When they reached the ship, he had the cook set Zoro in his bed, and not Zoro's hammock. "I'll take it from here, Sanji-san." he said.
"Yeah, you're better on this than I am. Make sure he's ok, Chopper." Sanji told the doctor, giving him a gentle smile before he went out of the room, leaving them alone. Chopper grabbed a bucket and set it next to Zoro, in case the man had to throw up. He grabbed his basic tools, to make sure his organs were still functioning. Zoro soon came to his senses... more or less. Thanks to the alcohol that had been shot into his body, he now had a serious hangover, so as soon as he woke up, he groaned in pain and held his head.
"A-Aaahhh, fuck... my head..." he growled slightly, and then noticed he was in the ship, and Chopper was near him. "Chopper..." he groaned again. "How long was I out for?" Chopper had finished wrapping a splint around his left wrist. He looked up at Zoro, happiness and concern on his furry face.
"An hour." he said, pushing him back down to the bed. "You shouldn't move so much, you were cheated."
"Like I can't feel it already..." groaned Zoro, as he was pushed down by Chopper's hoofed hand. He lay still then, and just stared up into the roof. He felt ashamed of himself. He had promised to never lose again, from the moment he was defeated by Juracule Mihawk. And this day, that promise was broken. He felt like crying, but he didn't want to burst right in front of Chopper. And besides, what would the crew think if they heard about him crying? Sanji would probably make fun of him to the ends of the worlds, that Ero-cook. Sighing, he just laid there, as Chopper tended to his wounds. Chopper soon finished and watched Zoro. He knew the swordsman was gravely upset, and the hangover didn't help. He grabbed a fresh apple and offered it to him.
"Here, it'll help settle your stomach and keep you from heaving if you wind up throwing up." He said gently. "And, Zoro... You shouldn't be so upset." Zoro glared slightly at Chopper as he told him not to be upset and just sighed deeply, grabbing the apple gentle with his uninjured hand and taking a bite of it.
"Why not, I got every reason to be..." he sighed again, laying his head back. "Chopper... you were not there when it happened, so I will tell you. Back in the days, when it was just me, Captain, Usopp and Nami on the crew... well, that bitch stole our ship that moment, but anyhow... we had met Sanji as well, and we defended his restaurant ship against a warlord pirate named Don Krieg. Luffy kicked his ass, of course, but I... I got to face my greatest foe yet..." he swallowed hard, remembering both the ecstasy and fear he had from that moment. "Hawk-Eye Mihawk. He is one of the Shichibukai, pirates who were granted the title Warlords from the Marine Headquarters itself, being free to raid, pillage and otherwise, to the return of their eternal servitude to the Marines. I faced Mihawk in a one-on-one match... and I lost, nearly losing my life that time. From that moment, until I face him again... I..." a slight tear fell from his eye, and he didn't care if Chopper saw it. "I promised I'd never lose again, until I faced him on the battlefield once more." Chopper was shocked by the confession, and flustered as he saw the tear. That couldn't' be a tear, could it? Chopper suddenly regretted his words. The idea of hurting his friend to a point of a single tear... He didn't like it. He looked down sadly.
"I'm sorry, Zoro-san... I just don't think it counts... he cheated, with the alcohol thing... I didn't mean to make you tear up.." Zoro sighed again, brushing off the tear from his face before looking at Chopper.
"Thanks for tryin' to cheer me up, fella..." he said, using his healthy hand to pet the reindeer's head gently. "Really appreciate it." he managed to force a small smile as he looked at Chopper. "It's ok, Chopper. Don't make such a fuzz out of it. I'll be fine sooner or later." Chopper felt his hand and smiled quietly at him.
"I hope so... I was worried about you, ever since he couldn't be cut. I was scared something worse than this would've happened. And well... I don't know what I'd do if you were gone." The confession was completely sincere. He looked up to the man, he felt safe with Zoro.
"Really now?" Zoro asked, smiling still as he lifted Chopper's chin gently, to look into his cute little eyes. He knew he had helped Chopper numerous times before, and that the two of them were almost inseparatable... but that he looked up so much to him? It kind of caught the swordsman off guard, but he took it gently. "Also... that confession I was going to make... when you asked me what had been burdening my mind..." he followed up, looking around to make sure no one was peeping. "I can tell you now." Chopper was silent as he liked the touch of Zoro's hand. He hid his blush well, as he slowly nodded.
"Anything to help you, Zoro-san." Chopper said with a soft smile, sitting on the bed beside him.
"Well then..." Zoro smiled, before he let go of Chopper, watching him sit down near him on the bed. "As I was about to say... I've been having certain... thoughts of a person lately. It makes me kinda... unstable sometimes, but mostly, it fills me with comfort and certainty, that I can go through another day in my life. And that person..." he decided to surprise Chopper, and with a light swing of his arm, he brought the reindeer closer to his chest, gently placing him on top of it, and looked deep into his eyes. "It's you, Chopper." he said with honesty, stroking his cheek with the backside of his uninjured hand. Chopper let out a light gasp from the sudden movement. He found himself staring at Zoro with wide eyes, sitting on his firm chest. He was that important to the swordsman? He couldn't believe it, he never knew his words could make Chopper's heart stop and flutter at the same time. It made him feel warm, fuzzy. He bit his lip.
"Z-Zoro... I don't know what to say." he admittedly, his eyes starting to well up in tears. But they were tears of joy, not sadness. Zoro just smiled at the reindeer doctor's unexpected behavior. He knew that he'd be surprised, and maybe happy, but not this happy. He only chuckled though, and wiped off Chopper's joy tears.
"Hey, don't cry Chopper. It's ok. I understand you are happy that someone cares for you that much..." he said, his words softer and sweeter than any sweets Chopper could have possibly eaten in his life. He brought Chopper closer to himself, hugging him with one arm. "Chopper... you mean so much to me. I can't describe it, really." Chopper had to lay down to be in Zoro's arm. He had fallen beside him and he hugged his chest softly, his arms not even able to wrap around fully. He cuddled against him softly, wiping his eyes against his arm.
"I'm so happy, Zoro, I can't remember the last time I felt this good." He confessed, his blush now starting to show.
"Hehe, well..." Zoro chuckled, as he looked at Chopper snuggling up to his body. He could not believe how irresistibly cute he was, with his brown, short fur and sweet, innocent-looking face. He smiled even more, knowing what he have had for thoughts about Chopper. This ignited his will to go even further, and pulled up Chopper even closer to his face. "I can show you... exactly WHAT kind of thoughts I've been having..." he closed his eyes, and before Chopper asked why, he locked lips with the reindeer, sharing his first kiss with him. Chopper swore he could've either melt into a pool of fur or launch right into the sky. It was Choppers first kiss and he felt even better than just a minute ago. He slowly kissed back, closing his eyes. He felt content, safe with him. He felt like everything was going to be okay now. All the bad he witnessed just seemed to melt. He moved closer to Zoro as he kept kissing him softly. Zoro was now in true pleasure and happiness. He had never felt like this, not even when he was drunk. It made him feel warm and comforted, and in the same time, it made him feel safe with the small Chopper. He wrapped his one arm around his back, pulling him ever closer to enjoy the kiss even further, just moaning quietly as his mouth did the work against Chopper's, and soon enough, his tongue slipped up against Chopper's lips, wishing for entrance. Chopper felt his tongue and couldn't help but to shy away. His brown furry cheeks were drowned out by a hot blush.
"M-Maybe we should take it slow..." he stuttered. He did want to participate and be Zoro's little pet, but Zoro was still injured. And plus, he was all new to this. He wanted to work his way up so it'd be even more special when they go all the way. He just hoped Zoro would understand.
"Mmm?" Zoro broke off for awhile, a bit confused at Chopper's statement, but then he understood. Chopper was probably a bit shy and scared about this, whilst Zoro was never afraid to try new things, and was always eager for things. He nodded a bit, smiling a while before petting Chopper's head. "It's ok. Guess I got a bit carried away, haha..." he chuckled. "You're right, we should be slow on this, and I am still injured, to boot. Maybe some other time, I guess?" Chopper smiled at this and nodded.
"Yeah." he chirped, much perkier than he usually is. He gave him a peck on the cheek softly, still hugging him. "I'm glad you understand." He watched him with adorable, affectionate eyes. "Do you think the others would be okay with this anyway?" he asked.
"Beats me." shrugged Zoro, enjoying his peck on the cheek and the hugging arms of Chopper. "I bet Sanji would scold me, but I don't care about that pervy ol' cook. Luffy... he's too stupid to understand basic things, anyways, and that greedy bitch Nami would only bother about it if it somehow crashed with her cash interest." he chuckled. "As with Franky, Robin and Brook... I dunno, simply." he shrugged it off. Should we keep this a secret then? For now at least?" He asked softly. He was willing to keep it under wraps if it would make his now-closer friend. Chopper rested his head against the swordsman's chest, happily nuzzling against it.
"Yeah, let's keep it a secret. I don't wanna be tempted to cut Sanji open every time we meet, because he scolds me or something." Zoro said with an understanding tone, petting Chopper's head while he nuzzled his chest. "That feels pretty nice, Chopper." He gave a small, but always adorable giggle. He felt very happy with Zoro; cuddling closer to him under the covers.
"You should get some rest now, Zoro. The more sleep the better." Zoro nodded slowly, before he laid down his arm beside himself, and smiled at Chopper.
"You're right, Chopper. I should get some rest when I can." he said, before he closed his eyes slowly, falling asleep. "See ya when I wake up... or something." he said before fully falling asleep. Chopper smiled, as he kissed Zoro's cheek softly. He was tempted to sleep in his arms but he knew he still had work to do. He wriggled is way out of Zoro's arms, tucking him afterwards. He hopped down to the floor and put his medical kit away. He watched Zoro with a soft smile, before he left the cabin to get a meal. As Chopper left the cabin to leave Zoro to sleep, Luffy instantly came up to Chopper, wanting to know how his first-mate was.
"Chopper! Oi, Chopper! Is Zoro going to be ok?" he said, being really concerned for Zoro, since he was his first Nakama and crew member. Chopper nearly leapt out of his fur, but saw it was just his worried captain and not some stranger about to beat him up. He relaxed; his sweat dropping.
"Y-Yes, captain!" He said with a smile. "A few broken bones but he should be able to walk in a week." he chuckled. "Knowing him though, he'll try in a few days." he mused.
"Hehe, okay! Yeah, I kinda know how Zoro is, haha! He is a warrior, ya know!" Luffy said cheerfully, knowing that Zoro would be ok. He gave Chopper his usual, cheerful smile before petting him on the head. "Take care of him, will ya?" he asked, before he walked off. Chopper only smiled, happy that his captain was such a good guy. He was still a kid at heart, but that's what made him charming, in his own special way. He looked back into the cabin to see Zoro sleeping. He gave a soft smile before shutting the door to let the man have some peace.
