Chapter Text
Zoro awoke in the morning to get ready for his training with Mihawk. He pauses midway down the stairs, feeling a strong presence approaching the castle. He hurries down finding Perona also looking worried, neither knowing who was coming. They exchange worried glances, going to find Mikawk. They find him in the kitchen making breakfast calmly. The force of the unknown person's haki hits them hard, it getting stronger the closer the person comes to the castle. Both Perona and Zoro struggling slightly, Mihawk looks up and sighs before continuing with his task. There is a single loud knock on the large castle doors before they open. Zoro goes with Perona to the doors to see who it was, the pressure much worse as they get closer. Perona struggles to stand under it, Zoro managing with difficulty. They stare in horror at the large figure, red hair hanging from his head, three large scars across his left eye. The man looks around and sees the two, pausing.
Red-haired Shanks stands before them with a puzzled expression, Mihawk comes out calmly, "Tone down your haki, would you?" He says, nodding towards the two struggling under it. Shank's eyes widen and he immediately lowers it drastically, having not even realized it was so high. The weight immediately leaving them, Zoro and Perona move in front of Mihawk protectively despite knowing he could protect himself. Shanks blinks in surprise before starting to laugh causing Mihawk to sigh.
"Aww. They want to protect you. How sweet!" He says before grinning widely. "Are you scared of me, Hawky?" He teases.
The man sighs, "Don't be ridiculous Red hair. Breakfast is ready. Come." He says, turning and walking away back to the kitchen.
Shanks removes his black cloak and follows him, turning to the younger pair, "You coming?" He asks.
They follow silently, keeping some distance between themselves and the Yonko, Shanks grins and goes to sit with Mihawk at the table, starting a conversation with the warlord, who merely listens to him. They sit down and the four start to eat all the while Zoro doesn't take his eyes off of Shanks. He remains cautious throughout the meal. The man finishes eating and looks up.
"So, I'm guessing Mihawk didn't tell you I'm coming!" He says with a smile.
"No, I didn't. I thought you'd find pleasure in doing it yourself." He answers for his student, standing and collecting dishes.
Shanks perks up, his entire expression brightening, gasping in joy, "You are a kind person!" Mihawk waves it off and takes the dishes, "Thank you Hawky!" Shanks says with a grin.
"I've told you not to call me that." He says as he walks to the kitchen. Zoro keeps his eyes on Shanks while Perona watches their interaction with a puzzled expression.
He chuckles and grins as he turns to look at them, "Well, ask your questions." He says.
"How do you know each other?" Perona asks immediately.
"We're old friends." He responds easily.
"How is it that a warlord and Yonko can be friends?" Zoro asks skeptically.
"Well, we were friends before that. I still stop by when I can but it's not all that easy having to sneak around, though this island being abandoned makes it more convenient." He says. "Don't worry. I'm not here to cause harm to your teacher."
Mihawk comes back out, "You say that like you could. You lost that chance when you lost your arm." He says calmly, making Shanks pout. "There won't be any training today Zoro, you may have the day off." He says, leaving the younger swordsman in shock.
He looks at Shanks, "Shall we?"
The red head nods excitedly and gets up, going to his side and the two walk away, heading to Mihawk's room. Mihawk closes the door behind them, feeling Shanks' hand on his waist, gently turning him around.
"I missed you." He whispers, causing the corner of his lips to quirk up into a smile.
"I missed you too Red." He rests his head on Mihawk's shoulder, prompting the older man to wrap his arms around him with a sympathetic smile, "Long journey?" He asks.
Shanks nods, "Yeah, now I'd just like to spend some time with my husband..." He says softly, "Is that okay..?" He asks quietly.
Mihawk hugs him a little tighter, noting how his happy-go-lucky facade had begun to fall away, showing him how much his latest journey had drained him.
"Of course Red." He pets his head, "And don't worry about keeping up appearances with Zoro and Perona. They can find out on their own." He says.
Shanks makes a noise of acknowledgement before he's being led to bed. Mihawk lies him down before getting in next to him. He pulls him in close and covers them with the blankets. Shanks cuddles in close, nuzzling into his shoulder, his one arm wrapped around his husband. Mihawk smiles softly and holds him gently as he drifts off, it often happens that when he is away for long he comes back drained by the world and just needing time to regain his energy, it was then that Mihawk would indulge him, knowing he needed it.
It was late afternoon already by the time Shanks woke up. Mihawk was awake and reading when he felt movement beside him. He sees Shanks blinking sleepily at him and smiles, putting down his book.
"Hey there, feel better?" He asks, brushing the hair out of his face.
Shanks nods, "Yeah.. thanks Hawky." He says with a smile, "Definitely feel better."
Mihawk sighs, hiding the smile tugging at his mouth, "How many times must I tell you not to call me that? Now go and get cleaned up." He says, ushering him out of bed.
The younger of the two pouts but gets up anyway, "Alright, alright, I'm going." He grumbles.
"Come downstairs when you're done. I'll make you some coffee." He tells him, making him smile brightly and move quicker.
Mihawk shakes his head in amusement and gets up, making the bed before picking up his book and going downstairs. He notices the looks of confusion from Zoro and excitement from Perona but pays them no mind as he walks into the kitchen, making Shanks a cup of coffee and after some contemplation makes himself some tea. He puts his book under his arm, carrying the two cups to the living room. Shanks would usually spend at least an hour telling him stories from his latest journey. The living room was the best place to do so, at least that way the man wouldn't curl up in his lap as he did in the library. He just sits down and starts getting comfortable when Shanks comes down. He sits down beside him with a sigh, relaxing into the softness of the couch. Mihawk hands him his coffee while taking a sip of his tea. He carries on reading his book as Shanks blows on his coffee, starting to drink some. He feels the shift in Shanks' body posture and closes his book, putting it down as the red head starts to tell him about his adventures since they'd last seen each other. Mihawk Iistens silently, not looking at him yet listening intently, knowing it was important to him. Both drinks are long gone by the time Shanks finishes telling his stories. The two sit in a comfortable silence for a while afterwards merely enjoying the other's company.
Zoro walks past outside the room, back-tracking a bit and looking at them confused, Shanks having since moved, his head now resting in Mihawk's lap. His hand was gently playing with the red hair as he read quietly. The swordsman looks at them trying to understand the change in his teacher's behaviour.
Mihawk sighs and looks up from his book, "Did you need something?" He asks and Zoro takes a moment, shaking his head and carries on walking past.
Shanks laughs, looking up at him, "I think you're confusing your student." He says with a grin.
"And? He'll figure it out soon enough so what's the problem?" He asks, not seeing the problem.
Shanks smiles, glad that Mihawk wasn't ashamed of him and wasn't trying to hide him, he's broken out of his thoughts by a smack to his nose. He rubs it and looks at him with a pout.
"What was that for?" He whines.
Mihawk eyes him "You're thinking about bad things again." He says.
"I wasn't." Shanks argues. "I was thinking about how you're not ashamed of me and don't try to hide me." He says with a pout.
"Exactly. That's the bare minimum you should expect from your spouse." He says matter-of-factly.
Shank's eyes widen and he smiles brightly. "Aw! That's so sweet!" He says and Mihawk rolls his eyes. He gently taps Shanks' head to get him to Iift it.
"I'm going for a walk. You're welcome to join me." He says as he stands, taking their cups and going to the kitchen. The redhead gets up and rushes after him. He drops off the dishes and goes to leave the castle. They leave and walk out into the forest side by side, after a while Shanks' arm wraps around Mihawk's waist.
They walk quietly, allowing their guards to drop slightly, the animal's steer clear of them. Zoro was training against the mandrills nearby and sees them, pausing in his training to watch them Shanks looks at Mihawk.
"I want a kiss" He says, "You haven't given me one yet and I think that's unfair."
Mihawk glances up at him and carries on walking until he's stopped. He sighs and looks at him.
"If you want one then take one Red." He says, making the man blush.
He grins brightly and gently makes Mihawk lean against the nearest tree. He caresses his cheek and leans in to kiss him softly. Mihawk melts into it, his hands resting on his waist as they kiss for the first time in a couple of months. Zoro's expression changes to one of shock, giving the mandrills a chance to injure him; he lets out a string of curses and retaliates. The sound of fighting ringing out in the forest again. Mihawk gently pushes against Shanks, wanting to break the kiss, Shanks whines as he pulls back.
"What is it?" He asks. He pats his chest, separating himself from him.
"I think I heard Zoro, sounded like he got injured." He says, following the noise, "He has no sense of self preservation so I should check on him." He says. Shanks chuckles.
"Seems you've gone soft." He says, putting his arm over Mihawk's shoulders, his words earning him a glare. "I mean it in the best way, love. It's nice to see." He says.
Mihawk finds Zoro and sighs, defeating the nearby mandrills before going to Zoro.
"Where'd they hit you?" He asks, looking for blood. Zoro sighs as he shows him the injury, Mihawk checks him over and Shanks keeps the mandrills away.
"We need to get you back to the castle." He says and stands, helping Zoro to stand carefully. They walk back to the castle in silence. They get back and Perona patches him up, scolding him while she does. Mihawk sits silently with Shanks, lost in thought.
"You still okay with them knowing?" He's asked and he nods quietly.
"I told you I was." He says, "Are you doubting whether I'm telling the truth?" He asks.
"No, I'm just making sure." He responds, "He probably saw us." He says and Mihawk shrugs.
"Then he'll have questions. Answer them."
Perona notices Zoro lost in thought and waves her hand in front of his face, "Earth to Zoro." He looks at her.
"What?" He says. She finishes patching him up.
"What are you thinking about?" She asks, "And how did you give those monkey's a chance to hit you?" She asks, frowning at him, he looks away.
"I got distracted." He grumbles.
"You? Distracted during training?! What on earth could have possibly distracted you?" She asks, laughing.
"Shanks kissing Mihawk." He says causing her to choke slightly before recovering.
"What?!" She exclaims, receiving only a nod in response. "I need more information than that!" She says, still in shock.
He sighs, "Well, I was training in the forest and I saw them walking. Shanks' arm was around Mihawk." He starts before getting interrupted.
"Around him where?" She asks, eyes wide.
"His waist." He says, glaring at her. She motions for him to continue and he sighs. "Shanks said something about wanting a kiss and they stopped walking. Mihawk told him to take one. So he kissed him." He says, looking a bit weirded out. She looks at him expectantly.
"And? Was it like a sweet kiss or like more I need you now type thing?" She asks.
"Nope. I'm not doing this." He says, standing up.
She ignores him, "Do you think they're like a proper couple or just a friends-with-benefits situation?" She asks. Zoro leaves the room, going to find them, having a few questions himself. He finds them in the living room and goes in frustrated.
Perona hurries after him, "Zoro! What are you doing?!" She whisper yells. Mihawk looks up from his book, Shanks' head once again in his lap.
He pokes his forehead. "They're here." He says, turning his attention back to his book. Shanks opens his eyes and sits up.
"Go ahead." He says calmly. They look at him in surprise, Zoro shakes his head, refocusing.
"What the hell is going on between you two?" He asks.
Shanks tilts his head, "You'll have to be more specific than that." He says.
"You're a Yonko." He says.
Shanks chuckles, "Thank you for informing me."
He frowns at him. "Mihawk is a warlord." He says again.
Shanks nods, "Yes he is. Well done for noticing." He says with a grin. Zoro scowls, having to make a conscious effort to not snap at him.
"You said you were friends from before. How are you still friends when you're supposed to be on opposite sides?" He asks, "How do you know the other won't betray you?" Shanks looks at Mihawk who glances at him before going back to his book, Shanks returns his attention to Zoro.
"Years of trust. We trust each other and don't want to break that trust that we have. I can't say that being on different sides doesn't have its difficulties but we know that if it's part of our job we can't necessarily help it and it isn't a personal attack." He explains. Zoro nods, he was also curious about the nature of their relationship but decided it wasn't his business.
Perona however did not, "Zoro said you guys were kissing!" She blurts out unable to hold in her curiosity anymore.
Shanks holds back a laugh "That's not a question." He says, Zoro face palming.
"Perona what the hell?!" Perona grins at Shanks, ignoring Zoro.
"You didn't deny it!" She says.
Shanks grins slightly, "No, I did not."
She grins triumphantly, "So you are dating. I thought you were too close to be friends. Plus Mihawk is never that nice to anyone." She says.
Mihawk looks up from his book, glaring at her, "Not nice, huh? Am I or am I not allowing you and Zoro to stay rent free in my castle?" He asks.
Zoro elbows her hard, "Take it back."
She holds up her hands in surrender, "I take it back! I take it back!" She says. Mihawk nods and goes back to his book. Shanks lets out a loud laugh.
Perona looks between them, "You are dating, right? Or is it just like a friends-with-benefits thing?" She asks, getting another elbow to the side from Zoro.
Shanks laughs, "Well, you're very brave. Though technically we're neither. Haven't been for years."He says, causing both of them to frown in confusion.
"But the kissing? Being all close and touchy?" She says, feeling disappointed, "I was so sure you were together." She says.
Mihawk stands and walks out the younger two believing it to be because he didn't want to hear them speak of what once was, only Shanks knowing that he just didn't want to laugh in front of them, he couldn't ruin his reputation that much.
Shanks does his best to control his expression, looking sad, "Yeah... it was a day that changed my life, I didn't have a boyfriend anymore. All because of a ring." He says and sighs sadly, "I should go and find my husband." He says, getting up and walking out. He goes out and sees Mihawk trying to calm himself so he doesn't laugh. He smiles brightly, glad he can bring him to that point.
Inside Zoro and Perona sit quietly, thinking about the two and their relationship. Shanks' words slowly register in their minds, they both look at each other, eyes wide, "What?!" The couple hear them and Shanks can no longer keep his laughter in, Mihawk following behind him, letting loose a little and laughing with his husband.
The pair runs out and looks at them with expressions of shock, "You're married?!" They exclaim.
Shanks looks at them able to stop laughing after a while, "Yes." He says simply. Mihawk manages to calm himself and he goes to fetch himself a glass of wine. Zoro stands silently as he processes the new information.
"So you two are a secret?" He asks.
Shanks nods, "Yeah. The only other person who knows is Benn."
Zoro nods, "Alright. I'll keep your secret." He says and walks away, now satisfied. Perona grins, unlike Zoro she still had questions.
Shanks chuckles, "Yes? What do you want to ask?"
She looks at him and looks over her shoulder to make sure Mihawk wasn't nearby, "How did you two end up together? You're so different. He's all cold and antisocial. Where as you... you're like the exact opposite." She says.
Shanks smiles, "He's actually a real softie. He is antisocial but that's fine, I have my crew to socialise with and he has this big empty castle. I will admit that it took a while to get him to warm up to me but boy was it worth it." He says, "Our friendship just slowly grew to where we were no longer just friends." He says with a shrug. She nods slightly, thinking.
"Isn't it hard?" She asks. He looks at her curiously.
"Isn't what hard?" He asks.
"Being married. I mean you're on opposite sides, you barely get to see each other. Isn't it hard?" She says and he smiles softly.
"All marriages are hard. We just have different difficulties than most couples. Where others have problems with things like getting tired of each other we instead treasure every moment we get together since we're apart for so long. We don't have normal problems but we do still have problems." He sighs softly, "I will say. We don't argue often but when we do…" He trails off, shaking his head slightly, "I should go find him." He says and waves to her before leaving and going to find him.
He sees him in the library with a book and glass of wine. He closes the door of the library, walking over to him. Mihawk looks up at the sound, seeing seriousness replacing his usual playful expression. He sighs softly and closes his book, setting both it and his glass onto the table beside him.
"I take it you wish to talk about our last meeting?" He asks.
Shanks nods, "I do."
He nods and gestures to the closest chair. Shanks sighs softly and sits down, taking a moment to think before he speaks.
"I don't believe that I was wrong in any of what I said... however I do agree that I shouldn't have blown-up at you about it." He says. Mihawk looks down a bit.
"I understand why you are upset but you need to remember I had no choice, if I had not joined them I would have been locked up like Jinbei was." He says. Shank's nods.
"I know, I knew back then too... I just let my anger get the better of me.. I'm sorry." He says softly. Mihawk looks away.
"You said that I was a coward... for walking away when you came and for refusing to fight you." He says softly. Shanks moves to speak but Mihawk stops him, "I was. A coward that is. The thought of facing you after all that happened.. I couldn't do it. And fighting you? I couldn't bear the thought of even pretending to want to kill you or arrest you." He says softly shaking his head, "Even if it made me a coward." He says softly. Shanks gently places his hand over Mihawk's.
"It's okay my love honestly... I didn't want to fight you either. It would have been too different from our duels. Those were just for us. I could enjoy those but a fight? There? It would have broken my heart. I'm glad you left." He says. Mihawk finally looks him in the eye.
"I'm truly sorry for everything that happened that day Red…" He says softly. Shanks smiles sadly and stands, leaning forward and placing a soft kiss to his lips.
"You're forgiven." He whispers and Mihawk smiles "Thank you." He whispers in response.
They spend the rest of Shanks' stay together. Shanks and Zoro trade stories about Luffy. Eventually it's time for him to leave and the couple share one last kiss before he sets off to join his crew again. Benn gives him a reassuring smile earning him a smile in return before Shanks once again returns to his duties as captain and Yonko.