Chasing Waves

Chapter 14: Rippling Power

Mihawk woke up the next morning to the sound of raindrops tapping against his windowpane. The tapping was tranquil in tandem with the dark shadow of the grey clouds in the sky. Fully awake, he got out of bed and stretched, scratching an itch on his arm as he refreshed himself in his bathroom.

His room was large, indulged in colours of red, black and purples. A thick red rug pulled everything together. In one corner of the room, a small alcove housed a grand fireplace, framed by intricately carved black stone. The flickering flames cast dancing shadows on the walls, adding to the room's mysterious charm. A plush black velvet loveseat and a couple of armchairs were arranged around the fireplace, providing a comfortable spot for Mihawk to relax and contemplate.

Above the fireplace, an ornate dark-framed mirror reflected the dancing flames, giving the illusion of a larger and more enchanting space. Candles in antique silver candlesticks adorned the mantle, their soft glow adding to the room's intimate atmosphere.

Mihawk stood before the large mirror in his opulent bedroom. He adjusted the crucifix around his neck, his expression stoic and composed as always. However, his mind wandered to thoughts he rarely allowed himself to entertain – thoughts of Mia. Thoughts of her on his bed with him. Thoughts of her in front of the fireplace with him, adorned with nothing but his expensive furs draped sensually over her soft skin. Maybe her curls would be messy, perhaps tied into a bun on her head like a bird's nest. She could be caressing his chest-

He breathed hard, gathering his head. He took a cold shower for good measure before getting dressed for the day.

As he straightened his collar, he couldn't help but recall the moments they had shared together. Her laughter, her smile, and the way she always seemed to find joy in the simplest things – all of it had been unexpected and unfamiliar to him. He was used to solitude, his life defined by battles and the pursuit of strength. These were all forgotten when Shanks spoke to him after Marineford to suggest Mia stay with him.

A simple yet brilliant suggestion. Why would Mihawk say no? They agreed she was the safest with him. He could keep her out of the World Government's hands whilst also keeping her out of the public eye on his secluded island. She already knew him and had enjoyed his company on his ship all that time ago. It wasn't safe for her to go back to Makino, Shanks mentioned Garp might make an appearance following the son of Roger's death. Mihawk wasn't clued up on all the family drama, and quite frankly didn't care. The point was this was the best place for Mia right now.

And since Mia had come into his life, things had shifted. He found himself letting down his guard around her, allowing her to see glimpses of his true self, something he had never done with anyone else. It both intrigued and troubled him. And it wasn't just a physical attraction either.

She was so innocent and naïve at times, but it never got under his skin. She had life experience on different things – training and raising children, having a big family – things he had not even touched on remotely through his travels and years at sea. Her gentle and empathetic approach to everything, the way she walked and talked, the way her eyes grazed over people, all of it sent a spark down his chest as he thought about her big cerulean eyes gazing softly into his.

Mihawk thought back to the hairclip he had given her. It was a simple gift, yet it held meaning beyond its appearance. It represented a moment of vulnerability, a rare display of care and consideration on his part. It was something he had always had, though it carried no sentimental value for him personally. Until he gifted it to her. Now it was one of the best treasures he had ever acquired.

"I'm getting soft," he muttered to himself, his voice low and gruff. The realization unsettled him. He had always prided himself on his cold and unyielding demeanour, but Mia's presence seemed to thaw the ice around his heart.

He was a War Lord. He was feared and respected around the world. Even the World Government didn't dare boss him around like a welp. He was independent from anything and anyone. After years of training and travelling, he had established a comfortable life with a title he was waiting for someone to overthrow, and a part of him hoped Roronoa would step up to that expectation in the future.

But until then, what stopped him from indulging himself? From enjoying his personal life, away from the politics and the piracy? Mihawk threw his jacket over his shoulders, leaving his shirt lest it get ruined during training with the boy.

Despite his cold demeaner, Mihawk was still a man. And Mia was a striking beauty of a woman. Of course, he noticed her. But it wasn't as if he needed her.

Although he would be kidding himself if he didn't admit he wanted her.

And he always got what he wanted. Who could ever stop him? Again, not even the biggest political power in the world could challenge him.

However, it felt immoral to reason over Mia like that. He could safely say he enjoyed all aspects of her – her personality, her conversation and overall company. He even enjoyed their argument yesterday somewhat. Making her cry was very unintended though. It affected him harder than he thought it would – perhaps it was because he had not made a woman cry before.

At least not like that, he thought to himself and smirked to himself.

He finished his morning routine and grabbed his sword, the thoughts of Mia still lingering in his mind. As he left his bedroom and descended the grand staircase, he noticed the faint sound of laughter echoing through the halls. Mia and Nino must be up by now, he surmised.

At the bottom of the stairs the boy was already waiting for him, arms crossed but eyes full of determination. Wordlessly, Zoro followed Mihawk out of the castle and into the light rain towards the training grounds near the cliff. As they walked together silently, Mihawk heard Zoro clear his throat curiously, just like yesterday. Mihawk suddenly stopped walking, causing Zoro to bump into his back inadvertently and foolishly. Mihawk spun around, intense look drilling into Zoro.

"You've got something to say, boy?" Mihawk asked brusquely, eyebrows furrowed. Rarely they made conversation when training, mostly because Roronoa held his third sword in his mouth – a style Mihawk found absurd initially but had come to silently respect in the small amount of time he had been training the boy.

Zoro took a second. And then he opened his mouth. And then he closed his mouth again. He opened his mouth once more. "It's about Nino."

Mihawk was taken aback, but he didn't show it. Instead, he kept his eyes focussed in front of him, expecting the boy to follow no matter where they were going. "The girl?"

"Yeah." Zoro scratched the back of his head, staring awkwardly to the side. "You know how to deal with women, right?"

'I made Mia cry twice yesterday, so no,' Mihawk thought, wiping a stray droplet of rain from his brow.

"Yes, of course," he told Zoro matter-of-factly, strict expression unwavering. Perhaps he wasn't widely regarded as a bonified lady's man like other pirates, but he could rely on life experience for what it was worth. He'd had his experiences with women before, but of course, swords were his first love – nonetheless now he was the strongest swordsman in the world, training a promising young lad with the prospect of surpassing him one day. And swords didn't really keep anyone warm at night, he thought amusedly.

"What is going on between you and the girl that would push you to bring it up with me?" Mihawk grumbled.

It wasn't as if they had a talkative relationship, him and the boy. Both weren't very chatty to begin with, a mutual aspect Mihawk rather appreciated.

Zoro blinked stupidly – at least to Mihawk he looked stupid. "It's just, uh, I don't really know what to do," Zoro deadpanned.

Mihawk furrowed his eyebrows after he waited for Zoro to continue speaking. Apparently, that was all he had to say.

There was a second of silence before Mihawk blinked at Zoro. "About what? I have no idea what the problem is."

Were all teenagers like this? Was this puberty?

Zoro was still scratching his head, pulling uncertain faces. Mihawk felt like he had awarded Zoro some of his finest patience, but in that moment, he didn't have a lot to spare. "Roronoa, I swear to God, if you don't get to your point-"

"I don't know …how to deal with her," Zoro finished lamely, rubbing his arm and looking off to the side. He wiped a stray droplet off his face.

Mihawk raised a cold eyebrow at the young man as the trudged deeper into the jungle. Unexpectedly, he felt a burst of sarcasm bubble out of him. "Okay, listen boy, when a man and a woman like each other very much-"

"That's not what I meant!" Zoro hissed through his teeth, pushing a big palm leaf out of the way.

"Of course, I understand," Mihawk nodded. He put his hand reassuringly on Zoro's shoulder when he fell into step next to him and then leaned in with a serious face. "Don't use too much tongue and make sure to brush your teeth that morning."

Zoro blanched. "That's also not what I meant!" he cried angrily, face beet red. Mihawk gave him a careless pat, turned on his heels and continued walking towards the training grounds. Zoro clambered behind him, face still red.

Mihawk sighed. "Look, kid," he started, "if you don't know how to deal with a girl, then you're still a boy. When you become a man, you'll know how to deal with a woman."

"That was no help at all," Zoro muttered.

"Well, you're not giving me a lot to work with," Mihawk stated firmly.

Zoro frowned. "I mean, how do you...you know, impress them?"

Mihawk looked over his shoulder and regarded Zoro with a deadpan expression. "Impress them?" he echoed, clearly finding the whole conversation rather comical.

"Yeah, like what do women like?" Zoro pressed on, his frustration growing.

Mihawk sighed, clearly humouring Zoro. "Strength, determination, and a sense of purpose are admirable traits," he said, his tone becoming slightly more serious. "But don't mistake confidence for arrogance. Women value sincerity and integrity."

Zoro nodded, absorbing the advice. "Okay, so be strong, determined, and honest," he repeated, trying to remember the key points.

"And don't be an idiot," Mihawk added with a faint smirk. "Or at least, try not to be."

Zoro glared at him, but he couldn't deny that Mihawk had a point. "Yeah, yeah, I get it," he muttered, feeling a mix of embarrassment and appreciation for the advice.

"Also doesn't hurt to shower every day," Mihawk continued in a low voice.

"Oi, are you saying I smell?" Zoro asked, also in a low voice.

They entered the open space of the training grounds. Thunder rumbled in the distance – a storm was most likely approaching. A chilly breeze swept across the grounds. Mihawk and Zoro faced each other, almost as if the session had already begun.

"If I told you women like strong swordsmen, can we start training already?" Mihawk asked a bit impatiently, gesturing behind him.

Zoro grinned and folded his hand around the hilt of one of his swords. He chuckled, appreciating Mihawk's directness. "Alright, let's get to it," the young man replied, the excitement evident in his voice. He chomped down on his third sword's handle and got into position.

As they began their training, Zoro couldn't help but think about Mihawk's advice. "So, you're saying being a strong swordsman is enough to impress women?" he asked between sword strikes, trying to steer the conversation back to the topic. Without sounding ridiculous, Mihawk would readily admit how impressive it was that Roronoa could speak somewhat clearly with a weapon between his teeth.

Mihawk glanced at him briefly, his expression unreadable. "It's a good start," he replied simply, effortlessly parrying Zoro's attack. "But remember, there's more to being impressive than just sword skills. A true swordsman knows how to carry himself in all aspects of life."

Zoro nodded, taking in the advice as he continued to spar with Mihawk. The clanging of their blades and booming of thunder blended powerfully.

As the training session progressed, Zoro couldn't help but notice the finesse with which Mihawk handled his sword. Every move was precise and calculated, showing not just strength but also incredible skill and control.

"And you know what else women like?" Mihawk grunted, effortlessly blocking a strike from Zoro. There was a moment where their blades clashed hard like the thunder in the distance, and Zoro had to stand his ground with all his strength to not lose balance.

"What?" Zoro strained.

Mihawk leaned over, baring his teeth, lightning striking behind him. Zoro noted his canines seemed to be protruding.

"Power."

XXXXXxxxxxXXXXX

'What the hell was that?' Mia thought after she gasped on the beach, her eyes wracked with fear. She turned to check on Nino and saw that the young girl had promptly fainted on the wet sand where they were about to start their training session. Mia sunk to her knees to check on her. After scanning and checking Nino over thoroughly, she breathed a sigh relief that she appeared healthy. She was just knocked out.

Mia splashed some water on Nino's face and her eyes fluttered open. "W-what happened?" she croaked. Mia placed her palm over Nino's forehead and started to emit a healing glow, trying to relieve Nino of any grogginess and pain she might be feeling.

"I don't mean to sound dramatic, but I'm pretty sure a bomb just went off," Mia said, her heart nearly beating out of her chest. It was like a sonic boom that echoed throughout the island. It would have knocked her off her feet if she wasn't already in a defensive stance facing Nino on the beach.

"I've never felt anything like that in my life before," Mia muttered, trying to focus on Nino's healing.

"I have," Nino mumbled, eyelids starting to lift a bit more. "That is haki."

Mia furrowed her eyebrows at her faint niece. "What?"

"It's the power used in this dimension, auntie," Nino explained, voice and consciousness nearly fully restored. Mia finished her healing and helped Nino sat up slowly, groaning as she rubbed her eyes.

"You mean, like …chi or spirit energy or any hoo-hah they call it that is their strength?" Mia asked raising her eyebrows. "Why haven't I heard about it? You'd think someone would have mentioned this stuff to me."

Nino leaned on her aunt and sluggishly got up on her feet. "I don't know, auntie," she said, "I figured you knew about it."

Mia scratched her head. "Well, whatever. Was that Zoro then?"

Nino shook her head. "No way."

Mia froze in realization. 'Oh Neptune.' Fearfully and paled by her comprehension, her head turned slowly to survey the origin of the wave of power from a moment ago.

"That was Mihawk?" she breathed heavily, feeling dizzy suddenly.

"Auntie, are you okay? You look like you've seen one of Perona's ghosts," Nino said softly but then sniggered to herself. Mia took a second to flick Nino promptly and adamantly on her nose. "Ow!"

Mia turned her head to scan the dark ocean water. The colour of the sea without the presence of the sun always made her feel a tad uneasy. But right now, the sea seemed …subdued. Almost as if it was retracting – quite unseemly of such a lively body of water while a storm was starting to build up. Call her crazy, but she would say Mihawk just frightened the sea.

"Let's, uhm, call it a day," Mia voiced uncertainly, mindlessly wiping the sand off her knees as she continued to gaze into the dark waters. "A storm is coming anyway."

Nino nodded and followed her aunt back to the castle. Mia didn't speak on the pathway back, lost and dazed in her thoughts.

XXXXxxxxxXXXX

'Is it weird that I find it kind of …attractive?' Mia thought as she got out of the shower. 'I mean, don't get me wrong, it's terrifying.'

She grabbed a big fluffy towel off the rack and wrapped it around herself snuggly. The storm raged on outside as she quickly got dressed. Mia opted for her only pair of blue jeans, courtesy of Makino, and the sweater Mihawk gifted her way back then. It didn't sit as snug as it used to, but the colour didn't wash out at least. She slipped on some worn out brown ankle boots she also inherited from Makino. The day was still young so she figured she might as well dress warm for a chilly and rainy day.

"I love the rain," she voiced excitedly to herself, towel drying her curls. She was so mesmerised by the sound of the storm outside; she barely heard the knock on her door.

"Come in!" she called, thinking it was Nino, so she continued towelling her hair. Instead, the tall figure of Mihawk emerged from behind the door. Mia sharply inhaled, dropping the towel on the floor.

Mihawk froze in the doorway. "Did I startle you?"

Mia shook her head stiffly, pushing a wide smile with her lips. "Nope!" That sounded way too happy. She had to relax. He could probably tell she was nervous.

The image of the sea retracting as if warded off by a territorial predator replayed in her mind.

He closed the door behind him. "You seem nervous."

She quickly picked up the damp towel from the floor, avoiding his eyes while she tried to gather her bearings. "No, no, I'm fine," she rambled off, folding the towel mindlessly. Mihawk's eyes shot to her fumbling hands.

"Why are you folding a wet towel?" he asked point-blank.

Mia's hands froze in realization. "Oh." She looked down at her hands. Mia laughed at herself. "Silly me," she said in a lyrical tone. Mia quickly strode into the bathroom to hang the towel up to dry. While she passed the mirror, she quickly checked her appearance. No spots, no stray hairs. Her hair was still wet, but noted her curls looked good today. Also, she looked nice in the jeans, she thought as she turned in the mirror to inspect her backside.

"I need a favour," Mihawk asked from outside the bathroom. Mia stepped out, butterflies entering her tummy. She looked him over standing in the middle of her bedroom. Her eyes drifted down to his chest and midriff – he wore a shirt today, but she could still make out his incredibly defined muscles underneath. It was ridiculous how defined they were.

It was ridiculous how powerful he was.

"What's up?" she asked with a smile, inwardly screaming painfully over her smile. 'Why would I say that? I never say that. I have never said that ever. The kids don't even say that.'

Mihawk didn't seem to notice her odd behaviour, and if he did, he did a great job not showing it. He also had a strange look on his face she couldn't read. "I may have …unintentionally …broke some of the boy's ribs."

Mia's eyes widened when her head snapped up. "You what?"

Mihawk crossed his arms. "It just happened," he stated as if announcing something mundane and mind-numbing.

Mia thought back to this morning's incident, putting two and two together. Her eyes narrowed slightly. "You mean …this morning?"

Mia could have sworn she witnessed him ever so subtly sway uncomfortably on his feet. "Yes." He looked her in the eyes. Mia thought her knees would buckle.

"Oh," she voiced, clasping her hands behind her back. She opened her mouth to mention her and Nino's experience on the beach but shut her mouth when she realized she would have to mention Nino fainting, and she was willing to bet Nino didn't want anyone knowing that.

He sensed her hesitation and took a slow step forward. "Did you …feel me?" he asked in a low and soft voice.

Mia almost fainted, gaping up at him like a fish. "Uhhhh," she croaked out.

Mihawk shook his head, registering what he had said. "I mean …you know what I mean." As he stared back at her, Mia couldn't help but feel like he was studying her reaction.

"You mean the haki thing?" she asked, playing dumb. She didn't really want Mihawk to know that she thought he could break the island in two if he really wanted to and that the thought absolutely terrified her. "I mean, you're a War Lord, right?" she forced out a laugh, slapping her thighs with her palms for some reason. "Gotta have some strong juice in there to own that title, am I right?"

An awful goat-like sound escaped her throat in what she figured was her nervous attempt at a laugh.

Mihawk's gaze remained fixed on Mia, his face stoic as ever. He didn't seem amused by her attempt to lighten the mood, and his intense presence only made Mia more flustered.

"You don't have to play dumb, Mia," he said, his voice steady and serious. "I know you felt it. The haki. It's a powerful force, and it can be overwhelming if you're not prepared for it."

Mia swallowed hard, feeling exposed under his penetrating gaze. She had always prided herself on being strong and capable, but standing in front of Mihawk, she couldn't help but feel vulnerable. Nervously, she slipped her hands into her jeans' back pockets and uneasily stared off to the side.

"I didn't mean to scare you," Mihawk said, his voice softening slightly. "I should have been more careful with my haki. It's not something I use lightly, but in the heat of the moment, I may have let it slip."

Mia looked up at him inquiringly. "I find it hard to believe you would lose control. Did Zoro say something that set you off?" she asked.

Mihawk smirked het her. "I was just teaching the boy a lesson. He had many questions today."

Mia crossed her own arms. "Oh yeah? About what?"

Mihawk's soft little chuckle made a shiver go up her spine. "It's nothing to worry about."

"Oh, I'm not allowed to know?" she asked, shooting him a sneaky look.

Mihawk turned to look at the storm raging outside the window and then turned to offer her a subtle smirk. "Just guy stuff." He winked at her, face still stoic but eyes playful.

Stunned, Mia snorted through her nose and made a piggish sound in the back of her throat. Horrified, she covered her face with her hands. "I sound like a farm animal today," she moaned without thought and laughed into her hands. Her face still warm and flushed, she dropped her hands and smiled at him sheepishly.

"Some farm animals are charming," he relayed playfully. She laughed, trying to play off her awkwardness.

"Anyway," she said with a casual wave of her hand. "What's the favour?"

"Can you please heal the boy?" he asked gruffly. "I can't wait for him to recover another week."

"Zoro doesn't like being healed," Mia pointed out, shooting him a knowing look.

Mihawk considered what she said for a second. "I'll knock him out."

Mia gasped. "Mihawk!"

"It's what's best for him," Mihawk reasoned with an earnest tone. Mia rolled her eyes and rubbed her temples.

"Mihawk, you call him 'boy'. And suddenly you know what's best for him?" she said incredulously, hands resting on her hips.

"I know what's best for him as a swordsman. I'm his mentor, not his father," Mihawk explained, pointing to himself.

At the mention of Mihawk as a father, Mia snorted, and shot him a crooked smile. "Okay, I suppose that's fair."

Mihawk looked thoughtful for a second and then shot Mia a curious glance. "Let Nino do it."

"You mean, the healing?"

"Yes, he would perhaps let her do it."

Mia blinked, eyes narrowed, and brows furrowed. "Okay, we can try that. I'll let her know before supper."

Mihawk nodded. "Thank you."

Mia smiled, clasping her hands. "You're welcome."

There was a moment of silence. She figured Mihawk would turn and leave yet to her amazement he seemed to linger. He took a second to study what she was wearing.

"Didn't I buy you that sweater?" he asked, scratching his chin.

"Yes, you did. Wow, I can't believe you remembered after almost a year," Mia snickered, crossing her arms. He then scanned her room quickly – for a minute Mia thought he was displeased with how her room looked, which would have been ridiculous, because everything was neatly packed away and clean.

"Will you join me for a nightcap after supper?" he asked casually, his eyes locked back on her like a hawk on its prey. Mia nodded a little too quickly.

"Sure. In the library?"

"In my quarters," he stated coolly, not even blinking.

"Uh," she said with a frozen smile. He seemed to understand her concern.

"I meant …there is a lounge in my room with a fireplace, and my personal wine collection is there. But if it makes you uncomfortable …" he trailed off. Mia could have sworn he was taunting her a bit.

She bit her lip. She would be lying if she said she wasn't ecstatic about it, but her nerves bundled in the pit of her stomach. "No, that sounds lovely. I'd love to see what a War Lord's personal quarters looked like," she said with a teasing smile, bouncing on the balls of her feet earnestly and without her notice.

Mihawk's lips twitched, a hint of amusement in his eyes. "Be careful what you wish for," he replied cryptically, making Mia's heart skip a beat.

XXXXxxxxXXXX

After supper, Mia found herself nervously walking towards Mihawk's room. She had changed into one of her maxi dresses before supper, feeling slightly self-conscious about meeting him in such an intimate setting. Taking a deep breath, she knocked softly on the door. The hair clip, of course, fastened in the back, curls bundled and clipped in somewhat messily. Her sandals were the neatest shoes she had, otherwise she would have opted to arrive barefoot.

"Come in," Mihawk's voice called from the other side. Mia opened the door and stepped inside; her eyes immediately drawn to the cozy lounge area he had described and the grandeur of his personal quarters.

Mihawk was sitting by the fireplace, holding a glass of red wine. It was a fascinating lounge area at the end of his massive room, a room almost three times the size of her and hers was already very big to her in the first place. There were no chairs or seats, but three steps down into a lower level, forming a circle around a large marble fireplace. A warm fire crackled in the fireplace, casting a soft glow over the room. Shelves lined the walls, filled with books and various trinkets that hinted at Mihawk's mysterious past.

He looked up at Mia as she entered, and a small smile tugged at the corners of his lips. "I'm glad you could make it," he said, gesturing to the empty seat next him.

Mia nervously took a seat, crossing her legs as she tried to maintain her composure. "Thanks for inviting me," she replied, trying to sound casual and not in awe. "Wow, this is really nice, Mihawk."

Mihawk took a sip of his wine, his eyes never leaving hers. "Thank you," he said, his voice low and velvety. "I thought some time away from the …kids, would do us well."

Mia swallowed hard, her heart pounding in her chest. She couldn't help but feel a mix of excitement and nerves being so close to the enigmatic Warlord. She allowed herself to softly giggle at his comment.

"You make us sound like parents. And why do you have such an issue calling them kids?" she managed to ask, trying to keep her voice steady.

Mihawk shrugged, handing her a glass of wine he had already poured for her before she had even entered. "It makes me feel old," he rationalised and she giggled. As he passed her the glass, there was a small moment where his finger brushed against hers. She wondered if it was deliberate.

"You're not old, Mihawk," she assured him, taking a sip of her wine. It was fruity and bitter, but she has come to enjoy the taste and effect it had on her, especially in Mihawk's presence.

"I'm older than you," he quipped, leaning back, gesturing towards her with his glass.

She scoffed. "I feel older than I am, but I'm sure most women my age feels that way. I know Makino does," she laughed to herself, thinking back to her friend.

"You look lovely in that dress," Mihawk said out of nowhere, not seeming to register what she had said before. His voice had a hint of a purr behind it. Mia's face went scarlet red when she saw how intensely his eyes were fixated on her form.

'Oh my gosh. Is tonight the night? Is he going to kiss me here? Or admit he has feelings for me? Because I'm too terrified to do any of that first,' she thought anxiously and excitedly. "Let's just see what he does. I'm not making any more first movies.'

"Thank you. You got it for me, Mihawk," she laughed shyly, hands running down her sides over the material as if to show off the fit of the dress. She imagined his eyes trailed with her hands over her hips and thighs and shuddered inwardly at the thought of that.

One of the corners of his mouth turned up slightly. "Well, I have fantastic taste then."

She laughed again, a bit more shyly than before and then stared into the fire.

They sat in comfortable silence for a moment, both sipping their wine and enjoying the warmth of the fire. Mia found herself stealing glances at Mihawk, trying to unravel the mysteries hidden behind his stoic exterior.

Nervously she crossed her legs and tried to focus on the fire. She fought hard to think of something, anything, to say, but her heartbeat seemed to hit at her braincells.

"Mia," Mihawk said suddenly very seriously. He turned her whole for towards her, giving her his undivided attention. Putting down the glass of wine, his eyes pierced through hers with burning intensity. Mia was afraid for a second, he was going to tell her to leave. Instead, he took her hand in his, prompting her to put down her own glass of wine as it looked like he had something very serious to say.

Mihawk inhaled a bit and then lowered his chin as he leaned forward slightly. "I think it's time we talked about this."

Mia blinked, slightly uncertain. "What's this?" His hand was so warm around hers.

"Us," he voiced, face stoic. "You and me."

She blanched, the bundle of nerves in her stomach dropping even lower. Horrified, she looked at him curiously after a very difficult swallow. "What about us? About …you and me?" she asked in a tiny voice. This was by far the most nerve-wracking and terrifying conversation she had ever had with a man.

Mihawk's thumb lightly grazed the top of her hand, his touch both gentle and comforting. Mia's nerves began to settle as his touch conveyed a sense of understanding and reassurance. Maybe he wasn't about to deliver the kind of news she had been dreading. Maybe, just maybe, he genuinely wanted to listen to her.

He scooted a bit closer to her, their bodies now almost touching. The proximity sent a tingle down her spine, but she held her ground, her eyes fixed on his, willing herself to remain composed.

"Mia, are you scared of me?" he asked in a tone that held a hint of vulnerability.

She blinked in confusion at the unexpected question. "What? No, of course not." She was about to offer further clarification when he continued, his gaze intent on her face.

"I mean, if I'm being honest, I'd certainly say you can be intimidating at times," she stammered, her apprehension betraying her as she rambled. "But I've never felt like you have ever intimidated me personally."

His thumb continued its soothing motion against her hand, his touch sending ripples of calm through her. "I'm just asking because it feels like I make you nervous sometimes," he elaborated, his voice a delicate thread in the quiet room. He leaned in a little more, his gaze never wavering.

"Uhm," she managed to say, her nerves causing her to scratch an itch on the tip of her nose. As their eyes locked, she found herself drawn into his intense gaze. Sucking in her bottom lip, she released a sigh, the tension in her dissipating a little. "Sometimes," she admitted softly, her voice carrying a hint of vulnerability. "But it's not you," she rushed to clarify, placing her free hand on his arm instinctively, as if seeking an anchor. "It's me. I …get nervous because …I have no experience …with men," she confessed, her humility palpable.

Mihawk's expression softened further, his grip on her hand growing more tender. "I don't have any wild expectations, Mia," he assured her, his sincerity evident in his eyes.

With a deep sigh, Mia sat up a bit straighter, abandoning her guarded facade. She opened herself up, laying bare her uncertainties and insecurities. "The truth is I have no idea what I'm doing, and… I don't know if I'm doing or reading anything right." Another sigh escaped her, carrying with it the weight of her anxieties. It felt liberating to share these thoughts with him, even if they made her feel exposed.

Mihawk blinked, absorbing her words as if contemplating their significance.

As if acknowledging the gravity of her confession, he shifted closer, their knees now brushing against each other. His eyes bore into hers, his touch grounding her amid her vulnerability. She held his gaze, the intensity of the moment making her breath catch in her throat.

In a gentle gesture, Mihawk took her hand back into his, his touch sparking a current of connection between them. "Mia, I think you're one of the most beautiful women I've ever seen," he declared, his words carrying a mixture of admiration and tenderness.

Her heart skipped a beat at his compliment, the sincerity in his voice warming her from the inside out. The soft, rhythmic motion of his thumb against her hand felt like a secret language that only the two of them understood.

A small, almost imperceptible smile tugged at the corner of his lips. "And I'm glad you told me all that, because I think it's important, I know that before I …make you more nervous," he added with a hint of playfulness, the twinkle in his eyes implying at a shared understanding.

A rush of warmth flooded Mia's cheeks as she met his gaze, her own smile reflecting the affection she felt for him.

"Thank you, Mihawk," she whispered breathily, her lashes resting heavily. Her heartbeat still resounded in her eardrums, but the bundle of knots in her stomach had eased. It felt as if any ambiguity between them had been mostly cleared up, though not in so many direct words, it had become evident to her that Mihawk returned her attraction and that there was a mutual unspoken agreement to explore that potential further. The thought greatly excited her, nevertheless terrifying her at the same time.

Mihawk let go of her hand. As she missed the warmth of his skin against hers, he stood up to fetch more wine from the cabinet in the corner of his lounge area. As he uncorked another bottle, Mia studied all the trinkets and trophies displayed on the mantel of his elaborate fireplace.

"You probably have travelled the whole world at this point," she conversed, realizing how little she still knew about him and this dimension. Mihawk quickly glanced over his shoulder to see her pointing at all the items on the mantel and then shrugged to himself as he finished pouring the wine.

"Travelling was never my greatest passion," he explained, carrying the wine over and retaking his seat next to her. He sat further away than before, something Mia thought as saddening as she enjoyed any physical contact with him. "But it helped me find many opponents I needed to defeat to attain my title."

"And you never wanted to do anything else?"

"This world isn't really set up for grand opportunities for the youth. People either live in oppression as civilians, become a marine to be the oppressor …or choose piracy to find freedom." The wood crackled in the heat of the flames, almost as if moved by the transparency of his words. Mia certainly was.

Her eyes gazed into the fire for a moment, letting his words roll over in her head many times. It was so profound and effortless in the way he had said it, she felt compelled to commit it to memory. "Reminds me of Luffy," she muttered, mostly to herself.

"It reminds me of Roger," Mihawk responded mutually.

"Were you close with him?" she turned to him thoughtfully and watched him think about the question with an interested smile.

Mihawk continued his staring into the fire, some nostalgia evident in his eyes. "We were all close at some point. When you're young your friends and companions mean everything, especially in such dangerous oceans when you can only depend on each other."

"So even you and Shanks were friends?" she asked casually.

Mihawk shot her a quick glance. "Let's not get carried away now."

Mia laughed and then joined him in staring at the flames. As the wood continued to crack and ash from the heat, Mia swirled her wine in her glass. She turned to look at Mihawk. "Why did they execute Roger?"

Mihawk didn't waste time thinking about an answer. "He was the Pirate King. And the marines were losing control of the seas with the surge of ships that inhabited it. Roger's execution wasn't even as brutal as they wanted it to be. The man smiled the whole time and then announced his treasure was up for grabs."

Her eyes wracked open at his response. "Dear Neptune, Mihawk. You were there?"

"Yes, of course. He was my captain. I had to pay my respects." He answered matter-of-factly, unfazed.

"I'm so sorry."

The side of his mouth twitched at her polite sympathy. "The sentiment is lovely, my dear. But it was hardly a sad day. Roger gave himself over to the World Government willingly."

A sharp electric jolt coursed through her chest when Mihawk called her 'my dear'. 'I wouldn't mind if he called me that every day. Even darling. Especially darling,' she thought wistfully.

Mia brought her thoughts back to the conversation they were having. "Why in the world would he do that?"

"He never went into any detail, but I suspected he was ill. In the last days on his ship, I noticed he was different. Slower. His breathing was heavier. He disbanded all of us and then handed himself over to the marines a few days later."

Mia shook her head to herself, mind spinning slightly. "It's still so crazy to me that you were on the Pirate King's crew. It's very cool."

He huffed through his nose, amused. "Cool, you say? I should consider that a compliment from a woman who can freeze water over."

Mia chuckled after taking a sip of wine. "By the way, before I forget," she adjusted in her seat animatedly, excited she finally got the opportunity to sate her curiosity, "do you remember that day you kidnapped me, and I ran away when you fell asleep, and I found Shanks on a nearby island?"

"I was livid that you gave me the slip."

"Yes, well, Shanks mentioned something about you and him having 'legendary battles'. It's been stuck in my head for months now and I've been burning to ask you about it. I was too embarrassed to ask him because of …you know." She trailed off and looked at him knowingly.

Mihawk blinked at her. "Because of what?"

"His arm."

Mihawk almost guffawed. "You think I did that?" His eyebrows raised disbelievingly.

Mia shrugged innocently, pleading ignorance with her eyes. "You just said he wagered it on the new generation! I didn't know what that meant."

Mihawk swallowed the last of the wine in his glass and set it on the side table firmly as if to steel himself for his answer.

"Firstly, that was not me. I haven't the slightest idea how he lost his arm, but I'm willing to bet it's because he did something idiotic. Secondly, I can't believe you remembered I said that. And thirdly, Shanks and I haven't battled in years. I wouldn't even call it battling when we get to it. It's more like playtime for him. Worst of all is he still gives me a little challenge, even when he's not trying."

Mia's eyes twinkled at Mihawk's lively conversation. At first she thought she had angered him with her question but she seemed to have been tricked once more by the severity of his hawk-like eyes.

"Is that why he annoys you?"

"That and other things." Mihawk grumbled.

"Like what?"

"Why do you want to know?" He raised an eyebrow at her as he leaned back comfortably in his seat. He spread his arms to rest over the loveseat – his wingspan seemed to dip just shy of Mia's shoulder, a fact she didn't miss and was sorely disappointed by.

"Because I think it's funny!"

"Why is it so funny?" he asked wryly. Mia got a kick out of his reaction.

"I don't know …because you're so serious and Shanks is such a …dork."

Mihawk turned away, possibly to hide a smile. Turning back, he titled her head up at her thoughtfully. "I have a few questions for you too."

"Oh yeah?"

"About that day at Marineford."

"Hm?"

"You and Nino yelled at each other in another language I didn't understand or recognise."

"Oh! That's Laycian, the Language of the Guardians. Quite a pretentious name if you ask me. All the kids aren't as fluent as me and my sisters. I suppose the language will die out in a few generations," she commented, mostly to herself. She caught Mihawk's curious eye and then elaborated more. "It's the language we study elements and strategies in. We've archived many dimensions into texts using that language. Only we can read it. Imagine how dangerous all that information on all those powerful worlds would be if it landed in the wrong hands."

"Why are the kids not so fluent as the rest of you?"

Mia shrugged a bit as she thought about it. "Probably a generational thing, I guess. It's very old school to them, I suppose. Even someone as studious and dedicated as Nino wasn't very interested in mastering the language. They liked playing outside as toddlers and children. They had a natural affinity for exploration and elemental talents. So, it wasn't very easy getting them to sit still at a desk and study."

Mihawk nodded thoughtfully – Mia could see a few more questions run through his mind. He took a sip of wine. "I also want to ask …at Marineford, you and your sisters …you transformed?"

Mia furrowed her eyebrows in confusion.

"And you were suddenly wearing armour?" he explained more.

Her eyes lit up in realisation. "Ah! Right. That. We call that Guardian armour. So basically, you get to use that armour any time if you're an official guardian of a dimension. And at any time, you can summon it. It has incredible abilities! But the versions my sisters and I donned at Marineford were temporary suits. They only last about an hour or so."

"Fascinating. And I saw it also materialised weapons."

"Yes. Nama likes the heavy sword – it's almost as big as her. Kind of like yours. And Razu prefers her Bo Staff – great for moving and knocking earth around. And I prefer the glaive. It also compliments my element very well." Her talk was becoming gradually livelier.

"If you prefer the glaive than it makes sense that Nino is comfortable with the lance."

Mia nodded. "Exactly."

There was an odd strip of silence following such animated chatter between them, so jarring that Mia wondered if Mihawk had suddenly grown bored with her. She was about to let any word she could think of spill out of her mouth when Mihawk moved forward to feed the fire more wood on his haunches. Mia found it oddly masculine.

"Can you become Guardian of this dimension?" he asked, jerking her out of her stare.

She laughed without any humour. "Oh Neptune. No way. A world as powerful as this one would need more than one Guardian. Maybe if me, Nama, and Razu applied together, we could stand a chance. But we're not done training our nieces yet, so that should still be a few more years. Also, full and complete mastery of all Guardian skills is required to be even considered."

"Why not then apply?" He rubbed his hands of any debris from the wood and then retook his seat next to her again.

"I don't think Nama and Razu's hearts are really in this world. They're currently traveling other dimensions," Mia finished, eyes travelling to the ceiling as she thought about her sisters. She hoped wherever they were they were safe and having awesome adventures like her.

"And how about you? Is your heart in this world?" he asked, voice low and deep in that same way it kept making her senses tingle. His eyes seemed to peer deeply into hers, begging for a big answer.

Bashfully, she smiled and then felt her shoulders curl inward as she broke eye contact and turned her head to peer into the smoking fire. For a few seconds, she tried very hard to think, but her mind drew up a blank. Whether it was the wine or the heaviness of his question, she was unsure.

"I love the oceans here," she finally admitted, eyes focussing deeper into the flames. "And my nieces clearly love it here too. I could see myself staying here a while, I suppose," Mia reasoned, voice soft.

"Just a while?" Mihawk pressed. Her heart fluttered.

Mia exhaled through her nose sharply. "I could stay permanently if I got married," she said, blushing. Considering the topic, Mia still investigated the fire, too coy to catch his eyes or reaction to her statement.

"That's it?" he asked, taken aback. "I thought some elaborate ritual or test was required considering the responsibility of you and your sisters."

Mia shrugged and finally turned her head to look him in the eyes again. "I suppose it's cultural. We're a dying race. My mother always said she wanted us to have many children." Her face was still flaming hot. Maybe it was the fire or the wine. 'And my sisters prefer we marry powerful men,' she thought and almost said out loud. Grateful she had not sputtered out that sentence, Mia inhaled slowly and suddenly pictured herself in a wedding dress.

'Let's get it together now,' shethought sternly. 'We are not even halfway close to anything or anyone to even consider that.'

"What was your mother like?" Mihawk asked. Mia was a little surprised by the question but beamed at the memory of her mother's gorgeous smile in her head.

"She was the best," Mia answered softly, crossing her legs. "She was just the perfect mother. Incredible. And she had ten daughters! I have no idea how she did it. I can barely handle two. But when you're so many siblings, you end up raising each other mostly, I suppose." She took a moment to sip some wine and then gathered the courage to ask Mihawk them same. "How about you? What was your mother like?"

She waited in tense silence as he himself glanced into the fire.

"I didn't have parents," Mihawk answered simply. There was no bitterness or dejection in his voice, just cold indifference. "But that didn't matter by the time I was old enough to join Roger's crew. The world was still greatly unexplored, especially the Grand Line. It's easier to be independent when you're young, especially if you have a Devil Fruit ability."

"How come you never ate a Devil Fruit?' she asked, leaning her cheek on her hand.

"I fell in love with the art of swordsmanship very early, way before I joined Roger's crew. I'd be lying if I said I hadn't considered it many times, but …in the end I wanted to commit to my natural abilities rather than risk a Devil Fruit ability that could render my sword useless or obsolete," he paused to take a sip of wine. "Also, the thought of sinking to the bottom of the sea was completely absurd to me."

Mia nodded, absorbing his words. She could sense the weight of his decisions and experiences in the lines of his face, even as he spoke about them with his usual calm demeanour.

"I can understand that," she replied softly, her fingers tracing the rim of her wine glass absentmindedly. "It's a big gamble, trading something familiar for the unknown benefits of a Devil Fruit. And the sea can be unforgiving."

He nodded in agreement, his eyes meeting hers in a moment of shared understanding. The fire crackled, casting dancing shadows across the room as the silence settled between them again.

The conversation flowed smoothly after that, as if the awkwardness of their earlier admissions had been replaced by a newfound ease. Mia found herself captivated by Mihawk's stories, his sharp wit, and his occasional flashes of dry humour.

As the night wore on, the fire burned lower, casting a warm, intimate glow around them. Mia's initial nervousness had transformed into a comfortable companionship, and she found herself enjoying Mihawk's company more than she could have imagined.

Eventually, Mia let out a yawn, her eyelids growing heavy. "I think the excitement of today is finally catching up to me."

Mihawk nodded, his own eyes showing signs of weariness. "It has been quite a day. You should rest."

Mia stretched her arms above her head, feeling a pleasant ache in her muscles. "You're right. I should probably find my way to my room."

"I will accompany you."

"Such a gentleman." Mia grinned at him shily.

"But of course."

Mihawk stood up and offered her a hand, which she took graciously. As he led her towards her room, Mia couldn't help but feel a sense of contentment. The tension that had filled the air earlier had dissipated, leaving behind a connection that felt both unexpected and comforting.

At the doorway of her room, Mihawk paused and turned to her. "I'm glad you decided to join me tonight."

Mia smiled up at him, her heart warming at his words. "I'm glad too. Thanks for having me. I had a lot of fun."

He nodded, his gaze lingering on her for a moment. Her heart pounded in her chest with expectation. When he shifted, she expected him to lean down and catch her by surprise. Instead, he reached out for her hand, gently brought it up to his face and kissed it softly. It wasn't the kiss she'd been hoping for, but it was more than enough to make her almost pass out. Her face flared up as she looked at him shyly.

"Sleep well, Mia," said Mihawk delicately, almost in a whisper. Mia thought her knees were going to buckle.

"You too, Mihawk."

He released her hand and left quietly, but she felt as if his touch lingered a little longer than it could have.

XXXXxxxxXXX

A/N: Well, I am just having buckets of fun writing more of this. I hope you guys enjoyed it too! Thank you for reading so far!