Chapter 30 - Trial and error
-Sanji-
He had almost forgotten. The past few days the sea had been so peaceful, the weather so pleasant, and even the crew somehow almost suspiciously harmonious that he had almost forgotten about it. After all, it had been more than two weeks, and it wasn't like it had been a big topic for conversations.
However, this was mainly due to none other than the Marimo. Whenever Usopp or Franky had dared to drop a comment along those lines, he had shown his disapproval without saying a word, as he always did when Lady Loreen became subject, and somehow Sanji currently benefited from that behavior.
So he had almost forgotten what had happened two weeks ago, had enjoyed this rarely pleasant part of their journey, but then he had felt it, like a threatening thunderstorm, like a constant pressure.
No, it was impossible to forget when all the time this energy was wafting around him, as if he was being stared at incessantly.
It wasn't necessarily unusual. Sanji didn't know if it was strategy, confidence, or arrogance, but Hawk Eyes never hid his energy, so he could often be felt hours before he had even reached their ship. But this time it was different, as if he were deliberately following them slowly, as if he were staring directly down at Sanji all these miles before reaching them. Sanji had been startled out of his sleep in the middle of the night as it had suddenly been upon him.
Hawk Eyes' energy was also different this time, it was always impressive, always powerful, but right now Sanji felt almost threatened and he knew exactly why.
Yes, he had almost forgotten. But Hawk Eyes certainly hadn't, and even though the Marimo had interfered, Sanji was still far from keen to get back under the eyes of the former Shichibukai so quickly after said former Shichibukai had threatened him with death little more than two weeks ago.
Still, if it was inevitable either way, then Sanji would like to get it over with soon, and probably that was exactly why Hawk Eyes took a particularly long time to catch up with them this time. Sanji had just finished the final clean-up after lunch, and he would prefer not to leave the galley at all.
But on the one hand, he craved a cigarette as much as seldom, and on the other hand, there was some defiance in him. He didn't want to be intimidated by Hawk Eyes just because he was the best swordsman in the world and was considered almost invincible, as if something like that would intimidate him...
Besides, it hadn't been his fault. He was the real victim here! He had simply wanted to make a halfway convincing diversionary maneuver with Zoro. Little had he known he would be the real red herring. Hadn't known that his beloved Nami had a completely different plan up her sleeve.
He wanted to keep this defiance, but it became more difficult the closer this suffocating aura came, and when Sanji stepped outside and lit his cigarette, he could make out the green glow of the coffin boat on the horizon and he felt a little queasy.
The Marimo might claim that Hawk Eyes had just overreacted, but Sanji had already experienced his overreactions, and the truth was that he couldn't keep up with this monster for a long time. It wasn't a nice feeling that someone like that was a welcomed guest on their ship. It wasn't a nice feeling to have to rely on Zoro to keep him in check, but at least it calmed his nerves a bit that he knew how stubborn the Marimo was, and that he wouldn't back down as a matter of principle.
"Oh, someone's tense." Out of nowhere, Robin appeared next to him, showing her mysterious smile as she often did.
"He sure is," Sanji grumbled. "Normally he doesn't put on quite such a show when he arrives; seems to be really pissed off."
"Oh, I wasn't talking about Dracule." Her smile grew before she looked at the sea as well. "He seems to be in an excellent mood."
He stared at her in disbelief. But before he even knew what he wanted to say, the rest of the crew appeared on deck. Some stood conspicuously next to him and Robin to wait with them. Others were busy with something. Only Nami, who was working in the library, and Jinbei, who was sleeping in the cabin, were missing. The Marimo was the last to jump down from the lookout, sweaty as usual from his training, shielding his sight from the blazing sun to get a better view of the small ship.
While Sanji was still surveying the Marimo, a rope flew over the railing and Usopp, who was closest, grabbed and quickly secured it. The next moment, the former Shichibukai himself was standing on the railing.
He looked at them coolly, one by one, his eyes glaring under the dark shadow of his hat, then his gaze fell on Sanji, and he felt his heart drop somewhere towards his pelvis. He swallowed, unable to avoid his gaze, while Hawk Eyes stared down at him, without a word, without a stir.
"What took you so long?"
And he could finally breathe again as Hawk Eyes averted his gaze and jumped off the railing, with a grace that didn't match his menacing aura at all.
"The wind was unfavorable," he replied coolly to Zoro's brusque greeting. Then his gaze drifted back to Sanji and instantly he felt ice cold again.
Robin to his right said something, but Sanji didn't listen. Saw that Hawk Eyes' lips moved as he answered, but he didn't hear that either. He thought he'd seen Hawk Eyes in his most terrifying moments, but he was wrong. Even though he didn't do anything, talking to the others and just looking at Sanji, the cook was sweating, his heart beating as if on the run. Sanji was afraid, even though he knew rationally that this was just some of Hawk Eyes' theatricality.
And he rejected this rational thought the moment Hawk Eyes walked up to him, staring down at him, ignoring whatever the Marimo said. Then he pulled out his hand and Sanji was already waiting for the attack.
"A Chassagne Montrachet for tonight. I expect you to prepare an appropriate meal."
Without breathing, Sanji accepted the white wine, wondering what kind of message this was supposed to be, knowing that the former Shichibukai preferred tart red wines, and since he certainly didn't do anything without ulterior motives, there was certainly a reason for choosing a dry, opulent white wine.
But Hawk Eyes didn't wait for his reaction, staring at him for a moment before turning away.
"Even though I can understand this welcoming committee, I would prefer a little privacy."
"The aquarium bar is currently unused. That's where you could retreat," Robin suggested.
"Whatever," the Marimo grumbled, scratching the back of his head and then walking towards the stern, followed by the former Shichibukai.
Finally, Sanji breathed a sigh of relief while Brook and Chopper went back to their previous activities, not that Sanji was paying attention.
"Phew, lucky, you got off lightly," Usopp said with a soft laugh and patted his back, "he didn't seem any worse than usual."
"You think so?" he replied tonelessly, the heavy bottle in his hands.
"He made an interesting choice," Robin replied, pointing to the wine.
"You... you know about it?" Sanji murmured, trying to escape this icy rigidity.
"Well, of course, I don't know nearly as much about wines as you do. But there are a few names I recall because Crocodile liked them. He often chose this wine for... business lunches," she recalled, putting an index finger on her chin. "Mostly with disgraced business partners."
"Why?", murmured Usopp.
"Oh, I don't know exactly," Robin remarked with a frivolous shrug. "Crocodile always said that a Chassagne Montrachet had to be drunken on one's knees. That's why the name stuck in my mind. Well, we shouldn't worry too much."
With a smile, she turned away and walked back towards the bow where she had read earlier, but Sanji didn't miss her quiet words: "Come to think of it, most of the time he chose it for business partners we killed afterwards."
-Zoro-
He wasn't going to say it out loud, but he had been looking forward to today, and not just because he knew Mihawk would bring sake.
To the best of his ability, he had forgotten about what had happened two weeks ago, but he couldn't completely ignore what it had revealed. He didn't really want to think about why it was so difficult for him to show his other form in front of the others, but it did leave him with some unease. A restlessness that he would not have had before and that he still not really understood. There were some moments when he forgot about it, especially when Luffy was around, but even if the last few days had been really peaceful, he had never been able to forget that restlessness for long, not as he used to. In the past, something like this would never have bothered him for very long.
But now it was on his mind, and even if he didn't intend to bring it up, he hoped that Mihawk's presence would bring him some peace of mind, as often, like during Kuraigana. And maybe this time it would last a little longer.
But before that, he had to clarify something.
"I've told you a thousand times to leave them alone," he grumbled, flopping down on the sofa while Mihawk pulled a bottle of sake from the depths of his coat and walked over to the small built-in cabinet in the mainmast.
"I did not do anything," he objected coldly, opened the cupboard and pulled out two glasses, holding them up against the light.
"We both know what you did," Zoro replied, resting his elbows on his thighs. "Stop this crap. I really don't want to have to defend them from you all the time just because you think you want to kill someone again."
"Roronoa, let this tiresome subject rest. I have no interest whatsoever in having this discussion with you today." Contrary to his words, he still sounded quite harsh. But Zoro didn't care.
"Good, because there is nothing to discuss," he said clearly.
Mihawk looked at him, and Zoro didn't quite know how to interpret that look. But he knew there was a tension in the room that he hadn't intended. But he wouldn't back off either.
"Why do you always have to defend the Chef, Roronoa?"
Zoro sighed. "Because you think you have to kill him for trifles."
"Trifles? Roronoa, your honor..."
"And I don't need you to defend my honor."
After a second, Mihawk tilted his head slightly.
"So is that it?" he asked. "In the end, it is them and not me. Is that why you summoned me?"
Silence.
"Wha... what?" Zoro had no idea what was going on, but he could tell from the tone of the other's voice that this conversation was going in a dangerous direction. "What the hell are you talking about?"
"Well, it is more important to you to defend someone like the Chef than to agree with me." In a cold voice, Mihawk put the glasses down and filled them two finger widths with the sake Zoro had been looking forward to. But right now, he didn't feel thirsty at all.
"I have no idea what you mean," he growled, apparently Mihawk had one of his annoying moods again. "Let me repeat, I don't care what kind of crap anyone from my crew pulls off, you can be angry or whatever, but your solution can't be to kill them, understood? And I don't know why you're making such a thing out of it now. Imagine if I freaked out every time Kanan put me in some dress; and that really scratched my pride."
Shaking his head, Mihawk held out a glass to him, but Zoro didn't think about getting up and taking it.
"I just do not understand you, Roronoa. You are arguing with me, even though it was the Chef who..."
"Okay, that's enough," he grumbled, crossing his arms, tired of always having to have such discussions just because Mihawk didn't get along with his crewmates. "Let's settle it once and for all. What's your fucking problem with the Cook?"
"He has violated your honor."
"No, he was a means to an end for our diversionary tactics to free Luffy and Chopper. And my honor doesn't suffer just because a few people saw me half-naked."
Mihawk put both glasses down. "Well, the world disagrees."
"I don't fucking care, and I don't buy that this is your problem. If you really cared about my honor, why aren't you mad at Nami, who came up with the plan and prepared the dress?"
"Because she did not..."
"It doesn't matter what the shitty newspaper writes. It was a red herring, that's all, so stop making such a thing out of it."
Shaking his head, Mihawk crossed his arms as well and simply turned away.
"What? What's your problem?" growled Zoro, but Mihawk remained silent.
"Hey!" Zoro stood up. "I know you did that kind of crap in the past, but don't you dare ignore me now just because I disagree."
"I am not ignoring you," Mihawk replied, his voice dangerously toneless. "I am just trying to understand."
"What? That I don't care what some newspaper writes about me? Sorry, but after more than two years of Lady Loreen, even I got used to it at some point. You said it yourself. It's a character, it's not..."
"That is not what I meant." Now the other looked at him again, but his sharp gaze was rather suspicious. "You are one of the very few who understand the sword as I do, and yet... yet you defend the Chef."
Zoro tilted his head questioningly. "I don't know what those have to do with each other."
"You do not?"
"No, if that's supposed to be another reference to Senichi, then..."
"Roronoa, even if I could overlook his ongoing misconduct. The fact that, as part of a bad red herring, he made you the laughingstock of society – and me as your partner as well. If I could ignore that he alone was to blame for you not being able to tell your crew the truth. If I could overlook the fact that he let you die. Even if I were to overlook all his misdeeds as I do with your captain, with the rest of your crew, how...? I do this, for you, with all of them, I ignore their actions and missteps. But do not expect me to forgive him, to accept him. It does not matter to you if he insults you? Exposes you? Flaunts you? Well, so be it. But even for you, I cannot overlook how he degraded the swordsmanship, and if you can do that, then... Then I am not sure anymore if we really have the same... If we… share the same respect… towards the sword."
Zoro swallowed. He had no idea what Mihawk was talking about, but he got the punch line, yet it couldn't be true. Before Mihawk, Zoro had never met anyone who understood him so much when it came to sword fighting. Maybe Kuina, but back then there had been so much he had not even known, so much he had not understood. And yes, he knew they didn't agree on everything. Mihawk strived for a perfection that Zoro couldn't care for, as long as he could surpass his own skills from the previous day. But...
Shaking his head, he ran his hand through his hair and began to walk back and forth.
"I don't know what you're talking about. The Cook isn't even a swordsman, he doesn't know anything about it and doesn't pretend otherwise. So when could he...?"
"The choice was easy. Just abandon your ambition." Mihawk's words echoed coldly between them, and Zoro stared at him. "That is what he said after I defeated you and you offered me your life."
...
"You did not know?" Mihawk didn't sound mocking, but rather sad, surprised.
"No," Zoro whispered, sitting down on the sofa. He could remember that fight with a frightening accuracy, every second, every muscle movement, it was burned into his memory. Luffy's voice in his ears, the voices of the others, how they all shouted his name, and Mihawk, as he looked at him, showed a grin, without mockery and without scorn. And he remembered that pain, the biting salt water, and that agony only defeat could teach. But... he had no recollection of the Cook saying anything.
Slowly he looked up at Mihawk, who nodded slightly.
"Now you understand?" Mihawk sighed. "At that moment when I acknowledged your ambitions, if not your abilities, then your iron will. At that moment, when you proved how dedicated you were to the sword, and I proved how much I respected the path you had chosen, at that very moment he dared to..."
"You don't have to repeat it," Zoro murmured hollowly, resting his forearms on his thighs and staring at the floor.
"He disrespected not only your decision, your path as a swordsman, but also mine, as the best swordsman in the world. And even if I could overlook it, I still could not..."
"I know." He shook his head without looking up. "I know what it means."
Mihawk was silent for a moment.
"And yet you really expect me to accept him vilifying the swordsmanship, the sword as such?"
"He didn't know any better," he muttered. "He's not a swordsman, he had no idea what..."
"Neither are your captain or the sniper. But neither them nor any of the other present had the audacity to..."
"I know!"
Again, for a moment, it was terribly quiet.
"I am sorry this knowledge hurts you, Roronoa. I thought you knew."
"No, I didn't know," he murmured after a moment, nodding slowly. "Okay, honestly, yes the Cook is an idiot, a complete idiot, but..."
"But what? You cannot still defend him in all seriousness, can you?"
Zoro looked up.
"I'm not defending him. You're right, it sucks. But what do you want to hear from me now? Should I make his life a living hell now?" He shrugged. "He's not a swordsman, Mihawk, he has no idea, so why should I care?"
Mihawk took two steps towards him. "So you do not care if the swordsmanship is dragged through the mud?"
"I didn't say that," he replied, feeling the tension between them rise again. "I just said that I don't care if some idiot thinks he has to share his opinion."
But he saw Mihawk's gaze, as he had seen a few minutes ago, suspicion that slowly turned to bewilderment, even if Zoro had no idea why. Yes, he couldn't deny that the words of the Cook were... unpleasant, but it was obvious that for Mihawk they were more than just that.
"Well, like I said, there it is," Mihawk finally said monotonously. "Even though you know it now, you are still defending him instead of the swordsmanship."
"No, I...!"
"Huh, I had guessed that it could happen at some point, but still I would not have thought..." Obviously pained, Mihawk lowered his eyes, shaking his head, it wasn't annoying theatricality as usual, something was absolutely wrong. "I could have given a thousand reasons, but it never occurred to me that it would end up being the swordsmanship itself."
"What the hell are you talking about?" Zoro looked up at him, but he didn't like the way Mihawk looked back at him. He showed that cold resignation that Zoro was already familiar with and he knew that it was there to suppress other feelings.
"Well, about the fact that this attempt here has failed."
"What kind of attempt?"
"It would be worth a try; those were your words. To try and see if you could handle being in a relationship with me." His voice was calm, his face unmoved, but his eyes were so uncomfortably glaring, as if Zoro was staring straight into the sun. "But if the one thing that unites us is the respect for the sword, and it now shows that respect has such a different meaning for each of us, and these paths are not compatible, then it probably would be the smartest to declare this trial an error rather sooner than later."
What?
"... And... And how did you come up with the idea that... that our paths are not compatible?" His mouth was dry. He didn't really understand what the problem was, but he did understand Mihawk's solution, and it didn't even make him angry, he didn't even understand how they had gotten from the annoying Cook to this point so quickly.
Mihawk sighed. "Roronoa, I can respect that you sacrifice your life for your crew, even that you subordinate your dream to their good, but I am devoted to the sword, wholly, everything else must be subordinated to it, and I will never condone anyone defaming swordsmanship. But if you can tolerate this, if you prioritize the acceptance of your crewmates over the respect to the sword, then... then our path does not seem to be the same after all."
He tried to understand what Mihawk was saying, but then Mihawk continued: "Well, actually it should not be surprising, it was only a matter of time before you would end it. You do not like to admit any feelings you might have, and you cannot even call this relationship by its name. I should have been aware that this liaison was doomed from the beginning, and you'll always end up choosing your crew, but I..."
"Stop!" Zoro stood up.
"Roronoa, this is not necessary. I will still fight you as soon as you..."
"Shut up!" He was breathing heavily as he slowly understood and became angry. "Not like that! If you don't want this relationship anymore, if you want to end it, then go for it, but don't just make up arguments using my words out of context or pretend that I've decided for or against anything here."
"But you have..."
"No! You got some kind of problem, with the Cook, with me, with the fucking swordsmanship, or who knows what, and if you want to back down because of that, then go ahead, but stand by it and don't blame it on me." Zorro took a step forward, crossed his arms, looked at the other. "So Mihawk, what is it? Do you want to end it?"
Mihawk looked at him, so stunned, opened his mouth slightly, closed it again, shook his head very gently, looked away for a moment, and then back at him. Zoro remained silent, doing nothing. He didn't know exactly why Mihawk seemed to be questioning everything that connected them, but he wasn't going to back down, he wasn't going to give in. If Mihawk wanted to give up, he should do it, but then he should do it himself and not blame Zoro.
"I love you, Roronoa," he whispered, almost desperately.
"I know," he replied simply.
"But how... how is this supposed to work if...? You ask me to spurn the art of swordsmanship?"
"What? No, why would you...?"
"But I am not allowed to express my displeasure with your crewmates when they affront the swordsmanship?"
He still didn't understand exactly what the crux of this discussion was. But at least he could answer that.
"I didn't say that," he said calmly. "Of course, you can and should call them out if they say something that upsets you – I don't hold back either, not towards you and not towards the others – and if you want to hold someone accountable, just do it. But don't overstep the line, or you'll bite your teeth out on me. Because I'm not going to let you threaten a crewmember, no matter what they said."
"Not even if they despise the swordsmanship?"
Zoro nodded. "Not even then. I understand that it makes you angry, and if you have to vent on someone, then here I am, but I won't back down."
Mihawk was silent for a moment before looking back at Zoro. It wasn't a loud argument anymore, but if Zoro was honest, he preferred the loud ones. They were mostly short and explosive, but after that everything that needed to be said was said. When Mihawk calmed down, there was usually something really wrong.
"But do you not understand that that is exactly what I mean. That is where we differ. I always thought that no matter our differences, on this one point, in respect for the sword, we were in agreement, but apparently that is not the case."
Zoro sighed.
"I don't see it that way," he said.
"Are you telling me that you are not defending the Cook, even though he has spurned our art?"
"No, I'm not."
"Then what...?"
He shook his head, and Mihawk fell silent. Zoro strode over to the mainmast, on whose shelf Mihawk had placed the glasses. Thoughtfully, he took a glass and looked at the liquid, trying to sort out his words and, as so often, Mihawk gave him time.
"The truth is, I have no idea what you're talking about. I don't understand how you're suddenly questioning everything just because the Cook made a shitty comment."
"But I have..."
"No." He shook his head again, put down the glass, and looked at Mihawk. "I don't think our path is that different, at least I never felt that way. Before you... I've never met another swordsman like you. You were the first to... understand, or whatever. I often can't express things, but I always knew you understood. Isn't it the same for you?"
Mihawk sighed softly and sank down on the sofa.
"I do not want to deny it, Roronoa. I... I was convinced of it too, but... but how can it be the same when you put your crew before the sword?"
Gradually, Zoro understood, just as it always took him far too long to comprehend Mihawk's strange train of thought. And now that he understood, he realized once again how exhausting and brainy Mihawk was.
"You're right," he admitted, unable to help but smile. "I could understand you questioning everything, if I really put the swordsmanship on the back burner. But I don't."
"I am sorry, but yes, by..."
"No." He shook his head, almost amused, while Mihawk still looked at him with a grave mood. "This is nonsense. Just because the Cook makes a stupid remark and I don't kill him for it, I don't put anyone in front of anything."
"But..."
"No buts. You want me to explain to the Cook how the sword works? Why? The swordsmanship doesn't need me to defend it from some idiot with some clueless opinion. Do you know how many times I've been laughed at in my life? There was always someone who made fun of the sword, my fighting style, or whatever. So what? I don't really care if they do. It's not my job to educate anyone, and in doubt, they end up getting what they deserved for being so stupid."
Mihawk took a deep breath. "But that is exactly the issue, Roronoa. You..."
"Let me speak." He walked up to Mihawk and stopped in front of him. "I know you don't see it that way. Maybe it's because of how you grew up. You're not used to someone not showing you respect, and even if someone would dare to, you got your ways of making sure they'll soon regret it. And that's exactly how you feel about swordsmanship, and that's why it seems to shock you when I deal with it differently. But..."
He paused for a moment, searching for the words.
"You know, the art of the sword existed long before our time, and even after our death, even after our names will be forgotten shadows of the past, the art of sword will still exist. At any time, there will be idiots who will not understand the sword, will not respect it. But I don't think trying to take out every idiot would change anything. And I don't think that's necessary to respect swordsmanship." He looked at Mihawk "I think you respect the art of swordsmanship if you practice the way of the sword, if you train hard, if you respect the sword itself, and - if you get that far - to eventually pass on the knowledge to future generations."
Mihawk met his gaze, but said nothing, so Zoro continued: "And honestly, yes, we see a few things differently. I know you're striving for perfection, which isn't really relevant to me, and apparently we deal with idiots differently, but I've always felt that all in all we have the same respect for the sword; even if our paths may not always be completely identical."
Now he had nothing more to say, so he stood there waiting for Mihawk's judgment, who seemed to be thinking over his words. He had folded his hands and was looking at Zoro's boots, without seeing them, highly concentrated.
"It is very difficult for me to understand that you are so indifferent to such remarks that you do not even consider them worthy of a reaction," he finally said.
"Yeah, I got that by now. You don't realize that I don't care what anyone thinks about me and my swordsmanship. You think you have to protect the swordsmanship from everything, but that's the one thing I disagree with. These idiots, no matter how disrespectful they may be, they can't harm the swordsmanship – like a fly flying against the bow of a ship – and that's why I don't care about their words at all." Nodding, he sorted out his thoughts. "It would be different if you, or any swordsman I respect, insulted the sword, I wouldn't stay calm either, but this way..." He shrugged. "So tell me, are we really so far apart that our paths are incompatible? Because I don't want to believe that."
Again Mihawk was silent, although Zoro was actually a little proud of himself; he had handled the discussion well and he also found his arguments very logical. The only question was, did this also apply to the former Shichibukai and what if not.
"So you say," he said, after a few quiet seconds, "that the words of the Chef..."
"Really piss me off, and if he's asking for it, I'll give him an answer. And those words may scratch my pride, but they're not powerful enough to actually harm the swordsmanship, or would you disagree?"
It was almost funny how the different emotions wandered over Mihawk's face. Of course, he couldn't disagree. Shaking his head, he finally lowered his gaze.
"I understand your reasoning, even if it is difficult for me. Yet I doubt I can follow your worldview. You may not care about such things, but I cannot ignore them."
"I don't expect that either. I understand that you are not indifferent to such things. But I expect you to draw a line when it comes to my crewmates. Not because I decide for or against you, for or against swordsmanship, not even for or against the opinion of my idiotic crewmates. It's just because I..."
"I see." Mihawk got up and looked at him, breathing in and out deeply. "Well, I see our different approaches when someone discredits the sword, but I also see that it is fitting to our respective characters. You may dismiss my behavior as an unnecessary overreaction, and I have mistakenly understood yours as a choice between either and or. But at the end of the day, we are following the same path, just by different means."
"Uhm... That's what I said."
"I will try to apply your approach to your crew for your sake, but do not expect too much. Unlike you, it is hard for me to accept disrespect without comment."
"I never said you had to accept it without comment, just..."
"Yes, I understood." Mihawk sighed as if it were a hard lot as he walked past Zoro. "But it is difficult to understand. How can you care so little about other opinions, even though it is about something as important as swordsmanship?"
Zoro shrugged. "You get me wrong, It's not like I don't care about all opinions there are, only unimportant ones don't matter," he said and took his glass, sauntered back over to the sofa and dropped on it.
"And what do you mean by that?" the other asked, taking his glass as well and taking a sip.
"Well, do you really think I'd do this crappy conversation to myself if I didn't care about your opinion? Don't know, but even though I couldn't care less what the Cook or anyone else thinks about swordsmanship, I... I... All these discussions are annoying as fuck, but it's important to me that you understand what I mean when we disagree because... I do care about your opinion."
He felt his cheeks warming up and quickly took a sip, ignoring Mihawk, who was now staring at him openly.
"But while we're at it, I don't get why you thought about giving up that quickly. Wait, you said I summoned you? You thought all this time...?"
"Forgive me, I jumped to conclusions." Mihawk sighed. "I thought you knew what the Chef had said and that you had already made your decision."
"And even if, why do you immediately think about giving up? You're a swordsman, we'll fight to the end, and yet you didn't even want to try?"
Mihawk looked at him. "It is difficult to talk to you about... to talk about these issues."
"Maybe, but it was also difficult to teach me Busoshoku Haki, but it still didn't stop you."
That made Mihawk smile. "Well, that is something else," he said, taking a sip.
"Is it? Why?" Zoro finished his glass. Good sake, the really good one, but not the one he liked best.
"Well, because..."
"Because?"
Mihawk sighed, but when he looked at Zoro, he was almost uncomfortable.
"Haki is familiar to me, sword fighting is familiar to me, even teaching is familiar to me. But... Roronoa, you once said you did not know how a relationship worked, well, it is the first one for me, too. For me, too, it is the first time that I... love someone... And you are a very independent spirit, and you are absolute in your views, stubborn and unyielding, and then with this strict, exhausting morality." He sighed again.
"And that's why you thought we were going to fail sooner or later?"
"At least I did not rule out the possibility that one day you would get tired of me, and so yes, I thought you might end it today."
"Because you thought I was just trying it out?"
Mihawk nodded.
"Fine, then I'm done trying, the trial is over. Happy now?" He met Mihawk's surprised look with a roll of his eye. "Not that it would change anything, or do I now have to submit an official request or something to some official post?"
Mihawk laughed softly. "I am almost tempted to say yes, just to see you try to hand Kanan the motion to dissolve the relationship."
Zoro grinned superiorly. "You and Kanan would die of old age before I would even think about giving up."
Still with that mean smirk on his lips, Mihawk came over and poured him some more sake.
"Well then, why did you summon me?"
Zoro tilted his head.
"I didn't summon you. I thought you'd come anyway, and that was fine with me. Got a few questions and I wanted to discuss them in person."
"Oh?" asked Mihawk, filling his glass as well. "And what kind of questions? I'm not sure I want to put up with another discussion after the last few minutes."
"Don't worry. I don't want to say much myself; I just want to listen."
"Oh?" came again from Mihawk, looking at Zoro almost curiously and putting the bottle away. "And what do you want me to tell you about?"
Zoro grinned.
"Cross Guild." Mihawk's eyebrows went up. "I know you're holding back on your motives, but I'm really curious why you're colluding with Crocodile and Buggy."
"And you think I'll answer you?" Mihawk grinned as well, sat down on the sofa, some space between them so they could look at each other, set his glass down between them and crossed his legs.
"Well, knowing you, you're just waiting to tell someone your genius thoughts and tricks, so?"
Mihawk leaned back. "Next time, start with that, Roronoa, I enjoy such a conversation much more than the past discussion. Even if it is gratifying how well you can handle them by now."
"You know, if I have to talk a lot, it's usually because you're not acting that smart."
"Do you really want to have another discussion now?"
They both grinned.
"Depends on what you tell me."
-Sanji-
He wasn't quite sure, but why else would Robin have suggested the aquarium bar if not for the small dumbwaiter that recessed into the mainmast and went down directly from the galley. Sanji hadn't wanted to eavesdrop, just wanted to prepare dinner, but the flap had been open and he... first he had wanted to close it, to ignore the indistinct voices, then they had grown louder, and he had understood them, had moved closer when they had become quieter again.
By now, the flap was closed, and he was cooking, not really wanting to think about everything he had heard. Luckily, he was spared when first Nami and then Usopp came in for coffee and to help him set the table. Eventually, it was dinner time, and they all came, including the two swordsmen, deep in some kind of discussion. As the evening progressed, Brook joined this conversation and it was almost strange to see the three of them sitting there talking shop, it was so normal, but there was hardly anything normal about hearing Brook participate in serious technical discussions without any jokes, hearing the Marimo talk so much in general, and seeing Hawk Eyes between them, as if he belonged. He was so engrossed in the conversation that he didn't even seem to notice Sanji pouring the wine, which he certainly hadn't brought along without ulterior motives.
In the end, it was a perfectly normal dinner, with the normal chaos as it got later and later, more and more drinks were shared until the first crewmembers got up and went to bed, whereas Hawk Eyes apparently intended to stay overnight. In the meantime, only the three swordsmen, Chopper who had just fallen asleep, and Jinbei, who had just helped Sanji clean up, were left in the galley. Then Zoro stood up, briefly mentioned something and nodded to Chopper before he picked him up and apparently wanted to put him to bed as he often did – some things never changed – Brook and Jinbei joined him and then it happened, almost as if by chance, that Hawk Eyes was the last one left, while he was probably still waiting for the Marimo.
The warmth of the previous evening turned into an awkward silence while Sanji made the final touches and hopefully could disappear quickly afterwards.
Then he could hear footsteps and goosebumps slid over his forearms as Hawk Eyes walked past him, taking the open bottle of red wine and pouring himself the rest.
"Um, tell me, Hawk Eyes..."
"You should be careful now and not confirm that you have been eavesdropping."
Those eyes were cold on him, and Sanji was boiling hot. How did this bastard do that? With nothing but a look?
"What I wanted to ask you," he muttered, deciding not to provoke anything. "The white wine you brought. I understand its message, a wine to be drunk on one's knees, for disgraced business partners, for unforgivable betrayal, for all requests for forgiveness coming too late."
He didn't say any more as Hawk Eyes looked at him and sipped his wine.
"I knew you would recognize it," he finally said. "A well-known wine that is often chosen for such occasions. However, you are mistaken."
"Excuse me?" He stared wide-eyed at Hawk Eyes.
"Mhm, a Chassagne Montrachet is commonly known for what you just said, but that is only partially true." Hawk Eyes tapped his hat with his forefinger and thumb. "A Chassagne Montrachet is a wine that must be drunk on one's knees and after taking the hat off, that is the full statement."
Now the former Shichibukai showed a dangerous smirk. "So it is exactly the opposite of what most people think." He drank his glass empty. "A wine of grace."
He put the glass away and was about to leave.
"Hawk Eyes," Sanji addressed him when he was almost at the door, trying to sort out his wild thoughts. "I know you can't stand me."
"Correct."
"And it's mutual. But... we both know that in the future we will have to get along somehow. So I think we should agree on the lowest common denominator and use less... be less hostile towards each other."
He could see Hawk Eyes raise an eyebrow and look at him with absolute condescension.
"And this lowest common denominator would be...?"
"Zoro."
It seemed as if Hawk Eyes wanted to say something, but at that moment the door opened and Marimo, of all people, poked his head in.
"Here you are. Come on, you wanted..."
"Give me one more moment, Roronoa."
Zoro looked suspiciously back and forth between them for a moment, then shrugged his shoulders and closed the door again.
"Well, for all I care, Chef," Hawk Eyes continued, as if Zoro hadn't just interrupted them. "Then, as the senior, I would like to give you a well-intentioned piece of advice."
"Aha?" Sanji asked, unable to imagine that this guy could be well-intentioned. "And that would be?" He was almost expecting another threat.
"Grow up, Chef," Hawk Eyes said coolly. "Your navigator and Nico Robin may overlook your misguided behavior, but it is far from respectful and Roronoa may forgive you a lot, but even he has his limits."
Sanji swallowed. "And you think you have to defend him from me? If he has a problem with me, he'll tell me himself."
Hawk Eyes looked at him blankly. "I am not defending him, Chef. It is an advice. Obviously, your newfound mutual trust is still a tender plant, it would be a shame if it were to break because of such childish trifles, do you not agree?"
Before Sanji could say anything, he turned away and opened the door.
"And what was that?" growled the Marimo from the other side.
"Just a little chat about wine," replied Hawk Eyes.
"Aha, if you say so."
"I do, so, you wanted to show me something."
Hawk Eyes closed the door, but Sanji could still hear Zoro start talking. "Robin found a book about the blacksmith Kotetsu a few weeks ago and I..."
He breathed a deep sigh of relief. Somehow... he had survived, and even though Hawk Eyes' words got to him, he had the feeling that this tender little plant was already getting stronger with each passing day. Somehow, he and Zoro would get along again, it was just a matter of trying.
And if anyone wonders... here are the aftermaths, after Mihawk got back on his ship, drank some wine, and Jirou was unlucky enough to call him. Drawn by the lovely xzcopycat (go, say hi), who is also kind enough to beta my work