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Zoro pushed open the door to his dorm, only to be assaulted by a suffocating smell. Various colorful chocolate candies were haphazardly piled on the beds, desks, cabinets, and chairs. Usopp was using some of them to build a castle on the floor, enthusiastically adding bricks and tiles. Luffy sat cross-legged beside him, his mouth crammed full, struggling with the layers of wrapping paper from a gift box.
Zoro's heart sank. Ignoring the overwhelming scent of bittersweet chocolate that filled the room and not bothering to wonder where all these chocolates had come from, he quickly strode to his own desk. He pushed aside the chocolate boxes piled on it, scanned up and down, then looked around, but still couldn't find what he was looking for.
"Where's my chocolate?" he asked, furrowing his brows as he turned to the other two. Luffy made a confused "Hmm?", blinking innocently. Usopp wore a similar expression, as if hearing such a question from Zoro was out of place. After all, it was widely known that Roronoa Zoro was a man who hated chocolate. Changing his opinion on it would require a miracle.
"What chocolate?" Usopp finally asked.
"The one I bought yesterday, I left it here," Zoro pointed to his desk. Both Luffy and Sanji had seen that box of chocolates at the time, which had led to Sanji teasing him mercilessly. Zoro knew Luffy wouldn't deliberately do something like this, but it wasn't impossible for him to accidentally take it while gobbling down food. Zoro looked at Luffy's bulging cheeks and sighed, "Did you eat it, Luffy?"
"Ah..." Luffy seemed to finally recall something. He swallowed everything in his mouth in one gulp, scratching his head. "Is it the one for Torao?"
"Yeah."
"I didn't eat it," Luffy recalled seriously, "I ate a lot of chocolate today, Ace and Sabo gave me theirs... But I knew that was the gift Zoro bought for Torao, so I didn't eat it!"
The mention of "Torao" and "gift" made Zoro's cheeks flush slightly. At that moment, Sanji entered. Zoro put his backpack on the desk and started pulling out his training clothes.
"W-what kind of chocolate was it?" Usopp eyed the newly built castle guiltily. He hadn't noticed Zoro's chocolate, so he wasn't sure if it had already been used as building material. "Let's all look together, maybe it will just pop up from somewhere…"
Zoro glanced at the clock on the wall, barely suppressing a hint of impatience. The chocolate shop wasn't far from the hospital. If he left now, he could buy another one and still make it to his date on time.
If he didn't get lost, that is.
"I know!" Luffy enthusiastically responded to Usopp's suggestion, gesturing with his hands. "It's heart-shaped, yeah, about this big!"
Zoro was somewhat surprised that Luffy hadn't remembered wrong. It was indeed a heart-shaped chocolate, one they had seen a few days ago at a dessert shop near the hospital. The chocolate was slightly larger than a palm, smooth and intact, with a small pink heart-shaped candy embedded in the center, surrounded by a simple pattern at the base. The paper box used for packaging was also heart-shaped, a style that was old-fashioned and adorned with simple decorations, no longer popular on the market today. A pink ribbon was tied around the paper box, topped with a bow.
Zoro paused involuntarily. If Luffy remembered so clearly, maybe the chocolate was still there. Should he search with Usopp or should he make a quick decision and go buy another one? What would be the fastest way?
"Hey, Mosshead," Sanji's voice came from behind. Zoro reluctantly turned around to find Sanji standing in front of the mini-fridge, poking at the password lock with his fingers.
"Is this what you're looking for?" Sanji opened the fridge and took out a heart-shaped box from inside. Zoro furrowed his brows even tighter. "How did it end up with you?"
"Can't you use your brain?" Sanji stuffed the box into Zoro's arms. "This is the one you bought for Torao, right? You careless idiot. What if Luffy had eaten it?"
"I wouldn't eat Zoro's gift!" Luffy protested loudly.
Zoro took the box in his hand. It seemed to be intact, but since it had been in the fridge all day, it felt cold to the touch. Anyway, Sanji meant well. Though it turned out to be a false alarm, Zoro appreciated getting back the gift for Law. He was about to say "Thanks" when Sanji continued, "But speaking of this, you're not seriously planning to give it as a gift, are you? You know nothing about chocolates, so why act on your own? This kind of chocolate is outdated; only older people would buy it. It's too sugary and lacks refinement in texture, not to mention its unique flavor and layers. How could someone like Torao possibly be interested in such basic candy? If you don't want to be laughed at, you'd better listen to the advice of this cooking expert and love consultant—"
"Shut up!" Zoro gritted his teeth, and the tiny bit of gratitude in his heart vanished instantly. If it weren't for this guy keeping the chocolate for him, he would have punched him already. Sanji, being interrupted, was immediately furious. "Shut your trap, Mosshead! You better know your—"
Zoro didn't bother to listen to what else Sanji had to say. He quickly emptied his backpack and put the chocolate inside.
Sanji wouldn't understand. Nobody would, except Zoro. After all, Trafalgar Law was perceived by others as so intelligent, rational, mature, and decisive, possessing an impeccable mind and an indifferent demeanor. It seemed like he could reach the pinnacle of any field he chose, as if he was born to be among the ranks of geniuses and elites. No one would associate someone like him with a box of old-fashioned, cheap heart-shaped chocolate. But on that day, outside the dessert shop, Zoro saw it with his own eyes.
As Zoro stepped out of the convenience store with two beers in hand, he noticed Law standing still in front of the windows of the adjacent dessert shop, gazing at the display inside. It wasn't early, and most of the shelves were already empty. The only thing left in the spot Law's eyes were fixated on was a lone box of chocolate. As it was a sample, the box was open, allowing the customers to see the candies inside. Law was intensely focused on that piece of chocolate, and Zoro, as his boyfriend, immediately recognized that gaze. The gaze filled with love, exclusively belonging to Law, yet slightly different from usual. The weighty affection was so strong that it bordered on melancholy, as if with just one glance, Law could slice through the surrounding time and space. In that small, mysterious moment, there existed a connection between Law and that piece of chocolate that Zoro couldn't comprehend.
Zoro quietly walked up to Law's side. Sensing his presence, Law withdrew his gaze and turned to face him.
"Do you..." Zoro glanced at the chocolate on the shelf. "Do you want to buy that?"
"No, just looking around," Law replied softly. The intense emotions in his eyes vanished. He looked at Zoro gently, placing a hand on his shoulder and guiding him forward, asking him how he wanted to spend Valentine's Day.
It was then that Zoro realized this would be their first Valentine's Day together.
"Go for a drink?"
Zoro wasn't sure what the "right" way to spend Valentine's Day was. He hadn't thought about it and didn't care. So far, Valentine's Day had been no different from any other day for him, spent sweating through training sessions. He knew it usually meant lots of flowers and chocolates, but he wasn't interested in flowers and actively avoided chocolates. Those were things Curly Brows liked, and he and Curly Brows never got along, so everything made perfect sense. Zoro didn't know if Law had the same expectations for Valentine's Day as others did. But if Law didn't want to go for a drink, he didn't mind doing something else.
Law smiled with a "just as I thought" expression and agreed, "Alright, let's go for a drink."
His hand remained on Zoro's shoulder, preventing Zoro from turning back to look at the chocolate. But Zoro’s concern for that box of chocolate far outweighed the importance of a drink on Valentine's Day, or even Valentine's Day itself. He was certain Law wanted to buy that chocolate, yet for some reason, he didn't. Regardless of how mismatched the style of that chocolate seemed to Law's personality, Zoro's eyes and intuition told him that it had been, and perhaps still was, something Law cherished. At least for that brief moment when Law had gazed at the chocolate, he had harbored the desire to possess it.
In the following days, Zoro's schedule was packed with classes, but he still managed to buy the chocolate before Valentine's Day arrived.
Let others think what they want, Zoro had never cared. He didn't buy that chocolate for Valentine's Day, and the idea of a gift was merely coincidental. Law was a few years older than him, and his experiences were vastly different, with seemingly a past he was unwilling to discuss. Zoro didn't understand the details, but it didn't matter. Even if Law kept some secrets from him, it wasn't enough to confuse or shake him. He could wait, wait until Law was ready to speak.
Instead of careful consideration and weighing of options, Zoro preferred to follow his intuition, letting determination and action go hand in hand. This was his approach to pursuing swordsmanship, and it was also the way he fell in love with Law. Sometimes he felt Law's mind was too burdened, but he wouldn't force Law to open up to him. He simply wished for Law to have the freedom to pursue his desires without reservation. The quiver in his heart as he watched Law gaze at the chocolates was enough for Zoro to make the purchase. A single glance from Law was all it took, his decisions never needing much justification.
While most people fall into love involuntarily, nineteen-year-old Zoro charged into it with a sword in hand. With an unwavering determination and a stubbornness that few could comprehend, even rivers and seas would yield beneath his blade. He could cleave through the surging world if necessary, ensuring it couldn't ensnare him, let alone his beloved ones. This was his way of expressing love. Compared to the tumultuous waves of emotions, what’s a mere box of chocolate anyway?
Sanji was still grumbling. Zoro swung his backpack over his shoulder and strode towards the door.
"Tell Law I said hi!" Luffy called after him.
Zoro waved his hand without looking back.
The streets were adorned with a sweet and lovely atmosphere for Valentine's Day, setting them apart from the usual hustle and bustle. Some shops had more flowers and balloons, while certain intersections had themed advertisements. Heart-shaped patterns were displayed in various ways, and temporary vendors sold small gifts along the sidewalks. But all of this held no meaning for Zoro; the changes in the streets only added to the burden of his journey. He had to be extra cautious, repeatedly checking and correcting his path at every corner, intersection, station, and subway stop, often needing to ask passersby for directions. As soon as today's kendo training ended, he rushed back to the dorm after a quick shower and change of clothes, just to leave earlier. But the real challenge always lay on the road. In the end, Zoro was still fifteen minutes late to the agreed time. It wasn't until he rushed through the hospital gates that he slowed down, letting out a sigh of relief.
Zoro took out his phone, still not having received a reply to the message he sent to Law before leaving. This usually meant Law was busy or had to work overtime. Zoro didn't send another message. He put his phone back in his pocket, intending to go inside to wait.
No matter how the outside world changes, the hospital always maintains its constant theme. Even on the happiest of holidays, there are sickness, pain, and loss, as well as farewells and partings. Patients with worried expressions and serious-looking medical staff passed by Zoro as he walked through the hallway. In the vast pink world, the hospital's white interior felt lonely and indifferent, yet it provided Zoro with a sense of comfort. He wasn't sure if it was Law's profession that made him feel this way, yet the atmosphere of the hospital was indeed very similar to the sensation Law evoked in him. In the past, the hospital was just a place he had to visit when injured. But ever since lying on Law's sickbed, his perception of the hospital had shifted.
Trafalgar Law wasn't the type of friendly doctor who eagerly approached patients to quickly establish rapport. As he examined the massive wound on Zoro's chest, Zoro felt as though he were being scrutinized by Death itself. Law's transcendent yet indifferent gaze seemed to see through his life and death, holding his fate in its grasp.
The dizzying exchange under the operating lights marked the beginning of everything, yet Zoro was no longer merely a patient or a passerby now. He knew so well the body and soul that lay beneath Law's meticulous white coat, just as he could sense the silent warmth flowing beneath the clean and cold white as he walked through the hospital.
Law's workplace had received flowers for someone. Zoro could see the bright colors from a distance but couldn't spot any familiar faces. Without an appointment, he couldn't just barge in, and Law was working, so calling wasn't an option either. He was about to head to the waiting area to sit down when he saw Marco walking towards him from the other side of the hall.
"Law's still busy," Marco waved to Zoro, gesturing for him to follow, "You could wait in the break room.”
He didn't mention how long Zoro would wait, and Zoro didn't ask. They walked through the corridors of the clinic and entered the doctors' break room. Fortunately, there was no one there at the moment, and a box of chocolates lay on the table, apparently a gift for someone. The box was already open, and Marco casually popped one into his mouth without offering any to Zoro, asking, "Excited for your first Valentine's Day? I heard you guys are going out for drinks?"
"Well-informed," Zoro remarked as he noticed Law's coat hanging by one of the beds, Law's cup on the bedside table, and the impressions left on the bed. He placed his backpack on the chair beside the bed. "Who cares if it's Valentine or not? As long as there's good booze, that's enough to look forward to."
"That's your cue to be careful," Marco chuckled softly, "The bars tonight will be filled with single people drowning their sorrows. A lovey-dovey couple like you two might become everyone else's target of envy."
Zoro hadn't anticipated running into trouble just by going out for drinks on Valentine's Day. He raised an eyebrow, "Drinking is just drinking. What's different from any other time? If it comes to a fight, I'm ready whenever."
Marco laughed so hard his shoulders shook, "No... it's not what you think, Zoro-ya. Law wouldn’t even consider taking you to a place like that!"
He waved his hand with a grin before leaving, grabbing another chocolate on his way out and even closing the door for Zoro. Now alone in the break room, Zoro didn't feel uncomfortable at all. Law often waited for him here, and he had waited for Law many times as well. The work of a doctor was busy and exhausting, with pressures that others couldn't imagine, so Zoro believed it was better for him to wait for Law than the other way around. He worked hard to overcome his lack of direction, familiarizing himself with the routes they often took. Even if he couldn't always be on time, he wouldn't make Law wait too long.
Zoro took off his jacket and shoes, reclining on Law's bed, looking contentedly at the white ceiling. Law didn't wear any perfume during work hours, but there was still a faint scent of his favorite shampoo on the pillow. Drifting off in the familiar scent, Zoro yawned and almost immediately fell asleep.
He slept soundly, only to be gradually awakened by the soothing voice he loved. Zoro felt slender fingers playing with his hair, gently massaging his scalp with soft fingertips, drawing a contented murmur from him. He opened his eyes, and saw Law sitting at the edge of the bed. The surgeon had shed the white coat he had worn since the start of his night shift, now clad in his shirt with the top buttons undone and the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, revealing his wristwatch and tattoos on his forearms. He looked relaxed yet tired, his palms warm as he looked at Zoro with a smile. "Time to wake up, Zoro-ya. It's already dark outside."
Zoro sat up, feeling Law's hand slide down his spine and rest on his back. He noticed the dark circles under Law's eyes and glanced at the clock on the wall. "Is everything okay now? If you need to catch up on sleep, we can postpone this for another day—"
"No need for that," Law interjected without hesitation, getting up to pat Zoro on the back. "I promised to go drinking with you today, so let's go. But we need to eat first."
Zoro grinned, feeling his anticipation grow stronger. "How about grilled fish?"
"Sounds good to me," Law nodded with a smile.
They both began to gather their things in preparation to leave. Law walked over to the desk, collecting some scattered notes. Thinking about what Marco had said, Zoro asked as he slipped on his shoes, "I heard the bar will be crowded tonight. What if we arrive late and there are no seats?"
"That must've been Marco," Law responded, as if he had anticipated the question. "The place I'm taking you to is for club members only. I've reserved seats using Marco’s membership card, so no need to worry... What else did he say?"
"Not much," Zoro chuckled, realizing Marco had teased him on purpose. He picked up his backpack, remembering the chocolate still inside, and set the bag back down. "Oh, by the way, this is for you."
He fetched the box tied with a pink ribbon from his backpack and handed it over, lightly tapping Law's arm with it.
Law paused in his task of packing several pages of paper covered in his own writing. He glanced back—just a single glance—and all his movement ceased. He stood there quietly, as if frozen in place, his gaze lingering on the box for a moment before returning to Zoro's face. "What's this?"
"Chocolate," Zoro replied, feeling his face flush under Law's gaze, and a bit puzzled. "Didn't you see it the other day?"
Law didn't respond, nor did he reach out to take it. Despite his seemingly still posture, Zoro could sense subtle changes in Law's body from just arm's length away. He felt as though he could touch Law's chest, where a rhythmic heartbeat seemed to betray a gradual loss of composure. Zoro wasn't sure why Law was reacting this way. It didn't seem like disgust, but due to Law's complex expression, Zoro felt uncertain whether it conveyed fondness or not.
"A Valentine's Day gift?" Law's tone remained calm, but he avoided Zoro's gaze, his eyes fixed on the box of chocolate. Zoro was still pondering Law's reaction and absentmindedly replied, "Sort of."
"Sort of?" His anwer made Law smile. The softness returned to those golden eyes, dispelling the lingering tension in the air. Law quirked an eyebrow, a hint of teasing in his voice as he asked, "It either is or it isn't. What kind of answer is that?”
Zoro snapped back to reality, feeling a bit sheepish. "It was meant for you anyway, but happened to coincide with Valentine's Day…"
Law chuckled, shaking his head. He set down what he was holding and turned to lean against the table, then took Zoro's hand, along with the box, and pulled him into a hug.
"Why did you get me this?”
"Just felt like it."
"Why this?"
"Because you like it."
Zoro knew this was Law's way of showing concern, so the answer was actually quite simple. He never worried about making mistakes. Even if he did, it wasn't scary. Concealment and deceit were the true poisons that could ruin everything, wounds that not even the best medical expertise could heal. Law was someone Zoro cherished, a sentiment that combined admiration with respect. He didn't expect Law to be as transparent, but as long as Law wanted to know, Zoro wouldn't hide anything from him.
"That day, outside the dessert shop, you were staring at it..." Zoro continued.
He didn't finish because Law's gaze stopped him. It was a look Zoro knew all too well. In every moment of unreserved intimacy, he could feel it. Even at the dessert shop window, Law had gazed at that box of chocolate with the same mix of affection and melancholy. But now, Law's eyes held an even more direct and fervent intensity, a heat that Zoro found hard to resist. He called out softly, "Hey."
A shiver run through Law's eyelashes as he withdrew his gaze, but his eyes remained warm. He nodded in acknowledgment and admitted, "That's right, I really do like it. But I actually wanted to give it to you."
Zoro didn't hide his surprise, but he knew Law had more to say, so he simply listened quietly.
Law lowered his eyes to the box in Zoro's hand, as if gathering his last resolve. He remained silent for a while before continuing slowly.
"When I was a child... every Valentine's Day, my father would buy a chocolate like this and bring it home."
"Of course, he bought it for mother. But she would keep the heart-shaped candy for Lammy and divide the chocolate into four pieces for us to share."
Law's tone was gentle and tranquil, but Zoro could sense the weight behind his words. He knew Law's family was no longer around, and Law seemed unwilling to mention that past, so Zoro had never broached the subject either. But now, that small, mysterious space in time had cracked open, and Law was finally leading him through that doorway.
"I saw this chocolate by chance that day, and it made me think of them... and of you. I wanted to buy it for you because, to me, you've become as important as family."
Law reached up to scratch the nape of Zoro's neck, teasingly running his fingers over the supple hair there. "But I also know, Roronoa Zoro is a man who hates chocolate. Even if it's a gift from me, you wouldn't truly find it delicious. I disdain self-deception, and I'm aware that you do as well."
He met Zoro's gaze, his voice tinged with a hint of a sigh, yet filled with sincerity. "Only a coward would manipulate someone else's feelings with their own gestures. You're so brave, nothing fazes you, not even death can make you yield... How can I hold you back?”
Zoro felt as though his heart had been torn from his chest, placed in Law's hands, and each word Law spoke made its rhythm more frantic.
"It doesn't matter what gift I give you. Although I truely want to share my feelings with you, chocolate is just chocolate. I have countless ways to show my affection. There's no need to burden you with memories from the past, let alone force you to eat something you don't enjoy."
"So, I didn't buy it." Law took the box from Zoro's hand, his grip on the nape of Zoro's neck tightening gradually, allowing their warm breaths to meld together. "...But what I didn't expect was for you to give it to me."
"This is the best gift. Thank you, Zoro."
With that, he leaned down and pressed a kiss to Zoro's lips. Soft lips met briefly and affectionately, moist tongues followed, tracing over dry lips, leaving a tingling sensation. Law’s kiss seemed both tender and restrained, as they were separated by only a door from the busy corridor. But Zoro wasn't about to let it end there. Just as Law was about to pull away, Zoro had already drawn him close enough to nip at his lips.
"Zoro-ya..." Law chuckled somewhat helplessly in the mingling of lips and tongues. "We are in a hospital."
"It's Valentine's Day," Zoro responded without hesitation. He felt Law's hand settle on his waist, indulgently supporting him. Law's lips clung to his own, rendering any attempts to summon rational words futile.
Zoro suddenly found Valentine's Day not entirely meaningless. He heard some remarkable confessions today, a priceless treasure he exchanged for a box of chocolate. Since chocolate had opened up his lover's heart, it was no longer worthless in Zoro's eyes. After all, it was widely known that Roronoa Zoro was a man who hated chocolate. Changing his opinion on it would require a miracle.
Perhaps, it could be the miracle of love.