The first cry barely punctured Zoro's subconscious, it was more of an instinct to the noise that had him waking slightly to question what the disturbance might be. With a second more prominent shriek he groaned at the realization of what it was and blindly shifted his leg in the bed until he found a warm calf and gave it a sharp kick.

"Your turn." He partially slurred as he buried his head into the soft down pillow to try and hide from the noise and partial guilt of not getting up and running to the small child's aid.

The blond next to him groaned painfully but nonetheless threw the blankets from off his body – unnecessarily throwing them from Zoro's body as well to cause the cold of the room to hit his back – sitting up with a stretch and a tired groan. Adjusting the blankets Zoro barely even noticed the blond stand and leave as he once more buried into the blankets to get some sleep.

~X~

Sanji stumbled into a pair of Zoro's sweats as he lazily made his way out of the bedroom and toward the nursery and the source of the distress. Leaning heavily over the edge of the crib he smiled down at the delicate girl with half lidded eyes. Her face was scrunched as she continued to cry – no doubt having been awoken by a bad dream – her small hands balled into little fists as she flailed lightly.

Leaning over he scooped up their little girl and cradled her soothingly against his bare chest, hoping to calm her with the warm contact. Her tear soaked face streaked his chest and though her cries quieted the sobs still shook her tiny body. Gently bouncing her in his arms he unconsciously ambled about the room as he hummed a quiet tune into her ear.

The crying wouldn't cease even as his large hands held her close and rubbed soothing patterns into her little back. Her head shifted and smeared snot and tears across Sanji's chest and he hardly noticed as her little head tucked itself under his chin before she resumed sobbing.

Sanji turned as a sound in the doorway drew his attention and noted Zoro yawning loudly as he stood slouched in a pair of his checkered patterned boxers. Eyes barely open the man came over and stood directly in front of Sanji staring affectionately for a moment before glancing down at the distressed girl.

Zoro gently took the little girl into his own arms, cradling her against his chest and she immediately quieted, nuzzling into the bronzed pectoral as a small delicate hand grasped at the warm flesh. A small smirk graced Zoro's features and Sanji lightly snorted at the stupid act of competitiveness from the man. His free arm came out and wrapped around Sanji's waist and pulled him to carefully shelter the little child between the two of them.

"She knows who her dad is." Zoro murmured cheekily into Sanji's silken hair as his arm trapped the annoyed blond against him.

"The only reason I'm not kicking you is cause you're holding her." Sanji responded venomously, but his smile betrayed his words. Zoro just grinned broader at the verbal jabs and placed a chaste kiss to the blond's lips before turning toward the door and dragging Sanji along.

Once more back in the bedroom they climbed into bed with Zoro carefully placing the child between them as his arms once more reached out to pull Sanji close, protecting the child between them. Legs tangling together as their foreheads touched lightly they both fell back to sleep listening to the soft sighs of their sleeping little angel.