"You have..eh," Shanks said as he pointed at his lip. Zoro blushed as he wiped the whipped cream off his face. He did not know why, but he was nervous again. There was something about the serious look on Shanks' face that caused him to worry. They had not spoken a word ever since they had entered the restaurant.

He looked around. They were in the VIP room. Shanks had said it was the best room for them since everyone knew him and would have been tempted to disturb their conversation, but there was no conversation.

Zoro had attempted to reminisce on the past with Shanks, but Shanks had just smiled weakly and given him one worded responses.

He was getting mixed messages and he just did not know how to cope. Shanks was treating him to his favourite meal in an expensive restaurant, but at the same time, he could not sense a romantic aura from him.

"Zoro-san," Shanks finally said, for the first time that evening he was actually going to initiate the conversation, "I-"

"Anything else?" the brunette waiter that had served them interrupted as Shanks nodded his head, "two large cups of sake please."

"And you sir?" he said, turning to face Zoro.

"The same," Zoro smiled.

"Bring him some strong sake if you may," Shanks added, a serious look on his face, "thank you."

The waiter looked at Zoro, waiting for his approval, but Zoro was staring right at Shanks, his eyebrows furrowed.

"Two strong cups of sake it is," he finally nodded before walking away.

"What was that about?" Zoro asked.

Shanks frowned, "I need to tell you what happened that night."

Zoro let out a sigh of relief and laughed, "I already know. Robin told me everything."

Was this why Shanks had been so serious all night? Had he been scared to tell him that he got drugged and ended up leaving with Mihawk? Happy to know that what was on Shanks' mind was now out, he held Shanks' hand, smiling as he looked into his eyes, but the love was not reciprocated.

Shanks pulled his hand away.

"No, Zoro-san. I need to tell you what happened that night."

Zoro smiled and looked at Shanks, "Let me go first-"

"Zoro-san don't!"

"I love you Shanks. I never stopped loving you-"

"Zo-"

"No Shanks! For the past weeks I have been thinking of what I would say to you if you were there with me. I had this long speech ready, but all I can think of saying right now is 'sorry'."

Shanks closed his eyes and pressed his lips together. This was so much harder than it was supposed to be.

"I'm sorry for what I said to you that night. It's been so lonely without you Shanks. Lonely and painful. I don't want to go through that again. I don't even want to go a second without you," smiling, Zoro looked at Shanks, bearing the good news, "That is why I chose y-"

"I love Mihawk."

The waiter came and placed the sake in front of the two men. Sensing the tension, he quickly made himself scarce; letting out a sigh of relief once he had closed the door to the VIP room.

Zoro took some time to try understanding what Shanks had just told him.

"You l-love...erm," he was looking at the cup of sake and then gained the strength to look at Shanks, his eyes welling with tears, "..."

"Please understand-"

"I don't think I ever could..."

Zoro looked at the sake again. This had to be a nightmare. That was the only explanation.

"We haven't done anything, yet," Shanks confessed, "I would never cheat on you. The reason I am here is to end things Zoro-san. I am an inconveni-"

"Yet?" That was all Zoro had heard, "You haven't done anything yet? So does that mean you plan on doing something in the future?"

Shanks remained silent as he carefully thought of his next words. He had been with Zoro for long enough to know that he was not one to let go easily. Not when he wanted something so badly.

"We have known each other for longer-"

"That has nothing to do with it!" Zoro shouted as he got up and grabbed Shanks by the collar. Shanks did not resist. He knew he deserved a punch or two, but instead was showered by tears.

"He cheated. He lied. He hurt you. He never cared for you. He treated you so badly. He..." Zoro bit his bottom lip as he looked into Shanks' eyes, "Are you seriously going to chose all of that over me Shanks? Are you telling me you love him!?"

"With all his flaws," Shanks whispered, "I love him with his imperfections."

Even if he tried to explain, he didn't think Zoro would understand. Mihawk was no longer the same man he used to be. He had changed for the better. Zoro had to see the change to believe. That is how Shanks felt anyway.

He looked into Zoro's eyes. It hurt watching his former lover like this. His hand reached out to wipe away a tear, but then he stopped halfway. It would only add to his pain. He pulled away his hand and looked the other way. There were still feelings there. He still felt attracted to Zoro, but he had long made his decision. Mihawk was the one he wanted to grow old with. He was an inconvenience to Zoro.

"Do you still love me?"

His eyes remained fixed on the wall at the other side. The truth was that, he did. He still had love for Zoro, he was still attracted to him, but they were not as strong as the feelings he now had for Mihawk.

Knowing that he could not leave Zoro with any false hope, he shook his head. It was harsh, but the only way Zoro could move on.

"Look me in the eye and honestly tell me that you don't love me Shanks!"

He knew that as a swordsman and student of Mihawk, Zoro had become extremely vigilant. Any sign of hesitation would make all his lie futile. It was a good thing that over the years he had become an expert at lying to Mihawk, not that he was proud of it -okay, maybe a little. Swallowing hard he looked into Zoro's eyes, his face as aloof as it would ever be.

"I don't love you anymore," Shanks lied, aching at each word he said.