Chapter 31 - Courtesy

-Zoro-

"Roro... What are you doing here?"

He pushed the other's hand away and squeezed his way through between him and the ajar door into the interior of the hotel room.

"Just one word and I'll punch you in the face."

"What... a friendly greeting... And then dressed so neatly... the work of your..."

He fell silent under Zoro's gaze.

"I said one word!"

Mihawk swallowed and slowly closed the door, but his eyes still observed him. But it wasn't the way Zoro liked when the other was judging his skills, it was the way the Cook looked when he was choosing his tie for the day.

"May I at least ask what gives me the honor of your presence?"

"Kanan called and we were nearby," Zoro grumbled, crossing his arms and turning his back on the other. "She said this was important and you were going to fuck it up."

"I cannot imagine Kanan would use such expressions." But now the other sounded much cooler. "However, I dislike the fact that she thinks she has to interfere."

Zoro replied nothing, while Mihawk snorted behind him, almost amused.

"And that she also thinks I need your help... after all, this is not a drinking contest."

"I'd win that," Zoro grumbled thoughtfully, wishing this was actually a drinking contest; he'd like a sip of sake now.

"I have no doubt," the other remarked behind him. "So?"

Zoro just rolled his eyes and looked over his shoulder at Mihawk.

"She said that since your reputation is even worse now than it was before, it might be..."

"Yes?"

Zoro was already regretting that he had complied with Kanan's request... If only he had answered the transponder snail himself. Although that probably wouldn't have changed anything. His cheeks grew hot, and he grumbled softly, "She said my... presence would make you seem more human and that would be a decisive advantage for the negotiations. Tze, as if!"

A thoughtful sound escaped the other. "She is actually not entirely wrong about that, a clever idea that could be used. I am just surprised that you agreed to it, or did you miss me?"

He really hoped that this bastard would choke on his words. He stared him down coldly. But the former Shichibukai didn't seem to be in a much better mood than Zoro was.

"Oh my goodness, what a tension. If it is so horrible for you, why are you here? I am quite capable of representing my interests on my own and without any help. You do not have to commit yourself to..."

"Shut up." Zoro took a deep breath and waved him off. "You know Kanan. Of course, I couldn't have refused – besides, Nami got wind of it and I..."

"Oh, so it was Miss Navigator, I am surprised, by her standards your appearance is..."

"One more word about the dress, make-up, or hair and I'll kick you between the legs; probably feels really good with these shoes."

Mihawk lifted his hands defensively, his eyebrows raised disapprovingly.

"Roronoa, as you know, I am glad to see you. But you are here of your own free will, more or less, and my patience is already strained enough by this disdainful event – which I, too, only attend because of other's plea. If you want to support me in any way, I would appreciate that, but I lack the composure to endure your bad temper today."

He spoke in that snobbish way again, which always pissed Zoro off, but he also knew it was a sign of the other's bad mood, so he just snorted, crossed his arms and turned away.

"So when does it start?" he grumbled sullenly.

"In two hours, you are remarkably on time."

He replied nothing, which made the other sigh.

"You do not have to do this, Roronoa. I understand why you could not disobey Kanan, and I also understand that you mean well. But you have said often enough that this part of your past is behind you. You do not have to wear the mask of Lady Loreen for my sake."

He sounded conciliatory, so incredibly considerate that it only annoyed Zoro even more.

Zoro was in a bad mood. Sometimes he had the feeling that his crewmembers or whoever were deliberately trying to match their route with Mihawk's whereabouts – and maybe that really was the case – and usually he didn't mind. But this stupid situation... After Nami had answered Kanan's call, she had been convinced that Zoro needed to help his partner. Zoro didn't really get why, but after pretty much everyone in the crew had agreed with Nami, he had caved in. But that didn't mean he liked playing that role, no, not really.

"It's okay," he grumbled softly. "Robin said it might be an advantage for Lady Loreen to show up from time to time. She said that maybe it could benefit us in the future, like the dance with the Cook back then."

An indefinable sound from the other made Zoro turn.

"You disagree?"

"Hm," came from Mihawk. "Not completely, but it seems to me somewhat short-sighted and that does not suit Nico Robin at all. Especially because she knows how little you like this role, and the world currently assumes that Lady Loreen cut ties with Hawk Eyes after the Shichibukai were disbanded."

"It doesn't matter. She said it might help you because it would make people forget that you're an outlaw pirate again, and that's it."

Now Mihawk laughed softly, and when Zoro turned to him, he showed him that condescending smile that Zoro just couldn't stand at all.

"Roronoa, she is playing with you. These arguments are weak, probably just for the purpose of getting you to play your crew's little game."

Somehow, this conclusion didn't surprise him. Zoro might not be as brilliant as some others, but even to him it had been obvious that the others had only tried to persuade him. However, he didn't know why they had made such a fuss, and he didn't care.

"So? What's the problem with me playing along?" he said unimpressed. "Yes, it is super annoying, but after all, it's important to Kanan, Koumyou, and you."

Even as he spoke, Mihawk's smile faded, and blushing, he averted his gaze.

"What? Is it already too much for you if I just try to be nice?"

Still red-cheeked, Mihawk smiled down at him in a way that always embarrassed Zoro. "Well, that may be. But, if you are this certain, then I would be very happy if you would accompany me. That way, all this unnecessary waste of time would at least have something good."

"I told you that's why I'm here," he grumbled, crossing his arms, "and as long as I don't have to do anything, and can just sit out the time, that's okay."

"Well, it is going to be a challenge for you, because I would ask you not to fall asleep during the conference." It was annoying how quickly Mihawk was able to switch back to his know-it-all ways.

"I can sleep with my eyes open," Zoro replied, knowing full well that it was a feeble attempt.

"But even then, you salivate sometimes, and that image is not necessarily something I would want the world to see."

"Oh, kiss my ass!"

He could see Mihawk shaking his head disapprovingly but blushing again. Confused Zoro regarded him, he had certainly not been nice this time, so no reason to blush.

"What's going on now?"

Mihawk looked at him in surprise, his cheeks now fiery red, before he showed an evil smile that Zoro would not have thought he capable of: "You are well aware that this could also be understood as an invitation?"

For a moment, Zoro had no idea what Mihawk was talking about, but then he understood and just rolled his eyes in exasperation.

"I don't think anyone as prudish as you would misinterpret an insult as anything else," he grumbled coolly.

"At least not if it is coming from you," Mihawk agreed. "You may have a cheeky mouth, but you really do not have the slightest idea about other things."

Was he alluding to something? Or was he just teasing Zoro for fun?

"Whatever," Zoro shrugged. "But just to clarify, napping, yes?"

The other looked at him condescendingly.

"No."

"Urgh, not even when you're talking? Nobody pays attention to me anyway."

"No."

"And what if..."

"Roronoa," the other groaned, but the corners of his mouth twitched. "For all I care, I will give you a sign if there is an inconspicuous moment for you to doze off in God's name if that is so important to you, but other than that, please practice staying awake. You could use the time and sharpen your Kenbunshoku Haki."

Zoro just sighed deeply as the other began to put away some papers.

"And what is this meeting all about?"

"Did Kanan not explain?"

"She did, but I forgot."

"Why am I even surprised? It is a meeting requested by several representatives of various islands, which are under the patronage of my name. They express great concern about what the dissolution of the Shichibukai might mean for my name and thus for them. The fact that I have resumed old activities from my youth seems to unsettle them even more, which is why Koumyou has found it necessary for me to be personally present at this meeting – although he is my deputy for a reason – in order to show these pompous nuisances that their worries are foolish. The presence of my partner will definitely be an advantage."

"Urgh, that sounds really boring," Zoro judged, although he was a bit curious about Mihawk's time as Marinehunter, which the other dismissed like an outdated hobby and in general spoke very little about.

He looked up from his documents and gave Zoro that evil grin that he could kind of stand.

"You have always been a bad liar."

"But it's still going to be boring, isn't it?"

"It is not a fight, that should answer your question."

Yes, that had answered his question, not that he hadn't known before.

Zoro had never really felt like he was particularly good-natured, not like Chopper, Vivi, or the Cook, but right now he knew he was a fucking saint!

Maybe he'd suppressed it, maybe he'd forgotten about it, maybe he'd only noticed it now that he'd spent so much time back on the high seas and with his crew, but damn it, how annoying were those stuck-ups; Mihawk was no exception. But at least being a snob wasn't all there was to him, and whenever Zoro noticed his look, he knew how unnerved the other was as well. Mihawk might be a snob, but that didn't stop him from despising the other snobs, probably much more than Zoro did.

Before the meeting several of those representatives had tried to engage Mihawk and Zoro in some sort of small talk or conversation, probably to get some information, but most of them had been a bit more discreet in their questions than the mayor had been back then, so Zoro could simply ignore whatever they were implying, while Mihawk responded to them similarly indirectly, meaning that Zoro didn't really understand what he was actually answering; not that he cared.

After unnecessarily many handshakes and bows, he was now sitting here, next to Mihawk, and that was the biggest reason Zoro was convinced he was a fucking saint. Lady Loreen had the reputation of a polite, gentle noblewoman. Hawk Eyes that of a malicious, rebellious pirate.

So while Zoro sat there, in his uncomfortable clacking shoes, his air-choking bodice, dressed up like a poodle at a dog show, the former Shichibukai slouched next to him on his chair, his feet thrown on the table in front of him, rocking on the back two legs of his chair, his arms crossed, staring down the speakers like he usually only did when Marines were present.

At first, Zoro had been irritated, after all, he had thought that the purpose of this assembly was to convince the islands' representatives that the Dracule name was still a reliable contractor, which Mihawk's behavior probably didn't help – but what did Zoro know about this shit? – by now he was just pissed off.

It just wasn't fair. He went along with this crap for Mihawk's sake, who had gotten himself into this mess. But while Zoro couldn't even lean comfortably against his chair without the bodice pressing into his back, that fucking bastard next to him hadn't even taken off his ugly hat with the ugly feather boa.

He must have just noticed Zoro's mad face on the matter, because a grin briefly flitted across his features as he wordlessly reminded Zoro that he had voluntarily decided to play this role again, but before Zoro could even think about whether he should just transform here in front of everyone, just to wipe the grin off this bastard's face, a short pause was declared.

It only took a few minutes for the room to be almost completely emptied, and Zoro welcomed the opportunity to move around a bit, until he remembered what kind of shoes he was wearing.

"This sucks," he growled softly as he stood a little apart with the former Shichibukai, who was leaning against a pillar and watching the strangers behind Zoro's back, as if expecting an assassination attempt. "And you're really an ass, you know that?"

"I said that your company would at least have something good. I did not say for whom, but thanks to you, I am enjoying myself much more than expected," he remarked condescendingly, as he continued to survey the almost empty hall expressionlessness; most of those present had retreated into the wide corridor. "But you should pay a little attention to your choice of words and your facial expressions. Keep in mind that even though most reporters have to wait outside, a few have been granted access. We do not want the masses to think I have kidnapped you."

"Oh, we do not?" Zoro grumbled sarcastically.

"Maybe you should mingle a bit, play your part and disarm the suspicions of some with your own charm."

Zoro could hardly understand what the other meant.

"Why don't you mingle with those people?" he objected, partly out of principle, but also because he really didn't understand.

Now Mihawk looked down at him for a moment before he observed the hall again.

"For exactly the same reason – apart from the fact that I cannot stand such events and despise unnecessary small talk – because I play my part."

"Oh?" Zoro doubted sullenly.

"Of course. All of those representatives who have ever met me see in me arrogance, pride, disobedience, and recalcitrance. If my behavior were to suddenly change now, they would become even more suspicious. To them, I am the rebellious son of an aristocratic family who was entrusted to his task too early and went astray. But that is all the same to them, as long as the noble house exists, and my name and power secure them protection and influence. My job here is not to appease them or make them feel like I am an acceptable human being, but to show that I am just as dangerous and cruel as they know and heard of."

For a moment, Zoro just listened.

"Then why did I have to come along?" he said, more thoughtful than reproachful. "If it's not about making you seem more human?"

"Is that not obvious? Hawk Eyes offers protection for Lady Loreen, even as a renegade felon, while she is still welcomed in high society. Your presence is emblematic for what these people want. My name, my power, my money, and my influence, but without jeopardizing their status, legality, or reputation. If I can offer them that, their worries will be dissipated; my humanity is not a factor of their concerns."

"Man, this whole stuff is freaking annoying," Zoro grumbled before he understood anything. "Kidnapped. That's why you said that. My role can only work if people think that Lady Loreen is with Hawk Eyes voluntarily and not forced or whatever."

This earned him a nod from the other — not that he cared — and Mihawk met his gaze again.

"Exactly. It plays into our hands that your last appearance was without my company and – at least according to the newspaper – ended in a fiasco. For some, this could be the reason why Lady Loreen has returned, sought shelter, because she cannot survive without Hawk Eyes in this cruel world. This, too, is emblematic for their current situation."

"I'm about to throw up."

"But if you also show that this liaison is in your interest and was entered by your own free will, then the unconscious, inner resistance of the suspicious will crumble," the other continued, ignoring Zoro's comment, "and that is exactly why I brought you along."

Zoro was about to tell the other how shitty his character was, which Mihawk knew of course, when a loud gong told everyone to take their seats.

So Zoro sat there again and was bored to death, for what felt like hours, longing for the next break – if not the end of this lost day.

But he had to wait long, and when there was finally the next break, Zoro dismissed Mihawk with a few words, because this body had another decisive disadvantage compared to his real one. The bladder was freaking small!

He hurried to the pompous crapper and hoped that the queue would not be infinite.

But luck enjoyed mocking him.

At least, Zoro remembered in time which toilet he had to go to, but he wouldn't have missed it either, since the women were standing all the way outside. Sighing softly, he took his position at the end of the queue. Another problem he never thought he'd ever have to deal with.

And the second one came just along, because as soon as he had lined up at the end, of course some women recognized him and immediately they began to talk to him, some were reserved, but most of them were clearly too curious. Zoro couldn't handle finesse and indirect statements like Mihawk, and he didn't want to bother reading anything between any lines, but he put on his fake smile and did what he'd come for.

However, very quickly, he realized that it was easier to play his part when it was just some swift small talk before taking his seat, but here and now he couldn't just leave, and women's topics were much more varied than what he was usually used to as Lady Loreen. So was that how he was supposed to be exposed? Because he couldn't follow incoherent conversations about make-up, war crimes, and economic crises in a toilet? He just wanted to relieve his bladder, was that too much to ask?

Painfully slowly, the line moved forward, and Zoro wondered if he would even make it back to the hall in time for the next gong, not sure if he even wanted to try.

He had finally made it to the anteroom of the ladies' room, but even though his crew had already accustomed him to chaotic situations in the bathroom, he was still surprised that it was very similar with these fine ladies; kind of reassuring.

"Lady Loreen, would you like a peppermint?"

He looked up in surprise from his involuntary conversation about the previous session, when some lady offered him some tiny case and opened it.

"Uhm, no, that..."

Do you need help? Take a white pastille.

Confused, he stared at this piece of paper that was stuck to the inside of the small tin – and concluded from the context that pastilles were the many small white and green mints – and it took him a moment to understand what this woman was doing, and it took him another moment to grasp the background, which Mihawk had explained to him in their conversation only a few hours before.

"What the...?"

He stared at the lady, who gave him a polite smile, but it did not reach her eyes. She reminded him of Nami, of Kanan, and he understood that this woman was apparently seriously worried about him. That's when he realized that she was trying to give him as inconspicuous as possible a way of seeking help, knowing that the eyes and ears of a former Shichibukai could be anywhere. And then he realized that under different circumstances, this woman could really put herself in danger with such an action.

If she had done that during the last break, Zoro would have felt fooled and wouldn't have understood what she wanted, but he was just now realizing that Mihawk was absolutely right, and that this woman — like probably most of the people here — really thought he was the helpless companion of Hawk Eyes, a bird in a golden cage. This woman deliberately put herself in danger trying to help Zoro, but even though he respected that, it also made him angry, this whole situation made him furious.

It was only after a second that he realized that more and more eyes were on him and that he should slowly come up with something. Once again, he was tempted to just transform himself here and now, but once again, he swallowed his anger and played along.

"Thank you very much," he returned her smile and took a green candy, deliberately showed it before putting it in his mouth – it was disgustingly sweet, even for a peppermint – and then closed the offered tin. "Would you like to ask me something? You can talk to me quite frankly, it's just us after all."

He didn't know what to expect, maybe a surprised look, maybe some hesitant question, but certainly not half a dozen women who were gathering around him, asking him more or less discreetly what had happened between Lady Loreen and Hawk Eyes, whether he needed help, whether he had been kidnapped, whether he was ill, and so much more.

He stood there slightly overwhelmed, so perplexed by all these questions that he could hardly answer them. But with each new question he got angrier, and he didn't want to swallow this anger silently. Thankfully, he was released when it was finally his turn, and he quickly disappeared into his half-second of peace. Although it cost him much more time to free himself from this stupid dress.

It annoyed him, that they all acted as if he couldn't defend himself, couldn't make his own decisions. They acted as if he was helplessly at Mihawk's mercy, as if Mihawk was forcing him to do all this, and it pissed him off, really pissed him off. It might have been well-intentioned, but they only worried about him because they didn't know him, only because they knew this fake character that the newspapers, Eizen, and last but not least Mihawk and himself had formed out of Lady Loreen. Not one of them would think such crap if they really knew him.

When he went to the sink, he could hear the whispered words, see their looks, perceive it in their questions, and even though most of them probably meant well, they only made him angrier.

He quickly left the bathroom and stalked back into the meeting room, but only now did he notice it, those eyes that were on him, some condescending, some sympathetic, whispering almost unheard, but loud enough.

This, too, he had forgotten, ignored, perhaps never noted so clearly. Just now he became fully aware of how the world saw him in this body. Maybe it had changed since Mihawk had lost his title as a Shichibukai, but even though it was only a role, only to disguise the connection between Roronoa Zoro and Lady Loreen, Zoro couldn't stand it.

Yes, Lady Loreen was just a fictional character, maybe so, but it was still him in that body and even if Lady Loreen was some frail, little, noble girl, it made him mad that the world didn't want to admit that the relationship between Lady Loreen and Hawk Eyes could be on an equal footing.

Furious, he trudged to his seat, just in time to hear the loud gong, ignoring Mihawk's attempt to talk to him. So he sat there and raged inside.

Again and again the Cook's words came into his head. Well, how was the world supposed to see what he was really like if he always did his best to avoid it?

He didn't know if it would be a good or bad thing if the world found out the truth, and he still didn't know if he wanted that to happen, after all, it would not only have advantages, no, depending on the opponent it would be a clear disadvantage for him. From a tactical point of view, it was probably wiser if not every idiot knew his weak point. Nevertheless, he really didn't want to have to expose himself to these stupid rumors anymore, no matter what body. He had to change that. No, he would change that, today, once and for all. Even if he had no idea how to implement it yet.

Maybe the last speech followed by the last discussion had been much shorter than the previous ones, maybe Zoro had just been distracted, but eventually everyone stood up and this part of the day was done. Now all Zoro had to do was endure the banquet and then he could finally get out of these clothes. But before that, he had to get through one more thing.

"You seem even worse tempered than you were at the beginning," Mihawk remarked quietly as he helped Zoro into the unnecessary coat he had to wear for the two-minute walk through the courtyard to the restaurant.

"Well, you told me to mingle," Zoro grumbled, giving a friendly smile to passers-by before staring Mihawk down.

"Oh, you did not know how they are talking about you," Mihawk rightly stated, but before Zoro could reply, a tall lady came by and asked Mihawk a few unimportant questions, who answered them in his usual condescending manner before simply turning away and showing Zoro the way with an inviting gesture.

Rolling his eyes inwardly, Zoro accepted the offer and walked down the wide corridor alongside the Lord of the Five Islands. Again he could see those looks, hear these whispers.

"You know what pisses me off the most?" he hissed so quietly that only Mihawk right next to him could hear it.

"Do you want me to make a list?" The other seemed to be in a good mood despite the annoying day. "Chronologically or alphabetically?"

"If I hit you in the face right now, you think they'd stop seeing Lady Loreen as some helpless toy?"

"Probably not," replied the other, who apparently took Zoro's words seriously. "It would seem like a desperate attempt of self-help, which of course I would not oppose being in company. But surely many would see their suspicions confirmed if Lady Loreen would not appear in public again for several weeks or even months afterwards."

Zoro just clicked his tongue disapprovingly. Then they stepped outside and were immediately greeted by countless camera flashes and loud shouts from reporters who wanted statements from Mihawk and island representatives, who wanted poses, who wanted interviews, and answers.

Mihawk next to him sighed softly, ignored them, and walked on.

"Hey, wait a sec," Zoro grumbled, and Mihawk looked down at him in surprise. "Come here."

"Why? Are you alright? Let us continue talking inside, not here... in front of them."

Zoro shook his head and waved the other down to him. Disapprovingly, Mihawk approached him, bowed down and tilted his head so that Zoro could whisper better in his ear.

"Please, whatever you have to tell me, this is not..."

It only took a second. Zoro grabbed the other by the back of the head, Mihawk's wrist with the other hand, pulled him even closer, and then he slammed their lips together.

He could see the panic in the other's eyes, who was about to pull away, but Zoro wordlessly told him not to dare before he closed his eyes himself, not letting go of Mihawk.

The sudden silence, which lasted for two whole heartbeats, boomed in his ears before the cameras clicked wildly and countless voices shouted incomprehensible things.

The next moment, Zoro let go of the other and watched with a broad grin as Mihawk almost jumped backwards, getting some distance between them. But Zoro wasn't done yet. While Mihawk was still digesting what had just happened, Zoro grabbed his hand and pulled him along to the stairs leading up to the restaurant.

"What was that, Roronoa?!" Mihawk snapped at him as soon as the door slammed shut. He had probably taken the whole dinner to come up with this lecture. "How could you do such a thing? You know how I...!"

"Calm down, it was just..."

"A kiss! In public! In front of cameras! Don't you realize what that means?!" Mihawk took a deep breath and paced across the room, running his fingers through his hair, obviously agitated. "Embarrassing and inappropriate. I thought you wanted to support me, and then you expose me like that. You know what I think of intimacy in public, and now it is going to be in all the newspapers tomorrow. Everyone will see..."

"How Lady Loreen kisses Hawk Eyes, exactly," Zoro grumbled coldly, standing in the other's way so that he had to stop pacing.

"Why did you do that? Did you want to mock me? Was this some kind of revenge?"

"Oh, come on. Just shut up and listen for a second." Zoro was surprised at how genuinely shocked the other sounded. He hadn't expected Mihawk to get that upset, maybe he'd underestimated Mihawk's class-consciousness or whatever it was. Shaking his head, he sighed and crossed his arms.

In the middle of his breath, Mihawk interrupted himself, pursed his lips, and averted his gaze.

"Well then, explain yourself, Roronoa. Why did you want to embarrass me like that?"

Zoro groaned loudly. "Cut the crap. I didn't embarrass you, I did exactly what you wanted."

"Ha!" came incredulously from the other with the corners of his mouth twitching. "And how can you even think for a second that...?"

"Because not everyone thinks like you," Zoro interrupted him harshly. "I know you're prudish as hell, and I know that crap certainly made you uncomfortable, but that's exactly why I knew it would work."

The panic and disapproval had left Mihawk's face somewhat, and he met Zoro's gaze suspiciously as he crossed his arms.

"What do you mean? What would work?"

Zoro searched for the right words.

"Well, long story short, you didn't want people to think Lady Loreen was forced to be with Hawk Eyes, and it pisses me off that they all think you can force me to do anything, like I'm inferior to you, just some helpless toy." He snorted. "So I did exactly what you would never do – not even as an act – and all the pictures will show exactly that. They will all show that Lady Loreen initiated the kiss, that Hawk Eyes was surprised, sheepish, and embarrassed."

He met the other's gaze earnestly.

"Yes, I know it may made you uncomfortable, but that shitty kiss shows that Lady Loreen is with Hawk Eyes by choice, and that I'm not your helpless toy, but your equal partner!"

He took a deep breath, not knowing what to expect as they stared at each other in what felt like minutes of silence.

But then a strange sound escaped Mihawk, almost like a surprised laugh. He stroked his hair and beard, lingered on his chin with his thumb and forefinger, and then his gaze fell back on Zoro.

"What?" grumbled Zoro. The look made him uncomfortable, and he couldn't make sense of what this reaction meant. He hadn't necessarily intended to put the other in an awkward situation, but he was actually quite convinced of his plan, and it wasn't as if Mihawk had never pulled off such crap with Zoro before.

As if the other had read his mind, he suddenly showed that arrogant grin that Zoro could almost stand.

"I really seem to be a bad influence on you, Roronoa. Or did your crew's coup on Maribelle inspire you to behave in this way?"

"Huh? What are you talking about?"

"Well, your calculations, of course. You analyzed the masses and me, manipulated me, for my own good, even if not entirely altruistically." Mihawk shrugged his shoulders and then strode across the room to a bureau with alcohol. "It is as if you used my mind to come up with this plan. And you are right, it is going to be a complete success. The first real kiss between Lady Loreen and Hawk Eyes in public, shortly after rumors spread that he was taking advantage of her predicament. In fact, I could not have done better, and in fact, I never would have done it."

He turned back and offered Zoro a glass of golden liquid.

"However, the price was quite high. You let me taste my own medicine and it tastes truly bitter. It is not often that someone manages to manipulate me, and you have also embarrassed me. It was a cruel plan."

"You're exaggerating," Zoro grumbled, grabbing the glass. "Sorry, I didn't know you'd be so stressed, and I didn't really try to create some masterpiece here. It was just an idea, and I knew you would reject it. But hey, I'm surviving this dress here and all the articles that are written about me. I think you got away pretty well with just a kiss."

"I guess our opinions about that differ quite a bit," sighed the other, dropping onto a wide chair. "Anyway, how long do you plan to stay?"

"As long as I must," Zoro grumbled, and did the same as Mihawk.

"And that means?"

"Well, the others sailed on, just in case your meeting here would end up with some Marines showing up."

Mihawk snorted.

"So they are counting on me to follow them to bring you back tomorrow morning?"

"Won't you?"

"I do not have unlimited time either, you know?"

Zoro grinned, knowing that the other wasn't serious.

"But I am surprised," Mihawk said, examining his glass. "I am aware that Lady Loreen is more of a thorn in your side than anything else. I would never have dared to kiss you in that form."

Once again, Zoro didn't understand him.

"Was it a problem for you?" he asked.

"What? No, no, at least not that part of it was problematic," the other dismissed directly and met his gaze. "I just did not expect you to be willing to do something like this just for the sake of a plan, let alone in this guise."

"I don't know what you're talking about," Zoro grumbled, sipping his whiskey. "It wasn't our first kiss, was it? And no matter what body, I'm still me, and I have no problem kissing you. You're the one who made a problem out of it."

"Because the day after tomorrow at the latest, the whole world will see how we exchange intimacies with each other. Does that not make you uncomfortable?"

"I don't give a damn what the world will see," he objected. "But I'm getting annoyed by how they all think they have to interfere, how they think they can judge our relationship. I'm not ashamed to either kiss you or be your partner, and if the world wants to see something, then they should at least see that. All I care is that I don't get any more annoying rescue offers while I'm just trying to take a piss."

This secured a surprised look from the other.

"Oh, so that is what happened?" he asked, amused, although he had probably wanted to say something else at first.

With a soft sigh, Zoro began to tell his story, willingly accepting how Mihawk laughed at him. Because he knew that in two days at the latest, when they reached the Thousand Sunny, it would be Mihawk who would want to be swallowed up by the ocean, while Zoro's crewmembers would rub the newspaper under his nose.

Smiling, he emptied his glass. The damn Cook had been right. It was about time Zoro showed the world who he really was, and no matter what body, he was neither helpless nor shy. Today had been the first step in that direction, unplanned, at Mihawk's expense, but for a moment Zoro could stand this body a little better and he knew that this feeling would come back as soon as he saw the newspaper.

But his train of thought was interrupted when Mihawk suddenly gave him that gentle smile and Zoro's cheeks immediately warmed.

"What?" he grumbled.

"Oh, nothing, I was just thinking about your words," the other remarked. "You said you wanted to show the world that you were my partner. Not that Lady Loreen is Hawk Eyes' partner. It was not a show, at least not everything, was it?"

Sighing, Zoro rolled his eyes and stood up.

"You're talking nonsense again. I don't really care about Lady Loreen and Hawk Eyes. I only pulled all this crap off because you're my partner. And now come!"

"Where to?" A second ago, the other had blushed, now he was looking suspiciously at Zoro.

"To bed, I'm tired and you have to help me out of this shitty dress. Nami's laced it so tight, I feel like my shoulder blades are dying."

With a quiet laughter, the other followed him and somehow Zoro was in a much better mood than he had been in the morning. No, if he was honest, he was in a really good mood.