The Meaning of Christmas

Summary: Christmas always meant being around the people Shanks loved. Who knew mistletoe would tell him he finally had someone new.

The Meaning of Christmas

"Wait, you don't celebrate Christmas?" Shanks questioned, holding his cup of hot chocolate a little bit closer to himself. The steam from the drink getting closer to his face. The warmth in between his cold hands. There was a smile on his face as he looked over to the older pirate. Pushing up his scarf to cover his neck even more to combat the cold.

The snow was falling around them. Coating the ground underneath Shanks' boots. It was cold, and it would probably be a better idea to be inside, but Shanks loved the look of the snow. The chance to actually be at an island. Especially one with snow for this time of year. Lights were strung up anywhere he looked on this island. Around trees. Around poles. It was nightfall now, so they were all on. Lighting up the streets around them.

Mihawk hummed. "Never saw the point in it." The Swordsman stated. "It's useless if you are alone."

Shanks gave him a sad smile. "I understand that." He whispered. "The first one after Captain died… I just didn't know what to do."

"A holiday about senseless giving presents. Just a materialistic day." Mihawk muttered, taking a drink from the cup in his hand.

Shanks shrugged. "It's not about that. It's about the people around you. Presents… they are just an upside."

Mihawk made a noise, drinking down the rest of his drink before discarding the cup into a nearby trash can, stuffing his hands into his pockets. The puffs of visible air in front of his mouth. Shanks' face was flushed over. He wasn't sure if it was from the cold or from how close he was walking to the Swordsman. Close enough that their arms were bumping into each other.

A smile came to his face as he turned towards Mihawk, reaching up to readjust his hat on his head so he could look up at him. "Why don't you spend it with me?"

Mihawk paused, looking at him for a moment before a grin broke out onto his face. "You just want to party."

The red head shrugged. "I can party without a reason." He stopped, shuffling on his feet as he pulled his jacket closer to himself. "Maybe, I just want to spend Christmas with you. Give you a reason to actually like the holiday."

"You really like Christmas, don't you?" Mihawk questioned, tilting his head as he reached out, gloved fingers grazing against the younger pirate's jaw.

"Of course, I do." Shanks replied. "It's just a… good time of year."

Shanks felt the air catch in his throat as Mihawk's hand moved to the back of his neck, fingers curling into his hair and his other arm wrapping around his waist. He felt the heat flood onto his face as he hands landed on Mihawk's torso. Their lips lingering over each other for just a second before Mihawk was leaning in. Connecting their lips together.

Shanks felt like he was practically swooning as his arms wrapped around the Swordsman's neck. Mihawk's hand dropping from the back of his head and settling on his hip.

He felt the spark go down his spine. The tingle on his lips. He smiled into it as the older man pulled him slightly closer. Mihawk pulled away, a smirk on his face as he muttered, "Mistletoe."

Shanks looked up, and sure enough hanging directly above their heads was the small little plant. The first kiss that he ever shared with the Swordsman, and it was because of mistletoe. Not that he was complaining in the slightest. It felt so perfect. He laughed softly, a slight smile coming to his face. "I thought you didn't like to do Christmas."

Mihawk shrugged. "Maybe my views have changed."

Shanks bite down on his lip, tilting his head to the side as Mihawk's hand settled underneath his chin. Thumb swiping over his bottom lip. "Mihawk, I—"

He never got to finish his sentence as the Swordsman connected their lips again. Shanks couldn't help but smile into it again, letting their lips dance together. Just soft and sweet. As he wrapped his arm around his shoulder, hand curling into the whisps of black hair.

When the Swordsman pulled back, he balanced his forehead against Shanks', the soft smile gracing his face the entire time. "Maybe, you can give me a reason to want to celebrate this godforsaken holiday."

The red head smirked, "Well, I did ask you to spend it with me."

Mihawk hummed, reaching down, and grasping Shanks' hand into his own as the red head dropped his arms. "Say, instead of just having a sort of fling. Whatever this may be between us…" Mihawk stated, looking out to the snow-covered pathway before he was looking back at Shanks. "Why don't you become mine?"

Shanks was pretty sure his brain short circuited for a second at those words. The feelings he's had for the Swordsman was always something he held close. He was sure that Mihawk didn't actually recuperate those feelings despite falling into bed together most times. Times after their duels that had turned heated. Now here Mihawk was, actually asking a question that Shanks never thought he would hear.

The smile came to Shanks' face again. "I would really like that." He whispered.

Mihawk's other hand was back on his hip, pulling them flush against each other. "You know, maybe I'll have a reason to actually like Christmas now."

Shanks laughed, bringing his arm up to place his hand against Mihawk's jaw. The Swordsman turning his head to place a gentle kiss against the tan skin that poked out from underneath the pinstriped shirt and black jacket that he wore.

"I'm sure you would like it if you just gave it the chance." Shanks replied. "Christmas really is a good holiday. I want to make it something special among my nakama again. Captain always liked it. It was the time that he could spoil me and Buggy. I want to be able to do that for my men."

Mihawk hummed, leaning in, and pressing another kiss against Shanks' forehead. "I'm sure you will." He stated. "Why don't we go get you somewhere warm? Who doesn't wear gloves in cold weather?"

"I may have forgotten them." Shanks replied, laughing slightly as Mihawk's hand moved from his hip, grabbing his other hand to curl them into his.

"Can't have that now." Mihawk said, starting to pull him along the path.

Shanks just let it happen. He sighed as he looked up to the night sky. The lights glistening against their skin. Snowflakes falling around them.

For the first time since Roger's death, he actually looked forward to Christmas again.