Rocinante let a rumble be heard from his chest as he walked down the streets of this new island his brother had decided to set their base at. He was taking a walk right now because he wanted to stay away from those devilish children, who just enjoyed his clumsiness. He sighed. If he just weren't such a klutz, maybe he wouldn't be as harsh with them. 

Lost in deep thought, Corazon didn't pay much attention to the corner he was rounding right then. Apparently, he should have. It was too late when he accidentally bumped into someone, sending them to the ground. He scowled, but his expression softened when he saw who was now lying on the paved floor. 

"I-I'm sorry!" You squeaked, looking down. "I wasn't watching, it's my fault, sir." Corazon obscured his gaze and and shook his head. He took out a note and wrote quickly, supporting the paper on a wall.

'It was me, don't worry.' You tilted your head to the side, letting some unkempt (H/C) locks fall graciously. Standing up, you patted your skirt clean, now refusing to look at him.

"You can't talk..." You muttered, although it was loud and clear for him to hear. Nodding his head, you beamed up a smile bright at him. "That's interesting!" He chuckled soundlessly, but then turned around and waved a hand over his shoulder as a very silent goodbye. You reacted immediately. "W-Wait, please!" 

When he turned around again to face you, he smiled at the confused and innocent expression you were wearing. You almost looked like a lost child. That remembered him of... well, you weren't a child at all, that's for sure. 

"O-Oh, well..." You blushed when you realized your sudden outburst, you didn't even think what to say before that. "Um, sir... can I have your name?" The blond arched an eyebrow, but ended taking out another note and wrote your sudden request. "Donquixote Rocinante... So you're the brother of Donquixote Doflamingo? A pirate?" You couldn't help but gasp. You had just bumped into a dangerous pirate. Just great. 

'I don't intend on murdering you, so don't worry.' Said the note he wrote. It was actually funny how he had to stop and support on the closest wall in order to write whatever he wanted to say. Although sad too, it had to be difficult...

"That's a relief." You chuckled nervously and bit your lip. You didn't know, but felt sad at the thought of him going away. "Oh, yeah! I run a flower shop. You can come any time. Since you're so nice, I might even make you a special discount, I'm (Y/N), by the way." You chimed with your best smile and Rocinante nodded, a ghost of a smile gracing his painted lips. "It's in this street, between the fruit market and the bakery." He nodded again and chuckled, again without sound, when you stayed looking at him for too long. When you realized, your face became to color of his cap, and you turned around. "S-Sorry for being such a silly girl. Hope to see you then, Rocinante..." 

Corazon was on a mission right now. The pirates they had decided to steal to were now completely beaten, and their treasures belonged now to the Donquixote Family. While some members spent time counting the money, talking or fooling around, the blond young man was sitting on a chest, lighting a cigarette. 

Baby 5 and Buffalo didn't take an eye off him, anxious to witness another ridiculous act of clumsiness. However, it didn't happen. Much to the children, and probably the entire crew's, surprise, Corazon didn't burn himself down. Despite the lost glint in his eyes, he seemed to be a bit less of a klutz. 

"Cora-san! No, who are you and what did you do to Cora-san!?" Both children ran towards the man and pointed him while glaring daggers at his being. He just sighed and stood up, walking away from the crew to have a bit of time alone. Baby 5 tilted her head, then looked at Buffalo with a confused expression.

"Do you think it's him?" The strange boy asked and Baby 5 shrugged her shoulders. 

"I think so, but he's not as clumsy as usual." They both nodded awkwardly before forgetting the topic and going back to whatever game they were playing.

Another cloud of smoke passed through his lips, as the cigarette dangled between his fingers. His brown-reddish irises were fixed onto the clear sky, before he let the lids cover his orbs. 

It's been two weeks since the blond met you, and though he wasn't the one to fall in love at first sight, or so he had thought, he couldn't take your being out of his head. He wasn't sure if it was love or interest. No. I had to be interest. Come on, it was just a five minutes talk! Yet he had wanted it to be longer. 

He sighed, the feeling was frustrating. He failed to notice a set of footsteps coming closer to him, until a hand was suddenly placed onto his shoulder. He obviously jumped, and turned around harshly, expecting it to be an enemy. But he just found the familiar grin of his older brother.

"Corazon, what's happening?" He asked before chuckling. "The brats say that you are different. And, indeed, you seem to have changed a bit. Is there a reason for it? Something I should worry about?"

The younger man shook his head calmly, and Doflamingo's grin broadened even more. The shaggy-haired man didn't know why, but didn't want to tell his brother about you. He knew Doflamingo was heartless and even if he was his brother, he didn't know how he would react. 

Besides, it could be more interesting this way...

You looked at the glass door with a sad frown. Since that day you met him, you had always come to your shop even more excited, thinking that Rocinante could come any time. But as days passed by you started to lose hope. Maybe he didn't like you, how could he, anyway? Maybe there were times that your were a little too talkative, but not annoying. Or so you thought. 

Your trail of thoughts was broken when you heard the bell from the door ring, and you put your best smile for the customer.

"Welcome to-" You stopped abruptly and looked at the newcomer with wide eyes, a glint of joy and relief making itself visible. There stood, with a small smile, the man you wanted to see. When you overcame your shock, smiled widely, even more purely than before. "Nice to see you again." 

'Sorry for being so late.' Said the note he took out, making you giggle. He came ready, it seems. Shaking your head with a modest smile, you leaned on the counter and looked at him.

"So, what do you need?" He looked around the shop and smiled at the sight of so many kinds of flowers. Carnations, roses, daisies, lilies, lavenders, pansies... Almost every flower he knew could be found there. Besides, there were exposed bouquets with a perfectly selected variety. He took out a clean note and leaned in to the counter to write something, while you watched expectant.

'You have a nice shop here. What would you recommend me?' You smiled and looked around, index finger softly rubbing your chin in thought. That's when you snapped your fingers and turned around, getting a bouquet filled with some blue flowers.

"What about this? This beauty is called Anemone hepatica." He nodded and took the bouquet, examining the beautiful flowers. He then wrote something else down. 

'Can it be a small bouquet? I would like to keep the children from my crew from making a scene.' That wasn't entirely false. Indeed, the ones who would start the war would be them. You nodded and took out a smaller one, handing it to him. His eyes then bored into yours, making you cock your head after some seconds.

"What?" He looked at you with a confused, arched eyebrow, and you realized. "Oh, don't worry about the money. It's free." You said chuckling slightly. He looked shocked, and that amused you even more. "Didn't I tell you that I would make you a special discount?" You winked at him, making a barely noticeable blush cover his cheeks. 

'Thanks.' He wrote quickly and you smiled. Waving a hand, he exited the shop, leaving you with an idiotic smile on your face. But you simply couldn't help it. 

Since that day, Corazon went to your shop everyday, no exception. And everyday you would keep a relaxing talk, before you gave him a small bouquet of a flower type. That aside, you couldn't, wouldn't deny that his company was great. You had developed a little crush on the blond, one that maybe was a bit too noticeable since you received him so eagerly everyday. Although he didn't act different.

'You know, (Y/N).' You started to read the note he had just written. -It was a slightly long one, making you wonder what he was writing with clear impatience. When he had finally written it, you almost snatched it from him, making him chuckle.- You continued reading in your mind. 'We've been seeing us for a while, so I would like to try something new.' As you read this, you felt your heart beat faster and your eyes go wider. 'Are you up to a date? You could show me that field were you harvest your flowers, and we could enjoy each other's presence even more' Right now you were smiling like the silly girl you managed to become around him. 'So?'

"Roci, I would love to!" You exclaimed happily and hugged him. But the moment your arms were around his neck, you stopped, your mind processing the data. Then, your face became red, beeping red. "I-I'm sorry, I-" Before you could continue, or even pull away, Rocinante had wrapped his own arms around your much smaller frame. If you thought that your blush would manage to fade away you were so wrong.

After two good minutes, you stayed in that position. However, when you separated, the nice silence that had fell over the room since the affectionate gesture started turned to be kinda awkward. You looked at Corazon, bright smile in place and blush refusing to go away, as much as you would prefer that. 

"W-Well, I can close the shop tomorrow, I don't think a day will hurt." Corazon nodded and you smiled wider before continuing. "And I can invite you to have a tea at my house."

'Then it's settled.' 

You couldn't believe what was going to happen in mere hours. Although it was a plan you two prepared the day before, you were completely excited as if it were something you have been preparing for a long time.

Truth be told, it was. 

Since you both met you had been building a relationship, which would eventually lead to things like this. This was a date. The man you were crushing on had just asked you on a date. Could you even be more happy? 

Apparently no, because you were so anxious for it to start that you had barely slept the night before. That aside, you had your whole house cleaned in two hours, and the flower field was flawless, every flower almost glowing with light of its own. 

You looked at the clock and saw, even more excited, that it was just half an hour until he came. You made sure to give him enough indications so he could find your address. 

So, finally stopping, you ended sitting on your comfortable sofa, taking deep breaths as if to relax yourself. However, the lack of sleep finally started to kick in, as you desperately tried to stifle a yawn. Shaking your head, a determinant glint in your (E/C) orbs, you thought that you couldn't fall asleep.

But your brain certainly had other plans. 

When it was just fifteen minutes left, you felt your lids close slowly, and you ended giving up, thinking that resting your eyes wouldn't be that bad. With that last thought in mind, however, you fell into a deep slumber. 

Corazon finally found the house he was looking for. As the indications said, it was found practically at the town limits, probably because of the living conditions to harvest those flowers. 

Heading for the wooden door, he took a deep breath and knocked softly on the surface. No response. Confused, he knocked some more, but still, it was too quiet. He started to worry, then knocked again, this time franticly. That's when he realized that the door was open. 

Taking a breath, he hesitantly pushed the door open, and peered in. The house was tidy and clean, but he wasn't focusing on that at that moment. He got in and silently closed the door behind him. He made his silent way towards the living room, and the sight he faced there certainly inflicted different emotions upon him. 

You were lying on the sofa, eyes closed and breathing even. He observed with a slight smile the tranquil movement of your chest rising only to go down again and repeat the motion. Right now, he couldn't help the silly smile that played on his lips at how cute you looked, although he felt bad because you fell asleep at what was supposed to be your date.

Chuckling slightly, he stalked towards the sofa, but suddenly tripped. Yeah, he was certainly expecting this... 

The loud thud he made upon colliding with the wooden floor woke you up instantly. Startled, you looked around and gasped when you saw the blond with a pissed off expression on his painted face. 

"R-Roci!" You got up immediately and helped him up. But then you realized that you were asleep mere seconds ago, and blushed madly. "I-I'm so, so sorry." You bowed repeatedly in apology, but while he rubbed the back of his neck, he just shook his head.

"It's not necessary." He said with a soft smile. You stopped bowing and looked up at him with wide eyes. Your mouth opened as if words were going to come out, but no sound left your lips. He chuckled deeply and you blushed. 

"You can actually speak?" You were confused. Why would he lie about that. Corazon noticed the confusion in your eyes and looked away.

"Sorry to not have told you this before, but I needed to keep it as a secret." After a while, you nodded. He should have his reasons for this. "I hope you're not mad..."

"What? Why would I?" He just chuckled and shrugged his shoulders. "If it was a secret, why did you tell me?"

"Because I needed to tell you something that sounds way better if you speak it." He mumbled and walked towards you. You were nervous, but didn't step back when his face was merely inches away from your own -just because he leaned in-. He let his lips brush against your ear before he breathed something out. "I love you."

Your heart skipped a beat. You felt your mouth go dry and your eyes go wide when his arms sneaked around your waist, pulling you into a warm hug. It was shocking. You knew that Corazon was a gentle, sweet man, but still hearing such loving words from him was so... unexpected. 

"I..." You could barely find your voice, but after recovering a bit, you smiled warmly at him. "I love you too." He sighed relieved and you giggled, pulling him away from you, much to his confusion and dismay. "Hey, this is a date, we aren't going to only hug each other." You chimed and ran towards a door, which he supposed was your flower field.

"I guess..." He muttered with a smile. 

The field was incredible. It was huge, and every kind of flower stood there, painting the landscape in lively and beautiful colors. Corazon's mouth almost fell agape, and you had to repress a giggle. However, there was a spot that lacked of color, just the brown hue of the soil. Corazon looked curiously at that same spot and pointed at it. 

"It's a progress... Want to see it?" You smiled when he nodded and took his big hand in yours, leading him towards there without stepping on any plant. 

When you were close enough, he realized that there was something more than soil there, but it was barely visible. Some sprouts decorated the spot in a perfect line, the soft red color of the peak contrasting with the rest of the corolla, a while color. It was sure that this was going to be a beautiful flower.

"What flower is this?" He asked. You fixed your gaze on his eyes and smiled deviously. 

"It's a secret."

The rest of the date went just smooth and sweet, as it was supposed to. You were glad you weren't going to fast, since you felt your relationship with Corazon was very special. You hoped to be with him forever.

You hoped...

Months continued to pass by, Corazon and you were almost inseparable. Also, that little project had just blossomed beautifully, and you were ready to show it to Corazon, a surprise for him. 

You waited happily behind the counted as everyday, and smiled as you saw that blond entering the shop. 

"Roci!" You exclaimed and went towards him, ready to hug his frame. But the expression that his face wore made you stop in your tracks. You frowned and stretched an arm to cup his cheek. "Roci? Is something wrong?" You were starting to worry. 

"(Y/N), I... I have something to tell you. Bad news." He hesitated to say the last sentence, and you felt your heart clench in anticipation. You barely recall nodding your head for him to continue. "Do you remember that kid I told you about a while ago? Law?" You nodded again. "Well... I-I have to go..."

"...What?" Your voice cracked, and refused to go out if not being a mere whisper. Corazon looked down, ashamed.

"I need to find a cure for his illness. I just... can't stand the way he lives. It's too sad." His own voice seemed to tremble, and you couldn't help the hot tears that stung your eyes. 

"But... you will come back, right?" He smiled down at you, and cupped your own cheek, brushing some tears that had managed to slip down the smooth surface. 

"...Yeah, but I don't know when." You sobbed silently, and gripped his shirt when he pulled you into a hug. "We will see each other again, I promise. Until then..." He pulled away just slightly to pull out something he hid inside the heart-signed shirt. "Remember me with this..." You looked amazed at what stood on his hand. He carefully placed the flower crown on your head, and you managed to realize that it was made with the flowers you had always given to him. You sobbed harder and buried your head into his chest, while he stroked your hair.

"Please, don't go..." He bit his lip to prevent himself from crying. He didn't want to lose you, even if it was for some months... maybe more.

After what seemed like an eternity, he pulled away, your sobs finally coming to an end. Sighing deeply, you managed to look up at him, wiped your tears away and... smiled. Smiled sweetly at him despite the unbearable pain your heart held. 

You ran towards the counter and took out your project. Rocinante's eyes widened as the bouquet with unknown flowers came into sight. Finally standing in front of him, you handed the beautiful red, heart-shaped flowers to him, gaze obscured by some bangs of hair. 

"This is my surprise, Bleeding Heart Flower." He smiled down at you, a genuine smile, and took the bouquet. "I love you" You muttered softly, before gasping when the blond took your chin and leaned in. You then felt warm lips on yours, and after some seconds of shock, you closed your eyes and slipped your arms around his neck, kissing back. The kiss was soft yet passionate, but ti was enough. You both pulled away and looked at each other lovingly. "Please, don't forget me." He chuckled, pulling you into a last hug.

"I will never forget you, I promise"