Authors Note: There's a lot I want to say, but I also don't want to break immersion to the narrative for too long. I'm really thankful to have such a warm reception to my story. It's been a long time since I wrote these characters, nearly a decade, and right now I'm happy to tackle them with what experience I've gained over time. Chopper has always been important to me for various reasons, his early episodes showing a ton of self hate relating to my own mental health problems even back when I was a kid, ect. Also, when I first started writing him it was when I realized I myself was gay the more I wrote him with Zoro. It's always been important to me to characterize characters correctly, but it's easier if I relate to them as much as I do for the ones in my stories.

So, thank you to those who have made it this far. I hope you'll stick around.


The hot steam rising from the bathtub warmed Zoro's insides. All day he had been in blistering cold, and given tonight it was twice as worse. His Dojo was nearly as cold as the outside, unfortunately, and it was only so long before it was clear Chopper's body couldn't handle the sort of training the swordsman was expecting from him.

"You didn't have to stop just because I did," Chopper mumbled.

The reindeer was in his more humanoid form. Zoro was running his hands down his back to scrub it clean of sweat and the grime from the cave they had been trapped in earlier. It was already clear that the muscles on the reindeer's back were more defined. His arms weren't visibly bulkier, but Zoro knew that they were stronger given how he was his first day.

"It's not a big deal," Zoro said. "I'll wake up early tomorrow and make it up. How're your muscles?"

"Fine," Chopper said. Zoro could picture him giving a smile just by the tone of his voice. "I thought I was the doctor here."

"Hey, you never shut up about it when we train together," Zoro said. "Some of its gotta stick in my head. Y'know, I don't really need it but it's really good for a newbie like you."

"Hey!" Chopper snapped. "Don't be rude!"

Chopper cupped a handful of water into his hand and by tossing it over his shoulder flung it back at Zoro. The swordsman was so busy trying not to laugh that he let it hit him right in the face. Some of it went down his throat, and instantly he found himself coughing. He leaned over and grabbed his neck.

"Ah, Zoro, are you alright?" Chopper asked with an anxious tone. He turned quickly and outstretched his arms ready to help Zoro. It took a moment, but the swordsman managed to catch his breath.

"Oh, I'm gonna decorate the cabin with your antlers, buddy," Zoro said with a devious tone as his coughing fit died down. There was a wicked smirk on his face he used specifically when he was young to scare the other boys in his kendo classes. It worked just the same on Chopper as he got a terrified look in his eye.

"Wa-Wait, I didn't mean t—-"

Chopper couldn't finish his sentence before Zoro pounced forward. The reindeer let out a yelp of fear as he was pushed back directly into the tub. Zoro felt water go past his head and ears as he buried his face into Chopper's midsection. Once he rose up his head he could feel Chopper squirming and giggling with mock fright.

"I-I know you wouldn't hurt me, Zoro!" Chopper cried out.

"No," Zoro said as he shook his head like a dog to get the water from his eyes. He stared up again with that evil grin. "But I can get real damn close, deer."

Chopper squealed again. Zoro honestly had no clue what came over him in that moment. Chopper had a way of pulling out a side of him he didn't know he still had. He found himself grinning and unable to stop it.

Zoro went forward and grabbed Chopper, quickly pinning him to the opposite side of the tub. He drug his fingers down Chopper's sides and abdomen. The reindeer's eyes widened and soon he burst out in laughter.

"A-AHAHAA YOU ASS!" Chopper squealed as smacked his hands to Zoro's shoulders and chests desperately trying to pry him off.

"It's either this or I try to drown you!" Zoro said. His hands moved upward toward Chopper's armpits which he had left foolishly unprotected. By the time Zoro got his fingers in there it was too late for Chopper.

"AHHHH!" Chopper cried out and started trying to kick at Zoro.

Zoro let up quickly. Chopper threw his head back and let out a long groan and began panting.

"You're a such a jerk," Chopper whined, but still he struggled to keep from giggling. "And you're acting really weird today."

"If you were anybody else I woulda tried to drown you," Zoro said with that same evil looking expression. It quickly faded and his face softened… well, softened for Zoro at least. There was a permanent triangle between his brows due to his constant scowling. He knew it was difficult to look… less than scary. Still, he hoped Chopper could see into his eyes just how happy he felt right now. This moment, this day, and everything that had led up to it felt monumental yet still somehow like every other day.

Zoro reached out his hand to Chopper's cheek. Being close to Chopper one on one like this was about as relaxing as Zoro felt during his deepest meditation sessions. He leaned in and kissed Chopper. The reindeer responded by wrapping his arms around Zoro's midsection. Chopper was far more cuddly than Zoro, but the swordsman didn't mind. When they were alone he even found it pleasant.

Just as they parted lips Chopper had a big grin on his face. Though it was short lived, because after a moment he frowned and gazed down.

"I wish one of us had watch tonight," Chopper mumbled.

"What, aren't you sick of me yet?" Zoro asked. "You've been clinging to me all day."

"No," Chopper said. "I… I mean, are you?"

"Don't be a dumbass," Zoro said, and lightly proaded Chopper's chest. "I know how you feel, though. I can't sleep worth a damn at night anymore cause half the week I'm up with you."

"Me either," Chopper said. He morphed back into his smaller reindeer form. Now the water went up to his chest standing on the small ledge of the large tub. "A few days ago I fell asleep right after breakfast."

"You know we don't have to be in separate cabins tonight, Chopper," Zoro said. "It's not hard to sneak off to yours."

"Really?" Chopper asked. He was trying very clearly to suppress his smile.

"Why the hell not?" Zoro asked with a shrug.

"Well… okay, then," Chopper said. He squirmed and the water rippled around him. "If you're fine wi—"

Zoro paused with his hand outstretched going toward the reindeer's face. He heard the faintest sound of moment on the other side of the bathroom door. Chopper's ear twitched, which Zoro took to mean he had noticed it as well. With swift movement Zoro sat down on the ledge of the tub just as the door opened.

"Oh, you two are still in here?"

It was Luffy. Their captain was standing there with a towel wrapped around his waist. Usopp was quick to follow behind him. He pushed past Luffy and gave a gasp as he rubbed his hands up and down his arms.

"Jeez it's cold!" Usopp snapped. "Please be warm please be warm..."

Usopp abandoned his towel on the floor before jumping right into the massive tub of steaming water. The sound he made out was euphoric before he relaxed. He settled into the tub to the point only his long nose stuck out of the water. When he rose again Luffy had closed the door and was making his way out as well. He took one step in and then looked at both Zoro and Chopper.

"Hey, Chopper, you alright?" Luffy asked. "You look pretty red."

"Ah," Chopper let out a small yelp of surprise once he was addressed. Zoro looked down to him and saw that Chopper's cheeks were indeed flushed. "U-Um, it must be the water… I-I think I've been in too long."

"Me too," Zoro said quickly before standing up as well. "You two aren't very relaxing to be around."

"Oh, and Chopper's fur clogging the drain is soooo relaxing?" Usopp asked. He had emerged from the water and was currently squeezing at his long curly hair.

"My fur doesn't clog the drains!" Chopper snapped back at Usopp.

Zoro let out a chuckle as he picked up a towel and began to dry himself off. Chopper and Usopp had begun to snap insults back and forth while Luffy laughed at the two of them. Zoro saw Chopper make the first move and kick a hoof of water toward Usopp, who screeched and then ducked under the water to avoid it.

It was clear to the swordsman that if he didn't leave soon he was going to get wrapped up in the mess. Chopper had already fallen victim, seeing as how Usopp was splashing water at him at rapid speeds. Zoro rolled his eyes and made his way silently to the exit. Closing the door behind him cut off the playful yelling of the three boys and left him in silence.

Zoro was quick to dress himself. He gathered his things and made his way back to the deck of the ship. As he slipped on his jacket he was given a whiff of the overwhelming smell of Chopper from when the two had been bundled so close in the cave. It made him smile, and he was suddenly glad to be alone.

Outside was colder than Zoro remembered. The icy winds blew at his damp hair and caused a chill to run up his spine. He blew into his hands to keep them warm and then buried them into his pockets. It was late, and the only lights Zoro saw came from the island town they were still docked at. The sky above was littered with stars and the only sounds Zoro heard were that of the ship swaying on the ocean.

The swordsman seated himself at the top of one of the staircases. He let out a long sigh and then a chuckle. His heart was still struggling to calm down from when he had been interrupted by both Luffy and Usopp. If they had come inside just a few seconds later Zoro might have let their secret slip. He remembered his hand going out ready to take Chopper's face and kiss him. It would be a hell of a way for it to come out. He doubted even his thick skulled captain wouldn't be able to understand what it meant if he saw it so blatantly.

Zoro thought he had always been ready for the others to know, but still his heart was struggling to stop pounding.

"Something troubling you?"

Zoro looked up quickly when he heard the voice. He saw nobody, but recognized the tone instantly.

"Do you want something, Robin?" Zoro asked before getting to his feet.

Stepping out from under the deck, Robin had been leaned up against the crook between the staircase and the second level. She withdrew from the shadows with a blanket around her shoulder. Zoro met her eye between the staircase railing.

"Spying?" Zoro asked.

Robin gave a light chuckle.

"You just sat down. Who would I be spying on?"

"Good point," Zoro said with a shrug. He let out a groaned and cocked his head up toward the sky. After that massive blizzard earlier the sky was now clear. It was like nothing happened if he didn't look down.

"It's awfully cold," Robin said. "I thought you might've headed in by now. Unless, of course, you're waiting for somebody."

Zoro took a swift but subtle sideways glance to Robin. She was smiling, but Zoro couldn't read her eyes.

"No," Zoro said flatly. "I was just getting some ai—"

"Zoooorrrrrooo!"

Zoro felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand up upon hearing Chopper's voice. He looked behind him swiftly to see the reindeer with an annoyed and exhausted expression on his face. Before Zoro could open his mouth to warn him the reindeer crashed against the swordsman's back. He wrapped his arms around him the best he could and let out a long sigh.

"Usopp tripped and got hurt. I told him to wait in the medical cabin, so it might be a bit before we can meet up for tonight," Chopper said. "Sorry."

"Ch-Chopper, I," Zoro said. His heart was actually pounding now.

"Well then, what was that about waiting for somebody?" Robin said. She was giving off a teasing chuckle now. Upon hearing her Chopper's body tensed up and he jumped off of Zoro's back with lively energy.

"O-Oh, hey Robin!" Chopper said. His face was hot crimson now upon spotting Robin near the bottom of the stairs. "Um, I-I was gonna lend Zoro some medicine to make sure nothing bad happened in the cave earlier, that's all!"

"Don't say 'that's all', moron," Zoro hissed under his breath. "She didn't even ask you what you meant yet!"

The two of them were interrupted by Robin giving the two of them a smile. Perhaps because he was simply not thinking or because it felt right to do so, he reached back his arm and put it on Chopper's side. He pulled the reindeer closer. Chopper gave a light gasp and nearly stumbled into the swordsman, but he didn't try to pull away and simply settled.

"Zoro?" Chopper asked in a hushed tone.

Zoro didn't reply. He looked at Robin head on. She gave a light chuckle before turning her eyes.

"Alright, I see you're not meeting anybody," Robin said as she turned her head and began to walk away from the two. She stared an extra moment, but not at Zoro. The swordsman realized quickly it was directed at Chopper. "Have a nice night."

The two watched, dumbfounded as Robin turned to walk away up to the other side of the ship. Once she was a good distance away Zoro let out a breath he hadn't fully realized he was holding. Chopper pulled back from the light embrace and stared up at Zoro.

"What was that about?" Chopper asked.

"I don't know," Zoro said. He stared at Robin until she was out of sight.

"You don't think she knows anything, do you?" Chopper asked. He gripped Zoro's side tightly.

Zoro could tell Chopper was trying to keep his voice strong. Though his words didn't tremble nor did he trip over his words, Zoro simply was able to tell he was masking his fear. Zoro laid his hand on Chopper's back.

"Doubt it," Zoro said, though he knew his words could stand to sound a bit more secure in his conviction. Robin had asked him specifically if he was waiting for Chopper. "Look, it's been a long ass day, Chopper. Go fix up Usopp and then we can just relax together, alright?"

"Okay," Chopper said. He gave a slow nod of his head but did not look up to Zoro. Instead he stared out toward the direction Robin had left, and only when Zoro ran his hand under the reindeer's hat did he look up. His eyes betrayed anxiety for just a moment before he was able to mask it. "You'll come quick, right?"

"I'll come as soon as the coast is clear," Zoro said. "Hurry up if you're so eager to see me again, furball."

Chopper gave a quick nod of his head and showed Zoro one of the smiles the swordsman loved to see. It was of genuine excitement at the prospect of spending time together. Zoro found it reflected on his face as well the moment Chopper turned and began to head down the stairs.

"I'll finish up quick!" Chopper called before running off in the direction of his medical cabin.


Zoro kept to the shadows for the better part of an hour. Usopp was in and out of Chopper's cabin in less than half an hour with a hand covered in bandages, but he gave it another fifteen minutes to assure that nobody would see him. It was already late, and the moon in the sky was the only light that illuminated the ship's exterior aside from a small circle of light in the doorway window to Chopper's cabin.

The chilled air was finally beginning to get to Zoo. He breathed out one last frosty bit of air before he got to his feet. The only thing he wanted right now was to rest, and to do so with Chopper.

Zoro approached the door and lifted his hand to knock. He paused when he caught a glimpse of Chopper in the window sitting at his desk. The reindeer wasn't looking at him. His head was pointed down but Zoro didn't see a book. There was a somber expression lingering on his face that made Zoro hesitate. Instead of knocking and risk somebody hearing he chose instead to simply turn the handle.

"Mmm?" Chopper looked up with a start. "Is it clear already?"

The melancholy look on his face softened upon seeing Zoro. He smiled, and that simple act made the swordsman feel warmth expand in his chest. That was happening more often lately. Zoro shut the door behind him and was glad to find out that the small room was far warmer than outside.

"Course it is," Zoro said. He unbuttoned his jacket and let it fall to the floor as he let out a groan. His fingers and ears were red and stinging with the bite of the cold outside, as well as his toes inside his shoes. "Colder than one of Nami's glares out there."

"You coulda waited someplace warmer, you dummy," Chopper said. His tone was teasing, but there was that little touch of his usual doctor tone sneaking into his words.

"Shut up, furball," Zoro said. He reached out and pushed Chopper's hat down past his eyes. The reindeer giggled and pushed it back up just as Zoro let his weight carry him down until he crashed on the edge of the bed. "It's hard to forget I gotta keep warm when there's this annoying mound of fur always clinging to my back."

"Very funny," Chopper said as he rolled his eyes

Chopper pushed off of his desk and allowed his wheeled chair to roll across the tiled floor until he was close to Zoro. He hopped off onto the bed and landed with near perfect accuracy to let his body fall right against Zoro's side. He wrapped his arms around the swordsman as best he could and buried his face into Zoro's body.

"I'm glad you're here," Chopper said in a quiet voice.

A bit of that somber tone was breaking into the reindeer's voice. Zoro put his hand on Chopper's back and tugged at him until he was pulled up to sit in his lap. Chopper sat with his side pressing to Zoro's abdomen and his legs touching the bed by hanging off of Zoro's lap. After a moment of minor adjustment to keep Chopper's horns from poking his body too much both the swordsman and doctor settled down.

"You alright?" Zoro asked.

"Uh-huh," Chopper said and gave a slight nod of his head. Zoro couldn't see any of his face past the tip of his blue nose over the pink rim of his hat. "I… I was thinking about Robin."

Zoro had been afraid of that. Though it was true his own suspicions were high he didn't want Chopper to overthink it too much. He ran his hand up and down Chopper's side. The reindeer seemed to melt more into his side.

"I think it's my fault if she knows," Chopper said. His voice was quiet and lingering with shame.

"What are you talking about?" Zoro asked. He saw Chopper's head gaze upward so their eyes could meet. He hadn't seen a look so clearly full of shame on Chopper's face since the night of his confession where he had been terrified of Zoro's rejection.

"A few weeks ago," Chopper said. He reached up his hoof and touched Zoro's chest right over where his heart lay. "I asked to borrow this one book from her. When she came to get it back I… We talked for a bit. I said some stupid things, and I… I think she guessed I wasn't just talking about you as a friend."

Chopper clamped his mouth shut by biting his lip.

Zoro let out a long sigh and then proceeded to pinch the bridge of his nose. Before he could even think of what to say Chopper started rambling again.

"I'm stupid," Chopper said under his breath. "She told me to tell you how I felt… I thought she just meant how glad I was you were my friend. I didn't even want to admit then how I felt about you."

"Stop beating yourself up," Zoro said. "If she knows, then she knows. There's nothing we can do about it."

"But I…"

"Chopper," Zoro snapped, probably a bit too harshly, to interrupt the rambling reindeer. Chopper both jumped and then tensed in his lap. Again he lowered his cap so Zoro couldn't see his eyes. Zoro let out a long sigh and eventually pulled at Chopper's cap until it came off his head. The reindeer tensed and shut his eyes, but Zoro could see the faint spots of dark fur under his eyes where a few tears had spilled. He reached out as gently as he could muster and pushed up Chopper's chin until the reindeer opened his eyes.

"I'm sorry," Chopper said. He wiped at his eyes with the backs of his hooves and sniffled quietly. "I don't wanna act like a crybaby in front of you."

"You are kind of a crybaby, though," Zoro said. He smirked and gently stroked the tufts of fur on Chopper's chest that stuck out. "Look, calm yourself down. It's gonna be okay. Remember how I explained meditating? Just try breathing like that for a bit."

Chopper gave a nod of his head and took Zoro's advice. He closed his eyes and allowed his breath to flow in and out. It was quick at first, but he swiftly remembered what Zoro had taught him and got on the right track. With each breath inward the reindeer's shaking settled down, and after a few minutes he opened his eyes and they were no longer wet with tears.

"There," Zoro said. "Better?"

"A little," Chopper said. He smiled at Zoro, though his eyes still had a hint of pain in them. "I'm sorry I freaked out."

"It's alright," Zoro said. He ran his hand against Chopper's cheek and lightly squeezed. "Just… Look, this is gonna sound selfish. But for my sake, can you try not to beat yourself up so much?"

"Your sake?" Chopper asked. He looked up with curious eyes. "Why is it selfish?"

"I…" Zoro paused. He supposed there was no point in masking his feelings, especially around Chopper. He laid his palm flat against Chopper's chest. "I don't like how I feel when you get down like this. I feel… really powerless. If somebody was hurting you and making you cry I could just kick their ass. Watching you be like this, though, it really sucks. I can't help you when you're like this… not like you need."

Zoro tightened his hand into a fist when he pulled it away from Chopper's chest. There was an irritation building up in his chest that was difficult to ignore. He hated beyond reason admitting the slightest bit of weakness inside of him. Even admitting it to Chopper the words came out clunky and wrong.

"You're nicer than you think of yourself," Chopper said. He reached up his hoof and touched Zoro's heart once more with a gentle poke of his hooves. "You still try… even if you don't know how exactly I can tell you're trying. I know I'm not… I know you're not good at this stuff, but I don't want anybody but you listen lately."

Chopper's words made Zoro feel that tightness in his chest once more. Before Chopper Zoro had rarely felt the need to show such blatant compassion, physically or verbally, but the reindeer had changed that. Zoro gave a light chuckle and took Chopper's hoof in his hand.

"Thought I was supposed to be making you feel better?" Zoro said. "When the hell did you turn this around?"

"You're my boyfriend, right?" Chopper asked. "I'm supposed to look out for you too, you know."

Chopper's smile triggered something in Zoro. It was hard for Zoro to resist the urge to kiss Chopper, so he didn't bother. The reindeer must have been surprised because just before their lips touched he gasped. He lifted Chopper from his seated position until he could squeeze the reindeer against his chest. The tips of his hooves just barely touched Zoro's lap. It felt longer than usual. Normally, one of them would pull away. Either Chopper would become self conscious or Zoro would be fearful he heard a noise and the kiss would end before it spiraled too far. Tonight, however, Zoro didn't want to part from Chopper.

They didn't have to think about Robin tonight, or what would happen tomorrow. As far as Zoro was concerned the universe stopped existing outside of the cabin the two were in.

Almost without thinking, Zoro ran his hand down Chopper's chest, and when he got down to Chopper's belly button he didn't stop.

"Zoro, I..." Chopper said quietly when their lips parted. Zoro buried his face against Chopper's neck. He sounded nervous, and instantly Zoro removed his hand.

"Too fast?" Zoro asked with a voice muffled by fur.

"No, but I… I mean, I've never…" Chopper started and then trailed off his words a few times. Eventually he closed his eyes and took in a few deep, slow breaths as he had before. Zoro undid his tight grip and let Chopper stand on his lap with his arms still loosely wrapped around the reindeer.

"You really want me like that?" Chopper asked. He didn't meet Zoro's eyes for more than a moment before flicking them away. His tone sounded almost as one of disbelief. It was as if he had never considered this an option for the two of them."

"I sort of assumed it would get here eventually, yeah," Zoro said. "If you're scared, we can…"

"I-I wanna!" Chopper said quickly. Instantly his face turned pink and he buried his face in his hooves. "I mean… We can try, if you want."

Zoro smiled. Chopper's nervousness only lended to that same animalistic desire the swordsman had felt a moment ago. The bed was small, but Zoro had worked with worse before. He kissed Chopper right on his cheek. It felt warm, and the reindeer began to giggle the way he did when he was nervous and didn't know how else to react. It made Zoro want him more.

"Please tell me your door has a lock," Zoro said.