get home, they will be there for you to use."
"So, does that mean I can make my own sake?" Zoro's smile, no longer nostalgic, was almost too bright.
"I'm not sure, I think it's possible, but I won't come back here because you got blinded by distilling illegal alcohol, Zoro," Robin said in a warning tone, even though she knew she couldn't stop him if she really wanted to.
"I'll be fine," he dismissed Robin's concern with enthusiasm. "Robin, your gift is at home, it's in the hall closet...
"...in your gym bag under the stinky clothes," Robin finished for him, showing him the box wrapped in metallic blue wrapping paper.
"I was going to wash those, but you have to admit it was a good camouflage," he said as he watched Robin carefully remove the wrapping from the box. Inside was a necklace with a clear pendant filled with a red and brown powder. "Zoro?" Robin was curious about the meaning of the pretty piece of jewelry.
"Three weeks ago Bunny Joe called the apartment because you weren't answering your phone and left a message, I'm sure you read the reports that came later," Robin nodded, "I called him back and asked him for a favor, he almost bit my head off but agreed and two weeks later an envelope arrived. I know you read the reports and understand that shit better than anyone, but with Spandam being a jerk and blocking your expedition budget proposals, you need something more tangible than data, Joe found traces of red stone. There's definitely something there, Robin, you just need to find a way to get there."
Robin's eyes were wet again as she saw the necklace and Zoro at the same time, she crushed him again in a tight hug that was bad for his ribs.
"I'm sorry, Zoro. This is amazing, thank you." Robin kissed him until they were both out of breath. "So what do you say, you want to watch a movie?"
"Sure, did you bring cookies?
Robin gave him the box of cookies, went to turn off the lights, pulled out a snowflake blanket and a pair of reindeer ears for Zoro —which he didn't use— and as they scrolled through the Netflix movie menu, they ran into a common holiday problem.
"Die Hard is not a Christmas movie, Zoro."
"Neither is Chucky, woman."
"Chucky was a Christmas gift, that makes it a Christmas movie."
"Die Hard took place between December 24th and 25th. Christmas!" Like every year, they debated what to watch first until they came up with a neutral choice: Gremlins. As the little monsters terrorized the city, Zoro thought aloud, "You know, if Mogwais really existed, I couldn't give you one."
"Why not?"
"You think those things are cute, even when they turn into those weird reptiles. You'd wet them on purpose to get more and feed them whenever they wanted. They'd be a pest in no time," Robin thought for a moment, he was probably right.
At midnight, an explosion on the screen woke them both. Robin shut down her laptop and set up the cot that a jealous nurse had brought in.
"You're not leaving at this hour, are you?" asked Zoro sleepily.
"Chopper said I could stay." Robin made her makeshift bed and before she lay down she leaned over Zoro and kissed him. "Merry Christmas."
Merry Christmas, Robin."
It was nine o'clock in the morning on Christmas Day, Zoro and Robin had woken up an hour earlier with the first visit from the nurse. Milky had made sure that everything was in order from last night, she brought Zoro's breakfast and a turkey sandwich with a cup of coffee for Robin. Milky was very nice, Chopper was lucky.
"Tell me again, why did they put in that whole story about the horny grinch and his girlfriend?" Zoro asked as they watched the Grinch ruin The Whobilation.
"The original cartoon was half an hour long, they had about an hour and a half to fill. But Martha wasn't that wrong, you know," Robin moved closer to Zoro and ran her fingers through his hair. "Green is a nice color and the muscles are very nice too." She said as she squeezed his forearm and kissed his cheek. Zoro grunted in annoyance but didn't pull away from her touch. "Even if it is a little grumpy."
"Fuck you."
“Not now, you're still hurt, let's keep watching.” Robin replied. Zoro's phone rang at that moment.
Hello, yes it's me. Merry Christmas to you too Sensei, I'm fine. A few more days I guess... Yeah, she's here with me, where else would she be? Yeah well, it wasn't possible this time, maybe next year, I'll pass on the good wishes... I'm not going to stop her, it's her job and she's damn good at it. That's my decision and I'm not going to change my mind. Merry Christmas, sir." Zoro ended the call angrily.
Robin wasn't looking anywhere in particular when she said, "That didn't sound good."
"No, he's still a stubborn old man who thinks he has a say in everything. This is stupid, Robin, Koshiro didn't have a problem with us until two months ago."
"Maybe he didn't think you were that serious about us until two months ago."
"We've been living together for over 2 years, I don't move in with someone for a shag," Robin threw up her hands, she wasn't the one doubting his integrity. "It doesn't make sense, I've met Hiyori three times, she's nice and so is her brother, but we don't really talk much and suddenly her tutor and my Sensei are talking about engagement. Fucking crazy."
"Arranged marriages aren't that unusual, maybe he didn't think you'd have a problem with that or any other prospect."
"Two years, Robin," Zoro had closed his eyes and crossed his arms, trying to calm himself.
"Maybe it's a misunderstanding and Koshiro really is a romantic who thinks you have the rest of your life to get to know her." Zoro looked at her like she was crazy.
"How am I supposed to marry someone I don't know, someone I don't know if I like, someone I don't know if I want or can handle?"
"Oh, so you know how to handle me?" Robin whispered in his ear.
Instead of answering, Zoro turned his head, took her chin and kissed her, their lips moving together as three people came screaming through the door.
"ZORO BROO!"
"ROBIN-CHAAN!"
Johnny, Yosaku, and Sanji came through the door. "We've come as Santa's helpers to spread Christmas cheer!"
"Stop kissing Robin Sis and listen, Zoro Bro, we bring food and good news." Zoro showed them the middle finger, "In a few minutes you will receive a call from your loved ones to spread the love that Zoro bro wants to keep for himself and Robin sis. In the meantime, we bring gifts." Johnny gave Zoro a sweater with a reindeer on it and Robin a Santa hat with antlers.
"Now that the idiots have finished their presentation, I can give my dear Robin my gift: glazed pork loin with mashed potatoes and vegetables," Sanji uncovered a foil covered plate.
"Thank you, Sanji," Robin smiled at the gentle chef.
"You're welcome, I couldn't let my dear Robin's Christmas dinner be hospital food. And for a sick Marimo, there's soup."
"Hey, fourth-rate cook, why does she get meat and I get soup?"
"Silly, silly marimo, soup is best for the sick and injured. Let me put it in simple terms: soup. Good. For. You.”
"YOU ASSHOLE, YOU WANT TO FIGHT?"
"Nah, I don't fight wounded men. So hurry up and get better, it's not fair to worry Robin like this."
The call promised by Johnny and Yosaku came in the form of a zoom call, with the rest of their friends wishing the couple in the hospital a happy holiday from their familiar homes. The loud bickering and laughter reminded them that while they had each other. They had a whole family that cared about them, even if they couldn't be there with them.