onepieceyaoi100 | Drabble Flood, 6/10

Title: Snowflakes
Theme: Snow
Pair: Chopper/Zoro
Word count: 533
Rating: PG

The snow had started early in the morning, and hadn't let up all day. A good sign, Nami had said; stable weather meant they were near an island. The cold weather indicated that this would be the first time the Going Merry would be seeing a Winter island since they'd left Drum.

The crew, of course, took advantage of the snow in their own ways: Usopp and Luffy had made snowmen, then started a snow ball fight. They'd managed to involve Chopper and Zoro, and even Robin had taken part. Nami had stayed below deck reading and drawing maps. And Sanji had used the cold weather as an excuse to use the oven; making a roast for dinner, and cookies and brownies for the girls (though he grudgingly let the guys have some, as well). And in the evening, he'd made hot cocoa.

As it got darker, it got colder, driving most of the crew below decks to get ready for bed. But Chopper stayed up top. He'd grown up in the snow, and was, literally, built for it. With his thick fur, he was warm even in just his pants and top hat.

The little reindeer had found a spot on the railing to sit and watch the snow fall gently onto the sea. It was cold and wet, and fell from a dark, cloudy sky. That might have made it unappealing to his nakama, but Chopper enjoyed it. It made him nostalgic, reminding him of his home, and the Doctor and Doctorine. He sighed.

The sound of steady, strong footsteps alerted him to the approach of Zoro. He turned to see his friend carrying two tankards of cocoa. Smiling, the swordsman offered him one.

"Thanks," Chopper said, taking the mug and turning back around. Zoro leaned on the railing next to him. They remained silent for a few moments, sipping their cocoa and watching the snow.

"It feels like so long since I've seen snow," Chopper observed quietly.

"You miss it?"

The reindeer nodded. "It was all I knew, until I joined you guys."

Zoro looked at his younger crewmate. He smiled. "You've done pretty well, really. Especially seeing as the first place we went after that was a huge freakin' desert."

"Don't remind me!" Chopper moaned, making a face. Zoro laughed.

They fell into silence again, finishing off their cocoa. Chopper looked up, watching the snow fall. He stuck his tongue out, catching a few snowflakes on his tongue. Turning, he saw that Zoro was doing the same. Chopper stared... the boy's earrings hung at an odd angle, blowing in the soft wind and occasionally twinkling in the light of the ship's lanterns. The younger boy found his eyes following the swordsman's strong jaw, to his chin. Zoro had his mouth open just a bit, his pink tongue poking out to catch the snow.

Zoro's eyes slid over, catching Chopper's gaze. Chopper blushed, looking back at the sea. He heard the older boy laugh gently. Then he was surrounded by a pair of strong arms.

"It's going to be cold tonight, Chopper," Zoro said softly. "Would you like to share my hammock?"

"Sure," said Chopper, smiling up at his crewmate.