Chapter 54
Shanks didn't know what to think or even how to respond. He would call his rival and give him a piece of his mind, he knew this much. But before that he needed to make up said mind.
He knew about Mihawk and the many women that fell for him. After all, he had subtly, at other times more obviously, rubbed it in Shanks' face at any given opportunity. And doing this had pushed his buttons like only Hawkeye seemed to be able to pull off. It mattered little to Shanks now, seeing how this time it was a dear friend he had taken to his bed.
Not that he was interested in Makino like that but she was delicate and needed someone that knew how to take care of a woman for longer than a night.
Then again... Considering how big those news were the picture couldn't be that old and they had left Fusha weeks ago. He smiled at the thought that maybe, MAYBE, a woman had tamed the notorious bachelor. It was about time.
Now about the whole 'bride' issue. He wasn't really paying much mind to those claims. It was one picture and it wasn't one with Makino in a wedding dress.
That didn't mean however that he couldn't have a bit of fun with it.
It rang a few times until Mihawk had reached the phone.
'Congratualtions! I hope I'll get the invitation soon, wouldn't wanna miss my buddy's wedding.' Mihawk was rarely speechless, but now it was one of those few occasions. Buddy? Was the man drunk already?
'Red Hair? Are you sure you dialled the right number?' His voice had gotten lazy again. He was not sure yet where this conversation was about or would lead to. Not that this was unusual. Shanks was as predictable as a pair of dice after all.
'I was so disappointed when I had to learn all about it from the papers.' The glee in the other pirate's voice was quite obvious.
'Really? You sound as happy as a puppy. Care to tell me what you are talking about?'
'Read the papers this morning? Check page 7. I'll wait.'
Mihawk rose, a growing dread in his stomach. He went to the kitchen where the paper lay still there untouched. He hurried through it until the picture jumped him.
It was obviously taken in Fusha during breakfast. Now Mihawk could place it timewise too. It was their last morning there. The headline was sickening, the exaggeration almost physically painful.
Shaking his head he returned to Shanks taking the papers with him. He would make sure to dispose of it later.
'So... You are fine with how things are?' Mihawk had pushed telling him about the relationship for a reason.
'I would have preferred learning about it from you, but as long as you two are happy... You better keep it that way though or I will personally shove a sword up your ass.'
'We are...happy that is.' He was sure the small smile on his lips was audible. And so was the content silence of the other, something Mihawk had rarely witnessed in his rival.
'But the whole bride thing is made up, right Mihawk?' The man considered pulling a prank on him but giving Shanms this kind of information could easily backfire so Mihawk decided to be plainly truthful.
'No such thing has crossed either of our minds. We are too busy with...other things.'
'HAWKEYE! I don't wanna even remotely think about that... But I'll leave you two...to do...whatever... Just...take good care of her, she deserves it.'
'Will do. Till we meet again.'
Sirja was ecstatic. Her best friend would get married soon. No questions asked, she would be her maid of honor! So she better get right to it, making proper preparations. Not only would she enjoy collecting all the information so that Makino would only have to chose her favourite but it would keep her occupied for weeks, maybe even months and that was the best thing about it.
She hadn't spoken much with Mihawk so she knew little about him except that he had known Shanks for years and that Makino must love him a lot. And that was good enough for her.
She had more important things on mind. Which dress shape would be best for Makino and which ones she should downright ignore.
'Sirja, come back to bed already...'
'I'm still busy, handsome. Don't wait up, it will take some time.'
Shanks sat up in bed, pouting. Usually things were the other way around; with Sirja pulling him to their cabin and bed. So he got up to check what was keeping her.
His eyes fell upon lists and sketches. Eying over her shoulder and gathering he got scared.
'Um... Sirja... What is all this?'
'Don't worry, it's for Makino's wedding. As her future maid of honor I better prepare! Wouldn't wanna disappoint her.' Her dreamy face spoke volumes.
Shanks was pondering whether or not to tell her that there wouldn't be a wedding. If he did then she would come to bed but he wasn't sure in which mood. If he didn't however she would stay up and maybe face a huge disappointment soon. However considering the kind of boredom she had been suffering from lately this kind of occupation might keep her happy. She seemed to enjoy herself a lot.
'You always say you're bored when I'm not around. Now I am, so come with me...' To make his point he kissed herneck, something that would always get to her.
'Well, the weddings not goiing anywhere...'
'You think picking you up bridal style would be too much?'
She just giggled when she was already in his arms.
