Crossing Lines (ZoRobin Fanfic)

Confusion

"Robiiiin~" a distraught looking Chopper called out to his resting crewmate as he clumsily made his way to the ship's deck. In his hands are a pile of books and a lone medical kit filled with numerous medicines he concocted himself. The small doctor was drawing heavy breathes and was almost at the verge of collapsing from fatigue but continued on to the deck to tend to his ill friend nevertheless.

Chopper was immensely delighted when Nami informed them that they'd be landing on a habited island that day. He was almost out of herbs and medicines due to their long stay at the sea without any stops, and he needed to stock his supply badly. He was also looking forward to shop for ancient medical books that are bound to pop up in whatever town they're in. Long intrigued by how early people treated themselves, but never getting the chance to read up due to his limited knowledge on ancient texts, he was very thankful when Robin offered her help him understand whatever it is he wanted to learn.

Unfortunately for him though, Chopper never got the chance to bring Robin along to town, despite their earlier promise that day that they would go together. As soon as the Thousand Sunny hit the shore, the lady archaeologist fell under the spell of nausea and decided to lock herself in her room.

Chopper wanted to stay and look after his ill crew mate, but was reminded of the other things he needed to buy before they set sail again. To compensate for not being able to properly do his responsibility as the ship's doctor, he promised to bring Robin back books that she could use as well.

Due to his own promise, the young devil fruit user kept running around town, completing his list of things to purchase as well as going back and forth different bookstores to buy as much books as he can with limited budget. It was a tiring day and he was already dead beat by the time the crew met up to return to the ship, but he was proud of his haul and headed back to Sunny with a large grin on his face.

"There you are!" Chopper exclaimed the moment he saw Robin tending to the flowers on the ship deck. He quickly dumped the load of books he was carrying, leaving the medical kit in his grip. "Are you feeling alright now?"

"Much better. Thank you."Robin answered him with a small nod, taking note of the kit that the young strawhat was carrying. "I couldn't sleep much because of…" she hesitated, remembering the incomprehensible shouting between Sanji and Zoro earlier that penetrated the walls of her room after the other strawhats left for town.

"Hmm?"

Robin shook her head, "Just the waves rocking the ship a little. Don't worry about it."

"Nausea.. Right." Chopper confirmed and turned his back to Robin. "I have. Something for that.." he murmured while rummaging through his kit. After a few seconds, he managed to fish out a small vial that he hastily handed to Robin.

"Here. Take this after you eat, and… Let me see your eyes. " Chopper tool a mini flashlight from his pocket and walked closer to Robin. He had to do the regular checks to make sure that his crewmate didn't catch anything worse.

The moment the light hit Robin's face, Chopper suddenly halted for a couple of seconds, a confused look plastered on his face. His Innocent eyes stared at Robin's own steadily as if trying to figure out something until the latter snapped him out of his thoughts.

"Chopper? Is everything alright?"

"Uh. Yes. Yes." The young doctor said in a low voice and hurriedly finished his check up. "You seem okay. Take a rest just to be sure."

Robin smiled at him in gratitude. "I will. Thank you. Let me know when you need help with those," she offered, noticing the pile of books on the floor.

As if remembering his purchases for the first time, Chopper hastily gathered the books and stacked them in a neat manner before attempting to carry them. He was excited to bring the books to the ship's library that he didn't mind if he'd have to suffer carrying their unbearable weight again. He turned back to Robin with a bright smile and said his announce that he'd be going first. He was already a good distance away from Robin before he remembered to ask her something vital.

When he checked his nakama's eyes, he saw something that bothered him quite a bit. He was sure that Robin only had a slight nausea, but when he checked her eyes, he saw something that might be a proof of greater pain. He forgot to ask about it the first time because his attention was diverted to the books, but he decided it was not something he could afford to forget again.

Instead of going back to the garden again though, Chopper opted to just shout his question over his shoulders, not wanting to have to lug around the books back and forth wherever he goes.

"Robin!" he started, hoping he was not being too loud, "Did it hurt that much?"

It was a couple of seconds before he was met with an answer.

"Y-yes. I guess so."

I knew it.

"Do you want to talk about it later?" He offered.

"N-no. I-I'm okay now. S-sorry to have bothered you."

Chopper wanted to insist, but reasoned that Robin is a sensible person. She's not the type to cover up a sickness if there's a possibility that it might affect the whole crew as well, so without any other questions, he shouted an 'okay!' to the raven-haired archaeologist and went on his way towards the library.

But Chopper will always be Chopper. He worries about his crewmates and he makes their health his concern. He made a mental note to worm in the topic again the next time he'll talk to Robin. After all, the obvious tear marks on her face must have meant she endured so much pain that was enough to make her cry a lot.

Zoro heaved a big sigh and plopped back on the hammock with a guilty feeling creeping on his nerves.

As soon as he heard the rest of their crew arrive from their trip, he immediately sought the young Tony Tony Chopper to look at the wounds he suffered from the earlier bout with Sanji. He was pretty sure that aside from a broken bone and a bleeding nose, the cook also managed to cause some internal damage somewhere on his torso area. After managing to get his consciousness back, the swordsman cursed Sanji for leaving him out cold on the deck. His body felt stabs of pain from everywhere all at once and Zoro was able to do nothing but clean up and rest for the remainder of the day.

Unfortunately for him, the young doctor already has a specific patient in mind to attend to the soonest he set foot on the ship. He heard Chopper call out Robin's name multiple of times, and saw the doctor rush around the ship carrying books and a medical kit.

The thought that Chopper was looking for Robin armed with haste and medicines didn't sit well with Zoro. After all that happened that day, he thought that Robin didn't join the crew on their trip because her mood was ruined by him, waving off everyone with a lame excuse of feeling ill. The archaeologist actually being sick only added to the guilt that had been welling up on the swordsman's conscience.

Despite being situated just above the garden, Zoro wasn't realy able to hear the conversation between the doctor and Robin, (not that he intended to in the first place), so it was with great surprise when he heard the shouted exchange between the two.

Did it hurt that much?

Zoro bolted upright at Chopper's sudden inquiry, feeling a lot little curious himself.

Y-yes-

He felt another shock at hearing the somewhat painful crack in Robin's voice, wondering what hurt so much.

Do you want to talk about it later?

N-no. I-I'm okay now—

The conversation ended with a simple acknowledgement from Chopper, but Zoro felt his heart hammer inside his chest, anticipating something more. When silence is all that followed, Zoro let out a loud breath, somewhat exhausted for whatever reason.

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A/N

I just wanted to write some Chopper. I did not intend to actually include this.

OnePiece is not mine. If it was, My ship should be sailing happily towards the sunset now.

Thanks for reading. I know there are a lot of mistakes and I would be glad if you guys can point it out. English is not my first language but I'm trying hard to write better.  Please don't ask me what happens next. I don't even have definite plans for this.

Reviews, faves, and follows are appreciated. Flames are better for grilling food.