"You... you a... are... Doctor... Thierry?" Zoro stammered who was a stunned as the doctor was. The doctor could not possibly know when Zoro would show up at the gym, yet he found the coincidence, more than strange and... embarrassing, especially since the doctor had been trying to get him into bed.

"Come... in," Laurent asked him, stepping aside to let him in.

After some initial hesitation, Zoro entered, hands buried deep in the pockets of his jeans, into the hall, which was small but brightly lit by the overhead spotlights built into the ceiling and looked at Laurent expectantly.

"I... honestly don't know what to say, and I can understand if you'd rather see another colleague, but... I can assure you that I can perfectly split professional and personal matters, Zoro. After all, nothing happened, we just had a nice evening, so we should leave it at that."

Laurent approached Zoro cautiously, careful not to get too close to him, as he could tell from Zoro's posture that he seemed reluctant to trust him, which he could not even blame him for, as the fact that they had met privately, and he had flirted with him didn't make things any easier.

"I would really like to help you, Zoro, if you just led me. There is no one better in my field, I can assure you.

If you want, we can also call each other by our last names, if that makes it easier for you to trust me..."

"Zoro is enough. I hate being addressed as Mr. Roronoa," Zoro interrupted him.

Laurent smiled and indicated with his hand the direction Zoro should go.

The office was a friendly shade of lemon yellow, complemented by a dark ebony desk that stood under a large window, a cream-colored leather chaise longue, and a large, armoire.

"Would you like some coffee?" Laurent inquired, who was already heading for a large, espresso machine that stood on a sideboard in a corner hidden by the large cabinet.

Zoro nodded and dropped into a comfortable-looking ochre armchair, but kept his arms folded across his chest.

While Laurent prepared the coffee, Zoro took the time to let his gaze wander over the many awards and pictures that adorned the walls, most of which depicted autumn scenes, and looked up when Laurent suddenly appeared in front of him with a steaming cup that smelled enticing.

"I see you obviously like my chair better" Laurent stated with a smile, dropping into the other chair. The green-haired man snorted, placed the cup on the floor in front of him and crossed his arms in front of his chest. He waited for Laurent to talk, to give him suggestions on how they should approach therapy, instead he gaped at him while drinking his coffee.

"Aren't we going to get started?" Zoro inquired, resting his right leg over his left, which was already wiggling impatiently.

"Pardon?" Laurent asked with an innocent expression, taking another sip from his cup.

"Well, with you saying or doing anything. You're the psychiatrist here, after all."

"I'm just waiting for you to tell me something about yourself. Whatever you want."

Zoro gasped and pressed his arms even tighter against his chest.

"I can't think of anything."

"No, problem, I can wait. Take all the time you need."

"Yeah right, you're getting paid for it after all, whether I talk or not."

"That's true, but I only take money if my patients are willing to talk. It is important to me that my patients do not feel coerced into anything and only tell what they want to tell, and I try to get a picture from what I hear. I know that the first step is always the hardest, especially with strangers, but it gets easier afterwards, believe me. And everything that is discussed here stays here, I will not even tell Chopper about it, even if he and I were fellow students at the university."

Zoro's head, which had been hanging between his shoulders until just now, now shot up like a rocket, staring at Laurent in disbelief.

"I see Chopper didn't tell you. Probably did not think it was important. It does not really matter, either. The only thing that matters is that you get help, Zoro. That is all Chopper wants, that is why he asked me to take care of your case when he heard I was moving here.

He is very worried about you and literally begged me to help you because he cannot, and for Chopper there is nothing worse than not being able to help someone, it has been that way since our college days. You are lucky to have such a wonderful friend like him," Laurent said, looking at the cup in his hand.

Zoro nodded and lowered his arms to his lap. In this point Laurent was right, he was lucky to have Chopper, but not only him, but all his friends, even if their overprotective nature, was sometimes a bit exhausting. Still, he was glad he had her and could not imagine life without her.

Zoro looked at Laurent, who was still calmly sipping his coffee cup. If he were a former classmate of Chopper's, he could not be such a bad guy. Besides, Chopper had chosen him, and his judgment could be trusted because he was an excellent doctor.

If only he did not find it so hard to talk about his past. Not even with the cook, had he ever talked about his childhood. The only one who knew was Robin and every time he saw her again, he was reminded of that time, especially of that fateful evening that was to change everything forever.

The therapist's calm, gentle voice slowly brought him back and blue eyes rested on him.

"I know there are things you don't want to tell me and that's okay. We do not have to. At least not yet. But one day we will have to address that part too, that will not be avoidable if we want to get to the bottom of the source of your issues, Zoro. But I promise you that when the time comes, we will do it as gently as possible. For now, we can just talk about things that are on your mind, if you like. Like why you did not want to go to that restaurant with me. This Bar...Bara...tié?"

"It belongs to... my ex's father."

"I see. Then your breakup is still fresh?"

"No."

"But still fresh enough that you can´t date other people. May I ask how long you were a couple?"

Zoro had resumed his defensive posture, yet Laurent thought he heard him say "7 years." Chopper had already forewarned him that he was very secretive and considering that it was not even surprising that he refused to deal with his past and recent events. If he wanted to get Zoro to talk, he would have to be more skilful and, above all, gentler.

But to do that, they had to get out of the office, to a place where Zoro felt more comfortable and where it was easier for him to talk.

A glance at the clock told Laurent it was late enough to have a little brunch and he rose.

"What do you think about a brunch? I was in such a hurry this morning that I did not have time to eat breakfast at all. You're invited, of course."

Laurent did not even wait for Zoro's answer but pulled him up and pressed his jacket into his hand, saying "come on, let´s go."

The only place Laurent knew was Lucky's, a U-shaped restaurant with a magnificent view of the city's only racecourse, where a race was taking place today that they were watching closely. Zoro watched the majestic animals with interest, especially a stallion in midfield who was fighting his way forward between his opponents.

"You're interested in horses?" Laurent asked curiously, leaning his upper body slightly over to Zoro.

"Not really."

"Then for racing? If you want, we can go over and place a bet. For the next race."

"No, thanks. I´d rather place my money on number 7 in the current race."

Laurent glanced toward the track and raised his eyebrows when he spotted it.

"Are you sure? It doesn't look much like a winner to me."

Zoro snorted.

"It is, though. It has the will to win, just like its jockey. As everyone ran off, the jockey purposely dropped back until he was sure they were last, and then slowly began his charge forward. He knows how to arouse the animal's ambition and pride and skilfully use this to his advantage. Give them a little more time and he will have reached the top."

Laurent was now watching the race very closely, especially number 7, which, as Zoro predicted, was fighting its way forward a bit more with each additional meter, until it finally engaged in a thrilling neck-and-neck race with number 3, which at least was not about to give up the lead easily. A third horse approached from the outside, trying to pass the two opponents, but every time the jockey thought he had made it, the other two passed him again and finally left him completely behind.

Laurent did not let anything show on the outside, but on the inside, he was feverish with Zoro's favorite, who was within reach of the finish line and once again gave everything he had in the last few meters. Suddenly, number 7 shot forward like an arrow and finally left his competitor behind. The other jockey, however, did not want to give up his lead and urged his horse to give everything once again and take up the chase. Not only number 7, but also number 3 were two extraordinary fighters and although he never had much left for this sport, he was still impressed by the animals' will to fight and win. If animals possessed such a thing. Zoro possessed it too as far as Laurent had witnessed in the gym, who had run on the treadmill with a determination and an irrepressible energy, that the doctor immediately felt attracted to. The green-haired man was the proverbial still waters are deep type who did not outwardly let on what was going on inside him, which is why it was hard to get close to him, but therein also lay the appeal for Laurent, because he loved a challenge.

"Come on, you can do it. I know you can do it!" Zoro whispered to number 7, though only Laurent could hear him, clenching his hands tightly into fists as if to keep his fingers crossed. Laurent also silently cheered it on. The two horses, meanwhile, were back on even terms and running as if their lives depended on it, which bordered on a miracle, because they really ought to be at the end of their tether. Nevertheless, number 7 succeeded in crossing the finish line first, even if only by a hair's breadth, and thus triggered a roar of joy from Zoro and Laurent, who himself did not know what had gotten into him.

He had probably been infected by Zoro, whose eyes suddenly shone. "I knew you could do it," he said admiringly, eating the rest of his brunch.

"You seem to know something about horses, after all, you immediately recognized the jockey's tactics and the horse's character."

Zoro shrugged his shoulders.

"I lived and worked on a cattle ranch for some time and there were also horses."

"Life on a cattle ranch must be very hard, no wonder you're so muscled."

"Not if you're used to it from a very early age."

That was an interesting detail he got from Zoro, and Laurent wondered when Zoro had worked on the farm, because as far as he knew, Zoro had grown up in an orphanage. He probably had to have been 17 or 18 at that point, when he was already old and strong enough to work with the full-grown bulls, although he would not necessarily call that age early.

The green-haired man's mood seemed to be noticeably better after the victory, so he decided to take a chance and carefully sound out Zoro.

"So, you've been taking care of bulls and horses all day?"

"Not only, though I enjoyed it very much."

"What did you enjoy the most?"

Zoro thought for a moment and answered, "working with the bulls."

Laurent was surprised, if only a little, because he would have at least a huge respect for these enormous animals.

"I wouldn't even dare go near them; I'd be too afraid they'd spear me for that."

Zoro grinned.

"True, they can. But only if you're not careful and underestimate them."

"Sounds like you speak from experience."

Instead of a reply, Zoro rose and lifted his shirt to expose a scar about 10 cm (approx. 3,9 inches) long that stretched from his stomach to his hip. It appeared to be old, though Laurent could not say how old eaxctly. He would have liked to admire Zoro's scar and especially his abs even longer, but to his regret, the green-haired man pulled his shirt back down and sat.

"It looks old."

"It is."

"How did that happen?"

"I was trying to help someone else who was having trouble with a young bull and got caught in the bull's crosshairs myself. It's my own fault."

"And you weren't scared?"

"Yes, I was, but I couldn't let the other guy down. He'd twisted his foot awkwardly and couldn't run away fast enough, so I distracted the bull until he was safe."

Laurent was impressed by Zoro's courage, even though it had been very reckless to mess with the bull.

"You must have been great friends after that" Laurent said, glad to have finally found an approach to Zoro. At least that is what he thought, but no sooner had he finished his sentence than Zoro let his fist come down on the table.

"What's with all the questions anyway?"

All eyes were now on them, staring at Zoro as if he were about to threaten them all with a knife, so Laurent rose, put a generous amount of money on the table, and on his way out, pulled Zoro with him, who felt aware of his behaviour but not at all guilty, and followed Laurent to the car. After Zoro buckled his seat belt, Laurent slowly drove out of the parking lot.

"I really didn't want to question you, just get to know you a little better, that's all. Like I said, you do not have to talk about things you do not want to, but how am I supposed to know that I am crossing a line if you don't tell me?"

Zoro said nothing but had resumed his usual dismissive posture. He probably would not get anything more out of him today, Laurent thought, so he decided to leave Zoro where he had let him out last night.

"I... apologize. For my outburst of anger. You are right, it is hard for me to talk about certain things, especially my past. Because I do not want to talk about it. I would love to forget it, but I cannot. And because I cannot, I try to repress it. To ignore it. At least, that is what I used to do until... I was buried alive. Since then, I... have the feeling that... with me, my memories have been dug up again. They haunt me like shadows. Even when I'm awake and sitting in a dark room, it seems like they crawl up from the depths of my subconscious to torment me. As if they are punishing me."

"No, they are not punishments, Zoro. They are just manifestations of your unprocessed past that are now coming up again, and they will remain as long as you refuse to deal with them. Do you really want your past to haunt and rule over you for the rest of your life?"

Zoro shook his head.

"Then please let me help you, Zoro. Talk to me. About whatever, just do it. I promise you, no one will know, because everything you tell me is subject to doctor-patient confidentiality."

Zoro kept his arms crossed in front of his chest and fixed his eyes on the glove compartment directly in front of him.

"The... guy I helped, he... was the son of the farm owner and a few years older than me. I had only been on the farm a few days when the accident happened and I had no business being in the paddock, but... I could not help it when I saw the bull come running at him. The was still young, so I climbed over the fence and tried to attract the young bull's attention by shouting at him, which I eventually succeeded in doing and allowed the farmer´s son to escape. In the process, however, I got injured, although not seriously, but the farm owner and his son, were deeply frightened and at the same time infinitely grateful. Especially with the son I got along very well afterwards, and we probably became something like friends over time. He taught me many things during the years I spent on the farm and we had a lot of fun together until... one day... I realized I wanted more. I had just turned 17 and did not know I was gay yet and was totally confused because I kept thinking about him and my body reacted to him every time, he was even near me. One day we rode out because he wanted to show me something, but we were caught in a violent storm on the way and had to turn back. Back at the farm we took off our wet clothes and when he suddenly stood in front of me with wet hair and a naked torso, I thought what the heck and gathered all my courage. I was so nervous that I could not even get his belt undone and felt so ridiculous, but he did not even laugh or ask what I was doing but waited until I finally was done. It was so confusing, when he slid my hand under the waistband of his shorts and got rock hard, as he was stroking himself with my hand.

I did not understand what that meant, only when he leaned down to me and his tongue gently spread my lips and penetrated my mouth, I understood that he probably wanted me the same way and could hardly believe that this was really happening. Actually, I had expected him to push me back and call me nasty names, but he did none of that. On the contrary. When he released his lips from me, he looked me in the eyes for a moment and then grabbed my hand and led me to his room. His parents were not around at the time because they were running errands, so it did not matter that he was walking around the house with his pants open, dragging a half-naked teenager behind him.

I did not care that he was a few years older, in fact I was glad of it because I had no idea about anything, certainly not what sex with a man was like. In school I had learned how men and women had sex, but it never occurred to me to wonder what it was like to sleep with someone of the same sex. That is why I did not think anything at first when he reached into his drawer and pulled out a pack of condoms and a tube. It was not until he shoved two of his fingers up my butt that I finally understood how men had sex. I tried to relax but I could not, it hurt so damn much, and I realized I could not do it and asked him to stop. I was so embarrassed by the whole thing that I could not look him in the eye anymore. From then on, everything was different. He kept apologizing afterwards, saying that it had been a mistake, that I should have rather slept with someone I love, a man I trust enough, but I did not want to hear about it. I did not want to hear that he regretted what had happened, because I wanted to hear something completely different: that he liked me as much as I liked him, and when I admitted that to myself, I realized that I had feelings for him, but that he did not return them, and I decided to leave the farm. I never told anyone, not even my ex, because I was too embarrassed by the whole thing, my naivety, and the fact that he was older, and decided to forget about him. After that, I never let a man top me again, until I met... Sanji. He was the first one I trusted enough to try again. With him, it felt right and hardly hurt at all because I absolutely trusted him."

Zoro's head sank lower and lower until it was almost resting on his chest, and his voice was nothing more than a soft whisper, as he wrapped his arms around his back, hugging himself.

"It's kind of ironic, isn't it? Of all people, the man I had my first time with is now with the man I had my last time with."